A company called BeyondThePurchase.org reports that people who habitually spend money on experiences tend to be happier than those who purchase material items. “Life experiences by nature, are more social, which attracts extraverts. They also contain an element of risk, which appeals to seekers of novelty. If you try a new experience that you don’t like, you can’t return it to the store for a refund.”
The study did not show significant differences based on gender, religion or even political beliefs. However, there was an indication that people became more experiential as they got older, proving that the older we get, the more we value the time we have left. Their website has over 30 surveys you can take, and then receive feedback on your values, spending habits and happiness. They also engage people to consider how they consume, and does their spending influence lasting positive effects in their life and those around them.
I follow an amazing number of bloggers and travel writers who have quit their jobs, left their family and friends in order to travel the world and experience new cultures, sights, sounds and tastes. Many travel alone, but you rarely hear them express loneliness. Several have no form of income other than their savings, but figure it out along the way. How could they leave it all behind? What about all the things we are “supposed” to do, like a job, a home and retirement savings? Interestingly enough, if you take time to ask, these world travelers all feel more confident and empowered than they ever have even though there is no set plan. How can this be? I have a plan for my plans!
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What’s important to you this year? Whether it be health and well-being, time spent with family and friends or more enriching life experiences, a vacation is an ideal opportunity to focus on your priorities. |
Travel among other things allows for inner-growth and self-discovery. It’s something everyone should experience. We are in the business of helping make people’s travel dreams come true, but my husband and I are lucky to get 2 weeks off per year, and work 6 days per week. Each time we travel abroad we feel changed and always say we will make more time for one another and all the things we want to do in life, but only to come right back to the corporate grind and fall back into our usual routines. Money isn’t everything. There are different ways to define success, and there is so much in the world to experience.
By helping run a family owned business we are proud to provide jobs and benefits, as well as offer our services in helping our client’s plan memorable vacations, but it means long work hours and seeing beautiful places only in a brochure or on a computer screen. And it’s not just travel that we are missing out on, it’s my nieces soccer games, dinners out with friends and more because the business always comes first. We support local charities with donations of money, clothing or food, but never have the time to volunteer personally. You have to ask if it’s all worth it? I am thankful for the privilege of travel, and only hope someday we will be able to get out of our comfort zone in order to do the things we are meant to do versus what we feel we are “supposed” to do. For now I will fulfill my passion for travel by helping and inspiring others to explore the world.
Life is a journey as they say, and I admire those who have taken the plunge to immerse themselves in life and not just watch it pass them by.
