Sociological researcher Glenn Firebaugh claims that it is not just a question of having or not having a lot of money. The key factor is whether or not you have a lot of money compared to those around you. People can be quite satisfied with their salaries, for example, until they find out that their peers make more. This pursuit to maintain equal or higher levels of income and purchasing habits as other around us (or"keeping up with the Joneses", as the common expression goes) turns life into a never-ending competition. Says Firebaugh, "Rather than promoting overall happiness, continued income growth could promote an ongoing consumption race where individuals consume more and more just to maintain a constant level of happiness.