A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology claiming that people who made expensive purchases on items like shoes and bags rather than an experiences or experimental investment, felt the item lost its value directly after buying it. Sounds about right doesn’t it? Like when you go on a splurge shopping spree to Zara and buy a shirt and jeans in the sale – more often than not you leave feeing guilty that you just spent your last spare £20 and now have to ration any food you have left in the fridge until next payday.
Researchers from San Francisco State University also found that people actually do understand that life is all about the memories we create (as Kanye once said: ‘positive energy blessings blessings positive energy,’ guys). But as we're constantly bombarded with suggestions for things to buy and clothes to wear on social media and TV we get caught up in a cycle of buying crap we don’t need and then feeling bad about it. We then go and post photos of whatever it is in our shopping bags on Instagram or Twitter, because obvously what's the point of buying the latest pair of Puma by Rihanna Creepers if we don't show them off?
The study goes on to say that after buying said crap, participants soon realise they would have been waaaay happier putting that money towards an experience with friends or family. So, the moral of this story is: STOP BUYING STUFF. Resist the urge to walk into Topshop after a shit day at work because your shopping addiction could actually be making you more miserable. Call up your friends to organise a weekend away instead. Maybe not camping though because it’s bloody freezing right now.
**Here’s a list of clothes you should swap for life experiences to make your life amazing: **
This pair of **Topshop boots **which cost an arm and a leg (£85 to be precise), could be swapped for a trip away with your girls to a [Bristol cottage](/wp-admin/1. https:/www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9899518?checkin=04-03-2016&checkout=06-03-2016&guests=2&s=2VzW0ak_). It's £88.66 for two nights, so thats only £3.66 extra, score.
Swap this £150 **suede coat of dreams**for a trip to Paris in March via **Eurostar. **It costs £119 for a return, yes that's LESS than a coat you will probably never wear because it's suede and it always rains in England)
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These Adidas superstars can be swapped for a trip to Go Ape for half the price (it's like £33 per adult). Okay ,so this one might actually be for kids but you get to mess around in trees on zip wires and that = fun.
T This Comme De Garcons top (that we want SO bad) for two months worth of Class Pass – get your mates to join, it's £79 but totally worth it for the amount of classes you can go to. You’ll have to pay £44.74 extra but think how great you’ll feel after those two montsh are up.
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** 10 Reasons Shopping With Mates Sucks And You Should Go Alone **
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** Follow Alyss on Twitter @alyssbowen**
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.