"1. If you have to choose between buying something or spending the money on a memorable experience, go with the experience. According to a study conducted at San Francisco State University, the things you own can’t make you as happy as the things you do. One reason is adaptation: we adapt to all things material in our lives in a matter of weeks, no matter how infatuated we were with the coveted possession the day we got it. Another reason is that experience, unlike possession, generally involves other people, and fosters or strengthens relationships that are more edifying over time than owning something."
-http://trueslant.com/daviddisalvo/2009/12/28/ten-psychology-studies-from-2009-worth-knowing-about/
"Another reason for increased happiness in experiences, the researchers found, was that people felt a greater sense of vitality or "being alive" during the experience and in reflection, Howell said."As nice as your new computer is, it's not going to make you feel alive," he said.
Most psychologists who study the phenomenon say people adapt to a new purchase in six to eight weeks, up to a maximum of three months, Howell said. That means the initial pleasure we get from a new possession generally fades in a matter of months."
"Gifts of material possessions often become keepsakes and have sentimental value that increase with time, instead of diminishing like most material goods," Gilovich said."
- http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/10/happiness.possessions/
If this is true, it's good for me. I'm always skipping out on upgrading to a nicer computer or a new iPod because I'm saving money for trips and stuff. Sometimes I feel like I'm throwing away money on impermanent things... but then I think, "hell, life is impermanent, I'm not going to have anything /forever/. This study reaffirms my life priorities! XD
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