Buy Quality vs. Cheap – How Choosing Quality Saves You Tons of Money
Often times, when we choose the things we buy, the price tag is a big factor in what we purchase and how we purchase it. We will choose the lower priced item over the higher, simply because of the cost, excluding all other factors. It frequently feels like an inordinate amount of money to spend on an item, and we don’t want to make the wrong choice. When does it make sense to pay more for quality?
Quality Over Cheap
I would argue that in all circumstances, it makes sense to purchase quality over cheaply made items. If you pause and think about the items you are purchasing, and make an informed decision about the item, choosing to buy an item that will last rather than fall apart always makes more sense than the cheaper alternative.
Even though it appears at first glance that we will save money immediately, over the long term it will cost more to buy the cheaper product. Cheaper products tend to be made of lower quality materials. Whether it be clothes, shoes, or household items, in my experience, the cheaper alternative does not usually last long. The higher priced items tend to be worth the investment, as they are items that I love and use for many years.
Take A Closer Look
When it comes to comparing items, often times we tend to reach for the cheaper item first, without looking at all of the information. I did this myself just last week when purchasing string lights for a Christmas wreath – rather than examining all other factors, I went for the cheaper box of regular lights over the more expensive LED lights. If I had taken the time to consider all of the factors, I would have done things differently.
The standard string lights, although cheaper up front, have a higher long-term cost. The bulbs burn out more frequently and will need to be replaced. When plugged in, the standard lights will utilize more electricity, costing more electricity to run the lights.
On the contrary, the LED lights, although they cost 42% more up front, actually save money in the long term. They are more energy efficient, saving money on the electricity bill. The LED bulbs are more efficient and require replacement less often.
So, in summary, you can see that in the short term, it can be appealing to buy the cheaper standard lights. But if you take the time to evaluate the overall costs, you can see how buying the quality item over the cheaper item saves money in the long term. This applies to all kinds of items we buy regularly – from clothes, shoes, toys, technology, furniture, etc. Think about how long you plan to keep the item, how you intend to use it, and how you need to last when purchasing it. Those questions can help determine what types of purchases you need to make when buying quality.