Urge to Splurge? Here’s Your Excuse

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Image Not Available

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself, your search is over. National Splurge Day is June 18. It’s the perfect excuse to spend a little extra on yourself (or someone else).

How would you splurge? Coupon destination site RetailMeNot says most Americans have conflicting ideas about what defines a “splurge” purchase.

A recent RetailMeNot survey revealed the following:

  • Cha-ching. More than half of consumers consider these to be splurges – jewelry (63 percent), event tickets (59 percent) and electronics (54 percent). One interesting note: Married Americans are more likely to view jewelry as a splurge than unmarried consumers (67 to 59 percent).
  • Designer duds. American consumers are four times more likely to consider designer clothing as a splurge (62 percent) than non-designer apparel (15 percent).
  • Fancy food. Sixty-six percent of consumers think a meal at an expensive restaurant is a splurge, compared with 26 percent of people who say an average-priced restaurant is. Apparently Republicans (at 72 percent) are more likely than Democrats (at 64 percent) to consider an expensive meal a splurge.

I’m fairly frugal in my shopping, except when it comes to eating out. I live in a small town that’s incredibly restaurant-challenged (unless you have a craving for fast food, pizza or steak). When I’m out of town, I am more than willing to splurge on a good meal (like seafood, Italian or Thai) that I’m not able to eat in my hometown. I also tend to spend more money on beauty and cosmetic items because I’ve found that a little extra money usually equates to better quality.

Check out DealNews.com for a list of items they’ve deemed splurge-worthy.

What do you consider a splurge purchase? Are there items you think are worthy of splurging on? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.