[johnthuss]

> research suggests that people are often happier when they spend their money on experiences rather than things

I concur.

[paxys]

There isn't really a clear separation between the two. People can experience physical things exactly the same as an activity or a vacation.

[johnthuss]

One big difference is that physical things exact an on-going tax since you have to store them in your house and maintain them. Hence the "does it spark joy?" question.

That said, the up-side is that physical goods can provide on-going benefit. For example, I love my AirPods Pro - they bring me joy every day.

[neogodless]

So you bought an ongoing experience instead of a one-time experience.

Seems like the objects enable experiences. However, due to hedonic adaptation, you might get less value out of those daily experiences over time.

- collectible? one-time novelty object but possible ongoing "look at my things" experience

- tech item? possibly ongoing experiences

- status symbol? ongoing experience getting admiration of people that care about such things

- sharp reliable chisel? ongoing experience every time you partake in your creative hobby

- travel itinerary? one-time period of experiences but ongoing photographs, stories and memories

It's not clear cut at all, in my opinion, the delineation between experiences and things.

[albert_e]

I don't know.

My expensive vacations still feel like too much money spent for too little return.

The parts I loved-- meeting old friends, and spending time with own family outside daily routine -- could have been achieved much more frugally and in a relaxed manner without the pressure of making the vacation pay for itself (e.g. limit the duration because hotels are expensive and rush through things).

Obviously this is a very subjective experience and also varies based on how wisely we plan out vacations and spend versus our means and mindset.

[majkinetor]

Looks the same too me. I call it sensory consumerism.