Research suggests a salary increase will have little effect on your happiness level if you're already making $75,000 or more, Bill Barnett writes. The research underscores the point that even though you need to make enough money to live, your paycheck shouldn't be the only deciding factor when choosing a job. "If you're considering a job that doesn't excite you because it offers a higher paycheck, consider how it will affect your outlook, motivation, and perhaps your performance," he writes.