Poor Souls
A lot of people think money can buy happiness, but the rich and famous often don’t seem to live very fulfilling lives.
(This comic strip was previously published on January 4, 2010.)
Wombania the Comic Strip
A Wombie's view of the world, updated Mondays and Thursdays
Latest Comments
on Puzzle Predicament: “Making puzzle pieces fit where they’re not supposed to is a true super power. 🙂” Apr 26, 08:44
on Puzzle Predicament: “A lot of “out of the box thinking” was needed to do the puzzle that way.” Apr 23, 12:17
I’m going to side with Fraz on this one. Money might not be able to buy happiness, but it sure can buy stuff that can make me happy.
Yes I think that too Chur, I just hope that Fraz can convince Chris? 🙂
I wouldn’t count on it! Chris is kind of crazy that way.
More stuff is always better than less stuff!
I think the notion that money can’t buy happiness is circulated by rich folk in order to deter the poor from trying to grab their wealth off them
Well it’s not working! Give me the money!!
LOL!
Hey, Fraz, while you’re at the shops can you buy me something really cool? I promise I’ll pay you back 🙄
Sure, Loon! Can you give me your credit card number?
Ummm????? Can’t you use Duncan’s????? He won’t mind, he told me so .. 🙄
Well, okay, I can use Duncan’s credit card, but I still need a number.
An Xbox brings much joy. Unless you don’t have a TV.
How about a PS3 too, now I enjoy playing around on that one 🙂
I’ll take one of those, too!
I could sure use a bigger 3-D TV!
How about a 50″ one for starters? 🙂
Yeah, that should do for my bedroom burrow.
Talk to Kirstie Alley’s ex husband about that 😉
I wonder if he was any happier after the divorce settlement?
I think that I will tag along Fraz as I feel like buying something too, maybe a new zombie grabber for when they escape might come in useful 🙂
We could go on a shopping spree and get one of everything if we take my genie along!
Now you’re talking but it’s your Genie remember so don’t be wasting too many wishes on everyone else 🙂 I have a shortlist of 500 items, thank you Fraz 🙂
You don’t waste wishes on a friend! But I think I might be waring out my genie. She’s looking kind of tired and floppy.
Maybe she could do with a few wishes for herself? 🙂
I guess I could wish her to take a few days off on my island and just enjoy our party.
Yes its going to be a skimpy bikini party next I think, but only for the girls and you have to hide your eyes too so no peeping 🙂
Aww, that’s not fair! It’s my island!
Oh alright then Fraz I guess a little peep won’t hurt 🙂
Yay!!
Hahaha…
kind of funny how the same paper that nailed Chris with that also happens to have a nice big car ad plastered all over the back page…
nice touch, sir!
🙂
One way or another, consumerism powers just about everything in our society.
It is all those extra special attention to detail ideas that makes this comic strip stand out from the crowd, and why everyone enjoys calling by here every day and enjoying all the fun 🙂
Thanks, Andro, that’s very kind of you. I think some of you enjoy it more than others, though!
Yes, well I certainly enjoy calling in here every day and seeing what everyone is getting up to 🙂
And I certainly enjoy your visits, too!
I believe the stats. All the people in Nigeria live as Princes…haha
Do they? I wonder if they need a king?
Or a President, Prime Minister and Vampy Prince? You have lots to offer Fraz 🙂
Yeah, I’m kind of a leader for everyone!
Definitely the leading Pricce of Vampys but watch out for that strawberry jam or everyone will want some 🙂
I think we have enough for everyone unless people go crazy for it. Maybe we should get a truckload of it for next week.
I prefer jelly over jam.
We’ll make sure to have a truckload of jelly, too!
We can have Jelly Bearman, no problemo 🙂
Is that like Gummy Bears?
Yes it could be, if we attach jelly green hair to them all, if we do a larger version it can be called a jelly green giant 🙂
If they counted as vegetables, I’d be all the vegetables I could!
