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Splurge Vs. Treat
By Daphne | July 30, 2008
Does splurging have a place in a frugal person’s lexicon?
Yes, but like all other things splurging requires moderation. A daily treat is different from a splurge. Splurge connotes spending currency: money, trade or time. Whereas, a treat could be having a slice of cake with a cup of coffee or tea at the end of the day. A treat could be something that you made out of ingredients that you already have at home. Both are not daily occurrences. Otherwise, it would take the novelty and freshness out of the event.
Spending within your means should be a daily occurrence, then once in a while you decide to save up for something special, an extraordinary item that
What is a treat?
To me a treat is a coffee drink that I did not make at home along with a pastry.
A treat is going to a bookstore and buying a book I really want the day it comes out, regardless of whether or not it is on sale.
A splurge on the other hand, would be saving up to go on a luxury vacation, even if it is on sale but more expensive than a regular trip.
A splurge is falling in love with an item and having to have it, even if it means not owning it for a few months or so.
A treat is something that is small and attainable. A splurge is something that you will go out of your way for. Even if it means that you have to save for a splurge, it is possible to do that and not destroy your budget.
Planning a splurge gives you something to look forward to, but a treat is more impulsive and not necessarily planned but not a budget breaker either.
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Topics: July 2008 |