FINANCIAL “PIGGY BACK” THURSDAYS: Top 10 Things NOT to Financially “Skimp” On - The DV Walking Wounded

Okay, first things first…what does skimp mean? According to Dictionary.com, /skimp/, verb, means to: expend or use less time, money, or material on something than is necessary in an attempt to economize.

So, we’re going to do a TOP 10 list of things NOT to skimp or “cheap-out” over. This means never substitute a lesser-quality than what is needed. NEVER. You can shop your normal brand around, but never substitute for the “econo” version of ANY of these items! I am normally all for trying new, lower-cost items, but in the list below, you NEVER do that. Like EVER. If you do, you’ll feel nothing but remorse and annoyance, and no one wants THAT.

TOP 10 Things NOT to Skimp On:

Toilet Paper – NEVER substitute comfort or durability for affordability. Also, buy the quantity that you normally buy, to which I buy a 24-pack, then purchase one more of the same unit, which has me buying another 24-pack. When I get down to the second 24-pack, I purchase another. Sometimes I buy two more instead of one more if there is a sale and/or I have a great coupon or rebate. Plus, we are talking the sanctity of the most tender, vulnerable part of your body!
Salon Services – When I say “salon” services, I’m speaking of hair care/cut/color, eyebrow shaping/waxing, nail care, and eyelash services. If you don’t have a regular stylist, definitely get recommendations and try them out, hanging onto the good ones! Also, follow them and their shops on social media, so you can take advantages of any sales or promotions. Also be sure and rave about them, so they can get more customers, which equates to more money for them. See if they have a referral program, for your recommendations! They are ultimately responsible for you putting your best face forward!
Skin Care Products – Much like what you eat, it becomes a part of you. As women, we don’t want to age prematurely…or at all, really. Your skin deserves premium treatment. Taking good care of your skin now (which also includes drinking water and taking vitamins and supplements), can help you look younger in the long run, as well as avoid skin cancers and ailments.
Feminine Hygiene Products / Contraceptives – So, I am talking about tampons, sanitary pads/napkins, menstrual cups, sponges, and any contraceptive products (male/female condoms, etc). Basically, if it goes in or around your private area, only opt for the best. Feminine hygiene items for menstrual cycles need to be chemical-free and made of organic cotton. Nothing harsh or chemical based or fake. There is a movement to go back to “au natural” products to help thwart reproductive cancers. For contraceptives, you want the best barrier against pregnancy and/or STI’s. Don’t “cheap out” on keeping yourself safe. Aren’t you worth it???
Laundry Detergent / Fabric Softener / Dryer Sheets – You want to keep your clothes looking their best and in the best shape, right? Well, you must buy a detergent that will legitimately get them clean and not strip them of threads (and weakening them) or colors. I want my clothes and my kids’ clothes to last as long as possible. Getting cheaply made products with harsh, abrasive chemicals will ruin clothes and not get them as clean as you’re used to. I also have to go with ones that won’t irritate my family’s skin and smell pleasant ALL the way around.
Pet Food & Care Products – Like humans, pets thrive when you feed them better food. The better the food, the healthier the pet, and the less they need to go to the costly veternarian. We had to change to a higher quality cat litter because the cheaper ones were so dusty, that they gave one of our cats a horrible breathing issue.
Mattresses / Household Appliances – These are higher cost items that you want to last a good long time, anywhere from 5 to 15 years! They come with a higher price tag for a reason. Your back and body deserve to rest on quality and appliances keep our clothes clean and our food safe and for cooking. Those are a part of our hierarchy of needs!
Car Maintenance Items – Your car is another large-price ticket item that you want to keep going for 10+ years. The better you maintain your car, the longer it will run without incident. Repairs are costly too, so the more we can maintain, the cheaper it will be in the long run!
Cleaning Products / Supplies – We want our environments to be clean and safe, so using cheap cleaning products with a lot of harsh chemicals is NOT how you should live your life. These products help keep our living area clean and germ and bug free. Sometimes, you can make your own cleaning products, so you know EXACTLY what is in them, as well as to deal with any allergies/sensitivities you or your family might have. I have asthma, so I have to worry about fumes. One of my daughters has sensitive skin. I also used to worry about residue when I cleaned my children’s things when they were babies and toddlers.
Shoes – Lastly, there are shoes. Your feet can trigger your back, legs and hips to have pain, which makes for a long day and night. Starting with a good base and support. Choose shoes for the job that you have and the job they would perform. You wouldn’t want to wear high heels for hiking, would you? Also, don’t by used shoes unless they were not worn AT ALL. A person puts their full-weight when standing in their shoes and you could buy used shoes that don’t fit and cause pain, because of where the foot grooves have worn and don’t match-up to you. We all walk differently, so our shoes wear/weather differently, as you are wearing them. Children need good, sturdy shoes so their feet will grow properly.