Spend or save
Cheap things not worth buying, even when they are $10
Cheap things not worth buying: single-use gadgets, trend items and safety gear with no markings. Skip these even at $10, and here is why.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Hamza Idrissi
Editor
Writes the spend-or-save guides and the under-budget lists.
Articles by Hamza
Beauty and skin
Cheap sunscreen that works: what to look for on the label
How to read a sunscreen label, what SPF 30 and broad spectrum mean, and why a cheaper bottle can protect as well as a pricey one. General advice only.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $50
Bed sheets under $50: how to pick a set that lasts
How to buy bed sheets under $50 that feel good and last: what thread count really means, which fabrics suit you, and the signs of a bad set.
Hamza Idrissi5 min read
Under $50
Everyday shoes under $50: what you get and what you do not
What a pair of everyday shoes under $50 can do well, how to check fit and the sole, and which signs say the pair will fall apart within a month.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $25
Power strip vs surge protector: which one do you need
Power strip vs surge protector: a plain strip only adds outlets, a surge protector also guards against power spikes. Here is when the extra cost is worth it.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Under $100
Carry-on luggage under $100: what to check before you buy
How to choose a carry-on under $100, soft shell versus hard shell, the airline size rules to check, and the warning signs of weak luggage.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Spend or save
Is the cheap version a smart buy or a trap?
Seven red flags that a cheap product will fall apart, and a few signs that the low price is fine, so you can tell a smart cheap buy from a trap.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Beauty and skin
A basic skincare routine for under $50
Three products cover most needs: a cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Here is what to buy first for a skincare routine under $50, and what to skip.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Under $100
Mattress topper under $100: will it fix a bad bed
Will a mattress topper under $100 fix a bad bed? It can soften a firm mattress, but it cannot fix a sagging one. Here is how to tell and what to buy.
Hamza Idrissi4 min read
Under $50
Headphones under $50: wired, wireless or earbuds
Headphones under $50 can sound good if you pick the right type. Here is when wired beats wireless, what to check, and what cheap models skimp on.
Hamza Idrissi6 min read
Under $50
How to pick a watch under $50 that lasts
What a watch under $50 can do well, which water-resistance ratings to trust, and how to tell a good cheap watch from a bad one before you buy.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $25
LED vs incandescent bulbs: which costs less over time
LED vs incandescent bulbs: an LED costs more at the shelf but less over its life. Here is the simple math, with round example numbers you can swap for yours.
Hamza Idrissi4 min read
Spend or save
How to shop a sale without overspending
How to shop a sale without overspending: a list of what you need, a cost-per-use check and a 24-hour rule that stop 50% off from costing you more.
Hamza Idrissi6 min read
Spend or save
Spend or save: a verdict on 20 everyday buys
Quick verdicts on 20 common purchases, from mattresses to phone cases, so you know where extra money helps and where the cheaper option is fine.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Spend or save
Cost per use, explained with real numbers
Cost per use is the price divided by how many times you use it. Here is how to work it out, with round example numbers, and where the math breaks down.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Spend or save
What is worth spending more on, and what is not
A simple way to decide what is worth spending more on and where the cheap option does the same job, using cost per use and a few clear rules.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Beauty and skin
Cheap vs expensive razors: how to cut shaving costs
Cheap vs expensive razors: a basic razor with cheap blades usually shaves as well as a pricey system. Here is how to compare the cost per shave.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $50
Bath towels under $50: how to pick a set that lasts
Bath towels under $50 can last for years if you check weight, fiber and stitching. Here is what to look at, how many to buy and how to wash them.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Spend or save
The price tag is only the start of what you pay
The price tag is only the start of what a purchase costs. A short column on running costs, refills and time, and how to count them before you buy.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Home and kitchen
Toaster oven vs toaster: which one earns its counter space
Toaster oven vs toaster: a toaster is cheaper and faster for bread, a toaster oven does more jobs. Here is which to buy based on how you cook.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Home and kitchen
Glass vs plastic food containers: which is worth buying
Glass vs plastic food containers: glass lasts longer and does not stain, plastic is light and cheap. Here is which to buy for lunches and leftovers.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Beauty and skin
Cheap vs expensive shampoo: does the price matter
Cheap vs expensive shampoo: for most people a simple drugstore shampoo cleans as well as a salon one. Here is when to pay more and what to look for.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $50
Cheap vs expensive umbrella: is a pricey one worth it
Cheap vs expensive umbrella: a good one costs more but survives wind and lasts years. Here is how to choose, with a simple cost per rain day table.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $25
Reusable water bottle under $25: steel or plastic
Reusable water bottle under $25: steel keeps drinks cold and lasts longer, plastic is lighter and cheaper. Here is which to buy and what to check first.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read