I agree with your assessment. It does appear that many with wealth are miserable. I’ll stay poor thankyouverymuch.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Problems certainly do seem to plague the rich, not that I know from first hand experience.
The trouble with the rich folks is, they have too much money, too much choice and no real friends to enjoy everything with… We may not be wealthy but we do see life 🙂
I think that’s very true. And when you have a lot of money and are famous, it’s very hard to know who your real friends are.
I know that money changes everything, but for me personally I would hope that one thing would remain exactly the same, and that is me… But you are right about the friends scenario, there would be a lot more peeps just wanting to tag along for the ride…
Have a great weekend Peter 🙂
I would hope that I wouldn’t change too much with money, either. Well, other than the few things that could use changing.
Like engaging an excellent plastic surgeon. That would be a happiness money could buy 😉
Red.
No need for any plastic surgeons just be yourself and that is good enough for us 🙂
Yes, unless you look like your avatar, Andro, because that is a bit weird.
Yes I agree 🙂 lol
But I do look like my avatar!!
Red.
Your avatar is perfectly fine, Red! I was referring to Andro’s avatar, which is a bit strange looking to say the least, and if he really looks like that, well, a little plastic surgery might be called for.
Especially on those fangs, they are far too small for any respectful Vampire 🙂
I suppose the wings might be helpful, though.
Money may not buy happiness, but it sure fixes a lot of things…which make me happy. Therefore, I’m siding with Fraz.
I’m pretty happy buying things!
Yes I think that Deb has a very good point there, but I wonder what Chris will think about it? 🙁
Hopefully Chris won’t come by to spoil our fun!
Buy him something, that will change his tune…temporarily anyway.
Do they sell muzzles for humans?
Yes…it’s called a sock.
I thought a sock went on the other end.
Yuk… A sock in the mouth sounds a bit iffy 🙁
Maybe it’d be better to get Chris an e-book reader or something like that to keep him busy.
Buy him something which will take a lot of time…
Red.
Yes maybe War and Peace could be a good starting point for him? 🙂
That’s a good idea. Chris likes old big boring books like that.
Yes, it does, but you asked about a muzzle for him. It would be better to just fix him some chocolate pancakes…Chris style…then buy him something.
Yeah, I think that might get me into less trouble than trying to muzzle him!
Perhaps a pancake muzzle would be okay? 🙂
Stuffing Chris with pancakes might do the same thing without him getting mad at us.
So, why not pay Twink to make him a 10-hour meal? That would keep them both busy.
Red.
That’s a pretty good idea! I wonder if Twink will go for some flowers or something?
Mo Money, Mo problems.
Often that is the case.
This is also true…with much, comes much responsibility.
If I had lots of money, I’d take my spending responsibilities very seriously!
Would that “something” be wine gums and chocolate?
Oh yeah! I bet it is. 🙂
How did you guys know?!
Chocolate, wine gums, and a new video game should do it!
Don’t forget the party hats Fraz, it’s nearly Friday so we will be having a big party on your island, don’t worry I am bringing lots of goodies for you, maybe even a surprise or ten 🙂
It’s almost like life is one big party now! Not that I’m complaining!
It is called ‘The Genie Complex’ but no need to worry about it Fraz, just pop a party hat on and start singing and dancing to the beach hop rock 🙂
Okay, sure! That’s not hard to do! And grab a pancake or two while you’re here!
Yes I always enjoy the pancakes on offer around here Fraz, especially the chocolate covered one’s with a milkshake chaser 🙂
They chocolate pancakes are the best! Especially when they have chocolate chips in them too!
They wouldn’t be chocolate pancakes without the chocolate chips 🙂
Twink makes chocolate pancakes with lots of cocoa in the batter, and then she adds chocolate chips, too. And then I add chocolate syrup. They’re triple chocolate pancakes!
I want some now 🙂
So do I! Twink!!
I read something similar recently. Too bad Fraz didn’t get the point.
