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30 Things That People Have Learned Never To Buy Cheap, As Shared In This Online Community
Every year in the summer, the owners of many sports franchises are faced with the crucial question - which of the players on the team to issue a new (and therefore increased) contract, with whom can they bargain to save money, and who can be released altogether in order to hire someone cheaper? And the exact same question, only throughout life, is faced by almost every one of us.
Indeed, in our life, there are things on which it is quite possible to save money, but there are things where it is impossible to skimp under any circumstances. Some of these things we all know so well: for example, health care or education. And what else? Netizens in this viral Reddit thread recently compiled a whole selection of their own ideas.
More info: Reddit
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#1
Work boots. I spend 50+ hours a week in muddy uneven terrain and must have dry comfortable feet.
RELATED:
#2
Trash bags. Once you have one rip on you, you’ll never want to cheap out again.
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
Nah they're trash bags. They go into trash. If you're p**s poor like me, buying expensive trash bags will be like throwing money into trashcan. Just work on your habits, don't pour liquid stuff in there, don't throw out sharp objects without securing them first, organic stuff that smells goes into another bin. Etc.
In fact, of course, absolutely all things in our life are interconnected, and if one of the elements sags, then this causes a kind of "domino effect". For example, among the items that redditors have repeatedly named in the original selection of opinions, there are food products. Needless to say, if we save on food or utensils, then the next item of expenditure that we have to face will most likely be health care... and here it may be necessary to fork out in full...
#4
A bed. You spend 1/3rd of your life sleeping, and without a good night's rest, the day is pretty much s**t.
The average mattress is good for around 10 years, so when you break down the cost over that length of time, it's always worth spending more up front.
Tim Nicebutdim 1 year ago
The first time I spent £1,000 on a mattress I was worried, my god it makes a difference though.
#5
Cat food. That s**t is hardly regulated. My feline friend deserves better. Also toilet paper. Ain’t fun picking off dried toilet paper pieces.
MotherofGuineaPigs 1 year ago
Agree with the pet food. My senior kittizen was looking pretty old for a few years. Switched her to much better food and the 18 year old is a kitten again.
#6
Safety equipment
Tim Nicebutdim 1 year ago (edited)
I cleaned up the garage recently and found multiples of safety equipment, you can never find it when you need it so you buy more. I now have 2 massive DeWalt boxes full of the stuff.
Behind each of the submissions in this collection is someone's personal experience, and the desire to share some of their own mistakes - so that others learn from them. After all, that is how experience is born. For example, one of the participants in the discussion strongly recommends not to save on hotels while traveling - at least because of bedbugs.
Yes, of course, you can find a bedbug in any hotel, even the most expensive one, but the attitude of the staff is likely to be different - because large hotels have a special protocol for acting in almost any urgent situation. For example, this post of ours details how a TikToker once found a bedbug in a Sheraton hotel, and how brilliant the reaction from hotel staff was. Just agree, it's worth the money spent. And in the end, it all comes down to health.
#7
Most foodstuffs I'll cheap out on, but never tomatoes!
Your regular, mass-produced, gas-ripened tomatoes taste of, well, nothing. They're just red blobs of water. Now, vine-ripened cherry tomatoes that are sold still on the vine ... That's Nature's candy! I can pop so many of those bad boys in my mouth! Well worth the extra £ IMO.
#8
Tattoos. They're gonna be there forever, after all.
Kurichfield the Drunk 1 year ago
so glad some people cheap out or else I'd have nothing to make snarky comments about at work
The great Argentine writer of the 20th century, Jorge Luis Borges, once wrote that all world literature is based on just four main plots, four stories that people will tell forever. By and large, almost all the items we have listed in this selection can also be reduced to four main categories: health, education, mentality and everyday life. And all four are also completely interconnected.
For example, if you regularly save on your own hobbies, nothing good will come of it for your mood, and stress is the best way to quickly go to the doctor. Therefore, if you have a couple of dozen extra dollars before the end of the month, and an urgent desire to pay, let's say, a subscription to streaming service with a new season of your favorite show, you probably should not restrain yourself.
