“I Can’t Go Back”: 30 Expensive Purchases That Really Paid Off, As Shared By People In This Online Thread
It often doesn't really matter if you buy the cheaper version of an item — think store brand versus name brand — to save a buck. But every now and then, the difference in price translates into a difference in using the darn thing.
Interested in products that are worth the extra dollar, Reddit user u/Bellabuns_xo made a post on the platform, asking everyone: "What's something you used to be cheap on, until you tried a high-quality version, and now you can't go back?"
From eggs to winter jackets, here are some of the most-upvoted replies.
This post may include affiliate links.
Good bras. God! It helps to have a good bra which would fit you and not leave marks on your skin.
Of course, pricier purchases are impossible if you don't have the money for it. Right now, more than three in four Americans (77%) are feeling anxious about their financial situation. So it's probably the right time to rethink our budgeting.
At first glance, what's so hard about it, right? You just put together numbers and stick to them. But we humans are flawed creatures, full of expensive urges and impulses, and as Doug Nordman, who retired at 41 and now runs the website Military Financial Independence and is the author of The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement, pointed out, changing our habits is hard.
"Our ancestral hunter-gatherer brains have not evolved for today's society," he told Bored Panda. "Behavioral financial psychology wants instant gratification instead of providing for future you — let alone for your freedom."
My bed.
Please everyone, treat yourself and buy a high quality bed set. Mattresses are expensive but it’s worth its weight in gold. Even if you just get a new set of covers, something with a high thread count. Sleep itself isn’t as important as how you sleep.
Clothing.
I used to buy cheap polyester clothes from Kohl's and other massive retailers, but one day I was shopping in a higher end place and bought a really nice heavy duty cotton henley and every time I went into my closet I wanted to wear it.
So I decided to empty my closet and start over with better quality clothes. Now I have half as many clothes as I did before, but I feel good in all of them, and they will last for years instead of months.
Instead of buying four $10 Polo shirts, I buy one $40 *quality* Polo shirt.
Indeed, for many households, sticking to a budget is way easier said than done.
A 2019 study found that even though most consumers (74%) have a budget, 79% of them fail to follow it.
On average, the weekly amount that people spend — not including bills like mortgage or rent, utilities, etc. — is $340, or $143 more than the average $197 budgeted. That extra spending adds up to roughly $7,400 each year.
Cheese. I used to eat Kraft singles on my sandwiches until I got with my wife and she buys the nice Tillamook cheese. I could never eat that fake plastic s**t EVER again
So it might be best to start with little changes and take it from there. "The biggest mistake people make (early in their financial literacy) is not knowing where their money goes," Nordman said.
"Track your spending for a few months (whatever way is easiest for you), cut out the waste (you get to decide what’s wasted), and automate as much of your spending and investing as you can."
I find it weird that this comment isn't here (unless i overlooked it) but TOILET PAPER!
Once i started using 2ply i knew there was no way in hell i was going back to 1ply.
Butter
Yep. I only use real butter, even tho i dont actually like the taste. I buy it cause its not full of plastic and doesnt come in a plastic tub
We cheaped out and bought low quality garbage bags once. It made our week a misery. They split, leaking bin juice all over the pantry floor. They burst halfway to the wheelie bin. They just make more work all round, and never end up being a saving as you have to double up anyway. False economy.
My workplace keeps buying thinner and thinner trash bags. This latest batch splits every time and we end up double bagging. So we go thru twice as many bags now and they wonder why we ask to order more so often.
At its core, good budgeting is not about depriving yourself or being cheap. It's about being honest with yourself on what's important to you and then putting your money into your virtues.
It's basically aligning your spending with your values and cutting back on areas that don’t reflect them.
Running shoes. I thought I could just get regular tennis shoes and call it good. I started to train for a 5k and my “reward” to myself for finishing was to get a pair of actual running shoes. My gosh the difference is unbelievable and I will never be able to run in anything else ever again
Eggs. Once I tried free range organic farm fresh eggs with those deep orange yolks..I just couldn't go back. Paying over $6 a dozen isn't cheap but so worth it.
The color of the yolk has nothing to do with them being organic. It has to do with what the chicken eats. It TENDS to mean that the chicken has access to better food and living conditions, but does not guarantee it. Farmers can easily add supplements to normal grain/feed to produce darker yolks, while still not meeting requirements for 'free range' or 'organic'.
