10 Ways for Spending Money That Will Make You Happier

Buy Gifts for Others

It might seem counterintuitive, but people are happier when they spend money on others than when they spend money on themselves on themselves — and you don’t need to spend a large sum of money to reap the benefits of “prosocial spending.”

Harvard researchers found that “even in very poor countries like India and Uganda — where many people are struggling to meet their basic needs — individuals who reflected on giving to others were happier than those who reflected on spending on themselves. What’s more, spending even a few dollars on someone else can trigger a boost in happiness.”

One study conducted by the researchers found that asking people to spend as little as $5 on someone else over the course of a day made them happier at the end of that day than people who spent the $5 on themselves. So next time you find yourself with a few dollars to spare, buy a gift for a friend or family member instead of treating yourself.