Have you ever had the experience of wanting to buy something new, saving up for it, anticipating how you’re going to use it… and then you actually get it?

Did you notice how the happiness boost you got from buying that much hoped for treasure faded quickly?

How long did it take before you started wanting something else, and the object you so recently desired sort of fades into the background?

We’ve all done it. We live in a world where we are bombarded with the promise of new and better things all the time – on television, on social media, in magazines, and through word of mouth.

We want to keep up with the Joneses, and it’s all too easy to click the buy button or hand over the credit card to give us that quick jolt of satisfaction.

But it’s just that – a quick jolt that doesn’t last long. New research from Cornell University based on a 20-year study backs up that statement. Buying things does not give us lasting happiness.

We quickly adapt to what we couldn’t wait to have, and its happiness boosting power fades away. That leads to wanting more new things in a phenomenon called the Diderot Effect. It means that when you buy something new, it changes your perception of the things you already have, creating a spiral of wanting more new things to replace what you have that is no longer up to the standards of your new possession.

For example, let’s say you replace the Christmas tree you’ve put up in your home for the last 10 Christmas seasons. Now that you have a gorgeous new tree, you notice a few ornaments need to be replaced and your tree skirt is looking a bit shabby. What you bought to bring happiness and warm feelings of the season has instead left you with feelings of inadequacy and wanting more.

We assume that buying things will bring happiness. But the truth is, it’s how you spend your time that counts. 

The same research study found that spending hard-earned dollars on experiences rather than things brings true and lasting happiness. Adventures in your own backyard or around the world, time spent learning something new, enjoying a meal with loved ones, or giving yourself the gift of free time are all better uses of your money than material objects.

Why?

• Anticipation – The act of looking forward to an experience you’re going to have gives you a happiness boost.
• Memories – The priceless gift of time spent with people who matter to us – whether we’re hiking the Appalachian trail, attending worship services together, or just spending time with one another – builds memories that bring us lasting joy.
• Identity – Experiences become a part of you in a way that things cannot. We look back on that marathon run or trip to Paris as not just something we’ve done, but a part of who we are.
• Self-Assurance – We don’t compare our experiences to those others have in the same way we do material possessions like cars and clothes.
• Mental and Physical Health – Getting out, going places, and doing things boosts your well-being because it often involves enjoying more time outdoors, getting physical exercise, disconnecting from your phone and work, and challenging yourself in a way that boosts confidence.

That said, it’s not enough to want to spend money on experiences rather than things. The pull to buy new and better possessions is all around us, so if it’s important to you to shift your spending toward experiences, here are my tips to make it happen.

Plan for it. 

Just as you do in your business, you need to make a plan for your goals and budget accordingly. If you don’t keep a proper budget for your household, this is good motivation to start. There are lots of tools online to create personal budgets that help you save for specific goals like You Need a Budget and Mint.

One way I plan for it is by doing similar experiences at the same time each year. Mike and I take a trip each September for 10 days to celebrate our anniversary. Instead of anniversary gifts, we give each other the gift of travel and quality time spent together at a time of year that is so special to us. The same goes for our weekends together, when we always make it a point to explore somewhere new, such as a trip or two at this time of year to view the beauty of the changing leaves in the fall.

Set limits. 

It’s hard to let go of wanting new things. But it helps to set parameters on yourself to stick to new and better habits. You could remove apps from your phone that make it all too easy to buy things. You could impose a limit of only buying experiences and food to eat for one month. You could suggest that holiday gifts in your family this year be experience gifts rather than things. Or you could talk to a friend about turning your monthly shopping trip into a trip to the spa or the theater together instead.

Reframe your thinking. 

Recognize the pattern of wanting new things, getting them, and not receiving true satisfaction or happiness from them. Likewise, recognise the pattern when you spend money on an experience, anticipate it, enjoy it, and retain lasting and happy memories from it. By thinking about material objects differently, it will be easier to change your actions.

Buy yourself and your loved ones the gift of time.

You can’t make more time. But you can spend your money to free up your time. Shift your budgeting to designate money for hiring a housekeeper, paying for a babysitter for a weekly night out with your spouse, or letting landscapers take care of your yard if you don’t enjoy gardening. Experts say that by spending your money to take things off your to do list, you’re boosting your happiness compared to spending your money on things because it allows for more quality time.

You are more than your possessions. You are the sum of your life’s experiences. 

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I teach my clients skills that boost quality of life, while also earning more money and being more successful. If you’re ready to realize the kind of life you’ve always wanted but felt out of your grasp, contact me today.

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• How to build a profitable business that serves your highest core purpose
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• The science behind why a first impression matters
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Find out more about this event that could change the future of your career here.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.