‘Buy experiences, not things’ is the rallying cry of minimalists and financial gurus everywhere. And it sounds great—memories last forever, clutter is bad, experiences bring happiness.

But let’s do the actual math. Because sometimes that ‘experience’ costs $3,000 and the ‘thing’ costs $300, and one of them you’ll use for the next decade.

When experiences are worth it

Experiences create lasting memories: A trip to Japan, a concert with your best friend, learning to scuba dive—these create stories you’ll tell for years.

They can’t be taken away: Nobody can repossess your memories. Economic downturn? You still have that incredible trip.

They’re often shared: Experiences with loved ones strengthen relationships in ways buying stuff alone doesn’t.

When things are actually better

Things you use daily compound value: A $500 quality mattress you use for 10 years is $0.14/night. A $2,000 weekend trip is $666/day.

Some things enable experiences: A good bike lets you explore for years. A quality camera captures memories. These aren’t just ‘things’—they’re experience multipliers.

Things can appreciate: Investments, real estate, some collectibles gain value. Experiences depreciate to zero the moment they’re over.

The actual math

Concert tickets: $200 for 3 hours = $66/hour of experience Nice headphones: $200 used daily for 5 years = $0.11/day

Weekend getaway: $1,000 for 2 days = $500/day Quality couch: $1,000 used daily for 10 years = $0.27/day

Fancy dinner: $150 for 2 hours = $75/hour Nice cookware: $150 used weekly for 10 years = $0.29/use

The things often win on cost-per-use. The question is whether cost-per-use is the right metric for everything.

The hybrid approach

Maybe it’s not experiences OR things—it’s strategic spending on both.

Spend on experiences that: Are once-in-a-lifetime, strengthen relationships, create growth

Spend on things that: You’ll use constantly, improve daily life, enable more experiences

Skip: Expensive experiences you won’t remember, things that clutter your life, anything bought to impress others

The bottom line

‘Buy experiences, not things’ is catchy, but the real advice should be: ‘Buy what actually adds value to your life and skip what doesn’t.’

Sometimes that’s a trip. Sometimes that’s a really good espresso machine. Stop letting oversimplified mantras make financial decisions for you.