Comments on: Tightwad Tuesday: Sometimes You Get What You Pay For

By: Cat

Cat — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:43:38 +0000

Good foundation shoes. I wrote about it here- http://dollarmama.blogspot.com/2009/08/zappos.html – I have some heel/arch issues, and after springing for really good sneakers for the first time, I can walk without pain. You can’t put a price on that. Now I just need to save up for good work shoes and good sandals, and I’ll have my shoe basics covered.

By: The Happy Housewife

The Happy Housewife — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:10:28 +0000

I totally agree! I wore some cheap sandals my first day at BlogHer and my blisters still have not healed! The rest of the conference I wore my super comfy birkenstocks, which are not cheap, but my feet felt great!
Sometimes you definitely get what you pay for!
Since my feet stopped growing years ago, I can spend money on shoes because they last a long time.
Toni

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:35:14 +0000

I had this very same conversation with my husband yesterday. He buys cheap tennis shoes and then complains that they don’t last long. I told him to spring for the better quality ones and he would be amazed how much longer they lasted.

I have a wide foot and used to always shop at Payless for my shoes. While I loved the shoes, they wouldn’t last more than a season. I then discovered Clarks and was in heaven. I hate paying the price for them but I watch for a sale. A pair will usually last me 3 years so they are worth every penny.

By: The Little Dough Girl

The Little Dough Girl — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:55:38 +0000

Exactly! Of course, I wait for opportunities for when the quality I want is the quality I can afford. I actually rarely spend money on shoes. I have bought cheap ones and they hurt and don’t last. I much prefer to spend more money less often.

By: D

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:37:18 +0000

I agree! Good footwear can last years – while cheap shoes and sandals from target, wal-mart and the likes don’t last too long and aren’t very comfortable. A few years back when “Crocs” were all the rage my friend bought a pair of the fake ones for $6.00 instead of the real ones for $30.00 those lasted her about … 2 months – while my other friend’s pair (REAL ONES) lasted him about … 2 years! So in the long run buying the more expensive stuff actually ends up being more frugal!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:36:36 +0000

Correctly designed footwear is a must. I wore cheapies for years but now I’m paying the price in pain and limited mobility. It doesn’t help that I farm and ruin a pair of good boots in 6 months, but cheapies only lasted a month! I do cheap out on work shirts. They get stained and torn so much there’s no point in buying something that will last more than a month or two. Garage sales and thrift stores are my main shirt suppliers.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:24:22 +0000

Good shoes are certainly a great investment. I also like your statement about buying the best quality you can afford. I think that is a changing line, there are times in my life where I could afford $200 shoes, now I am at a point where I can’t, but I will still get the best I can at the best prices I can, and as Marci said, keep an eye out for the real bargains.

By: chris

chris — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:21:11 +0000

It was many years ago that I finally learned that life is just too short to wear uncomfortable shoes. I stick mostly with brands that I know, and I shop online for the best deals on those brands. I buy very few shoes, but the ones I do buy stay comfortable for years.

I also totally agree with paying for a great haircut. I don’t go crazy over the cost just to be in a posh salon, but I don’t do discount haircuts either. It’s never worth it to skimp on your hair.

By: Jean

Jean — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:11:18 +0000

This so reminds me of the discussion a few months back about Coach bags! Good quality shoes (and bags!) outlast the Target, etc. bargains and will serve you well for many years.

By: Meg from FruWiki

Meg from FruWiki — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:48:53 +0000

I’ve bought soooo many pairs of cheap shoes in my life and very few pairs were really worth it. Even the pair that I got from Payless that actually did fit comfortably — VERY comfortably in fact — got the weirdest most awful funk to them that I COULD NOT get rid of. And yes, I tried everything. And I had friends with the same shoes and the same problem. They also tried everything. So, they ended up in the garbage. I couldn’t bring myself to curse Goodwill with them.

If you’re going to buy cheaper shoes, get good brands that have been discounted. I’ve had pretty good luck at places like T.J. Maxx and even Ross because the shoes there generally weren’t made to be sold at Payless prices.

Also, unless you have something against leather, get leather shoes when you can. They hold up better, can be stretched, are more comfortable, can be polished up, can be buffed, and don’t get as funky smelling as pleather (unless there’s some expensive version of pleather that I’ve never encountered — but cheap pleather sucks).

And don’t forget to wear shoes plenty around the house before taking off tags and wearing them out. Ideally, wear them a bit for a few days to see if you feet change sizes. Often, our feet get a bit swollen with water when we are out shopping, so it’s important to see if shoes still fit when they are back to a smaller size — while still making sure that they stretch a bit when they swell again (hence why stretchy leather is important). And of course, feel the inside of the shoes, especially around the heel. If it feels like sandpaper, it probably will have the same effect unless you plan to cover it in moleskin.