Quality counts

[gilana]

I like a bargain as well as the next person, but I've learned over the years that there are some things that it's worth paying more for.

* A good iron - one that will really take out wrinkles, and not accidentally make more. I hated ironing until I got a fold-down ironing board and a good Braun iron.

* A real razor - I used to use the plastic disposables and I cut myself all the time. My sister gave me a Gillette Sensor years ago and I've rarely cut myself since. I like the Gillette Venus now, but YMMV.

* Really comfortable shoes - it's hard to be happy when your feet hurt. I have 3 pairs of Dansko clogs, and they're worth every penny I spend on them.

What's on your list?

Comments

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

Good kitchen knives! Of course, you have to accidentally cut yourself with them a couple of times before you get the hang of it. :-\

[42itous.livejournal.com]

We've just decided to buy the more expensive kitchen faucet because we already know we like it.

It's funny, I've developed a different attitude about irons. I bought a really nice one (Shark brand) for $70 some years ago. It stopped working spontaneously after two years. I couldn't find anyone willing to repair it because of liability issues. So threw out the Shark and bought a cheap $25 iron, which I've been using happily for 3.5 years now. I hate our consumer/disposable culture, but if money can't buy me quality, I'd rather spend $25 than $70 on something I'm going to have to throw away when it stops working.

[shanghaibex.livejournal.com]

A good haircut.

I have been known to spend $150 on a haircut. If you had my hair, you would agree that this is a necessity.

[kellyjmf.livejournal.com]

I agree on the shoes and the hair.

Theater tickets for the good seats, which is why I rarely go -- I can't afford to buy the tickets that are worth it.

Also, I believe Kitchen Arts was resurrected, but I haven't been so I can't confirm.

[valadil.livejournal.com]

Clothing. Expensive stuff usually lasts longer. If I'm getting a set number of wears per dollar spent, I'd rather spend a lot of dollars and minimize the number of times I have to go shopping. The exception to that is jeans. Denim that has survived Walmart is nigh indestructible.

[cristovau.livejournal.com]

Good power tools (drills specifically).
If you get a cheap one, you will be replacing it in three years. If you get a good one, no such problems.

A subscription to Consumer Reports (online or magazine).
There are too many goods out there to be an informed consumer about everything, except when you have a tool like Consumer Reports. This pays for itself every year.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

Shoes. Eyeliner and mascara. Computer anti-virus software, if it were relevant, but I have a Mac, so. :)

[brass-rat.livejournal.com]

Tissues. If I'm going to be rubbing it on my face, it should a) be soft and not have the texture of sand-paper, and b) not be full of perfume that makes me sneeze more (though that's less of a problem than it once was)

[milktree.livejournal.com]

Tools. Not just having good quality ones (which is really important), but having the *right* ones. There's nothing quite as frustrating as having to use the wrong tool for the job. The first time you use the right tool after using a hack-tool for years, you think, "why the hell didn't I get this tool years ago?"

Food. It doesn't need to be super expensive Buck-a-Grape food, but eating food that makes you happy is really nice.

Kitchen knives. If you've got a couple good knives and a good stone, (and know how to use it) you don't need any more (I don't need any more) extra, crappy knives just get in the way.

[minkrose]

I have nothing to add, but I agree with shoes, clothes and knives.

I would say that I don't always spend tons of money on things, but I try really hard to take good care of them. Even between myself and Andy, my phones tend to last longer and my clothes hold up better. I'm really over-cautious.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

* Shoes and boots.
* Soldering irons.
* Laptops.
* Toilet paper.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

What a great question to ponder. :)

HOUSE PAINT! I'm going to pretty categorically say Never paint with house paint that costs less than $30 a gallon. $40 is better. I absolutely won't paint with ANY of the crap they sell at H.D. Plus if you put that garbage on your walls it will require more coats in order to cover, and need to be repainted 5 to 15 years sooner than if you put on good paint in the first place. Plus for $5 more per gallon you can get "zero-VOC" paint. Eventually I assume that will become mandatory, but until then it's still an excellent thing to spend money on.

Someone mentioned power tools, but I'll add that a well made hand tool is so incredibly much better than a cheap one, and often the price difference is not even exorbitant. A pair of pliers that doesn't close well or feels loose goes straight in the trash. And OMG hammers with loose heads? eep!

Also I'm with everyone who says "kitchen knives" and will add Knife Blades (x-acto and utility blades). It pains me to see old, dull crappy blade in my friends' utility knives... you know a pack of 100 blades is still probably about the cost of my co-pay for stitches at the hospital. Also a sheet of mat board costs $10, and if you cut it with a dull blade, chances are good you'll trash it and have to buy another sheet; a pack of 100 x-acto blades is 25-35 bucks.

[gansje.livejournal.com]

Definitely a good bed, and I'm in agreement about good knives. OH, and good, heavy-duty cookware that distributes heat evenly.

[saraheeyore.livejournal.com]

Bras!

[archiveninja.livejournal.com]

I do not skimp on shoes, either.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Ya. Woulda killed for a good iron and board last night, trying to get a pants and a shirt flat on a rickety board with rumpled foam and the lights flickering as the iron kicked on and off...

SUITS!!!!!!

[trowa-barton.livejournal.com]

Suits are cool.
Exhibit A