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In a world largely governed by consumerism, it may be hard to discern what purchases are really worth your money, and which ones are just your impulses talking.
Just pause for a moment. This year, shoppers spent a record $9.12 billion on Black Friday and another record $11.3 billion on Cyber Monday, making it the biggest online shopping day in history. This almost irresistible urge to buy things is created by smart selling strategies that largely play on our fears of missing out (who doesn’t like a good deal now and then!).
So how do we find rational ground in this buying craze? How do we measure what things we need and what we don’t, what’s worth our money and what’s not?
Well, this Ask Reddit thread may have some answers. “What brand name is actually 100% worth spending more for?” someone asked and people started sharing the splurges that, according to them, were totally worth their money.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Faber-Castell
#2
Pyrex glass cookware and food storage containers.
I've had cheaper things crack on me, lids break. But Pyrex lasts forever.
Zoe DiAnni 1 year ago
I had a pyrex shatter in the oven, 3 years later I still occasionally find little pebbles of glass!
#3
I'm a frugal bastard but I swear by Dawn dish soap.
L. Lawrence 1 year ago
Yep...for dishes, for grease spots on clothing, and for some reason it kills fleas on animals almost instantly without any harsh chemical odors or poisons. Great for kittens too young for flea dips.
“There's a certain hack to buying well-known quality brands,” Lina Survila, the founder of Abstract Stylist magazine and creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily told Bored Panda in an interview.
Lina argues that the brand name is not everything, “but if you're a consumer who usually gets bored of your old clothing, it's better to buy brands that other people love too.” In this case, Lina argues, after some time you will be able to easily sell the item.
#4
In all honesty, tupperware.
My mom has some tupperware containers that are almost as old as me and they are still in good condition. It's rare that I can find plastic containers that are even close in quality and durability.
PunnyPanda 1 year ago
Used to feel the same about Rubbermaid, but unfortunately it's not what it used to be... :(
#6
Crayola. Rose Art crayons have haunted me since I was a child! Till the day I pass.
Moreover, “That would never work with fast fashion brands because worn-out pieces are usually in no condition to sell, and people do not want thrift for fast fashion brands, which they usually can buy with big discounts anyway,” Lina explained.
In that way, Lina continued, “we help consume less and choose ethically made items that have value even after a few years of wearing.” She added that the same rule applies to anything you can think of from household brands to children’s toys, and even art.
#9
Toyota for anyone who drives their car into the ground. Maybe not so much if you lease.
However, Lina agreed that not everyone can spend a lot of money on a new jacket. “But this cycle of conscious consumerism also lets people buy second-hand good quality items for a reasonable price,” she said. “So I would suggest doing your research on quality brands and mixing your wardrobe with new and second-hand items,” Lina concluded.
#10
KitchenAid stand mixer. I’ve had mine for over 10 years now, use it at least once a week and takes a beating during Christmas time and it still works like a charm.
Tabitha Martel 1 year ago
People that have older ones, passed down from parents/grandparents etc, yours ran so nicely for so long because of the all steel motor. Almost all of the models now have some plastic which burn out more quickly. As a professional baker who operates out of a licensed home kitchen, I've killed two motors in 8 years lol. This Christmas I'm finally paying for the pro line that has an all steel motor.
#11
Q-tips.
I don't know what all the other brands and generics are doing, but I swear their cotton to stick ratio is always off. Too pokey or too soft. Can't be just me...
Stephanie Ladd 1 year ago
Ugh the off brand the stick always bends too like it's made with a cooked noodle
#12
3M Post-It Notes.
Making an adhesive strong enough to stop the notes curling up at the edge and falling off, but weak enough that you can remove and replace them at will, seems to be outside the skill set of every other company.
#13
Bra. I never had one fit me properly until I was fitted at Nordstrom and then handed a $60 bra with a size I didn't know was even made and it fit like a glove and was comfortable AND it made my boobs look good.
Edit: Thank you to dimpletown for suggesting I edit this comment to add the brand, which is Natori, they make my 30DD "over the shoulder boulder holder".
