Investment vs. Impulse: Where to Spend Your Money (and Where to Save Your Sanity)
- Jennifer DeWitt
- Jul 23, 2025
- 5 min read
Let’s be honest - we’ve all made some questionable purchasing decisions in our lives. There was the $200 “revolutionary” hair tool that was supposed to change my life that now lives in my junk drawer next to expired coupons and mystery cables. Then there’s my trusty navy blazer that I bought five years ago and still reach for weekly, making it roughly $2 per wear at this point.
The difference? One was an impulse buy that promised to change my life, and the other was an investment piece that actually did.
After years of advising my interior design clients on where to splurge versus save (and learning from my own retail therapy mistakes), I’ve developed a pretty solid framework for smart spending across design, fashion, and beauty. Whether you’re furnishing a room or getting dressed in the morning, the same principles apply.
The Investment Pieces: Your Ride-or-Dies
These are the items that work harder than a personal assistant during fashion week. They’re the foundation that everything else builds on, and they earn their keep through quality, versatility, and longevity.
In Your Home
Splurge on: A quality sofa, comfortable seating, a classic dining table, well-made window treatments, and statement light fixtures. These are the things you interact with daily and that set the tone for everything else. Below are examples of the lines we believe in when working with clients. The quality is top tier, and they are made to last, rather than be replaced every few years.
Why it matters: That cheap sofa might look cute in the showroom, but after six months of actual living, it’ll be sagging like your motivation on the Monday morning after a busy weekend. A well-made piece will maintain its shape, comfort, and style for years.
In Your Closet
Splurge on: A perfectly fitted blazer, quality denim, a classic trench coat, well-made shoes (especially ones you’ll wear regularly), and a versatile handbag in a neutral color. Take a look at the essentials I’ve curated below for some shopping inspiration!
The math: If you buy a $300 pair of jeans that you wear twice a week for three years, that’s roughly $1 per wear. Compare that to four pairs of $75 jeans that lose their shape after six months each - suddenly that investment doesn’t seem so steep.
In Your Beauty Arsenal
Splurge on: A foundation that matches your skin perfectly (I swear by Estee Lauder Double Wear), a high-quality concealer, professional-grade brushes, and skincare products with proven ingredients (hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, SPF). I’ve rounded up my favorite high-end products for you below - and yes, these are actually in my personal beauty arsenal.
Pro tip: Cheap makeup brushes are like using a paint roller for detail work - technically functional, won’t yield the highest level of finish. Good brushes apply products better and last longer, making your entire routine more effective.
The Impulse Zone: Where Budget-Friendly Shines
This is where you can have fun, experiment, and follow trends without the commitment of a mortgage payment. These pieces add personality and keep things fresh without breaking the bank.
In Your Home
Save on: Trendy throw pillows, seasonal decor, artwork (hello, affordable prints!), plants and planters, and anything in a color that might feel dated in two years. These items bring an instant gratification effect, but can also be rotated out as your mood changes.
Smart strategy: Use budget-friendly accessories to test out bold colors or patterns before committing to them in bigger, pricier pieces. Love that emerald green? Try it in pillows before buying a pair of fully upholstered chairs in it!
In Your Closet
Save on: Trendy pieces, statement jewelry, seasonal items, workout clothes (unless you’re training for the Olympics), and anything in a color that makes you question your life choices under different lighting. I’ve included some of my best splurges below - I am not above an Amazon purchase when it comes to something that I know will be on the “out” list next year! If you’re asking yourself “does she really own these things from Amazon?” the answer is a resounding “YES!”
The truth: That neon yellow blazer might seem revolutionary at 2 PM on a Tuesday, but by Thursday you’ll wonder what possessed you. Trends come and go faster than my attention span during a work meeting - no need to invest heavily in them.
In Your Beauty Arsenal
Save on: Trendy makeup colors, nail polish, face masks, lip glosses, and makeup removers. Basic doesn’t mean boring - it means smart. Years ago, I was at the dermatologist for a red rash that was all over my cheeks. She asked if I was using a very high retinol content face cream (I was), and she told me to stop immediately because it had activated rosacea (which I didn’t even know I had!). I switched to the CeraVe products here, and my skin cleared up immediately. There is something to be said for good, accessible products that just work. The packaging isn’t luxurious, but when it works this well, I can look past the usage experience!
Pro tip: Drugstore makeup has seriously stepped up its game. Some of my favorite lip colors and mascaras cost less than my morning coffee! Save the splurging for products need to perform heavy lifting, or are part of your luxury self-care routine.
The Gray Area: When to Pause and Think
Some purchases don’t fit neatly into either category, and that’s where the magic question comes in: “How often will I actually use this, and for how long?”
That $150 statement lamp? If it’s going in your living room where you’ll see it daily for years, potentially worth it. If it’s for that corner you rarely notice, maybe not.
Those $200 designer sneakers? If you’re a sneaker person who wears them constantly, go for it. If you’re trying to convince yourself you’ll suddenly become a sneaker person, pump the brakes.
That $80 eyeshadow palette with 47 shades? Be honest - you’ll use maybe six of them regularly. Unless you’re a makeup artist or genuinely love experimenting with color daily, a smaller, cheaper palette might serve you better.
The Bottom Line
I’ve learned that the most satisfying purchases are the ones that make my daily life easier, more beautiful, or more functional. The regrettable ones are usually the result of emotional shopping, FOMO, or the dangerous combination of boredom and late-night Instagram scrolling.
From your interiors to your wardrobe, your investment pieces should feel like that friend who always has their life together - reliable, versatile, and making everything around them look better. Your impulse buys should be the fun friend who shows up with interesting stories and maybe doesn’t stick around forever, but adds some excitement to the mix.
Smart spending is about being intentional. It’s recognizing that your money is a finite resource that deserves to be used thoughtfully.
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