August 8, 2004
Money can buy happiness, and some sweet earbuds
[via kottke via Peter Kaminski]
Robert Frank writes that money can buy increased happiness if spent not on more expensive goods like bigger houses or more expensive cars but instead on inconspicuous goods, like more time to travel or hang out with friends and family.
Considerable evidence suggests that if we use an increase in our incomes, as many of us do, simply to buy bigger houses and more expensive cars, then we do not end up any happier than before. But if we use an increase in our incomes to buy more of certain inconspicuous goods–such as freedom from a long commute or a stressful job–then the evidence paints a very different picture. The less we spend on conspicuous consumption goods, the better we can afford to alleviate congestion; and the more time we can devote to family and friends, to exercise, sleep, travel, and other restorative activities. On the best available evidence, reallocating our time and money in these and similar ways would result in healthier, longer– and happier–lives.Sounds about right to me. Travel is the one indulgence which always seems worthwhile to me.
Of course, I suspect that purchasing a pair of Ultimate Ears earbuds would make me really happy. They'd better, considering they can cost $900 for a pair (not including the cost of getting an impression made of your ear), but how can you argue with this client list? I tried running with my iPod yesterday and my Sony earbuds kept falling out. Seriously, why are earbuds round? Who has ears shaped like that? I may have to resort to taping my earbuds into my ears. What I need are Penultimate Ears.
