There are some items around your home that are just plain necessities. Items such as your appliances, furniture, and mattresses aren’t luxury items, these are items your house needs in order to function and be comfortable for the family. But what about that other list of items – you know, the list of splurge items. Most people tend to have a wish list of items that they’d love to run out and purchase, but feel guilty doing so when they aren’t sure if they really need it.
When it comes to that wish list of splurge items for the home, which ones are truly worth the money? Let’s take a look at some of the most common items found on that list and break it down.
A Home Alarm System
Here’s an item that can appear on both the wish list and the list of necessities depending on who you talk to. A home alarm system is meant to keep the contents of your home safe, as well as you and your family from intruders. As you flip through the newest home alarm guide, it’s hard not to get swept up by all the bells and whistles today’s systems offer. So, the question is, are these systems worth it?
Well, in order to get an answer, let’s take a look at the stats. According to the FBI, in 2012 break-ins occurred in one out of every 36 homes here in the United States. That’s a rather startling number. The total property losses in 2012 amounted to $4.7 billion, or just over $2,200 per household.
Maybe you’re already aware of the stats and you’re looking for even more information. There is also the fact that most of these home alarm systems do more than just alert you of an intruder. These systems can monitor such things as carbon monoxide levels, act as a fire alarm, monitor for flooding, and even allow you to see when the kids get home from school as they check in. Thanks to all the features in smart alarm systems, you can have access to your home alarm system from anywhere in the world.
Because you can find home alarm systems in pretty much every budget point, allowing you to customize what you want and need, and because they can prevent your home from an expensive burglary or an even more serious event, this one seems like a splurge that is well worth it.
A Brand New Mattress
When shopping for a new mattress, one of the first things you will probably notice is just how much of a price variance there is. It can be pretty tempting to grab that discounted model, but is that really the best choice? In general, most mattresses are meant to last 10+ years, which means you want something that is going to hold up for that length of time. There is also the fact that you will be using this mattress on a daily basis for six+ hours per night and you count on having a restful sleep.
While it’s not necessary to go out and buy the most expensive mattress out there, it is important to find one that matches your sleep style. This may mean that the cheapest mattress out there just won’t do. The position you sleep in will help to determine the best style of mattress for you. As well, if you happen to suffer from allergies or asthma, you will want to look for mattresses made from natural latex or memory foam, which resist the build-up of allergens and dust mites.
What this means is that a mattress purchase shouldn’t be based only on the ticket price, rather it should be based on your sleep style.
The Couch or Love Seat
It can be pretty hard to justify that big ticket price on a couch when you think about the beatings it will have to endure, but here’s the thing, those beatings are one of the reasons you may want to consider splurging. Cheap and inexpensive couches tend to use less durable fabric and materials that aren’t as strong, and don’t offer as much support and cushioning.
What this means is that even though you’ll spend less initially, in the long run it may work out to cost more money since you’ll need to replace them more often. You will want to look for a couch that has high-quality construction. If you’ve got small kids and pets, you may also want to have a stain treatment added to it in order to protect the fabric.
The Refrigerator
When it comes to the most-used appliance in the kitchen, and arguably the whole house, the refrigerator is top of the list. With that said, it also takes the most abuse. Even the cheapest refrigerators aren’t cheap. It can be hard to talk yourself into spending more, but this is another example where it can be worth it.
Before you head out to the stores for a new fridge, first make a list of the must-have features. This should include the size, the style (side-by-side, bottom freezer drawer, etc.), the color/finish, whether it has a water dispenser and ice maker, how much freezer vs. fridge space you need, and any other “must-have” features. By making this list in advance, it will help you narrow down your options in the store and weed out those refrigerators that have more than you need.
As well, you will want to do a bit of research beforehand on the various brands. It’s a good idea to read what other consumers have to say, especially when it comes to repairs and maintenance.
Sometimes the Splurge is Worth It
Splurge items aren’t always worth it. In fact, more often than not we discover they are things we could have done without. However, when it comes to this list of items in the home, they all seem to be worthy of the splurge in the end.