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Saving money can be quite a hard task, especially when everything seems to cost millions. And so, you usually look for the cheapest stuff, so at least a little money would be left over after your purchase for the next one. Apparently, this action might be a relatively flawed one. When it comes to certain items, people say that you splurge on them once rather than continuing to do it over and over again.
Today’s list is the handbook of what these items are. From towels to tires, there are plenty of things you shouldn’t skimp on. So, let’s dive in and make a mental note for the next time you’re in need of them, shall we?
More info: Reddit
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#1
I have to say towels, cheap ones don't dry well or aren't soft enough or both... Those who've used standard issue military towels understand.
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It’s no secret that the high prices nowadays force people to come up with ways to save money – from simple budgeting to full-blown thrifty lifestyles.
So, when you’re in money-saving mode, it seems that buying the cheapest things is the way to go, doesn’t it? Well, in some cases, it might be, but others paying a little (or not so little) bit more can be cheaper in the long run.
As this Guardian article (rather an old, but still relevant) by Madeleine Somerville points out, many products tend to not be built for long term use, so, despite costing relatively little, they wear out quickly. At the same time, items with higher costs tend to be of higher quality.
#4
Shoes. So many people in my life have told me to not spend money on shoes when I can, "buy the same thing at Walmart for 20 bucks." I finally started buying some more expensive shoes in my mid twenties, and I found that they're more comfortable and last way longer than the 20 dollar Walmart alternatives. If you have the money, invest in a good pair of shoes.
Nin Han 6 hours ago
Again, I bought a pair of WalMart shoes on sale for $15. Best purchase ever. Hindsight I should have bought all of them because I can't find the shoe anywhere. Back pain went away. Never had hip issues. It was awesome. Wore them into the ground. Ended up buying some expensive running shoes after. Measured my feet. Did all that. Worst shoes ever.
#5
Hiring movers. Every time I moved in the past I did it myself, with the help of friends and family, got frustrated, sweated all day, tensions ran high -- movers make it SO much easier. It's absolutely worth the extra expense. Your time and happiness are valuable. I'll never go back.
#6
Work boots.
Petra Peitsch 1 hour ago
Yeah quality work shoes are esential. Not just because you are spending 8-9 hours in them, but for your own safety.
Basically, quality costs more upfront, but over time, when you don’t have to keep replacing the cheaper item, even if it’s at a lower price, the expensive one turns out to be more cost-effective.
Take the things presented on this list, for example. They were collected from netizens’ opinions expressed in a Reddit thread under the question: “What's something you used to cheap out on until you tried the expensive version and could never come back?”
While it’s true that most of the time it’s worth buying more expensive items (especially when it comes to things listed here), it also has to be acknowledged that sometimes people like buying costly stuff for other reasons.
#7
Good quality, high thread count cotton sheets. People with eczema can relate.
#8
Tires.
For instance, there’s a phenomenon called the “marketing placebo effect.” In a nutshell, it’s when a person's brain perceives cheaper products as those with higher risk and lower satisfaction.
There was one experiment conducted where participants were presented with wine and were told that it cost either $45 or $5. Then, when they drank it, both taste and brain activity showed that they viewed the more expensive one as better. And that’s just one of the experiments we mentioned that showed such results. There are more of them.
So, basically, that’s why some people opt for more expensive stuff – they simply view it as a better option, even if it isn’t.
#10
Mattresses.
#11
Maple Syrup. Growing up, we always had that cheap "Pancake Syrup" stuff that's basically corn syrup and food coloring. It never even occurred to me to buy ACTUAL Maple Syrup ($12 for a tiny bottle??) until I was in my 20s, and had it at a friend's house.
Guess what? That s**t is delicious and worth it.
#12
Butter. I'll still cook with regular butter but on bread I'll only eat Kerrygold now.
The advertisers love to exploit this phenomenon. They're sure to use it when tailoring the brand to what the consumers expect and then have to guarantee that assumption isn’t ruined.
At the same time, some argue that opting for expensive things isn’t inherently bad. In fact, they say it should be encouraged. As this article by Anthony J. Yeung vocalizes, focusing on “being cheap” can negatively impact your mindset, leading you to sabotage yourself and set you up for a relatively destitute lifestyle.
So, maybe the best thing to do is buy whatever you can and want to, and not worry about whether you’re falling victim to the marketing placebo effect, impacting your mindset, or whatever else. After all, it seems we can’t fully win either way, can we?
#13
I used to use normal toothbrush then I used a good electric toothbrush.
#14
Dog food.
#15
Shampoo. Not the CRAZY expensive stuff, but definitely the higher priced ones. My hair cannot handle the Pert or Finesse stuff. It kind of worked out nicely since I buy half as much… it works twice as well! And my hair actually feels manageable.
Petra Peitsch 1 hour ago
I don't know these brands, so I will give the price: the ones between 5-9 euro are better for me. like those, what you can buy for 2-3 euros, and expensive ones startig with 10 euro don't make so much of a difference.
