What do you think is worth spending "good money" for when you buy it?

[tinapbeana]

I looked around and couldn't find this topic, but it's always been of interest to me, so here it is. If in fact it is lurking somewhere else, sorry!!

BTW, when I say what is worth spending "good money" on, I mean what do you feel would be worth paying full, maybe higher price when a lower priced alternative is obviously a lower quality item.

For me it's

mattress/bedding and shoes: you easily spend 90% or more of your life in bed or in shoes. a bad mattress and cheap shoes are likely to cause health issues in the long run (i.e. back problems, knee problems, flat feet, etc.), the cost of which may make your cheaper alternative cost you more in the long run. and, in my experience, these items last much longer when they are of significant quality, and therefore may cost less per year of ownership than their cheaper alternatives. not to mention that higher end shoes are more likely to be ones you can repair, have resoled, etc, which will further extend their useful lifetime. i also included bedding in this because i have really dry, sensitive skin, and cannot sleep comfortably on cheap sheets. meaning, i toss and turn and scratch all night, and wake up with red irritated itchy skin when i sleep on 180 thread count cotton/poly blend sheets. bad sleep does me no good, so i buy good sheets.

chocolate: yes, i know it's a splurge. but, IMO, if you're going to splurge or treat yourself, you deserve to enjoy a good quality treat. the cheap waxy chocolate the stores sell at the holidays just doesn't do it for me, and i wind up eating more of it which in turn costs me more money than one really good chocolate bar.

the food you eat in general: it doesn't matter how much money i save now if i wind up sick and have to empty my EF, or wind up not being here at all to enjoy my hard earned savings. i've decided to see the food i eat as an investment in myself, and i deserve good quality food. this doesn't translate to gourmet canned mushrooms, mind you, but it also means that while i could live on 5/$1 burritoes and 10/$1 ramen noodles and save a bunch of cash, i think my body deserves better.

environmentally sound choices: this one is particulary personal, i know, but it's something i believe in and am lucky enough to be in a position to enforce with my purchase power. the good news is that many of these options eventually are money savers in the end, like on-demand water heaters. for those of you turning off your WH, check out on demand! for a less costly alternative, make a solar powered water heather (run several hundred fee of black pipe along your roof or yard, run you water through that before sending to your water heater). this was my dad's frugal water choice when i was a kid before 'going green' was so popular.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by tinapbeana

what do you feel would be worth paying full, maybe higher price when a lower priced alternative is obviously a lower quality item.

I think almost everything can fall into this. One thing we've learned over the years is the difference between price and value. What seems like the more frugal choice upfront may actually cost you more in the long run. It can be a better deal to spend more for better quality from day one if the product holds up better and lasts longer.

For example, in the 14+ years we've been married, we've had a few sets of cookware, starting with hand-me-downs and progressing from there. They kept wearing out, or handles coming loose, etc. Last year, we finally invested $400 in a great set of Calphalon tri-ply stainless. We love it. It is sturdy, cleans up great and looks as brand new today as it did a year ago, and we use it a lot! I have no doubt that this set will last us forever.

As for clothing, I'm mixed there. There are some things that I'll spend more on like shoes, socks, belts, ties. Shirts and pants I'll usually go fairly cheap on because the cheap ones seem to wear just fine and hold up okay.

Definitely auto purchases. We own 2 Toyotas and owned 2 other Toyotas before these. We bought them used at good prices, but they are quality cars that hold up well with minimal problems.

Home repairs/supplies: Forget cheap showerheads or faucets or other items. They wear out or break or leak and need replacement in no time. Much better to buy the solid brass or higher quality items. They cost more upfront but save money over time.

I'm sure I'll think of others. Let's see what others have to say.

[pearlieq]

Here are mine:

Basic furniture: For beds, dining tables, sofas, etc. I find you usually get what you pay for. I prefer to spend more on a high quality item in a basic/neutral style and color, and then accessorize with more inexpensive items.

Clothing "Staples": Along a similar vein, wardrobe basics (jeans, black/khaki pants, little black dress) should be well made so they last for years. You can buy cheaper items to mix in seasonally.

Pet Food: Our cats are much healthier on their super-premium brand of pet food than they were on the generic stuff they ate at the shelter before we got them. Of course I'd rather see a pet get a home and eat generic food, but if one has the means, we've gotten good results with premium foods--better coats, fewer allergy problems, and fewer vet visits.

Travel: Many people don't agree with this one, but I'm willing to pay for convenience and enjoyment here. I prefer nicer hotels that are very convenient to my destination rather than plainer, more outlying hotels. I prefer direct air travel on my preferred airline, rather than 3 connections on an airline I've had trouble with in the past. For me travel is a pure luxury purchase, and if I'm going to be inconvenienced, why bother? I rather just skip the trip and keep saving until I can do it the way I want to.

