Nugget #7: Wish It Well

"I will be happier for sure when I get X or Y". Sounds familiar? Ever had that "I need this in my life right now" moment, that urge to splurge on that piece of clothing, furniture or car, only to go home with it and a few weeks later, no longer feel a spark when using it?

Ever bought something and shortly after, heavily resent it because a new model just got out and your "perfect precious" of yesterday is now ill-fitted, impractical or too expensive to maintain?

Multiple studies have shown that happiness does not derive from the acquisition of "more", especially when it comes to expensive items.

Happiness stems, in part, from the satisfaction of having your basic needs met. When that is the case, you tend to better evaluate the impact new possessions can have, and you appreciate more the little things and life in general. Even smaller upgrades on items you already have can boost your happiness levels significantly vs a big splurge on one item.

Next time you feel "the urge", do yourself a big favor and ask yourself the question: Will this meet a need, or a desire?

If this can help, I'm happy to share here a personal example. My car was brand new when I bought it 20 years ago. I was frustrated when I bought it because my instructions to my mom (who was on a mission to find me a car so she could get hers back) were "sunroof top and AC are mandatory". Yes, I was that kind of person.

Of course, my car has none of these options, and yet I have never really seriously considered upgrading to a fancier car (except maybe in summer when I am melting inside). The reason behind it is that this car meets my basic need to go from point A to point B. My ultimate priority is to be able to drive over to my family or friends if they need me.

Limited electronics means cheaper maintenance. The bonus is that the money I saved over the years in maintenance and insurance, I put it in travels, gifts to my friends and family, comfy items for my flat. All these have brought a lot more joy to a lot more people than just me having a fancy car, and that joy lasts in time. Top of that it looks like a smiling frog and I can't get over it.

So next time you find yourself one click away from purchasing that high-end food processor that can send a text to your phone when food is ready, ask yourself the question: Will that purchase meet a need or is it more a splurge?

Take one minute to ponder whether a cheaper appliance that would fit the basic need (prepare food) could work too. Look for a model that you like (the point is not to always get the cheapest item, IT IS OK to splurge sometimes when you have really thought it through), and see whether the combination of your basic need met + the savings you will make would provide more satisfaction than the luxury item.

I am 99% sure that four things will happen if you do this little exercise:

- You will not resent your precious when a new model hits the shelves TWO DAYS later

- You will not have to delay the fulfillment of another need because your precious drained your bank account (back to resenting your purchase)

- Your savings can help treat yourself (and others) to experiences that will spark joy for a very long time

- If you do decide to still splurge after the exercise, you will enjoy your new item for much longer because it will "make sense". You will have weighed the pros and cons and made a conscious decision, instead of simply clicking on "send to basket".