Every few months the $200 date debate takes over social media, and while I won’t get into whether you should be spending that on a first date, it does spark a bigger question: can we really afford to keep going out with these prices?
Dinner and drinks for two easily runs $150 before tip. Concert tickets can hit $800 to $1,200 for (two) decent seats, and that’s for almost every concert nowadays, not just Beyoncé! At some point, going out stopped being spontaneous fun and started feeling like a financial decision.
But staying home doesn’t mean missing out. When you invest in the right things, your place becomes somewhere you actually want to be. We rounded up 13 purchases that get better the more you use them, from candles that smell like a boutique hotel lobby to a blender that makes restaurant-quality everything. Think of it as front-loading your entertainment budget so every night in feels worth it.
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Hotel Lobby Candle
Travel editor Lindsay Silberman spent years staying in five-star hotels, then worked with master perfumers to bottle those exact vibes. Light one and your apartment suddenly smells like a place that costs $500 a night to stay in.
Learn to cook like Chef Mashama Bailey or direct like Spike Lee for less than what you’d spend on brunch twice. Unlimited classes for a year means the cost per lesson is basically pocket change.
Infrared studios charge $50+ per session, so after about 12 uses this thing has paid for itself. Then every sweat session after that is free, no appointment needed.
Pour your liquor into this AI bartender, pick a cocktail on the app, and it mixes the drink for you. No more $20 margaritas or wondering why your Old Fashioned tastes like cough syrup when you make it yourself.
This tiny projector turns any wall into a movie screen with full HD and speakers already built in. Buy it once and movie night costs nothing forever, which is a lot better than $15 tickets plus $30 in snacks.
Full sizes of body wash, oil, and butter that make your shower feel like you’re at a spa. One professional body treatment costs more than this entire set, and this one lasts for months.
Made with the same premium insulation they use in high-end winter coats, so you get all the warmth without waking up sweating. Sleeping well is worth way more than what this costs.
This light and sound device wakes you up with gradual sunrise simulation and helps you fall asleep with calming sounds. It replaces those $30 meditation classes and sound bath sessions that add up fast when you’re trying to fix your sleep schedule.
High-performance ceramic bakeware that’s built to last. Once you start making your own desserts and treats at home instead of buying them from a bakery, you’ll realize how much money you’ve been spending on cookies and cakes.
Red light therapy that tightens and brightens your skin while you watch TV. LED facials cost $200 or more per appointment, so this pays for itself after one use and you can keep using it forever.
These massage goggles use heat and vibration to help you actually relax and sleep better. Spa appointments for stress relief run $100 or more per visit, so a few uses and this has already saved you money.
Get handpicked new releases delivered to your door each month for less than retail price. It’s a budget-friendly way to keep yourself entertained without defaulting to your phone every night.
