... a few mintues looking at what you spend, what you spend it on, and why. This one comes from a book I picked up at the library last week. It's called "Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior." Author Geoffrey Miller gives a "Possessions Exercise" to try out: "List the ten most expensive things (products, services, or experiences) that you have ever paid for (including houses, cars, university degrees, etc.) Then, list the ten items that you have ever bought that gave you the most happiness. Count how many items appear on both lists." Could be interesting. Come back to let us know what you find.
I actually found quite a few things appear on both lists; but a couple quite inexpensive things--journals and photos--can be the most meangingful.
ReplyDelete10 most expensive items
House
College
House addition (finishing bonus, laundry and mud rooms)
Temperature control: furnace/AC and duct work to replace crumped broiler and no AC
Car
Tithing
Lasik surgery
Taxes
Insurance
Landscaping
10 purchases that brought most happiness (in no specific order)
Education
Insurance (because it made it easier to get healthy kids!)
House and all the remodeling stuff--so we have a place to enjoy our family
Lasik surgery (definitely)
Taxes--pays for school, roads, and Tom's Guard salary!
Computer/Internet/Email--for easy research and to keep in better touch with work, family, friends
Tithing
Journals
Trees/plants and other landscaping
Photos, photobooks, videos--ah, the memories
10 most expensive items:
ReplyDeleteEducation
Car
Laptop
Wedding/Honeymoon
Insurance (car and medical)
Vacations
Tithing
Laser Hair removal
Gym membership
Cell phone
As you can see I don't have a lot of major purchases. Some of those at the end are some that aren't huge purchases but over time they add up.
10 purchases that brought the most happiness
-Education
-Vacations (I'll lump wedding/honeymoon stuff with that)
-Gym membership
-Tithing
-Snowboard/snowboard gear
-Laptop/cell phone (staying connected easily)
-Camera/photos
-Race fees (for 5ks, 10ks, half marathon, etc. I know the purchase didn't necessarily bring happiness, completing the race did. . but you know what I mean)
-Foam pad (for my futon, so guests who sleep on it can be more comfortable when they visit)
-Insurance
It's good to know that a lot of the major purchases are those that bring happiness. Though I know I'm still young and have more purchases to think about.
Good activity, Jenn! I notice that a lot of the purchases I've made over the years that bring the most happiness are those associated with travel - whether out of Utah or the country, as well as short visits to Logan or Idaho to see family. The experiences and memories associated with them are well worth the cost.
Okay, this is loosley connected with this post, but it made me laugh really hard:
ReplyDeletewww.hulu.com/watch/1389
I'll try your exercise!