Quality vs Cost: What Items Are Worth the Splurge

Quality vs Cost: What Items Are Worth the Splurge

Author: ListenMoneyMatters.com | Andrew Fiebert and Matt Giovanisci July 18, 2014 Duration: 34:30
As demonstrated in Vimes’ theory of boots, sometimes it saves money long term to spend more up front.  What items are worth the splurge and which are not? Quality versus cost is not about being fancy and always buying the most expensive version of everything or being cheap and always buying the least expensive version of things.  It’s about making sure what you buy lasts as long as possible so you don’t have to spend more money constantly replacing the same item. Technology is a great example.  Apple products are less vulnerable to viruses than pcs.  A virus will cost you money either having to pay for repairs or replace the computer entirely. A good rule of thumb on where to spend the extra money is “anything that comes between you and the ground.”  So shoes, mattresses, and tires.  You spend a third of your life in bed so mattresses are not the place to save some money. Anything that needs to last a long time is worth the extra money.  Things like cushioned furniture and appliances.  What you put into your body.  You don’t have to buy only the most pure, organic vegetables harvested at the light of the full moon by Buddhist monks, but thinking you’re getting a deal by eating from the dollar menu everyday is a costly mistake in the future. Where can you choose the less expensive option?  Matt says clothes.  I would say you can spend less on casual, around the house clothes but a little more in dress and office clothes.  Wood furniture will last a long time without spending a fortune.  The only caveat would be weight bearing furniture like book cases which can bow if they’re the ultra cheap press board ones. Let’s hear from you in the comments.  What do you spend more on and where do you save? Show Notes Terrapin Mosaic Red Rye India Pale Ale: “A liquid art form.” Sierra Nevada Blindfold Black IPA:  Bright hops and roasty darkness. Betterment:  Our favorite investing tool.  Use this link and get six months free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like personal finance advice comes from another planet, spoken in a language you don't understand? Listen Money Matters is the antidote. Hosts Andrew Fiebert and Matt Giovanisci ditch the jargon and the judgment, offering real talk about money that's actually useful. Their conversations are grounded, often funny, and built on the idea that managing your finances shouldn't feel like a lecture from the wealthy elite. You'll hear practical strategies for budgeting, investing, getting out of debt, and building a life where money works for you, not the other way around. This podcast cuts through the noise with actionable steps, whether you're looking to optimize an already solid portfolio or are just figuring out where your paycheck goes each month. The tone is refreshingly direct and relatable, making even complex topics feel approachable. It's the kind of discussion you'd have with a savvy friend who's done the research and isn't afraid to be blunt about what works. Tune in for a no-BS take on financial freedom that empowers you to make smarter decisions with confidence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Listen Money Matters - Free your inner financial badass. All the stuff you should know about personal finance.
Podcast Episodes
Our Favorite Financial Resources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
We hope LMM is your go-to place for all things personal finance but there are other resources available. We share some of our favorites. Podcasts APM Marketplace: News on business, money, and economics. Stacking Benjamin…
What the F**k is Vanguard? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
If you read or listen to anything related to personal finance, you have heard of Vanguard Funds. But WTF are Vanguard Funds and why are they so popular? Vanguard and its founder, John Bogle, are investing legends and for…
How to Make Money On The Side [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:06
Want to earn some extra cash? Have some credit card or student loan debt you would like to pay off? Maybe you want to finally take your dream vacation or have some extra money to crank up your investing. We’ll teach you…
My Personal Investment Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:18
The finer points of my personal investment strategy including emergency funds, checking and savings accounts, and investing beyond Betterment. An emergency fund is vital as we discussed in Episode 64. But we define that…
5 Questions: Lending Club, Dave Ramsey, Credit Cards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
You ask and we answer. Five listener questions on everything from Dave Ramsey to credit cards to how to stay disciplined with spending. 1. What is Lending Club and how is it classified? Lending Club is a market place for…
Creating The Perfect Resume with Mark Fiebert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
Your resume can make all the difference in a tough job market. We’ll find out what you need to build the perfect resume so you land that job. If you haven’t done a new resume for a while, some things have changed. Since…
Investing In Cryptocurrency with Edward Castronova [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
If you haven’t noticed, everyone has been hysterical lately about Bitcoin (to say the least). We talked to Professor Edward Castronova, an expert on investing in cryptocurrency to talk about how the market works. What is…
How to Budget for Special Occasions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday or an anniversary, we all have special days to celebrate. Find out how to do it up without spending too much. It’s easy to budget for the expected holidays but what about the random co-…
Budget Meals: What To Eat When You’re Strapped For Cash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:08
There are lots of ways to save money on food. Here are a lot of ideas for budget meals and what to eat when you’re strapped for cash. That Can’t Be Right Americans spend a lot of money on food as a recent poll found out.…
The 100th Episode Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:50
Listen, Money Matters celebrates our milestone 100th episode by reminiscing over listener voted best episodes. Enjoy these classics! Some of the favorite episodes surprised us. The first one? Others, like Adam Carrol’s i…