Money is a finite resource for most of us, and that means we have to make a lot of tough decisions about how to spend that money. While I often share tips and advice about saving money here on my blog, today’s post is going to be a little different. Instead, we’ll talking about spending more money, especially when spending more is the smartest decision you can make!
Why spend more money? The first reason is that sometimes, the quality of a product is simply worth the extra cost! Whether it makes you happy or makes a task easier, it is improving your life in some way. And the second reason is that the better quality product could well end up saving you money in the long run! You’ll find both of those reasons used throughout today’s post, where I’ll be sharing 11 things that are worth spending a bit more on.
Whether you agree, disagree, or have your own items to add to this list, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment at the bottom of this post and we can keep the conversation going!
11 Things You Shouldn’t Buy Cheap
1. Wall Paint
When it comes to buying wall paint, going with the cheapest option could easily end up being more expensive overall! If you end up with a thinner paint, you’ll have to apply more coats to get the same coverage as a thicker, more expensive paint.
You may be able to get away with using less paint if you also apply a dedicated primer (rather than relying on a combination paint + primer.) Whichever way to choose to do it, painting your walls the right way will save you time and money in the long run!
2. Shoes
Buying cheap shoes might save you a few dollars in the short term, but it isn’t worth the savings if they don’t support your feet properly. It’s especially important to have good quality running shoes and work shoes, but don’t underestimate the power of a good pair of everyday shoes too!
Check out the post at the link below to find out which shoe brands OGT readers swear by!
Related: These Are The 10 Best Brands For Comfortable Shoes
3. Bras
Most of us ladies wear a bra every day, so it’s worth it to spend a bit more to get a good one. It may take some time and effort to find a bra with the perfect style and fit for you, but once you find it, you’ll never want to go back to a cheap bra!
Related: This Brand Makes The Most Comfortable Bras Ever
4. Internet Modem & Router
If you’re only paying for basic internet speeds, you probably don’t need to worry about what modem or router you’re using. But if you’re paying for faster internet speeds, it’s important to make sure both your modem and router are actually up to the task!
Check with your internet service provider to find out what speeds you should be receiving (usually stated as Mbps, or megabits per second). Then refer to user manuals for your modem and router (or look them up online) to determine the speeds they can handle.
If you need to upgrade your modem or router, you’ll notice that the ones capable of handling higher speeds are typically more expensive. But it’s typically worth the money to get faster internet speeds, especially if you’re already paying for them!
5. Mattress
We spend around one-third of our lives sleeping, and the quality of that sleep can have a massive impact on our overall health! Choosing a good, supportive mattress can help improve your sleep considerably. You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get a decent mattress, but you definitely don’t want to go with the cheapest option by default.
6. Dish Soap
Dish soap gets “consumed” relatively quickly, so why not save a few dollars by getting the cheapest bottle they have at the store? Well, one reason is that most cheap dish soaps aren’t very concentrated, while the more “expensive” soaps typically are. That means you’ll use up your dish soap faster, and you may not end up saving any money at all!
7. Kitchen Knives
Using a good, sharp knife in the kitchen can be a total game-changer, so it’s worth it to get a good one! And although a high-end knife can easily cost you upwards of $100, you can easily get a decent knife for a lot less than that. (For example, the Mercer Culinary Genesis 8” Chef’s Knife gets rave reviews on Amazon, and it will only set you back around $30!)
Oh, and make sure to pick up a decent knife sharpener too! If you use the sharpener regularly and take good care of your knife, it will serve you well for decades to come!
8. Bed Sheets
As I mentioned previously, sleep is very important. (Not that I personally get enough of it, but I like to think I make the most of the sleep I do get.) ;-) And I know that having a good set of bed sheets has improved my sleeping experience considerably!
I wrote a full blog post about my obsession with my ultra-soft Cariloha sheets (which you can check out at the link below!) They’re weren’t cheap by any means, but to me they’re worth every penny!
Related: These Are The Best Bed Sheets I Have Ever Slept On
9. Toilet Paper
I recently asked my Facebook followers which items they were willing to spend more on, and I was a bit surprised to find that toilet paper ended up being the most popular response! (The second most popular response was Q-tips, oddly enough.)
It just goes to show that when it comes to saving money, everyone has to draw the line somewhere. And for many people, that line seems to be located at the entrance to their bathroom! ;-)
10. Pet Food
The most expensive dog food isn’t necessarily going to be the most healthy, but it’s safe to assume that the cheapest dog food won’t be the healthiest either. For instance, cheaper pet foods may contain more filler ingredients to keep their production costs low.
Do some research to compare various brands and food types for your pet, so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for them!
11. Appliances
Major appliances often have major price tags, so it’s easy to gravitate towards the cheaper options. But opting for quality over savings can end up being the difference between owning a dependable appliance, and shelling out for costly repairs.
One of my Instagram followers (@kikileili78) summed this idea up perfectly in a comment on one of my recent posts: “My mom always said ‘we don’t have enough money to buy cheap things!’ For certain items, spending the extra money up front will save money in the long run because you won’t have to pay twice to have it replaced.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself! :-)
What’s something that you’re willing to spend a little extra on?
