Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

You can never spend too much money on…

238 replies

PissPotPourri · 15/07/2021 17:31

My old boss used to say “you can never spend too much money on a paint brush”. Perhaps badly phrased, but what he meant was “buy the best paintbrush you can afford” as according to him, a cheap paintbrush will leave hairs in the paint and a bad finish.
I know most people would agree that a pair of jeans is another one- worth paying a bit more for a pair so they don’t sag and bag after one wear. Take the cost and divide by the number of times you’d wear them and suddenly they’re not expensive anymore.
For me, I would advocate buying the best chopped tomatoes you can afford, as I have recently switched to a more expensive brand and my cooking has been revolutionised! No more adding sugar to a sauce, no more acidity.
So, it got me to thinking, what other items should I not be economising on? What every day item is worth spending as much as I can afford?

OP posts:
Inmypjsagain · 15/07/2021 18:27

Handbags
Bras
Bedding

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 15/07/2021 18:28

Food
Pans
Electronics
Jeans
Underwear

Nocutenamesleft · 15/07/2021 18:28

Mine is a mattress

My mums friend had some ridiculous £15,000 mattress hand made. My mum said it was like sleeping on clouds. We invested and it’s been truly truly life changing. I’m chronically ill. So I spent a lot of time in bed. Best thing ever.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

maryberryslayers · 15/07/2021 18:33

Mattress
Sofa
Kitchen knives
Frying pan
Shoes
Winter coat
Most importantly car seats, it makes me so cross when people are willing to spend hundreds on toys/electronics for their kids but scrimp on car seats which could actually save their lives or stop them getting seriously hurt.

girl71 · 15/07/2021 18:34

Your old boss was right. Never scrimp on :

Prawns
Steak
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Lamb
Mince
All fish
Fresh herbs
Potatoes
Cleaning prods
Washing powder
Fabric softener
Washing up liq
Dishwasher tabs
Face foundation
Face powder
Mascara
Perfume
Wood flooring
Kitchen cabinets
Kitchen worktops
Carpet
Champagne
Wallpaper
House renovations
Your children' sch shoes and uniform.
Botox
Filler
Manicures
Pedicures
Hair cuts
Paint ( matt, vinyl and exterior)
Paint Brushes
Silicone
Windows
Doors
Extensions
Conservatories
Building work
Electrics
Fresh Flowers
Paint brushes
Paint rollers/ sponges
Cotton clothing

LadyJaye · 15/07/2021 18:36

Bin bags
Knives (I have a THING for incredibly expensive, high quality Japanese knives)
Winter boots
Carpets

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 15/07/2021 18:55

Kittens

Ideasplease322 · 15/07/2021 18:57

Bedding
Vacuum cleaners
Foundation
Wine
Underwear
Mattresses
Insurance
Home office chair

Sarcobaleno · 15/07/2021 18:57

Contact lenses

atlanta6545 · 15/07/2021 18:58

Bedding, fresh tuna and sushi.

Oh and bath salts / cream.

RedRec · 15/07/2021 18:59

Nice bread.

RachyAnn34 · 15/07/2021 19:00

most things, if you buy cheap you buy twice. That's what I hope anyway, I've brought items that have been pricier and havnt lasted but usually they do.

PattyPan · 15/07/2021 19:02

Having recently tried b&q own brand gloss, I would second paint! It was a nightmare to use.

Seesawmummadaw · 15/07/2021 19:05

Agree on paint brushes!

Also
Underwear
Perfume
Olive oil
Wetsuits

PissPotPourri · 15/07/2021 19:08

Girl71 is there anything you would buy cheaply? Grin Although agree with your list, all bar fabric conditioner. I ran out once and nobody noticed the difference. Now I don’t bother. Or maybe that’s because I wasn’t buying ‘gooda’ stuff?
Yes to mattresses and yes to olive oil.
Also, bras, but do think a well fitted one is perhaps more important than a costly one. Add sports bras to that too!
Good wellies I agree with.
Bin bags and washing up liquid- I think not necessarily buy as expensively as you can afford, just don’t buy cheap as it’s a false economy.

OP posts:
KohlaParasanda · 15/07/2021 19:09

Equipment for a hobby you do a lot, whether it's knitting needles, garden tools or bicycles.

PissPotPourri · 15/07/2021 19:09

Love that Dollywilde. How right she was

OP posts:
PegasusReturns · 15/07/2021 19:11

i never understand why anyone buys pesto, it can be made in the time it takes to boil the pasta, you just put basil, some garlic cloves, pine nuts, parmesan, pecorino and olive oil in a food mixer and blitz it

This is peak MN. I love food and cook almost everything from scratch but by the time I’ve found basil, paid £6 each for pine nuts and pecorino, splashed out another £8 on olive oil I really don’t want to be arsed with scrubbing the little bits of the blender.

madmomma · 15/07/2021 19:12

Dental care and hygeine, supplements,
Professional advice,
The right childcare

Mangofandangoo · 15/07/2021 19:14

Toothpaste

GirlAloud · 15/07/2021 19:14

Holidays.

delilahbucket · 15/07/2021 19:14

Shoes
Winter coats
Olive oil
Haircuts
Underwear
Handcream
Electricals

To be honest, I always buy the best I can afford. False economy otherwise I find.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 15/07/2021 19:15

Wine!

Elllicam · 15/07/2021 19:17

Definitely eggs, I was never a huge egg fan until I started buying local free range eggs and they taste completely different.

Friendofdennis · 15/07/2021 19:17

Paint shoes ( in a sale ) For beauty clothes kitchen wear and household stuff such as towels bedding rugs and cushions TK maxx where you can buy very high quality stylish items inexpensively