Buy Better, Save Money
The New frugality is a life filled with quality, not quantity. It's an economy where sometimes it makes sense to pay more today, so you can save far more in the long run. Here are some everyday products that are worth the splurge. Buy better, buy smarter and save more.
RUNNING SHOES
Fitness experts say that a "performance running" sneaker typically retails for $80 or more. You really don't want to spend less. Performance shoes generally last between 400-500 miles. The less expensive variety technically last just as many miles, but not as comfortably. You'll likely develop some pain and may spend much more money repairing your body in time. The good news is – many sporting goods and sneaker stores are having their annual end of summer clearance sales, where you can find high performance sneakers selling for a fraction of their normal retail price.
HIGH QUALITY MATTRESS
The average person spends a third of his or her life in bed and getting the right amount of sleep is as important to your health as diet and exercise. I've actually partnered up with Sleep Number, where you can find highly individualized mattresses (pictured here) that conform to your body's needs to ensure a great night's sleep and more productive day. In the long run, a high quality mattress can also help reduce aches and pains. That's priceless. You can learn more about Sleep Number at SleepNumber.com.
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES
Dentist are big fans of electric toothbrushes and, based on research, they're worth every penny. According to Consumer Reports, the two priciest electric brushes – Oral B and Phillips Sonicare – removed on average 75 percent or more of plaque in tests, which can help prevent higher dental costs down the road. Also, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, electric toothbrushes generally outperform manual brushes. In fact, over 80% of the patients who made the switch to an electric toothbrush improved their oral hygiene over time.
QUALITY SUNGLASSES
With high-end shades you're paying up for the label and look, but most importantly, UV Ray protection against the sun. High-end sunglasses tend to offer better protection from the sun. And let's not forget – Sometimes the more you pay for something, the better you'll take care of it, right? The $10 or less variety usually ends up getting lost or cracked and forget getting any real protection from the sun. Before you buy, make sure they're worth the price by asking the store clerk if you can hop out for a few minutes to test-drive them in the sun. And to keep them in tip-top shape, clean your lenses with a micro-fiber cloth not just any tissue or paper towel (or the edge of your tee-shirt) to prevent scratching. Don't leave them on your car's dashboard or in the sun to prevent melting and when you remove your glasses use both hands to avoid twisting the frame.
GREEN KITCHEN APPLIANCES
The average household spends $1,400 a year on their energy bill but by upgrading to Energy Star qualified products, you can save 30% or more than $400 a year on energy costs. If you can't afford to buy a new energy-efficient big-ticket dishwasher or refrigerator, consider at least upgrading your power strips to "smart strips," which detect when devices are on or off and use that information to power down and save electricity. The EPA estimates that a "smart" strip, which runs approximately $30, can pay for itself in just a few months.
