Opting for cheaper alternatives is usually pretty expensive.

A newfound view on spending.

Recently, my views on purchasing things have changed. Earlier in my career I definitely skated to save an extra buck.

Certain things like a pair of shoes, buying a used computer, or getting a cheaper phone have all actually cost me more money and led to bigger hassles than they were worth.

I feel as if I have reached a point in my life where I am more inclined to purchase the exact things I want, rather than settling for a substitute to save a few extra bucks.

Take for example a used computer. I bought it because I didn’t want to shell out $1,300 for a new Mac. That used computer lasted me a solid 5 months before getting the blue screen of death. I was so frustrated that I ended up dropping $1,300 for a new Mac the day it died.

Losers game. Money was totally wasted taking the cheaper route. I cheated myself out of $500 when my whole initiative was to save money in the first place.

This is probably my best example of how being cheap became costly for me personally.

Another purchase that totally sucked was getting an iPhone 13 mini. It saved me a few hundred bucks at the moment. About 6-months in I realized the battery was barely lasting me 4 hours.

Then came the portable batteries and the battery packs. These cost more than just getting the iPhone Pro Max, which has a much better battery life.

Certain things, especially those you use each and every day are usually worth the extra spend. Not only in peace of mind but in actual dollars.

There is just something about spending a little more upfront to have a better long-term result that is very fulfilling. (Almost like investing…)

For me, this is true even with regular material items. Say a pair of shoes. I can’t tell you how many times I have found substitutes for shoes I wanted. They were almost what I wanted and I probably saved myself a whole $25 by choosing the substitute.

But then after about a week or so, I’m stuck there thinking about the shoes I really wanted and regret cheaping out on the similar but not exact pair.

There are just some things in life worth paying for. I assume this will become more relevant as time goes on.

I have proved to myself over the last few years that cutting corners to save a few bucks in the short-term usually costs me more in the long-term.

It might not be something that is attainable at this very moment for everyone, especially for younger people who have not yet hit their peak earnings or who are just starting out. That extra $100 could be make or break! I totally get it!

But you can stagger these types of purchases. Maybe it is a once-a-year type of purchase, not something you’re doing each month. Maybe it is a vacation to the exact destination of your choice for 3-days instead of a cheaper option for 7-days.

In the long-run, I’ve found that avoiding the cheaper route usually pays off.