Stephanie Did It 1 year ago
Do they make double-barrel slingshots in 38GG? I'm weirdly shaped too.
#14
Philadelphia cream cheese!
Telmo Belo 1 year ago
I tried to make cheesecake (the soft cold type) at home a few times. I tried store brand cheese and Philadelphia and the taste difference was staggering
#15
Corelle ware. That s**t is damn near indestructible and bonus it’s been around for forever so you often find it super cheap at thrift shops.
GoldfishCrackers 1 year ago
Broke one the other day and couldn’t believe it. Was like some sort universe glitch.
#16
Kerrygold salted butter
Edit: lol didn't see this blowing up. Thanks for the upvotes and awards!
#17
Yeti. Friend’s brother is a firefighter and was called to put out a car fire. After it was extinguished, they found a Yeti with ice water still in it in the cup holder.
#19
Bounty paper towels
Edit: my highest upvoted comment is about.....paper towels? WTF Reddit
#20
I always pay the little extra for a Bic lighter over the cheap transparent ones. They rarely break and they're more ergonomic.
#21
Le Creuset Dutch oven.
Looks, performance, durability - should last you a lifetime if you look after it.
#22
This will get downvoted but I bought my MacBook Pro in 2010 and it is still running fine. Before that I was going through toshiba and hp laptops every 2-3 years. In my case the MacBook has been the cheapest laptop I've ever had
#23
Any of the top Toilet papers. Don't skimp on s**t tissue. Your butt will thank you.
#24
Oxo. Kitchen utensils, housewares in general, their stuff is so intuitively made and well designed, and just looks great to boot. If they make a version of anything I need, I will always choose their brand over anyone else’s.
Green Tree 1 year ago
Oxo nearly always wins when Americas Test Kitchen (PBS cooking show) tests gadgets
#25
As a lefty, Zebra F-402 pens.
Fine point, no smear, no pressing hard to get a clean line. Since I discovered them I can’t go back to other ball point pens
#26
A Swiss Army Knife. Use that baby everywhere.
#27
Don’t cheap out on appliances.
I got a Bosch set for my washer/dryer and so far they’ve outlasted 3 sets of my father-in-law’s LGs, Samsungs, and another one I don’t remember. People complain appliances don’t last as long as they used to, and while I don’t disagree, it’s often because they buy the cheap models.
Eric S. 1 year ago
My Frigidaire front loader and dryer set are 25 years old and still work like brand new (tip: never use the detergent drawer for anything, and always keep the door ajar between washes). Same with my whirlpool fridge (although I did have to replace the thermostat, $25 on Amazon and 15 minutes after watching the video on YouTube.
#28
Stanley stainless steel vacuum/thermos bottles. I have one that holds a 12-cup pot of coffee that I bought at a neighbor’s estate sale 30 years ago and it was probably 20 years old then. It still works exactly as promised.
I did have trouble cleaning the coffee crud out of the bottom of it until I saw a Heloise Hint on this: Fill it about 1/3 full of hot tap water and drop in about 4 denture-cleaning tablets and let it sit overnight. You wouldn’t believe how clean it is after that treatment!
Wow! I had no idea this would take off line this. Thank you! I thought you want to have a look at my old Stanley:
[Stanley Vacuum Bottle/thermos](https://imgur.com/gallery/38TZfG1)
#31
According to my wife, Feminine products that aren't name brand either don't function well or are extremely uncomfortable. Having a more comfortable time during that part of the month is far superior to using uncomfortable products to make it twice as bad. (Her words, not mine.)
To add: I'm 33 and been with my wife since we were in high school. I've purchased a lot of these products myself, even when I was first dating her. It's either being a paper or cardboard insert that is rough/uncomfortable or the cotton is just not safe and doesn't stay together as it should (as a few have stated here as well). This is mostly from store or off brands at Fred Meyer (Kroger) as that's where we've always shopped, or the occasional Safeway trip. We don't have any Walmart or Costcos near us so we have no idea how their brands are.
