Hello everyone and happy Friday! Today, I have a short post, but it’s a topic that has come up several times in my life over the past few months. It’s another one of my “question” posts where I really just want to hear from you and see what your opinion is. Enjoy!
Have you ever heard someone say “I wish I would have bought those $500 pair of jeans 35 years ago!”
Or “I wish I would have bought those shoes 15 years ago?”
Or how about even “I hope I buy ____ before I die.”
Most likely not. All of those examples sounded absolutely ridiculous, right?
You can probably easily see what I think about this topic – I’m all about spending money on experiences!
However, I do understand that everyone is different and some prefer to spend money on things over experiences. Others prefer to spend money on experiences and spend hardly any money on the “things” in their life.
Below are different things you may want to think about when debating whether or not experiences or things are better for you.
The case for things.
There are many times in your life when buying a “thing” might be worthwhile. This includes paying for a place to live, food, and so on.
However, what I’m talking about here is going above and beyond basic necessities and things that you can afford. This includes items you do not need, but you buy anyways, either to engage in emotional spending or for some other reason.
I understand why some prefer to spend money on things. You can touch what you buy, you have something to physically show for your money, and so on.
However, is it actually worth it?
Related article: 5 Tips To Stop Your Emotional Spending Habit
The case for experiences.
For me, I enjoy spending my money on experiences. Yes, I bought an RV (which is a “thing”), but it will lead to many great experiences and memories. There are other experiences you may pay for as well, such as a hot air balloon ride, a party, skydiving, and more.
There are many reasons for why a person might want to spend money on experiences.
- Experiences can lead to great memories. You most likely won’t remember any “thing” you bought decades earlier, but you will most likely remember great times with friends and family.
- You never know what may happen to your “things.” You could lose them in an accident such as a fire or water damage.
- You may no longer like the things even just a little bit after.
- Things can be trendy. Why buy something that will go out of style in a month or two?
Do you prefer to spend money on experiences or things? Share below!
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giulia says
Splurge on house where you are going to live forever is ok, before I’ve choose to have a budget I was more interested on things, since I have budget to respect I am more conscious spending and experiences are good investment for money, at least this is my personal point of view:D
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
🙂
Kasia says
I’m finding that as I get older I definitely prefer experiences. Experiences add more joy to life while things seem to clutter the house and the mind.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Same here!
Thias @It Pays Dividends says
Personally – I choose to try and spend more on experiences. Spending on things is not always bad, as long as there is a lot of thought and reason behind the purchase instead of just buying on impulse. That is why I normally try and implement at least the 24 hour rule (normally shoot for 3 days) to make sure I still want that item after that amount of time has passed.
Experiences offer you so much more in life. They can be something that carries with you forever and can help bring you closer together with others!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, I always try to wait before I purchase something. Saves a lot of money!
Gabriel says
Hey, I’m from Brazil and really love your blog!
I rather spend on experiences, just like you!
I just think that sometimes food can also be an experience!
A big hug from a brazilian admirer!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, food can definitely be an experience 🙂
Penny @ She Picks Up Pennies says
My closet post earlier this week would suggest things, but really experiences all the way. I have very few possessions that actually mean something profound, and most of those were passed down rather than purchased. My husband and I now have a friendly wager going to see if I can sell enough of my junk to fund my portion of our next trip. We shall see!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Good luck! 🙂
Yvonne says
Ultimately I aired money on experiences, but it’s usually a thing that helps me to achieve that- like you purchasing an RV. For our family is sports our outdoors equipment, and on the flip, it’s our home. We don’t have the budget to have a luxurious living situation , but we try to make home clean, beautiful, comfortable, and personal. Making our home life a daily quality experience is worth investing in to us.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Always great 🙂
Danell says
Experiences, definitely. Things can be stolen and replaced. Experiences can not. Other people can have the exact same thing as you, but no one can have the exact same experience as you.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes! Great way of thinking about it.
Chonce says
I’m all for spending money on experiences. The affect of having new things wears off quickly plus it’s a pain to organize and clean when you have a ton of stuff.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I agree!
Ali @ Anything You Want says
I try to spend my money on experiences as much as possible, especially travel, but I honestly also enjoy the “experience” of shopping (especially for clothes!), so I do spend some money on that front too. For me, it is all about finding the right balance between stuff and experiences. After all, without the right stuff, you might not enjoy your experience (a glove-less horseback ride in Patagonia springs to mind).
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome Ali! P.S. Are you going to FinCon?
Ali @ Anything You Want says
Sadly no 🙁 Maybe next year!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, you must go next year!
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
I am 100% onboard with spending money on experiences over things. I’ve been even pushing experience gifts for my 1-year-old from our family instead of just a bunch of toys that she is going to get sick of in a few weeks. Last Christmas my sweet brother gave us a family membership to our local children’s museum. Experience gifts like that are the ones that keep on giving and giving! I’d rather spend my money on traveling or doing fun things with my family than on extra clothes I don’t need.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome Christina!
