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“I Can’t Go Back”: 30 Expensive Purchases That Really Paid Off, As Shared By People In This Online Thread
It often doesn't really matter if you buy the cheaper version of an item — think store brand versus name brand — to save a buck. But every now and then, the difference in price translates into a difference in using the darn thing.
Interested in products that are worth the extra dollar, Reddit user u/Bellabuns_xo made a post on the platform, asking everyone: "What's something you used to be cheap on, until you tried a high-quality version, and now you can't go back?"
From eggs to winter jackets, here are some of the most-upvoted replies.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Good bras. God! It helps to have a good bra which would fit you and not leave marks on your skin.
Of course, pricier purchases are impossible if you don't have the money for it. Right now, more than three in four Americans (77%) are feeling anxious about their financial situation. So it's probably the right time to rethink our budgeting.
At first glance, what's so hard about it, right? You just put together numbers and stick to them. But we humans are flawed creatures, full of expensive urges and impulses, and as Doug Nordman, who retired at 41 and now runs the website Military Financial Independence and is the author of The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement, pointed out, changing our habits is hard.
"Our ancestral hunter-gatherer brains have not evolved for today's society," he told Bored Panda. "Behavioral financial psychology wants instant gratification instead of providing for future you — let alone for your freedom."
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#2
My bed.
Please everyone, treat yourself and buy a high quality bed set. Mattresses are expensive but it’s worth its weight in gold. Even if you just get a new set of covers, something with a high thread count. Sleep itself isn’t as important as how you sleep.
#3
Clothing.
I used to buy cheap polyester clothes from Kohl's and other massive retailers, but one day I was shopping in a higher end place and bought a really nice heavy duty cotton henley and every time I went into my closet I wanted to wear it.
So I decided to empty my closet and start over with better quality clothes. Now I have half as many clothes as I did before, but I feel good in all of them, and they will last for years instead of months.
Instead of buying four $10 Polo shirts, I buy one $40 *quality* Polo shirt.
Indeed, for many households, sticking to a budget is way easier said than done.
A 2019 study found that even though most consumers (74%) have a budget, 79% of them fail to follow it.
On average, the weekly amount that people spend — not including bills like mortgage or rent, utilities, etc. — is $340, or $143 more than the average $197 budgeted. That extra spending adds up to roughly $7,400 each year.
#4
Cheese. I used to eat Kraft singles on my sandwiches until I got with my wife and she buys the nice Tillamook cheese. I could never eat that fake plastic s**t EVER again
So it might be best to start with little changes and take it from there. "The biggest mistake people make (early in their financial literacy) is not knowing where their money goes," Nordman said.
"Track your spending for a few months (whatever way is easiest for you), cut out the waste (you get to decide what’s wasted), and automate as much of your spending and investing as you can."
#7
I find it weird that this comment isn't here (unless i overlooked it) but TOILET PAPER!
Once i started using 2ply i knew there was no way in hell i was going back to 1ply.
#8
Butter
Karen Fernley 2 years ago
Yep. I only use real butter, even tho i dont actually like the taste. I buy it cause its not full of plastic and doesnt come in a plastic tub
#9
We cheaped out and bought low quality garbage bags once. It made our week a misery. They split, leaking bin juice all over the pantry floor. They burst halfway to the wheelie bin. They just make more work all round, and never end up being a saving as you have to double up anyway. False economy.
Elwood Schwartz (it/that) 2 years ago
My workplace keeps buying thinner and thinner trash bags. This latest batch splits every time and we end up double bagging. So we go thru twice as many bags now and they wonder why we ask to order more so often.
At its core, good budgeting is not about depriving yourself or being cheap. It's about being honest with yourself on what's important to you and then putting your money into your virtues.
It's basically aligning your spending with your values and cutting back on areas that don’t reflect them.
#10
Running shoes. I thought I could just get regular tennis shoes and call it good. I started to train for a 5k and my “reward” to myself for finishing was to get a pair of actual running shoes. My gosh the difference is unbelievable and I will never be able to run in anything else ever again
#11
Eggs. Once I tried free range organic farm fresh eggs with those deep orange yolks..I just couldn't go back. Paying over $6 a dozen isn't cheap but so worth it.
Eric C. 2 years ago
The color of the yolk has nothing to do with them being organic. It has to do with what the chicken eats. It TENDS to mean that the chicken has access to better food and living conditions, but does not guarantee it. Farmers can easily add supplements to normal grain/feed to produce darker yolks, while still not meeting requirements for 'free range' or 'organic'.
#12
Windshield wipers. I used to buy the cheap ones and would get so annoyed that they would always skip across the windshield. I thought all wipers did that until I bought the expensive ones. I’ll never buy the cheap ones again.
William Teach 2 years ago
This is one I was thinking of adding. I work in the new car business, and the manufacturer brand we sell isn't cheap, but, they last. Good wipers can last you years. I never had to change them on my last lease, that was 3 years. Buy good ones
#13
Shoes
Sandy D 2 years ago
Same. I occasionally wear other comfy shoes like crocs, etc but if I'm going to be wearing shoes for a few hours or more, gotta be Birkenstock. They have gotten outrageously costly, but they support my feet perfectly and last practically forever. I have older sandals and newer, clogs (about 20+ yrs old), closed heel slip on shoes and shearling ankle high boots. I love them because they give me happy feet!
