if you're worried about rising costs — well, you're not alone. prices are rising and wages aren't keeping up. it means our money doesn't go as far. so, what drives us to spend and how we can make better financial decisions, especially if we're feeling the pinch. ben thompson has been speaking with dr elizabeth dunn, chief science officer of online financial tool happy money. he started by asking her if money really does buy happiness. the purchases that we make and end up playing an important role in how we see ourselves and interestingly, this depends on the type of purchase we are making so there is some research showing that buying experiences night trips are concert tickets actually is a bigger impact on a sense of self and having material things like gadgets or clothes. haifa like gadgets or clothes. how important — like gadgets or clothes. how important is _ like gadgets or clothes. how important is positive - like gadgets or clothes. how important is positive thinking, dreaming for those aspirations, aiming for those targets financially, and achieving them? can you believe something