#16
Steak. I grew up poor, all we ever had was chuck steak, first cut. I first tasted flank steak when I was 14, and thought THAT was great. When I was 21, however, I went to a New York City steakhouse, and had filet mignon. Oh, My God, it was delicious. Once I was making decent money, I go to the butcher and get a whole tenderloin sliced into 1 1/2" thick steaks to take home. Simple to cook, heavenly to eat.
#17
Headphones. I used to burn through a cheap pair every few months until I got a nice pair. Not only is the sound better but they have lasted me years with the replaceable parts.
Sapna Sarfare 7 hours ago
I wont say i have cheap ones but mine are pretty reasonable priced. But they are superb...
#18
Olive oil.
Petra Peitsch 1 hour ago
For sure. The taste of quality ones it's incomparable with the lower priced ones. A quality olive oil is best consumed with just some bruschetta.
#19
Coffee.
#20
Bread.
#22
Chocolates.
After eating my first expensive chocolate bar, I knew there was nothing on earth that could make me eat those cheap over-sweet chocolate bars.
#23
Cotton swabs. The cheap ones are so flexible and fragile and gets bent.
#24
Basic shirts. I used to buy those $8 or less shirts because "it's just a shirt". Women's clothing is always either too tight or too loose, the shoulders/waist/hip ratio can be awkward, and it's always made with some thin material to encourage "layering" (and cut costs!).
Unless it's cold, I don't want to layer my damn clothes. The quality of a soft shirt that fits and doesn't see-through is a game changer. I'll drop $20-25 on a nice shirt that lasts a long time and fits right before I buy any more s****y shirts.
EDIT: For fellow shirt wearers asking for recommendations, I find that Eddie Bauer and LL Bean have great basic shirts for all genders. Eddie Bauer also has an outlet shop online at good prices! That said, I'm sure other Redditors also have great suggestions for places I don't know about yet!
Sand Ers 6 hours ago
I'm cheap, so I buy last year's REI tshirts in the unpopular colors for 1\3 price on closeout. There's a particular style that's extra long and doesn't come untucked. No plumber's crack from me. And very comfortable and durable. I've got some that are 20 years old and still perfectly good.
#25
Weirdly specific one but saddles. I had a cheap one for my first year taking up riding again at 30. My horse got sore, I struggled with my position for ages thinking it was me. Tried a different saddle and 90% of my issues evaporated.
justme 4 hours ago (edited)
Not just this, but also a saddle-fitting to make sure the type of saddle works with your horse! I had a horse with a high wither and finally got a professional fitter out who sold me a roping saddle. Fit him perfectly, the white spots disappeared from his shoulders and he was more comfortable too.
#28
Haven't seen this..
Vacuums/carpet cleaners
The cheap ones have awful suction, and are extremely prone to jams and wire tears. In my experience the cheap ones are a miserable experience to try to fix, I assume because most people won't have a 60 dollar vacuum serviced.
Expensive vacuum? Designed not to break because if it does you're definitely going to go back and use that warranty. Designed to be easily cleaned and serviced because they don't want you doing warranty claims.
Have had a nice pet Dyson for over 10 years and it's solid, very easy to service because all the parts are easily accessible and labeled.
Got a cheap Hoover and it died after a year. Hair was bypassing their crappy single stage filter and started to fry the motor, when I tried to self service imo it was intentionally hard to take apart and it appeared they cut a screw head off so I couldn't access the motor without additional effort.
Edit: Dyson's aren't good anymore according to the 100 people who keep commenting the same thing.
Then the remaining commenters are dyson owners who love their dysons.
I regret mentioning brands on this comment.
#29
Dental floss. I hated flossing because I thought all dental floss just shreds apart and breaks. Nope, just the cheap brand I was buying.
Quarkbeast 2 hours ago
Switched to a water flosser and never looked back - now I actually floss. I hate the thready stuff cos it makes my gums bleed, gets stuck between my teeth, and makes my fingers hurt.
#30
I can’t stress this enough: SOCKS.
Sand Ers 6 hours ago
Argh. I had a default brand of socks that was perfect. And then Hanes cheaped out and started making them an inch and a half shorter. I want my crew length socks to go -over- my calf, not end right at the widest part. Uncomfortable as heII. I haven't been able to find a suitable replacement.
#31
Blender.
At 6am in the morning, a Danby will cause brain hemorrhaging due to the ballistic noises.
A Vitamix on the other hand..
This message is not sponsored by Vitamix.
Come on Vitamix! Give me free s**t!
#32
Jeans. For most of my life, the only criteria I judged a pair of jeans on was "do they fit". One day, I was talked into buying a ~$70 pair of jeans from an expensive clothing store and I was blown away by how comfortable they were. They look good, the material is softer, doesn't squeeze the backs of my knees, etc.
I often wear shirts I bought from Goodwill for $2-5, but have not purchased a cheap pair of jeans in several years.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 7 hours ago
SEVENTY DOLLARS FOR JEANS? Honestly what’s criminal is how expensive they can make the bare minimum of comfort and practicality.
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