#14
Coffee.
We always had instant coffee/chicory blend growing up poor, and I would always enjoy good filter coffee if we went to a restaurant. Then in grad school someone introduced me to good instant coffee (100% freeze-dried arabica, no chicory), and then 6 months later the students clubbed together to buy a cheap drip-filter coffee machine and that was that.
Also around that time I bought my first pair of Calvin Klein undies at a sale. Never looked back in either arena.
Worth mentioning, to feed our coffee addiction we used to brew two pots in the morning, with freshly ground beans to lure the punters in, and basically sell one pot's worth for a marginal profit which allowed us to pretty much not have to pay for our own coffee. Also we were cheaper than the coffee stand nearest to our building, so we captured the departmental coffee market.
#15
Olive oil
Michelle M 2 years ago (edited)
My hair and skin cry if I don't feed them Olive oil daily. I never run out of it. Edit: extra virgin olive oil is the best.
#16
Steak.
It's not something I buy often due to the expense (more of a rare treat), but when you do, It's best to go for one that's high quality (lots of marbling, well-aged, a good thickness & cut, etc). When cooking steak, there's not a lot you can do to make a low quality one taste great, but if you start with a quality ingredient, then there's likewise not a lot you can do to go wrong with it.
#17
dish soap. my god, i will never again purchase great value dishsoap. dawn ftw
T'Mar of Vulcan 2 years ago
In South Africa it's Sunlight dishwashing liquid. Other brands just don't compare.
#19
Ballpoint pens, used to get the 99 cents for like 5 or 6 and now pay $2-3 per pen
Owen Jarvis 2 years ago
This. I know my day's going to suck a little bit more if I get to work and realise I forgot my good pen. Cheap biro's are horrible.
#20
My Dyson vacuum. My dog sheds a lot and cheap vacuums would only last a year before breaking.
#21
Underwear!
I decided to try some more expensive underwear and I bought some form 3 different brands. One of them definitely stood out as the winner, AND I'M NEVER GOING BACK!!
#22
Soap! Cheap soap just strips your skin. Expensive soap makes it so you can't keep your hands off yourself - skin so soft and pliable, plump and fresh and glowing and smooth. Wow. Game changer.
#23
Cat food. Now that I buy the fancier brand that actually looks like food I don’t think I can go back to feeding my cat lumps of brown mush that look the same no matter what the meat is.
#24
A menstrual cup! I cannot describe how much better it made my period days. No mess and way less discomfort than when I was using pads and tampons. Never going back!
InvincibleRodent 2 years ago
This 100%. I know they don't work for everyone, but if you can, please do try them. Yes, you have to get a bit more up close and personal with things, but it's not only more comfortable for a lot of people (for a lot of reasons), it's also very budget-friendly, as you can use one cup for up to 7 years (though I'm guessing it varies by brand), and it's putting much less of a strain on the environment than disposable products. If you can't use them, or don't like them for any reason whatsoever, it's fine, no biggie, but please, do try if you can.
#26
Whiskey. Alcohol tax is high in Aus so if you are already paying a buttload, you may as well buy the actual good stuff.
SealOfDisapproval 2 years ago
I wasn't much into whiskey, until I found the products of Islay.
#27
Art supplies. I got to use really high-quality stuff for my college classes changed my life.
BonnyDK 2 years ago
Especially kids art supplies. The good sulfite construction paper is thicker, stronger, and fades a lot less. Crayons, scissors, brushes, colored pencils, paint, clay, and ceramic glazes are always better at a higher dollar and last for years. The difference it makes in the quality of their artwork is amazing. And I taught them how to take care of their supplies properly and how to conserve the high end stuff. 700-1100 students per year.
#28
Earbuds/headphones. Used to think people who paid over $20 for earbuds were ridiculous. Eventually got tired of my $12 ones breaking or being such low quality.
Dan Padgett 2 years ago
Try high quality wired earphones, next level. Bluetooth really drops the quality.
#29
Technology. Like, screen monitors, consoles, laptops, phones, etc. some of it high quality products are far more worth the buck
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
I generally buy Motorola. Cheapest option, does the job. Stay away from Huawei or any phone that comes with TikTok pre installed. I'm normally not a conspiracy theory person, but TikTok is a huge red flag for personal security.
#30
Airplane tickets. I can’t go back to economy for long flights after experiencing first class.
What do you think ?
Jay Walsh 2 years ago
Actually, it's more "Rather than the newest Iphone, acrylic nails and hair extensions, and a $700 a month car payement , budget and buy quality where it matters
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Daria 2 years ago
Some options are just too pricey for me, even if really enjoyable. There's a limit to how much I can indulge myself.
Roman Hans 2 years ago
Exactly. I'm not flying Business Class but I can afford good toilet paper. ;)
Load More Replies... Jay Walsh 2 years ago
Actually, it's more "Rather than the newest Iphone, acrylic nails and hair extensions, and a $700 a month car payement , budget and buy quality where it matters
Load More Replies... Daria 2 years ago
Some options are just too pricey for me, even if really enjoyable. There's a limit to how much I can indulge myself.
Roman Hans 2 years ago
Exactly. I'm not flying Business Class but I can afford good toilet paper. ;)
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