Every answer was different, but the word “guilty” came up 36% of the time, while the word “good” appeared in just 29% of answers. Many people said they felt both emotions. “It gives me a rush at the time, and then when I get home or see my bank statement a few days later, I feel incredibly guilty.” Quite a few people mentioned “justifying” their spending as a way to avoid guilt – shopping at second-hand shops or scoring something on sale, for example.
“If I buy physical items like a sweater or dress not on sale I will probably return it,” wrote one person, adding: “But I don’t feel guilty for going tandem sky diving last summer with friends. Odd.”
Well, it’s not so odd. Studies (including my unscientific study-of-one) have repeatedly shown that experiences make us happier than things. I think the fact that readers of Shopping for Happiness cited travel as number-one on their wish-lists shows that many people have learned this lesson on their own. I know I have.
What do you think? You can find the survey here if you want to take it, but I’d also welcome your thoughts in the comments below.