FBC – 117 – Cherish experiences not money

Cherish experiences not money.

Quick podcast from the airport to focus on what really matters.

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So this one is just going to be about experiences. Okay. I think it's important in your life to go and experience stuff, instead of doing the same thing over and over again. You should go out and do stuff you've never done.

Like me, for example. I've never been to this place. I have been to many beaches and stuff, but I've never been to Sri Lanka. And I mean, more important than anything, you know, when talk to people about their trips and everything, sometimes people tell me, man, I went to this place. It cost me that much.

And I remember it was like five years ago. These people remember that they paid $2 for an hour. I don't know why. I don't know stuff like that. And, you know, here's the thing. But then afterwards, if money is a problem for you, obviously you will. You might remember the prices.

But what I found was that, you know, I'll get my memories. If in 10 years I ask you, oh, man, you remember when you went to Brazil and you were staying at that hotel and stuff, how much did you pay for your cloakroom? Do you think you will be able to answer that question? You won’t, right? Because it's not what matters.

But if I tell you, oh, do you remember when we went to Brazil together and we had a lot of fun? And stuff like that, you will remember it. So even in your personal life just think about all the good memories you have, you know, traveling with your family or your friends and stuff and try not to remember how much you paid, how much was the train ticket or something. You don't care, right? It's not what matters, right?

What matters is the experience you're going to build out of it and the people you were with when you were there. You know, that's what really matters.

Cherish experiences not money

So me right now, I'm going to see a really, really good friend of mine. And I think we'll have some super awesome memories. Last time I saw them, she came to Bali. And we had awesome memories together. We're always in competition for something. Right. So for whatever reason, I decided to start a challenge with her.

We were going up the volcano, actually. You know, they dragged me there. I usually don't go out on a volcano for whatever reason. I declared that my only goal in life was to get there before her.

So Yeah, more than anything. These are the moments that will build your memories, right? So you know me. Had there been situations where I mean, I've been places, but I didn't remember I had been there. But then I have a buddy of mine. No, man, you remember we were there together and we did this and stuff.

And I'm like, oh, yeah. You know, we actually were there. But, you know, again, if you asked me how much we paid for the sandwich and stuff, I have absolutely no idea. All right. So you focus on what matters. You build these experiences and the connections you make because you meet some really interesting people along the way or strengthen your relationship with some really good people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are experiences more valuable than money long-term?

Experiences cannot be lost to inflation, theft, or a market crash and they compound into memory, perspective, and new relationships. Money funds experiences, but most people stop converting once they hit comfort. The asymmetry shows up in late-life regret studies almost universally.

How do you justify spending on experiences when income is tight?

Cap experience spending at 5 percent of monthly income but never zero. A $50 day trip, a museum visit, or a workshop counts and keeps the muscle alive. Skipping experiences entirely during lean years is the most common path to burnout and creative stagnation.

What kinds of experiences create the biggest long-term return?

First-time experiences and ones that include other people. A first trip abroad, a first creative class, or a first conversation with a hero rewires more than the tenth version. Group experiences add a relationship layer that solo ones cannot match, even when the solo version is more dramatic.

How often should you book a new experience?

At least one per month, scheduled before the month starts. Without the calendar entry, the experience slides into the next quarter and then the next year. A 12-experience annual plan turns intention into a reliable pattern that pays out across a decade.

About the Author

Martin Ebongue is the founder of martinebongue.com, an online business and lifestyle design blog focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs build location-independent businesses. Since 2014, he has been creating and scaling online ventures across multiple niches, from digital products and affiliate marketing to SaaS and content platforms, while traveling the world. He shares the real-world strategies, tools, and systems that work, with a particular focus on AI-powered automation for solopreneurs. Follow him on YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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