What were indulgences? why do you think they became so popular?

Indulgences are anything that a person does that isn't necessary to survive. For instance living in a mansion, eating sweets such as chocolate and ice cream or playing video games are indulgences. As the world pulled away from mainly a subsistence style economy we began to have more time and money at our disposal which lead to spending on feel good items that aren't needed but wanted by the buyer.