Cents vs. sense

My friendship with shopping is fair-weather at best. Sometimes I dig it, but for the most part, my attitude is best described as disinterested. When the going gets tough, I jump ship. End of discussion. I do the majority of my shopping online and, there, as long as I find what I want, it isn't worth the hassle of comparing prices on other sites. Even shipping costs don't deter me provided they are within reason. In store, I want what I want and if what you're selling has it, I'm buying. Again, no comparison shopping. As far as I'm concerned, the less time I have to spend, the more I get my money's worth.

Of course, there are certain things that you just don't buy online. Most of them, I'm not picky about. My toiletries generally come right off the shelf of the local drugstore. For the most part, I don't spend a lot of dough on that kind of thing. The only exception I can think of is moisturizer and, thankfully, I never remember to use it enough to have to face the task of buying more than once or twice a year.

Back in September, I stayed at a friend's place. At some point during the visit, I noticed that she kept one of those big bags of skinny pink razors in her bathroom. You know the kind, totally stripped down with just a single blade, no moisturizing strips or soft grip handles to be found. Up until that point, I'd never questioned my decision to go for the more costly, yet far more aesthetically pleasing options out there on the market, this even after a discussion with another friend about the added expense. I guess I put my observation in the vault because a few weeks ago, when it came time to stock up on hair removal supplies, I thought of my friend who does it old school. As I stood before the mountain of options, I was torn. Ten bucks for a few of what I usually get or five for what about a hundred of what my friend, a woman I love and admire, uses. In a rare flash of fiscal responsibility, I decided that I didn't need pretty, I just needed functional. Sold.

Fast forward. I have now learned that, for me, razors are something that I will spend more on in the future. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be shopping for them again before 2011 rolls around. (And that is not a reference to how often I shave.)

This lesson got me to thinking about the things that I am willing to pay more for. Based on experience, I will not go cheap on:

• batteries
• laundry & dish soap
• garbage bags
• cotton swabs (Q-Tip is the only way to go)
• tea
• toilet paper

How about you? What are the essentials that you're willing to splurge on? And I don't mean purses.

Comments

[victorylane]

Yeah. So, so right. Razors is a huge thing I don't skimp on. I like my skin to stay, as well, skin. A couple of other things I don't go frugal on:

Mayonnaise - I know you don't eat it, and I seldom do, but Best Foods is the only way.
Ibuprofen - Advil only. That generic shit doesn't work.
Tampons

There are scores of other things as well, but the ol' memory wagon is off kilter.

[victorylane]

Oh yeah. Q-tip..the ONLY way. Isn't it funny how NO OTHER company can compete?

[NathanPralle]

Tea except suntea. For some reason the crap Lipton or Luzianne works well for that. Life is far too short to wipe my most sensitive bits with anything but good TP. That doesn't mean it has to be quad-ply cotton-based, but it had better be upper middle class. I'm terribly fond of high-class underwear and socks but usually can't swing them.

[Rachaelcook]

Oh man. I have spent a lot of time thinking lately how unfortunate it is that I have become a coffee snob, thanks to http://caffemedici.com/index.html. Unfortunate because it is never less than $4 for an Americano or a latte. But good-coffee-god, it's the best stuff around.

Also, need good TP. And I'm with VL on the tampons. I only use specific pens and moleskin journals. Nice sheets are of the utmost importance.

That's the short list.