When it Pays to Spend More

Sometimes shelling out a little extra money upfront saves you a hard-earned cash down the road, and splurging becomes an investment that pays for itself. Here are just a few examples of when it pays to spend more:

Resealable Food Packages When food doesn't get sealed properly, it spoils and goes to waste, so look for packages with resealable tubes, bags or containers. They may cost you a bit more at the grocery store, but can save you hundreds of dollars a year in uneaten food. Or, if you're a bulk buyer, consider investing in a vacuum sealer or even some good quality vacuum bags. "It's a really good way of taking advantage of sales at the grocery store, especially on really pricey items like meats and cheeses. You can buy in bulk and then they're ready when you want them," says Jody Rholena of ShopSmart Magazine.

Class Packages
Stop the "pay as you go" insanity at your local yoga studio, spin or aerobics class. If you've taken three or more sessions in a row, ask yourself - am I going to do this again? If yes, opt for the pre-paid class packages. They'll run you more upfront but a single drop-in fee can cost about 15% more per class. "Only pay a drop-in fee, which can be expensive, if you're trying out a new activity, a new gym or a new instructor, says Rholena. "Then a few extra bucks in research can really be the price of admission," she says.

Also See: Pitfalls of Extreme Couponing
Salad Spinners Did you know that bagged salad costs roughly three times more than a single head of lettuce? To save time washing and drying your greens, consider buying a salad spinner, which costs about $25 at your local home goods store. Even if you do buy bagged lettuce, Consumer Reports says the greens still need to be washed, so if salad is a staple for your family, a spinner can be worth the expense.

Also See: 5 Dinner Recipes From 1 Bag of Groceries

Single-Cup Coffee Makers You probably already know your $5 a day coffee habit is not so financially fit, but did you know a good-quality single-cup coffee maker can save you almost $1 per day or at least $300 a year, depending on your daily coffee order? Just look for the latest models that feature recyclable K-cups to reduce waste. "Many of the one cup-at-a-time coffee machines we've tested are really good and they're $100. Some are even $40 or $50," says Rholena. "We also test coffee and some of the top rated at-home brews are from the same companies you're buying from like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts."

Also See: Best Bulk Bargains

Tailoring
A few nips and tucks here and there will keep your quality clothing in good working order and can even make inexpensive pieces look custom-made. Same with saving your soles. Rather than buying a new pair of shoes, have your favorite pair repaired regularly for a fraction of the cost.

Also See: Best Things to Buy in May

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