If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
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Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#2I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination.
I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now, money isn't great here). I guess I make lots more smaller purchases than I did in the old days (though they are usually far less meaningful to me than the large purchases I made back then). I was definitely happier back then.
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#3I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…
Your old life reminded me of the Mexican fisherman story :)
http://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman...
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#4I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…
It's probably true to the extent that buying small pleasures vs large pleasures works in this case. However there's another factor they mention, "Buy experiences not things". This was fulfilled for you simply by doing the raft guide and travelling without spending money for it. It's also arguable raft guide means helping others ,but not necessary to explain why you were happier in the old day.s
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#5I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…
It's probably true to the extent that buying small pleasures vs large pleasures works in this case. However there's another factor they mention, "Buy experiences not things". This was fulfilled for you simply by doing the raft guide and travelling without spending money for it. It's also arguable raft guide means helping others ,but not necessary to explain why you were happier in the old day.s
The problem is that when you "buy" the experience, the experience becomes a "thing".
An experience is either something genuine or a product. A product is a thing, and money changes a lot of it's attributes.
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#6A year ago I stopped spending my money on "things" and start spending it on free time. My life is much better now.
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#7Previous discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3922794
I'm guessing this was submitted because I linked to it in a comment.[1]
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#8I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…
Your old life reminded me of the Mexican fisherman story :) http://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman...
The difference is that you have to fish everyday, or you starve and you can't "play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos" any more.
Where as in the 15 years later version, you don't need to fish at all.
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your old life reminded me of the Mexican fisherman story :) http://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman...
The difference is that you have to fish everyday, or you starve and you can't "play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos" any more. Where as in the 15 years later version, you don't need to fish at all.
if he loves to fish that shouldn't be a problem though, thus giving him 15 extra years of peaceful life
i know, he could get injured and not be able to fish, but on that note, in 15 years he could find out he has cancer and not be able to enjoy his money
Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
The difference is that you have to fish everyday, or you starve and you can't "play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos" any more. Where as in the 15 years later version, you don't need to fish at all.
if he loves to fish that shouldn't be a problem though, thus giving him 15 extra years of peaceful life i know, he could get injured and not be able to fish, but on that note, in 15 years he could find out he has cancer and not be able to enjoy his money
His kids would, though.