18 Things You Should Actually Be Spending Your Money On

From investing to paying off student loans and credit cards, here are 18 things you should be spending your money on.

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Image via Getty/Thomas Trutschel
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We all know fresh kicks and slow drip coffees weren’t explicitly included in your budget spreadsheet this month, but as a full-fledged, grown ass individual with a paycheck, you’re entitled to spend your green however you please. Sure, there are more important essential payments to make every month—rent, transportation, credit cards—but after all of your most necessary bills are covered, what are you willing to treat yourself to? What do you indulge in? What makes you say, “Fuck it, I’m buying that”?

It can feel like a real Sophie’s Choice deciding which luxuries are worth your bottom dollar. Feeling guilty for spending money on just about anything outside of the necessities can feel like a total waste, and there always seems to be an emergency expense right after you splurge. Just finished your shopping spree? Well, karma’s got its kiss for you, and there’s a flat tire waiting for you in the parking lot! But it’s your birthright to spend the money you earn however you see fit, because you were born into capitalism, and falling in line with consumerist values by purchasing cool stuff is truly the only coping mechanism.

That being said, there’s always good reason to spend a little more dinero on certain goods and services that make you feel better, even if it’s only for a brief, fleeting moment. Whether you have a Cardi-esque attitude towards money or you’re as responsible with your earnings as the absolute dorks who have been returning some of the $300,000 that spilled out of a Brinks truck on a New Jersey highway, here are our suggestions for what you should spend your money on.

Rent

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Living somewhere comfortable and safe should be a top priority no matter what stage of life you’re at—but it’s time to move on from living in a loft with all six of your closest friends. There’s no escaping the fact that a good chunk of your monthly income will go towards your rent payment, so it may as well be worth the price you pay. Decide whether sharing a bathroom is worth the diluted cost of living with roomies, and then find a place that’s suited for saving money on other things, like work commutes or utility cost.

Student Loans

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It’s time to pay the piper. While elitist degree-holders will try to shame you for having students loans, the only thing you can do to combat them is to start coughing up what you owe. Though it may be painful at first, budgeting a little more than your loan provider’s monthly asking price can be extremely beneficial financially, as it can shorten your payment period and raise your credit score. Just sign up for auto payments and try not to think about the insurmountable debt you’re trying to rid yourself of.

Investing

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Whether it’s putting money into a savings account or actually figuring out how the stock market works, there’s always a plus side to investing a little bit of your loose change. The most important thing to remember is to keep your grubby little fingers out of that piggy bank for a while. Starting a retirement fund is always a good idea, but get advice from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about if you decide to invest in stocks (you saw The Big Short, right?).

Transportation

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Being a car owner can be stressful and expensive, but take some time to consider retiring your beat up money-guzzler for something affordable and less likely to break down on the highway for the second time this month. Just remember that you don’t need to whip a 2018 model when the 2014 model will fair just as well. If you live in a bigger city with public transportation options, choose the best way to get around and set aside some money to cover the cost of an occasional Uber or taxi ride.

Skincare

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Long gone are the archaic days of using toothpaste as a zit cream. Good skin care products don’t necessarily have to break the bank, but if you’re willing to splurge on the finer things in life, products that make you feel good about the way you look are a viable option. You look great either way, but in the wise words of Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, “It’s not vanity, it’s self-care. There’s a difference.”

Credit Cards

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If you’re the type to spend now and pay later, it might worth your while to snag a credit card or two. You can build your credit now for bigger purchases in the future, and devote a card for only emergency spending or specific monthly expenses like groceries. Just make sure you pay off your bill responsibly, in order to build good credit.

Health

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As Fergie would have it, you could be up in the gym just workin’ on your fitness— for the right price, that is. A gym or health club membership is a valid expenditure for anyone looking to live a healthier or more active lifestyle. If you’re a true gym rat, you won’t bat an eye at the price of a valuable membership. But for the less-intense gym mice, an average gym membership probably shouldn’t break the bank. If the gym’s not your scene, try setting aside a chunk of change for something like ClassPass, which allows you to take a variety of fitness classes each month, or some exercise equipment for home use.

Small Businesses

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Before you order that book from Amazon, stop by your local indie bookstore to see what just hit their shelves. Shopping local can cost a little more than shopping with big businesses, but there are a number of benefits that come out of supporting the little guys— it’s environmentally friendly, it improves the local economy, and utilizing the expertise of local business owners is a great way to support your community. Independent craft stores, cafes, and curated gift shops are great places to start.

