Satisfy Your Urge to Splurge!

The semester is almost over, summer’s just around the corner, and tax refunds are arriving in the mail. Who needs more reason to shop? Now is the perfect time to treat yourself to something big!

If you’re going to splurge, make sure your purchase is worth the money. Avoid buying unnecessary items on impulse. Instead, find classic, quality pieces that you can work into your wardrobe.

Here are some splurge-worthy buys:

• Handbags: Durable materials and quality craftsmanship can tack a few extra zeros to a handbag’s price tag, but the right bag can become a lifetime investment. Simple, timeless handbags will always be in style, like the Kate Spade classic nylon "Sam" bag. Avoid trendy purses or limited edition styles. While these bags can become great vintage pieces in the future, you probably won’t be able to wear them throughout the years. How often do you see those Coach scribble print bags that were so popular a few years ago? I rest my case.
  
• Swimwear: It’s important that your bathing suit flatters your body, and the perfect fit often isn’t cheap. Within the last decade, retailers have begun selling swimwear tops and bottoms separately, making it easier to subtly increase the price of a two-piece. Today, a good bathing suit could easily cost a hundred dollars or more, but isn’t a killer beach body worth the extra bucks?
  
• Eyewear: If you wear prescription glasses, don’t skimp on the frames. Instead, use them to enhance your style! If you already have a pair of wire-framed glasses, get a pair with plastic frames. If you have glasses with black frames, get a pair in brown. Depending on the brand and quality of the frame, designer eyewear can cost a few hundred dollars, but don’t freak. Lots of insurance companies provide discounts on eyewear and will sometimes even cover the entire price.
  
• Jewelry: Nothing makes a girl feel more glamorous than an expensive piece of jewelry. Choose something elegant and timeless, like a watch or a pair of diamond earrings. Less is more when it comes to everyday accessories, so don’t buy something gaudy if you plan to wear it frequently.

Here are some great places to splurge, all located an hour or less from the TCNJ campus:

• The Mall at Shorthills: If you’re looking to spend big on designer names, make Shorthills Mall your next shopping destination. You’re bound to find stuff worth splurging on in Cartier, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, or any of the five department stores in the mall. There’s even a Saks Fifth Avenue!
  
• The King of Prussia Mall: This Pennsylvania mall is like a dream come true for shopaholics. It’s about an hour from campus, but it’s totally worth the drive. With more than 400 stores, restaurants, and boutiques, it’s easy to spend a whole day shopping here. The exclusive shops, designer merchandise, and eight department stores make splurging inevitable at the King of Prussia Mall, so be prepared to spend, spend, spend!
  
• The Walk: This summer, skip the boardwalk and shop at The Walk, Atlantic City’s outlet shopping center. Get great deals on designer merchandise at Coach, Calvin Klein, and Kenneth Cole; or stock up on clothes for everyday at Guess, H&M, and Gap. Forty new stores are opening this summer, so save some money from the casinos!
  
• Jersey Gardens Mall: Located in Elizabeth, the Jersey Gardens Mall has over 200 oulet stores, including Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Old Navy, and Victoria’s Secret. Score discounted designer merchandise from Bebe, BCBG, and Neiman Marcus Last Call.
  
• Jackson Outlets: For an exciting shopping experience that isn’t an hour away, visit the Jackson Outlets about twenty-five minutes from campus. Make it an all-day splurge with a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure, which is just minutes away from the shopping center.

With exams approaching, why not plan your splurge as a post-semester reward? Don’t feel guilty about spending money on something worthwhile – you earned it!