[PrincessPerky]

I just want to ditto the chocolate

Also feminine products, for once a month get the brand that works, (and is most comfortable) never skimp on that!

[PRICEPLUS]

When it comes to appliances, cars, and other major expenses I'd rather pay more and get good value. There is an old saying, "buy cheap, pay dear"!

Consumer reports is the starting point for us when we start our purchasing journey. We have had very good results so far with this approach.

[Broken Arrow]

I spent a premium on my mattress, so I'd definitely agree there.

Cars also.

Like the others, the key word for me is "value".

[MonkeyMama]

I agree.

I don't think we really go cheap on anything. For example - the Toyota is a good example. We have had a coupld of Fords that stunk, so now we try to always buy Toyota or Saturn, etc. Then again my last Saturn cost me only $1000. Ah, but it would have lasted forever, it was just an interim car until we were ready to make a bigger purchase. But overall I think most of our purchases we try to find the best value for the least money.

Nice furnitrue is good, but there is a pile on Craigslist that has never been used - gorgeous furniture at great deals. We haven't really spent much in the way of furniture.

I feel a lot of the time older thing last longer. For exmple we just retired a 25 year old washer and dryer. We paid little on them. we invested in some new ones out of convenience but I think we could have got better value going used. & looking at new applianaces and cars, a lot of the time it seems like they are not lasting as long as they used to.

Clothes I am a little more picky on. I don't shop Wal-Mart where they tend to fall apart. Even Target is pretty bad - they don't last long. But then again thrift shops are often cheaper and have nicer quality clothes.

We save so much in the process of shopping for value, we do invest a lot in convenience and environmentally sound purchases. In the future we will be able to invest more environmentally, for example we would like to buy a hybrid car down the road.

I guess I could never see myself buying something simply because it was "cheap." I don't think that really fits in the overall frugal mindset. You pay more in the end.

The internet overall has a wealth of information. I find us looking at consumer reviews before we buy just about anything these days. IT really helps to buy value.

I agree on the mattress - we probably spent more money on our matress than anything in our house - LOL.

I did buy a cheap t.v. 12 years ago because it was all I could afford and it still goes strong. Sometimes going cheap can susprise you I guess.

[sarah]

I can't think of anything except maybe a mattress. I made a committment a few years ago not to buy anuthing new that I could reasonably get used. This was partly a financial decisio and partly an environmental decision. I am not even certain that I need a new mattress although I would buy one that is only slightly or maybe a second.

I stopped buying new furniture after I paid $1800 for a livng room set from Action Lane that lasted less than 2 years.

[project15]

Others have said cars, and I'll say it too. I would rather buy an older Toyota or Honda than a slightly used Kia anyday (I'd never buy brand new) for the same amount of money.

[Ima saver]

I have to buy expensive dog food cause it is the only thing my dog will eat. When it comes to her, it doesn't matter what the cost is!

My dh weakness is cars, we always get something new and sporty looking!

[BCHGRL]

Worth good money = when buying quality to last
Not worth good money = disposable

One exception is that if you can get something of quality without paying "good money," such as 2nd hand, then go for it! My favorite pair of Gap jeans purchased 2nd hand for $12 is proof of that!

For instance, I bought my bathroom rugs from Target. They were much cheaper than llbean. After only a year of use they are completely worn out. My experience with llbean rugs is that they will last a good 5-10 years or more. So I can spend $30-40 every year or two replacing Target rugs or I can spend $60-70 with llbean and buy two quality rugs that will last 2-3xs as long. On the other hand, do I really need to spend hard-earned dollars on expensive soaps when the soap at Dollar General will do the same job?

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by BCHGRL

So I can spend $30-40 every year or two replacing Target rugs or I can spend $60-70 with llbean and buy two quality rugs that will last 2-3xs as long.

I do the same thing: price/time of usefulness = true cost. $10 shoes that last a year or $50 shoes that last 10 yrs?

Originally Posted by BCHGRL

On the other hand, do I really need to spend hard-earned dollars on expensive soaps when the soap at Dollar General will do the same job?

Boy, I wish I could say the same thing Dry, sensitive skin cuts down on certain products I can use. Well, I can use them, but maybe not comfortably (and what's the value in that?).

[lrjohnson]

A couple of overall thoughts here: I understand people saying not to skimp on certain items, but I want to remind folks that sometimes we can get those really high quality items for a low, low price. Some folks (not me!) wait for a deep clearance on items, and get department store designer clothes and the like for less than $10 each.

