Money can buy happiness, sort of 08 August, 2010

Great article in the NYTimes business section today purchasing happiness: But Will It Make You Happy?

Things I took away from it:

• Move from conspicuous consumption to calculated consumption. 
• You can purchase big things, but putting it off for a while adds to the happiness value.
• Spend on leisure activities and time with friends: Spending money should be on experiences. You can't really compare your experiences with others like you do with cars. Apparently, “A $20,000 increase in spending on leisure was roughly equivalent to the happiness boost one gets from marriage."
• You don't have to live a spartan life (100 Item Challenge), but getting rid of somethings isn't a bad idea.