Most people believe if they pay more for an "upgraded" versions of some product, they
get better quality as well. Unfortunately, this rule doesn't work every time. How about
we figure out if there's any need to pay more for a faster Internet, extended warranty,
or a big helping of French fries? Ooh, French fries!
1. Sunscreen above SPF 50. A popular myth is that the higher your sunscreen's
SPF is, the better it protects your skin. Dermatologists, though, warn that bigger SPF
numbers are more harmful to your skin. SPF 30 isn't actually twice as strong as SPF 15,
like many people think. SPF 15 blocks around 94% of UV rays, SPF 30 — 97%, and SPF 45
can block up to 98% of UV rays.
2. Opting for an extended warranty. It does sound like a useful thing to have.
But an extended warranty typically lasts for three years. And experts say that today, appliances
and gadgets rarely break down during this period. Most of them also have their own warranty
which lasts for at least one year.
3. Buying organic food. Even though organic foods and beverages can
scare away with a hefty price tag, it's also one of the reasons why people pay for them.
Subconsciously, we consider more expensive things to be better. And while it's not always
the case, some organic products can be 300% more expensive than foods and drinks.
To save money, buy only those organic products that could otherwise contain a lot of pesticides,
for example, strawberries, apples, grapes, or spinach. As for those covered with skin,
like bananas or avocados, you can safely buy non-organic ones.
4. Buying only name-brands. Spending a fortune on a pair of designer shoes
or a costly handbag might be worth the money. Buying a whole wardrobe consisting of name-brands
is a different matter. Fashion experts recommend mixing items from different price categories
and investing in something high-end only if you can wear it often and with different outfits.
5. Ordering express shipping. Spending a couple of extra bucks to get your
hands on your newest order as fast as possible is tempting and seems like no big deal. But
such little charges tend to add up very quickly. Plus, the chances are regular shipping will
be as fast as the express one. If you're in a real hurry to get something, consider buying
it in a good old offline store.
6. Buying heavy, sturdy furniture. Such things look like they're going to serve
you for ages, and they probably will! But are you sure you'll want them in a couple
of years? Tastes change, you might want to start a renovation, and then you'll have an
additional headache of trying to sell your massive furniture. Even if you manage this
challenging feat, you'll get just a fraction of the original cost.
7. Flying first class. The average economy-class ticket is 7 times
cheaper than the one in first class. Ask yourself if the advantages of spending several hours
of your time in a more comfortable seat are really worth it. Unless it's an ultra-long
flight or you've used your frequent flyer points for a seat upgrade, tough it out in
the economy and spend extra money on a cool hotel or shopping! Everybody in the plane
gets there at the same time.
8. Ordering food delivery. At first sight, it doesn't cost much: just
several bucks, and you can get your food without getting out of your pajamas. But if you have
hot meals brought to you at least several times a week and pay a couple of dollars plus
tips for each delivery, it makes up a hefty sum at the end of the month! Consider making
it a habit to order food delivery only when it's really necessary.
9. Buying self-charging robot vacuums. Such robots are no doubt cool and popular
and give you that amazing clean-home feeling. But they're also expensive and do tend to
miss dirty spots. If you decide to resell your robot vacuum, you aren't going to get
much for it. A traditional vacuum is much more cost-efficient, even though you have
to spend some time and effort to operate it.
10. Opting for a higher Internet speed. Some Internet providers offer blazing-fast
home Internet. But unless you're a professional online gamer, you don't need such speeds,
and paying extra for this service is a waste of money. You won't notice the difference
anyway.
11. Paying for sheets with a high thread count. How comfortable and durable a sheet is going
to be DOES depend on its thread count. It doesn't mean, though, that the bigger the
count is, the better. Experts say that the best thread count is 200 to 600. If it's higher
than that, you're paying not for better bedding but for a marketing ploy.
12. Getting a high-end gym membership. A spacious room with cutting-edge equipment
and a central location — sounds too good to be true! Well, you might be right about
that: everything comes at a cost. And in this case, it's the membership price. If you don't
visit the gym regularly, choosing a luxury one is just flushing money down the drain.
13. Using premium gas for your car. If filling up your car's tank with premium
gas is your daily routine, here's some news for you. This kind of fuel does no good for
your car. Experts claim that there are no advantages in using premium gas: it doesn't
make your car run faster, there's no fuel economy, and it doesn't affect the volume
of emissions. Oh, and premium gas cost doesn't do any favors to your bank account.
14. Investing in "fine" jewelry. Buying jewelry can be a great investment — but
only when you buy natural emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and other precious gems. Unfortunately,
some jewelry might not be as valuable as you think. For example, jewelry companies can
use lab-grown diamonds that you won't be able to resell later. Such gems aren't rare or
really precious, and as soon as you leave the store with your purchase, its value starts
to drop. But if you're sure that you're buying natural
diamonds, go ahead! These precious stones will only rise in price with time.
15. Getting unnecessary TV plans. Tell me honestly, how many TV channels do
you watch regularly? Now, do you really need those hundreds of channels your TV plan includes?
More and more people stop buying large cable packages and stick to streaming.
16. Buying the latest smartphone. When you see a brand-new beauty produced by
a popular smartphone manufacturer, your own phone starts to look plain and outdated. You
can be tempted to get yourself the newest gadget every half a year or so, but keep in
mind that skipping an upgrade is a much wiser move! At least that's what all financial experts
say. Remember that your phone has all the features you need even if you miss some latest
bells and whistles.
17. Getting a deluxe or unlimited data phone plan.
Network providers make it all too easy to automatically pick a "deluxe" plan with additional
features. But before falling for this alluring idea, consider your current plan. If you're
satisfied with its terms, there's no need to pay more for a flashy name.
The same goes for unlimited data plans. The average person uses about 5 GB of data per
month. There's no need to pay for the traffic you aren't going to use.
18. Buying jumbo-sized French fries portions. If you're in doubt whether you should order
a medium or a big helping, opt for the smaller size. The difference in price looks tiny,
that's why you might think that you've got yourself a good bargain by paying less for
more food. But practice shows that a medium portion of French fries usually contains almost
as much crispy goodness as the big one — here you go, money saved!
19. Drinking gourmet coffee. In most cases, all the difference between
coffee you make at home and coffee from a new fancy coffee shop is in its price. Every
time you order high-end coffee, remember that it's a marketing trap that can result in hundreds
of wasted dollars per month and thousands per year.
Hey, like I always say, if you buck the trend, you can save some bucks! Like that? Yeah sounds
like a t Shirt…. So, if you learned something new today, then
give the video a like and share it with a friend! And here are some other videos I think
you'll enjoy. Just click to the left or right, and stay on the Bright Side of life!