Many people want to buy the newest gadget (小玩意), the fastest car and the most expensive watch—but are these things really worth?
For some people, these things give them status (地位). They're cool because they have a cool car, or they're better at the newest Xbox game. Lots of people say that buying new things makes them happy. They like having new, pretty and impressive things. The problem is that people don't stay happy, and the feeling you get when you buy something new disappears. For example, there's a new iPhone. You stop liking your old car. Your friends have Beats in a different color and they're so much nicer! Things get old and outdated, and someone else always has something better.
So, what can you buy and stay happy with? A research suggests that the best thing to spend your extra (额外的) money on is doing things like traveling, learning to cook, speaking a language, skiing or surfing. What about going to the theater, eating at a Michelin star restaurant or climbing a mountain?
In the long term (从长远来看), people are happier with money they spend on activities than on things. You don't remember what shoes you wore, but you remember running the marathon! When you do new things or things you enjoy, you get life experience and memories. You can share them with people. Even if you don't enjoy the experience, you can learn something and often a little while later you see the good sides of it. At least, it's a story to tell—maybe even a funny one.
So forget about designer clothes and fancy gadgets—a new skill or experience lasts longer!
