When I was growing up I was repeatedly told not to spend outrageous amounts of money on material items. Why should I spend hundreds of dollars on a bag when I can get one for less than fifty dollars, right?
While I tend to agree that saving is the way to go for most things, I do believe there is a time and place to splurge. Sure, you may be able to find a cute bag for cheap, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to last you very long. Bottom line, you tend to get what you pay for.
If you’re struggling with budgeting or you just want to know what to spend your money on, here’s where you should splurge and where you should save.
Splurge — Shoes
Think about it, you don’t go anywhere without a pair of shoes on, so it’s an item you’re allowed to splurge on. Invest in shoes that you know you’ll wear a lot, whether that’s sneakers, heels for work, or boots for the winter.
However, when buying shoes for a one-time event, try to find something less expensive. Only invest in shoes that you are wardrobe staples.
Splurge — Outerwear
Nobody wants to suffer through a bitterly cold winter with a coat that doesn’t do its job. Instead of having three or four averagely-priced coats in your closet, spend the money on one that really keeps you warm.
You’ll not only be more comfortable when outside, but you also won’t have to keep buying a new coat every winter.
Save — T-Shirts
You could very well go find a t-shirt that costs upwards of $100, but I don’t necessarily recommend that. In fact, you can find good quality t-shirts that won’t break the bank. Not to mention, we wear t-shirts all the time, so natural wear and tear is totally normal.
Splurge — an Everyday Bag
I used to be the queen of buying inexpensive purses. I never understood why people actually spent good money on bags when there were so many cheap options available. However, after replacing my fourth bag in the span of a year, I realized it was time to upgrade.
I sucked it up, put down some real money, and bought myself a nice bag. Though it was initially difficult to cough up the cash, this bag has been with me for the past two years and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
We often think it’s more cost-effective to buy cheaper items, but the reality is we end up spending just as much money in the long run replacing the item three or four times. Find a bag you know you love and you’ll probably have it forever.
Save — Trendy Pieces
If you’re looking to buy new clothes for a music festival or costume party, save yourself the money and go cheap. Trendy pieces tend to go out of style, so you don’t want to be stuck with an expensive item you’re never planning to wear again.
Plus, if you’re trying a trend for the first time, you may end up realizing it’s not for you. Give yourself a trial run and pick the less expensive option first.
