There are certain items in life that I have come to realize that you really shouldn’t skimp out on.  The problem for me is that my Dutch community upbringing keeps egging me on to pinch pennies.  I have tried to skimp out on many items: “Hey, item X sure looks just as good as item Y, but it is half the cost!  Why wouldn’t I go with X?”  Often, that works out fine, but in certain situations, I urge you to avoid X.  X is the plague.  While they may not be the most glamorous items, they can add quite a bit of functionality and calm to the day to day life.

Umbrella

The inspiration for this post I suppose.  It came to me at work after running through the shallow pond outside that they call a parking lot.  Where I sat completely soaked after (yet another) torrential downpour in Texas.  Unlike Michigan, Texas never really has a light rain or drizzle - it is always raining hard with gusting winds.  Needless to say, my $3.49 Walmart umbrella does just about nothing in this scenario.  I have yet to choose just not to use it and make a run/swim for it, but I swear it does very little to keep me dry.  I spend most of the time trying to make sure it stays in “umbrella” form instead of “bucket” form.

Mouse/Keyboard

Spend 6 to 10 hours a day working on a computer, and that little uncomfortably shaped HP mouse and keyboard may work fine for you, until you try an upgrade.  I am convinced that most people don’t upgrade their mouse and/or keyboard because they think that they are fine with there current hardware.  One point for the “Ignorance is Bliss”mindset I suppose.

Cookware

Do NOT touch that $6 frying pan.  Yeah it looks all new and shiny and non-stick, but 6 months down the road, you will be wishing you had sprung for a more durable one.  The non-stick teflon will be wearing off, the bottom of the pan will no longer be flat, and your food just won’t taste the same.  A nice set of cookware will make cooking all the more enjoyable, hopefully offsetting the extra expense by reducing the number of meals eaten out each month.

Shoes

Runners know this, the rest of us, not so much.  Spend a full day on your feet or go running for anything more than 1 mile and you will understand the importance of a good pair of shoes.

Mattress

Tempting as it is to think you should go with the cheap mattress, you really need to splurge a bit.  Spend the extra couple hundred dollars.  We spend thousands on TVs, Cars, and furniture, and yet we spend more time in our beds than any of those other items.  Not to mention, if you end up upgrading your mattress, and using your old one as the guest bed, your guests will love you all the more.

What are some of the items in your life that you have learned not to buy the cheaper alternative of?  Leave a comment below!