The things you want, the things you save up for

[StormRichards]

I don't think there are a lot of major spenders on the forum except those who are making good money. Texashusker and Tomhole have or had some interesting expenses. Most people on the forum make under 150k/year and are more focused on reaching FI asap.

Totally agree, which is why I felt the OP was making an odd observation.

And even in the examples you give, the objects purchased are part of an experience. Not just people buying things just to buy things.

[phantom]

When I was a kid, I used to strongly value physical items over experiences because items could be used over and over again. I saw experiences as having a fixed value and items has having unlimited potential. To some extent, I still feel that way, but I'm more cognizant of the cost of keeping items now: finding places to store them, keeping them dusted if they sit out, looking through lots of them to find what I want, and making the difficult decision to part with them when they're no longer useful. I also came to realize that fondly remembering experiences can extend their value.

The other thing that has happened as I've gotten older is that I've amassed a nice collection of quality items that I don't need to replace often. That doesn't mean things aren't valuable, just the opposite. I'm just mostly past the acquisition phase of life.

[rennigade]

Astronomy

Astronomy was amazing.

Not sure where you live but you should take a trip to the big island and head up to the keck observatory during a new moon phase. The entire island uses special lights to minimize light pollution. What you see up there on a clear night cant even be described. To see the milky way in all its glory with your naked eyes is really rare...sadly. They also set up some serious telescopes which was awesome.

Glacier point in yosemite was my first time seeing that many stars/milky way...but even that was a joke compared to keck.

[disneysteve]

I'm just mostly past the acquisition phase of life.

Exactly. I think this is a normal progression.

We just got back from vacation. Before we left, my mom gave us some money to buy ourselves something. I bought nothing. When we got back, she was asking DW why I didn't buy anything and she told her that there just wasn't anything I wanted or needed. I spent plenty of money but none of it was on things.

[corn18]

I got into watches for a few months. I was not willing to spend 5-10k on anything that gets banged around so I was really engaged in the replica watch scene on RWI. At the end, having a nice looking watch does nothing for me so back to movies memorabilia collecting.

I thought I would like to have an expensive watch, but what I found is that I would rather have a watch that means something to me. I found a company in England (Bremont) that does custom watches for military units at a steep discount. Bought 2 of those and a G-Shock. I also have my father in law's old, cheap gold watch he bought in the 1970's. All the rest will be sold. On to the next hobby.

Not sure where you live but you should take a trip to the big island and head up to the keck observatory during a new moon phase. The entire island uses special lights to minimize light pollution. What you see up there on a clear night cant even be described. To see the milky way in all its glory with your naked eyes is really rare...sadly. They also set up some serious telescopes which was awesome.

Glacier point in yosemite was my first time seeing that many stars/milky way...but even that was a joke compared to keck.

Thanks for the tip! I have never been to an amazing dark sky spot. Would love to see the Milky Way in all its glory with the naked eye. I have been at 35,000 ft with night vision goggles on and could see everything and then some, but it was all green. Still cool to see Orion nebula with the NVG's.

Tom

[james.hendrickson]

The problem with emphasizing "experiences" over things is philosophical. It suggests the person who wants to spend their money on "experiences" is mostly interested in pursuing leisure, not necessarily helping others or improving their self discipline.

A good question to ask yourself is, will what I spend my money on have an impact in 100 years? If not, why not? And why are you spending your money on this if it won't have a long term impact.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Also go up into the rockies in canada and the northern lights are stunning.

Anyway I'm also not a collector more of an experience person. I'm one of those parents who do a lot of experience things. But turns out my kids like it and they are starting to have memories. I like memberships to places because we like to go to places and do things.

I do feel a bit of guilt having spent quite a bit I realized on presents this holiday season. I'm not a buyer and I don't usually buy stuff for the kids. I even limited number of presents but it turned out more than I predicted.