Car seats - both children were rear facing until 3/4 (they are 10 and 12 now so I had to Import the seats from Sweden) and had the best tested high back boosters too. I honestly couldn’t put a price on my babies lives (particularly when my dh is epileptic albeit it’s been controlled and he has been seizure free for 8 years.)
Children’s shoes - I will happily buy second hand clothing for my children but they need measured and well fitting shoes. I don’t mean Clark’s shoes either as they are crap compared to how they used to be - Geox, primigi ...
In fact we buy the best we can for shoes for ourselves- my dh will get a new pair of timberlands every 18 months. I am a savvy shopper and get the best price possible.
Children’s winter coats- again I’m a savvy shopper but both children have had landsend expedition coats which with 40% discount as a new customer, plus an extra x% during summer sale, I bought £100 quality warm coats for £25 (I pre bought 2 different sizes for each of my children- I also buy bigger so they can grow into the coats) Both children are still in the coats, although I’m gutted they will outgrow the landsend kids section next size up! Likewise dd when little, had Boden duffle coats every year, that if not second hand, were bought from Boden sale at a large discount.
Real wool jumpers for dh- they last and look better for longer than cheap acrylic jumpers (I am also allergic to acrylic).
School uniform- I find it’s cheaper to buy better quality uniform at the start of the year, rather than having to replace half way.
iPad and phone cases! My kids iPads are sacred, not to mention very generous gifts from my brother, so they get the best case I can afford.
House phones- I spend a little more on our house phones as they are used everyday and I have watched my Mum with false economy buy cheaper house phones only for them to break within a year. Mum won’t spend more than £40 - (we spent £120 and have had our phones for 5 years) but has bought new phones at least once or twice a year.
Laptops/computer/ tablets/ mobiles- I would love to be able to afford a MacBook, which has always been what I would splurge on if we had the money. Likewise iPads have lasted so much longer than any kindle fire/ Samsung tablet we have had and the same with our mobiles. I have my Dads old iPhone and it is in fantastic condition.
Furniture- sofas/ beds/ mattresses - I will buy heavily used furniture the best quality I can find- although I will buy real wood furniture in local adds/ gumtree. My daughter has a beautiful ASPACE bed which was £50 from gumtree. Likewise ds has a solid STOMPA high sleeper that was £50 from gumtree. Mattresses we buy new- but we buy second hand solid wood furniture where we can. A good quality mattress is so important-!
Washing machine/ tumble dryer/ dishwasher/ hoover - anything that gets heavy usage, I buy German brands or best reviewed. After being told by repair men that they would only buy German brands.
We will buy a which subscription for checking reviews of any big purchase we make. I watch you tube reviews, check all different websites to get the best price and best product for our money.
Basically, anything we use a lot, I research and source the best at the best price we can fit into our budget.