4 $100 Splurges That Actually Save You Money Over Time
Written by
Sarah Li Cain
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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It may seem like splurges are a waste of money, but it can be one of the smartest moves you can make. Yes, even $100.
These splurges can help you save money over time by helping you cut recurring expenses, improve your health and help your other products last longer.
Basic Tool Kit or Electric Drill
For around $45 to $100, you can get some basic tools that help you tackle minor issues around your home. Like this 76-piece tool kit from Home Depot for $44.97. Instead of hiring someone on TaskRabbit, you can install your own shelves, fix a wobbly cabinet door or replace your own light fixtures.
Considering hourly rates for handymen tend to run from $75 per hour to $120 or more, per HomeGuide, even one DIY project can easily cover the cost of the tools.
Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Yes, these can be on the pricey side, but you can often find them on sale many times throughout the year, which you can probably find for under $100. Here is the Google Nest Smart Thermostat as an example, which is selling for $99.99.
Upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat could help you by optimizing the temperature inside your home and based on your schedule. Having this feature means that you may be able to save on heating and cooling costs over time.
Studies like the ones from Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative show that those who have smart thermostats can lower their heating bills by around 10% to 12% and energy to cool their home by around 15% compared to traditional thermostats.
These figures mean that you could save around $100 or more in annual energy bills, so buying the item once could continue to pay for itself over time.
Air Fryer or Pressure Cooker
It’s tempting to order takeout, especially when you’ve had a long day at work. If you were to get an air fryer or pressure cooker and grab some prepped food from the freezer or fridge instead, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars a month. We like the Instant Pot Air Fryer from Target that sells for $99.99.
While you might have to do some prep beforehand for a pressure (or a slow) cooker, you can take advantage of high energy days to do that. Or you can get frozen foods like spring rolls, chicken tenders and dumplings and stick them in the air fryer without much prep at all.
Quality Bed Pillows or Mattress Topper
Getting better sleep can help you feel better overall and may even lead to reduced healthcare spending over time. You won’t get any hard numbers when it comes to how much you’ll save, but at the very least, a mattress topper can help to extend the life of your mattress. Try this king-size mattress topper from Walmart, on sale for $104.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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