[meredith1629]

I agree on just about everything here. I've bought some cheapies and had lots of success but also many failures.

Drop the dollars on: appliances (esp. vacuums), clothing, anything children use that could possibly hurt them if broken (bike is a good example), furniture (my desk is a POS and it's not a year old yet!), sheets and towels for sure!, and skin care products oh! and PET FOOD

Cheap moves: generic foods (that are safe of course! not expired or gross stuff), generic OTC meds (not the big lots brands but wal-mart brands, cvs brands) and lots of other stuff I can't think of!

[Couponclipper003]

Underwear! LOL! I will ONLY buy VS! Don't care what the price is!!!! I tried a different brand (I think Haines) and I couldn't stand the fit!

I also went cheap on my wedding pics which haunts me to this day... you definitley get what you pay for!

[walter_vito]

Strapless bra at Target. I should have gone to Victoria's Secret. The one at Target was painful and I had to wear it for a wedding and reception!

[puddin head]

So, I had stocked up on the .47 Angel Soft 4 packs when Walgreens clearanced them out. We have cracked open a couple packs now, and I'll be honest, I don't know that I got such a great bargain. It's soft and all, but I usually buy 30 rolls of Scott 1000 sheet single ply at Costco for about .63/roll. I think those rolls last much longer than the 4 pack of Angel Soft. We are going through 2 rolls a day of AS, whereas the Scott roll hangs around for days! I think unless I can get TP for free that is one thing I will continue to purchase a couple times a year at Costco. Same thing goes for the Paper Towels.

[OsweetchildrenO]

Originally Posted by hcsig

Crib--well it wasn't cheap but a cheaper model and we just found out yesterday it is being recalled! DD is using it as a daybed but I am attempting to convince dh to buy a toddler bed off of craigslist so I can take it back to the store!

Which the changing table that we bought to match the crib was also a cheap wal-mart brand and it was literally falling apart before I got rid of it! My DD is not heavy by any means and the top shelf was bowing and fell through to the next shelf down a few times. Thankfully I was right there to grab her but after that it was gone. If I have another child we will be getting one of those nice dresser/changing table combo units.

Oh wow..that's crazy - DH and are 'inherting' our baby furniture from his mother(she had kids later in life as well).
I've seen those cribs that turn into daybeds....then into headboards for a full size bed. That sounds very useful!!

[esquala]

Other than stuff I've seen here, like pans and knives, the one thing that sticks out in my mind is kid's swim goggles. I go to Bed, Bath and Beyond and buy the Speedo brand. $16, and use 20% coupon. For my son who is nearsighted, I go to the local swim shop and can buy him Speedo goggles to match his eyeglass script for $18.

I can't tell you how many pair of Walmart goggles I've tossed before I wised up. I bought the speedo's last year and they were WONDERFUL. Too bad I "put them away in a safe place" and had to buy two new pair in June. :-/

[magna]

Payless shoes

[rach]

Cheap bras! Yuck! After having a baby, my chi chis need all the help they can Thank you! Only VS for me!

I have to agree with all the other posts, anything that is supposed to last for awhile, plan on buying quality, because you do get what you pay for!

[magna]

I guess one can´t afford cheap things. I´ll gladly pay twice, three times much for something that will last 3-4 times longer. Especially shoes.

[autumnrainbow]

Makeup - most cheap makeup wears off in an hour
Underwear - I like some of the hanes, but I can't stand fruit of the loom. V/s is good too most of time although I have had some get holes in them pretty quickly

Bras- ditto

Appliances - ditto

Snack food - I usually buy the natural stuff, because it has typically less fat and more whole grains, worth the extra money to me, because if you are snacking at least you know you are getting something good for it

Cheap juice - 100 percent only, the other stuff is full of sugar .... juice isnt exactly good for you when its loaded with sugar

pajamas v/s only !

Clothes - had so many target clothes fall apart. Sometimes I end up buying cheap clothes because I cannot afford better, but they usually dissapoint

Skincare - I sell Garden Girl now, the really cheap stuff breaks me out typically. I don't need $50 moisturizer, but I can't stand the cheap ones. They don't seem to last as while either, the more expensive ones are usually more concentrated.

The mistake some people make especially on skincare or clothing is focusing on total cost instead of cost per use. If a bottle of moisturizer has 120 uses and it is $25 its a lot better deal than a $10 bottle that only has 40 uses...Same thing for clothes, most of the clothes I wear a lot I have paid more for, but I wear them so much they actually cost me less..... Sometimes I buy $2 thrift store shirts and end up never wearing them, meaning I just wasted $2

[mlb1985]

Heres One that will BLOW your MIND!

