Many of the 40-something women I talk to look back and wish they had spent more on experiences than things. Seems travel, a camping trip, museums or learning a new thing create more fulfilling memories that “what I wore when.
“Accumulate experiences rather than stuff. Be okay with having a closet full o experiences. I love shoes but what if instead of Manola Blaniks, I went to Rome? I cared about having nice clothes, nice luggage, designer clothes… and now that I’m 40 and I can afford it, it’s not even fun to buy them anymore. Its funny, I saved up for a purse for months and I was satisfied for about 10 minutes. You get over the stuff. It depends on your situation. If you don’t have a lot and your friends have a lot you are thinking I need to have that stuff so I can be like them. But it is not true. — 40-something, travel industry, LA
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“In my 20s I was thing wealthy rather than experience wealthy. I frittered my money away. Think more about what you do. You don’t want to look back and say, “I have five Gucci bags but I’ve never been to Europe.” – 40-something, business development, tech, NYC
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“I used to think I had to have the latest dress or fasihion to have confidence. I bet If I had spent more time or money on doing interesting things it would have made me more interesting at that party or work event than what I was wearing. You can buy good clothes for less…spend on trips and invest in signature accessories from your travels. That is a always conversation worthy.” – 40-something, marketing, NYC
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“It doesn’t take that much money to enjoy life. Even as a single mother. we just did other things. Go to the beach. Make fun. My son learned that too. His friends are signed up for all these things and he knows you don’t need that. Even though friends have. Be responsible and be safe but other than that, You don’t’ need a lot of money.’ – 40-something, producer, NYC
That is why I loved this blog and “experience.” The Experience Economy. Ruthie Ackerman is embarking on a year of spending money only on experiences.
“STUDIES SHOW THAT BUYING EXPERIENCES, NOT MATERIAL THINGS, MAKES US HAPPIER. IN 2014 I WILL SPEND MONEY ONLY ON EXPERIENCES AND I WILL WRITE ABOUT IT HERE. WELCOME TO THE EXPERIENCE.”
I love this challenge and think this will become more a way of life for many than a project. As we all experience ebbs and flows of income, it’s no longer a straight line and we find that our happiness does not necessarily correlate. A friend of mine said of her life with her husband and two kids and times where they both worked to times being laid off , trading off work or chlidcare, going back to school or starting a business:
”There are times when we drink champagne, others when it is beer in the backyard, but we always have eachother and our memores. It’s all good.”
You can do experiences on any budget. So think of fun experiences that all your friends can afford. A picnic in the park, a canoe trip instead of a beach trip, on old fashioned slumber party instead of a spa day. What are your favorite experiences?
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