PayPal research finds making small purchases can feel as good as going on holiday

They say money can’t buy love but it can buy happiness, a new study has claimed.

The study proved ‘retail therapy’ was real with the majority of respondents claiming treating themselves to a small gift had a big impact on their wellbeing.

It found making purchases on everyday items valued at $150 gave us as much joy as going on holiday (21 per cent) or taking the day off work (23 per cent). 

If you’re feeling generous, treating your partner to a spontaneous gift could also boost your love life while 51 per cent said receiving an unexpected present made them feel appreciated.

The study by online payment giant PayPal was based on a survey of 1,030 Australians over the age of 18.

 

They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing after PayPal revealed that treating yourself to something small has a big impact on your wellbeing (stock image)

Types of purchases 

Small, everyday purchase: Under $50 – coffee, takeaway meal, monthly Spotify/Netflix subscription, bunch of flowers.

Mid-size purchase: $50-$500 – concert/festival tickets, interstate flights, weekend getaway, headphones, gaming console.

Big purchase: Over $500 – an overseas holiday, new TV, the latest smartphone, an expensive fashion-label accessory.

Treat yourself purchase: A personal treat for yourself i.e. ordering takeaway on Menulog, buying an extra coffee or getting an Uber home instead of public transport.

Spontaneous treat: Something small purchased for a loved one for no reason, not tied to a special occasion like a birthday, Christmas or Valentine’s Day.

About one in five people think spending money on a small spontaneous item lifted their spirits on a bad day – and more than half found treating themselves to something little added value to their life and wellbeing.

Small purchases – big impact on wellbeing

PayPal shopping expert Emily Curlewis said if you can’t go on holiday, give yourself a little retail therapy.

‘As Aussies face the challenge of saving while also forking out for everyday living expenses, it comes as no surprise that many experience guilt when it comes to making big ticket purchases like overseas holidays or expensive items,’ she said.

‘But it is still important that they indulge in a shopping treat every now and then.

‘To replace the thrill they might get from more expensive purchases, Aussies can relish in smaller, everyday purchases which give them instant gratification.

‘Whether it be a new lippy, their morning coffee, an Uber home from work or even their monthly Spotify subscription, these smaller, everyday purchases can be guilt-free experiences which can add real value to their lives.’

PayPal shopping expert Emma Curlewis (pictured) said if you can't go on holiday, give yourself a little retail therapy

PayPal shopping expert Emma Curlewis (pictured) said if you can’t go on holiday, give yourself a little retail therapy

The study found that making purchases on everyday items valued at $150 gives us as much joy as going on holiday (21 per cent) or taking the day off work (23 per cent)

The study found that making purchases on everyday items valued at $150 gives us as much joy as going on holiday (21 per cent) or taking the day off work (23 per cent)

The research found spontaneously treating your partner can boost your love life, with two in five saying they felt good when they surprised their partner with a gift

The research found spontaneously treating your partner can boost your love life, with two in five saying they felt good when they surprised their partner with a gift

Spontaneous treats can boost your love life

The research found spontaneously treating your partner can boost your love life, with two in five saying they felt good when they surprised their partner with a gift.

Up to 51 per cent said receiving an unexpected gift made them feel appreciated while 15 per cent said buying and receiving a spontaneous gift improves their relationship and makes them love that person more.

What to buy? 

The study found that cheap items such as coffee or takeaway meals was enough to make someone’s day, including yourself.

But if you’re looking to spoil your loved ones, the research found that Australians would be more pleased to receive a weekend getaway, an experience, cinema or theatre tickets, something for their home or a book.

‘Men are twice as likely to want to receive a music or movie subscription service (15 per cent vs. 5 per cent),’ Ms Curlewis said.

‘They are also three times as likely to want to receive a film, song or album (13 per cent vs. 4 per cent) and they’re more likely to want to receive a coffee (14 per cent vs. 10 per cent). 

‘Meanwhile, females are five times as likely to want to receive flowers (35 per cent vs. 7 per cent).’



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