Buying something is better than listening to Chris.
Yes and listening to Chris makes us want to buy a lot more stuff too 🙂
Maybe that’s why I like buying stuff so much!
Always good to buy the latest gadget or game. Fraz will be happy with that!
You bet!!
Will we ever learn? I doubt it. Great cartoon.
Probably only when there’s nothing left to buy.
Muahahaaaaha!!! Fraz could live in Beverly Hills and have his own reality show. Come on, he obviously needs one!!!! “Keep it Up with The Frazdarshians”.
This inspires me to make a special painting! 🙂
I like the sound of that!! I belong in Hollywood!! And on TV!! No one could keep up with me!!
You can have your own villa with wall to wall Wombie Princess’ and a fleet of pancake and wine gum couriers, a health spa, swimming pool, chocolate milkshakes and a spam chef for your every need 🙂
I think I better get to Hollywood fast! I’m missing out on the good life!
I will organise a fleet of coaches, I think everyone will want to see Hollywood 🙂
A Hollywood Convoy! That sounds like fun! We need to invite Red and her big trailer!
Yes and then stock it up with plenty of pancakes, wine gums, spam, marshmellows, chocolate and everything else that we enjoy 🙂
Of course! It wouldn’t be a very fun convoy if we starved to death on the way to Hollywood!
I’ll look forward to seeing your painting, Cha!
I am looking forward to seeing your new painting too Cha 🙂
So am I!!
Thank you my friends!!
I’m working on a new portrait (another Lost character) but the next one will be Fraz!!!
YAY!!!
Wicked, I can’t wait to see it Cha 🙂
Fraz, all the things in the world are nothing if you do not have friends and family to share it with you. Money cannot buy love.
Red.
You sound a lot like Chris!
I think we need to rub that lamp again Fraz 🙂
Maybe we could wish for something for Chris so he’ll stop bugging me.
Maybe a hologram Fraz will keep him busy? 🙂
Why didn’t I think of that?! I hope he can’t tell the difference. Then I could send my hologram to school, too!
Yes but will your hologram be as brainy as you are in the flesh, we don’t want you falling behind on your studies? 🙂
Well, don’t know. Maybe we should ask my hologram.
Who cares about happiness? I’ve got a brand new credit card and a writst itching to swipe!
I’ll help you break it in!
Yes we will all come along and help you spend your credit limit 🙂
There’s a limit?? What fun is that?!
Money may not buy happiness, but it sure would help! Guess what? Speaking of money, I’m now a professional blogger with my first paid post.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Congratulations! Maybe Fraz should take up blogging.
I always shop at Costco so I can buy ‘Happiness’ in the extra large DOUBLE pack!! Cute toon as always! W.C.C.
I like happiness that comes in bulk packages!
I agree with Fraz, am a great fan of retail therapy And money can buy happiness you just need to know where 🙂
There are always the latest toys that we need!
What great cartooning! I’ve never had enough money for “retail therapy” – just can’t spare it. Anyway, depends what your definition of “happiness” is. After all, some find “happiness” in a bottle of vodka.
All definition…
Thanks, Noeleen. Yes, happiness comes in many forms, some not very lasting.
I guess it’s a case of if you don’t know what you’re missing, then you can’t hunger for it. 🙂
But I know what I’m missing, so that’s why I hunger for it!
Fraz is a true American. There is never enough to buy. I bet he is a pack-rat.
You can never have enough stuff!
I think I’m more of a pack-Wombie.
It’s a good job your name isn’t Mac or you would be a… Hmm… I think that Genie of yours needs to enhance my joke abilities 🙂
I’ll tell her to do that right after her rest!
Great because I can feel another boring joke coming on 🙂 lol
Hold it in, hold it in!
I’m trying 🙂
Hey how do you mean
very trying sometimes 🙂 lol
I think that’s what Chris says about you.
Why don’t Vampires
get asked to parties?
