People Who Spend Money On Experiences Instead Of Things Are Much Happier

[TrojanSkyCop1]

TSC1's Take: Now, don't get me wrong, I like nice things too, else I wouldn't be posting on the Warrior Bon Vivant Forum! That said, based upon my first-hand travel experiences and whatnot, I'm inclined to concur strongly with the authors of these articles:

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/people-spend-money-experiences-instead-things-much-happier/983208/


http://stuffocation.org/discover-the-secret-to-happiness/

[B+Shooter]

As one who has lost or damaged expensive things, I can agree. It's harder to lose an experience, and often you romanticize a good experience as you get older.

[breakingcontact]

I agree overall. The only caution ill offer is not to wait and wait to live it up someday. Like if you work like a dog for 40 years looking forward to retirement that is wildly dangerous. A lot of living to do now.

I went from a job having 12 weeks off per year to basically grinding week after week all year. I used to go hiking in the mountains in really cool wilderness areas for up to 10 days. I cannot do that as easily anymore but I can get out on the weekends and enjoy the parks near me.

[manco5]

Like stuff things and bling things are really important. Yeah right. NOT

[TrojanSkyCop1]

I agree overall. The only caution ill offer is not to wait and wait to live it up someday. Like if you work like a dog for 40 years looking forward to retirement that is wildly dangerous. A lot of living to do now.

I went from a job having 12 weeks off per year to basically grinding week after week all year. I used to go hiking in the mountains in really cool wilderness areas for up to 10 days. I cannot do that as easily anymore but I can get out on the weekends and enjoy the parks near me.

Amen. Heck I haven' even celebrated my 40th birthday yet (I do so this coming August), but I'm already living it up wherever and whenever I can. To quote the title of my favorite 007 film, You Only Live Twice. So make the most of it, and carpe diem!

[Flyer47]

I agree with the article. I want to add an additional thought. Yes, buying experiences rather than things is the way to go. However, people should also "spend" active (wages) income buying passive assets that produce income streams.

Make money work for you.

[tweek]

absolutely.

When you decide to buy something you'll get a nice shot of dopamine but the pleasure goes away pretty quickly. Where as that trip to Tuscany where you spent a week touring around on a motorcycle and experiencing the place will bring back those good feelings whenever you take a moment to recall them.

This year I'm taking my daughter to a rally driving school. We're going to have a blast and I'm pretty sure she'll remember it longer than she will any ornament I might buy her.

[coastalcop]

absolutely.

When you decide to buy something you'll get a nice shot of dopamine but the pleasure goes away pretty quickly. Where as that trip to Tuscany where you spent a week touring around on a motorcycle and experiencing the place will bring back those good feelings whenever you take a moment to recall them.

This year I'm taking my daughter to a rally driving school. We're going to have a blast and I'm pretty sure she'll remember it longer than she will any ornament I might buy her.

OK , that's friggin awesome !!!!!

[pangloss]

I think that travel is probably the best way to spend money. My wife and I have been on three nice trips in the ~10 years we've been married, and I would not trade any of those trips for things I could buy. In one of Cooper's books, he wrote about his favorite place to hunt cape buffalo. I can't remember the exact location or the exact quote, but he wrote something to the effect that even if you need to mortgage your house to go hunt buffalo there, you should really consider it.

On another note, a few years ago my car (Subaru WRX) had to spend a month in the body shop because a woman rammed her CRV into the passenger side of my car. I said something to the guy who owned the body shop about having to buy premium gasoline and he told me that "premium gasoline is life's cheapest luxury." There are a lot "nicer" cars out there than my WRX, but the WRX is really fun car to drive. In my mind, this puts it into the "experience" category rather than a simply material possession. I think I may go look up some rally driving schools now...

[tweek]

I agree that some ornaments straddle in to experience. My STi regularly visits the track and goes on back road cruises. My motorcycles also visit the track (one is a dedicated track bike) and go on trips. It's amazing what you can see when you get lost and just enjoy the ride and scenery. I'm very temped to get an adventure bike like a KTM or BMW.

However there are a ton of experience capable cars and bikes that are just ornaments. The number of Vette's, Ducati's and other vehicles that have never been driven or ridden in anger is sad. The Nissan Skyline is a great example. There are several in my neighborhood that will never see a track and actually do what they are designed for. Same with so many of the HD cruisers around here - take that thing in to West Texas and in to New Mexico and then North in to the Rockies! Don't just go on bar crawls.

I'm currently setting aside money for a trip to Germany to visit the Nürburgring and just cruise through the black forest. Should be a great vacation.

[Vigilant]

I generally try to do what I want, when I want. I drive a Jeep, because I want to. Was looking to buy an Audi S4, but Jeeps are more fun, and mine leaves the blacktop as often as possible. I travel when business permits, and when I do, it's I as grand a style as I can. I am arguing with myself between boat or bike, and don't know which is winning? Things can also be experiences.

[TrojanSkyCop1]

I generally try to do what I want, when I want. I drive a Jeep, because I want to. Was looking to buy an Audi S4, but Jeeps are more fun, and mine leaves the blacktop as often as possible. I travel when business permits, and when I do, it's I as grand a style as I can. I am arguing with myself between boat or bike, and don't know which is winning? Things can also be experiences.

Valid point. I can say the same thing about the'67 Mustang I used to own (gone but not forgotten).

[TrojanSkyCop1]

absolutely.

When you decide to buy something you'll get a nice shot of dopamine but the pleasure goes away pretty quickly. Where as that trip to Tuscany where you spent a week touring around on a motorcycle and experiencing the place will bring back those good feelings whenever you take a moment to recall them.

This year I'm taking my daughter to a rally driving school. We're going to have a blast and I'm pretty sure she'll remember it longer than she will any ornament I might buy her.

Wow. My hat is off to you, good sir.

[Greg Nichols]

absolutely.

When you decide to buy something you'll get a nice shot of dopamine but the pleasure goes away pretty quickly. Where as that trip to Tuscany where you spent a week touring around on a motorcycle and experiencing the place will bring back those good feelings whenever you take a moment to recall them.

This year I'm taking my daughter to a rally driving school. We're going to have a blast and I'm pretty sure she'll remember it longer than she will any ornament I might buy her.

You ain't gotta front, it was a scooter wasn't it?