Buying an experience will make you happier than buying a gadget.
At least that’s what the book that I was reading told me.
It claimed that experiences such as concerts, special meals, exploration holidays and so on, will make you much happier than buying the latest smart phone or fast car.
Why?
Maybe it’s the social element.
After all, often we share an experience with others.
And usually we’ll tell all our friends about it afterwards.
It’s something we can re-live over and over again as we remember it and we relate it to others.
Often we’ll revisit the experience in our memories and photographs – which brings a sense of satisfaction, and a feeling of happiness,
But tell your friends you’ve just bought a new iPhone, and they’ll probably be more jealous than happy for you.
As well as that, after the initial spike of happiness with our new product, we tend to lose interest.
So if you want to be really happy…
And happy for a much longer time…
Don’t buy the latest smart phone.
Instead, spend that money on a cruise.
…Or enjoy a meal out with friends (and pay for them).
…Or buy a kayak (and experience the tranquillity of a mountain lake). Recently a chap I was listening to on a podcast said he’d done that for the very reason of buying experiences (albeit indirectly).
…Or take your family to church on Sunday.
…Or go to a concert. Classical? Rock? Whatever your taste!
And be really, really happy!
Then, of course, let us all know about it in the comments below.
By the way, the book I was reading is “59 Seconds, Think a Little, Change a Lot“. You can find it on Amazon or any good book store. I’d thoroughly recommend it!
Hi David – do you have a personal example of a good experience you spent money on?
I went on a trip to Paris last October and it does hold a lot of good memories, and I have the photos to show for it. The fact that it was a family holiday gives it extra meaning too. I’d love to go back. I certainly need to experience the food again!
Thanks Claire. Paris certainly is an incredible place. It has a wonderful way of creating great memories.
Some of my personal examples are the family summer holidays spent camping during my childhood years – which will always remain a warm lasting memory.
And more recently, our first cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary, exploring the Caribbean (an area we’d never previously been to), with the wonderful cruise atmosphere (food, people, relaxation, culture).
Then there are are social events and conferences where you connect with incredible people and make lasting friendships.
All of which are much better than upgrading my smartphone…!
Hi David! Good blog 🙂 I own a gift shop and spend a lot of time advising on gifts. I also blog about gifts too. I (ironically for a gift shop owner) agree that experiences make great gifts too. I regularly supply information about local businesses and services – such as spas, restaurants, theatres, florists etc.I spend a lot of my limited income on doing things and going places. I enjoy trips to see my friends in London and go abroad when we can. Travel is my favourite thing. Even in business I am happy to invest in experiences. Money I have spent on Content Marketing Academy masterclasses, conference and community has definitely been a great investment and brought me support I could never have dreamed of.
Thanks Nicola.
Yes, some experiences definitely are great investments into our own lives and others we share the experience with.
I imagine that living the dream of running your own shop is probably a great experience in itself too.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