Ten Things Worth Paying More For
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Employment & Careers, Family Finances, Food & Drink, Health, House & Home, Saving, Shopping, Technology, Weird & Wonderful, Real Estate, Your Home
There's a lot of information out there telling you how to cut back on spending, and tips on ways to save. Take a look around WalletPop and you'll find ideas on everything from throwing budget birthday bashes to saving on family vacations. But when it comes down to it, there are certain things in life on which you've got to splurge to get the quality, value and longevity you need. And if you spend a little extra, you won't have to worry about replacing or fixing cheaper products, which will cost you more in the long run. Click on the image below to see 10 things on which you should spend more of your hard earned cash:
1. A Solid Mattress
As boring as it sounds, purchasing a good mattress versus a cheap, flimsy one is a choice between one that lasts up to ten years and one that lasts less than two years. Not to mention, the comfort level between the two options should make the choice for you. Would you rather spend your nights sleeping on an uneven, droopy surface that triggers your lower back problem and makes you miserable and less productive at work (for lack of real rest) or one that is firm, stable and offers comfortable support for your aging body?
2. Quality Bedsheets
Okay, so you've treated yourself to a quality mattress. Now, don't fool yourself into thinking you can save on how you dress your area of slumber and still get the good night's sleep you're aiming for. If you skimp on bedsheets, you'll likely find it difficult for your body temperature to normalize - you'll get hot, then cold, then itchy and the cash you dropped on your great mattress will all be for naught. For a good cotton sheet, go for a thread count of 200 or up. You don't have to spend a huge amount of money, just a bit more for a softer, durable sheet so you can breathe (or snore) easy.
3. A Competent Barbecue
Cutting corners with a barbecue will only ignite big, burning problems. If you go cheap, you'll end up with a grill that produces uneven heat, making it harder to cook those summer burgers you look forward to after a long day. Your igniter will break down faster and you'll be looking to buy another barbecue before you can say "Grill's on!". Dole out the extra bucks on a good barbecue so instead of spending weekends surfing the net for sales you're grilling up Mahi Mahi for your friends on your back patio.
4. A Decent Dishwasher
For those in the market for a dishwasher, be warned: if you buy at the bottom, you'll spend your evenings re-washing dishes that your new appliance failed to clean. Not only is it a waste of money, but it's a grimy feeling opening the dishwasher and seeing your uneaten bits of broccoli still encrusted on a plate from yesterday's dinner. Enough said?
5. The Right Neighbourhood
All this talk of home products brings to mind that a person's quality of life isn't dictated only by what they fill their house with but also where they choose to live. If buying or renting a house in a certain area means you'll feel safer and you will be a more active and productive person, then it might be worth it to stretch a little to make that happen.
6. A Home Repairperson
It's wise to get a referral from a friend or family member but if you're having difficulty finding someone, websites such as HomeStars.ca provide excellent reviews on all different kinds of service people. If you skimp and bring in an amateur (or possible scam artist) you'll likely get hit with having to hire a professional in a short amount of time anyway. Best to bring in someone who knows what he's doing and get the job done right the first time.
7. The Computer You Need
It's true, when you enter an electronics store like Best Buy or Future Shop, often the deals are so forthcoming, you can get swept away in what the low prices are promising. But don't be fooled. When it comes to a computer, spending extra means you'll get what you're expecting. Cheap computers will do the basics (for awhile) but you'll be frustrated if you want to do anything fun like gaming or photo and video editing.
8. A Supportive Desk Chair
It's no secret that the majority of working Canadians spend a large part of their days sitting. (Recent studies have pointed out how unhealthy the trend is). But, if we need to be sitting at work -- or at a home office -- and we're spending a large chunk of our lives doing it, then it pays to get the best chair possible that will be good to our backs and bodies.
9. Shoes that are Good for Your Feet
Although many women are especially picky about the style of shoe they wear, the quality of the shoe usually becomes more of an issue when they start experiencing knee or arch problems. It's worth it to get a good everyday shoe as a preventative measure and shoe makers have become better at designing hipper looking shoes that are actually good for the feet. So really, there's no excuse.
