Poll: Do you prefer to spend your disposable income more on things or experiences?

[zehydra]

I buy things that I use to experience experiences. For instance, I play guitar so I spend money on things that help my experience while playing guitar. Video games aren't even physical things, but experiences too.

But by your definition these would be things.

 

[Ambi]

I'm saving up for the experience of seeing new places. However, I'm not a fan of expensive, conventional fun with cheesy novelties everywhere and massive lines. I find the prospect of finding enjoyment in just spending time with people and doing things that are free or low cost it much more meaningful, creative, and resourceful. If only I was imaginative and charismatic to take initiative and be that person who makes things fun wherever they are. I had just as much if not more fun messing around with escalators, fridge boxes, mud, and large mounds of dirt as a kid than I did with most organised fun activities.

At the moment I probably spend more on things, my last major purchase was this laptop for school and I don't really do much.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I buy things that I use to experience experiences. For instance, I play guitar so I spend money on things that help my experience while playing guitar. Video games aren't even physical things, but experiences too.

But by your definition these would be things.

By any sane definition, video games are both things and experiences -- even if you go through Steam, there's still a file sitting on your hard drive, which counts as a "thing" for the purposes of this sort of discussion. Claiming that they are nothing but an experience comes dangerously close to spouting industry drivel about licenses, in my opinion.

P.S.: I get the feeling that the OP wanted to draw a comparison between items you get to keep forever, and fleeting experiences that leave you with nothing but memories. With this understanding, a PC or console game is a thing, but popping a quarter or two into an arcade cabinet is an experience.

 

[x0ny]

Mostly things, and eventually will only be on things. I generally don't like holidays. At the moment, I can only see my gf one a day monthly, so we try to make the most of the time together by spending money on experiences and hotel rooms. After we get married and rent/buy a place, money will no longer be spent on experiences.

 

[Brawndo]

P.S.: I get the feeling that the OP wanted to draw a comparison between items you get to keep forever, and fleeting experiences that leave you with nothing but memories. With this understanding, a PC or console game is a thing, but popping a quarter or two into an arcade cabinet is an experience.

^Yeah this

I'm kind of surprised at the poll results TBH. Personally, most things I buy lose their novelty and begin to blur together, but great experiences can result in life long memories and good stories to tell other people. Some of my most vivid memories from childhood were family trips to Europe, the time I got to ride a giraffe, and my first paintball game. With a few exceptions, most of my toys and video games from that period of my life are a wash memory-wise, and the few that weren't given away or sold are probably in a box in my parents' garage somewhere.

Next weekend I'm going on a kayak trip with my friends for the first time. It costs $40 for a 3 hour river course. True, I could buy several DVDs or video games for the same price and have many more hours of entertainment, but I know in 10 years I'm gonna remember my first kayak trip more than any game, and the story I have to tell will likely be better than "I once got a 3.2 K/D ratio in [insert FPS here]"

 

[zehydra]

I buy things that I use to experience experiences. For instance, I play guitar so I spend money on things that help my experience while playing guitar. Video games aren't even physical things, but experiences too.

But by your definition these would be things.

By any sane definition, video games are both things and experiences -- even if you go through Steam, there's still a file sitting on your hard drive, which counts as a "thing" for the purposes of this sort of discussion. Claiming that they are nothing but an experience comes dangerously close to spouting industry drivel about licenses, in my opinion.

P.S.: I get the feeling that the OP wanted to draw a comparison between items you get to keep forever, and fleeting experiences that leave you with nothing but memories. With this understanding, a PC or console game is a thing, but popping a quarter or two into an arcade cabinet is an experience.

What OP really means is spending money on things that can't be repeated or spending money on things that have repeated use

 

[joshuaayt]

Well, I've been known to eat out on occasion, but as a full time high school student, all of my excess cash tends to be put towards one defining purpose- creating a videogame case singularity within my bedroom.

I feel I am approaching my goal, too- one or two more tossed onto the pile and WHAM- Infinite density gaming.

...Also, I guess I play the games, too.

 

[bpm195]

I split the difference and spend my money on drugs: the thing that causes experiences.

 

[Cpu46]

I just spent 20 bucks on the D&D redbox starter kit. So I spent my money on both!

 

[Gezab]

Both.

I buy my guns and ammo, then I go out and shoot my guns and ammo.

 

[Ham_authority95]

I would spend money on music and music-related equipment, so I would be doing both. That or go somewhere with my girlfriend.

Now to actually get some money to do that...

 

[Snake Plissken]

Guitars are my guilty pleasure. I have faaaaaaar too many.

Oh no, are you one of those Xaviere lovers from Harmony-Central?

Dude, I didn't know Xaviere lovers existed. They're better than some other budget guitars, but I wouldn't ever waste my own money on one...

I dig vintage stuff and lots of weird, one-of-a-kind things.

 

[FalloutJack]

You forgot the "Both" option.

 

[theevilsanta]

Great question. Right now it's things, just to build up my arsenal - I'll let you figure out what that means.

 

[aPod]

Well i buy games, and they are both things and experiences.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Things... Far too many video games (i.e. needs more than one shelf) and a budding manga and anime collection that must be kept in alphabetical order at ALL TIMES!

 

[PurplePlatypus]

I mostly buy books, games and movies. So they are both things and experiences depending on the mentality. A lot of my games are from digital distribution so they aren?t things where as I like to display my books as well as read them.