Choosing Practical Buys Over Vanity Buys

People who have little time to spare often get rushed to their purchase without checking the quality and value of the products. More often that not they simply go for known brands over non-branded items. I even know of some who would automatically choose expensive items over lesser priced ones thinking that they are getting the best quality. However, this is not always true in all merchandise. Knowing your product is your best defense against paying more than what it is worth.

If you simply rely on advertisements and brand recall then you may not be getting your product’s worth. This is usually the case when it comes to celebrity or designer merchandise. Designers and celebrities wouldn’t want to have their names associated with poor quality. Thus, some would equate their endorsement to good quality. This may be true in some cases, but there are also instances when you may find yourself paying more than the product’s actual worth. This is what I call the price of vanity. There are people who don’t mind paying more because they see additional value in the image that go with wearing branded items. Those who simply like quality items can go for other non-designer brands that cost less and looks almost as good without the designer logo.

Buying designer clothes which costs 10 times more than its actual value is like buying a padded bra for the price of breast implants. Splurging on purchases like these may fit the lifestyle of a single person earning more than what he needs. However, once you start your own family and have the future of your children to consider, the extra cost of vanity for purchasing designer goods takes a back seat over more practical buys.