We all work hard for our money. So sometimes it’s hard to part with it. Often, we find ourselves buying cheap goods. In the end, cheap costs too much. When you choose quality, you save money and more.
Have you ever found yourself shopping for the cheapest prices? I know I have. I’m a fairly frugal guy, but with age, I’ve discovered something. Cheap is cheap.
What Happens When We Buy Cheap Crap?
These days, it’s easy to find low prices. You’ll find sales at any given store on any given day. But what are you buying? The majority of our products are now made out of lower-quality materials than ever before. You can buy that $30 pair of shoes, but how long will they last? Chances are high that they’ll have a blowout in less than a year.
Then what? You just throw them away?
Now, not only did you not get your money’s worth, you’ve contributed to cheap labor, and you’re polluting the environment. Way to go!
There’s A Better Way: Choose Quality
It might be hard to part with $300 for a high-quality pair of shoes. But those shoes could last you a lifetime. When you choose quality over cost, you’ll actually be saving money in the long run.
Here are some examples from my own experience:
- Pendleton shirts: I might spend $80 to $120 on a quality wool Pendleton shirt, but I’ve owned several Pendleton shirts for over 10 years. If you break that down, that’s about $10 a year per shirt. I could buy a $20 shirt at Walmart, but chances are high that it would only last a season or two.
- Filson coats: In the post, My Best Clothing Purchase Ever, I explain how I’ve owned my Filson coat for over ten years. It’s still like new. I paid $250 for that coat. But it’s made to last a lifetime.
- Martin guitars: As a musician, I’ve discovered that it pays to buy quality instruments. I’ve had too many $300 guitars that wind up with warped necks or faulty hardware. But a good $1500 Martin will never let you down. When you choose quality, you save money, time, and hassle.
Choose Quality Over Cost And Save Money
I think you’re getting the idea. The same thing goes for tools, furniture, paint, computers, cookware, and just about any other product. I’ve owned the same set of pots and pans for years. In the end, when you buy quality goods, you live more minimally because you buy less.
But you have to be careful. Many brands will fool you with price. Just because it’s a name brand with a high price doesn’t mean it’s a high-quality product. Do your research. You probably won’t find the highest-quality stuff in local department stores. You’ll have to become a specialty shopper, but it’s worth the extra effort.
Buy The Best And Buy Less
So next time you need new shoes, a new coat, new tires, or a new bicycle, don’t just buy the first thing you see. Don’t buy based on flash or fashion. Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap. Look for quality. Made-in-the-USA can be a plus for certain products, too.
You’ll save money. You’ll have the best. You won’t be supporting slave labor. And you’ll be leaving a smaller ecological footprint. Doesn’t that make sense?
Dan Erickson
