Things that are worth it

Dental problems hurt and can be expensive. Most issues can be solved by brushing and flossing daily and seeing a dentist every year or so.

Similar to 1, but having straight teeth makes you feel less self conscious. Yes, it can be expensive. Think it's worth it.

Friends/family that encourage you to do well and lift you up when you are struggling.

I can be a bit of a grinch when it comes to holidays, they can be fun if you embrace them. Trying to do better here.

Almost everything tastes better at home. Maybe I can't beat a super high end place, but you're mostly paying for great service there. I love at home that my food is eaten right after it is cooked. I can't stand when I pay for good food and it's lukewarm.

I hate cars. Such a waste of money. Still, having a reliable mechanic makes the process way better.

Can be anything. Humans love to achieve and improve. We love to try and overcome roadblocks. Having a few hobbies is great for anyone. I like having a physically active one and a passive one. Make sure to quit them if you don't like them anymore. Life is short.

Living where you work. Having a gym, school, or grocery store nearby. Anything that saves you time is worth paying a bit more for.

Generally, paying for quality clothes, cars, homes, etc is worth it. They last longer. They have higher resale value. Cheap is usually cheap for a reason. And you don't need a lot of quality items. Nice pair of shoes. Jeans. You get the point.

There's a reason why every super rich person has a plane, but still wants to lecture the rest of us about climate change. Flying private is 100x better than slogging through a busy airport, being patted down like a criminal, and you still have no idea if your plane will arrive on time, or at all.