What things can you not go budget on?

[blondebear]

Sunglasses--specifically those with rose-tinted polarized lenses. I spend many many hours on the road and they're the best for avoiding eye strain. (Not to mention they make western landscapes look incredible when you've got those big puffy clouds in the afternoon.)

After getting a pair of SunClouds many years ago, I could never go back to any other tint. In the late 90s when Ray-Ban dropped the SunCloud line, I ended up with Maui Jim Typhoons. They were horribly expensive (and even moreso now), but I got them at a shop with a 15% off discount coupon.

Despite the high cost, Maui Jim has an excellent repair policy. They used to replace scratched lenses for next to nothing, making them worth the investment. Even today, they charge just $60 for new lenses, which is still a bargain. Actually, the times I've sent mine in, they just shipped me a brand new pair.

[MissJeanLouise]

Running shoes.
Hair color/cut.
Childcare.

I love a good deal, but won't go bargain basement on those things.

[TiedNTrue]

Wow, I disagree completely with the sunglasses! All of mine I buy on cheap knockoff in chinatown. I love my cheap knockoffs! Even though, every couple of years, something snaps and ruins my sunny day

As for the OP, I won't compromise on running shoes, trash bags (my roommate buys the bargain type when it's her turn, and I hate them (they split from a gently-tossed wet paper towel), makeup, soap/toothpaste, padlocks, sex toys. Heh.

[gravitycrash]

Bed linen and down pillows, no expense is too great. Also I'm weird about lawnmowers, it must be a Honda with every feature that is available except for electric start.. I'm not yet too lazy to pull the cord.

[Muskrat Love]

Beer. I don't drink beer often, but when I do I never buy the really cheap stuff. Coors Light is about as low as I go, but I generally avoid the big domestics. I used to drink stuff like Keystone and Olympia Dry, but that's back when I did drink a lot of beer.

[FrozenBananas]

Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, make-up, hair cuts. Toilet paper, coffee, salad dressing, hot dogs, electronics, shoes, liquor.

[Uthrecht]

Originally Posted by FrozenBananas

hair cuts

Best thing about going bald. Ever since I lost my part, I've stopped worrying about the barber. I just buzz it down. I'll take wearing a ball cap on a sunny day in trade.

[Missy2U]

Originally Posted by Badtz Maru

Beer. I don't drink beer often, but when I do I never buy the really cheap stuff. Coors Light is about as low as I go, but I generally avoid the big domestics. I used to drink stuff like Keystone and Olympia Dry, but that's back when I did drink a lot of beer.

Hmmm. I was going to say Beer too. But I drink Old Style so I really shouldn't be bragging, should I? And back in the day, I drank Old Milwaukee, I drank PBR, I drank Keystone, I drank all kinds of cheap assed beer. Hell, back in those days I drank Everclear and Kool Aid. And these days I am loving my Andre Cold Duck and Pink Champagne! Killer headaches for $3.98 a bottle! Explains a lot, don't it?

Dog food - dog must have Purina Dog Chow.

Dog bones - dog must have Meaty Bones. Or Beggin Strips. Usually both.

Other than that, I'm easy. (See reference to Everclear and Kool Aid, above.)

Seriously, I just try to get the best value - if the store brand is way cheaper than the name brand, I'm all about the store brand, baby. Except for beer, and dog stuff.

ETA - I forgot makeup. I must have my particular foundation - the years (see first paragraph) have taken their toll and nothin' else works.

[KidVermicious]

Originally Posted by Uthrecht

Best thing about going bald. Ever since I lost my part, I've stopped worrying about the barber. I just buzz it down. I'll take wearing a ball cap on a sunny day in trade.

Word. God only made so many perfect heads, the rest he covered with hair.

[Muskrat Love]

My main browser is Chrome, and it has a mode that doesn't save the history that can be used for avoiding this, but I only use it for sites that would be inappropriate for the kids to look at. I don't worry about my wife looking through my browsing history. I know she does inadvertently, because she uses the history dropdown to go to sites she frequents instead of the bookmark buttons. I have taken to using a different browser for coming here, not to hide anything from her, but because Chrome has that page that shows the most frequently visited sites and I'm afraid her Dad might be tempted to start exploring here if it's that obvious that I come here so often. He gets on my computer sometimes when he's babysitting.

[Doyle]

Originally Posted by Badtz Maru

My main browser is Chrome, and it has a mode that doesn't save the history that can be used for avoiding this, but I only use it for sites that would be inappropriate for the kids to look at. I don't worry about my wife looking through my browsing history. I know she does inadvertently, because she uses the history dropdown to go to sites she frequents instead of the bookmark buttons. I have taken to using a different browser for coming here, not to hide anything from her, but because Chrome has that page that shows the most frequently visited sites and I'm afraid her Dad might be tempted to start exploring here if it's that obvious that I come here so often. He gets on my computer sometimes when he's babysitting.

So how much did Chrome cost you?

[Muskrat Love]

Originally Posted by Doyle Hargraves

So how much did Chrome cost you?

Oops, wrong thread! That was supposed to go here.

[KidVermicious]

Originally Posted by Doyle Hargraves

So how much did Chrome cost you?

Win.

(laffs @ Batz)

[Rebo]

Charmin Ultra Strong toilet paper.
Heinz ketchup.
Miracle Whip.
Blue Bell ice cream.
Name brand sodas, like Dr Pepper and Coke.
Velveeta.

[Solfy]

Eyeglasses.

Contraception.

[Sleel]

Knives. Crappy ones aren't worth it. They're even dangerous to use because they have crappy ergonomics or because they don't hold an edge worth a damn. Plus, they're often harder to sharpen in the first place.

Important tools. I spent decent money on my saws and chisels. Common household tools like screwdrivers, on the other hand, don't matter enough to be all that choosy.

Computer equipment. You generally get what you pay for unless you're going bleeding-edge, in which case you're paying an early adopter premium.

Shoes, particularly dress shoes and hiking boots.

Camping gear and survival equipment. You absolutely buy the best you can possibly afford. The best stuff isn't always the most expensive, and you don't always have to buy top of the line, but you should research thoroughly and be prepared to shell out for what's needed for the conditions you're going to encounter. I've even rented stuff before to give it an overnight run in a non-critical situation. Besides, that lets you know how it stands up to wear and tear.

Safety harnesses, ropes, and climbing gear all are critical. You replace that shit immediately if there's even the slightest flaw, and you pay for the good stuff in the first place.

[Sgt. Max Fightmaster]

Prostitutes.

[Burnt Toast]

Toilet paper, dish detergent, peanut butter, coffee.
Glasses and contacts.
Work boots.

[The Second Stone]

Neckties. Brioni or Versace