Money Well Spent

bogibogi · 03-18-2010, 08:14 AM

Sometimes I think about all the money I could have saved if I didn't buy the many useless items that are collecting dust in my house. But every once in a while, it occurs to me..."Gee, that was money well spent..."

My one cup coffee maker - Too convenient...probably drink more coffee than I should.
Heavy duty vacuum cleaner - Backpack style with powerful suction.
My overpriced jeans - I own about 20 pairs of jeans, but wear the same ones over and over again.

Anyone else purchase items/services that they are completely satisfied with and would purchase it again if it were ever lost/stolen/broken?

toneranger · 03-18-2010, 08:19 AM

my Dyson vacuum cleaner (expensive but worth it!) Especially with a lab around.

mafool · 03-18-2010, 08:38 AM

^^^We live with a Lab, too. Black, and the carpet is off-white!

When we had the carpet (quite good quality) installed a year ago, we were cautioned against Dysons because they could suck the pile right out of the backing. Was that just over caution because of a few anecdotal reports, I wonder? Do you use your Dyson on carpet?

bulletandpima · 03-18-2010, 08:47 AM

I am a Kirby fan. Yes, it is expensive, but I have had mine now for @15 yrs and it works just as good as it did the day I bought it.

My mom swears by her Oreck.

Wouldn't ever buy again anything that is dual...i.e. coffee maker with cappucino machine...One always breaks before the other and then you are stuck.

High end cosmetics...Found out a long time ago, Lancome comes off the same line as L'oreal, but costs 2x as much.

Will also never go cheap on classic clothing...anything Navy, white or Black I buy high end (Talbots, Coldwater), anything trendy and I buy it on sale with no care to the brand since I expect I won't wear it more than 1 season.

On, but off topic, my favorite thing is a dishwasher detergent called Quantum by Finish. It is more expensive, but at least I never have water posts or film like I would get with Cascade or Electrasol.

BigG · 03-18-2010, 08:53 AM

Expensive ad worth it:

We had nail down, prefinished, 3/4" tongue and groove hardwood installed about 15 years ago. It has been great. The material was finished and cured in a kiln at the factory so there were no VOC (volatile organic compounds) exposure concerns. The contractor nailed it down and the floor was done.

The more modern "snap lock" stuff is cheaper but not nearly as durable.

mafool · 03-18-2010, 08:54 AM

My Certified "pre-owned" Audi. Pre-Owned means that someone else shouldered the depreciation as the car was driven off the lot the first time. Certified means that the warranty was extended to 100,000 miles (includes routine maintenance and oil changes). And I love this car! When it is time to replace it, I will probably go with the same make and model.

bogibogi · 03-18-2010, 09:01 AM

I bought a Dyson about 5 years ago and was really disappointed. The suction wasn't great, difficult to move from carpet to hardwood and it was really hard to maneuver. However, the newer model with the "ball" that hugs the corners seems like a great feature. Wish I could trade in my old model for the new one...

toneranger · 03-18-2010, 09:14 AM

Our Dyson has incredible suction but does NOT remove the pile from the carpet or rugs. But it does suck up LOTS of dog hair! We have a red tribal persian rug in our family room and have to vacuum it every two days (why did we pick RED with a yellow lab? Well, cause I was sick of buying beige!)

We had an Oreck...the only good thing I can say about it was that it was lightweight. But did NOT do the job and was very expensive.

Also, LOVE our wood floors. We went with the real thing...not the laminated already finished kind. They look great!

bulletandpima · 03-18-2010, 09:39 AM

The one item that I would love to buy and believe it would be worth it, that is if I didn't have cats and dogs, would be a ROOMBA. I hate vacuuming and that would be a dream to me to just turn it on and walk away.

Now if they could make a self loading and unloading dishwasher I would mtg my house for that!

bogibogi · 03-18-2010, 09:50 AM

Yes, I bought the Roomba too. See the pattern here...I have always been under the false impression that the perfect vacuum cleaner would solve all my housecleaning woes...ain't ever gonna happen. I still need to get down and dirty and do the cleaning. Anyway, the Roomba is great for light cleaning, but as you say, with pets and, in my case, a toddler, it just won't cut it. Plus, now I find that it loses it charge fairly quickly and it is really of no use.

Amen about the dishwasher...

lje62 · 03-18-2010, 10:14 AM

I bought an All Clad double burner grill pan last summer. I really love that thing and use it all of the time. I actually have a Jennair stove, oven with the grill on the two left burners , but it is a pain to clean , so this is a nice alternative. I think I paid about $100 for it, but I used it all the time for meats, fish and veggies.
Also have the double burner griddle , but it was a gift

I use it every weekend because my daughter and her friends love my pancakes ..I am known for them , but the truth is, I just don't have Bisquick in the house and was forced to make them from scratch...now my secret is out

cptofthehouse · 03-18-2010, 10:24 AM

Good quality carpeting for the stairs and upstairs hallway when we bought the house. It has held up despite the abuse of 5 cats, 3 dogs, 5 kids and their friends.

toneranger · 03-18-2010, 10:42 AM

This is a dangerous thread for my pocketbook.
Now, I want to get that double burner grill pan AND the griddle. I will hold off for now!

sryrstress · 03-18-2010, 10:51 AM

3 cheap things worth their weight in gold: shopvacs, swingsets, and a little $10 machine that blows up rafts and inflatable toys.

poetgrl · 03-18-2010, 11:13 AM

A pair of jeans that fits well is one of the best investments.....better than botox....

Have to co-sign the dyson endorsements.

the first time I used mine it felt like I was cheating.

All planting bulbs! Worth it every spring, and renewable. Talk about green.