7 things every woman deserves to buy for herself at least once

There’s a lot of noise out there about what women should spend their money on. We’re told to be practical, to save for the future, to avoid “wasting” money on ourselves.

And while financial responsibility is important, so is giving yourself permission to splurge on things that bring joy, confidence, and a sense of ownership over your life.

Because here’s the truth: buying something for yourself — not because you need it, not because it’s on sale, not because someone else thinks you should have it, but simply because you want it — can be one of the most liberating experiences you’ll ever have.

Here are seven things every woman deserves to buy for herself at least once.

1. A truly luxurious outfit that makes you feel unstoppable

We all have clothes that “get the job done.” The office basics, the comfy sweats, the jeans we’ve had forever.

But every woman deserves at least one outfit that makes her feel like she owns the room.

I remember splurging once on a fitted blazer that cost more than I’d ever imagined spending on a single piece of clothing.

For days, I wrestled with buyer’s remorse. But the first time I wore it to a presentation, I stood straighter, spoke with more authority, and felt like I had finally grown into myself. That blazer absolutely paid for itself in confidence.

The point I want to make is that sometimes you have to consider how a purchase makes you feel. Because when you wear something that makes you feel unstoppable, that confidence lingers long after you’ve taken it off.

2. Jewelry that she chooses, not receives

Jewelry is often given to women as gifts — engagement rings, anniversary necklaces, family heirlooms. And those pieces are beautiful in their own right.

But as a woman, I think there’s something powerful about buying yourself a piece of jewelry just because you want it.

One of my friends bought herself a diamond ring after leaving a job that had drained her for years. She called it her "freedom ring." Every time she looked at it, she remembered that she could walk away from what didn’t serve her and still shine.

Every woman deserves that kind of reminder — that her worth isn’t dependent on who gifts her jewelry, but on her ability to choose it for herself.

3. A solo trip — even if it’s just a weekend away

This one might feel intimidating, but it’s life-changing.

Traveling alone, even for a short getaway, gives you a chance to meet yourself in a different setting. You make the rules, set the pace, and follow your own whims without compromise.

I still remember the first time I booked a weekend trip by myself. My friends thought it sounded lonely, and I admit feeling scared of that myself at first.

But I quickly found it was anything but lonely. Waking up when I wanted, exploring without anyone else’s agenda, even eating dinner alone at a restaurant — it all gave me a sense of independence I’d never felt before.

Splurging on a solo trip is a huge declaration that your company alone is enough. And that, yes, you're perfectly capable of handling all the possible chaotic scenarios that come with traveling.

4. A high-quality handbag that lasts for years

Let's be real, every woman has more than one handbag in her closet. But are they high quality?

There’s a big difference between the cheap purses that fall apart after a season and a well-crafted bag that becomes a part of your life. Every woman deserves to buy herself at least one handbag that feels like an investment.

Not because of the brand name, but because of what it represents: durability, self-care, and choosing quality over “making do.” A bag you’ve chosen for yourself and will carry for years is like a quiet symbol of your own worth.

When I bought my first “grown-up” handbag, it wasn’t about status at all (it wasn't even made by a famous designer). But it definitely was crafted exceptionally well. I didn't have to worry it would fray, peel, or buckle after six months.

Every time I sling it over my shoulder, I’m reminded that I don’t have to accept less than what lasts.

5. A piece of art that speaks to her soul

Art isn’t something most people consider buying for themselves. Probably because it has a reputation for being exclusive — the kind of thing reserved for collectors with deep pockets or people who know how to talk about brushstrokes and composition.

Well, I'm here to tell you it isn't. You absolutely deserve to buy yourself a piece of art that stirs something inside.

Years ago, I walked past a local artist’s booth at a street fair and saw a painting that stopped me in my tracks.

It wasn’t expensive, but I hesitated — what business did I have buying art when I had bills to pay? Still, I couldn’t forget it. So, a week later, I went back and bought it.

Now it hangs in my living room, and it's a powerful reminder that I deserve to live in beauty. In a place that speaks to who I am.

Because surrounding yourself with beauty isn’t frivolous. It’s nourishment for the soul.

6. A class or course that’s purely for pleasure

We tend to justify education when it leads to a certificate, a raise, or a promotion. But learning doesn’t always need a practical outcome.

The best purchases I've made are those classes that piqued my interest. They certainly didn't give me skills that eventually led to making money, but I'll never regret them because they satisfied my soul deeply. 

So sign up for the dance class you’ve always been curious about. Try pottery and let your hands get messy. Join that creative writing workshop you’ve been quietly eyeing for months.

Spending money on a class that has no other purpose than joy is an act of rebellion in a world that constantly tells women to be efficient, productive, and purposeful. Sometimes, joy is reason enough.

7. An experience that feels extravagant — because you deserve it

For some women, this might mean booking a spa day. For others, it’s a front-row ticket to see a favorite band, or dining at a restaurant you’ve always dreamed of trying.

For me, it was buying a ticket to see a Broadway show I’d loved since childhood. The ticket was more than I felt comfortable spending, but when the lights dimmed and the music began, I was swept into two hours of magic. I laughed, I cried, and I left feeling lighter than I had in months.

It didn’t pay a bill, it didn’t move my career forward, but it gave me a memory that still makes me smile today. And that’s the point. Extravagant experiences leave you with something far richer than the price you paid: the reminder that life is meant to be celebrated.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, buying these things has less to do with status or comparison and everything to do with honoring your own right to want, to choose, and to enjoy without guilt.

Every woman deserves to experience the joy of buying something simply because it lights her up. And once you do, you’ll realize — it’s not about the object or even the experience itself. It’s about the message you’re sending yourself: I am worth it.