5 Completely Unnecessary Splurges That Lead to Happiness
Written by
Sean Bryant
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Can money buy happiness? On average, six out of 10 Americans believe that money can buy happiness, with medium and high-income earners reporting higher life satisfaction compared to Americans earning less.
Certain splurges can improve your happiness, even if you don’t have a multimillion-dollar trust fund or make a high salary each year. Here are five completely unnecessary splurges that lead to happiness, according to a recent Reddit thread.
Hiring a Cleaner
Do you ever dread doing the dishes or vacuuming your living room? How about cleaning toilets and doing laundry? If you answered yes to any of these questions, hiring a cleaner might be an unnecessary splurge that brings you happiness. Most cleaners charge between $20 and $30 per hour to complete basic household tasks. Spending a few hundred dollars each month might be worth it!
Purchasing a Fast Pass
If you’re planning a vacation to Disney World or another theme park, you probably don’t want to waste hours of your time standing in line. Upgrading to a fast pass improves your overall experience and can help you cross more items off your vacation to-do list. Although upgrading to a fast pass is completely unnecessary, it might be worth the cost. After all, who really likes standing in lines?
Paying a Premium for Same-Day Services
Have you ever forgotten something at the grocery store? Maybe you needed a specific ingredient for a recipe, or you forgot to get your kid’s favorite yogurt. Running back to the grocery store can take another hour or two out of your day. Instead, consider paying a premium for same-day services. Paying the $10 to $20 fee can seem immaterial, especially if it saves you time.
Going on Weekend Getaways
Another top unnecessary splurge on the Reddit thread was going on weekend getaways. Weekend getaways can expose you to new environments, make memories and protect your mental health. Have you ever come back from a vacation feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your to-do list? If so, prioritize weekend getaways, even if they eat into your monthly budget.
Surprising Others with Gifts
Giving gifts not only makes the recipient feel loved and heard, but it can also help you release positive emotions, like happiness and fulfillment. If you’re an avid gift-giver, these unnecessary splurges can improve your quality of life and help you build meaningful relationships. If you know your friend has been eyeing a $100 gift, don’t feel guilty about splurging! If gift-giving is your “thing,” embrace it.
The Bottom Line
Countless finance gurus like to pick apart these unnecessary splurges and make you feel guilty. However, these gurus don’t take into account the happiness that these unnecessary splurges can provide.
When determining if the cost is worthwhile, look at the big picture. Will it save you an hour of time? Will it lower your stress or put a smile on your face? Keep these factors in mind as you navigate your finances.
You can’t put a price on happiness.
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