I love food, furniture and far flung places in order of expense, so either a three digit meal, a piece of teak, or a plane ticket!

Buy a new outfit! Immediate gratification is a must!

Do you have a couple of friends you could invite to go out with you for a nice meal to celebrate? Your treat. Tell them you will be very busy getting the project started and might not be able to get together as often.

Or yes, furniture.

Jewelry, because it would last the longest and remind me of my triumph every time I wore it. Congratulations!

A vacation was my first thought too-- but I can't take more than a long weekend right now. That doesn't feel "real" enough.

My typical splurges are a day at the chanel counter (buying whatever I want).. a spa day or jewelry. I am not especially excited about any of them though. (I might be in a rut)

I actually tried to buy a new outfit for the big meeting today-- but I just didn't find anything that wow'd me.

Maybe a long weekend on a teak steamer chair .. with good (healthy) food.

My last BIG splurge was jewelry... for a promotion to lead a division that was shut down by our parent company less than a year later. Superstition is holding me back from another similar splurge.

Outside.. I LOVE that idea.. I still want a splurge for me but I think I will plan a dinner for friends as well (and you are right-- I won't likely have time for them for the next few months!)

Congrats on the project!

We like to splurge on going to restaurants with really fancy and expensive tasting menus where you get like a 10-course meal.

Tickets to a play or show or concert could be another option.

Congratulations! What about some spa treats - massage, facial, mani, pedi, etc. Maybe a long weekend at a hotel/spa complete with luxury linens and healthy meals via room service. And perhaps a little champagne and chocolate!

Edit: Okay, I just saw that a spa day isn't calling to you so maybe I'm projecting what I want and need. I also have a little handbag thing so I might go out and buy myself a beautiful new bag. Keep us posted on how you choose to mark this accomplishment!

My splurges have been: nice investment handbag (Gucci, Ferragamo, Yves St. Laurent), shoes, and my most fave was 10 personal training sessions (we got an appliance rebate and DH said do what you want and that's what I did). When we were DINKs, I had a personal trainer and I loved it. Twice a week for over 4 years. Once I had children, $ and time had to go elsewhere. I long for a trainer again. One day! I hope you enjoy whatever you choose!

I can't really explain why nothing is sparking me right now-- I do know that I am tired and worn down. Maybe after a good night's sleep something will sound perfect!

And thank you for the congratulations! I had a good group to work with-- that makes all the difference!

I've been in sales 25+ years. I love wins, but don't "celebrate" them any more. I hoard money instead.

If you're tired and feeling run down, maybe a truly relaxing long weekend at a place like Kripalu (or whatever similar place that's within reach) would hit the spot. All meals included so you don't have to think about that, yoga, meditation, a massage, and a really good book. I went to Kripalu with friends last year and it felt like a really good "re-set". I plan to go again this fall, alone, as a birthday gift to myself.

PS congrats!

Hmm ... I was going to suggest buying a piece of art to commemorate the occasion- but with mdln's reminder- maybe if you plan a dinner with friends, it could be a dinner with a chef leading the group and everyone cooking something special together? New experiences have more impact.

And congratulations on a job well done under difficult circumstances!

Were you expecting to get the green light for the project or were you shocked. I'm just wondering if that's why you're not sure about buying something for yourself. Maybe set a date for 6 months from the start of the project and get yourself something then.

Thanks all.. I really just wanted to see how you all splurge and reward yourselves! I'll go ahead and answer the questions though ...

Yeah, I had a good idea the project would get a green light-- the need is great. What was less clear is whether our approach would be accepted, at our price and with my team. I know I did a great job on the plan and the presentation package-- but I am a relative unknown with this organization. While I've been there over a year, I wasn't working at this level and in this circle previously.

Its definitely getting me back on track with my career (after a merger, a layoff, a callback and another layoff.. then accepting a much lower position with a different company). It's not monumental-- but it's important and symbolic to me. It's also important to my company (I am an IT consultant).

I'd love a vacation-- in fact, the person who encouraged me to splurge was excited when I said maybe I'd book a vacation. As he said, "you rarely talk about a vacation.. you always put work first." and that is true. To a fault. But the reality is that the project starts in less than a month -- and that was a key point in the strategy. This isn't the time to kick back and relax.

I've been working long hours and have just been run down generally (Not because of this project pitch--the presentation package was completed a number of weeks ago.) It's just a very busy time at work.

I AM taking the weekend off.. I AM going to hire someone to do some of the outside work I haven't been getting to. I DID order new sheets for good sleep. Maybe that's enough for now.

Thanks again!

Congratulations!

