to think there are some things you shouldn't scrimp on?

[MardyBra]

I've just used some cheap Sainsbo's dental floss and my gums are rebelling. AIBU to think that you shouldn't compromise on certain products - recession or no recession!

Kids Bicycles :).

Oh dear. Typing on the bus. I'm not very fussy about what I wipe my arse on that should be.

cycle helmets
headtorches
waterproofs
walking boots.

Diet Coke - I'd rather drink tap water than own brand
Bin bags - you only need a few to split to move up to the better ones (would never recommend value bin bags!)
Bras
Tuna - will happily buy own brand but not value, it's all tiny scraps rather than proper chunks

Don't mind scrimping on most other things - no problems with Sainsbury's basics loo roll (but do notice the one at work is quite abrasive - clearly not all value ranges are equal!)

Wobbly, I didn't realise

Coffee, tea, free range eggs baked beans must be heinz ( i can taste the difference) bra's, fairy liquid, loo paper the really cheap stuff is false economy, shoes,not that I can wear fashion shoes as have a dodgy ankle so my shoes are always £50+ buy DD clarks/startrite but only 1 pair at a time but cheap wellies/slippers/ samdals
make my own cakes jam etc, use good quality but cheap cuts of meat
clothes buy good quality for jackets coats etc but cheap tshirts, socks etc
toothbrushes cheap toothpaste is fine 10p asda tooth brushes fine for dirty paintwork but not for teeth!
hint oralb etc brushes will be cheaper at dentist than boots or supermarket!!

I do not scrimp on

Coffee
Teabags
Carpet
Shoes
bin bags [the cheap ones, tear]
Nappies, I buy the tescos nappies, but would never go near the cheap cheap ones from there
beans
Cornflakes - the cheap ones are pale, and grim
wine
Bread
Peanut butter
Socks - not sure why, but always buy DC, animated ben 10/peppa pig etc

I scrimp on

Paint - I always buy cheap white paint, and buy a colour dye
Veg -buy plenty, but always lidl/aldi
Birthday cards - always get 10 for £1, unless its a special birthday
colouring bits/art craft - buy plenty, but always at a bargain
Potatoes - go to a farm buy a whole sack for £5
Washing powder - always look for a bargain, never use the same one from one week to next
Crisps - poundshop
Vinegar
Pasta
Tin plum tomatoes

DH is terrible, in supermarkets, he picks up first of anything he sees.He never checks prices etc

i couldnt bring myself to put dd in cheap/2nd hand shoes. she is only allowed clarks or startrite and i would go without a lot for those. growing feet need properly fitted shoes that support. my mum was the same with me when i was little and i have nice feet and no back problems.

i am happy to scrimp on clothes for dd and am not fussy as long as nothing has disney/barbie/glitter on it.

open to scrimping on everything else though :-)

Meat, frankly I'd rather go veggie then eat shit meat

Tea bags, twinings or yorkshire tea

Cider, only scrumpy jack will do

Wine, need I say more

Aveda Shampure- one bottle lasts 10-12 months in our house, smells great and animal test free.
Gold Blend coffee- will stock up on offers
Philosophy Hope-in-a-Jar. From my beloved QVC ( or John Lewis, but it mean £3 for Dartford tunnel/crossing)
Shoes for DD and DS-Clark
Shoes for me-M&S
Definately waterproofs
My car servicing (approved dealer not some Phil Mitchell type mechanic)- yes I know there are good mechanics out there but how do I know what they are up to?

There are some things I don't scrimp on - expensive shoes for the kids, good mattresses, bras for me (!), nice cuts of meat from happy hens/cows, nice bread with seeds in, loo roll, Walkers crisps - every time! and nice wine :)

hmm let me think... wine, foundation, perfume, chocolate, beans, ready meals, nappies (although I am thinking of trying the aldi ones as they have been recommended).

nothing wrong with TU clothes, have had some for years and still going - esp. in the sales where you can pick up nice tops and cardis for as little as £1.
I won't scrimp on conditioner (i usually get toiletries from wilkinson - tresemee conditioner usualy down to £2 which is fab) i just can't brush my hair without good conditioner.
tomatoes - same as a poster above said, i love tomatoes and nothing compares to the "on the vine" taste

yep i think that's it.. i'm not very picky but i like to shop around and most of the time i can get nice branded stuff on offer cheaper than supermarket's own brand. if it's not on offer i don't tend to get it.

'Brabantia bin bags are worth the extra money?!

'

Really they are. And I am usually so cheap I wash and reuse my 15p scourers!

I always scrimp on Sellotape and regret it.

An umbrella.

Cheap wine? Bleugh.

DH told me off for buying cheap spreadable butter. I told him how expensive his favourite spreadable Lurpak is... he balked slightly and we agreed that we will bulk buy it when it is on offer and make do in between! He is right though, the cheap stuff is seriously nasty....

Clothes - I do "buy up" for the children by getting on ebay, spend not much more than I would at Tesco or whatever and get something seriously nice that lasts much better (and I can resell again!)

Oh and shower gel.

I can't wash regularly with anything other than Molton Brown now, my skin is in tatters otherwise, which is seriously extravagant. However, a bottle lasts me absolutely ages and I ask for it for gifts/buy from ebay so get a much better deal.

Similarly shampoo and bath wash for the DC, I splash out to save their skin from similar torture.

selllotape. Life is too short to spend it looking for the ragged end of cheap sello!

Sheets - must be 100% cotton
Meat - eat less regularly but good quality
Hairdresser - I'll pay for a decent 'do
Furniture - rather buy solid second-hand wood stuff than chipboard crap from Argos or Ikea

I never scrimp on shoes. I don't go over the top, but at least M&S Footglove or something. I walk at least three miles a day and get shin splints, sprained ankles, etc, whenever I try to go cheap.

I won't buy cheap cheese, but bulk buy whatever mature cheddar is on offer.

Oh and floss. Has to be Oral B satin tape or it splits between my teeth.

Am very happy scouring charity shops and pound shops for clothes, books, CDs, filter coffee, etc, though. My kids have the best dressing up box of any children I know, but it is made up of loads of charity shop finds - jester hats, feather boas, etc. Fun!

I get Douwe Ebert coffee for £1 at the pound shop. Is £4.87 at our local Tesco!!

Also buy market fruit and veggies and go to butcher for cheap meat bulk buys.

I have never, even in our poorest days, scrimped on meat, fish, ham, eggs, sausages, butter, tea bags, bread and childrens shoes.
I was just really skinny because dh and I ate shredded wheat for about 80% of our meals.

Now we are better off I would add bin bags, washing up liquid, coca cola, bedding, mattresses, baileys, wine, jackson reece baby wipes and Aveeno for DD.

Meat
Loo Rolls
Make up
Childrens' shoes
Wine
Furniture
Bedding
Haircuts/colouring
School uniform

"Only the rich can afford cheap shoes"

I really like that saying.

Yes, agree with Bailey's and definitely loo roll - only those little puppies will do. Chicken is always good quality, and ham and steak but nothing else. Except fish.... bloody hell, that's quite a few things.

Children's shoes are always from Start-Rite, even years ago when we had very little money. Not that they are that much more expensive than Clark's now, though.

Conditioner - there are a few brands I favour and will buy them on offer

Toothpaste - I have a tube of Value toothpaste in my drawer at work, it's fine for emergencies but I shudder at the thought of using it every day. I get brands on offer or from the 99p shop.

Crisps/chocolate/ice cream/other naughty snacks - if I'm having these I want them to be good, would rather go without than have something disappointingly unsatisfying!