4 Household Items You Should Never Buy Cheap — Even on a Budget
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Being on a tight budget often means looking for cheaper trade-offs, like buying the store brand over the name brand. But there are some things you shouldn’t buy cheaper due to issues like poor performance or faster failure.
Here are some household items it pays to reach a little deeper in your wallet for.
Mattress
About one-third of your life is spent sleeping, so buying a cheap mattress won’t do you any favors. Low-cost mattress models are often thinner and made with basic materials like simple innersprings or low-density foam that break down faster and don’t offer enough support. Additionally, return policies and warranties may leave much to be desired, meaning if you don’t like the mattress, too bad — you’re stuck with it.
Pillow
Your pillow is just as important as your mattress for restful sleep, so invest a little more to get one that works for you. Your pillow should support your head, neck and shoulders, keeping your spine in alignment. Unfortunately, a cheap pillow not only might be uncomfortable but also may lose its shape faster, leading to compromised support, more pressure on muscles and joints, and stiffness and pain upon waking.
Vacuum Cleaner
The old adage “You get what you pay for” rings true when it comes to vacuum cleaners. Many cheap vacuums have issues with leaking allergen particles into the air and scattering debris instead of sucking it up. Also, they may be more noisy than their more expensive counterparts and have issues cleaning deep dirt from carpets or picking up pet hair.
Kitchen Trash Bags
Although it might be tempting to opt for the dollar store version of trash bags over the $10 box at your local grocery store, don’t do it. Thin bags can fall short when it comes to wet food and sharper objects, as well as being loaded to the top. Even though stronger bags with reinforced seams cost more per roll, they often offer more resistance from leaks or tears that will have you double bagging and mopping the floor.
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