Congrats! I would also maybe consider a piece of jewelry or maybe even a short trip, a weekend getaway. I like the idea of a dinner with friends. Or maybe a threatre show or concert with a VIP package?

DH and I just booked a weekend getaway. It seemed like a crazy thing to do, but we are doing it. MIL's available to check in on the cats.

Congratulations on your big win at work.

Perhaps it feels anti-climactic because the end of one phase has arrived and hte beginning of the next has not yet commenced. I dont think you need to do anything spendy or frivolous, you just need to mark the event and close the chapter. And recognize that you WON. You are the hero of the story. YAY! Take your bow.

I think you should journal the battle and the victory. This always helps me process my emotions and give myself the kudos I deserve. How about also going to a florist's shop and picking out a very delightful arrangement(take a photo and keep with journal entry). If you want more, put the flowers on a table in your home and invite a few friends in for wine and apps.

Congratulations! I was also going to suggest a very nice floral arrangement. I love to treat myself this way.

Do you have help at home? Maybe if you are already feeling tired, and expect to be even busier going forward, hiring someone reliable to do weekly cleaning, yardwork or projects that you may normally do yourself could be just the ticket!

Go for a massage, facial, mani and pedi, then buy a bottle of your favorite wine and go home and chill outside.

Funkyart - Congratulations on the big win! I never think in terms of big splurges for myself. A splurge for me is buying a couple of bunches of fresh flowers (daffodils are my favourite) that are on sale.

Congrats Funky girl!! I'm another who is not one to reward or splurge on myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against that by any means. I think it may be as suggested, you get to the point where you don't need/want anything. My hubby does things for me quite often and if I want something, I generally buy it. We don't have children, we don't have debt, so we are at that point in life. I'm not a spa person - at all. I would go out and celebrate with a special someone or friends. Or - and it sounds like you need one - a vacation. I know you said you can't do much more than a long weekend right now, but could you plan for one in the (hopefully near) future?

Nothing to suggest that hasn't been mentioned, just wanted to say congrats!

Congrats Funky - you definitely deserve to reward yourself.

Personally I'd look for a special piece of jewelry to commemorate the event, it need not be wildly expensive, maybe a vintage piece or something made just for you. And when you wear it, the jewelry will serve as a beautiful reminder of all the hard work you put into the project.

And definitely treat yourself to at least one special day of relaxing - either a local day spa or a good bottle of wine and a quiet day all to yourself, reading, watching a favorite movie or binge watching some silly series on TV.

How about combining pampering with a weekend away - you could book a short stay at The Lodge at Woodloch or Nemacolin Woodlands. Maybe invite a friend or family member to enjoy it with you.

A frivolous treat for myself would be a quick trip to Palm Beach to visit my best friend of 34 years who moved to Florida 6 months ago when her DH retired. We've been through just about everything together - from carpooling our kids, to consoling each other when a parent died, to fretting about our kids during their teen years, to long lunches at our favorite Italian restaurant, to our annual mammograms in Philly where we always treated ourselves to an elegant lunch, and sending our kids off to college.

I hope you think of something special!

Maire

Maybe a nice piece of money into your savings would feel better since you've had some job insecurity in the past. That would feel better to me than a splurge - would give me a feeling of security.

It's really interesting to see how others splurge-- or not. I am a big believer in splurges-- they don't need to be large or extravagant but they need to be a treat.. something that delights. But the reality is, that's not what I am needing right now. Just taking the time to shop-- even for something special-- feels like a burden.

Yesterday, I spent the day with a friend sitting on her back patio, along the water. It wasn't anything special.. but it was away from the house: the computer, the laundry, the floors that need to be cleaned. It was perfect. A much needed mental break from the pressure I've had over the last few months.

I think this is going to be the key for a bit. I need to seek out those peaceful moments.. or make them happen. Key to that will be following bpahome and indigorose's suggestions to hire people to help me out-- yardwork, housework, small projects. I LOVED having a housekeeper-- even just twice a month. It's a good time to bring that back.

I do need to think about a vacation also but I wouldn't be able to leave now and relax. I can think about it now-- and consider destinations-- but don't even feel comfortable booking something just yet.

As for saving, etc. That's a given. I do have a salary increase in the works (unrelated to this project) .. but that's not what I am celebrating. I suspect a bonus will come as the result of this project-- if that's the case, then I'll use a portion of that to fuel the relaxation/eventual vacation fund.

Thanks for the ideas, the kind words and the congratulations. It was the first opportunity for me to do this kind of work for my current employer-- I am thankful they trusted me to take the lead and show them what I could do.

Something thrillingly exciting like a helicopter ride, skydiving, ballooning, or a little safer like zip lining is what I would do.

