An interesting article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110275/but-will-it-make-you-happy

nothing makes people happy.

I definitely agree with a couple points in the article. Mainly conspicuous consumption vs. calculated consumption. Also the point about spending on doing rather than just accumulating things bringing more happiness. But whittling down to just 100 personal items? Never going to happen for me.

I love my stuff, but there are also things I love more than my stuff.

Shoewhore said:

I definitely agree with a couple points in the article. Mainly conspicuous consumption vs. calculated consumption. Also the point about spending on doing rather than just accumulating things bringing more happiness. But whittling down to just 100 personal items? Never going to happen for me.

I love my stuff, but there are also things I love more than my stuff.

I didn't read the article, but

I have over 300 pairs of shoes alone!

chocolate1 said:

Shoewhore said:

I definitely agree with a couple points in the article. Mainly conspicuous consumption vs. calculated consumption. Also the point about spending on doing rather than just accumulating things bringing more happiness. But whittling down to just 100 personal items? Never going to happen for me.

I love my stuff, but there are also things I love more than my stuff.

I didn't read the article, but

I have over 300 pairs of shoes alone!

I don´t think I´ve had that many shoes in my lifetime.

people are happier when they spend money on experiences instead of material objects, when they relish what they plan to buy long before they buy it, and when they stop trying to outdo the Joneses.

I'd agree with this and:

If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

ZombieKitten said:

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

sometimes I put something in the shopping basket and live with it for a while to see if I actually want it. More often than not I put it back, because the impulse was not a true desire for something that will make my life any different

NDRU said:

ZombieKitten said:

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

sometimes I put something in the shopping basket and live with it for a while to see if I actually want it. More often than not I put it back, because the impulse was not a true desire for something that will make my life any different

I'll do that too.

And if I get home and keep thinking about it, I'll go back and get it.

100 items is a bit ambitious for me, but I love the underlying sentiment. About two years ago, I either sold off or gave away nearly every material good we left in our house back in Ohio -- and it felt like having a giant, malignant tumor removed. And I dont miss that crap a bit.

[Edited 8/9/10 16:55pm]

Lammastide said:

100 items is a bit ambitious for me, but I love the underlying sentiment. About two years ago, I either sold off or gave away nearly every material good we left in our house back in Ohio -- and it felt like having a giant, malignant tumor removed. And I dont miss that crap a bit.

[Edited 8/9/10 16:55pm]

I didn't actually read the article until you wrote that.

I agree, 100 is a small number, but getting rid of stuff is almost always a good idea

NDRU said:

ZombieKitten said:

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

sometimes I put something in the shopping basket and live with it for a while to see if I actually want it. More often than not I put it back, because the impulse was not a true desire for something that will make my life any different

You're talking about a virtual shopping basket, right? Like on Amazon for example? Right now I have about $300 worth of items in my Amazon basket but I doubt that any of it will make it through the final selection process (except maybe for a couple of standup comedy DVDs - collecting and watching quality standup is a bit of a hobby of mine). It's interesting that there are more people out there who do this, lol.

Not sure if I agree with the article about the Caribbean holiday though. Anticipation might give you a tingle, sure, but it might also take away from the enjoyment of the actual holiday once it happens. If you look forward to it for a long time, chances are that it won't live up to the expectations you've been building up (plus you'll almost certainly be shocked by how fast it all went by) and then you'll end up feeling bummed out for a while afterwards too. On the other hand, if you book in the last minute you go into it with an open mind and will most likely be pleasantly surprised. At least that is how it usually is for me.

I admit that I often still plan ahead, but it's usually more out of necessity than anything else.

retina said:

NDRU said:

sometimes I put something in the shopping basket and live with it for a while to see if I actually want it. More often than not I put it back, because the impulse was not a true desire for something that will make my life any different

You're talking about a virtual shopping basket, right? Like on Amazon for example? Right now I have about $300 worth of items in my Amazon basket but I doubt that any of it will make it through the final selection process (except maybe for a couple of standup comedy DVDs - collecting and watching quality standup is a bit of a hobby of mine). It's interesting that there are more people out there who do this, lol.

