{"id":65791,"date":"2017-08-21T21:05:23","date_gmt":"2017-08-22T02:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=65791"},"modified":"2021-05-30T17:35:57","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T22:35:57","slug":"9-things-pay-top-dollar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/leisure\/gear\/9-things-pay-top-dollar\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Things to Pay Top Dollar For"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Vintage<\/a><\/p>\n

In general, a man should strive to live a life of frugality and simplicity \u2014 relative to his personal means.<\/span><\/p>\n

But following that philosophy doesn\u2019t always mean buying only the very cheapest products and services.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, sometimes paying top dollar for something is the best way to ultimately save money and live a simpler life. <\/span><\/p>\n

A top dollar item is often a top quality item, and that means it will typically last longer than cheaper varieties. Its upfront cost may be more, but its <\/span>cost per use<\/span><\/i> actually ends up being lower over its lengthy lifetime. Sometimes the more expensive item can actually be the better bargain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The quality of a top dollar item also usually means it will break down less and have fewer problems than something cheaper and subpar. That means less headaches, and less time spent on maintenance. The less time you spend tending to your stuff, the simpler your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the old saying goes: Buy once, cry once.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, quality goods and services can substantially enhance your life \u2014 boosting your health, mood, attractiveness, and efficiency \u2014 which allows you to be more effective in the world; top dollar products are investments in yourself that can reap dividends that readily repay their initial expense.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind, below are 9 items you should be especially willing and happy to pay top dollar for, with explanations and some general pricing guidelines included. <\/span><\/p>\n

9 Things to Pay Top Dollar For<\/span><\/h3>\n

It should be noted at the outset that a higher price does not automatically make for a higher quality product. A $200 pair of shoes is not better than a $50 pair of shoes just because it costs four times as much. Branding and marketing gimmicks tend to play a big role in price points, often inflating what you\u2019ll pay by a large degree, especially in the clothing world. <\/span><\/p>\n

So how do you come to tell the difference between something that\u2019s highly priced because of its quality and something that\u2019s artificially inflated? You\u2019ll need to do your research and learn the characteristics of what makes for quality items. Check to see where an item is manufactured. Read reviews. The informed, savvy consumer doesn’t always<\/em> pay top dollar in the belief that price invariably correlates with quality, but only opens his wallet when he’s ascertained that it does.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mattress<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll spend an average of 24 years(!) of your life sleeping. So there\u2019s no investment that yields a better ROI than a mattress that helps you slumber soundly. And while the best mattress isn\u2019t always the most expensive one, it\u2019s definitely not going to be the cheapest either. And for goodness sake, don\u2019t buy one from Craigslist. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, you need to buy the mattress that\u2019s right for you (and your partner if you have one). So while the title of this article implies that you <\/span>should<\/span><\/i> spend top dollar on a mattress, the reality is closer to <\/span>don\u2019t be afraid to spend top dollar<\/span><\/i>, if that\u2019s the right mattress for you. Say you find one for $2,000 that feels like heavenly clouds when you lay on it, and you also find one for $1,000 that isn\u2019t as comfortable, but you think, \u201cI could sleep on this.\u201d What should you do? Go with the heavenly clouds, no question. With how much time you spend in bed, that $1,000 difference will be made up for real quick. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pillowtop, memory foam, latex \u2014 with all the marketing gimmicks and terminology out there, what should you go with? The first way to shop is to simply go to a store and lay on a bunch of mattresses. And don\u2019t just lay down for a second and call it good, test them out for at least a few minutes, and ideally even longer. Heck, bring a book. It will probably feel awkward, but it\u2019s not worth years of poor sleep to get the wrong mattress. It also pays to shop at a place that offers a 30-day (or longer) money back guarantee; if your bed of heavenly clouds turns out to be a sack of lumpy potatoes, you won\u2019t be stuck with that expensive sack for the next decade.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, you can shop online for a mattress. There are a ton of companies that have cut the price of luxury mattresses by not having retail storefronts and a boatload of products to choose from (Tuft & Needle has a single mattress model; Casper only offers two). It might seem weird to buy a mattress online, but these companies also tend to offer extended trial periods (100 nights seems to be about average) in which to test that mattress out, with no penalty for returning it. Do your research on their products and figure out which you think would be best for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

Look to spend $1,000-$2,000 depending on the model and size of mattress you buy. In the grand scheme of things, that sure isn\u2019t much when it will help determine how well-rested you are, and how well-rested you are will determine how much energy you\u2019re able to put out in all your waking hours; in consistently giving you a good night\u2019s rest<\/a>, your investment in a quality mattress will not only pay you back in the intangibles of good mood and clear mind, but perhaps even concretely as well, in allowing you to work harder and make more moola!<\/span><\/p>\n

Shoes<\/h3>\n

It doesn\u2019t really matter what kind of shoe you\u2019re looking for, don\u2019t skimp. Higher priced shoes are just made better and utilize better, more durable materials and construction. Now, this doesn\u2019t mean you need to pay exorbitant prices, but the clearance rack at Payless is not the place to be shopping. <\/span><\/p>\n

So why spend top dollar on shoes? Not only will your leathers be higher grade in spendier pairs, but the soles will be higher quality rubber (and can sometimes be replaced without replacing the whole shoe), the eyelets and laces will be nicer and more durable, and any other materials, be it canvas, suede, etc., will be a notch up from discount shoes. Paying more up front ensures your shoes will have better lasting power in looks (no fraying laces or holes in the sides because of thin material), comfort, and durability (since I\u2019ve started buying nice shoes, I\u2019ve noticed that I\u2019m buying shoes less often!). <\/span><\/p>\n

This is especially true of certain types of shoes:<\/span><\/p>\n