4 Ways You Can Spend Money to Save Money

There are many well meaning friends that focus on price before making any kind of purchase. If they can get something for free, they’re the first in line (with no care about whether they really need it).

I want to share a few ways where spending some money up front can save you more money in the long run.

4 Purchases Where a Little More Money Matters

Here are just a few purchases that can give you a lot of value if you’re willing to spend just a bit more money.

• Clothes: I’m not talking buying all designer brand, but I am suggesting laying off cheap clothes in some situations. For my husband that means looking at suits carefully before buying some. He uses his quite frequently so we need something that will last a bit and is comfortable to wear. That means staying away from cheaply made suits and staying with the labels that have held up well over the years.
• Baby Gear: There are 2 truths when it comes to little ones – 1) they grow out of their stuff too quickly and 2) they abuse what they do have (especially play clothes). When you’re picking up something for your baby or toddler like a coat, make sure the quality is there. Buttons should be secured and coats properly lined. If you’re watching your budget, try searching at consignment shops that specialize with baby items. We have one in our neighborhood and it’s been a great source for clothes and baby gear for our little one. Once we’re done, those items that are in good condition can be taken back to be consigned. A win-win!
• Electronics: My husband loves gadgets, so he’s always looking at what’s coming out at the local Best Buy and what’s on Newegg. When we’re on the hunt for a television, he spent months checking out the specs and reviews of various models. Even though he doesn’t always get the lowest price, by keeping an eye on what electronics typically costs, he can usually find a solid deal on a great item.
• Cars: This year we were in the market for a family sized sedan. We poured over review sites like Consumer Reports and created a list of models to keep an eye on.  We were definitely focused on getting the biggest bang for our buck by looking at safety records, gas mileage, and price. We ended up finding a great deal on a Honda for our family car.

Thoughts on Getting Value

I’d love to hear from you about how you shop. What are you willing to spend more on to get better quality? What items do you go cheap with?