Five Smart Splurges That Won't Break The Bank

I've been a good girl. I increased my investment in my 401K. I haven't put any of my wedding expenses on credit. I've been making meals at home and eating at restaurants less.  I walk to the nearest park on my lunch break and avoid the huge SALE signs in the windows at the mall around the corner. I switched to a debit rewards card so I earn money back on each of my purchases. And as soon as I'm done patting myself on the back, I'm going to use my rewards to...well...reward myself.

My idea of rewarding myself and, say, Paris Hilton's, are probably vastly different. Even when I'm splurging, I like to splurge responsibly. Here are some of the things you will probably see me doing soon:

1. Drinking Cava.
   
   There really is something so luxurious about a glass of bubbly! Many times you'll find that sparkling wines from other countries are less expensive than true Champagne. They're all made in the same way, but only Champagne from a specific region in France can be called Champagne.  I actually prefer Cava, which is Spanish sparkling wine. I've found most Cava generally runs about $10-$20 a bottle, and my go-to choice, Cristalino Brut, is under $10. For real decadence, open your sparkling wine with a sword.


2. Shopping consignment.
   
   I don't even bother with regular department stores anymore. Consignment shops always have great finds, and amazing prices. Not in-relation-to-what-this-would-have-cost prices, like the $5,000 purse for $300 which is not a low price at all, but actual really low prices. I've never paid more than $30 for a cashmere sweater, if that tells you anything. It's not sweater weather yet, but there are still some sweet summer sundresses to snag (and turn into tongue-twisters).


3. Shopping remainders and used books.
   
   Oh my word, do I love books. I tend to read and reread books over and over again, and my home book collection continues to grow as I find frugal ways to fill it. If books were clothing, remainders would be sample sales and used books would be consignment shops, which you already know I love. My favorite local bookstore has a huge remainders section and a used book store in the basement. That's what they call the best of both worlds.


4. Celebrating Spa Week.
   
   Just the idea of a quiet, dimly lit room that smells good makes me feel more relaxed. The ticket price of such a luxury makes me really tense, though. Enter Spa Week, which takes the costs of select spa treatments in your area down to $50. Still not inexpensive, but if you're going to splurge on a spa, now's the time to do it. Plus all month long I get 5% cash back at spas when I use my debit card.  Visit the Spa Week website to find deals near you.


5. Taking a day off from work and sleeping in.
   
   Because sometimes the most wonderful splurges don't cost anything at all.

When you splurge, do you go whole hog or do you splurge responsibly? What are your favorite indulgences?

Jennifer Scott is the Digital Communications Manager at PerkStreet Financial and loves to indulge in responsible spending.  She almost never sleeps in.