The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners: 12 Areas You Can’t Afford to Skimp On

People generally don’t like to waste money, so they’re careful about how they spend it. While you can buy some things cheaply, other things can’t be. An online community of thrifty shoppers recently debated what items are worth the extra upfront expense, and the participants made solid cases for their preferences.

Dentistry

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The cost of dental care may be high, but the long-term health costs can be catastrophic. A contributor writes, “Buy the floss picks. Change your toothbrush regularly. Get cleanings twice a year. Get the filling before it becomes a crown or tooth pull decision.” Those are words to live by.

Shoes

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Buying those $30 pairs of shoes may make your wallet feel good at the point of purchase, but your body will pay the price over time. If you buy better quality and more expensive from the start, you not only have money in replacement costs, but your feet and back will benefit from more supportive and better-made footwear.

Clothing and Accessories

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Another person in the discussion remarks, “I’d rather buy a well-made purse, shoes, and blazer that is classic and always in style than a fad, cheap item that’ll be outdated by next spring if it even lasts that long.” Fads come and go, but true style is timeless and worth the money. Don’t overlook thrift stores and consignment shops for quality garments and accessories deals.

Bedding

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A significant portion of the 24-hour daily cycle is spent sleeping in bed. It makes sense that the better your sleep quality, the better you feel and function during your waking hours. Spending money on better-quality mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets can make a huge difference.

Vehicles

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Only some people can afford a luxury car, but some non-luxury car models have a higher price tag that is worth the extra cost. You don’t truly appreciate the value of having a reliable vehicle until you’re stuck with an automobile that doesn’t start when you need it to or are saddled with repeat car repair bills.

Facial Tissue and Bathroom Tissue

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This should go without saying, but buying the cheapest facial and bathroom tissue brand isn’t how to save money. Bargain facial tissue feels like rubbing fine-grade sandpaper on your nose. Don’t even get me started on what bargain bathroom tissue feels like. Not to mention, neither product lasts very long, and you spend even more money replenishing them.

Fitness

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Another commenter attests that you don’t need to pay exorbitant monthly gym membership fees to work out and stay fit. You can walk around your neighborhood or an area park for free and purchase weights to lift at home.

Cold Weather Gear

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Suppose you live in a region known for having cold winters and weather events like snow and ice storms. In that case, it’s best to spend a little extra money on “a quality coat and boots that are negative temperature rated,” someone in the thread says. They will keep you warm when those temperatures fall below freezing.

Computers

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Whether you use a computer for work, gaming, streaming, or other casual use, the quality of your device makes all the difference in the world. Cheaper computers tend to be slower, have less memory, and are considerably lower quality than more expensive models, which are faster, have more significant memory, and are better constructed.

Professional Hair Care

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Doing primary hair care at home is part of regular grooming. But when it comes to haircuts, coloring, bleaching, and perms, why risk making an embarrassing mistake?

Tires

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For your safety, the safety of your passengers, and everyone else on the road, you can’t skimp on tires, somebody on the discussion board declares, especially if you travel a lot. Besides, cheap tires will wear out faster and need to be replaced sooner, which is hardly an intelligent way to spend your hard-earned money.

Large Appliances

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The upfront investment in better quality products pays dividends over the years since repair costs will be lower for large appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves. The odds of needing a replacement sooner will be diminished.

Rejected by Today’s Standards: 18 Outdated TV Shows That Would Be Instantly Canned

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When we cozy up with our favorite shows, it’s easy to forget that the world of television has gone through quite the evolution. While some shows from back in the day are remembered fondly, there are others that… well, let’s just say they wouldn’t get past the first pitch today. Here’s a little tour down memory lane of some shows that, for various reasons, wouldn’t make the cut now.

Rejected by Today’s Standards: 18 Outdated TV Shows That Would Be Instantly Canned

Boomer Fads on Life Support: The 18 Trends Racing Towards Extinction!

Have you ever browsed through your grandparents’ attic or basement and come across some odd items? Those very items and habits that have been part of the boomer era are now taking their final bow. Here’s a look at some soon-to-be relics.

Boomer Fads on Life Support: The 18 Trends Racing Towards Extinction!

15 Famous Quotes Guaranteed to Send Shivers Through Your Soul

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Throughout history, profound words and statements have had the power to stir emotions, provoke thought, and inspire action. Because of their deep resonance or eerie insight, some can leave an indelible mark on our psyche. Here, we’ve curated a list of 15 chilling and profoundly impactful quotes that will linger in your mind long after you’ve read them.

15 Famous Quotes Guaranteed To Send Shivers Through Your Soul

Robbery in Plain Sight: 18 Tax Breaks for the Over 50s They Hope You’ll Never Discover

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Let’s talk about money. Everyone loves keeping more cash in their pockets, right? Well, there are these sneaky little things called tax breaks that a LOT of us are overlooking. Gasp! Yup, they’re there, waving at you from behind the paperwork. So let’s shed some light on 18 tax breaks that might just be your new BFFs.

Robbery in Plain Sight: 18 Tax Breaks for the Over 50s They Hope You’ll Never Discover

Epic Boomer Blunders: 15 Epic Fails That Boggled Millennials

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Generational divides have always been present, but the gap between Baby Boomers and Millennials has been particularly pronounced. While it’s essential to avoid overgeneralization, there are specific decisions and actions of the Boomer generation that have notably made life challenging for Millennials. Here’s a rundown.

Epic Boomer Blunders: 15 Epic Fails That Boggled Millennials