#10
Pots and pans
MotherofGuineaPigs 1 year ago
Most of my pots and pans are good quality. However, the best grilled cheese pan I have was 4.99.
#11
A wise man once told me, “never get cheap on cheese.” Some of the best advice I ever received
Mario Strada 1 year ago
My father told me, on his deathbed, "don't buy the fake parmesan cheese. Buy the good stuff, from Parma, it's worth it". I always follow is advice. I never buy the grated stuff and either Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano.
And here we return to another classic of the 20th century - the outstanding American psychologist Abraham Maslow, who came up with the so-called "hierarchy of needs", which is based on basic human needs related to physiology, and at the very top - the need for self-actualization. From this point of view, the lower the described need lies in Maslow's pyramid, the more important it is not to save on its fulfillment.
In any case, each of us makes decisions whether to save on something or not, based on our own everyday experience and preferences, and this list of opinions is nothing more than a collection of advice from random people, no matter wise or not. Perhaps some of you will find this collection interesting or wholesome, so please feel free to scroll to the very end of it and maybe add your own ideas on the topic.
#13
Desk chair. Got a good ergonomic breathable one, it's an absolute game changer. The cheap ones that try to be massive director chairs with all that padding that ends up flattening after a year are not worth it, and as it degrades progressively you don't really notice until you get a good one.
Mega Karen 1 year ago
Those dx racer chairs you see twitch streamers use are junk. Get yourself a nice ergonomic executive chair instead
#14
Eggs and meat. We vote with our money. I choose to spend more money to support less corrupt brands that aren't feeding their animals garbage and cramming 200 chickens into a tiny building never to see light. It's inhumane and I would rather go broke buying the more ethical options.
#16
Parachute
Jar of Pickles 1 year ago
That's a paragliding wing in the picture, not a parachute. Still wouldn't save on either...
#17
Hotels. 100% not worth bringing bedbugs back to your place
Edit: guys, I know bedbugs can technically be at any hotel. But come on. We all know there’s a much higher likelihood of getting them at a dirt cheap hotel
#18
Coffee
g90814 1 year ago
people at my work rave about the Starbucks machine we have... but I totally would rather have the coffee I make at home from generic store brand, tastes so much better, and you can't remove paint with it!
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Salty.Hag 1 year ago
So many Starbucks haters. Lmfao Hey if you don't like it don't drink it. I love it, my dad hates it. When we hang out he buys me my Starbucks and then gets what he calls his "rag water coffee" from either McDs or Dunkin, whichever is closer. No need to be so bitter, it's just coffee. Lmaooo
Angela B 1 year ago
Now hear me out....you can have the most amazing coffee, in the hands of an inexperienced "barista" who has very little idea of how to prepare a coffee and it will be a cup of burnt garbage. Coffee making and using a machine well, treating the coffee well and doing so consistently is an ART. As a friend of mine would say "a Ferrari, being driven by a d@#khead is not a Ferrari, it's a work of art being dragged down a busy road by a 5 year old like a favourite blanket". Coffee, in the hands of an idiot is burnt, black tar.
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
Depends on your own personal taste I think. I've had what I thought was good coffee from convenience stores and some I couldn't drink from gourmet coffee shops. You can't go by price.
Der Kommissar 1 year ago (edited)
some people think Starbucks coffee has a burnt taste. This is called dark roast or French roast
Viv Florini 1 year ago
good dark roast coffee is good. however, starbucks coffee sucks. even if it was light roast it would still suck because it's tiredly made with cheap beans by underpaid employees
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Nathan Pogorzala 1 year ago
caffeine is caffeine for some people. They make cheap stuff because taste is not even close to being a priority. Same with beer. People don't buy Natural Ice for the exquisite taste, they buy it to get f****d up.
