On the one hand, I upvoted this because there is no reason for this post to be in the negatives.

On the other hand, I don't think I'm a fan of the advice DGW are giving out.

On the third tail, this is because I'm trying it on for myself and it fits just terribly.

On the fourth twitching tufted ear, I have no illusions about being typical, so "doesn't work for me" certainly does not imply "doesn't work for normals".

On the fifth tentacle, I continue to have doubts about this advice even for the normals.

So, follow the herd and don't comparison shop? I would love to be your retailer. Especially if you want to pay now and consume later.

I also suspect (without having read the paper, natch) the authors' methodology. Let me illustrate -- let's take the first point, "buy experiences". Alice and Bob live in pretty identical circumstances. Both have a car that's old, cranky, breaks down a lot, and tends to need expensive repairs. Both have some savings.

Alice goes YOLO!!! and goes on a Caribbean vacation. Returning from it, she continues to curse at her car and suffer from its slings and arrows. Bob uses his saving to buy a new(er) car.

In a bit, DGW show up. They ask Alice -- did spending your savings make you happy? She says yes, fuck yes, that was an awesome vacation, especially compared to how crappy the life now is. They ask Bob -- did spending your savings make you happy? Bob says well, kinda, not really, the new car is highly useful, but it's not like it is the high point of his life.

And so DGW happily go and tell the world to buy experiences.

Reminds me of the classic quote: "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

But the invisible to DGW opportunity costs can be... problematic.