3 Things You Don’t Want to Skimp On

Let’s be honest: it is absolutely no fun paying for an auto maintenance tune up or those new eye glasses—why are prescription glasses so expensive?! You’ve gotten to the point that you would just rather buy something on the cheap and replace it when it wears out instead of taking the time to make repairs or see a specialist. Sure, initially, it feels like we’re saving money. Instead of paying $3,000 for a new transmission for a 10-year-old car, it seems better to scrap it and get a 5-year-old car for $12,000. It’s an investment, right? Here’s the thing: didn’t you say that about the current car?

Maybe getting all of your clothes and shoes at Forever 21 is more affordable right now, but how long was it before your new shirt shrunk in the wash and your sandal-strap snapped? Fast Fashion is out. How many times did you have to return your go-phone at Wal-Mart because the buttons stopped working? Time is money, and when you go for what’s cheap, you’re wasting heaps of both.

Cha-Ching! Getting the Bang for Your Buck

By the time we pay for rent, utilities, groceries and our personal bills, our bank account looks a little sad. We do spend money on other things however, we’re just not paying attention to how much. According to Forbes Magazine, Americans spend $1,000 every year eating out for lunch, with another $2,500 spent on entertainment. We can’t fathom increasing our data plans or being able to cover the co-pay at the doctor’s office, but we’re willing to dine out and splurge on the newest video game system. Ask yourself: does this make sense? If you’re stressed, sick, your back always hurts and your car is held together by duct tape, does watching the latest “Avengers” installment make you feel better? If you’re like me, reality probably sets back in pretty fast.

We can take better care of ourselves if we budget our income and put our money where it is most needed. Here are three things that are worth every penny.

Health Checkups

When’s the last time you saw your primary care doctor or went to the dentist? Unfortunately, not all of us have health coverage, and that makes setting medical appointments tough. Fortunately, there are clinics around the country that specialize in helping patients afford healthcare.

For those of us that do have insurance, there’s no excuse not to see the doctor. Don’t let the $25 deductible keep you from taking care of yourself. Think about it: has relying on sites like WebMD helped you, or only exacerbated your fears (having a sore throat must mean cancer!)? Plus, by going in for regular checkups, you can nip your medical problems in the bud!

Auto Insurance

If you’ve never been in an accident and have a streaky-clean driving record, you might think it’s a safe bet to take out only the minimum amount of insurance that your state requires. Why spend extra money every month for a service you might not ever need? As of 2012, close to 13 percent of all American motorists are uninsured, that’s about one in every eight drivers. Now imagine one of these uninsured drivers made a sudden stop out in front of you and you didn’t have time to brake, crashing hard into their car. Because you crashed into them, it will be your responsibility to cover the damages. If you’re underinsured, that same driver might just take you to court and sue you for damages, resulting in years of litigation and loss of income.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recommends that motorists take out more insurance than their states require. A majority of states require that their constituents carry auto insurance liability coverage. It’s not just about taking care of yourself; it’s about being a responsible driver and looking out for everyone else on the road.

Mattresses

Consumer Reports estimates that your mattress should be replaced once every 10 years. With the average price of a mattress ranging from $1,500-$2000, it’s a big investment. But waking up achy and exhausted every day, even after logging in eight hours of sleep, really affects our health. The Huffington Post writes that if you’re often tossing and turning in the night and waking up at random intervals, it’s time to get a new mattress.

It’s the little things in life that make a difference. Spending a few extra dollars on medical appointments, auto insurance and a mattress is more than worth it.