7 Things You Should Pay More For

While living frugally often means cutting corners, it doesn’t always mean that is the best option. Sometimes, it means buying the more expensive product in order to have it last longer without having to replace it. Often, I think we get caught up so much in spending less that we forget that replacing something numerous times when we don’t have to is wasting money, and we end up spending more than intended. There truly are some items that are worth paying more for that will save us in the end.

7 Things You Should Pay More For

Shoes– This is especially true if we have work shoes that we specifically wear for rough work on our feet. You will find that the cheapest option will often break down pretty fast, and you can cause serious damage to your feet, back and posture if you are not wearing the right shoes. For instance, my husband works in a kitchen for 10+ hours a day. It is wet, greasy and hard on his feet. We started out buying the $19 shoes because they were the cheapest option. Every 3 months or less, we would have to replace them. If we just forked out the $60 to buy great shoes to start with, they would last him longer than a year.

Tools– Buying cheap tools is never a good idea. They will wear out faster and could be potentially dangerous if they break mid-job. Instead, go for the more expensive brands and they will often last a lifetime. You can find great deals on tools several times a year such as during Father’s day sales. Take that time to buy them at the lowest price.

Kitchen knives– As a chef turned blogger, I can’t stress enough the importance of a good set of knives for the kitchen. I have had mine for over 7 years and just recently needed to sharpen them. You want to look for a full tang, German steel, and it should be heavy in your hand. A dull knife is a dangerous knife and spending less to save money on them is not worth it. If you can’t afford a whole set of expensive knives, go for a good Chef’s Knife. It is the most used one, and you will see the difference when you do it.

Undergarments– As any woman with larger breasts will tell you, a good bra is a woman’s bestie. This is true for any woman with any size, though. A good bra will not only be supportive and make you look amazing, it will help with posture and keep you from nagging shoulder and neck pain.

A Good Bed– This one is pretty hard to afford for many people, but it should be at the top of your “saving for” list. A good bed will leave you with great sleep, good posture, great health and feeling well rested. A cheap bed can leave you never feeling rested which in turn will leave you stressed, tired and not able to focus.

Quality cookware– Good pots and pans should last you 10-15 years of continuous use. While a great set can cost hundreds, think of all the money you will spend buying cheap pans that have broken handles after 6 months, and non-stick coating that stops working the second time you use it. If you can afford to, invest in at least one cast iron pan. It will last a lifetime.

Pet Care– Buying cheap cat or dog food could mean your pet will not live as long of a healthy life as he/she could. It is just like us. If we eat nothing but junk food all of our lives, we get sick eventually. Animals are no different. Also, splurge for the good cat litter. You will find it controls odor much longer so you will use less.

What are some things you are not willing to compromise on when it comes to quality over price? I would love to hear about it in the comments!