We hear a lot about “cutting back” and “spending less,” and while being financially smart is always a good move, there’s a difference between wasting money and investing it wisely.
In fact, some purchases make you better. Mentally, physically, emotionally, even spiritually. These aren’t just things you buy. They’re choices that upgrade your life, your energy, and your sense of peace.
Let’s dive into the 9 purchases that aren’t just worth it… they’re necessary for the best version of you.
1. The Kind of Food That Loves You Back
It doesn’t matter whether you’re eating at home or dining out. What you eat shapes how you feel. Food isn’t just fuel. It’s information for your body.
I’ve learned to pay attention to quality over convenience. For example, when we go to sushi restaurants, I always double check: are the rolls made with real crab or imitation? That one choice alone tells me whether a place prioritizes quality.
Eating well doesn’t have to mean expensive meals every night, but it does mean choosing foods that nourish your body, not drain it. A well-fed body leads to better sleep, clearer thinking, and more stable moods. That’s a return on investment no fast-food combo can beat.
2. The One Subscription You Hope No One Has to Use
Life insurance doesn’t get the spotlight like gym gear or tech gadgets, but it might be the most powerful financial decision you ever make.
Think of it this way, life insurance isn’t about death. It’s about life after you. It’s peace of mind. It’s the ability to say, “If something happens to me, my family is covered. They can grieve without financial stress.”
I see it as a way to continue your legacy. To make sure your values and your support extend beyond your presence. It’s more than just smart money. That is the manifestation of love.
3. Memories Instead of More Stuff
Experiences stay with you long after the thrill of a purchase fades.
Whether it’s a trip, a concert, a cooking class, or a random Tuesday night turned into a spontaneous adventure, these are the moments that shape you.
Experiences connect us, stretch us, and often teach us more about life and ourselves than anything you can buy off a shelf. Don’t just scroll through life. Go live it.
4. What You Wear Can Shift How You Feel
You don’t need a closet full of luxury brands, but you do need clothing that lasts and makes you feel confident.
Good quality clothes and shoes, even if they’re thrifted, are a game changer. They fit better, feel better, and don’t fall apart after three washes.
When you invest in pieces that hold up over time, you stop wasting money on cheap replacements. Plus, feeling good in your clothes has a way of lifting your mood and posture too. That’s the kind of upgrade that goes beyond appearance.
5. A Clean Car Is a Clear Mind
If you drive, you probably spend hours a week in your car. And when it’s clean, inside and out, it hits different.
Getting your car washed regularly isn’t just about appearance. It’s about creating a space that feels calm, fresh, and ready for whatever life throws at you.
There’s something about a clean environment that opens space in your mind too. I’ve had some of my best ideas during solo drives in a freshly cleaned car.
6. Relaxation That Hits Deep
A good massage isn’t a splurge. It’s therapy.
Whether it’s once a month or twice a year, a massage helps release tension your body’s been holding onto for far too long. Stress doesn’t just live in your head. It lives in your neck, your shoulders, your back.
And when you finally give yourself permission to relax, reset, and release that tension, it’s like your whole system breathes easier. You walk taller. Think clearer. Sleep deeper.
7. Movement That Makes You Strong
You don’t need to be a gym rat. But you do need to move your body regularly in ways that build strength and reduce stress.
A fitness class, a gym membership, or even a solid mobile workout app is worth every cent if it keeps you consistent and motivated.
What you spend on your physical wellness now is what you won’t spend later on avoidable health issues. Plus, the mental clarity and mood boost you get from a good workout? Can’t put a price on that.
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8. Books Are Still the Best Investment
Books have shaped my mindset more than any expensive program or retreat ever could.
Whether it’s personal growth, money mindset, psychology, or just a good story that changes the way you see the world, books fuel your thinking.
They help you zoom out. Think deeper. See patterns in your life you didn’t notice before.
Some of the most pivotal shifts in my life started with a single sentence I underlined in a book. It’s wild how one line can change the way you see everything.
9. You Deserve to Look and Feel Taken Care Of
Grooming isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about honoring yourself—feeling clean, cared for, and confident in your own skin.
A fresh haircut, trimmed nails, clean skin. These small acts of care do big things for your self-image.
When you feel good about how you show up in the world, you tend to show up more fully. And that energy attracts opportunity.
Smart Spending Is Soul Spending
Not all purchases are impulsive. Not all spending is emotional. Some of it is essential for your growth, peace, health, and joy.
These 9 purchases aren’t about keeping up with anyone. They’re about keeping up with the kind of life that feels aligned, energized, and real.
Before you second-guess the price tag, pause and ask: Is this adding real value to my life?
If it supports your growth, peace, or purpose—it’s likely not a cost, but an investment.
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📕 If you want to feel more peace around money, grab your copy of The Psychology of Your Spending today.
This was such a refreshing perspective.
It reminded me that not all spending is bad spending—some of it is actually the foundation for a calmer, healthier, more energized version of ourselves. I especially loved how you framed things like massages, life insurance, and even a clean car as investments, not indulgences. That shift in mindset is powerful.
We’ve been conditioned to see self-care as optional or frivolous, when in reality, it’s often the thing that keeps us going.
Thank you for this grounded, thoughtful reminder that intentional spending can be deeply aligned with our values and goals.
Good list, or rather, a good survival kit: things you have to buy for yourself because the system will never provide them. They've turned basic human maintenance--eating real food, staying healthy, managing stress--into luxury consumer products. Then they sell it back to you as 'self-care'. It's a brilliant grift. The real investment is building enough capital so you don't need a massage just to escape your life in the first place. That's the long game.