3 Things to Buy to be Happier, According to Science

---
Recent videos:

The Most Underrated Sound in Our Society

Top 10 Things to NOT Declutter First

---
Most popular videos:

7 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Home: Declutter for Good

Top 10 Things to Declutter Right Now

---
You can read more tips in my book, The Minimalist Home.

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

---

[karenebarker]

After 50 years of marriage, my husband and I looked around our large possession filled home and decided to get rid of it all and travel. We were still relatively young and healthy at 65 and 67. We gave away or sold everything and hit the road in our RV. Not a big monster RV but a compact livable one. What a luxury to have all of our possessions in one small space and each of them is either beautiful or useful or both. Our treasures now are the experiences we enjoy as we travel the country, the people we meet and the lovely landscapes we see. These past 4 years have been the best of our lives. We are hoping for several more years to travel but when we do settle down it will be with a minimalist lifestyle still. We wish we could have advised our younger selves to not buy the stuff!

[godfreydaniel]

I learned a time ago - and this is the literal truth - NOT some warm and fuzzy philosophical notion - if you 1) own more than one pair of shoes, 2) know where you're going to sleep tonight, and 3) can choose what you're going to eat for dinner - you're among the wealthy of the world. Self-awareness about where we are in relation to our fellow earthlings is critical for a healthy world view...

[gwarlow]

2:25 1. Purchasing experiences.
3:20 2. Pro-social spending.
4:38 3. Buying time.

[anitatate]

I read once that the secret to happiness is: (1) Someone to Love, (2) Something to do, and (3) Something to look forward to....I like your examples too!

[KT-zdvl]

Being debt free has been a huge factor in my emotional well-being

[paulamoors]

The third one is great I pay $40 a month to have my one bedroom apartment cleaned. I’m 74, and this gives me great joy!

[GrnXnham]

I couldn't agree more with this! Especially #1. When I was a kid growing up, my parents nearly always spent money on family experiences rather than material possessions. So I didn't always have the coolest toys in the neighborhood, but we always had the coolest experiences! Years later we all still talk about the great experiences we had as kids but we have mainly forgotten the junk we purchased back then. I think my parents did the right thing by raising us this way.

[JodieC]

Buying time. My main motivation for minimalism. Spending less time maintaining my home has been the greatest payoff of this journey.

[missylynns]

My favorite way to spend money on others is when we have friends or family get-togethers. I like to bring lots of food, desserts and drinks for everyone to share. I’ve always taught my kids, ‘Never show up to someone’s house empty handed’. Whether it be a homemade dessert, bottle of wine or potted plant, bring something special to show your appreciation for them opening their home to you. Hospitality really does go a long way in building lasting relationships with others.

[Dee-srlt]

Last year I saved up enough to buy myself a beach vacation and if I were to describe that experience in one word it would be BLISS, just laying there by the beach, feeling the warm humid air of the sea, the sand crumbling beneath my feet, the kisses from the waves. And minimalism has helped me achieve this. 🤟

[noelminneci]

One of the best "experiences" I received cost nothing. A young neighbor walks his toddler in the stroller every morning. One winter's day he brought a snow shovel and cleaned our driveway, quietly and without fanfare, "just for exercise." It was something I don't forget and maybe a wonderful example for the baby. A good example, it costs almost nothing to give our time, service, and attention to another person. We are older and it made a difference to our day and to our safety!

[ElmosMum]

After looking at the comments, no one has said this. Another way to buy time is to have the tools or utensils or equipment that is within your price range to do the work you need to do and save time. For example while growing up my Dad was very proud to only have hand tools for gardening. This took him a long time to cut back trees and bushes and push mow the lawn. Eventually he got a petrol mower and a chainsaw. Time saved. Also he was not spending as much energy on his short weekends (1.5 days). So if you have an old vacuum cleaner that hurts you because it's so heavy or takes dragging over the rug 50 million times to suck up the dirt, upgrade within your spending and save time and energy. Apply this as needed - car, kitchen appliances, etc etc

[bullwinkle]

I've always chosen to reside in condominiums rather than single family homes throughout my entire adult life, just so I never have to worry about lawn care, landscaping, snow removal, etc. I had to do way too much of that crap when I was a kid, and didn't want to bother with it once I grew up. Leaves me all kinds of time to do the things I really enjoy!

[adampositron]

I live a pretty minimalistic life. I live in a studio condo and don't have many possessions. But one possession of mine has been in need of replacement for years. My couch has been in a state of decay with the leatherette disintegrating and peeling of in small pieces. I had a matching ottoman that I threw out a year ago because it looked so bad. With my home being so small it's impossible not to notice such symbols of decay. So for the first time in ten years I've purchased a major piece of furniture. My new couch is being delivered on Friday and I am happy about that! : )

[jo.ro]

I recently subscribed to an unlimited car wash service and my husband wasn't happy about it. I hate having a dirty car and I'm too short to wash cars well. My car is parked in a dusty environment so I run it through a couple of times a week. It's removing a negative experience and buying time as well. Thank you for this post.

[kunakaeva]

When I see empty countertops in the kitchen it makes so happy and satisfied!!!

[christopherleodaniels]

#3 came into play when I used to work late at a bar. Instead of dealing with the subway at 4:30am to get home, spending a little money on a cab improved the quality of my life.

[stargazerbird]

I would add to the list that buying wisely adds to happiness. Get that one perfect coat/bag/car and look after it. Might cost you more to start but if you love it you will repair and care for it. Quality lasts and you are not always feeling dissatisfied with your not quite as good but cheaper purchase. I used to have drawers full of cheap jeans. Invested in one pair of really good ones and threw the rest out. It’s a joy every time I slid them on. Take the constant decision making off the table. Mental peace.

[selmamoberg]

Thanks for your channel. After my husbands death 4 years ago at the young age of 54 I took the time to downsize & minimize my life. It helped me to become a healthier & happier more aware person.
I just told a friend the other day one thing we don’t have enough of in life is ‘time’
So how ever best you can… take the time to watch a leaf flow down a stream. Take the time to become aware of the blessings around you. Unfortunately for me it took cancer to become more aware of the shortness of time.
You have a great channel . Keep up the great work…🙏🏼

[MrBonified]

The third one wasn't too surprising to me! My father would spend hours working himself into a fury trying to fix or build things that he couldn't, because he refused to pay for anyone else to do anything. As an adult I've always tried to realise when it's going to be better for everyone to just pay someone who's good at the thing to do it for you.