The secret of happy shopping revealed: Scientists say we should buy things that give us 'experiences' - and sports equipment, musical instruments and video games should be top of the list.

While many would claim that a pair of Louboutins are the key to shopping nirvana, experts say that in fact, sneakers or a video game might make you happier.
Researchers found that buying things that provide you with experiences is key.
They say musical instruments, sports gear and even video games can all make us content than simply splurging on a new pair of shoes.

The University of Michigan and San Francisco State University study examined consumers' reactions to 'experiential' products - purchases that combine material items and life experiences - on their well-being.

Previous research compared how happy people feel from obtaining material items, purchases made in order 'to have', and from life experiences, purchases made in order 'to do.'  
Purchases that people make 'to have in order to do' would include video games, sports equipment or musical instruments, the team say.

Darwin Guevarra, a doctoral candidate in the U-M Department of Psychology and the study's lead author, said experiential products offer more well-being than material items because they satisfy a person's autonomy (behaviors to express one's identity), competence (mastering a skill or ability) and relatedness (having a sense of belonging with others).

 

Read the full article "The Secret of Happy Shopping Revealed" at the Daily Mail.