SPLURGING

In today's tumultuous economy, most people have little option but to scrimp and save for rainy days. This is certainly a way to reach goals; but at the same time, denying yourself also increases the risk of frugal fatigue. To avoid frugal fatigue, you should splurge to pamper yourself at times.

First of all, splurging at times makes you a happier person. In a research done on college students, those who had indulged themselves during semester breaks felt less guilty about their choices, whereas those who had been dutiful experienced a growing sense of having missed out on the pleasures of life. Therefore, it is important to grab the opportunity to reward yourself for all the hard work you have put in.

Next, splurging at times makes you a healthier person. While it is good to be frugal, sometimes it is smarter to splurge, especially when it comes to the foods in your pantry. In fact, spending just a little more on your grocery bill could reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases. The foods are no doubt more expensive but worth the splurging.

Lastly, splurging at times curbs your urge. Pampering yourself with some indulgences at times can actually limit your desire to overspend your money. Limiting yourself all the time leads to frugal fatigue. The more you try to control it, the more it controls you. Therefore, learn to pamper and not to restrict yourself.

Healthy splurging is all about knowing what is the most important to you and your happiness and making smart decisions based not only on your long-term goals, but on your day to day wellbeing and overriding values. Do not be afraid to spend money when the time is right. Pampering yourself a little today can pay off big tomorrow because splurging is the key to life!

VOCABULARY

Match the words to the meanings.

1. tumultuous a) dominant

2. indulged b) thrifty

3. frugal c) stormy

4. curb d) pampered

5. overriding e) control

Paragraph 1

Answer the comprehension questions.

1. What do most people do in today's economy?

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2. What will happen if you deny yourself?

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3. How can you avoid frugal fatigue?

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Paragraph 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.

First of all, __________ at times makes you a happier person. In a research done on __________ students, those who had __________ themselves during semester breaks felt less __________ about their choices, whereas those who had been __________ experienced a growing sense of having missed out on the __________ of life. Therefore, it is important to grab the __________ to reward yourself for all the hard work you have put in.

WORD GRAB

indulged

college

splurging

dutiful

pleasures

guilty

opportunity

Paragraph 3

Rearrange the phrases to form correct sentences.

1. splurging at times/a healthier person/Next,/makes you

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2. While it is good/especially when/sometimes it is smarter/ to splurge,/to be frugal,/to the foods in your pantry/it comes

____________________________________________________________________

3. could reduce your risk/spending just a little more/In fact,/of life-threatening diseases/on your grocery bill

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4. but worth the splurging/no doubt/The foods are/more expensive

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Paragraph 4

Fill in the blanks with the correct verbs.

Lastly, splurging at times __________ your urge. Pampering yourself with some indulgences at times can actually __________ your desire to __________ your money. Limiting yourself all the time leads to frugal fatigue. The more you try to __________ it, the more it controls you. Therefore, learn to __________ and not to __________ yourself.

Paragraph 5

List three benefits of healthy splurging.

1.______________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________

3.______________________________________________________________