How much does it take for you to be satisfied? For me, I can’t stop after having only one of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, I want both! I have to watch the entire Jurassic Park movie, leaving the theater half way through is not an option. I know the price of hot dogs at a Bronco’s football game are way over priced and they aren’t good for you. But the few times I get to go to a live game, I’m taking in the whole experience and I’m getting a hot dog!

OK, let’s up the ante a bit to make this article more interesting. Maybe a hypothetical chain of events can help.

You’ve been working hard and have saved up for a nice vacation getaway, just you and your spouse. Money is still tight but you manage to spring for an extended weekend in Telluride Colorado. After all, it’s not too far of a drive from your home in Colorado Springs. You have the times of your life. Hiking, 4-wheeling, dining, exploring.

Those long hours, missed get togethers, and working weekends that you’ve been putting in have finally paid off, that big promotion comes through. You can afford much more than the trip to Telluride where last year you had so much fun, so you book a week in New York. You only have to dip into savings a little bit and this is where your new boss just went. It was fun, a bit more expensive than expected, but still fun.

Since the last vacation was to New York, you somehow feel compelled to better that. You did get a cost of living increase. Europe sounds like the place where all your friends are going. It takes some juggling around of your finances, but the hotels are booked and the airline tickets are purchased. The 5 day all inclusive tour was fun, but a bit tiring. All the activities were scheduled and had to be adhered to. You’re glad to be back home.

These chain of events can continue on for a long time. Working harder and more weekends to book bigger and better vacations. So when do you call it good enough? Why is a trip like the Telluride vacation no longer good enough. It sure was fun.

It seems as we work our way through life we’re conditioned to the idea that satisfaction and happiness has to cost more than the previous time. Satisfaction and happiness are proportional to the amount of money one spends. It takes more expensive vacations to unwind. It takes higher dollar restaurants for an enjoyable dinning experience. It takes bigger, cushier sofas to watch TV. It takes gadget riddled cars to safely drive to work.

I recommend subscribing to a low satisfaction threshold and keeping it in check. Happiness and satisfaction are enjoyed more often, as it doesn’t take much to get there!