Which should people buy to make themselves happy: experiences or material goods?
The answer depends in part on the level of resources already available in their lives.
Across multiple studies using a range of methodologies, it was found that individuals of higher social class, whose abundant resources make it possible to focus on self-development and self-expression, were made happier by experiential over material purchases.
No such experiential advantage emerged for individuals of lower social class, whose lesser resources engender concern with resource management and wise use of limited finances.