Splurge or save?

[Troelsismyname]

Can I ask for your best tips of when (and what) you buy more expensive, high quality versions of things, and when you can get away with budget versions that are absolutely good enough? I am trying to budget a bit more generally but also find myself valuing higher quality in certain things more and more as I get older (fewer but quality clothes etc).

However, I don't always feel like I am making the right choices, and always see things on TV about how the 'luxury' options of brands are no better at all than budget buys. For example beauty products. I don't want to make false economies by buying cheap but also don't want to waste money unnecessarily!

Please therefore tell me your best budget buys and things you always spend a bit more on, and why?! Can be anything, food, furniture/furnishings, clothes, make-up, kids stuff. Thanks!

Save;
• Nappies - Aldi. Everyone recommended them while i was pregnant so i went with it, only literally this week have i found out how much more expensive the branded ones are!
• Pyjamas - Primark. Great quality, last ages and so cheap you can always pick up a new design whenever you're in.
• Scented candles - Glade. I usually get ones on offer in Wilko or dirt cheap price in Savers. Ive found their fragrance to be more potent than yankee ones, and they last absolutely ages. I pick them up for 1.49- 3 quid. Velvet Tea Party and Sparkling Winter (both limited edition) are my absolute FAVES. Id never use a yankee jar again!

Splurge
• Kitchen/Bathroom accessories - i love stuff by Simplehuman, lasts a lifetime. Bins, dishrack etc

Cant think of any more splurges at the mo but i may be back!

I think that it is always worth paying more for...

A decent wind and fully waterproof winter coat (all of us)'

A decent suit jacket and wool coat (me)

Basic plain tee shirts in v neck, crew, polo style long and short sleeve. They wash well and do not lose their shape. (all.of us)

Shoes, wellies and trainers (all of us)

Luggage and work/school ruck sacks. (all of us)

Investment hand bag

Soap @ candles (me)

Bedding

Linen trousers

Flannels and Towels

Butter (lurpack)

Moisturiser

Foundation, powder and lip stick

Meat from butcher

Washing powder, loo roll and bin bags

Everything else I will buy cheapily

Leather winter boots which can be reheeled.
Fewer clothes but good quality ( bought in the sale or with at least 20% discount ) , same for kids clothes . Less but better quality .

Good quality curtains and soft furnishings which will last for years .
Solid furniture -quality ,last a lifetime and then some furniture, antique pieces or second hand charity shop finds which can be repainted .
Kids shoes
Food esp meat and proper butter .
A good haircut
Music lessons
Laptop
What I don’t spend lots of money on
Face creams etc
Makeup
Binbags etc
Shampoo
Fashion trends
Magazines
Books (most come from charity shops unless I’ve received a book token .
Magazines - I never buy magazines or newspapers
Cars , we buy them at about 3 years old and drive them for 7 - 8 years
Plane seats - economy is fine
Hotels - it’s mostly to sleep in now that my children are older
Candles and fake air fresheners - I just open windows .
Cinema tickets- we usually go when all tickets are £3/4
DVDs
CDs

And I’ll spend more on a good quality leather handbag but I will use it for years and years and an evening bag which goes with everything, I have one that I’ve been using for about 10 years . I have no plans to change that

You'll probably enjoy Shop Well for Less on the BBC OP.

For mattresses, look at the Premier Inn hypnos mattress or Leesa, Simba, eve etc.

All excellent at a mid price. Not bargain basement but not thousands either.

Furniture - nothing at all wrong with ikea. Excellent quality for the price. No need to pay more.

Great ideas here. Thanks all :)

I'd pay more for coats, walking shoes, and carpets, pillows and quilts. Also food that has healing properties such as honey, olive oil, blackseed.

Go cheap on cleaning products. Cheap perfumes are as good if not better than designer.

Op you need to watch eat well for less/shop well for less on bbc both are on iplayer right now.