Elizabeth | Something Saturdays says
Definitely experiences! Travel is a major one for me and I actually set aside money every month just for future travel so it isn’t as hard of a hit on the budget when I go!
Our weekly adventures are also included in the experiences category, but I try to keep that spending under control and it’s just part of our normal monthly expenses. I also count going out to eat for a special occasion an “experience” as well. Especially if you make a night of it!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, going out to eat can definitely count as an experience 🙂
Jen says
I find that I spend a lot of money on things that allow the experiences to happen (like your RV example). A nice bike might seem like a luxury “thing” but if it allows me to have the kind of experiences I hope to have? Totally worth it. Same for cameras, etc. The point, for me, is about WHY I am buying the thing. If my purchase isn’t about the thing itself but about what I can DO with it, I think that’s a win. 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, totally worth it!
Mr. Utopia @ Personal Finance Utopia says
Yep, experiences are the way to go. Things break, get old, lose their appeal, become no longer trendy, etc. Experiences create memories that can last forever (unless, heaven forbid, you start to lose your memory).
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I agree!
clarissa says
I used to like “things”, but after being in the hospital with cellulitis in my ear that moved to behind my eye and could have left me blind, deaf or even dead I appreciate experiences more. I want to travel and see things because I realize at 34 something could happen unexpected and I might not be here like the above. I do have certain things that I really do love, but they are mainly pictures, trinkets of travel and handed down stuff from relatives.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Great way to think about it 🙂
Michelle says
Things are what got me into debt, experiences are what sustain me as I work to pay off debt. Experiences are always better (paid for in cash) LOL!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Haha yes!
Sylvia @ Professional Girl on the Go says
I love to sew, therefore I spend money on the things I need for the hobby and I normally stay within my hobby budget. But other than that, I will always go for spending my money on experiences.Like before the summer is over I want to go with my fiance on a hydrobike. Which is a bike that floats on water.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome!
Tawcan says
Spending money to get experience is way higher on my list than spending money to get things. With experience it is never lost, it’s always part of your memory. With things, they can break down eventually.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, I agree!
Darren Howarter says
Great article. It really gets people thinking about priorities. After college, we clearly spent more money on things since we had virtually nothing and very little time for experiences. As we got older (and wiser, I hope) we spent more on experiences like travel, theater and adventures. The big change for us came when we decided to move to Medellin, Colombia. We sold everything and gave away what could not be sold. This was difficult but it really released us from “stuff”. Now we only have clothes for one season, since the weather is always like spring here. No cars, no furniture really very few possessions. We rent a furnished apartment and love our new found freedom. Everyday is an adventure now.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Awesome Darren!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, definitely! 🙂
Addi @ Frugal Fanatic says
My husband and I were just talking about this last night. We both agreed that we would rather have experiences. Not only do we want to create memories for our three kids, but we want to set a good example for them and not put an emphasis on owning ‘things.’
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, experiences for the win! 🙂
Hannah says
I know this sounds strange, but I tend to spend very little on “experiences” and I don’t regret it at all. The experiences that I prefer are simple gatherings with friends and family, hiking in the woods or the mountains, camping, etc.
It’s not that I’m anti-experience spending, but I honestly direct a lot more money to things (like our house) that are unnecessary but bring me a lot of joy, and enable more of the experiences that I want.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I get exactly what you’re saying. Experiences can often times be free!
Kayla @ Femme Frugality says
Yeah, I might sound shallow, but I want to spend on things and experiences, haha. 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Haha there are plenty of things that lead to experiences! 🙂
Emily says
Experiences. The greatest thing I ever did was stop buying clothes and start taking trips. Of course you need some clothing but I bought so, so much that I did NOT need. I am re-selling as much as I can of it on Poshmark to bankroll the spending money on my upcoming trip to Turkey. When I die I won’t care what dress I wore but I will care whether or not I ever saw the Bosporus. Or the Danube. Or my grandfather’s street in Lisse, Holland. Or what oysters taste like plucked from the Adriatic sea. Or what pizza tastes like in Rome. Or what wine tastes like in the Loire valley. Or what it feels like to swim in Silver Lake at the end of a hike in VT. Or what my friend’s house in West Virgina looks like. Etc. Etc.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
LOVE this comment 🙂
AJ says
When I was in my early 20’s I thought that because I was going to grad school full time I deserved nice clothes or to eat out constantly or get regular pedicures. Once I got my first real job I “deserved” to borrow 30K because I test drove a new-to-me sports car and I wasn’t smart enough to hand back the keys and say, “I have a paid for car with 60,000 miles that runs just fine”. I realize that I spent/wasted so much money buying stuff to impress people I didn’t even know or care about. I had a serious case of keeping up with Jonses. Thankfully I’m over that and I’ve been able to pay off over $75,000 of debt (student loans, car, credit cards, etc). 🙂 Along the way to paying off that debt, I’ve been able to pay cash for a vaction to London for my hubby and I, a kitchen renovation, a new road bike, etc. Although some of those are technically THINGS, they are things that will provide me with longterm happiness and/or memories that will last a lifetime. I’d much rather spend money on experiences than material stuff any day of the week! My dream is to leave the US for a few years and teach English abroad. I’d also love to have a motorhome and travel the US. The more material junk you have weighing you down, the harder it is to make those dreams a reality.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
“The more material junk you have weighing you down, the harder it is to make those dreams a reality.”
