Students at the University of Mississippi study hard and party hard — and deserve to treat themselves to a nice purchase every now and then. Ole Miss students splurge on a number of items, from beauty products to electronics, to make their college journeys enjoyable.
Skin care
As “beauty guru” makeup culture on the internet fades, non-makeup beauty products are on the rise. In fact, skin care was the fastest-growing sales category in high-end beauty stores during the first half of 2026, according to Circana.
For some students in Oxford, premium formulas that enhance the skin’s natural beauty are worth the high price tag. Alexis Wilks, a freshman sports management from Oxford, said she has splurged on self-care products that improve her health and appearance.
“I say healthcare or self-care and beauty items (are what I splurge on), because everyone likes to feel good, so it’s okay to splurge on yourself just a little bit,” Wilks said.
Many students value simple self-care items, such as beauty and hygiene products. Senior pharmaceutical sciences major Gabrielle Funches from Ridgeland, Miss. believes that this is the best way to spend your extra money.
“Personally, I always feel like it’s good to splurge my money on hygiene products,” Funches said. “I feel like you can’t go wrong buying the most expensive things to smell good, honestly.”
Laptops
Students can seldom find a course that does not require some sort of technology to access assignments and grades. Although much more expensive than a high-end perfume or lotion, computers are an option, too. Nicholas Cochran, a pharmaceutical bio molecular sciences graduate student from Slidell, La., said a computer is exactly the type of product students should not cheap out on.
“I would say something that is definitely worth the splurge is a computer, especially because (with) a crappy computer, you’re going to lose your information . . . , and it’s going to break apart easily,” Cochran said.
Portable fans
For some students, simple, day-to-day items are still worthy of a splurge. Destiny Frieson, a senior psychology major from Oxford, Miss., thinks portable electric fans are the best splurge for Mississippians.
“Living in Mississippi, … something to me that is absolutely worth the splurge is a nice fan,” Frieson said. “You want me to give you my $20 fan, and you would give me a million dollars? OK, sure, take it, because I could buy more fans.”
Walking shoes
Living in a walkable city also means you need a good pair of shoes. Whether students are walking around campus or the Square, comfortable walking shoes are essential. For senior integrated marketing communications major student Taylor Lindsey from Walls, Miss., this is especially true.
“I think a good pair of shoes (would be what I would spend money on), especially right now because of walking around campus, and I’m on campus more these days,” Lindsey said. “I’d splurge on some Brooks (shoes) right now.”
Blankets
For nights in, whether you are studying or watching a movie, maximizing the comfort of your own home (or dorm) feels worth the splurge. Eliana Saab, a freshman civil engineering student from Mobile, Ala., had stellar reviews of blankets from Cozy Earth, which range in price from $88 to $278.
“Worth the splurge has got to be the Cozy Earth blanket,” Saab said. “It is the coziest thing in the world to snuggle up with, and it keeps you pretty cool.”
Football tickets
What students choose to spend discretionary income on will always come down to individual preferences. Regardless of what your splurge is, the most important thing to consider is whether you will gain a positive experience from what you spend money on. Jordan Van Tassel, a Psychology major from Orange county, finds that especially important.
“I would definitely say football tickets,” Tassel said “The experience of the Grove and being in the Vaught and seeing a football game is a once in a lifetime thing you can only do when you’re a student here.”
