The term "retail therapy" is a bit of a misnomer. Sure, buying yourself something expensive can improve your mood, but the boost is often temporary. In fact, you usually end up feeling worse later on （like when your credit card bill arrives）.

    Fortunately, there are ways to spend your money - even if you don't have much of it - that will bring you true long-term happiness. Over the past 25 years, behavioral economists and psychologists have been examining the connection between money and mood, and they've made some intriguing discoveries. Using their research, Women's Health identified five simple ways to reallocate your budget so that you feel more bliss.

    Spend money on a vacation instead of spa treatments

    In need of some serious R&R? A mani-pedi or massage might seem like the perfect way to pamper yourself. After all, compared to a trip, these things go for chump change. But experts say putting some distance between you and your daily surroundings is a much better way to de-stress and is worth the expenditure. In a study published in the journal Occupational Medicine, researchers found that vacations not only had a positive effect on short-term happiness but also a beneficial impact on people's long-term mental and physical well-being.

    More good news: "It's not just the vacation itself that'll make you happier, but the potential perspective you'll gain on your getaway, which can lead you to a happier life," says Alan Lysaght, a financial psychology expert and coauthor of The ABCs of Making Money. "Breaking free from your usual routine gives you a chance to take stock of your life and figure out the kinds of changes you need to make to be happier." Can't swing a far-flung trip right now? Even a weekend spent at a local B&B can work wonders.

    Spend money on makeup instead of clothes

    It's as simple as this: When you look good, you feel good. But that mood booster doesn't have to be a big-ticket item.

    According to a study conducted by BuzzBack Market Research, beauty products - even the drugstore kind - are a more satisfying purchase than a chic new addition to your wardrobe. As crazy as it sounds, studies have found that during economic downturns, lipstick sales actually spike. （Economists call it the Lipstick Effect.）

    One possible reason: There's something satisfying about adding a little bit of luxury to your life - and even if you're strapped for cash, you can usually fit a lip gloss into your budget. "And unlike a dress you wear every once in a while, that tube of lipstick will provide a daily pick-me-up," Lysaght says.

    Spend money on your bedroom instead of your living room

    Generally, when people splurge on a home upgrade, they focus their expenditure on a room that guests spend time in - for example, they'll buy a sofa for the living room or granite countertops for the kitchen. But those might not be the best places to invest your home happiness dollars.liuxuepaper.com