Buying things won’t make you happier. But research shows that buying time can, as long as you do it the right way.
— Read on www.inc.com/jeff-haden/want-to-be-happier-science-says-buying-a-little-time-leads-to-significantly-greater-life-satisfaction.html
One week, participants were given $40 and told to spend it on any item or items they chose. The only restriction was that they had to use the money to buy “things.”
The next week, participants were given $40 and told they had to spend it on freeing up time. Cleaning. Maintenance. Delivery. Paying someone to do something they didn’t want to do so they could use that time to do something they did want to do.
You’ve already guessed the result: When the participants bought time instead of things, they felt happier, less stressed, and more satisfied.