What not to scrimp on.....

[houseelf]

What is worth paying the extra money for in order to ensure quality?

In our house, this list includes lightbulbs, batteries, garbage bags, and Gap stain resistant pants for DH and DS.

What about in your household?

Kelly

[DCJenn]

My top few:

bread- yeah sure the .99 cent 'wheat bread' would save money, but I subscribe to the "if I can't pronounce it, (or I've never heard if it) it shouldn't be there" method of buying groceries.

dishwashing liquid and soap. Not that it has to be anti-oxident, smell good and keep your hands moisturized, BUT the super cheap stuff I'm not even sure contains soap.

paint- yeah, it sucks but having had to redo more rooms than I ever want to contimplate- pretty much we're at Benjamin Moore. (although Behr brand is pretty good, too) Not buying the cheapo stuff and have to do 5 times the amount of work!

sheets- yeah, so the 200 thread count sheets ARE cheap. and feel like sandpaper and wear out in about a day. I have learned that the higher the thread count, 1) the softer 2) the longer lasting the sheets are. My dream- someday to be able to afford 800 tc sheets. Wow.

Jenn

[Cumberland]

Latex foam pillows, king size- they were pricey but we will use them for years

Windows Media Center- came with tivo built in, with two monitors, DD sits next to me and watches Barney while i surf the net

A big T-bone every week or so- DH makes the best steak I have ever had and it is way worth it.

Toilet paper!!!

[Auspicious]

Dental care. I'd like my teeth to still be my own and pain-free for the next sixty years or so, so I'd rather shell out than go to a "Dr. Nick" (a la The Simpsons) of dentistry.

[fluffhead]

Hand Cream - without my Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Unscented, my hand are a bloody mess, literally.

Beverages - cheap OJ and beer are just not worth the containers they come in.

Garbage bags - absolutely. The cheap ones are VILE.

Coffee - my friend who works at Starbucks got me hooked before I moved (she used to give me free drinks and give me her mark-outs), and now that I'm 3 states away I feel like I've been duped by a dealer. I cannot ... just can't go back to cheapo coffee.

Paint - Sherwin Williams all the way baby (it helps that I've got a friend there who shares her friends / family discount). The cheaper paint is more work, less durable, and not worth it.

Furniture - we've haven't done it yet, but I've learned my lesson with the cheap furniture. It's worth what you've paid.

Ditto to the paint -- Benjamin Moore, baby!

Similar to Kelly's pants picks -- kids pants that have the button adjustable waistband. Now that those have been out for a few years, they are showing up in consignment stores. Woohoo! Same for button-adjustable maternity pants.

[samssugarmomma]

I second the TP!

And my moisturizer and hand cream.

[SueC]

We don't scrimp on TP either, nothing but the good stuff for us! I'm also in love with the Gap kids pants, when you have a skinny child, they are a godsend. As far as groceries go, I'm pretty much a "store-brand" gal, though my dh complained enough that I no longer buy the cheap hamburger helper and mac 'n cheese ("are we really that poor?"). We do tend to splurge on the kids' shoes and buy Stride Rite. Oh yeah, and I know this is TMI but once I went out on a limb and bought generic "feminine hygiene products".....let's just say I won't be doing that ever again! :!

[Meenah]

TP and feminine products!!!!!
Luanne

[Rapunzel]

diapers
baby wipes
toilet paper
paper towels
moisturizer
hair cuts and highlighting (for me)
bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets, etc.)
ice cream - don't ever, ever skimp on the ice cream

I have to agree with Julie and add dental care as well. There's nothing like a good set of pearly-white chompers! My dad is paying the cost of having shoddy dental care (well, none really) when he was younger. He's in his fifties and already needs dentures.

Jennifer

ice cream - don't ever, ever skimp on the ice cream

The calories are just not worth it unless it is the good stuff. I know, I know, shut up about Trader Joe's already but their Ginger Gelato. *sigh* I wish I had some RIGHT NOW!

I agree about the diapers and wipes, too. Tried the cheap diapers and there was hell to pay with the diaper rash.

[Phoebe]

Haircuts, for sure!
Hair Products- I grew up on Aveda and used to ask for the products for Christmas during the training years.
Scrapbooking materials-Although I look for bargains
Ground Beef
Beer-Once you are pregnant and wait more than a year for a cold one, there is no going back to cheap liquor.
A good workout facility

[houseelf]

I totally agree, Jennifer. If I'm going to incur both the calories and the expense of a beer, it had better be a damn good one. My days of quarter draft night are LONG GONE.

Kelly