Viv Florini 1 year ago
buy a french press. it's worth it. stop using some sh!tty machine that costs more than a french press but all it does is yeet hot water into those stupid cups
Michael P. 1 year ago
To be fair, Starbucks isn't perfect but Tim Hortons coffee is awful, basically tastes of boiling mud water topped with a boatload of cream and sugar. Second Cup is underrated here in Canada and its still better than Tim Hortons. There are plenty of small cafes that are worth going to if you want to support local businesses instead of going to Starbucks or Tim's.
Qadgop the Mercotan 1 year ago
Hey, if you make your own coffee at home using the cold brew method, you can make some decent java out of the discount brands.
Viv Florini 1 year ago
this. cold brew is easier to make well with cheap coffee
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Tracy Wallick 1 year ago
If you have the option, buy coffee grounds/beans from your local coffee shop!
RavenTheCat 1 year ago
This one is a to each their own. Now obviously expensive coffee is better, but even cheap isnt bad
#19
Backpack. I'm an adult and I carry a backpack with me all the time. One that is comfortable and durable is a must
#20
Hot dogs. The difference between bargain hotdogs and premium hotdogs is like the difference between dog s**t and ice cream.
#21
Q-tips. The name brand in way more fluffier and easier on your ears. The knock off brand just feels like sticks.
#22
Menstrual products
Got Myself 4 Pandas 1 year ago
You can get them free in Scotland - there's tons of places you just go pick up a paper bag filled with supplies, which I think is awesome.
#23
Fire extinguishers
#24
My hobbies. I don’t fill my house with useless c**p I don’t need, instead I spend up on the things that make me happy such as my golf clubs, gaming pc, and sim racing rig.
Go all in on your happiness, don’t waste money on things you don’t care about or things to impress other people.
#26
Laser eye surgery
crazydogmama 1 year ago
Just don't do it. I've had both corneal transplants, one cataract removed, stitches taken out and put back in. My left eyelid won't open more than half way. 10 years of sheer hell.
#27
Over time I’ve empirically gathered knowledge in what is worth spending more money on and what isn’t. In general, things that I use frequently I want to work reliably. I don’t want things to make my life any harder. Quality soaps and detergents (especially dishwasher) are huge in making sure your dishes come out clean. Quality razors (I recently switched to safety razors) make shaving less painful and more consistent. Sleep equipment (mattress and pillows) are probably the most important thing anyone should spend money on, you spend 1/3 or more of your life asleep, and the quality of that sleep time affects the remainder of you waking life.
#28
Coat
MotherofGuineaPigs 1 year ago
I have a boiled wool coat. People ask me why I'm not cold in a wool coat ( they think it's one of those single layer wool). I hand it to them and they are stunned by how much it weighs - waterproof, windproof and really warm.
#29
Aluminum foil!
First house bought some store band stuff. Pure s**t.
#30
Cooking ingredients, it just leads to s**ttier food
What do you think ?
Scott Rackley 1 year ago
Anything that keeps you from touching the ground. Shoes, tires, beds, etc.
Brenda 1 year ago
Thank You! My family buys generic, store brand, or other name brands. Nope, heinous only for me!
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marianne eliza 1 year ago
I maintain an online account with Consumer's Reports even if I only use it once or twice a year. But it's worth it to get unbiased reviews.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
I have always loved CR since I was young and my dad had a monthly subscription. I use the internet for a lot of my reviews now, but I’ve paid for access to CR for specific reviews for bigger ticket items.
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StrangeOne 1 year ago
Jewelry. Not trying to come off as snooty, but the cheap costume, fashion jewelry looks cheap, feels cheap and lasts about as long as you'd expect cheap jewelry. Rarely does it appreciate over time and may actually depreciate from bending, tarnishing, peeling from the crappy silver coating, and too often they are made from toxic metals. Small jewelry store, from an actual jewelry store, has more benefits that make it worth the investment. You can get them repaired if needed, customized and they can educate you on everything you need to know in terms of care and about the stones and metals. Plus, it looks better on you.
Nonna_SoF 1 year ago
Idk, I got my mom a pair of "pearl" earrings from an arcade as kid. They look real and she still wears them fairly often almost 30 years later.
