Yesterday I came across an article at Frontal Cortex about commuting, money and happiness.

Even thought some of the assumptions and conclusions are debatable, I fully agree with some of the points made.

First of all, commuting using public transportation or driving is very stressful. I have become more sensitive to that since I’m riding a bike on a daily basis. I get pissed more easily at the public transport, usually because of the people around.

Secondly,  “It is only a slight exaggeration to say that happiness is the experience of spending time with people you love and who love you.” The problem, of course, is that we don’t spend our money in accordance with this psychological principle. This is exactly what I experience mostly within generations older than me. I see my parents and family wasting money on material stuff they don’t really need, rather than saving them to go for holiday in countries they dream of, or spending them on pleasures, new experiences as a kind of personalised rewards to themselves. It doesn’t have to include spending time with loved ones, but usually does. 

This finding goes along with the results of survey among terminally ill patients and people on the verge of dying. The most often quoted regrets include “working too hard” (together with accommodating with less regarding comfort) and “spending little time with family”. 

That’s why I don’t mind giving myself treats of any kind, but let it be some kind of activity with friends rather than buying things.