9 splurges that are totally worth the money

The INSIDER Summary: 

• Splurging is totally fine, as long as it's done responsibly.
• Clothing such as quality shoes and jeans are always worth the investment.
• Never feel guilty about spending a little more on good skincare and well-made luggage.

There’s nothing wrong with splurging every now and then… how else would we celebrate holidays like National Ice Cream Day and National Bey Day? As adults, it’s practically our obligation to use our hard-earned cash to make a few purchases that would otherwise feel unreasonable.

Even financial pros agree that there’s nothing inherently wrong with splurging, as long as it’s done responsibly. “Controlled splurging is a good thing!” says Dani Pascarella, certified financial planner and founder of millennial wealth coaching firm Invibed. “You work hard, and you deserve to spend a portion of your paycheck on whatever you want without feeling guilty about it.”

So, when is it most appropriate to splurge? Lynne Somerman — who describes herself as “a money and budget coach for fiery, focused women” (sign us up!) — and Coupon Sherpasavings expert Kendal Perez note these nine specific splurge-worthy essentials.

1. Good shoes

If you’ve been eying a pair of high-quality pumps that are just perfect for the office, or a gorgeous heeled sandal that you just know you’ll wear to every wedding from now until 2030, the price tag may be well worth it. Good shoes are made to last, and investing in them may actually save you money in the long run, since you won’t need to continuously buy replacement pairs.

2. Athletic shoes

Footwear made to help you get — and stay — active is a category unto itself. “A quality pair of athletic shoes is pricey, but is definitely worth the splurge, since they can protect you from both discomfort and the potential for injury,” Perez says. Avoid those aches and pains and stay motivated in your fitness goals by purchasing a fresh pair of sneaks!

3. Date night

Don’t cheap out on QT with your S.O. “Keeping your relationship healthy will keep your finances healthy,” Somerman says. And when’s the most important time to splurge on a fun night out? After you’ve had a tough, totally un-romantic budget talk with bae. “I’m a big advocate of holding monthly budget check-ins, accompanied by drinks and/or ice cream,” Somerman adds. As long as there’s ice cream involved, we can definitely get behind that.