Why do we need an ‘Experience Budget’ before a ‘Possession Budget’

Do you think money makes you happy?

Yes and no. It’s not a magic wand for instant happiness, but it can provide you with the means to create that happiness.

Yes and no. It’s not a magic wand for instant happiness, but it can provide you with the means to create that happiness.

Unfortunately, most people use their financial gains to purchase items or objects. While these do bring about happiness, it is generally short-lived and there is always the next “thing” that needs to be purchased in order to feed the happiness of object buying.

[image error]

On the other hand, when money goes towards experiences, the lasting effect is lifelong. Yet many people are very hesitant to spend money on a big trip or a vacation of some sort. There is usually no physical object in the experience equation you get to take home, and there is a fair share of the unknown on what will happen and if you really will get your money’s worth. But in the end, the experience you gain makes the expenditure worth it and usually will exceed expectations.

Here’s are why experiences never fail.

Nature Can Be The Best Experience

[image error]

We don’t even need a lot of money for this experience.

Nature is all around us and the simple act of sitting lakeside, strolling through the woods, or going to a nearby park can be much more fulfilling than spending money by going shopping.

Trips Shall Be Talked About For Years To Come

[image error]

Our experiences will indeed last forever. Think about your latest big purchases. Was it a computer? A smart phone? A flatscreen? These are thrill of the moment objects, yet two years down the road they will likely need replacing with the next best thing. So you spend all that money on a form of happiness that has an expiration date. The experience gained from travels and trips never expire and will last your whole life. Pretty cool investment actually.

Money Isn’t Such A Burden When You Are Happy

[image error]

Our experiences from travel are like a go-to source for instant happiness. Just thinking back on it makes you happy and creates excitement for new experiences to come. That same form of happiness doesn’t come with objects you buy.

Experiences Are Meaningful To Us

[image error]

In the constant struggle for money, it’s easy to forget about meaning. What is really meaningful in life? Is a new car more meaningful than traveling? True meaning in life is all about experiences, not new cars. Think about what attracts you to that shiny hunk of steel. Usually, it has something to do with perception and how cooler you will look inside it. Very superficial compared to having amazing experiences which are so meaningful that you will grow as an individual on the inside, not just look cool on the outside.

[image error]

Let us consider creating new experiences when money spending, rather than attempting to create gratification through object buying. In the end, it will create a more fulfilling existence, rich with memories that will last forever.

 

[image error]

VICTOR GHOSHE

is a Development thinker and a social branding adviser.

Ghoshe is also a bestselling author of the 2016 thriller – The Job Charnock Riddle