passions posts

Is there a new spending class in Canada? According to a survey commissioned by American Express, many Canadian adults can be considered 'potentialists,' people who are looking to shift their financial focus toward travel, philanthropy and satisfying personal experiences and away from traditional material possessions.

The 2009 survey identified 31% of Canadians as potentialists, up 3% from a year prior. AMEX research revealed that potentialists tend to be more optimistic than other Canadians, and happier with what they already have. But that doesn't stop them from dreaming big.

Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said they had a 'potentialist list,' which goes beyond the 'Been there, done that, crossing it off' feel of a bucket list. Potentialists are looking to enrich their lives and focus on their passions and goals, the most popular of which include travel, charity, learning a new language, and living in a different country. Perhaps owing to their optimistic outlooks, more than 94% of the group were confident they'd accomplish the items on their lists.