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Are you a meticulous spender, scrounging together every penny to save for the future?
If so, then keeping tabs on your spending habits is essential.
However, being savvy with money doesn’t mean complete deprivation!
Smart savers know that there are certain items worth their investment, and splurging on them can actually boost long-term savings because of how well they’ll last down the line.
Join us as we identify 16 items frugal people refuse to cut back on in order to live a more mindful life today while still saving for tomorrow.
#1. Concerts, Sporting Events and Cinema Tickets
Frugal people know that they can reap serious entertainment value from attending live shows.
That’s why investing in tickets for the occasional show or concert that you would actually enjoy is a smart way to treat yourself while still staying on budget.
Plus, it doesn’t have to be an expensive affair!
#2. A Reliable Vehicle
A reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle is essential for most people, and it pays to invest in one that won’t break down every other week.
Opting for a more reliable model may cost you slightly more upfront but can help you save money in the long run.
You’ll also be able to avoid costly repairs or having to rent another vehicle while yours gets fixed.
Finally, considering the environment, seek out vehicles with low emissions to reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet!
#3. Buying Back Time
They say that the only thing you can’t replace is time; some frugal people take this to heart.
Instead of laboring for hours doing yard work or home or car repairs to save a few bucks, they pay for these services.
Sure, it costs money, but they have time freedom to enjoy their friends, family, and other things they love doing.
#4. Eating Out
I just mentioned how switching to high-quality food could potentially be a good investment of your cash for your health, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t splurge every once in a while.
With the cost of fast food prices going up (and even restaurant prices), you might not find yourself eating out as much as you would like.
Some people spend some of their hard-earned cash treating themselves and getting food from their favorite restaurants or fast food establishments.
When the time calls for it, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a quick bite to eat that makes you happy.
#5. High-Quality Food
Food, as a whole, has become more expensive in recent years.
While fast food used to be considered much cheaper, these items are usually on par with rising grocery costs.
So why not spend money on the latter rather than the former?
Many have found that investing in higher quality food has allowed them to get more and enjoy the health benefits of eating food that’s much better for them.
If you’re used to eating out and looking for a change, you might want to shift your attention to good foods at your local grocery market instead.
#6. A Personal Trainer
Getting fit is hard, especially if you don’t know exactly what to train or what you’re doing when you’re at home or the gym.
This is why so many will spend the extra cash and spring for a personal trainer.
A personal trainer has the experience to understand your goals, help you target the areas you wish to improve, and give you the advice and direction needed to improve your fitness and physique effectively.
If you’re struggling to understand how to work out or what you need to do regarding nutrition, a personal trainer can be worth the money.
#7. A House Cleaner
So many people work hard, only to come home from their 9-to-5 to take care of everything they have to do in their adult lives (chores, shopping, etc.).
Most people find that they want to spend their free time doing things they want, not something they have to cram in because they’ve spent most of their days at work.
That’s why one popular response is hiring a house cleaner.
With a house cleaner, you can rest assured that someone is taking care of all the messes that accumulate from week to week while you’re free to do what you want with all that extra time you would have spent cleaning.
#8. Solid Furniture
Too much furniture these days is poorly made, designed to be quickly set up and break over time, so you’ll eventually have to purchase the same thing repeatedly.
Many people aren’t a fan of budget furniture, which is why they’ll spend more of their hard-earned cash on furniture they can rely on to last.
Furniture made of real wood that focuses on craftsmanship rather than cost lasts longer and looks much better in your space.
#9. Buying Hobby Equipment
Hobbies can be great, but many people quickly find that they can also be costly.
But spending money on hobby equipment is well worth it for those who enjoy a specific hobby and want to continue working on it.
Some hobbies people spend money on include headphones and amplifiers, PC parts and games, and even beer brewing equipment.
Some even say that they will sell some of their equipment later to buy new stuff for other hobbies they wish to tackle.
#10. A Much-Needed Surgical Procedure
Even with health insurance, getting health care is quite expensive.
This can deter people from pursuing things they want or need that could greatly improve their health and quality of life.
Some people are spending their money on surgical or non-invasive procedures that they could use to better navigate their lives with greater ease.
One such example of this is getting LASIK, which may eliminate costly glasses or contacts.
What is something you want that you’ve been putting off because of cost?
#11. Comfortable Shoes and Socks
So many people will spend money on things they want, but others will spend money on things they otherwise might not be able to afford.
An excellent example of this is high-quality, comfortable shoes and socks.
If you spend most of your time on your feet, you want socks that feel great and shoes that support your feet, legs, and back so you don’t have health problems over time.
It may not be the most exciting purchase with your cash, but it’s certainly a good investment.
#12. Mortgage
The sooner you get this bill paid off, the sooner you have extra money every month.
And in most cases, this can be a significant amount of money.
#13. Making Updates Around the House
Most people have an ongoing list of projects they want to tackle.
The problem?
A lot of these home projects cost money, and that money takes time to save up.
But once you have it, making necessary updates can be a great use of your cash.
From getting new cabinets to a complete bathroom renovation, your home will feel a lot more welcoming once you finally take care of the projects you’ve been wanting to get around to.
#14. Taking Vacations
What’s the point of all your hard work if you aren’t taking the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor?
Many agree that spending time traveling and taking vacations is one of the top things you should spend your hard-earned money on, and I agree.
Whether you go abroad or have a nice little staycation at home, it can remind you what you’re constantly working for.
#15. A Good Doctor
There are many doctors out there, but not all are worth your time.
You need someone who is on the leading edge of science, not someone stuck in the beliefs from the 1950s.
This isn’t to say ideas from the are not valid treatments today, but with so much technological advancement, there are ways to not only lengthen your lifespan, but make living more enjoyable too.
#16. Mattress
We spend a large amount of time sleeping but it isn’t only about getting shut eye.
The quality of your sleep has a massive impact on how you feel and act the next day.
Therefore, spending money in a high quality mattress that allows you to get a restful sleep is worth every penny.
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This thread inspired this article.
I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
Visit my About Me page to learn more about me and why I am your trusted personal finance expert.