"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.
Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado. She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928
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