I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I don't think money is necessary at all. All it does is complicate one's life, IMO.
What are the things that really matter in life? Love, family, friendship, health.
Money can't buy any of that.
At best, it can buy you some toys and trinkets that might provide a fleeting distraction from your unhappiness.
I guess money can buy you some physical comfort and leisure, but I think true happiness lies in expanding your comfort zone, and in being useful.
When I look around at people who have a lot of money, they don't seem happy.
A lot of poor people don't either, but it's because they covet the toys and trinkets more affluent people flaunt in their faces. If they had them, though, they still wouldn't be happy, I don't think.
I don't know the answer. I wish money were less of an issue in our society. We're a wealthy society; there's plenty of money for everyone to have everything they need.
I just wish things were different. I wish more people saw things the way I do, but I've come to accept that almost nobody does.