The only thing you can buy that’s guaranteed to make you happier, backed by science

A friend of mine faced challenges in balancing work and family life. Business demands often took precedence over personal commitments, leading to missed events or family dinners due to work-related issues. This phenomenon, known as hedonic adaptation, suggests that people who buy material items quickly adapt to their new possessions, returning to a similar level of happiness.

In fact, research indicates that purchasing items to achieve happiness often leads to chronic dissatisfaction. A study even found that spending money on material possessions does not guarantee happiness, as reported by the Journal of Economic Psychology. However, there is an exception: spending money to buy time can increase happiness and overall life satisfaction.

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who purchased time to complete tasks they disliked were happier than those who did not. This causal relationship was confirmed through an experiment where participants were given money to either buy items or free up time. The results showed that spending money on time-saving services, as long as it does not lead to feelings of inadequacy, can make individuals happier.

To maximize the benefits of buying time, it is essential to make a conscious decision about how to use the freed time intentionally and purposefully, such as spending it with family, pursuing personal goals, or engaging in activities that bring joy.