People Who'd Rather Spend Money On Food & Travel Than Physical Things Usually Have 6 Distinct Traits
the stock company / ShutterstockPeople who prefer to spend money on food and travel instead of just on physical things are unique for a good reason. Spending on experiences forces you to stay in the moment, knowing that the experience will, inevitably, end.
In a materialistic society, this is more than just standard wanderlust. These people stand out as uniquely alive and present. They share a few special traits that bring them an ever-growing sense of joy instead of shallow and fleeting happiness.
People who prefer spending money on food and travel rather than physical things have 6 distinct traits
1. They enjoy making memories
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While material possessions can absolutely contribute to feelings of happiness, that feeling rarely lasts. However, spending money on experiences allows them to create meaningful memories out of it.
They know that while no two experiences are ever the same, the memories we make when immersing ourselves in food and travel are. unique. As Dr. Andrew Stevenson says, travel is a "transformational activity". We may not carry something physical home with us, but we carry new, expanded versions of ourselves home instead.
The people who prefer travel and special dining experiences just aren't as interested in preserving material possessions. Instead, they prioritize memories of actually participating in all that life has to offer.
2. They love being around other people
This doesn't necessarily mean conversing with other people. Rather, people who enjoy spending money on food and travel often choose situations where they're surrounded by others they can observe or enjoy learning from. Going to restaurants or going across the world, they enjoy the company of others, whether they're talking to them or not.
There are travel-lovers and foodies who are always asking a friend if they'd like to hit up the local diner or if hop on a last-minute flight to a fun location when a cheap fare pops up. These are the people you can count on to have a good time with because they're much more likely to want to spend money doing things than just sitting at home looking at all the stuff they've purchased.
3. They're thoughtful about how and when they spend money
Spending money on physical things can really run you up a large tab, especially if you're not careful with just how many items you're purchasing on any given day. People who prefer to spend money on food and travel are much more concerned with putting their money into experiences that will give them more bank for their buck, emotionally.
In order to do that, they need to be thoughtful about all of their purchases, not just ones for dining and travel. They'll save up to get that one big, special experience.
They understand the need to be careful with money. With so much happening in the world right now, having disposable income feels more like a luxury than ever. So when the time comes to be able to make a purchase, this group is much more likely to use it on things that give back to them in kind.
4. They enjoy being very, very busy
Some people are happy to stay home every weekend with a book or a new video game to play. But those who love travel and foodie experiences like to be out-and-about doing stuff, and sometimes over-commit and even burn out as a result of their over-scheduled lives.
They love leading busy lives where they're constantly on-the-go, seeking out new places and food to try for the first time. They'll spend as much money as they want if they deem it necessary to have a life-changing experience in a distant land.
Traveling does not come without its stressors, but this group is much more concerned with getting to see an unfamiliar place than they are getting bogged down by the details of travel. When a flight is cancelled, they just might venture out into the city around the airport and find something to do instead of lying around in the terminal. They see life as an adventure and are willing to roll with the punches in order to stay busy.
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5. They value their time just as much as money
People who prefer spending on food and travel are as concerned with using their time wisely as they are about what they do to earn a living. They know that money will come as long as they keep working but they also know that to spend on food and travel are experiences that are irreplaceable in the long run.
This may seem silly to those who are obsessed with financial security, but some financial experts advise people to value their time just as much as their money. This is because, while money is important, it's not everything. In fact, always working to make money might actually be what's hindering your financial prosperity into the future. Time is of the essence, and this group knows that through and through.
6. They live like there's no tomorrow
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Echoing the previous sentiment, people who prefer to spend money on food and travel want to live rich, fulfilling lives. They don't want to wait for some unknown date or later age to start doing it, either.
To them, that means indulging in delicious food and traveling the world more than it does buying as many physical things as possible. They're the ones who want to live it up and don't care if other people call them irresponsible or even impractical. If they have the money, they'll find a new restaurant to try or a new place to visit. After all, life is short.
It's important to set some money aside to be able to eat good food and travel to soak in all that the world has to offer in the future, too, of course. People who prefer to spend their money on that live by this mentality and they truly want to work to live rather than live to work. They know that we only have so many days ahead of us, so why not live in the moment.
Luke Aliga is a writer with a degree in Technical Writing and Communication who covers relationships, culture, astrology, and human interest topics.
