Things In Your Life You Shouldn’t Cheap Out On – Being frugal is great, but being too cheap can sometimes get you in trouble. Saving money is important, but it is necessary to realize when spending a little more now will save you time, hassle, and having to rebuy an item all over again.
Read on for 7 things that you should avoid “cheaping out” on to save yourself money, hassle, and time in the long term.
1. Your Healthcare
Your health is one of the most important things in your life, so skipping out on routine check-ups and regular dental cleanings can cost you big-time in the future. Putting your health first makes it easier to qualify for 250K life insurance, as it can be hard to get life insurance if you have heart disease or another health issue.
Take all preventative measures for your health, even if it means a copay since these things can safeguard your health and wellness long term.
Have you ever avoided going to the doctor for something minor to avoid having to pay for a visit, medication, or copay?
Little things happening in your life like skin conditions, nail changes, sexual concerns, and hair issues may be easy to brush off for some.But, since these small things can be signs of larger overall changes in your health, or indicators of other conditions, getting them checked out ASAP is in your best interest for long term good health (and potential avoidance of a bigger bill if things progress).
To make things even easier for those of you that dread the doctor’s office, you can use online telemedicine services to address minor health concerns quickly and inexpensively.
2. Your Main Transportation
Sure, you can find a bargain barrel bike or used car to get yourself back and forth to where you need to go for a little while.
But, if your main mode of transportation is dingy, flimsy, and unreliable, you could find yourself sinking lots of money into regular repairs or having to repurchase another car or bike not too far down the road.
You don’t need to choose luxury, but level up to something reliable and sturdy when it comes to your transportation to save money, time, headaches, and potential frustrated bosses in the future.
3. Your Sofa
If you are a homebody, and like having chill inexpensive evenings in (and, if you are reading this site, you probably are) getting a comfortable and durable sofa is a must.
Inexpensive sofas tend to cut corners when it comes to construction, meaning that a cheap sofa may only hold up for about 5 years, as compared to 25 years for something a little more upgraded.
This may mean that in the same 25 year period, you may need to re-buy a sofa 5 times to match the duration of on that is twice the cost and quality.
Sometimes you need to spend a little more on quality furniture to avoid having to constantly shop for new pieces when the cheap ones start looking dingy and worn.
4. Your Mattress
Very few things are better than getting good quality sleep when it comes to things that make you more efficient and sharp during the day.
So, if your hand-me-down or discount mattress leaves you tossing and turning or feeling sore and tired in the morning, the cost savings might not be worth it.
The better sleep you get, the better you will be at handling things throughout your day — hey, you may even be better at making money at your side gig, or be so on top of things that you beat out the contender for that big promotion.
You sleep ⅓ of your life, so invest in a quality mattress to make that time work in your favor.
5. Your Shoes
In the same line as your mattress, sometimes paying more for better construction, more supportive, or more durable shoes saves you time and money in the long run.
You aren’t going to stop walking or wearing shoes any time soon, so once that cheap pair wears out, you will be back in that shoe store spending even more than you probably would have on 1 quality pair in the first place.
To stretch this tip even further, choose shoes based on comfort, durability, and ability to pair with many situations in order to keep your shoe cost down while still walking out in style.
6. Your Paint
Painting a room?
Sure, you can grab 2 cans of that discount paint plus a primer, or, you can go with the thicker and more expensive paint right off the bat to save overall. Cheap paint is often much thinner, so much so that you may need 2 coats, and potentially twice as much paint, to get the job done right.
Discount paint options also tend to be more sheer, making a base primer necessary
Pick out the quality option in the first place to get the job done with half of the paint in possibly half of the time.
7. Your Pet’s Food
Fido may love the cheap kibble, but the truth is, inexpensive dog food can contain lots of fillers, questionable meats, and grains to bulk them out without packing in much of your pet’s needed nutrients.
This inexpensive pet foods can cause health problems in your pets long term like obesity, diabetes, kidney problems, or dental issues.
Do your research on more expensive but higher quality pet foods to keep your pets happier and healthier, and maybe skip some expensive vet bills down the road.
Conclusion
Going with the cheapest option all the time isn’t always the one that saves you money in the long term.
Some inexpensive purchases mean that you have to constantly be repairing and replacing items, making the overall time and cost higher.Think frugal, but weigh the pros and cons of upgrading right off the bat to save money, time, and headaches.