Because they are
a pain in the neck 🙂 lol
Haha! That’s funny, but not if someone reads it and then doesn’t invite me to their party!
Yes I didn’t think about that scenario, so I will have to think of some more Vampire jokes for you 🙂
Yeah, ones where the Vampire gets his chocolate, or something.
I had my computer at a distance from my drawing table when I checked out the comic. At first glance I swear the first panel said, “People in pooper countries are hairrier and more content than people in richer countries.” … Then I realized my eyes switched the “R” and the “P” in the words 😛 Getting too old, I think.
Well that would be a whole different comic, that’s for sure.
Even if that were true, money couldn’t buy the hairier people happiness. Looking into glasses this week. .. at least reading glasses.
Virtually everyone needs glasses sooner or later. Some of us a lot sooner than later.
I agree, that money can’t buy happiness.
Money can buy chocolate, though.
And lots of yummy pancakes 🙂
Don’t forget the barrels of wine gums!
I guess, that you don’t agree with me. Ok, money can buy pleasures 😉
Some of us agree with you!
I understand that the fun of the comments here is the great humor so many people display, but at the risk of being kind of out of place, here is what I recently read about this.
It has been shown to be true several times. But recent studies show that it is the lifestyle of being poor, especially in certain cultures, that leads to this result. Rather than the lack of money making someone happy, or being affluent causing unhappiness, it is the more relaxed lifestyle of not having money that makes people happier. Being poor of course has it’s downsides, even for important areas like health, but poor people often have a less stressful life overall and more time for themselves and those close to them.
Interestingly one study found, in the US at least that the happiest and healthiest people were those that led such a frugal lifestyle as to almost be thought of as poor, but actually had savings that, even though they never spent, gave them peace of mind that it was there for an emergency.
Your comment is not out of place at all, and very welcome, Will.
I never heard that take on it, but it does make a lot of sense. Having time for things that you consider important, and having less stress definitely make for a more satisfying life. Most self-made millionaires seem to be quite frugal, especially when they’ve come from a poor background. They know the value of things and rarely feel the need to impress others with material possessions.
One of my favorite sayings is “Know more than you say, and have more than you show.”
This is a repeated finding here. Those who live frugally generally have reserves kept out of public view (and therefore judgment), but have the peace of mind knowing if something dire does happen, they will not be totally devastated.
Red.
Which is both wise, and totally understandable. That kind of security definitely reduces your stress and makes you more contented.
It’s not crazy talk Fraz!! it’s true.
I live in developing country and to be honest I don’t have the need to spend much money on unnecessary things
Often the less you have, the more you appreciate things. And a lot of the things that people have is really just superfluous junk.
Hear hear!!
My superfluous junk is only things related to my hobby, such as books 😉
Everyone should be able to have some toys or collections, but many people have so much stuff they can’t move.
Money may not be able to buy all the happiness in the world, but it sure can buy things that can make us happy one way or the other. Money also gives us the opportunity to pay for everyday expenses, and for some people, having no debts and being able to pay for monthly or yearly expenses for their home and family makes them completely happy and contented as well.
Having enough to live on, and to not have to worry about debt will certainly make people happier or at least more content. I guess it comes down to how much more you need to be happy, and how much of your happiness is tied to what you possess.
This is very true, mo money, mo problems
Often that’s what happens.
Of course money buys happiness! Money buys bacon!
So bacon=happiness?
… I personally adhere to the voluntary simplicity – no cell, no gadgets, no fancy stuff… I do have an Ipod and it makes me pretty happy.
The simple life can be quite rewarding.
I think the poor just use that excuse to make themselves feel better. Spend up big Fraz, spend up big…
That’s what I think, too! Happiness comes from a store!
Money mightn’t buy love but a lot of material happiness can compensate
Yeah, and I want a lot of that material happiness!
I agree with Fraz on consummerism as it is very important.
On the other hand being without all the electronics and hoopla would be so calming.
I’d rather be the consumer!