#33
Zippo lighters
Amazing quality. Lifetime guarantee with a no questions asked repair or replacement policy. You can find a broken one randomly on the street, mail it to them and they will repair or replace it.
A zippo lighter will last generations.
For anyone interested but doesn’t like using lighter fluid. Zippo now makes inserts for both butane and electric arc lighters.
https://www.zippo.com/collections/lighter-inserts
#34
Reese cups.
#35
Corelle dishware. It's sleek, durable and lightweight.
It's basically the kevlar of dishes
Bob La Capra 1 year ago
But if you ever drop and break a plate be very careful handling the broken pieces. The edges are razor sharp
#36
Ticonderoga pencils >>>>
i’ll write a whole 10 page essay by hand with one of those babies
April Caron 1 year ago
Staedtler! Made with wood from the Black Forest. They actually weigh more. Take a Staedtler Pencil and a Ticonderoga pencil and compare their weight… Staedtler is just a more solid pencil. The green ones are my absolutely fave!
#37
Makita, never let me down
#38
Any paints. House paint, car, boat, trains and planes. Usually the higher the cost, the better the paint. Love Sherwin Williams “Emerald” products as house paint.
#39
Michelin high-performance tires - long-lasting tread, quiet, excellent traction.
Donkeywheel 1 year ago
Michelin is by far the best brand of tires in the world. They invented pretty much all the tech and innovations that are copied by the competition, and their products are not even expensive (all things considered). You won’t get a better quality for the price, guaranteed. But for some reason they suck at marketing and don’t have the recognition they deserve.
#41
Pretty much anything made in America, Japan, or Germany is going to be better quality that all the Chinese c**p being sold on Amazon. Everything from kitchen knives to cars. Of course you'll pay a premium since they aren't made with slave labor.
Stephanie Ladd 1 year ago
I disagree. Many American made things I've had aren't as good as their foreign counterparts. Japanese things are almost always the best
#43
Not a brand but the golden rule for tools. Buy the cheap one first. If it breaks buy the expensive one. If the expensive one breaks buy a few of the cheap ones.
#44
Duluth Trading Company (especially for underwear). There was a half off sale a while back and I got enough that I never have to wear other brands.
#45
Bosch appliances
What do you think ?
Glenda Whare 1 year ago
I was thinking to add this when I saw your post. AGREE!! Ive had my first pair for over 20 years.
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Carol Emory 1 year ago
I hate when February comes around because my bank account takes such a hit from those little girls in green!
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Carol Emory 1 year ago
I'm surprised no one said Revereware. My parents had the same Revereware set from when they got married in 1961. My father gave us a set then my husband and I got married. Those pots and pans suffered a lot of abuse over the years. we finally gave them to a neighbor when we were limited on moving van space for our trip across the USA. She's still using them and they are 30 years old.
Andy Frobig 1 year ago (edited)
My mother got her Revere Ware in 1962. My sister buried one of the pots in the back yard after burning something in it, some time around 1972. Mom dug it up, and has probably cooked something in that pot in the past week. But here's a challenge: try to buy some brand new Revere Ware today.
Load More Replies... Glenda Whare 1 year ago
I was thinking to add this when I saw your post. AGREE!! Ive had my first pair for over 20 years.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 1 year ago
I hate when February comes around because my bank account takes such a hit from those little girls in green!
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 1 year ago
I'm surprised no one said Revereware. My parents had the same Revereware set from when they got married in 1961. My father gave us a set then my husband and I got married. Those pots and pans suffered a lot of abuse over the years. we finally gave them to a neighbor when we were limited on moving van space for our trip across the USA. She's still using them and they are 30 years old.
Andy Frobig 1 year ago (edited)
My mother got her Revere Ware in 1962. My sister buried one of the pots in the back yard after burning something in it, some time around 1972. Mom dug it up, and has probably cooked something in that pot in the past week. But here's a challenge: try to buy some brand new Revere Ware today.
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