Not sure if I agree with the article about the Caribbean holiday though. Anticipation might give you a tingle, sure, but it might also take away from the enjoyment of the actual holiday once it happens. If you look forward to it for a long time, chances are that it won't live up to the expectations you've been building up (plus you'll almost certainly be shocked by how fast it all went by) and then you'll end up feeling bummed out for a while afterwards too. On the other hand, if you book in the last minute you go into it with an open mind and will most likely be pleasantly surprised. At least that is how it usually is for me.

I admit that I often still plan ahead, but it's usually more out of necessity than anything else.

I meant actual shopping baskets, but I don't think it matters. I believe it would be the same for virtual ones.

I think the point of the vacation is that the excitement of waiting means you get a good feeling of anticipation that can extend months before the short time of the actual vacation. I agree excessive buildup can ruin an experience, but that usually applies more to films (in my experience) than vacations!

[Edited 8/9/10 17:09pm]

NDRU said:

retina said:

You're talking about a virtual shopping basket, right? Like on Amazon for example? Right now I have about $300 worth of items in my Amazon basket but I doubt that any of it will make it through the final selection process (except maybe for a couple of standup comedy DVDs - collecting and watching quality standup is a bit of a hobby of mine). It's interesting that there are more people out there who do this, lol.

Not sure if I agree with the article about the Caribbean holiday though. Anticipation might give you a tingle, sure, but it might also take away from the enjoyment of the actual holiday once it happens. If you look forward to it for a long time, chances are that it won't live up to the expectations you've been building up (plus you'll almost certainly be shocked by how fast it all went by) and then you'll end up feeling bummed out for a while afterwards too. On the other hand, if you book in the last minute you go into it with an open mind and will most likely be pleasantly surprised. At least that is how it usually is for me.

I admit that I often still plan ahead, but it's usually more out of necessity than anything else.

I meant actual shopping baskets, but I don't think it matters.

I think the point of the vacation is that the excitement of waiting means you get a good feeling of anticipation that can extend months before the short time of the actual vacation. I agree excessive buildup can ruin an experience, but that usually applies more to films (in my experience) than vacations!

So you don't usually feel like a vacation goes by quick as lightning after having looked forward to it for several months? Like I said, the anticipation does give me a bit of a nice tingle but it's usually outweighed by how much it detracts from the actual experience of the vacation, lol. Still, I'd rather have a vacation than no vacation, regardless of the amount of anticipation. It beats the heck out of any huge flatscreen TV (which seems to be what most people spend their money on where I live).

As for films, I've been looking forward to Inception for quite some time now but reading reviews that complain about a murky plot and expository dialogue have helped bring my expectations down, lol.

I totally agree with this couple. With technology today, you can have so much (video,audio, pictures, no paper, etc) without having it to take up space. This what I love about the digital world.

If I had this technology 20 years ago, I could easily live in a 400 sq ft space.!!

I walk through the mall and I get sick. Instead of seeing all the new merchandise and getting excited and curious, I get angry cause all I see is inventory and WAY TOO MUCH of it!!

Do we really need all this stuff to make us happy, NO!

If we all just lived within our means and downsized, you will see these big companies crumble, the same ones that are ripping us off!!! It's insane that we pay over $3 a gallon for gas. we can't eat healthy food because its more expensive. Every time i check out of a grocery store, or even a Target store, I feel like I getting ripped off for just the basic necessities, only so these companies can make a profit.

I also think because less people are buying, these companies have doubled thier prices to make up for it!!! And we have no choice but to pay it!!

(getting off my soap box now)

retina said:

NDRU said:

I meant actual shopping baskets, but I don't think it matters.