Magazine or Newspaper Subscription

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Twitter may be all you need to keep up with current events and pop culture, but subscribing to a newspaper or magazine whose articles you enjoy for free online is an investment that not only helps keep you informed but also supports the efforts of the publications you’ve come to love. Depending on how much you’re willing to cough up each month, many publishers offer both electronic and print subscription options, so you can stop feeling like a freeloader when you reach your monthly article limit on your favorite outlet and proceed to open an incognito Google window to circumvent it.

Travel

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As cliché as it sounds, traveling is the best way to experience life from a new perspective. If you’re feeling drab, uninspired, or straight up bored, booking a trip somewhere you’ve never been before is a completely beneficial way to spend your money. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to find somewhere new in the United States to travel to for a reasonable price, but visiting other countries and experiencing a culture outside of your own shouldn’t leave you feeling guilty.

Charity

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Donating to a cause you support or believe in has become increasingly important since, oh, I don’t know, November 8th, 2016. We’re not saying you need to give up all of your indulgent shopping spree money, but giving up a few morning coffees and croissants to give back to charities or even someone’s personal fundraiser can make a huge difference. Just remember that posting about your donation doesn’t increase its value, and donating to this particular cause will get you a first-class ticket to Hell.

Concert Tickets

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Seeing live music can be cathartic, gratifying, and hype as hell—which is exactly why you shouldn’t be afraid to spend your hard-earned wages on concert tickets every once in a while. Spend a few bucks to see your favorite artists on tour, or see how much you actually like the band you’ve been dipping your toes into recently. Live shows can be exciting and fulfilling, but should it not go the way you expect, at least you won’t have FOMO during their next tour.

Cuisine

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Whether it’s a reservation at your favorite uppity restaurant or trying a new recipe you found at home, indulging in good food should bring you pleasure without any guilt. Dropping a bag on a meal sometimes leads to buyers remorse, but a yummy meal that leaves you full and happy will always be worth the dough you spend. The more adventurous may be willing to risk it at a new fancy restaurant, but cooking a lovely meal for yourself and some friends will always be worth the time and money.

Photography

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Your iPhone is your best friend when it comes to capturing every moment of your life, but there’s something sweet and wistful about seeing those moments printed on film. No matter how mainstream you may think it is, investing in an instant-print camera or even a good, old-fashioned film camera can be a joyous little hobby that leaves you with physical remnants of the memories you’re making. As a bonus, there are endless opportunities to expand your knowledge and dive deeper and deeper into the world of photography, so you’ll never be bored.

Independent and Freelance Art

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Stop showing off your favorite Instagram artist’s work to your buddies and just buy a damn print already. Many of the artists you find online are posting their work at the risk of having it stolen or reposted without their consent, so paying them for one of their pieces or even commissioning them for an original is the least you can do. Not only are you encouraging them to continue their work, but you get something in return—frame that bad boy and wait for the compliments on your sweet decor to roll in (give the creator a shoutout for good measure).

Pampering

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You may be a fan of the DIY spa treatment, but the luxury of visiting an actual spa just can’t be beaten. Allotting yourself some R&R at the hands of a professional is sure to have better results than your $4 sheet mask, and there are plenty of different cost and treatment options for a little self-indulgent pampering. Facials and massages are great, but sometimes a hair appointment or a quick mani-pedi can leave you feeling brand new (that goes for you too, fellas. Get your toes right). 

Phone Apps

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Sometimes the free meditation app you’ve been trying to get into just won’t cut it, and that’s okay. Living in the rising age of smartphones is a blessing and there’s no shame in spending a little bit of money on useful apps that will improve your well-being or make life more convenient. Lucky for you, we have some suggestions for iPhone and Android users alike, so get to spending.

Clothes

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It’s called fashion, look it up. The world of drip is right there at your fingertips, and throwing a band at a new winter coat or a sexy jumpsuit that catches your eye is absolutely worth the payoff. Your individual style can be a defining feature, so stay true to your brand and buy new pieces that enhance your wardrobe. Whether you’re a sneakerhead or a vintage tee shirt lover, we can all agree that the rush of buying new clothes and accessories is euphoric. 

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