Windshield wipers. I used to buy the cheap ones and would get so annoyed that they would always skip across the windshield. I thought all wipers did that until I bought the expensive ones. I’ll never buy the cheap ones again.
This is one I was thinking of adding. I work in the new car business, and the manufacturer brand we sell isn't cheap, but, they last. Good wipers can last you years. I never had to change them on my last lease, that was 3 years. Buy good ones
Shoes
Same. I occasionally wear other comfy shoes like crocs, etc but if I'm going to be wearing shoes for a few hours or more, gotta be Birkenstock. They have gotten outrageously costly, but they support my feet perfectly and last practically forever. I have older sandals and newer, clogs (about 20+ yrs old), closed heel slip on shoes and shearling ankle high boots. I love them because they give me happy feet!
Coffee.
We always had instant coffee/chicory blend growing up poor, and I would always enjoy good filter coffee if we went to a restaurant. Then in grad school someone introduced me to good instant coffee (100% freeze-dried arabica, no chicory), and then 6 months later the students clubbed together to buy a cheap drip-filter coffee machine and that was that.
Also around that time I bought my first pair of Calvin Klein undies at a sale. Never looked back in either arena.
Worth mentioning, to feed our coffee addiction we used to brew two pots in the morning, with freshly ground beans to lure the punters in, and basically sell one pot's worth for a marginal profit which allowed us to pretty much not have to pay for our own coffee. Also we were cheaper than the coffee stand nearest to our building, so we captured the departmental coffee market.
Olive oil
My hair and skin cry if I don't feed them Olive oil daily. I never run out of it. Edit: extra virgin olive oil is the best.
Steak.
It's not something I buy often due to the expense (more of a rare treat), but when you do, It's best to go for one that's high quality (lots of marbling, well-aged, a good thickness & cut, etc). When cooking steak, there's not a lot you can do to make a low quality one taste great, but if you start with a quality ingredient, then there's likewise not a lot you can do to go wrong with it.
dish soap. my god, i will never again purchase great value dishsoap. dawn ftw
In South Africa it's Sunlight dishwashing liquid. Other brands just don't compare.
Ballpoint pens, used to get the 99 cents for like 5 or 6 and now pay $2-3 per pen
This. I know my day's going to suck a little bit more if I get to work and realise I forgot my good pen. Cheap biro's are horrible.
My Dyson vacuum. My dog sheds a lot and cheap vacuums would only last a year before breaking.
Yep...I got a shark vacuum at a thrift store. Even used it lasted years an worked beautifully. I was shocked at how dirty my floors must have been before. I couldn't go back and when I could finally afford it, I got a new one.
Shark is EXCELLENT! When I worked in animal medicine that was the preferred brand of vacuum for most clinics.
Load More Replies...
We had a Dyson, tried a shark and were blown away by how much the shark picked up after using the Dyson (like I literally vacuumed the room twice back to back). I don't think I'll be going back
With respect to the Dyson company, I traded mine for a Shark. I have long haired cats and found the Shark far superior to the Dyson.
I second this. I bought a Shark back around 2013 and that thing is still going.
We have a Dyson Ball Animal 2 and it’s an absolute monster of a vacuum and super maneuverable. The suction is the most powerful I’ve ever seen and we call it “The Dust Terminator” because it sucks all the dust out of our carpets like there is no tomorrow and it’s shocking to see how much dust are in carpets. It still works after getting it December 2019. We had an old purple Dyson DC07 vacuum that lasted 15-17 years(Bought it in 2003 or 2004). These monstrously powerful upright vacuums cost $500 but definitely worth it.
When I got my Dyson, I named her Titania after Shakespeare's Queen of the Fairies (the top of the canister looks like a large flower) and created a life event on my Facebook timeline to announce her arrival.
That's so funny! It's always a big deal ... Like buying a car lol I should name mine!
Load More Replies... I use a Samsung cordless vacuum. Equally good I think. I've had it for about a year now and it hasn't let me down yet. That and my Bissel wet vacuum. Fantastic for cleaning the carpet and sofas.
I love my Shark. I have owned some expensive vacuums and believe in buying quality but for a not too expensive brand, Sharks are great. I actually got one for free from a client. It wasn't working right for her so she bought another. I took it home, took it apart and put it back together and it was perfect. I think there was a bad connection letting air in but it works perfectly. I love that it comes apart to go under furniture.
I had a Dyson and HATED it! Gave it to my daughter. She hated it also and gave it to a friend who also hated it. I ended up going back to Hoover.
