People who spend a lot of money are open-minded and warm

I have few hobbies, but if I really have to name something, it would be spending money. Maybe not the smartest thing.

Because of the corona crisis an economic crisis is inevitably coming, and that means that jobs are not all secure and that a salary is therefore not a given. It would be handy if you had saved a little buffer. I bought too expensive T-shirts that I didn't need. I have six suitcases in all nice colors in the closet. I had an extra closet built in my house. I have eaten, drunk, partied, and especially let my debit card wear out at every trendy spot in Amsterdam over the past few years. And by the way, also outside the borders of my city. Then it was again with my love in New York, then it was again with my friend in Ibiza. Especially when the money had just been deposited, a fancy gin and tonic at 15 euros per glass was easily ordered on the terrace. Spending money is also fun – and easy too. I already spent about 56 euros a week on coffee to go. On coffee, people, coffee.

I have good news (especially for myself). It turns out that I haven't done too badly after all. Because people who spend a lot of money are open-minded, social, and warm. After years of working hard for every nice euro, I have little buffer in my savings account, but I do have that new shirt from Anine Bing. And a sweater from Isabel Marant (read: secretly two sweaters). I love treating others, I don't mind a spontaneous gift for someone I care about, and pampering my real girlfriends. Or shopping for my husband or children. I get pleasure from spending my money this way. ‘Money is a means, and people use this means to be happy,’ says Melissa Leong, author of Happy Go Money: Spend Smart, Save Right & Enjoy Life. I believe that. It may not make you happy, perhaps, but what you do with it does make you happier.

And often we buy all sorts of things to forget our worries and stress . To reward yourself after a tough time. When you are stressed, the part of your brain that thinks about long-term consequences is turned off. So you think that expensive shampoo really gives you a boost. You often justify it to yourself: expensive shampoo, yes, you need that, because only then will you be found attractive and find true love, and that true love will stay with you. That idea. According to experts, you should put 10 percent of your income directly into a savings account every month without even looking at it with one half glance. And so you shouldn't spend that money on something that you wash out of your hair after 1 minute. Oops.

What a drama I am – and yet not really. You know, spending money makes you social and happy. So all in all, I can look back on decades of working intensively and purposefully on my personal happiness. It was fun, it was a party, it was a ball. Now let's hope that all my friends comfort me a bit in this economic crisis. Even if it's with a cup of coffee.