“A study conducted by Ryan Howell, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, and presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, showed that people are made happier by experiences than by things. So, I suppose, if you are going to spend like you are rich, at least do it on social interactions that will actually make you happy, such as taking vacations or going to the theater. As an added bonus, Ryan’s study indicated that cost is not important; just have a life experience–one that has the added benefit of enhancing the lives of loved ones and friends around you.
“One of the things that set wealthy apart from others is that they have a wise variety of interests and activities. In fact, there is a substantial correlation between the number of interests and activities that people are involved in and their level of financial wealth. Some wealthy people feel that owning a vacation home, for instance, would restrict them by obligating them to spend time at that property; if they didn’t spend the time there, then the dollars spent on the property would be underutilized. Millionaires value their time. The allocation of their dollars flows accordingly, almost as second nature.
“Life experiences, preferable positive ones, will not only enhance your bottom line but will also steer you clear of another problem: your children. The experiences we have as children, the experiences we give children, teach them a lesson they hold for life. Today’s children get an average of 70 new toys a year. We may inadvertently be providing the next generation with a foundation for permanent financial dependence and dissatisfaction with life.” – Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. in Stop Acting Rich: and start living like a real millionaire.
As I read the above, I thought of my childhood. I remember some of my toys but most of the fun experiences, especially the unique times. Planning out our experiences gives us the opportunities to think of what we want to do.
Wives of Sex Addicts Therapy blog 