I Thought I would BE nice and Buy My Dogs some "healthy All Natural Dog food" You know that stuff that sells for 10.00 For a 5lb BAG!

Well Turns Out My dogs Would rather Eat Cat Poo Then This HEalth CRAP!

So I Decided to Buy Some Good Old 18lb Bag Kibbles and BIts and By geaorge THEY LOVES IT!! And Theres No more in the Bowl LOL!!

Even Though Its Not Technically "Cheaping Out On somethinmg" I still Regret Letting that HEalth nut lady Talk me into It.

(Dont get me wrong Some healthy dog food They will Eat like CRAZY even the cats will destroy it, But by George This Stuff Was NASTY!!!)

So Make sure you know What Your Dog(s) like in their Dog food beofre you get cute And try and Put them on a "HEalth Kick" LOL

(oh and I simpithize With the Other Large Footed Ladies! Im a 11 W In shoes and So is My MOM! )

I also Useually Get stuff for FREE so I dont Really regret any Purchases :-)

[mlb1985]

Oh WAIT I have one I HATE Buying These Shoes My HUBBY LOVES.

THey Are from WALMART and They have HOLES worn in the Bottom Within 3 Months.

He has Owned 10 PAIRS!!! HE just went out and Bought a NEw pair!

$20.00 Each Time!

Ah, Guess Thats a MAN for YA. (STUBBORN that is LOL)

[hotmama111]

I regret moving to this neighborhood and not moving into a place with a HOA. OMG. People drive ATVs around with 1 year olds at all hours of the day and night waking up my kids.....they ride thru my property....you name it it's just not worth it.

And, those leaky Target Playtex Straw Sippy cups (2 pack) ringing up $1.68! Yes, a great deal, so I bought 4 2-packs. But was the savings worth the milk puddles left on my floors and carpets!? UGH. I would have much rather forked over more dough for non-leaky cups.

[spendingwise]

Bras... The more I live the more I realize that it's best to wait for a sale and coupon (etc.) and buy the quality item than go for the cheapo ones... there are times when least expensive is still good, but cheap is normally not of good quality... oh one more. I used to buy DH's shirts at Old Navy for dirt cheap... but they would shrink and fade so quick that it was cheaper (overall) to buy more expensive shirts on sale because they last longer. It's all about the sale and coupon!

[patville]

Electronics - every time I go for the off-brand "great" deal, I end up with regrets.
On the bright side, I once got a digital camera for over 50% off because it was a display model on clearance. (Target)

[hasheivy]

Originally Posted by MommySusan1

I needed some new bras and they had some on clearance at Walmart and I had a $1 coupon for them. $4 for bras. I bought two, brought them home and washed them. The first time I wore one, they itched so bad I could not stand it. I literally came home, took it off and threw it in the trash.

Then I went to the Bali outlet and bought two of their bras for $30 some dollars. They are sooo comfy. I put them on first thing in the morning and take them off last thing before I go to bed. I am going back to get another set when I get the time.

P.S. I was shopping for bras with my DD. I tried one on and it didn't work. She asked me why some bras fit and some don't. I told her if I knew the answer to that, I could rule the world!! I also told her that when you wear a bra, you shouldn't be aware that your wearing it.

Yes, I did the same too. I put it in the wash and both straps broke off! What a waste. I only buy from victoria's secret. They last, fit, and lately w/sales and freebies it's worth the money to shop with them

[Henna]

IKEA furniture. It's not awful but it just looks cheesy to me and I wish I had saved my money for something solid and classic.

[heatherecu]

I agree with many of the previous posts...appliances, sheets, electronics. Also I will spend more for good towels.

My lasted "buy cheap mistake" was on a free bag of dogfood. Both my (indoor) dogs had diarrhea for a week after eating it. I couldn't even count how many accidents I was cleaning up all over the house. Form now on, I will continue to buy the sensitve stomach dog food from petsmart. I figure it is cheaper to get spend more on the dogfood than have to replace my carpets.

[sspunk]

Originally Posted by jcoy

I have a king size bed. When I bought it, I couldn't believe the price for a king size mattress. So I went cheap, more like in the middle, but I wish I had spent the money on a nice mattress. Now I don't sleep very well. I will have to shell out some major bucks for a new mattress. There goes my tax return or maybe I will just suffer through it.

If your mattress is to 'soft' for your comfort, try having a piece of 1/2-3/4 " plywood sheet cut to fit inbetween the springs & mattress. Should 'harden' up the bed quite a bit. I've done this many times in the past with 'cheap' spring/mattress sets. Works like a charm.

BEST
steve