You get what you pay for, as the old adage goes, but not every upgrade is worth the extra cost. That said, here are six that are more than just a splurge. These upgrades offer a significant return on investment when it comes to decreasing stress and increasing your quality of life—whether you’re traveling the globe or kicking back at home.
On the Go: Flying First Class
It’s called first class for a reason, but is paying up to seven times the coach fare really worth it? The added expense may not make sense for short, domestic flights. But when traveling abroad, savvy travelers agree that lie-flat seats, gourmet meals, flowing champagne and VIP lounges make the journey almost as much fun as the destination. Plus, if you log miles month after month, this upgrade may be covered by loyalty points.
● Immediate gratification: Relax, de-stress and enjoy the long flight in ultra-comfortable seats. Dine on gourmet treats and be pampered with personal service.
● Long-term win: You’ll arrive rested and ready to enjoy your vacation or be more productive during your business trip.
On the Go: TSA PreCheck
Getting to your next flight is easier when you invest in TSA preapproval. Schedule an appointment with a local TSA Enrollment Center at least a month before you travel (timing varies). Then, when you book airline reservations, enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN). At larger airports, you can also zip through the line within minutes of approval through an in-airport process called CLEAR.
● Immediate gratification: Skip the long airport security lines. On average, you’ll save 20 minutes, and you won’t have to remove your shoes or unpack toiletries and electronics.
● Long-term win: For a fee of $85 for five years, with TSA PreCheck you can circumvent long airport lines and arrive at your gate without feeling stressed. CLEAR will set you back as much as $179 a year, depending on how you are billed, and it is not accepted at all airports. Those costs may well be worth the time you save, depending on how much you fly.
On the Go: Skip the Line Passes
When traveling on vacation, why not splurge for the VIP treatment? For a few extra bucks you can cruise to the head of the line at high-end theme parks, as well as at international tourist attractions, such as the Sistine Chapel, Eiffel Tower and Westminster Abbey. Prices vary for these premium tickets and may be as much as $100 or more per person. But if you hate to wait, these passes can be well worth it.
● Immediate gratification: Spend more time enjoying the sights you traveled to see!
● Long-term win: Decrease stress. Remain sane throughout your vacation, especially if traveling with children.
At Home: Hire an Interior Designer
Whether you’re remodeling your master suite or building a new home, hiring an interior designer is money well spent. A decorating pro can take the guesswork—and footwork—out of selecting paint colors, fabrics, furnishings and more.
Interior designers charge by the hour, by the project, on commission (usually 20% of the items they purchase for your home), or by the square foot. On average, Americans spend $6,500 for home design services.
● Immediate gratification: Designers keep the project on schedule and on budget. They save you time by doing the legwork for you. Plus, you can often try out furnishings in your home before you commit to the purchase.
● Long-term win: Save on costly decorating mistakes. Tapping a professional is particularly smart if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, as they can advise you on how to make the design and decor choices that will add value to your home.
At Home: Create an Outdoor Kitchen
One of the hottest trends in high-end homes is an outdoor kitchen. Complete with premium appliances, fireplaces or fire pits, big-screen TVs, luxury seating and lavish wet bars, these versatile living spaces provide new options for entertaining at home.
● Immediate gratification: Enjoy the great outdoors, along with the luxury of top-of-the-line amenities.
● Long-term win: Turning your backyard or patio into an outdoor kitchen can increase the value of your home. Experts say you can expect an ROI on an outdoor kitchen from 55% to 200%.
At Home: Increase Your Home’s IQ
Live out your sci-fi fantasy and outfit your home with the latest built-in tech. From smart thermostats and appliances to voice-activated lighting and security monitors, it’s easier than ever to let technology manage your household. Prices vary, but on average homeowners spend about $1,000 to increase their home’s IQ with a variety of components. To have a fully hardwired, state-of-the-art system installed, it can cost as much as $15,000 or more.
● Immediate gratification: Get peace of mind from monitoring your home wherever you are. Save money on utilities and conserve energy. Plus, have fun commanding lights and appliances to turn on and off at your whim, from anywhere.
● Long-term win: Installing smart-home tech can be a wise investment. Realtors say most homebuyers want smart-home tech: 77% look for smart thermostats, 75% want smart smoke detectors, 66% are swayed by smart-home security cameras, and 63% want smart locks.
The bottom line on any upgrade is whether it will benefit you in both the short and long term. Those benefits may be financial or emotional—or both—and weighing them against your “splurge” will help you decide what’s worth it for you.
Brigid Galloway is a freelance journalist who writes about personal finance and healthcare for media outlets including Marketplace and NPR.
Read next: 7 Luxury Hotels to Splurge On
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