Buying overpriced indulgences may feel good in the short term, but you pay the price later. Or at least that’s the conventional wisdom. But a study by a couple of business-school professors says splurging now makes you happier later. Even more surprising: not splurging now gives you pangs of regret later.
One study in the Harvard Business Review polled college students and alumni on the subject of spring breaks. Regret about not having spent more money or traveling during breaks increased with time, whereas regret about not having worked, studied, or saved money during breaks decreased with time.
The authors write: “We saw a similar pattern in a study of how businesspeople perceived past choices between work and pleasure. Over time, those who had indulged felt less and less guilty about their choices, whereas those who had been dutiful experienced a growing sense of having missed out on the pleasures of life.”
The authors also did a study of mall shoppers, asking about their regret about buying an expensive item of clothing. Those who anticipated short-term regret bought less-expensive items, while those who anticipated long-term regret splurged.
Luxury-goods makers, of course, will eat this up. I can see the slogan now: “Luxury: It’s Good for Life.” Well, whether luxury is good for your finances is another matter.
Wealth Report readers, what do you think? Do the long-term benefits of indulgence outweigh the short-term risks of regret? 【題組】15 What does the author mean by saying “luxury-goods makers will eat this up?”
(A)More luxurious food will be produced for the market.
(B)Luxury-goods businesses will be harmed by the study.
(C)Luxury-goods makers will make full use of this study.
(D)Consumers will regret that they have eaten too much luxurious food.
寫作批改
VIP與詳解卡管理
私人筆記( 0 )