I would never buy another DYSON product when I learned he refused to furlough his workers during the pandemic. He also moved his whole business out of the UK to Singapore so he could offshore all his pre tax profits. Loathsome man.
Love my Dyson. It's great. Great suction. Just about sucks the rugs up off the floor.
I'm sorry, but Dyson's are overpriced "fashionable" marketing nonsense vacuums, not unlike IPhones. They're not c**p and are well made, but you can get a quality vacuum without paying for the fashion markup elsewhere. I had one of those chargeable Dysons and it would never hold a charge or it'd get put on the wall hanger not-perfect and not charge at all. Also it had fairly meh sucking capability. I replaced it with a Shark that is arguably a higher "tier" model but cost less that has now lasted 8 years and I haven't even changed the filter. Just rinse it out and let it dry every once and awhile. Thing is a beast.
Dyson vacuums are the ones without dust bags, aren't they? In that case I don't agree. I have some years experience as a cleaning lady, so I used a lot of different vacuum cleaners. I don't know why this is the case, but those with a bag just suck so much more and better than the bagless ones. And disposal of a closed bag is easier than emptying the reservoir while dust is flying around.
I think people on here that don't think they are as good have not had expensive vacuums break every year bc pet hair
SAME! I actually just threw out my first Dyson to get a new one I but it was a good 13 years before it wasn't sucking as good.
Dyson vacuum's are a pathetic joke. When they first came out I got one for myself and a few for my employees. They didn't even last a year . I am definitely a SHARK fan ! Best vacuums on the market . My crew uses and abuses them daily cleaning properties and there has been no problems at all .
Define "breaking" in this context? I have rescued more than a dozen vacuum cleaners from the curb in the last two years. The overwhelming reason for disposal was a clogged hose or a filter that was never cleaned properly, followed up by a worn belt or brushroll. I have yet to encounter one that needed more than $25 worth of basic maintenance. Everything from expensive Sharks (2) & Dysons (2) to Hoover & Bissel (probably 5 or 6 each). The ones that had complete sets of attachments all went to the thrift store.
I got a short coated Jack Russel Terrier and therefore invested in this model (Rowenta RH9574WO Air Force Flex 760 Total Care ) due to floor, tiles, carpet and of course the couch combination. Couldn´t be more satisfied with it. At the beginning of the year the price was around 320€.
Underwear!
I decided to try some more expensive underwear and I bought some form 3 different brands. One of them definitely stood out as the winner, AND I'M NEVER GOING BACK!!
Soap! Cheap soap just strips your skin. Expensive soap makes it so you can't keep your hands off yourself - skin so soft and pliable, plump and fresh and glowing and smooth. Wow. Game changer.
Cat food. Now that I buy the fancier brand that actually looks like food I don’t think I can go back to feeding my cat lumps of brown mush that look the same no matter what the meat is.
A menstrual cup! I cannot describe how much better it made my period days. No mess and way less discomfort than when I was using pads and tampons. Never going back!
This 100%. I know they don't work for everyone, but if you can, please do try them. Yes, you have to get a bit more up close and personal with things, but it's not only more comfortable for a lot of people (for a lot of reasons), it's also very budget-friendly, as you can use one cup for up to 7 years (though I'm guessing it varies by brand), and it's putting much less of a strain on the environment than disposable products. If you can't use them, or don't like them for any reason whatsoever, it's fine, no biggie, but please, do try if you can.
Whiskey. Alcohol tax is high in Aus so if you are already paying a buttload, you may as well buy the actual good stuff.
Art supplies. I got to use really high-quality stuff for my college classes changed my life.
Especially kids art supplies. The good sulfite construction paper is thicker, stronger, and fades a lot less. Crayons, scissors, brushes, colored pencils, paint, clay, and ceramic glazes are always better at a higher dollar and last for years. The difference it makes in the quality of their artwork is amazing. And I taught them how to take care of their supplies properly and how to conserve the high end stuff. 700-1100 students per year.
Earbuds/headphones. Used to think people who paid over $20 for earbuds were ridiculous. Eventually got tired of my $12 ones breaking or being such low quality.
Try high quality wired earphones, next level. Bluetooth really drops the quality.
Technology. Like, screen monitors, consoles, laptops, phones, etc. some of it high quality products are far more worth the buck
I generally buy Motorola. Cheapest option, does the job. Stay away from Huawei or any phone that comes with TikTok pre installed. I'm normally not a conspiracy theory person, but TikTok is a huge red flag for personal security.