Others, like me, sometimes find very good new or gently used items at garage sales and thrift stores. For example, Eagle creek makes very high quality travel bags. I travel for work and leisure a lot and having a high quality bag is important to me. I bought my World Journey travel bag used on E-Bay; it was in excellent condition, but nowhere near full price. I bought an Eagle Creek Toiletries Bag at a garage sale for $3; brand new, still with cardboard inserts. It was an item that would have retailed for at least $25. If an item is high quality, there is more of a chance of it “surviving” in good shape due to its quality. I see a lot of might fine looking Osh Kosh overalls at garage sales.

That said, items that I believe are worth choosing the high quality options:

Chocolate, I agree.

Furniture you fall in love with. Over time, I do replace regular cheap or used items with pieces that really called to me, usually vintage. But I’ll make do for a long time-it has to be the right piece, and that really is more about time than money to me.

Towels. Some cheaper towels are just silliness.

Silver-real silver instead of silver plated, for jewelry. Just a personal preference.

Band aids – I wouldn’t have thought it, but I fell in love with a band aid on vacation. It stayed on my freaking ankle for 2 weeks, through swims in the Adriatic and baths and showers. I will be tracking this brand down. Unfortunately I only know what it looked like. But it was a might fine band aid!

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

A couple of overall thoughts here: I understand people saying not to skimp on certain items, but I want to remind folks that sometimes we can get those really high quality items for a low, low price. Some folks (not me!) wait for a deep clearance on items, and get department store designer clothes and the like for less than $10 each.

LR, I completely agree about finding a good deal when one is available. If I'm not able to find, for example, acceptable jeans at a thrift store, I head straight over to a place called Rugged Wearhouse which sells seconds. I bought two pairs of new 'designer' mens jeans for less than 20 apiece which retail for 60 apeice. I actually didn't buy them for the label b/c there is no label (part of them being 2nds), I bought them b/c they fit right and the price was right. For me, a seam being a bit crooked is AOK; it's hard enough finding jeans that fit just right to worry about that (I tried on 22 pairs that day to find those 2...).

BTW, when I said the thrift store jeans were not acceptable, it was b/c they, too, did not fit properly. In this case, I was willing to pay more money ($17.99 vs $4) for what is hopefully a better quality item (new vs used, 'designer' vs Faded Glory) that most importantly fit both my needs and my shape.

And no, everyone, my rear end isn't that big, jeans just fit funny all over

[PrincessPerky]

I think I may not want a bandaid to stay on for 2 weeks!

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

I think I may not want a bandaid to stay on for 2 weeks!

Oh, Perk, it was incredible! I didn't plan to do it, but that little sucker was amazing! I mean, it got heavy exposure to the elemnts, and I'm not a gentle creature to start with. it wasn't just hanging on either; that sucker was stuck stuck stuck. I just got in Challenge mode, I suppose. The band aid met the Challenge.

[MonkeyMama]

I just thought of one thing we never skimped on - baby/child car seats. We spent the big bucks and I personally would never go used.

Just a thought that crossed my mind today in regards to this thread.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

I just thought of one thing we never skimped on - baby/child car seats. We spent the big bucks and I personally would never go used.

Absolutely. You should NEVER buy a used car seat. There is no way to know by looking at it if it has been through an accident or damaged in some way. You don't want to find out the hard way that it wasn't in good shape. Of course, that doesn't mean you need to buy the ultra-luxury seat with the silk lining and lambs wool padding and all the bells and whistles. They don't make the kid any safer than the $20 seat from Wal-Mart. But this is one item where brand new is the only option.

[scfr]

Since I work outside 4-6 hours a day in all kinds of weather, I am willing to pay "good money" for sun protection (sunscreen and a good hat), rain protection (waterproof shoes, rain pants, rain jacket), and cold protection (long underwear). I save on these purchases by buying on sale off-season and not caring about the color of the clothing items.

[rusty@saving]

i pay good money for milk, bread, eggs, and meat. if it isn't worth anything in 2-3 days, i just wasted my $. tuna too...a bad can of tuna that is just shreaded, watery, and full of bones just sucks.
also...shaving products. if i save $, but my face is torn to hell, what was the point? i found a new shaving product line at walgeens called "men's zone". it is about $4 per tube of face scrub, shaving cream, and moisterizer(yes, i moisterize, i am not 25 anymore, and most guys my age start looking like sea captains). leaves my face feeling better than ever, AND does the job of some of the higher end products. also, i will not buy the mach 3 or any of that stuff, even though it gives a great shave, some of the disposables do the job just fine.