When people talk about money, the conversation usually centers around saving it.

Spend less. Cut unnecessary expenses. Don't buy coffee every morning. Cancel subscriptions.

There's nothing wrong with any of that. Being intentional with your money matters. But I think we spend far less time talking about the opposite question.

What is actually worth spending money on?

Over the past few years, I've started realizing that the purchases I've been happiest with aren't necessarily the cheapest ones. They're the ones that continue making my life better long after I've forgotten what they cost.

Some save me time every single week. Others make me feel more confident. Some simply remove friction from everyday life. And a few have created memories I'll probably still be talking about years from now.

That's why I wanted to make my own version of the viral "things worth the money" trend. Not because I wanted to recommend expensive products, but because I think there's a difference between spending money and investing in your life.

During the episode, I kept coming back to one idea.

"A lot of these things improve your life because they improve the way you think about yourself. And they make you feel better about yourself."

Looking back, I realized almost everything on my list had that in common.

Stop Asking What's Expensive

I've started asking a different question before buying almost anything.

Not "Can I afford this?"

Not "Is this overpriced?"

Instead, I ask one simple question.

Will this make my life better six months from now?

That's a surprisingly difficult test for most purchases.

A trendy gadget probably won't.

Something you buy because everyone else has it probably won't either.

But the things that quietly become part of your everyday routine almost always pass.

That's why I don't really think about purchases like a good gym membership, quality sheets, TSA PreCheck, or even a nice bottle of cologne as luxury items anymore.

I think of them as investments.

Not financial investments.

Lifestyle investments.

The return isn't money.

It's making every ordinary day just a little bit better.

The Best Purchases Remove Friction

One thing I've realized is that the purchases I value most all solve recurring problems.

TSA PreCheck saves me time every time I travel.

A quality frying pan makes me want to cook instead of ordering takeout.

Good sheets make me look forward to getting into bed every night.

A reliable grooming routine means I'm never worrying about how I look when I walk into a meeting or a first date.

None of those purchases changed my life overnight.

They simply removed little annoyances that I used to deal with over and over again.

That's what makes them valuable.

I've written before about in How To Dress Better Without Spending a Lot (A Simple Guy’s Guide), and I think this is the biggest filter anyone can use. The best purchases don't just solve today's problem. They solve the same problem hundreds of times.

According to Harvard Business Review, people often underestimate the long-term value of purchases that consistently improve everyday life because they quickly become part of our routine. Ironically, that's exactly what makes them so valuable.

When something quietly improves every single day, you eventually stop noticing it.

But you'd notice immediately if it disappeared.

Confidence Is Usually Built in Small Ways

One of the biggest surprises for me has been how many purchases affect confidence.

Not because other people notice them.

Because I notice them.

A good cologne.

Clothes that fit well.

A quality trimmer.

Going to the gym consistently.

None of those things completely change who you are.

But together, they change how you feel walking out the door.

That's something I don't think enough guys hear growing up.

Confidence isn't usually built through one massive achievement.

It's built through dozens of little decisions that tell yourself you're worth taking care of.

I've talked about this before in What Nobody Tells You About Your Mid 20s because I think self-investment often looks a lot less glamorous than people imagine. More often than not, it's simply building routines that help you become someone you feel proud of.

Psychology Today has also written extensively about how healthy routines contribute to well-being and confidence over time. The routines themselves might seem ordinary, but their cumulative effect can be enormous.

Buy Back Your Time Whenever You Can

If I had to recommend one purchase almost everyone should make, it would probably be TSA PreCheck.

Not because airports are fun.

Because time matters.

During the episode, I said something I genuinely believe.

"Time is the only resource that we can't get any of back. And that should be enough of a reason for you to get TSA PreCheck."

The older I get, the more I think about purchases in terms of time instead of dollars.

Does this save me time every week?

Does it remove unnecessary stress?

Does it let me spend more time doing things I actually enjoy?

If the answer is yes, I'm much more willing to spend money on it than I used to be.

Money comes and goes.

Time doesn't.

Experiences Almost Always Win

There are plenty of purchases I've regretted.

There are very few experiences I have.

Concerts.

Trips.

Broadway shows.

Dinner with people I care about.

Those are the purchases that never really feel like expenses.

They're memories.

During the episode I found myself saying something that I hadn't really thought about before, but it's true every single time.

"I've never regretted spending money on a concert. I've never been like, I shouldn't have gone to that."

I think experiences are unique because they create value three different times.

You enjoy looking forward to them.

You enjoy them while they're happening.

Then you get to remember them afterward.

That's an incredible return for one purchase.

Research from Cornell University has consistently found that experiences often create more lasting happiness than material possessions because they become part of who we are rather than simply something we own.

Looking back at my own life, I think that's exactly right.

And Here's The Thing

The best purchases aren't necessarily the most expensive ones.

They're the ones that continue making your life better long after you've bought them.

Sometimes that's a gym membership.

Sometimes it's better sheets.

Sometimes it's a notebook you actually enjoy writing in.

Sometimes it's dinner with your best friends.

The common thread isn't the price.

It's the value.

If something saves you time, helps you build confidence, improves your daily routine, or creates memories you'll still be talking about years from now, it's probably worth more than the receipt suggests.

Those are the purchases I've almost never regretted.

Not because they were cheap.

Because they kept paying me back every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to spend money on?

Some of the best purchases are the ones you use regularly, including gym memberships, quality bedding, grooming essentials, cookware, travel experiences, and anything that saves you time or improves your daily routine.

How do you know if something is worth the money?

A good rule is to ask whether the purchase will continue improving your life months or years from now. If it solves a recurring problem or becomes part of your routine, it's often worth the investment.

Is it better to spend money on experiences or things?

Both can be worthwhile, but experiences often create longer-lasting happiness because they become memories and strengthen relationships, while quality everyday purchases improve your life through repeated use.

Why do some expensive purchases feel worth it?

The best purchases aren't valuable because they're expensive. They're valuable because they save time, reduce stress, improve confidence, or make everyday life easier.

What's the best investment you can make in your twenties?

Investing in your health, confidence, routines, relationships, and experiences often provides returns that last much longer than most material purchases.