Comments on: Spending Styles: Things vs. Experiences

By: The Conciliation Group

The Conciliation Group — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:17:01 +0000

It is interesting how we are attracted to our partners financially. With my ex I was a spender who liked to spend on experiences but disliked debt balances. The first time while young I married an extreme saver (couldn’t turn the heat on in the house). We spent money for experiences but of course I didn’t enjoy them because of the extreme saving. The second time, I married a spender who was more of a spender than I am so money was spent on things for experiences at a level I was uncomfortable with and an accumulation of debt I could not handle as a result. My belief is that yes, opposites do attract, but “birds of a feather flock together”. Money is still on the top 3 reasons for divorce, so I believe finding a partner with the same money style I believe eases some of the tension in this area. Similar money styles between partners I believe can be resolved with a strategy for any conflicts.

By: money for food!

money for food! — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:33:28 +0000

Opposites really tend to attract that’s why I’m not surprised with compromises that come with a married life. Although I’m quite expecting it, I still had a hard time during disagreements. The problem with my husband is he loves buying gadgets and upgrading the accessories that come with it every now and then. For me it really is a huge money taker but he enjoys just doing that. On the other hand, he hates me for spending too much on food. I love eating good food and dining at restaurants which he views as too extravagant. Lucky for you to have ironed your differences, as for me, we are just on the middle stages.

By: novatedlease calculator

novatedlease calculator — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:46:30 +0000

Compromise is indeed the right term. As long as we handle to take a responsive management of our own preferences and take a step backward if needed and adjust to fulfill a desire is something of great and dignified attachment. I must congratulate you both for taking this process in that kind of attitude…

By: The Editor

The Editor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:44:34 +0000

Factoring the concept of investment into the ‘things’ bought make the expenses worthwhile. It makes a lot of sense to buy things that serve more than one purpose.

By: KM

KM — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:18:39 +0000

I prefer experiences, for sure, and always have. Sometimes I want to minimalize my life so much that even thinking about buying new things makes me queasy. I just want life to be simple and straightforward, without clutter or distractions. I am a geek at heart and I will drool over the newest technology or gadget or video game, but I don’t want to actually own it because I probably don’t even need it. I would go through a website I like and add a bunch of things to the cart before realizing that I don’t actually need or want any of them, close it, and walk away. But road trips and travelling are always on my mind and I can’t wait for the next one. I can plan something for hours and will only get more excited. If someone offered me a choice between going to Antarctica or a million dollars, I would go buy a thermal jacket and start packing my bags.

By: KM

KM — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:12:12 +0000

That’s not strange…much I noticed myself feeling that way too lately, after I found a good job and a quick promotion in that company. Now that I make a lot more than I use (and save almost all of it for when I will be working less during the fall and spring semesters), I find that just having the option of whether to buy something or not is a comforting feeling. Sure, flying to Florida on a whim to watch the space shuttle takeoff was great, but I think I was much more satisfied with the fact that I could, for once, afford to do something like that.

By: Benjamin Bankruptcy

Benjamin Bankruptcy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:12:59 +0000

Mmmm if I’m honest I buy a lot of “toys” they’re totally rational toys that I definitely don’t need. I think I just like doing the research and finding the best “product” whatever that is. I’m a freaking nerd.

I think on some level I’m compensating for “experiences” with “stuff”.

By: The Best Money Blog

The Best Money Blog — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:17:38 +0000

Fortunately and unfortunately, my wife and I like both things and experiences. Although lately we are downsizing our possessions in a lot of ways. One of our dreams is to take 1 big trip every year.

By: Cd Phi

Cd Phi — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:13:54 +0000

I couldn’t agree more about the TV issue. My parents are remodeling their home so they’re moving things around. My father wanted a bigger TV for our living room while my mother was perfectly content with the 50″ TV that we already have. Albeit it’s not the newest technologically advanced TV but it’s still a flat screen and everything. I definitely had my mom’s back on this issue because I don’t see why they would even need a bigger, nicer TV when no one even really watches it. My dad’s rebuttal, “It’ll just look better” and I immediately thought of the whole keeping up with the Joneses scenario. It’ll be funny to see who gets their way this time.

By: CreditShout

CreditShout — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:18:29 +0000

I agree with you, I would rather have experiences than buy things. I love traveling and seeing different places. Though I like owning things that will make me happy, I would rather go out and see the world than sit in and watch that plasma tv…