Yep, another made-up-just-for-fun holiday. This one came about in 1994 and was invented by a publicist who suggested that people treat themselves and also those around them.
Your definition of “splurge” may vary. Here’s what I think: Whether they’re experiences or lasting treats, a splurge can not only brighten your day but help keep you on the frugal path.
Utter, slavish denial of self can lead to falling off the wagon in a big, big way, which will undermine – or undo – the progress you’ve made toward meeting your financial goals.
But there’s no reason to overpay for a splurge, be it a trip abroad or a really good cupcake. That’s why I’m suggesting eight ways to do it up without overdoing it.
The relative rarity of such splurges makes them that much more delectable. You don’t want to end up on the hedonic treadmill, do you?
Trimming the cost
Discounted gift cards. Buy them for something you want now (spa services, restaurant meals) or something you’ll need later (drugstore, pet food, new glasses). Some secondary card sellers can be accessed through sites like Extrabux, Fat Wallet or Mr. Rebates for cash-back of up to 1.5% of your total order.
Social buying vouchers. Be it a want (mani-pedi, massage, dance lessons) or a need (I just had our furnace inspected via Groupon), the money you save can go elsewhere in your budget. Or just use it to buy more goodies. Note: You can stretch those splurge funds even further by ordering Groupon or Eversave through a cash-back shopping site. Oh, and the Swagbucks reward site just added Groupon to its Shop and Earn program.
High-end ingredients. Get the shrimp, the nice wine, the super-dark chocolate, the fancy cheese or whatever it is you love but don’t often get. It’s cheaper to make a nice antipasto platter, meal or dessert yourself than to pay someone to do it for you. Failing that, spring for….
A really nice restaurant meal. Again, if you don’t do this very often then it’s soooo sumptuous. Being careful with your money the rest of the time makes it possible to have a steak dinner and/or an ethereal dessert. Or even just a mess of ribs, if that’s what you crave.
Out and about
Live entertainment. Watch for free concerts and outdoor theater. Look up “pay what you can” performances in your area. Volunteer as an usher. Keep an eye out for inexpensive local events like Jazz Night, improv comedy, and no- or low-minimum clubs.
In-home entertainment. Invite your best pals over for a formal tea or frou-frou girly drinks on the deck (again, cheaper to mix yourself). Set up a badminton net or horseshoe pit and fire up the grill for a potluck cookout.
Budget travel. Seek killer airfares through services like Travelzoo, Airfarewatchdog, CheapOair, Yapta or Bing Travel. Take the Megabus if you want a really cheap ride. Stay in a hostel if you can stand dorm-style accommodations (although some have couples rooms). Become a mystery shopper and watch for overnights at nearby hotels – access to a pool plus the knowledge you don’t have to get up and make the bed can feel just as luxurious as a weekend getaway at that upstate B&B.
Super-low-budget splurges. A long bubble bath and a new library book. Trading child care with a pal so you can have a romantic date with your partner. Jumping in a local lake. Setting up a potluck with friends you haven’t seen for ages. Grown-up pajama parties, wherein you and a couple of besties set each other’s hair and talk about boys, or blue-sky an entrepreneurial effort, or strategize your next raise.
Readers: What are your favorite frugal splurges?
Related reading:
Already did my splurge.
DD2 had a girl on Fri 6/14. Three weeks before I picked up a brisket ($4/lb=$20) to make her fav meal. 2-3 family servings are currently in my freezer invc roasted potatoes & carrots.
Mon I went to our family fav sub place. Bought 3 turkey clubs, 2 containers of minestrone soup (her fav) and 2 containers of their secret sauce (SIL LOVES) so that will be dinner tonight when I go see everyone. Dropped $27.78 there. NOT frugal but how often does one get a new granddaughter?
NOTE: I am now up to 5 grands in 4 pregnancies. I believe this is the last.
Congratulations, Holly. How fortunate you are to live within driving distance.
I had no idea! I guess I did it early as I had dinner last night with a friend who was in town for a conference.
I do a whole summer of festival splurges! My hometown is known for hosting ethnic festivals just about every weekend. And each festival has its own promotional tie-ins…bring three non-perishable food items for the local food bank and get in free at selected times…buy a coupon item at a local food store (often I can stack coupons and get the item free) and get in free, etc. Most times, I can take one bottle of water in free (for hydration) and you can pack a trail mix or a sandwich too. I then can enjoy all the music and demos and activities…and even an extra splurge if I want a special dessert or drink item. This is a really fun way to enjoy activities that otherwise would cost at least $15.00 admission each time.
Sounds like a lively summer! When I was a single mom in Philly I spent most spring and summer weekends at free events. The baby usually wound up with a balloon or some other treat, and we got to hear music/watch jugglers/whatever.
I usually get most of my books and DVDs from the library. My frugal splurge is a trip to Redbox (sometimes with a free rental code) or a $0.99 to $2.99 e-book for my Kindle (I get plenty for free so this rarely happens).
I am now feeling much better about the $30 bucks I spent on clearance items from Crate and Barrel today…
I had no idea it was NSD. But I did buy myself some asparagus at full price, so maybe my stomach and wallet knew!
Since we’re on the subject of splurges, may I complain about something? That car insurance ad where the girl asks her agent how much she saved on her insurance, and then uses it to buy the $150 purse. It’s painful!
PS – Are you near the Graehl Park Boat Launch in Fairbanks? Just got my annual email from KUAC about the Red Green Regatta. Sounds like another fun Alaskan event!
Nope, I’m about a six-hour drive from Fairbanks. But later today here in Anchorage a priest will conduct the annual Blessing of the Float Planes. I am not making that up.
Haven’t seen that ad because we don’t have a television. But it’s nice to know that airhead girly stereotypes are alive and well. (Not.)
Hope you enjoyed the asparagus.
My splurge was reading a book and working the garden. The book; Farmacology, by Dr. Daphne Miller, MD. The garden chores; weeding (by hand),feeding the garden and seeding another succession of Sunflowers for my Daughter Nicole’s wedding in September. Life is brilliant when you take a bit of ‘time’ for yourself.
Oh, yes, it is.
Can’t believe I’m the first to post this…
TREAT YO SELF!
I will if you will. 🙂
LOL I knew nothing about this but I did splurge on the 18th. Bought a new laptop (necessary) and then dinner for me and The Man (indulgence).