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David Paterson 1 year ago
Cordless drill. And every other work tool you'll be using a lot. My quick guide is that if it's going to be around for longer than a year, get the best you can (not necessarily the most expensive, Don't go gold plated with diamonds). If it's going to be around for a week or less then get the cheapest. In the middle, go mid-ramge.
James S 1 year ago
Meat. The Cheaper the meat, the more likely it is that the animal has been mistreated, inhumanly slaughtered, the meat processed in unsanitary conditions, infested with bacteria or viruses or even labelled as another type of animal altogether. I eat meat, but I buy good meat from a butcher as I want it from an animal who has been humanly treated and processed properly.
Seabeast 1 year ago
Not necessarily true. Some cuts are cheaper than others but are from the exact same animal. For example, brisket is cheaper than tee-bone steak because it's usually tougher.
Load More Replies... Justin Trouble 1 year ago
If you do them, get a reputable dealer and don't cheap out on drugs.
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
Most of these are random. They're just like the stuff that the OPs happen to love. Like, and audiophile wouldn't cheap out on headphones, a barista wouldn't cheap out on coffee beans. If you read the whole thread, the conclusion is buy the best of everything.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I live paycheque to paycheque, pretty much. Work damn well hard, as many people do. We all deserve to have nice things for ourselves and learn smarter ways to save money.
Load More Replies... Scott Rackley 1 year ago
Anything that keeps you from touching the ground. Shoes, tires, beds, etc.
Brenda 1 year ago
Thank You! My family buys generic, store brand, or other name brands. Nope, heinous only for me!
Load More Replies... marianne eliza 1 year ago
I maintain an online account with Consumer's Reports even if I only use it once or twice a year. But it's worth it to get unbiased reviews.
Illustrious G 1 year ago
I have always loved CR since I was young and my dad had a monthly subscription. I use the internet for a lot of my reviews now, but I’ve paid for access to CR for specific reviews for bigger ticket items.
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 1 year ago
Jewelry. Not trying to come off as snooty, but the cheap costume, fashion jewelry looks cheap, feels cheap and lasts about as long as you'd expect cheap jewelry. Rarely does it appreciate over time and may actually depreciate from bending, tarnishing, peeling from the crappy silver coating, and too often they are made from toxic metals. Small jewelry store, from an actual jewelry store, has more benefits that make it worth the investment. You can get them repaired if needed, customized and they can educate you on everything you need to know in terms of care and about the stones and metals. Plus, it looks better on you.
Nonna_SoF 1 year ago
Idk, I got my mom a pair of "pearl" earrings from an arcade as kid. They look real and she still wears them fairly often almost 30 years later.
Load More Replies... David Paterson 1 year ago
Cordless drill. And every other work tool you'll be using a lot. My quick guide is that if it's going to be around for longer than a year, get the best you can (not necessarily the most expensive, Don't go gold plated with diamonds). If it's going to be around for a week or less then get the cheapest. In the middle, go mid-ramge.
James S 1 year ago
Meat. The Cheaper the meat, the more likely it is that the animal has been mistreated, inhumanly slaughtered, the meat processed in unsanitary conditions, infested with bacteria or viruses or even labelled as another type of animal altogether. I eat meat, but I buy good meat from a butcher as I want it from an animal who has been humanly treated and processed properly.
Seabeast 1 year ago
Not necessarily true. Some cuts are cheaper than others but are from the exact same animal. For example, brisket is cheaper than tee-bone steak because it's usually tougher.
Load More Replies... Justin Trouble 1 year ago
If you do them, get a reputable dealer and don't cheap out on drugs.
Channo Sagara 1 year ago
Most of these are random. They're just like the stuff that the OPs happen to love. Like, and audiophile wouldn't cheap out on headphones, a barista wouldn't cheap out on coffee beans. If you read the whole thread, the conclusion is buy the best of everything.
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I live paycheque to paycheque, pretty much. Work damn well hard, as many people do. We all deserve to have nice things for ourselves and learn smarter ways to save money.
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