Despite economic worries, blacks and Latinos are happier this year than last, according to the latest Harris Poll Happiness Index. Overall, American happiness remained the same:

One of the only real changes in happiness from last year is among African Americans and Hispanics. Last year, 35% of African Americans were happy, as were 32 % of Hispanics. This year, those numbers increased to 41% and 36%, respectively. Whites, however, are unchanged at 35 percent for both this year and last year.

The number of Democrats who were happy also increased this year (from 33%to 36%), while, not surprisingly, the number of happy Republicans decreased (39 % to 37%). These changes probably have something to do with the election of President Obama.

Source: Money and Happiness Really Many Not Be Tied Together

The broader implication of these poll results appears to support a truth that spiritual people talk about all the time: Money cannot buy happiness.

Some of the index statements are almost unchanged from last year. Nine in 10 Americans still agree that their relationships with friends brings them happiness (9% this year, 93% last year) and they have positive relationships with family members (90% this year, 92% last year) while eight in 10 agree that, at this time, they are generally happy with their lives (8% this year, 83% last year). Also unchanged is that two-thirds of Americans still say that they frequently worry about their financial situation (67% this year, 65% last year).

There are two statements that have shown some changes – for the positive. Last year, almost three-quarters of Americans (73%) said they felt their voice is not heard in national decisions that affect them. This year, that number drops to 67%. Just under half of all Americans (49%) last year said they rarely worried about their health, while this year over half (54%) now agree with that statement. Source: Money and Happiness Really Many Not Be Tied Together

But on the other hand, those who were found to be happiest had enough money to make ends meet.

The more education one has the happier one is, as 33% of those who have a high school or less education are happy, 36% of both those with some college and college graduates are happy and 39% of those with a post-graduate education are happy. Income, however, is not the same, as the happiest income group is the group making between $50,000 and $74,999 (39%), followed by those with incomes of $75,000 and up (36%). Source

I understand that money can't buy happiness. But my life has also taught me that it is very, very hard to be happy when you don't have enough money to cover your basic needs.