10 Cheaper Options That Will Always Cost More in the Long Run

10 times penny pinching cost me much more money than I’d saved initially.

For the most part, I like to think that I’m pretty good with money. But more times than I’d like to admit, my frugality has given way to some pretty ill-advised cost-cutting measures that ended up costing more overall in the form of replacement costs, professional fixes, and other future expenses.

Here are ten items that I’ve found to be worth paying a bit more for upfront in order to minimize cost per use and to avoid significant future expenditures.

Cheaper Option #1: Fast Fashion

I used to think I was getting a great deal by stocking up twice a year during Zara and H&M’s semi-annual sales. I’d come home with everything from workwear to date night outfits and midi dresses for church — all for just a few hundred dollars.

But what I came to realize over time was that nothing I bought lasted for more than a few seasons or even fit that well straight off the rack. And if I wanted to keep this up, I’d have to shell out several hundred dollars every few months just to keep my wardrobe somewhat functional, let alone tailored to my shape and personal style.

So I decided instead to build a capsule wardrobe of high-quality staples that couldn’t be…