I think the point of the vacation is that the excitement of waiting means you get a good feeling of anticipation that can extend months before the short time of the actual vacation. I agree excessive buildup can ruin an experience, but that usually applies more to films (in my experience) than vacations!

So you don't usually feel like a vacation goes by quick as lightning after having looked forward to it for several months? Like I said, the anticipation does give me a bit of a nice tingle but it's usually outweighed by how much it detracts from the actual experience of the vacation, lol. Still, I'd rather have a vacation than no vacation, regardless of the amount of anticipation. It beats the heck out of any huge flatscreen TV (which seems to be what most people spend their money on where I live).

As for films, I've been looking forward to Inception for quite some time now but reading reviews that complain about a murky plot and expository dialogue have helped bring my expectations down, lol.

films are always ruined (or bad films, saved) by my anticipation. It is like clockwork!

Vacations always seem to be too short, but I had one with some friends where one girl kept texting us saying "20 days motherfuckers!!!! 19 days bitchezzz!!!!!!!" and it made me smile in anticipation & didn't ruin it.

But I bet spontaneous ones can be nice, too, for the right people. For me they are usually a bunch of aimless driving. I need a good plan or it'll be horrible!

NDRU said:

retina said:

So you don't usually feel like a vacation goes by quick as lightning after having looked forward to it for several months? Like I said, the anticipation does give me a bit of a nice tingle but it's usually outweighed by how much it detracts from the actual experience of the vacation, lol. Still, I'd rather have a vacation than no vacation, regardless of the amount of anticipation. It beats the heck out of any huge flatscreen TV (which seems to be what most people spend their money on where I live).

As for films, I've been looking forward to Inception for quite some time now but reading reviews that complain about a murky plot and expository dialogue have helped bring my expectations down, lol.

films are always ruined (or bad films, saved) by my anticipation. It is like clockwork!

Vacations always seem to be too short, but I had one with some friends where one girl kept texting us saying "20 days motherfuckers!!!! 19 days bitchezzz!!!!!!!" and it made me smile in anticipation & didn't ruin it.

But I bet spontaneous ones can be nice, too, for the right people. For me they are usually a bunch of aimless driving. I need a good plan or it'll be horrible!

Oh, I love aimless driving! That's what all my road trips are. Sure, I might have a general direction in which I'm going but I never book any hotels beforehand and I don't even decide in which town to spend the night. That's what makes it an exciting adventure! I've probably had more cool encounters on my few road trips than on most other vacations put together.

no

the less.........the better

a while back I moved into a smaller apartment. I had to get rid of a lot, and didn't regret it, but this article has reminded me that I need to finish what I started.

I will not be close to 100, though! That is an arbitrary number anyway.

NDRU said:

a while back I moved into a smaller apartment. I had to get rid of a lot, and didn't regret it, but this article has reminded me that I need to finish what I started.

I will not be close to 100, though! That is an arbitrary number anyway.

Any particular reason why you moved to a smaller place?

retina said:

NDRU said:

a while back I moved into a smaller apartment. I had to get rid of a lot, and didn't regret it, but this article has reminded me that I need to finish what I started.

I will not be close to 100, though! That is an arbitrary number anyway.

Any particular reason why you moved to a smaller place?

yes

ha just kidding it's not a secret

my gf and I decided not to live together anymore, and I could only afford a studio apartment

NDRU said:

ha just kidding it's not a secret

my gf and I decided not to live together anymore, and I could only afford a studio apartment

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will mean a fresh new chapter with new opportunities.

NDRU said:

ZombieKitten said:

In fact, scholars have found that anticipation increases happiness. Considering buying an iPad? You might want to think about it as long as possible before taking one home. Likewise about a Caribbean escape: you'll get more pleasure if you book a flight in advance than if you book it at the last minute.

sometimes I put something in the shopping basket and live with it for a while to see if I actually want it. More often than not I put it back, because the impulse was not a true desire for something that will make my life any different

I like to go to the mall, look at clothes (for example), not try it on, come back a week later, try it on and then decide. If I still want it then it's usually worth getting. If I don't even think about it again, GOOD!

