If you ask a couponer how much they spent on something, most times, we will instead happily tell you how LITTLE we paid for it.
Our ultimate goal is to get something for free – or hey – even earn a little overage.
Couponers search sales, collect coupons, trade with friends, plan lists & spend time scouring store aisles for unadvertised sales or clearance items, always looking for that next great buy.
And I’m right there with ya’s! This girl loves a good deal!
But what if I told you, sometimes saving your loonies on something today could wind up costing you more in the long run. It’s true.
Occasionally it is entirely worth it to SPLURGE on purchases. Now that doesn’t mean shop Wilma Flintstone / Betty Rubble -style.
You still need to be mindful of your budget and be realistic with your purchase, but here are 4 things that you should actual be prepared to spend some coin on.
FURNITURE & APPLIANCES
I have heard SO MANY people say, things like “don’t waste your money on good furniture until the kids are grown” and “why buy an expensive couch, the dog will ruin it”.
To me, that’s nuts.
Well-built, quality furniture is built to last. Through whatever life – or your kid – throws at it! And in my personal experience, it tends to be WAY comfier than lower quality pieces.
Why buy a cheap couch that the kids/dog/cat/etc will ruin in 2 years, then buy another couch, and another and keep repeating this ridiculous cycle for however long?!?
If you buckle down and spend some of your hard-earned money on a quality furniture set, it will stand the test of time and you will save yourself the time, hassle and money of purchasing & disposing of multiple sets over time.
We purchased a rather pricey leather sectional several years ago, and it was most definitely a worth-while investment! It is so comfortable, you almost need to fight off the sandman with a stick. It’s been spilled on, spit on, peed on (puppies are baaaad!), jumped on, slept on, had dogs run all over it – and it’s honestly in basically as good of condition as the day we bought it! And prior to that, our last couch (also an investment) lasted 8 years, through 5 moves and was still in awesome condition that we were able to sell it and make a few hundred bucks back!
The same can be said about Appliances (fridge, stove, washer, dryer etc). You can certainly find budget appliances for a couple hundred bucks, but chances are, you will be fixing or replacing that appliances sooner than had you invested in a “consumer-trusted” brand.
TRANSPORTATION
From Planes, Trains & Automobiles to bikes, scooters and segways – making sure you have reliable transportation is pretty important!
Not knowing if you’re going to make it to that interview or appointment because your car has broken down (again) or your bike has (another) flat or you don’t have enough change for the bus; is a stress we don’t need!
Do your research, save your money and invest in the mode of transportation right for you. It could be purchasing a quality used car, leasing a new vehicle, going from a bicycle to an ebike or buying the bus pass instead of scrounging for change every time!
CLOTHING
This does not mean you need to spend top dollar for ALL of your clothing nor does it mean for ALL members of your family. Children, this doesn’t apply to so much as they simply out-grown clothing too quickly to justify investing in it.
But investing in a few key pieces for YOUR wardrobe is essential. Ladies & gents, PLEASE buy yourself some quality shoes first!
Our feet take SO MUCH STRESS that it is so important to take care of them! Quality shoes will support your feet where they need supporting and will last you years.
A few other investment-pieces you may want to consider having in your wardrobe: jeans, a suit/LBD (little black dress) and outerwear (jackets for all seasons).
HEALTH
For many folks, this simply means avoiding the truth and facing facts. You NEED to invest in yourself & your health for the betterment of your life and the lives of those around you! And that means ALL aspects of your health! I know – trust me. The healthiest things are the ones that are going to cost you the most.
Sure, you could find another way to spend the hundred dollars your checkup at the dentist is going to cost. But should you. NO! Maintenance is key.
Spend the money and take care of yourself NOW and avoid big problems in the future.
I really must emphasize though, none of these purchases should be done on a whim. It is important to plan & budget accordingly for these items and whenever possible, pay cash! Putting big purchases on credit can equal long & large interest charges.
Also, knowing what the needs of your family are and making purchases to suit them is important. If you’ve got young kids, a white couch is a terrible idea and WILL get ruined. Don’t buy a vehicle without also considering the associated costs such as the insurance, maintenance etc that goes along with it. That kind of thing 🙂
What if anything would you add to this list? Do you have particular products or items that you splurge on? Share them with us on the SaveaLoonie Facebook Page!
