Brent Thomas has a secret splurge. Here's what he -- and 10 others -- spend their money on.
(MONEY Magazine) -- Researchers have long known that money can make you happier -- though the effect wears off after you earn $75,000 a year, says Princeton University's Angus Deaton and Daniel Kahneman.
And happiness experts have found that experiences leave you cheerier than stuff does. Now the most recent research has unearthed even more insights into how to spend smart and stay happy.
Go for quantity, not quality. Instead of saving up to splurge on the nicest restaurant in town once every six months, eat out regularly at your favorite neighborhood joint.
According to a recent paper by the University of British Columbia's Elizabeth Dunn, Harvard University's Daniel Gilbert, and the University of Virginia's Timothy Wilson, the happiness you get from small and large purchases alike eventually fades. So go for frequent cheap thrills, not the rare budget breaker.
Follow the herd. Wonder what will make you happy? Look around to see what everyone else is enjoying, be it a No. 1 movie or a hot restaurant. People overestimate how singular their tastes are, says UVA's Wilson: Popularity is a good predictor of what you'll enjoy.
Stay with the group. Travel with friends; don't go it alone. Thomas DeLeire of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Ariel Kalil of the University of Chicago found that leisure experiences that reduce loneliness and enhance your social network go hand in hand with greater happiness. 
| Overnight Avg Rate | Latest | Change | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed | 3.56% | 3.68% | |
| 15 yr fixed | 2.78% | 2.91% | |
| 5/1 ARM | 2.62% | 2.79% | |
| 30 yr refi | 3.55% | 3.75% | |
| 15 yr refi | 2.77% | 2.99% |
Today's featured rates:
| Index | Last | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 14,865.14 | 62.90 | 0.42% |
| Nasdaq | 3,300.16 | 2.91 | 0.09% |
| S&P 500 | 1,593.37 | 5.64 | 0.36% |
| Treasuries | 1.79 | -0.01 | -0.78% |
| Company | Price | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corp | 28.94 | -1.34 | -4.44% |
| Bank of America Corp... | 12.27 | -0.05 | -0.41% |
| Intel Corp | 21.82 | -0.44 | -1.95% |
| Pfizer Inc | 30.64 | 0.72 | 2.41% |
| Ford Motor Co | 13.55 | 0.43 | 3.28% |
|
A former partner at KPMG was charged Thursday with providing illegal stock tips to a friend about the global auditing firm's clients. More |
"I cannot afford to have my Social Security cut by one penny! Plain & simple." More |
At least with reviewers. HTC's latest smartphone is creating incredibly positive reactions. More |
As many doctors struggle to keep their practices financially sound, some are buckling under money woes and being pushed into bankruptcy. More |
With a YouTube video, tweets and Facebook postings, teen idol Justin Bieber unveils a prepaid debit card aimed at teens. More |
.
