woman on vacation

What’s your summer splurge?

Once in a while, it’s good to reward yourself. After working hard, being a good citizen, spreading kindness, and doing your part in the fight against this pandemic, maybe it’s time for a little splurge, no?

These big expenses are few and far between (as they should be), but as long as you have a little room in your budget for one, there’s no better time to upgrade your life than now.

Upgrade your digs

The great thing about choosing to splurge with a home upgrade is that if you live with other people, they can benefit from it, too.

One potential upgrade that you may be overlooking is your sleeping situation. Your bed, mattress, and pillows are things that you shouldn’t be skimping on. Getting quality sleep is essential to our daily functions, and it’s impossible to get that if your sleeping situation is not conducive to restful sleep.

It’s easy to get carried away with this, with so many luxury mattresses with all those bells and whistles available. You don’t have to go overboard. Try out some mattresses and pillows to see which ones within your budget work for you.

One thing you can truly splurge on is your bed sheets or linens. Get ones with a high thread count and appropriate for the temperature of your room. If you’re struggling with restlessness and anxiety, you might want to try purchasing a weighted blanket, too.

Another upgrade you can purchase is a water filtration system to ensure that your drinking water is clean and safe. Like sleep, hydration is key to the daily functions of our minds and bodies, so ensuring that you have a reliable source of drinking water is actually a basic need.

people in a car

Upgrade your ride

Buying a new car can be too much of a splurge, but here’s an even better idea: an electric bike!

Electric bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles have steadily risen in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. First, they’re definitely cheaper to buy and maintain than a car, and parking them is less of a headache. You’re not slowed down by traffic, and with certain models, you can even take them with you indoors and into elevators. The most important benefit of these electric bikes is, of course, their reduced environmental impact, making them a splurge that’s well worth it.

But, if you’re in the market for an actual vehicle, why not consider purchasing a camper van? If #vanlife has been on your radar, then there’s no better time to dip your toes in these waters than now. With travel still relatively risky and restricted because of COVID, driving around in your own RV or trailer is a great way to go on a socially distanced adventure.

Upgrade your lifestyle

Our passions and hobbies bring joy to our lives. Sure, they’re not exactly essential to our survival, but they make life worth living. That’s why an upgrade in this department is in order!

Think about the things you love, the things that make you happy. If you’re a guitar player, maybe it’s time for another New Guitar Day (NGD). Maybe you could buy yourself a new gaming console or add new records to your vinyl collection.

Leisure is also essential, so why not splurge on some entertainment and lifestyle items. You could buy a set of speakers for your TV, preferably one with a subwoofer, to elevate your home theater experience. Or you could do a backyard makeover! Have a swimming pool built, do some landscaping, or create a barbecue area for your family and friends.

Of course, the most likely upgrade you’re going to want to consider is gadgets. After all, gadgets are part of our work and daily activities, so splurging on these items is completely valid and understandable. While you might be thinking of purchasing a new laptop or smartphone, other gadgets are also worth considering.

If you don’t have one yet, a good smartwatch or fitness band is a great addition to your arsenal. Functionalities vary depending on the models. In general, they are great hands-free extensions of your phone. They are great workout companions, and they help you monitor your health stats to a certain extent.

There are certainly ways to reward yourself without material things, and those are just as, if not more, valuable to our lives. The important thing is to show yourself some love–to “give back” to yourself for all the good you’ve put out into the world.