I once anticipated a holiday for 6 months and then cancelled it. I was still happy the 6 months while I was anticipating it, and when it was cancelled, I was kind of relieved I didn't have to go through with it

To each their own. There is very little that makes me as happy as purchasing a book or record (new or used), taking it home and finding the right place for it on a shelf. Sometimes I won't even read or listen to them for months, maybe years. And I know they're just "things", but damn if having those things there when I DO want them doesn't make me EXTREMELY happy.

Cerebus said:

To each their own. There is very little that makes me as happy as purchasing a book or record (new or used), taking it home and finding the right place for it on a shelf. Sometimes I won't even read or listen to them for months, maybe years. And I know they're just "things", but damn if having those things there when I DO want them doesn't make me EXTREMELY happy.

While I love the convenience of my e-reader, I miss buying books. Something about that stack of "to be read" next to the bed was comforting.

As for whittling down, I don't think I could even whittle down to 100 pairs of shoes. I rarely impulse buy anymore though, so I'm definitely a calculated consumer. I also do the virtual shopping basket waiting game. I constantly have shopping carts going on any number of sites, but end up actually purchasing way less. I recently cleaned out my Amazon cart. There were things I put in there almost 2 years ago!

Shoewhore said:

Cerebus said:

To each their own. There is very little that makes me as happy as purchasing a book or record (new or used), taking it home and finding the right place for it on a shelf. Sometimes I won't even read or listen to them for months, maybe years. And I know they're just "things", but damn if having those things there when I DO want them doesn't make me EXTREMELY happy.

While I love the convenience of my e-reader, I miss buying books. Something about that stack of "to be read" next to the bed was comforting.

As for whittling down, I don't think I could even whittle down to 100 pairs of shoes. I rarely impulse buy anymore though, so I'm definitely a calculated consumer. I also do the virtual shopping basket waiting game. I constantly have shopping carts going on any number of sites, but end up actually purchasing way less. I recently cleaned out my Amazon cart. There were things I put in there almost 2 years ago!

Yes!

And sometimes I get emails from the sites to remind me that I have items in my carts.

chocolate1 said:

Shoewhore said:

While I love the convenience of my e-reader, I miss buying books. Something about that stack of "to be read" next to the bed was comforting.

As for whittling down, I don't think I could even whittle down to 100 pairs of shoes. I rarely impulse buy anymore though, so I'm definitely a calculated consumer. I also do the virtual shopping basket waiting game. I constantly have shopping carts going on any number of sites, but end up actually purchasing way less. I recently cleaned out my Amazon cart. There were things I put in there almost 2 years ago!

Yes!

And sometimes I get emails from the sites to remind me that I have items in my carts.

All the time!!

I've always said that if I ever won the lottery that I would pay off all my bills and get my credit right, then just chuck everything I own into storage or give it away(all except my sentimental stuff) and get on the next thing smokin and TRAVEL!!!!

I like "things" and "nice things" but I'm not hung up on materialism. I'd rather use my lotto money to travel and experience different places/cultures/people.

SHOCKADELICA1 said:

I've always said that if I ever won the lottery that I would pay off all my bills and get my credit right, then just chuck everything I own into storage or give it away(all except my sentimental stuff) and get on the next thing smokin and TRAVEL!!!!

I like "things" and "nice things" but I'm not hung up on materialism. I'd rather use my lotto money to travel and experience different places/cultures/people.

I would build my dream house with my big ass dream library and THEN go travel the world. I find books and records I want every place I go. Gotta have someplace to put 'em when I get back.

I could never do this. I'm a homebody so I need lots of things at home to entertain me like music, film and print.

Having said that, a recent trip overseas I took, I found to be extremely satisfying and enjoyable so there will be lots more of those (hopefully) in my future.