Items not worth cheaping out on

[Velar Fricative]

I thought this might be fun to discuss. I found this on Lifehacker:

lifehacker.com/what-items-arent-worth-cheaping-out-on-1638105745?utm_source=recirculation&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=wednesdayAM

It's asking for people to comment with their choices of non-big-ticket items that are worth spending a few more dollars on and figured we could do this here too (no PIPs required unless you are so inclined).

My choices:

Toilet paper
Garbage bags (I've tried generic to save a few dollars but Glad is just so much better)
Laundry detergent (TIDE OR DIE, BITCHES)

Someone commented about paint and I'm just not sure I want to spend a ton on paint soon. I will probably stick with trusty Behr from Home Depot. And I'm starting to believe that I need to pay more for a good purse for work - I figure spending $150-$200 on a purse will get me something long-lasting but I abuse every single one I buy (commuting via public transportation means I need to schlep a lot of shit), so now I'm wondering if it's worth it to spend more on a bag that will last more than 6 months to a year.

[heyjude]

Eye shadow.

[wawa]

I'm pro expensive paint - but only during the big 40% off sale at Sherwin Williams. We got the low voc stuff because I was KTFU during the reno and I loved it.

My list:
Olive oil. store brand stuff is GROSS. Except Kirkland. That's fine.
jarred pasta sauce
*ahem* eyeshadow and foundation (but not other makeups)
sports/fitness gear. and camping equipment (though some of that becomes big ticket) The cheap shit turns what could be fun into a chore.

I buy cheap TP. I grew up with septic safe scott 2 ply, so anything else feels like wiping my ass with pillows. In fact I buy generic versions of everything you listed velar.

[tacosforlife]

My list:

All shoes, but especially running shoes
Jeans
Bras
Hair product
Tires
Cheese

[katfco]

I buy cheap everything--if it's available at Aldi, that's where we get it--except dish soap and cereal. Dh hates generic cereal. I did make sure I got a decent can opener, but it was still on the cheap side, in the grand scheme of things.

[Deleted]

Bras,underwear
Shoes
Moisturizer, face wash, exfoliant
Pens/crayons/art supplies


I dream about buying part of a cow/butchering it versus store stock, but wallet hasn't accomodated that yet. In general our grocery budget is the last thing I cut whenever we're in a pinch because I believe good/fresh/homemade is important to stay healthy(past 6-8mos have had a lot more processed than I like and it shows for all of us); spend on food instead of dr's bills is something I was raise with (though obviously dr is just fine when you're sick, need check ups and vaccines)

[ijack]

definitely dish soap - dawn for life! Even when MIL waters it down it still works!

[IIOY]

Almost everything (even eye shadow, LOL) has an excellent, low cost option available these days, but you have to know which one to get. If I had to name things, though, I'd say:

Shoes & most clothing
Luggage
Tissues
Soap & household cleaners

[pixy0stix]

I'm going to go with a general - right tools for the job.

[sporky]

I'll echo the previous posts of toilet paper, make-up, bras, and tissues.

I will add wine.

[aurademystere]

Chocolate.

[meshaliuknits]

Yarn.

Even though I will not turn down cheap yarn.

[AJL]

Cheese

[ESF]

Your desk chair and your mattress

[cattledogkisses]

Shoes
Skincare
Winter coats/outerwear
Shampoo/conditioner/haircuts

Classic clothing staples like good jeans, cashmere and wool sweaters, silk blouses, blazers, etc.

I spend a lot of money on winter clothes, since it's cold here most of the year and cheap out on summer stuff because it gets worn for, like, 3 months.

[taratru]

Peanut butter
Running shoes
Bras
Jeans

[zelda25]

It's funny to me how everyone is different on this topic! I keep a Costco membership especially for the mondo-packs of Kirkland toilet paper. I don't need anything fancy; I only require that it be 2-ply. 

