happiness
yeah i know there are ways to acquire happiness besides money. thanks ///sssoooo/// much for pointing that out. i really appreciate the misspelled vulgarities. anywho, you're right. painting and family time are good examples. but, you have to have enough money to be able to buy paints and canvases. or picnic with the kids instead of going to work. your utility function is such that you work as much as you have to in order to support the things that really make you happy.