Article on money and happiness

[jedusor]

I really enjoyed this article. It's about the relationship between money and happiness, and how people are happier when they spend money on social interaction and experiences than on material things. I'd very much like to hear what others think of it.

Comments

[imagines.livejournal.com]

Pre-article-reading opinion: That's interesting to think about, because I do spend a significant portion of my money on socialising-related things--concerts, going out to eat, festivals, etc. I'm sure it's more than I spend on Stuff--I purchase a lot of things that I can't actually keep except through my own memories of the experience.

[jedusor.livejournal.com]

I was hoping you'd comment, since you share my tendencies toward geographically diverse friends and frequent traveling to see them. I'd say that travel is easily my top expense, or at least was before I started paying rent. I love events like NPL conventions and juggling festivals, I travel to see family and friends, and I take the commuter rail to Boston relatively often. And I very, very rarely regret these trips. I live for novelty, and travel is a great way to get it, along with memories, pictures, new friends, and stories. (I keep meaning to write an LJ entry about stories and the huge effects they have on human interaction.)

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Huh. I know I've always felt like I'm making a better investment when I spend money on things that will last; looks like I might be wrong. Food for thought, that.

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

I wonder if spending money within a family (specifically, spouse and children) gives the same effect as spending on friends. Parents have to become okay with seeing a lot of their money going towards their children, but people who spend tons of money on their kids (even their kids' experiences like lessons and schools as opposed to, say, clothing and toys) don't always have a better relationship with them.

Otherwise, I do think this article reflects a lot of what I believe, and I've been really happy to see both you and Cordell using your hard-earned money to not only travel but to be generous to and with your friends.

[draughanten.livejournal.com]

For myself, I'm just happy when I'm able to spend money on other people.