Some things are absolutely worth “overpaying” for – because they buy back energy, time, and sanity for years.
Others just drain cash and add zero long-term happiness.
The trick is knowing which is which, and having clear rules so you can splurge guilt-free.
This article was written by a Financial Horse Contributor.
1. Sleep & Health: First-Class Basics
If you only splurge in one area, make it on your sleep.
You spend ~⅓ of your life in bed; small quality upgrades pay off every single night.
Better sleep → better mood, willpower, decision making, immunity… everything.
What to upgrade:
- A good mattress: firm/softness that suits your back, minimal motion transfer, good support.
- Pillows that match how you sleep (side/back/front).
- Sheets that don’t trap heat and feel nice to the touch.
Aim for something that will last 8–10 years. Cost per night matters more than sticker price:
- Eg. S$2,000 mattress ÷ (10 years × 365) ≈ S$0.55 per night.
- Splurge here before you splurge on designer furniture.
Health is wealth
Worth the splurge on:
- Annual health checks (appropriate to age/risk).
- Physio / sports massage if you’re nursing recurring pain.
- Better shoes / insoles if you walk a lot or have back/knee issues.
- An actually decent ergonomic workstation (chair + monitor + keyboard).
You are your best asset – take care of the body that makes all your money.
2. Buying Back Time (Best ROI for High Earners)
Time-saving upgrades often have the highest financial ROI, especially if your effective hourly rate is high.
Worth considering are outsourcing chores e.g. cleaning, laundry, food prep shortcuts.
Use some of that saved time for things that genuinely move the needle (deep work, health, kids, relationships) – not just more doomscrolling.
Upgrades that make everyday life smoother:
- Fast, stable internet – don’t cheap out here, especially if you work from home.
- Decent laptop/phone that doesn’t lag and waste minutes every day.
- Noise-cancelling headphones if you commute or work in noisy places.
These don’t feel glamorous, but they reduce low-level friction constantly.
Refinancing? Check out the best mortgage rates
3. Environment & Comfort
Your environment helps you make clearer decisions.
Worth upgrading:
- Lighting – bright, warm lighting makes evenings more pleasant and can help you read/work longer without fatigue.
- Decluttering / storage – paying for shelving, storage solutions, even a one-off session with a professional organiser can dramatically improve daily flow.
- Temperature & air – properly maintained aircon, air purifier if you have allergies.
Your mental bandwidth is limited. A tidy, well-lit home that “just works” reduces decision fatigue.
Commuting comfort
If you’re stuck in transit daily, strategic upgrades make sense:
- Public transport → ride-hail/taxi on specific days (late nights, heavy rain, important meetings).
Upgrading every trip will kill your savings. Upgrading 1–3 key trips per week (where stakes or stress are highest) can massively improve perceived quality of life at modest cost.
4. Skillsfuture
These are “lifestyle” upgrades that quietly increase future earning power.
Worth splurging on when:
- The skill is leveraged (writing, sales, presentation, negotiation, coding, a new language in a regional role).
- The environment puts you next to people you want to become (industry conferences, high-quality masterminds).
Books & digital resources
Books are still the most underpriced way to buy other people’s experience.
Ebooks are priced super well these days so there is no excuse.
And, there is always the library.
BTW – we share commentary on Singapore Investments every week, so do join our Telegram Channel (or Telegram Group), Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date!
Financial Horse also share great tips on Twitter.
Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter too!
5. Relationships & Experiences
Money spent on building relationships often has the highest happiness-per-dollar:
- Trips with ageing parents – these are finite; the window is smaller than it feels.
- Regular date nights with your partner: upgrade the restaurant occasionally, or book one “no-kids” staycation.
- Experiences with kids that create core memories – theme park day, nature trips, workshops.
Try…
“At least once a quarter, I’ll spend on a slightly ‘too fancy’ experience with someone who really matters.”
Solo experiences that stretch you
- A trip somewhere that shifts perspective.
- Workshops/retreats that help you reset, think, or plan.
These are harder to quantify but often show up years later as “That’s when I decided to change X/Y/Z”.
6. Safety, Resilience & “Downside Insurance”
Not sexy, but very worth the splurge.
Worth ensuring you have proper insurance coverage on:
- Health / hospitalisation
- Disability / income protection (if your human capital is your biggest asset)
- Term life (if people rely on your income)
Overpaying for investment-linked products is usually not the splurge you want. The upgrade that matters is quality, clarity and adequacy of coverage.
Redundancy & backups
- A backup drive / cloud backup for your data.
- Spare phone / laptop if your entire working life lives on one device.
- Basic home safety: good locks, smoke detector, first-aid kit.
Low cost, potentially massive benefit in rare events.
7. “Fun Money”
You’re allowed to buy stupid things sometimes. The key is setting reasonable limits.
Allocate 5–10% of take-home as “guilt-free” fun money (assuming your core savings rate is intact).
If it fits in the fun envelope, it’s allowed. No overthinking.
If it doesn’t, you either:
Save up for a few months, or
Admit it’s lower priority than your primary goals.
Invest in yourself
Ultimately you should spend if it serves your long-term goals.
Spend wisely and your furture self will definitely thank you.