Spend or save: a verdict on 20 everyday buys

Some things are worth the extra money. Many are not. Here is a verdict on 20 common buys, with the reason in one line.

The verdicts

Item	Verdict	Why
Mattress	Spend	You use it every night for years.
Pillow	Mid-range	Fit matters more than price.
Everyday shoes	Spend a bit	Poor fit hurts your feet and your back.
Running shoes	Spend	Support wears out. Replace them on schedule.
Office chair	Spend	Hours a day, five days a week.
Laptop bag	Mid-range	Needs good zips and straps, not a logo.
Chef's knife	Spend	One good knife beats a block of dull ones.
Non-stick pan	Save	The coating wears out. Plan to replace it.
Stainless pan	Mid-range	Lasts for decades if you look after it.
Phone case	Save	It only needs to absorb a drop.
Phone charger	Mid-range	Cheap unbranded ones are a fire and damage risk.
HDMI cable	Save	A $6 one carries the same signal as a $60 one.
Bed sheets	Mid-range	Thread count is mostly marketing. Fabric matters.
Towels	Save	Plain cotton towels do the job.
Smoke alarm	Spend a bit	Buy a certified one. Test it monthly.
Bike helmet	Spend a bit	Look for the safety certification on the label.
Sunglasses	Mid-range	Check for UV protection, not the brand.
Watch	Save	A basic quartz watch keeps good time.
Decor and throw pillows	Save	Tastes change.
Trendy clothes	Save	They date fast.

Spend means the extra money buys something real: comfort, safety or years of use.

Spend a bit means move up one tier, not three.

Mid-range means the cheapest option is often a letdown and the most expensive one adds little. Aim for the middle.

Save means the cheap version does the same job. Put the money somewhere else.

Not sure if the cheap version is a trap? Read how to tell a smart cheap buy from a bad one.