Finding Happiness on a Budget: 11 'Inexpensive' Purchases That Spark Joy, According to Working-Class Americans

Sometimes all it takes to turn a bad day around is a little treat. After all, who doesn’t enjoy the simple pleasures of life? A steaming mug of good coffee, an ice cream sundae with all the fixings, a shiny new pair of white sneakers. Working-class Americans from r/PovertyFinance recently shared a list of their “happy purchases,” with a focus on pick-me-ups that won’t break the bank.

Even if you’ve only got a couple of bucks to spare, you can find plenty of treasures at the thrift store. “A book, a CD, a stein, whatever. Just something that makes living a little less dreary,” one commenter writes.

There’s a big difference between scarfing down a burrito alone in your car and sharing a meal with friends. It should be obvious which one is more likely to spark joy. So call your friends, grab a bite, and think of it as a social expense rather than a waste of money.

Nothing brightens a room like a bouquet of sunny daffodils. Snag flowers on the cheap by shopping at Aldi, which one Redditor says sells bouquets for just $3.99.

If you’ve ever written with a fancy gel pen like a Uni-Ball or Pentel, then you know how nice it feels as it glides across the page. You feel like a writer, a calligraphy God.

Related: 7 Purchases That Frugal Redditors Say Drastically Improved Their Lives

For one Redditor, every other Friday night is burrito night — a habit that they’ve kept up for five years. Not only will this give you something to look forward to every month, but it also means you get to eat plenty of delicious burritos.

Related: 10 Ideas For Leading A Simpler, More Fulfilling Life

Feeling down? Try doing something for others, and by others, we mean your pets. Multiple Redditors said that their happy purchases were for their animals: a bully stick, a dog toy, cheap treats, etc.

Related: 7 Ways to Simplify Your Life, According to Hardworking Redditors

“Be it an indoor one or something for my garden, a small plant is a huge mood boost for me,” one commenter shares. And if you shop at Trader Joe’s, you can find a healthy-looking monstera for cheap.

Related: The Definitive List of Things You Never Need to Buy

Pair your fancy gel pen with a small, high-quality notebook. They’ll make writing to-do lists and notes a lot more fun. “There is something about pens and paper that is so satisfying,” a Redditor writes.

One Redditor who wakes up early for work — we’re talking 3 a.m. — needs something to roll out of bed for, so they “splurge” on quality coffee and creamer. And if you like your coffee sweet, another commenter suggests adding a pump or two of salted caramel Torani syrup. 

Only a dollar or two to spare? If you’re willing to brave the crowds, enjoy a $1.50 hot dog combo from Costco (the price hasn’t changed in decades!). Pair it with a churro for the full experience.

Sure, good perfume is expensive — like, hundreds of dollars for a small vial expensive. But you can always buy a teeny-tiny travel-size or tester bottle and save your favorite scent for special occasions.

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