Everyone likes to save money when they can, and a lot of the time it’s as easy as buying the least expensive option available! But sometimes, spending a bit more money up front will actually save you money down the road, and that phenomenon is exactly what I want to talk about in today’s post!
We’ll be taking a look at 9 different items that cost a little more up front, but can actually save you money over time. These consequential purchases can end up paying for themselves in the long run—and then some!
If there’s an item you consider splurge-worthy that wasn’t included on this list, I’d love to hear about it! Tell us all about it in a comment at the bottom of this post and we can keep the discussion going!
9 Purchases That Will Save You Money Over Time
1. LED Light Bulbs
Price: $15 for a pack of 4
The higher price tag of LED light bulbs might have you reaching for the less expensive incandescent or halogen bulbs instead, but the fact that LED bulbs last up to 10x as long as regular bulbs makes them worth the extra cost! Another good reason to opt for LED bulbs is that they use around 1/6th of the electricity of standard bulbs, meaning you’ll save money on your electric bill too.
2. Apple TV
Price: starting at $199
If you’re an Apple or iPhone user, Apple TV could well be worth the upfront cost. Not only does it give you access to all your favorite streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu — but you can also use it to listen to music from your iTunes library, view your photos, or use AirPlay to view your phone screen up on the big screen.
3. Amazon Prime
Price: $139 per year
If you shop on Amazon frequently, an Amazon Prime membership is almost certainly worth the upfront cost! You’ll get Free 2-Day Shipping, as well as access to Prime Video (Amazon’s answer to streaming services like Netflix).
Prime Video has a growing catalog of TV shows and movies to watch, and you’ll be able to enjoy those at no extra cost. Plus there are other benefits too, like unlimited photo storage and music streaming!
4. Coffee Maker/Soda Stream
Price: $30-100
If you find yourself buying coffee or sodas several times throughout the week, that money can add up fast! Keep that money in your pocket by switching to an at-home machine like a coffee maker or a Soda Stream. The machine will pay for itself eventually, so it’s worth it to spend a little more for a high-quality machine you know you’re going to use.
5. Instant Pot/Crockpot
Price: $30-130
While Instant Pots and crockpots are fundamentally different appliances, they do have one thing in common–they can both save you a lot of money in the long run! Eating out typically costs $10-15 per person, whereas you can make an entire meal in an Instant Pot or crockpot for $15 (with leftovers to spare!) Replacing a few takeout meals per week with an Instant Pot or crockpot meal will definitely save you money over time.
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6. A Good Phone Case
Price: $30-50
With so many cheap phone cases available in stores and online, it can seem like a waste of money to buy a more expensive case. But splurging a little on a sturdy, protective phone case could end up saving you from having to replace a broken phone down the line. When you compare a $40 phone case against the cost of replacing an $800 phone, spending a bit more on a good phone case just makes sense.
7. Cloth Napkins
Price: $12-30
Investing in a nice set of cloth napkins is less wasteful than using paper napkins or paper towels, and it can save you money in the long run too. Choose napkins that are durable and machine washable, and they’ll serve you well for a long time to come!
8. Reusable Bottle/Cup
Price: $10-30
Investing in a good reusable water bottle or drink cup will almost certainly pay off, and fast. If you replace bottled water, sodas, or coffees by filling up your trusty cup, you’ll be saving money before you know it. I use my big insulated drinking cup all the time, and I love how it keeps my drinks cold for hours!
9. A Good Pair Of Shoes
Price: $40-100
Some people just can’t find it in themselves to spend more than $40 on a pair of shoes, and I get it. If you’re not much of a fashionista, it can seem wasteful to spend a lot on shoes!
But investing in a good, sturdy pair shoes can actually save you money over time, because those shoes could very well last you years! Need some ideas for shoes? You can view a list of some of my readers’ favorite comfortable and investment-worthy shoes!
What items do you think are worth splurging on?
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My family has used cloth napkins since the early ’90’s. The original purpose was to creat less paper waste. Some of the napkins I originally purchased are still in our stack of napkins! Now, one box of paper napkins will last all year!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.we’ve used cloth napkins for about a decade now. I just bought them at thrift stores. Get good cotton ones, or linen. We love them, as does Mother Earth.
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