If you were to read every financial advice blog aimed at families or young professionals, you would believe that spending money on anything you enjoyed was a great problem.

From having more than one subscription to a media service to buying clothes too often, to taking that impromptu trip, sometimes saving can go overboard and rob you of anything colorful in life.

Of course, that’s not to say we shouldn’t live within our means. We should absolutely do that, and avoid taking on debts or unnecessary expenses that might not be as useful as we think. For example, if you find an expensive piece of clothing in a store, it can be worth waiting at least a week to see if you still want it or not. If not, then you’ve saved yourself some cash. If yes, then you’ve found something you really do enjoy.

However, you still have to cost-in that purchase into your budget.

So let’s look at savings advice in a different way – that is how to manage and justify the “nice-to-have” expenses in life without feeling bad about buying them:

Opting For Appropriate Financing

In some cases, financing an expense can be a worthwhile use of your time. Let’s say your washing machine breaks and you can’t outright pay for a replacement now, this could be a good way to gain what you need and then move forward with a more affordable plan.

When paying this off quickly, it may be that the fees and interests are negligible. Of course, financing is often considered something to keep in moderation, and provided you do that, or for the one-off luxuries like a beautiful holiday, there’s nothing wrong with making use of these services.

In some cases, they can even help you justify the expense you may have been putting off, such as checking PatientFi vs Carecredit for the cosmetic work you’ve wanted or going through phone and internet contractors to purchase a new smartphone or laptop for work.

Budget-In Comforts & Luxuries

When we budget our day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month budgets, it’s easy to only plan for the essentials and to leave the rest of your income as disposable or for savings. Yet it can be worth budgeting in a couple of luxuries too if you have room for them because then the expenses feel much more planned than they may otherwise have been.

So for instance, when you start working on your budget and your priority bills are paid, you might cost out the average of a new jacket, a new pair of shoes, and a weekend break with your partner. Then, the leftover disposable income might go to a meal out during that break, or a spa treatment for a friend’s birthday etc.

This way, you keep track of your luxurious spending, so it never feels like an indulgence you regret later, it’s something you’ve permitted yourself to have.

Opt For Quality When You Can

It can be hard to pay for more expensive items when you’re trying to budget responsibly, and of course, that’s entirely understandable and important to consider. That said, it’s also important to opt for quality as and when you can. 

For instance – this might mean purchasing a television of a better make, build and set of specs, so you know it will not only function better and for longer, but will remain relevant, and in no need of an upgrade for some time. That way, you spread out the length of ownership before a replacement is needed, thus saving you money over time.

This is often known as the “cheap boots” problem, those who cannot afford well-built shoes will buy cheaper pairs, but those are more likely to need replacement sooner, thus putting their expenses on par with those who opted for quality in the first place. That means if you can afford it, an investment in quality is not just an indulgence, but a sound financial decision.

Revolve Around The Priority Luxuries

You know that priority bills like rent, utilities, and food are essential and non-negotiable, but it’s also good to add priority limits to your luxury spending, too. For example, you may have a few birthdays to celebrate this month, and so you’ll place most of your “enjoyment” spending around these dates so you can have a good time, or go for that weekend break, instead of trying to attend this event and then go your own way, with another luxury.

Priority luxuries can sound like a silly pursuit to have, but when planned and costed, they make sense. This way, those expenditures are just the benefits you enjoy for working so hard, not a guilt you feel for not saving.

With this advice, you’re sure to manage and justify the “nice to have” expenses in your life. Remember, you only need to seek your own approval.