Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
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Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
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Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#2Eight of my friends invited me to go with them to Europe. Working on a startup, I was pretty hesitant because of the financial hit. To make ends meet, I ate out less and spend a lot less time and money shopping online.
In the end, I had an amazing time over there and it'll probably be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#3The title in itself is complete and tells it all. Experience is the best thing to have.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#4I recently realized what the phrase, "Own enough stuff, and it starts to own you" means. The more things you buy, the more you're obligated to use them to justify paying for them. Your time isn't your own anymore ("I bought this guitar, so after work I must practice, also must figure out new SLR camera, and plan trip around new skis..."), and you're hemmed in to pursuing uses for your toys. I think there's a certain freedom to being bored.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#5I recently realized what the phrase, "Own enough stuff, and it starts to own you" means. The more things you buy, the more you're obligated to use them to justify paying for them. Your time isn't your own anymore ("I bought this guitar, so after work I must practice, also must figure out new SLR camera, and plan trip around new skis..."), and you're hemmed in to pursuing uses for your toys. I think there's a certain…
There are scale issues as well:
* things go in the way when you want to move (change of house, country...)
* you have to maintain, clean them, keep things tidy
* you're tempted to take a better insurance (against robbery or fire) as you own more
* you're tempted to buy/rent a larger house (and one extra room costs a lot, which translates into less time available for me)
etc :)
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#6The title in itself is complete and tells it all. Experience is the best thing to have.
Experience is the only thing you have.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#7I recently realized what the phrase, "Own enough stuff, and it starts to own you" means. The more things you buy, the more you're obligated to use them to justify paying for them. Your time isn't your own anymore ("I bought this guitar, so after work I must practice, also must figure out new SLR camera, and plan trip around new skis..."), and you're hemmed in to pursuing uses for your toys. I think there's a certain…
There are scale issues as well: * things go in the way when you want to move (change of house, country...) * you have to maintain, clean them, keep things tidy * you're tempted to take a better insurance (against robbery or fire) as you own more * you're tempted to buy/rent a larger house (and one extra room costs a lot, which translates into less time available for me) etc :)
yes. I wish i could move to an apartment building that offered most amenities already, in which part of the rent is to keep certain things in stock or buy new things. Why buy fancy dishes when you can just "rent" them.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#8One thing that I never regret spending money on: Travel.
Spent a year and a half in Brazil (just came back). Best year of my life.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#9i've spent about 2 months out of each year for the last 7 years travelling to japan or europe. each time there is usually some big ticket item competing for my dollars.
often times, when i succumb to the material good i'm perpetually disappointed with it in what it can't do or offer me.
last year i went around the world (ireland 1wk, england 3wks, france 1wk, italy 1wk, belgium 3days, china 5days, japan 1month) and it cost me about $7500. i was thinking of buying a fancy TV instead. had i bought the TV i wouldn't have spent quite as much, but no doubt i would have just sat on the couch ... watching TV. even though $7500 is A LOT, i've never regretted it. not once.
Re: Spend money on experiences, not possessions (2009)
#10Every year my wife and I spend a day throwing out anything we haven't used in a year. Anything that wasn't used for 6 months goes upstairs where it's still accessible, but out of site.
Actually we ebayed a bit last year, and we give stuff to charity shops rather than just throwing it out if we can, but doing this once a year refocuses your view on buying stuff. Will I still use this a year from now has a substantial impact on your buying decisions.
As with many others here, the only expenditure I never regret is travel.