AskBeehaw

Bed. That is the "luxury" you should prioritise above anything else.

I've slept in all kinds of qualities of bed (and discussed it with others who have done the same.)

The quality of the bed you sleep in at night is a huge factor in the quality of the you that you are when you're awake. The best sleep I've had on bad beds is still no better than the worst I've had on good ones and when you repeat that day after day, into week after week, into year after year, the cumulative effect on both your quality of life and physical health is immense. You should never make sleeping on a bad bed your long-term plan if you can possibly avoid it.

Every single day of your life is influenced by the quality of sleep you got before you started and therefore the quality and type of bed.

It is a huge gap in privilege between people who have lifestyles that make a good bed a standard expectation that is easily achieved and those who have to make do with what's cheap. The former group will always just be healthier, happier, better rested and more prepared for the challenges in front of them than the other.

I'd recommend a good quality pocket-sprung mattress (you can't really find cheap bad ones) over a sturdy wooden slatted frame although the modern foam mattresses are also very popular now and can be a good choice if you can't easily realistically get a massive heavy inflexible mattress where it needs to go.

A bidet. Main con is having to use toilets not at home.

getting an extra-long phone charging cable is such a silly purchase but it’s sooo useful. like i can’t live without one at this point. phone almost dead but the outlet is too far away? not anymore it’s not!

For those who use cannabis like me, I gotta say a good vape is worth its weight in gold in the day to day experience.

Socks. I spent my life wearing cheapo Walmart socks but my partner bought me a few pairs of merino wool socks last christmas. Hoo boy are those things amazing, they keep your feet cool in the heat and warm in the cold, and it feels like you're wearing silky little clouds.

One of my luxuries is that I shave using straight and safety razors (it's actually more economical & less of an environmental impact that using shitty gillette style razors) is to splurge a bit on the shaving soap and brush

Nothing like a nice, frothy lather!

A nice keyboard, mouse and monitor. It's the way you interact with your computer the most and yet many people seem content with bargain versions, even when they spend 8-10 hours a day using them.

A heating blanket.

Pros:

• It's warm and cozy
• It keeps achy joints happy in the winter
• It attracts cats

Cons:

• Your cat will claim it and you will feel guilty taking it back

Good coffee. It's always worth it for me. There's still an upper limit of super-expensiveness I won't go past, but neither do I cheap out.

Good underwear. I like Saxx boxer briefs. Breathable, doesn't ride up, and they support my junk with choking it.

Don't go cheap if it separates you from the ground. Buying quality shoes, tires, sofa/ recliner, and bed will always be worth the investment.

Recurring house cleaning services.

I'd probably be divorced by now if we hadn't made the investment. It doesn't cost as much you think and whatever it costs the mental health and couples benefits of a clean home is worth the investment.

Idk if this counts as a luxury or not but sometimes spending extra to get some fresh fruits or vegetables that are locally grown is so worth it.

As for the bed, amen. Hip problems run in my family and I replaced my old worn out bed with a hybrid bed and my hip pain became so much more manageable within 2 weeks.

Really good tea. Very cheap, but a lovely luxury that can take you to a different time and place. Love it.

Blackout curtains and high-thread count silk sheets.

A good, supportive pillow: You use it every day and it can help prevent neck issues. Most people keep pillows for quite a long time anyway, so if you find one you like, why not spend more on something that you really like?

A good monitor: I upgraded to a really big and high resolution monitor about a half a year ago and it has made a huge difference. Before I was experiencing really bad eye strain and it is gone now. I have more space to do my work, which has increased my productivity, too.

Good coffee: My morning coffee makes me happy. I don't usually spend a ton on coffee, but I do like to get decent, whole-bean coffee. About once a month I will treat myself to some really nice, fresh coffee beans. I live by a roaster and can get it for a good price and super fresh.

Deep tissue massage. I have scoliosis and so have chronic back and shoulder pain, so massage is remedial moreso than luxury. It is nice to have though generally, good reminder to take a break

Good loose leaf tea.

A great keyboard, a good mouse, a laaaaaarge mouse pad.

I use those things throughout most of the day, why not make it enjoyable.

A weighted blanket, especially if you have anxiety. I run hot when I sleep and I’ve had no issues since the blanket is weighted with small glass beads evenly distributed throughout the inside.

Perhaps it's more of a hobby than a little luxury, but if you do any handwriting at all, a nice fountain pen and quality notebook. It's just a nice feeling to write with a really smooth pen on good paper. And if you have RSI/arthritis like me, you may find that fountain pens are less fatiguing to use than a roller ball or gel pen. Sure, you have to clean and refill every so often, but that turns into a fun little ritual itself.

@ag_roberston_author already mentioned a supportive office chair, if you're sitting a lot. I would also argue an electronic convertible standing desk is a good one. Not only is standing good for you, the adjustment ability means you can position the desk for an optimal sitting position as well.

My rule is anything I use almost every day is worth splurging on. I will also splurge on specialized tools, like nail clippers.

For example, I got an expensive trash can for the kitchen and it’s just a nice object that adds a subtle bit of niceness to the day. The lid drops at the perfect speed, and the bag never slips off the opening.