Using Money

[debka_notion]

One of the interesting things I noticed this weekend was how differently people use money. I mean, I went to the mall, and the folks I was with found the clothing prices pretty normal there, whereas I do most of my clothing shopping at Goodwill/thrift stores/Marshalls, and have to readjust pretty forcefully to think of a over $15 piece of apparel (besides maybe a dress) as reasonable. On the other hand, I've noticed that I go travel for the weekend and visit people a lot more than said folks do. So in that way, they're more willing to pay more for the practical tangibles. On the other hand, there is no cheaper way for me to get from New Haven to Boston, for example. It just seems like a difference in not so much even priorities as experiences. All I know is that I visit other people rather more than they visit me: it's just higher on my list of priorities, or something I see as more of a possibility than they do, since I've done so much of it.

Comments

[tirerim.livejournal.com]

There's actually been a study (http://www.smh.com.au/cgi-bin/common/popupPrintArticle.pl?path=/articles/2004/02/17/1076779970333.html) showing that people tend to be more satisfied with experiences than with material goods that cost the same amount. And I completely agree with you about clothing prices -- about the only things I don't buy at thrift stores or places with major discounts are shoes and serious sports or outdoors wear, and I always have to readjust to be able to force myself to buy something that costs ten times what I'd pay for just about any other item of clothing, because I need it and that's the only way to get it...

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Well, to my mind, experiences are more valuable than material goods- at least, experiences having to do with people. After all (to sound ridiculously tacky) memories last as long as you remember them, and material goods wear out eventually, even the ridiculously expensive ones.

[nuqotw.livejournal.com]

Material goods don't wear out if you coat them with shellac.

There is the question of the financial state of your company. Those with more disposable income than others tend to dispose of it. They consequentially have fewer choices to make about how they will dispose of it, since more options are available.

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

That's abotu what I'd been thinking- except that I think that maybe it is just a matter of choices- I haven't heard about these folks taking random train trips, after all.