Things I won't cheap out on:

-Cereal--that generic shit does not taste the same or as good. Does. NOT.
-Toothpaste
-Coffee 

[2curlydogs]

To expand upon garden tools, any plant material. Do not cheap out. Buy from a proper garden store, NOT Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

[2curlydogs]

Sept 24, 2014 11:45:33 GMT -5 sporky said:

I'll echo the previous posts of toilet paper, make-up, bras, and tissues.

I will add wine.

Define cheap? Because I can find perfectly good bottles for $8-10.

[mominatrix]

Rain boots. And shoes in general.

Rain coats.

Gas (Arco, man, it's the suck)

Decorative elements at your house (cheap has a tendency to look it)

Sheets and mattresses

Socks (I've recently discovered Smart Wool socks, and everything else seems awful)

Toys

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 24, 2014 11:53:06 GMT -5 ESF said:

Your desk chair and your mattress

My sister pointed me to a couple of $200 memory foam mattresses that get lots of great reviews on Amazon. I am realllllly tempted but man, I just don't know if I even want to spend a relatively small amount of money on what might wind up being a mistake.

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 24, 2014 11:57:25 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

Sept 24, 2014 11:45:33 GMT -5 sporky said:

I'll echo the previous posts of toilet paper, make-up, bras, and tissues.

I will add wine.

Define cheap? Because I can find perfectly good bottles for $8-10.

I'm thinking Chateau Diana. I bought a bottle once since I'm not picky about wine. Major $6 mistake.

[heyjude]

Expensive wine is overrated. But never cheap out on beer.

[josieposy]

Work pants

[downtoearth]

Organic fruits/veggies for us
Local meat/dairy
Good yogurt
Brand duct tape
Local beers from the brewery
More expensive toilet paper/paper towels b/c they have a higher % recycled content

Other than that, I can't really think of small ticket items that we routinely buy the nicer brand or more expensive option... I drink cheap wines more than expensive ones, I find clothes and shoes on sale or cheap usually, and I don't have much cheap food b/c that's primarily where our expenses go besides housing and childcare.

ETA: But after reading some of these, I think I'm just a bit of a snob.  Who would buy socks other than smartwool or REI brand? 

[mominatrix]

Pans

[racegrrl714]

foundation, mascara, dish soap, laundry soap, fabric softener, paper towels, paper plates, trash bags, athletic shoes,

As far as food goes, I have found that the generic versions are often times better tasting than their overpriced name brand competitors. Just about everything I buy at Aldi's is fantastic. And I NEVER buy name brand OTC medication if there is a generic alternative.

I have only ever painted with cheap paint from walmart so I can only imagine how much better using something from Sherwin Williams or even Lowe's would be. LOL When we moved into our house we probably spent as much on cheap paint as we would have if we went with SW, just because walmart Glidden paint SAYS it is a 2 in 1 paint and primer doesn't mean it will only take one coat. Hell I would have been happy if it had only taken us two coats. Our room took three coats and you can still see spots coming through.

[krisandgrace]

Flights.

 I used to pick the cheapest airline, red eyes or multiple layovers. Last year I went to Switzerland with a friend and we flew Swiss Air direct, it was worth every penny. Not that I fly first class but I will pick JetBlue over SW even if it is a little more and pay for a better time frame.

[cattledogkisses]

Furniture.

We hate that particle board crap with a passion. Our house is furnished with a lot of antiques, partly because it goes with our "Ye Olde New England Farmhouse" aesthetic, but mostly because older stuff is generally better quality (like, actually solid wood all the way through).

[downtoearth]

Sept 24, 2014 12:03:08 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Sept 24, 2014 11:53:06 GMT -5 ESF said:

Your desk chair and your mattress

My sister pointed me to a couple of $200 memory foam mattresses that get lots of great reviews on Amazon. I am realllllly tempted but man, I just don't know if I even want to spend a relatively small amount of money on what might wind up being a mistake.

I bought the MM "cheap" mattress on Amazon and it's ok.  The MM people were raving about it a year ago...I think it was like $400, but it's too soft for us and I imagine we'll get getting a new one in the next couple months and relegating this one to the guest room or a kid (what kid needs a queen?).  I would advise against an everyday mattress that you can't try out first.