The Science Of Why You Should Spend Your Money On Experiences, Not Things

[Puppet Guy]

thinking of the "stuff" I buy, it's usually books or music or hobby materials which are certainly material. But the books/music give me an experience I can use more than once, and the hobby stuff gives me hours of fun and something to show for it later. Best of both worlds.

[flamesfever]

I think happiness comes from a certain level of satisfaction in knowing who we are and what we stand for. I believe this comes from seeing ourselves in our work experience. It usually adds to our happiness by sharing with others the material things we manage to acquire by dong the work.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I think happiness comes from a certain level of satisfaction in knowing who we are and what we stand for. I believe this comes from seeing ourselves in our work experience. It usually adds to our happiness by sharing with others the material things we manage to acquire by dong the work.

where do you work......

[polak]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Participation is just as important to most people as contribution. When you have experiences, you're exercising your autonomy and thus are fully engaged in whatever activity you're doing.

#Fomo

[Igottago]

I think its a combination of both.

As has been pointed out you can get material items to enhance your experiences. A new guitar could be a great purchase for an aspiring musician -- it adds to the experience of making and performing the music.

While I try to live without regret there are a few experiences where I think "why did I waste so much money on that, I could've easily bought "x" instead.

I get some level of happiness from the material items I buy and the experiences I have. The materials may be a shorter lived happiness but sometimes they are vital to have the experience.

[peter12]

Having a fine dandy pair of shoes makes me feel great all the time.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by peter12

Having a fine dandy pair of shoes makes me feel great all the time.

Man, I polished my shoes so damn well the other day. I was walking down the street with my head down just staring at the shine on them.

[V]

I'm surprised this is even a conversation. Experiences will always produce more happiness than material things.

Material things that create experiences, though, are probably the exception. I'm glad I bought a guitar so that I could learn how to play it. That's been a fun experience. I'm glad I bought an acreage because my kids and wife love the lifestyle associated with acreage living. I'll never get the same kind of happiness if I buy a fancier car than my '06 Civic.

[Sliver]

Assuming you're not living in a concentration camp, I think happiness generally comes from the way you're wired and has little to do with anything else after basic needs are met.

[AcGold]

depends on the item. I spent $300 on a guitar that I used for 500 hours, that's pretty good experience and I still own the thing.

[The Yen Man]

Meh, why does it have to be one or other? Can't it be a balance of both? I like to experience or travel, but I'm wouldn't be happy if I had to live like a hobo to do it. I like driving a nicer car, or living in a more comfortable house as much as I like travelling. Different strokes for different folks, but I'm pretty comfortable in what makes me happy, and balance money spent on material goods vs. experiences. I don't need a science report to tell me otherwise.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

honest question here....but can't you psychologically adapt to experiences as well?

Sure, if you're doing the same things over and over again. Like how if you go to all 41 Flames games, it's not going to mean as much to you as if you can only afford to go to one game a year.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Meh, why does it have to be one or other? Can't it be a balance of both? I like to experience or travel, but I'm wouldn't be happy if I had to live like a hobo to do it. I like driving a nicer car, or living in a more comfortable house as much as I like travelling. Different strokes for different folks, but I'm pretty comfortable in what makes me happy, and balance money spent on material goods vs. experiences. I don't need a science report to tell me otherwise.

Probably because for some people it's not possible to have both. I could theoretically afford a modest single-family home if I chose to scrimp and save for the next 30 years or so, but I certainly wouldn't be doing much on the side in that scenario. So instead, if I live in a one-bedroom apartment or even a bachelor, I can also afford a few more experiences in life, same with not owning a car.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Probably because for some people it's not possible to have both. I could theoretically afford a modest single-family home if I chose to scrimp and save for the next 30 years or so, but I certainly wouldn't be doing much on the side in that scenario. So instead, if I live in a one-bedroom apartment or even a bachelor, I can also afford a few more experiences in life, same with not owning a car.

Ad hence why I said it is a balance, and different people have it balanced differently. The key is to be satisfied with your choices. I'm pretty comfortable with my current balance.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Ad hence why I said it is a balance, and different people have it balanced differently. The key is to be satisfied with your choices. I'm pretty comfortable with my current balance.

I would suggest that the majority of society lack the ability to do the aforementioned.

How many people are "satisfied".....the release of a new iPhone is a good example. You have people lining up with perfectly good phones......

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I would suggest that the majority of society lack the ability to do the aforementioned.

How many people are "satisfied".....the release of a new iPhone is a good example. You have people lining up with perfectly good phones......

or how many of you have Johnny Hockey or new Monahan jersey's, instead of your old Val Bure and Todd Simpson jersey's?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

or how many of you have Johnny Hockey or new Monahan jersey's, instead of your old Val Bure and Todd Simpson jersey's?

1. I cheer for the crest on the front not the name on the back

[J pold]

This seems like one of those justifications middle class white girls use to convince their parents to pay for them to go Thailand, take drugs at a full moon party, get a tacky foot tattoo and come home enlightened from their deep “experiences”.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The insecurity of certain posters in this thread is palpable.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The insecurity of certain posters in this thread is palpable.

expland on that thought please.