Cait Flanders went deep into debt to buy all the clothes, books and gadgets she was convinced would make her happier. But she soon realized that doing things—rather than having things — was a much more fulfilling way to spend her hard-earned income. Dr. Laurie explains the psychology of material vs. experiential spending and why investing in experiences like concerts, vacations, and dining out creates longer-lasting joy.

Experts Mentioned:
- Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society, University of Bristol
- Amit Kuman, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Texas Austin 

Resources Mentioned:
- The Year of Less by Cait Flanders (2018)
- Possessed, Why We Want More Than We Need by Bruce Hood (2019)
- "Does Economic Growth Improve the Human Lot? Some Empirical Evidence," (Nations and Households in Economic Growth, 1974)
- Diderot Effect 

Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":
- "The Unhappy Millionaire"
- "Let Slip the Dogs of More Happiness"
- "Nerd Out! The Happiness of Being a Fan"
- "Move to Your Happy Place"
- "Sight and Sound: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses"
- "Smell, Taste, and Touch: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses"
- "Can Spiritual Experiences and Psychedlics Make Us Happy? (Live from Boston)"
- "How to Lead the Richest Life Possible "

Cait Flanders went deep into debt to buy all the clothes, books and gadgets she was convinced would make her happier. But she soon realized that doing things&mdash;rather than having things &mdash; was a much more fulfilling way to spend her hard-earned income. Dr. Laurie explains the psychology of material vs. experiential spending and why investing in experiences like concerts, vacations, and dining out creates longer-lasting joy. Experts Mentioned: - <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/people/person/Bruce-Hood-6de6dd5c-4eb7-4d97-bb22-31aba1416ffc/">Bruce Hood</a>, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society, University of Bristol - <a href="https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-directory/profile/?username=ak38994">Amit Kuman</a>, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Texas Austin <a href="https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-directory/profile/?username=ak38994"> </a> Resources Mentioned: - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Year-Less-Shopping-Belongings-Discovered/dp/1401954871">The Year of Less</a> by Cait Flanders (2018) - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Possessed-Want-More-Than-Need/dp/0190699914">Possessed, Why We Want More Than We Need</a> by Bruce Hood (2019) - "Does Economic Growth Improve the Human Lot? Some Empirical Evidence," (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/chapter/edited-volume/abs/pii/B9780122050503500087">Nations and Households in Economic Growth</a>, 1974) - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diderot_effect">Diderot Effect </a> Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab": - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/the-unhappy-millionaire">The Unhappy Millionaire</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/let-slip-the-dogs-of-more-happiness">Let Slip the Dogs of More Happiness</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/nerd-out-the-happiness-of-being-a-fan">Nerd Out! The Happiness of Being a Fan</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/move-to-your-happy-place">Move to Your Happy Place</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/sight-and-sound-how-to-joyfully-awaken-your-senses">Sight and Sound: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/smell-taste-and-touch-how-to-joyfully-awaken-your-senses">Smell, Taste, and Touch: How to Joyfully Awaken Your Senses</a>" - "<a href="http://i/">Can Spiritual Experiences and Psychedlics Make Us Happy? (Live from Boston)</a>" - "<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/how-to-lead-the-richest-life-possible">How to Lead the Richest Life Possible </a>"

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale -- the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history -- Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Why Experiences Make You Happier Than Things 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0ef4227c-2e6f-4610-85ac-ae32007a184d/transcript