LOVE what you said.
Kathy says
This is obviously something that each individual must decide for themselves. But I do take issue with the concept that someone “should” prefer experiences. The individual circumstances of each person need consideration. Perhaps someone suffers a disability which prevents them from being able to travel, but they might certainly be able to enjoy watching TV or going out to dinner. I think it is fine to ask others which they prefer, but isn’t it a little presumptuous to say someone should prefer experiences as stated in the title to this article.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
I think watching TV and going out to dinner do count as experiences. In this article, I am more talking about spending your money on things that may not matter, such as a pair of jeans that you can’t afford.
Sorry to offend you, that was not what I was trying to do with this post.
Jess says
Experiences for sure! Although, I have to admit, I am often tempted by beautiful clothing and style items for the house. But, at this point in my life I feel I have enough and just want experiences all the way!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Jess!
diane @smartmoneysimplelife says
Since becoming really focused on removing all the clutter from my life, I’m very mindful of the impact of ‘things’. Especially the things we give as gifts.
This Christmas is going to be interesting… It’ll take more thought and research but I’m be doing my best to give ‘experience’ gifts this year so I’m not adding clutter to anyone else’s life.
Having said all that, my washing machine just died so I’m off to buy a big ‘thing’ this weekend.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Ugh oh no! I hope you can find an affordable washing machine 🙂
Amy @ DebtGal says
Ultimately, experiences, but there are instances when things are worth it to me. A comfortable home, is the big “thing” that comes to mind. I also really enjoy gardening, and could easily spend quite a bit on plants, tools, pots, etc. Since gardening is an activity, does that count as an experience or a thing?
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
It counts as an experience to me. 🙂
Nicole says
I prefer to spend money on experiences and write a journal about them so I can look back. But I will sometimes buy things that will enhance my experiences like a new camera for an upcoming vacation. As long as I’m able to save for my future I’m ok with some material purchases, but I don’t go overboard.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Good job!
Yogesh Shinde says
It is quite deep topic and can’t be covered in few words. From a marketing perspective it’s need vs want. If you want to make someone buy something we need to convince them how they need it and why it is the only one thing which can solve there many problems.
Getting on to your point now, that is thing vs memories or experience. I think if we engage into moment we can enjoy everyTHING and convert it into memory. 🙂
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks!
Drewry says
This is very true. Some people don’t know how to hold on to money and put off in the moment spending. And they’re most likely the people complaining about not having enough retirement money later down the road.
Brittney @ Life On A Discount says
Given we have been together for 12 years now (married 2) and have established ourselves, we have tried to move away from buying things, especially for gifts. Our focus in the last few years has been on investing in life experiences as a couple and as individuals. Whether it’s further our professional development/education or a vacation, we try to enrich our lives with memories and experiences rather than items that turn into clutter.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Yes, same here!
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
Of course! Especially if the experience or things are really worth it. I would look for ways so that I could get those experiences. If not, I would most of the time regret it later on, which I don’t want to happen.
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
Thanks Jayson!
Jason B says
I’m going with experiences. Things come and go. You remember experiences for a lifetime. That’s one reason ‘m working hard to pay off this debt. I need it to be eliminated so that I can have more travel experiences.
Abigail @ipickuppennies says
I like a healthy mix. I try not to buy many clothes since I work at home. (The few dressy things I own work for how rarely we go out.) But when I do, it can feel awfully good.
Similarly, the occasional video game can bring a lot of enjoyment, as can a nice piece of furniture.
On the other hand, I tell my husband not to get me a birthday present because I’d rather go out and do something with him. (This year, Dave & Buster’s. Because you should always do something juvenile on your birthday.) And the presents I ask for from my mom and in-laws are gift cards to help me afford the overpriced hair products I indulge in.
And I definitely want to invest some money in travel in the future, once we’re a little more sure about our financial situation.
So overall, I guess I do come down in favor of experiences. But stuff can be nice too. Just not jeans that cost $100+.
Lindsey says
I used to be a thing person, once I spent $300 bucks on Amazon on just things. Why? Because I could. Since I’m not on my own and have been on my own little frugal living adventure I’ve learned the value of experiences over things. I love having pictures though, but if they are not hard copy do they count as things? As long as I have my pictures, I could full replace things with experiences
Jc says
I will buy all sorts of art things, canvases, paints, paper brushes.. I work in three mediums. Painting is an experience for me. I paint what I’ve photographed from past experiences. Experiences come and go.. Something in your hands and what you create last forever. People can take simmering of you when they leave with a painting… Experiences are only great if you can record them.. A thing.. Camera will let you do that….. It’s actually a balancing act.