Congratulations! IIRC you have a lot of eye issues. Is there a therapy or procedure that has been prohibitively expensive that you haven't tried?

When I suggested I hoard money vs spending it when I close a big deal, the reward is more of a sign of my successful deal. Having a extra stash of money and living below my means is the ultimate result of success. Most of us didn't always have that luxury. And it was something that took me many years of hard work to accomplish.

Hiring out help (we have weekly housekeeping and gardening) is a fact of the sacrifice we make for our successes. I am thankful, but I view this help as a necessity so that it would non-negotiable until we retire or pull way back on our careers.

Listening to you express the effort that this is going to require, scheduled down time is your best reward. If it's a day if napping or a day of wine and conversation, the choice is yours and not to be judged. And the ability to do so is both a reward and a requirement.

d_gw, you remember correctly.. but anything I need for my eyes is a necessity. I am actually starting the process to move to the progressive lenses that weren't recommended in the beginning. If this doesn't work, I've committed to surgery in early 2018. Totally independent of a splurge or relaxation.

1929Spanish, I totally understand where you are coming from-- but a housekeeper isn't something I would call a necessity. I think the shift to seeing it as a non-negotiable (at least in my circumstances) IS a splurge. That said, I don't travel like you do.

I tend to need a lot of downtime. I am an introvert but must be "on" and interacting at work. I think planning that downtime and making it a priority is going to become the biggest reward. I don't always make the time for myself-- so I get to the hit the wall and can't talk to one.more.person! I end up locking myself in for a weekend. It's effective but letting it go to the point of no return isn't the most enjoyable way to get downtime. Sitting on the water yesterday was every bit as great as a spa day ... and it cost me a bottle of wine :)

Seems like you've solved your dilemma.

I am wondering why you felt you must celebrate, despite not feeling it?

Congratulations, certainly, on the accomplishment, but if you don't have the desire to celebrate, why go against those feelings?

As you said, you can do something later on. There's no time limit, right?

Oh, I totally want to celebrate-- I must not have been clear. It is just that my normal splurges just weren't grabbing me. I didn't see this as a dilemma. That goes into the "creating drama" basket. I just didn't have any ideas.. and wanted to see how others approached a celebratory splurge-- out of curiosity but also looking for ideas.

I didn't realize you were committed to celebrating, so here's a few ideas:

get your car detailed

get a reservation at a hot new restaurant

have a small and decedent wine and cheese gathering and/or a special fancy bakery cake

take some private Pilates/yoga/training sessions

make a special picnic

spend a Saturday night in a really nice nearby hotel and indulge in room and poolside service

take a private tour of [fill in the blank]

Order a monthly wine/flower/lobster ;) club

For me it depends on the magnitude of the event. Sometimes I treat myself to a decadent kind of food, plus wine, and just sit on my porch and try not to think about everything else I should be doing. For a recent milestone birthday I plan to order new cushions for the porch furniture (Lloyd Flanders).

Mostly a great meal out out with friends and a toast does it for me. Spending a lot of money doesn't do it for me as much as sharing the occasion with others.

I totally get it. Water is so soothing to me. It calms me, it refreshes me. Many times taking the boat out my husband will pull into a little cove - quiet and alone. We might picnic, he might fish and I'll read or just relax. Same feeling sitting looking at the ocean. Calm and peaceful.

I worked extra hard last year (I work very part time) and had extra money to burn. I decided I wanted to buy myself something special. Now, if I had no money and no justification, you know I would have stumbled upon The Perfect Thing. But if course I never found anything. Thanks for the reminder, though, because I still owe myself that gift!

I've been following this thread, which is just so darn interesting. I do hope that you come up with something very special for yourself eventually . . . but soon, though.

My first semi-big splurge like that was to buy this gorgeous, statement piece turquoise and silver wrist cuff. I still adore it, and wear it often . . . but it's turquoise and I live in New Mexico where we tend to wear it a lot anyway.

Just recently, after 6 months of one big stressor after another, DH and I saw a "light at the end of the stress tunnel" and took a much needed vacation away to an all-inclusive , adults-only resort in Cancun. It was exactly what we needed: major rest and relaxation; no screaming kids; every meal. . . and snack . . . and drink taken care of; no laundry; no cell phone calls from patients or staff. A few years ago, we did the same thing, but at the Breakers in Palm Beach. A total Ahhhhh trip and so, so needed and appreciated! And so, I totally agree with Mdln's post to "Buy experiences, not things".

I'll come up with something-- for now, I am content to spend what I need to keep things sane and happy.

Sue, can't wait to see what you choose!

Pssst...Artful Home (online) is a fun place to browse jewelry...