The impecunious Margin is glad to report that scientists have at last proved that money really can't buy you happiness. For the first time researchers have proved that, regardless of background and financial circumstances, everyone tends to have the same "pleasure quota". The only difference between us is what we actually derive that pleasure from.

Among the key findings were that men apparently enjoy sex more than women, while women enjoy shopping and eating chocolate and cakes. The research, from independent studies conducted on more than 4,000 adults in eight countries, shows that people who are on low incomes enjoy shopping the most. Meanwhile the wealthier among us seem to enjoy sex more.