It’s safe to say that we spend a lot of money trying to buy things that will make us feel good. Yet we all know people who have plenty of money but aren’t happy. And we all know people who are poor but happy. It seems therefore, that money might smooth the way but isn’t a guarantee of happiness. I like Anthony Robbins’ take on it. He advocates that money isn’t the solution to long term happiness ‘but it’s nice to turn up to your problems in a limo.’ Cool!

If I’m allowed to go a bit academic on you? If you’ve ever been on a management course you will know about Herzberg. What I’m suggesting is similar, in that purchases that satisfy your basic needs (food, heating, roof over your head, etc) will stop you being unhappy but they won’t make you happy.

With me so far? Hang in there, it’s just about to get more interesting.

Research shows that buying stuff doesn’t equate to happiness. If you want to squeeze more from your happiness pound, you’re better off buying an experience.  A trip to the theatre for example.  Or a concert, a holiday or a meal out – the theory says that they will score you plenty of happiness brownie points. Furthermore, the best way to maximise your happiness is to indulge in a series of smaller purchases rather than one whopper. So, for example, you’ll score more on the ‘happyometer’ from going to loads of local gigs rather than one splurge on Take That. Or, similarly, several smaller holidays to Skegness rather than one trip to Barbados (that’s probably where the whole theory collapses?).

Three points that warrant further consideration: