“Waiting for an experience apparently elicits more happiness and excitement than waiting for a material good.” The Atlantic’s James Hamblin on the studies that continue to suggest we should buy experiences, not things. (Of course, once you buy the experience, you’re gonna need some new gear…)

+ One thing you probably don’t need to buy is new friends. As The New Yorker’s Maria Konnikova explains: Social networks are already pushing us to the limits of friendship.