20 Ways Middle-Class Frugal People Can Splurge Frugally

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Sometimes, when you meet an important goal, you want to reward yourself with something nice. At the same time, you don’t want to blow a hole in your budget, but you also don’t want to do something that feels underwhelming.

If you are looking for a little splurge or a way to treat yourself, there are some ways you can do that on a budget. You can splurge frugally with a little forethought, planning, and creativity. Some really great splurges are more frugal than splurge.

The following are some ideas for things with great value that aren’t too little or too much.

New Leather Jacket

happy young woman in black turtleneck and leather jacket adjusting hair on urban street of europe
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If you have an old leather jacket (or any other type) that’s looking worn down, replace it with a new, nicer one. You’ll get plenty of use out of it, and you won’t be adding unneeded clothing to your wardrobe.

 

Nice Watch

closeup luxury automatic wristwatch for men with black dial and stainless steel bracelet.
Image Credit: Nor Gal/Shutterstock.

You don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars for a Rolex. There are plenty of options for much less that look great and perform well.

 

New Sofa

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Does your sofa have rips and stains? Does it sag when you sit on it? Switch it out for a beautiful new one that you’ll get years of use and enjoyment from.

 

Spa Day

Young man and woman lying down on massage beds at Asian luxury spa and wellness center
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Sometimes, experiences beat material things. You won’t walk out of the spa with anything to keep, but you’ll feel refreshed and pampered after a manicure, massage, soak in a hot tub or another service.

 

Mini-Vacation

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Long vacations can be expensive and hard to plan, and you don’t always have enough leave time for them. On the other hand, just a weekend or a few days’ getaway can really help you relax and recharge.

 

Bicycle

Portrait of a happy smiling woman dressed in cycling clothes, helmet and sunglasses riding a bicycle on the asphalt out-of-town bicycle path. Active sporty people concept image.
Image Credit: Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock.

If you like getting out on two wheels, treat yourself to a new bike with modern features. Depending on your needs, you can get a road bike, a mountain bike, or a hybrid that does well on different surfaces.

 

Better Coffee Maker

A black drip electric coffee machine with a glass teapot brews a morning drink. Household appliances, a white cup and a jar of beans on the kitchen table on the countertop at home
Image Credit: Evgrafova Svetlana/Shutterstock.

Upgrading existing equipment is another way to splurge a little without adding something you won’t use much. If you’re a coffee drinker, upgrading to a newer, better coffee maker might be just the thing.

 

Cruise

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People think of cruises as really expensive, but that’s not always the case. If you book well in advance and/or go outside peak season, you can find great deals. Cruises of just two or three days are also an option.

 

Upgraded Phone or Laptop

Beautiful Middle Eastern Manager Sitting at a Desk in Creative Office.
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Getting a new, expensive phone or computer every year or two certainly isn’t frugal, and many would call it wasteful. However, if you’ve had the same one for several years, it might be time for a newer one with more features and better performance.

 

House Cleaning

Beautiful young woman makes cleaning the house. Girl rubs dust.
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One good way to splurge frugally is to spend it on something you typically do yourself but hate doing. House cleaning is at the top of a lot of people’s lists of such things. Even a one-time deep cleaning will leave you smiling.

 

Gourmet Pre-made Meals

A view of several packages of Kirkland Signature prepared Mexican tacos meals, on display at a local Costco store.
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If you don’t like cooking but also don’t like spending restaurant prices on meals, there’s something in between. There are a number of companies that provide high-quality pre-cooked meals. All you have to do is heat them up.

 

Dinner at an Upscale Steakhouse

Burger and veal in the steakhouse
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The prices at high-end steakhouses might make your eyes widen, but so might the flavor and tenderness of the steaks. Every once in a while, the experience is worth it.

 

Air Fryer

Cooking potatoes and carrot sticks with spices in an air fryer
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You might think something like an air fryer would be expensive, but they actually don’t cost that much in comparison to what they do. Many are enjoying home-cooked meals more than ever before thanks to how fast and well air fryers cook foods.

 

Personal Trainer

Young beautiful woman doing exercises with personal trainer
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If you’ve reached one important personal goal and getting into better shape is another, maybe it’s time to pursue that one as your reward. It’s less expensive to just join a gym, but a personal trainer will know how to establish a regimen that is more likely to help you get where you want to be.

 

Good Headphones

Brunette young woman listening music while resting on couch at home
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For the average person, a plain old set of headphones is all they need. For someone really into listening to music or gaming, though, nice headphones can make a world of difference in how they enjoy their passions.

 

Nice Kitchen Knives

Set of knives on table in kitchen
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Good knives are an excellent investment. They hold sharp edges much longer than cheaper knives do, they don’t rust or stain, and they perform beautifully for food prep and presentation.

 

Quality Tools

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Anyone who enjoys building and fixing things is going to spend a lot of time working with a variety of tools. High-quality tools may cost more, but they work better and they last a whole lot longer.

 

New, High-Quality Pots and Pans

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As with good knives, good cookware significantly improves the standard stuff you might find at a grocery store. It heats faster and more evenly, is easier to clean, and lasts much longer.

 

High-End Cologne or Perfume

Successful businessman likes cologne scent
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If you’re someone who enjoys using cologne or perfume, buying an expensive bottle of it might be well worth it. Since you’ll only use a little at a time, that bottle also might last for years.

 

A Class or Course

Black Mountain, NC /USA - June 14, 2019: Teacher demonstrating to students in an art class for older adults.
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Another way to get great value out of treating yourself is to learn a skill or subject that interests you. It might even turn into a source of side income for you!

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