There was a time when I wouldn’t dream of skipping my biweekly gel mani, salon dye job, and fancy latte ritual. My former self would be horrified at what I’m about to say… but here it is:
👉 Some things just aren’t worth the splurge. 👈
But here’s the secret: It’s not about deprivation—it’s about priorities. I’m debt-free (minus that pesky $16,500 left on the mortgage), financially secure, and I still enjoy my life. Why? Because I spend intentionally—saving where it doesn’t matter so I can splurge where it does.
So, after years of trial, error, and more than a few deeply regretted purchases (looking at you, overpriced hair treatments and lukewarm restaurant meals), here’s my splurge vs. save breakdown.
💸 Things That Are NOT Worth the Splurge (At Least for Me)
1. Haircuts & Color (DIY, Baby!)
If I can buy a $10 box of hair dye and access to infinite YouTube tutorials, why would I pay someone $150+ and waste three hours sitting in a chair to do the exact same thing? (Okay, hopefully with better technique, but you get what I’m saying.)
2. Manis & Pedis (My Inner Bougie Queen Is Crying)
Once upon a time, I religiously got my nails done. But let’s be real:
💅 It adds up fast
💅 Half the time it chips within days
💅 I can do it myself for free while binge-watching reality TV
So, I swapped the salon for at-home nail nights, and my wallet is much happier. I rotate between painting them and nail decals depending on my mood.
3. Dining Out (Stomach Issues & Sticker Shock? No Thanks!)
Listen, I love a good meal, but the reality?
🚫 It’s expensive
🚫 It’s usually not that great
🚫 My stomach has a better than 50/50 shot at regretting it (Why do I do this to myself?!)
We do have a few favorite standbys, but honestly? Cooking at home has gotten so much easier—thanks to having more time to learn recipes (shoutout to COVID) and less stressful commutes. I used to think cooking was a chore, but the reality is it’s cheaper, healthier, and way less disappointing than a $20 meal that turns out to be… meh.
4. Clothes & Accessories (See My Last Post—Trust Me on This One!)
If you’re paying full price for clothes, we need to have a talk. I’ve built an entire vintage-inspired wardrobe without breaking the bank—so why spend $200 on a dress when I can find it NWT for $25?
5. Fancy Coffee (Make It at Home & Buy a Concert Ticket Instead)
A $6 latte habit adds up fast. My solution?
✔️ Good creamer
✔️ A cute mug
Boom. Same vibes, way less money.
6. Cars (Cash, Baby!)
New cars depreciate the second you drive them off the lot. No thanks! I bought mine at an auction, in cash, it was nine years old—and it runs like a dream. No car payment = more money for really fun stuff.
🎟️ Things That ARE Worth the Splurge (Because Life Is Meant to Be Enjoyed!)
1. Nice Lotions, Makeup & Shower Products
💰 Drugstore body wash? Gets the job done.
✨ Luxury Kitsch soaps that suds up beautifully and smell like a vacation? Now we’re talking.
Some things just feel better, and I’m a firm believer in small daily luxuries that make life feel expensive—even when they’re not.
2. EZ Pass (Because I Refuse to Rot in the Hell that is DC Traffic)
If you live near DC like I do, you know:
🚗 Traffic is the seventh circle of hell.
🚗 EZ Pass lets me skip (most of) the nonsense.
And honestly? My sanity is priceless.
3. Massages (Every Few Months = Necessary Maintenance)
I don’t care what anyone says—massages aren’t a luxury, they’re self-care. If you’ve ever felt like a human pretzel after sitting at a desk too long, you get it.
4. Concerts (And Even Better—Good Seats at Concerts!)
Live music feeds my soul, but let’s be real—standing for hours in general admission? My soles aren’t built for that. I love cute heels, not torture devices.
If I’m going to a concert, I’m gonna do my best to get decent seats—because the only thing worse than squinting at a tiny dot on stage is doing it while my feet are silently screaming in four-inch stilettos.
5. Traveling for Experiences That Matter (Concerts & Hockey Games = Yes, Please!)
When you’re financially stable, debt-free, and saving smartly, you get to spend where it actually brings you joy and fantastic memories.
For me, that means:
🏒 Hockey games (because sports are better in person). Unless your team is a dud like mine is this year.
🎶 Traveling to see concerts (because the best memories come from the best experiences). Last fall Mr. Cabbage and I flew to Sweden last minute to go to a music festival in Stockholm and that was amazing.
I cannot recommend spontaneous memory-making and living enough!
Final Thoughts: Prioritize What Matters to You
The key to Rich Girl Energy on a Budget?
✨ Spend where you want to spend. Save where you wanna save. ✨
For me, that means 🤘 Rock ‘n’ Roll Budgeting: Some people collect handbags. I collect concert wristbands and passport stamps. Zero regrets.
💡 What’s something YOU refuse to splurge on? And what’s something you’ll always pay top dollar for? Drop a comment—I wanna know! ⬇️
Stilettos or Savings 
Tell me what you think!