Save Money Consider some ways to shop for happiness

If you have a few extra bucks that you don’t need for necessities such as rent or loan payments, consider shopping for happiness.

Author Gretchen Rubin helped think through the question of whether you can use discretionary money to buy happiness. Short answer: probably not. But you can definitely spend money to increase it. A lifetime happiness shopping list might go like this.

Buy better relationships: A key to happiness is how you deal with other humans. It’s a recurring theme. “So if you’re spending your money to broaden relationships or deepen relationships, that’s a good way to spend your money,” Rubin said. Use discretionary money to attend a college reunion or a friend’s destination wed- A corollary, especially for younger adults: Buy a social life. Maybe increase social bar-andrestaurant spending or pay for a dating app.

Buy experiences — and some things: A bicycle can provide an experience, and a new camera can preserve one. So buy experiences, but also think about buying material things that allow you to have experiences or enhance them.

Buy stress relief: Is there a simple fix for recurring arguments or sources of stress with a significant other? If you argue about a messy home, can you afford maid service?

Buy a do-gooder high: Be charitable. “Contributing to others is a great way to support the causes you believe in and put your values into the world,” Rubin said. — Nerdwallet