10. A Well-Made Suit
It will come in handy for an unexpected work event, for a family function or for a job interview. A good suit is something that is versatile, will last for years and that everyone should have in their closet. Cheap material will start to fade and take on a shiny look. With care, a well-made suit will look great for years.
SLIDESHOW: THINGS WORTH PAYING MORE FOR:
1. A Solid Mattress
As boring as it sounds, purchasing a good mattress versus a cheap, flimsy one is a choice between one that lasts up to ten years and one that lasts less than two years. Not to mention, the comfort level between the two options should make the choice for you. Would you rather spend your nights sleeping on an uneven, droopy surface that triggers your lower back problem and makes you miserable and less productive at work (for lack of real rest) or one that is firm, stable and offers comfortable support for your aging body?
2. Quality Bedsheets
Okay, so you've treated yourself to a quality mattress. Now, don't fool yourself into thinking you can save on how you dress your area of slumber and still get the good night's sleep you're aiming for. If you skimp on bedsheets, you'll likely find it difficult for your body temperature to normalize - you'll get hot, then cold, then itchy and the cash you dropped on your great mattress will all be for naught. For a good cotton sheet, go for a thread count of 200 or up. You don't have to spend a huge amount of money, just a bit more for a softer, durable sheet so you can breathe (or snore) easy.
3. A Competent Barbecue
Cutting corners with a barbecue will only ignite big, burning problems. If you go cheap, you'll end up with a grill that produces uneven heat, making it harder to cook those summer burgers you look forward to after a long day. Your igniter will break down faster and you'll be looking to buy another barbecue before you can say "Grill's on!". Dole out the extra bucks on a good barbecue so instead of spending weekends surfing the net for sales you're grilling up Mahi Mahi for your friends on your back patio.
4. A Decent Dishwasher
For those in the market for a dishwasher, be warned: if you buy at the bottom, you'll spend your evenings re-washing dishes that your new appliance failed to clean. Not only is it a waste of money, but it's a grimy feeling opening the dishwasher and seeing your uneaten bits of broccoli still encrusted on a plate from yesterday's dinner. Enough said?
5. The Right Neighbourhood
All this talk of home products brings to mind that a person's quality of life isn't dictated only by what they fill their house with but also where they choose to live. If buying or renting a house in a certain area means you'll feel safer and you will be a more active and productive person, then it might be worth it to stretch a little to make that happen.
6. A Home Repairperson
It's wise to get a referral from a friend or family member but if you're having difficulty finding someone, websites such as HomeStars.ca provide excellent reviews on all different kinds of service people. If you skimp and bring in an amateur (or possible scam artist) you'll likely get hit with having to hire a professional in a short amount of time anyway. Best to bring in someone who knows what he's doing and get the job done right the first time.
7. The Computer You Need
It's true, when you enter an electronics store like Best Buy or Future Shop, often the deals are so forthcoming, you can get swept away in what the low prices are promising. But don't be fooled. When it comes to a computer, spending extra means you'll get what you're expecting. Cheap computers will do the basics (for awhile) but you'll be frustrated if you want to do anything fun like gaming or photo and video editing.
8. A Supportive Desk Chair
It's no secret that the majority of working Canadians spend a large part of their days sitting. (Recent studies have pointed out how unhealthy the trend is). But, if we need to be sitting at work -- or at a home office -- and we're spending a large chunk of our lives doing it, then it pays to get the best chair possible that will be good to our backs and bodies.
9. Shoes that are Good for Your Feet
Although many women are especially picky about the style of shoe they wear, the quality of the shoe usually becomes more of an issue when they start experiencing knee or arch problems. It's worth it to get a good everyday shoe as a preventative measure and shoe makers have become better at designing hipper looking shoes that are actually good for the feet. So really, there's no excuse.
10. A Well-Made Suit
It will come in handy for an unexpected work event, for a family function or for a job interview. A good suit is something that is versatile, will last for years and that everyone should have in their closet. Cheap material will start to fade and take on a shiny look. With care, a well-made suit will look great for years.
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