Airplane tickets. I can’t go back to economy for long flights after experiencing first class.
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Actually, it's more "Rather than the newest Iphone, acrylic nails and hair extensions, and a $700 a month car payement , budget and buy quality where it matters
Load More Replies...
Some options are just too pricey for me, even if really enjoyable. There's a limit to how much I can indulge myself.
Exactly. I'm not flying Business Class but I can afford good toilet paper. ;)
Load More Replies... 
For me, it’s tea. Yes I’m British. But after knowing what a cup of single estate Yunnan tastes like I’m not going back to store brought tea bags. (Fwiw, yes this sounds like snobbery but I honestly don’t care about any other item of food or drink. Those are fine whatever)
When you factor in the per-cup price, is it expensive to have a cup of tea that you really enjoy?
Load More Replies...
What NO ONE addresses are good food storage containers. The lower end ones are easily used for other things. But higher end last longer, are dishwasher safe, and so on.
Cars for me. Since my first truly high-end car, I am now spoiled with all the technology, the ride, the power, etc. Mmmmm... massaging seats....
I agree with this to a point. Where instead of buying a high end car I usually buy a car 4 or 5 thousand below my budget so I can get the extended warranty, wheel and tire package, and scheduled maintenance covered. As wells as having good car insurance with a low deductible. I drive 100 miles round trip for work. It's nice knowing everything is covered. There's almost nothing that will pop up on me.
Load More Replies...
Lotion. My go-to brand costs 5x more than what I used to pay but it's superior to every brand I've ever tried.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; it's expensive being poor. Instead of buying one item that is of better quality and will last for years, you end up having to buy the cheaper item that only lasts a fraction of the time, and needs to be replaced. In the long run, you spend more money. Frustrating.
You also are stuck paying rent, higher interest on loans, not getting the advantage of compound interest, having more expensive health care because you can't treat every problem the second you suspect something and because cheap food leads to poor health (unless you grow your own, but even then there are problems). You also can't invest as much in yourself so, unless you are truly a standout genius or have some other specialty where you perform in the tiny top fraction of a percent of the population, there is no path away from the hard jobs that don't allow someone to elevate their social standing. Add 40 years of economic policy directly and openly hostile to the working poor, and it's no wonder economic mobility is at such a low.
Load More Replies... Instant Ramen. Real ramen is a special treat but there is good instant ramen out there. You can spot the good ones by the number of flavor packets than come with the noodles. Top Ramen and Maruchan have one. Mama ramen has three and Indo Mio has FIVE! Indo is so good. Toss an egg in the water and soft boil it before adding the noodles to kick it up a notch.
I can't go back to cheap makeup, skincare and hair care. The better stuff really does make a difference. Less breakouts, and easier to style my hair and keep it looking nice.
The Vimes Boot Theory has already been mentioned but I have to emphasize if you work outside, buy yourself a good pair of boots. About 30 years ago, I was working in Wayne National Forest outside Nelsonville, OH and my boss told me I had to get a pair of custom made steel toed boots from Rocky Boots in town. If I couldn't afford it, they'd pay for it and deduct $5 a week from my paychecks. I did the paycheck thing and its the best purchase ever forced on me. They came with a lifetime guarantee. I've taken them back 3 times for repairs, they've mailed me replacement insoles more time than I can count, and the last time they made me a replacement pair for free. I now spend $30-50 a year getting custom insoles for my running shoes and work shoes and they still hurt my feet more than those 30 year old boots.
shoes and underwear: they fit better, they feel better and they last longer (which make it as cheap as buying cheap ones more offten)
I'm really scared that people use toilet paper! I don't know what toilet paper is for ages. It's a must have hygienic jet shower next to the vase, so simple! Also I use kitchen paper towels big and résistent to soap foam, alcohol and then drying up. Sincerely, I can't go anywhere I must use a toilet paper without a hygienic jet shower!
All Clad Cookware. And ditto for me on the high end mattress/box spring. Can't believe I spent so many years enduring pressure point pain in my hips and shoulders (side sleeper) requiring turning over every half hour. Now I can sleep undisturbed.
Good luggage. My wife used to travel a lot for work, and she learned early on that the pricey brands like Tumi and Briggs & Riley were worth it. She also learned that she didn't like hard-sided luggage, and she preferred luggage where the wheels permanently pointed in one direction--when she'd be rushing through an airport trying to catch a connecting flight, the wheels that were on a 360 degree spinner kept breaking.
