A rich woman for whom I did household chores as a teenager remarked to me once that “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” I don’t recall why she made the remark, but I do recall thinking, “Easy for you to say!” 

Money buys clothes, shelter, food, and other necessities to live, and when we make a bit more money, we can save and invest for a future rainy day, for retirement, or to benefit children and other family members. We can buy fancier versions of the things we need with more money – most of us enjoy luxury when we have the chance to experience it – or we can buy convenience – whether it’s taking an Uber instead of the bus, flying first class instead of coach or (for the truly rich) opting for a private jet instead of commercial air travel.

As Dudley Moore says in the movie “Arthur,” after Liza Minelli asks him what sailing on a yacht is like: “It doesn’t suck.”

Still, most of us eventually learn that the woman who talked to me years ago about happiness is right. After taking care of necessities, saving, and investing for tomorrow, and yes, indulging ourselves a bit, there’s only one truly gratifying thing left to do with money: Give it away. The Bible teaches us that God loves “a cheerful giver.” So does our own psyche, if we will allow for it. It turns out that giving money away triggers a physical response that really does make us happy.

Reading news this week that President Trump, who has an extraordinary talent for making money and is the wealthiest president in U.S. history, made some $2 billion last year, Democrats and the media were in high dudgeon decrying Trump’s earnings and suggesting wrongdoing, while openly hoping that his good financial fortune last year will be the source of some political unhappiness in November.

Perhaps that will come to pass, though I think voters have long-since come to terms with Trump’s eagerness to continue doing business even while in office. That’s not my concern. I’m wondering whether Trump and his family will become the kind of “cheerful” givers that would make them happier, while bequeathing a prize that would benefit the world. 

At 80 years of age, the president doesn’t need the money he makes in office and couldn’t spend it all if he tried. So there’s no reason to let his name and legacy be tarnished over an extra billion or two. Instead, he could use the money he earns in office to buy some happiness – and have some fun at the same time. There’s no reason to wait, either; he can give it away now, in a manner that burnishes his name and helps make America even greater!

So, Mr. President, please consider these ideas from a political supporter: Use the money you’ve banked while in office to endow a new trust (and maybe ask Elon Musk and a few other friends and family members to contribute too) and launch a series of annual prizes that will become the new gold standard for recognizing greatness.

Would you be criticized for being political? Sure, but why let that stop you, sir?

A committee in Sweden awards Nobel prizes in chemistry, physics, medicine, economics, and literature. The most prestigious Nobel, of course, is the Peace Prize, administered by a separate committee in Norway. It includes a cash prize of just over $1 million and worldwide acclaim. It is also inarguably politicized. The Norwegians awarded a Peace Prize to Barack Obama merely for getting elected, to Jimmy Carter for arguing with George W. Bush’s foreign policy (one of the judges admitted it) and to Yasser Arafat, of all people.

It’s a wonder why Trump covets this award. Mr. President, you can do better. Why not launch the new Trump Peace Prize, and award recipients $2 million, $3 million or even $5 million? There could be similar awards in economics, medicine, and science, recognizing and rewarding courageous advances in each of these fields.

The once-great Columbia University awards Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding achievement in journalism, books, music, and drama and a cash award of $15,000. It awarded, and has not revoked, prizes to the Washington Post and New York Times for reporting on “Russian collusion” in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections that turned out to be a hoax. Why not launch the new Trump Prize in a variety of categories to recognize courage and truth-seeking journalists, brilliant authors, great music, and fresh new drama and award $100,000 to each recipient? Nick Shirley comes to mind as an obvious choice for a new, non-woke, investigative journalism prize.

Or maybe you could launch the Trump Patriot Prize, honoring and providing cash awards to American men and women who take extraordinary risks and bold actions to make their communities great. People the liberal establishment would shun rather than venerate. Think of Riley Gaines, the Moms for Liberty founders, Corey Brooks and Project HOOD, Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels, or some of the Angel Moms working to bring sanity back to sanctuary cities.

You are known for your quiet kindness, helping ordinary Americans you have encountered through difficult moments of need. Your new organization could hire a cadre of young people to confidentially move about the country to identify good people going through hard times who need a quiet helping hand on a confidential basis.

While we’re at it, since employee compensation and benefits are rising much more slowly than profits, can you nudge corporate America to give their employees a “Trump bonus,” so workers share more in the bounty from our robust economy?

I am a frequent guest at a wide range of Trump properties – you really do have an amazing team of people who work toward achieving high standards with a great attitude.  But, as you know, there have been social costs to being a loyal Trump employee over the last 10 years. How about encouraging your family members running the Trump Organization to announce an abundance-sharing bonus to Trump Organization employees, from the doorman and dishwashers to the men and women running your great properties – and encourage other great organizations to follow the Trump example?

Mr. President, making money is great fun and a huge achievement. No one does it better than you. But life is short and we all will die without any riches other than heavenly riches granted by the grace of God, so have some real fun and buy happiness today – by giving away your in-office earnings in a way that makes America even greater.