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Comment by clumsysmurf | Hacker News Reader

"There’s the well-known notion that we tend to get greater happiness from experiences rather than possessions."

This seems like an oversimplification

> Their research found that people who were less financially advantaged (partially measured by income, occupation and education) reported just as much, if not more, happiness from spending on material objects over experiences.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/24/spending-money-on-objects-ma...

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There’s a baseline of material that can be quite high before you get diminishing returns. Moving to a nicer neighborhood or a bigger place instead of having a 3 person household in a studio apartment where you get stabbed on your way in etc. Eating healthy and well made food instead of cheap hot dogs and macaroni every night.. being able to get a level of medical care that puts your mind at ease and prevents long term issues. Having the financial freedom to take extended time off your work and go somewhere enjoyable.

These all have very real effects on your stress, well-being and happiness in the short and long term.

For one, we experience our possessions, to varying degrees. Or they have a use specific to experience.

In fact, people grossly underestimate the stuff (or waste) required for what they liken to experiences. You usually can't divorce one from the other, unless your experience costs nothing (i.e. go outside and walk).

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