21 People Share The Expensive Purchases They Say Were Worth Every Penny

Some purchases make you wince at checkout—and then quietly thank yourself for years afterward.

This collection is all about those big-ticket items that turned out to be totally worth it.

Shoppers on Reddit are sharing the things they splurged on—whether out of necessity, curiosity, or just a well-timed “treat yourself”—that actually made a difference in their lives.

We’re talking $700 blenders, hotel rooms that save your sanity, and yes, even the humble robot vacuum.

Some choices were practical, some emotional, and some were about comfort in ways you don’t really appreciate until you’ve got the good version.

If you’ve ever hesitated over a price tag and wondered if it would really be worth it, these stories might just help you justify the next one.

1.

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

“A high-end mattress. Like, borderline, Do I need to finance this? expensive. I used to think any mattress would do, but once I got one that actually supported my back and kept me cool at night, it was life-changing. I sleep like a pampered cat now and have no regrets.”

2.

Photo by Robinson Greig on Unsplash

“Professional movers. It’s the greatest luxury item I’ve ever spent money on.”

3.

“A tankless water heater. Unlimited hot water is a game-changer.”

4.

“Getting a hotel right next to the airport for the night before a flight home, especially if it’s a relatively long flight. I did this before a nine-hour flight where I literally checked out of the hotel and walked less than a minute through a tunnel that led me directly to the airport. Eliminating the hassle of getting transportation to the airport is a luxury I will always try to budget for.”

5.

Photo by Jake Weirick on Unsplash

“I have a $700 blender. It is incredible. I can make peanut butter, smoothies, and even soups and sauces. It’s a Vitamix, and it’s worth every cent.”

6.

“Hearing aids. My mom refused to use them, and once we finally got her to, she hated them and hardly ever wore them. My sister and I took her to a private appointment and got her new ones that, while expensive, have completely changed her life. She went from not taking part in conversations or going out to being the life of the party. If and when I need hearing aids, I will definitely be getting them.”

7.

“As a woman: decent bras. The outlay is painful up front, but the whole point is that nothing afterward is. There’s no digging in, no weird cup spills, no loosening throughout the day, no exposed wires, and no torn hooks after a couple of washes. Buy a good bra. You deserve it, your ‘girls’ deserve it, and your back deserves it.”

8.

“A monthly cleaning service! It’s the best non-required use of my money to date.”

9.

“A smart toilet with a built-in bidet, blow dryer, and seat warmer. It’s incredible.”

10.

Photo by Maria Avdeeva on Unsplash

“We spent about $900 for an at-home euthanasia for our cat. We didn’t want him to be stressed out and scared in his last moments. It was 1,000% worth it. This was after spending about $9K trying to save his life. Kidney disease and cancer can just fuck right off.”

11.

“I paid $80 for three pairs of socks because I didn’t look at the price. I just comfortably assumed I could happily afford them. That was about six years ago, and I’ve just had to get rid of the first pair. They’re big, thick, wool socks that I wear with my work boots, and they’re worth every penny.”

12.

“I got laser eye surgery almost 20 years ago, and it’s definitely the best money I’ve ever spent on myself!”

13.

“Definitely my e-bike. I never thought I’d spend nearly $3K on a bike, but it’s the best investment I’ve made in a city with horrendous public transit.”

14.

“Good shoes and coats for my children. I’ve made myself a promise that no matter how old they are, anytime they want good shoes and a coat, I’ll buy it for them, no questions asked.”

15.

Photo by paje victoria on Unsplash

“A hot tub. If you have pain, it’s the best!”

16.

“A laser printer. No more needing to buy ink cartridges.”

17.

“As a parent, a minivan. The space difference between a minivan and an SUV is real. Any stroller fits, groceries always fit, there’s enough space for car seats, enough space for an adult to sit comfortably between the car seats, and sliding doors mean I don’t need to worry about the kids hitting other cars. Also, being able to fold the third row into the floor means I always have seating or storage space when needed.”

18.

“A robot vacuum.”

19.

“A good quality set of stainless steel pots and pans. They make a WORLD of difference in cook quality, and they’ve been the best investment I’ve ever made. I make it a point to take care of them so I know I’ll have them for the next 10–20 years.”

20.

Photo by Leilani Angel on Unsplash

“Handmade custom furniture.”

21.

“An expensive pillow. Get one that’s more firm and will support your neck and head better than the cheapest one you can find. Waking up without a stiff neck or slight pain is SO much better than feeling uncomfortable first thing in the morning.”

Read more: 30 Frugal Habits People Gave Up Because It’s Not Worth The Hassle