Buying appliances and decor for your home can sometimes be a struggle. Should you keep up with the latest trends, or are the more affordable options the way to go? Today, we’ll go through 18 things you should save your money on by not purchasing.
Designer Kitchen Appliances
We’ve all seen some crazy advances in kitchen appliances recently, like fridges that have more features than a smartphone. However, when you’re looking for a new kitchen appliance, think about utility first. The expensive digital features might be cool, but the best appliances are ones that do what you actually need them to do.
Extended Warranties for Electronics
Warranties on your electronics, like laptops and TVs, can give you some peace of mind when splashing the cash on a luxury item. However, CBS reports that “when the cost of an extended warranty exceeds 20 percent of the item’s purchase price, it’s often not a good deal for the consumer.”
High-End HDMI Cables
Anyone who plays video games on a console will know all about HDMI cables. They’re vital for connecting devices to your TV screen, but more expensive cables don’t seem to have many benefits compared to normal cables. In this case, it’s best to stick to the generic brands.
Bottled Water
Depending on your location and the quality of your tap water, bottled water might be an unnecessary expense for your household. Bottled water contributes to plastic waste, which isn’t good for the environment, and the price markup can be extortionate compared to tap water.
Gourmet Ingredients
For normal meals in your home, it’s usually not necessary to go all out when buying ingredients. Sometimes, the fancy, specialized ingredients that you buy can be shoved into the back of the cupboard and forgotten until they expire. Regular alternatives can work just as well and will probably get used more.
Expensive Cleaning Supplies
We all want our homes to be clean and bright places to live in, but some expensive cleaning brands aren’t worth the investment. Basic ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen – like vinegar and baking soda – can be just as effective and keep your home just as clean.
Premium Paint Brands
The Washington Post found that “In the most recent rounds of testing, a remarkable four out of the top five interior and exterior paints were hardware store brands.” The cheapest paints can still sometimes be low-quality, so it’s best to look at the middle of the range for great paint at a lower price.
Trendy Home Decor
Home decor trends can change in the blink of an eye, so spending a lot on items that you’ll soon want to replace isn’t a great investment. Because of their popularity, these decorations may also be marked up significantly. Consider trying out some DIY to get a more affordable but similar style.
Luxury Bedding
There can be a world of difference between the cheapest bedding and slightly less affordable brands, but often, luxury, high-end brands don’t actually offer any more comfort. Expensive bedding can also need delicate care to keep it in good condition, adding to the time and money you have to spend on it.
Branded Vitamins and Supplements
Although generic and branded vitamins and supplements are often similar, if not identical, in terms of benefits, you should be wary of them as a whole. Always consult with your doctor before using any new products, and be vigilant when researching their benefits and health claims.
Specialized Kitchen Gadgets
Is your kitchen cluttered with gadgets and tools that you hardly ever use? Avocado slicers, waffle irons, and salad spinners are just a few gadgets that have limited uses. As a rule of thumb, if the tool can be replaced by a knife or other common kitchen item, you probably don’t need it.
Checkout Area Impulse Buys
Supermarkets are designed to psychologically increase your spending. CNN suggests that tactics like selling flowers and playing holiday music “indirectly influence your behavior and encourage you to part more readily with your money.” Placing small items in the checkout area leads to impulse buys, which add up over time.
Overpriced Candles
They might be one of the most common holiday gifts, but expensive candles often aren’t worth their price tags. Cheaper options can provide a similar fragrance and ambiance at a fraction of the price. You can even make candles at home for a personalized scent and a great activity for the whole family.
Anti-Aging Skincare Products
Some skincare products are undeniably useful and beneficial, but others come at a high price with largely unproven long-term effects. Anti-aging products are ones to be especially wary of, as their effectiveness can be exaggerated by their marketing. You may not notice much of a difference in your skin despite the sometimes staggering cost.
Pre-Chopped Fruits and Vegetables
There are a couple of reasons why choosing whole fruits and vegetables instead of pre-chopped is a good idea. Whole fruits and vegetables are less expensive and have a longer shelf life compared to their pre-cut alternatives. When it’s such little effort to chop your fruits and vegetables yourself, you might as well save the money.
Specialty Coffee Machines
If you’re an absolute coffee aficionado, then maybe your specialty espresso machine is worth it. But The Guardian says that “the waste that coffee capsules notoriously produce” means they’re not very environmentally friendly, and regular coffee makers are cheaper while still making a decent cup of joe.
Novelty Electronics
It seems like there’s a new smart version of something every day: Bluetooth toothbrushes, ‘smart’ forks and interactive mirrors are just a few. For households who don’t have money to burn, it’s unnecessary to try and keep up with these tech trends. They quickly become obsolete and often aren’t useful at all.
Brand-Name Cleaning Tools
Finally, it’s time to look at the essentials that every home needs: cleaning tools. You might notice a few luxury options out there offering apparently better quality tools, but regular alternatives work just as well. For example, rather than a fancy steam cleaner, you can just use a regular old mop and bucket.
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