Best Non-Financial Investment?

[ladonnarosso]

What is the best "investment" that you have ever made that had nothing to do with finances? Maybe some event that was a great memory or some item that you bought that has been invaluable to your everyday life?

I tend to be a spendthrift and I typically have a very hard time spending money on ANYTHING, even things that I really really want (and probably "deserve" to have). It's a complex, so bad that I rarely buy new socks or underwear, even when I need them. My husband is trying to convince me to take a trip for my 30th birthday. It's 2 years away so we will have plenty of time to save and budget for it, but all I think about when I'm calculating that cost is how much more quickly we could pay off the car if we didn't have to save for it...

Is it worth it to take a little well-planned fun and enjoy our lives? Or should I just skip it? I feel like I would really enjoy and remember the trip for many years.

[edg126]

I traveled a lot between 24 and 30. I was making good money for being so young, and had such amazing experiences. I didn't care how much it cost. I went to Europe 5 times, Africa 2 times, Australia 1 time, and Central America 1 time (along with 4 trips in the US / Canada)


We have 2 kids now, some experiences I won't do again because I'm more risk averse (scuba diving in australia, camping in the serengeti). I also noticed I slowed things down a bit between 24 and 30 with traveling. When 24 in Egypt for 10 days I got about 4 hours of sleep a night. Wake up at 5AM, tour until 8PM. From 8PM-1AM drink and socialize. Repeat. Our last trip to Europe in 2012 with my now wife we'd be asleep by 9PM, no socializing.

Now we have two kids under 1 and it's just going to be a pain to travel before they can walk well. I can't wait to start it back up again and go with the kids.

Our house has pictures I've taken displayed all over, it's been great memories, and the money spent hasn't been missed.

[Nika]

Travel was something I never regretted. And I have done a lot of it - cumulatively, years. At each stage of life you will travel differently. You won't travel when you are 60 the same way you could when you are 20. And countries change, security situation changes, your commitmments grow. I am amazed at the things we saw and did, and a lot of them we won't have a chance to do again.

Money is finite. But so is time. It does not seem that way because we don't know how much we have, but it is. It is not all about accumulation of stuff and money to buy stuff.

[ua_guy]

I find that letting go every now and then is important. If you have the right mindset, you will come back stronger and with a freshened perspective.

Everyone has something they enjoy doing or something material that brings them some enjoyment. These things can be budgeted and managed, and you should enjoy them. The point of life isn't to save money; Life is to be enjoyed and managing money is an important part of achieving that goal.

Take your trip, enjoy it!

[jasonandrick]

I invest in the future of my children, this is something I will never regret. I didn`t have the money to go to a collegy myself but I am doing everything I can my kids can.

Another thing is of course investing in friendships. I find that really important.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Having kids and traveling. But the kids was a much larger investment not just financially but emotionally and physically.

[MonkeyMama]

I feel like I would really enjoy and remember the trip for many years.

I think that says it all. If you feel you would really enjoy, then go for it.

I am not much of a traveler but have invested in many non-financial things over the years. We invest in our home (making it a comfortable place to want to spend our time). Investing in not having to work so much. Investing in hired help to free up even more free time. Kids have been our largest (and most rewarding) investment.

I have no problem spending money on things that make life easier and more enjoyable on an every day basis.

[theoracle]

Take the trip!!!!

I'm married and have 3 kids. The best investment i am making is spending time with each my children, individually, every day if i can. We also take 2 x family vacations every year and those are the best because they have my undivided attention for 7-10days straight. Most of the other times, even though i'm there physically i might be on a different planet mentally and emotionally (i'm a self-employed workaholic - more on that later!!)

I also personally take a couple of additional trips a year to get away from the daily grind. Usually a city break to Barcelona, Milan, or Geneva... just to take a break from it all!

[Petunia 100]

What is the best "investment" that you have ever made that had nothing to do with finances? Maybe some event that was a great memory or some item that you bought that has been invaluable to your everyday life?

I tend to be a spendthrift and I typically have a very hard time spending money on ANYTHING, even things that I really really want (and probably "deserve" to have). It's a complex, so bad that I rarely buy new socks or underwear, even when I need them. My husband is trying to convince me to take a trip for my 30th birthday. It's 2 years away so we will have plenty of time to save and budget for it, but all I think about when I'm calculating that cost is how much more quickly we could pay off the car if we didn't have to save for it...

Is it worth it to take a little well-planned fun and enjoy our lives? Or should I just skip it? I feel like I would really enjoy and remember the trip for many years.

Well, the way to spend the least amount of money is to drop dead right now. Is your goal really to spend the least amount of money? My goal is to get the most out of my money that I possibly can.

[jIM_Ohio]

What is the best "investment" that you have ever made that had nothing to do with finances? Maybe some event that was a great memory or some item that you bought that has been invaluable to your everyday life?

I tend to be a spendthrift and I typically have a very hard time spending money on ANYTHING, even things that I really really want (and probably "deserve" to have). It's a complex, so bad that I rarely buy new socks or underwear, even when I need them. My husband is trying to convince me to take a trip for my 30th birthday. It's 2 years away so we will have plenty of time to save and budget for it, but all I think about when I'm calculating that cost is how much more quickly we could pay off the car if we didn't have to save for it...

Is it worth it to take a little well-planned fun and enjoy our lives? Or should I just skip it? I feel like I would really enjoy and remember the trip for many years.

There are a few...

1) Live life with no regrets, as tomorrow is a gift, and seeing a loved one die with my own eyes was way too painful

2) Invest in yourself. Knowledge, experiences and friendships make one truly wealthy

[ladonnarosso]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I guess I was looking for a little bit of validation from the most money conscious and savvy people I know. I think we will go ahead and start planning our trip. I plan to savor the anticipation and enjoy the process of planning for it!

[Goldy1]

easy. playing with my son. running through the park, splashing at the beach, cuddling reading

why I live
I like time to myself too

[rennigade]

Real estate has turned out to be a profitable mode of investment as the price of land is increasing per day. It refers to immovable property such as lands and buildings. It is a short term effort with less profit. It is an asset form with limited liquidity relative to other investments and can be purchased in many forms. Real estate can turn out to be risky if certain factors are not looked upon. If the investor goes into a negative cash flow, then he will have to resell his property at a great loss.

You may want to read the OP's question again and rethink your answer. Insert fail whale here!

I dont have kids so it would be traveling...hands down.

[krantcents]

My most valuable experience was supporting myself in college. I learned how to survive on very little and I still use these skills today. It is the basis for my lifestyle, budgeting and even goals. I learned more from that experience than college, graduate school and more than 45 years of working.

[zhetrin]

go travel! in short, you can always get your money back but not your time and youth

My parents and grandparents are the prime example. they love to travel. My grandparents went to US when they were about 75, (oh I came from asia btw so it takes 24++ hours by flight to US) but stopped when their health deteriorated. My parents used to take me for overseas trips when I was young and I could clearly see they are getting tired of the long flights now that they don't take that much trip anymore. It's a bit sad because when they saved enough money for better/more expensive trips they lack the energy to do it.

On the other hand, I am now 20 and with limited funds have to travel differently. But it doesn't matter since with I'm fine with walking around NY instead of taking taxi or stay in guesthouses or even overnight bus in Japan.

So yes for me travel is always the thing to go than to save money. . You have 2 years to save up and I think with such long time frame you can even save to invest on something that will give you passive income