We all know the importance of cutting back our spending, especially when it’s on things that we don’t need. When you are being mindful of where your money goes, it’s important know what’s not worth paying for, what you should stop paying for, and what you should avoid going cheap on! There’s nothing wrong with wanting to cut costs, but cutting the wrong things could cost you more over time. Check out 6 things you should never go cheap on. Just keep the costlier version of these things in your budget to avoid paying more than you need over time.
Car Repairs
Everyone has the fear of being one-upped by mechanics. There are horror stories of mechanics recommending people fix things in their car that don’t need to be fixed. This results in shelling out a lot more cash than someone should. While the horrors stories may be true, if something is seriously wrong with your car, and you don’t fix it, you could cause a lot more damage.
If you’re worried that your mechanic is trying to pull a fast one on you, take your car to another shop for a second opinion. You can also ask for referrals from friends and family on where they take your car. Don’t skip out on repairs that are necessary to save a few dollars. It will cost you more in the long run.
Hair Cuts and Colors
Trying to go cheap on a hair cut and color can leave you very disappointed. The saying “you get what you pay for” really holds true in certain situations. If you’ve been going to a trusted hair stylist for a long time, just don’t like the price, ask for styles that don’t require as much maintenance. You can also get feedback on the best way to maintain your style in between cut and color.
Internet
There’s no getting away from having internet. You need it for your cell phone, your Netflix, and your blog! Most cable and internet companies offer different speed levels for internet. Obviously, the lower speed is less expensive. However, the hassle of that lower speed may not be worth the savings. If you have a lot of people sharing the internet, or need good quality internet because you work from home or blog, it’s not worth going cheap on your standard internet.
Toilet Paper
When you don’t want to spend a lot of money on toilet paper, you’re left with the cheap options. When buying cheap, or single-ply toilet paper, most households end up going through it much faster. This means you have to re-up more times, and that can quickly take away the savings you may have had by going cheap. Instead, opt for the quality toilet paper but in bulk.
Home Maintenance and Services
Similar to going cheap on your car repairs, going cheap on home maintenance and repair services can cost you more money down the line. If the service professional doesn’t know what they’re doing, they can cause more damage. It may sound nice to save the money up front, but it will be a lot worse to deal with the excess costs of not getting fixed properly the first time around. Check Angie’s list and get referrals. Shop around for the best price among the quality companies.
Sneakers
Notice this category is “sneakers” and not “shoes” in general. Sneakers fall into the category of things you should never go cheap on, but not other types of shoes. You could spend a lot of money on a designer pair of heels, and it wouldn’t be any different then buying the generic brand of the same heel. Sneakers, on the other hand, are worth investing in. If you work out a lot, run or walk consistently, then investing in quality sneakers can save you from injury. Injuries come with their own price tags, so if proper sneakers can help you avoid them, then it’s worth it!
Related: 5 Dollar Store Buys You Can Get Away With
You have our permission to shell out a little more money on the 6 items above! The rationale is because it will help you save more over time, even if that means paying more up front. Sometimes, it’s just not worth the savings! Are there any non-negotiables in your budget that you never go cheap on? What items do you prefer to save on, instead of buying the expensive version? Post a comment below to share your thoughts.
