Yesterday
we listed 10 things where you don’t get the value for the dollar you spend. Naturally this had to be followed by a list of things that do give you value for the money.
Toilet Paper: If you’ve ever used a public restroom for a twosie or worked in an office with any eye for turning a profit, you know what cheap toilet paper feels like. The more you spend on toilet paper, the better your experience. In my world, it’s worth every penny too.
Dress Clothes: I’ve been an “adult” long enough now to be on my second and third generation of work clothes. Mens styles don’t very much as so you can literally wear out a pair of pants or shirt. Cheaper pants don’t last half as long as some pricier ones. I’m not saying that it’s worth it to spend $200 on some pants, but if you’re in an environment that demands neat clothes, it’s worth it to spend a little extra because it lasts so much longer.
Most Consumer Electronics: Yesterday I did say that TVs aren’t worth the extra money, but computers are. Getting a mid-range laptop over a cheap one is worth the cost. You don’t need a Macbook Pro to look at Facebook and email your mom, but if you plan on running your device into the ground you’ll get good mileage out of a quality product. The same goes for MP3 players, GPSs, and even kitchen appliances. The focus here is on quality, not features. Be mindful of this.
Shaving Cream: This was only a recent discovery. I decided to go with a generic brand and regretted it on the first squirt. It was all water. It doesn’t protect the skin and is watered down. Sometimes watered down is good, not with shaving cream. The more sensitive your skin the more the good shaving cream is worth it.
Q-tips: It doesn’t matter what anyone says, Q-tips are for cleaning our your ears. And only Q-tips seem to make the stem strong enough if you really like to get that ear canal clean.
Beer: An interesting item on the list because cheap beer is usually pretty good. This is a matter of preference, if you want to spend good money on a beer you’ll get a great beer. But if you want to be cheap you’ll still get something decent. No matter what, you’re usually going to be happy with your selection.
Furniture: I’ve put together furniture from Walmart and IKEA. They are not bad for the money, but if two amateurs assemble them they don’t survive a move. Unmoved they could last for probably 5 years, but they are really only meant to serve as a stopgap to more permanent furniture. Good furniture that sets you back $1000 or more for a room will last longer than you love it.
Home Improvement: Renters likely don’t have much experience with this. But anyone who as ever owned any property knows there is almost a dollar for dollar difference in the quality of the work based on what you pay for it.
Pets: They can pee on the floor, tear up the couch, or break their legs and pets will always be worth it. Some people don’t value pets properly, but it was because they didn’t understand the financial commitment necessary to have one. But you’re hard-pressed to find anyone that regrets getting a pet.
Healthcare: One could argue this should belong in the category yesterday, but be honest with yourselves. Health insurance doesn’t feel like it’s worth it, but health care is. What price can you put on a child’s cancer treatment, or that extra test for your aging parent? It’s pricey, and bankrupts way too many people every year, but even though economists have said a human life is worth about $6 million, there really is no price.
*Bonus*
Music: While concerts are usually priced based on popularity of the artist or band, CDs and MP3s are not. Sales speak for themselves but they aren’t pricing them based on it.
Image: TheeErin
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