Actually, it's more "Rather than the newest Iphone, acrylic nails and hair extensions, and a $700 a month car payement , budget and buy quality where it matters
Load More Replies... Some options are just too pricey for me, even if really enjoyable. There's a limit to how much I can indulge myself.
Exactly. I'm not flying Business Class but I can afford good toilet paper. ;)
Load More Replies... For me, it’s tea. Yes I’m British. But after knowing what a cup of single estate Yunnan tastes like I’m not going back to store brought tea bags. (Fwiw, yes this sounds like snobbery but I honestly don’t care about any other item of food or drink. Those are fine whatever)
When you factor in the per-cup price, is it expensive to have a cup of tea that you really enjoy?
Load More Replies... What NO ONE addresses are good food storage containers. The lower end ones are easily used for other things. But higher end last longer, are dishwasher safe, and so on.
Cars for me. Since my first truly high-end car, I am now spoiled with all the technology, the ride, the power, etc. Mmmmm... massaging seats....
I agree with this to a point. Where instead of buying a high end car I usually buy a car 4 or 5 thousand below my budget so I can get the extended warranty, wheel and tire package, and scheduled maintenance covered. As wells as having good car insurance with a low deductible. I drive 100 miles round trip for work. It's nice knowing everything is covered. There's almost nothing that will pop up on me.
Load More Replies... Lotion. My go-to brand costs 5x more than what I used to pay but it's superior to every brand I've ever tried.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; it's expensive being poor. Instead of buying one item that is of better quality and will last for years, you end up having to buy the cheaper item that only lasts a fraction of the time, and needs to be replaced. In the long run, you spend more money. Frustrating.
You also are stuck paying rent, higher interest on loans, not getting the advantage of compound interest, having more expensive health care because you can't treat every problem the second you suspect something and because cheap food leads to poor health (unless you grow your own, but even then there are problems). You also can't invest as much in yourself so, unless you are truly a standout genius or have some other specialty where you perform in the tiny top fraction of a percent of the population, there is no path away from the hard jobs that don't allow someone to elevate their social standing. Add 40 years of economic policy directly and openly hostile to the working poor, and it's no wonder economic mobility is at such a low.
Load More Replies... Instant Ramen. Real ramen is a special treat but there is good instant ramen out there. You can spot the good ones by the number of flavor packets than come with the noodles. Top Ramen and Maruchan have one. Mama ramen has three and Indo Mio has FIVE! Indo is so good. Toss an egg in the water and soft boil it before adding the noodles to kick it up a notch.
I can't go back to cheap makeup, skincare and hair care. The better stuff really does make a difference. Less breakouts, and easier to style my hair and keep it looking nice.
The Vimes Boot Theory has already been mentioned but I have to emphasize if you work outside, buy yourself a good pair of boots. About 30 years ago, I was working in Wayne National Forest outside Nelsonville, OH and my boss told me I had to get a pair of custom made steel toed boots from Rocky Boots in town. If I couldn't afford it, they'd pay for it and deduct $5 a week from my paychecks. I did the paycheck thing and its the best purchase ever forced on me. They came with a lifetime guarantee. I've taken them back 3 times for repairs, they've mailed me replacement insoles more time than I can count, and the last time they made me a replacement pair for free. I now spend $30-50 a year getting custom insoles for my running shoes and work shoes and they still hurt my feet more than those 30 year old boots.
shoes and underwear: they fit better, they feel better and they last longer (which make it as cheap as buying cheap ones more offten)
I'm really scared that people use toilet paper! I don't know what toilet paper is for ages. It's a must have hygienic jet shower next to the vase, so simple! Also I use kitchen paper towels big and résistent to soap foam, alcohol and then drying up. Sincerely, I can't go anywhere I must use a toilet paper without a hygienic jet shower!
All Clad Cookware. And ditto for me on the high end mattress/box spring. Can't believe I spent so many years enduring pressure point pain in my hips and shoulders (side sleeper) requiring turning over every half hour. Now I can sleep undisturbed.
Good luggage. My wife used to travel a lot for work, and she learned early on that the pricey brands like Tumi and Briggs & Riley were worth it. She also learned that she didn't like hard-sided luggage, and she preferred luggage where the wheels permanently pointed in one direction--when she'd be rushing through an airport trying to catch a connecting flight, the wheels that were on a 360 degree spinner kept breaking.
