What’s something you were too cheap to buy, then wondered why you waited so long?

APLMAN99
Posts
13003
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Tualatin, OR, USA
Fantasy

A decent mattress, prescription sunglasses, the right tool after years of improvising…

What finally convinced you to spend the money? And was the upgrade actually that good, or had you just gotten used to putting up with crap?

1
1
|
borg
Posts
7059
Joined
12/7/2009
Location
Long Beach, CA, USA
10/7/2026 7:49am

Laser printer. I never print in color and I print maybe 5 to 10 pages a month and sometimes go 2 months without printing. I have always bought ink jets. Not too many problems except ink nozzles don't like to sit unused for long periods. Went to get a new cartridge  They were out of small black cartridges and the large one was $79. Fuck that I bought a new printer. Canon. Ink is much cheaper. The problem is that the wifi connection drops out after 1 day of non use and it's a hassle to reset. There were other problems too but I wont go into it. Bought a Brother laser. The cartridge it came with prints 700 pages. Do the math. I print a lot of detailed schematics and the laser prints them perfectly. It also does not care how long it sits unused. No dropouts, no clogged nozzle.

4
1
SlowPoke502
Posts
22
Joined
6/22/2026
Location
Louisville, KY, USA
10/7/2026 7:57am

Fleshlight.

1
ShellyMX
Posts
1510
Joined
3/22/2026
Location
Smyrna, GA, USA
10/7/2026 8:12am
APLMAN99 wrote:
A decent mattress, prescription sunglasses, the right tool after years of improvising…What finally convinced you to spend the money? And was the upgrade actually that good...

A decent mattress, prescription sunglasses, the right tool after years of improvising…

What finally convinced you to spend the money? And was the upgrade actually that good, or had you just gotten used to putting up with crap?

I learned many years ago that mattresses are not something you should skimp on, ever. Shoes are another one. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

2
Kenny Banyan
Posts
5084
Joined
6/2/2024
Location
NW Washington, WA, USA
10/7/2026 8:29am Edited Date/Time 10/9/2026 3:36pm
borg wrote:
Laser printer. I never print in color and I print maybe 5 to 10 pages a month and sometimes go 2 months without printing. I have...

Laser printer. I never print in color and I print maybe 5 to 10 pages a month and sometimes go 2 months without printing. I have always bought ink jets. Not too many problems except ink nozzles don't like to sit unused for long periods. Went to get a new cartridge  They were out of small black cartridges and the large one was $79. Fuck that I bought a new printer. Canon. Ink is much cheaper. The problem is that the wifi connection drops out after 1 day of non use and it's a hassle to reset. There were other problems too but I wont go into it. Bought a Brother laser. The cartridge it came with prints 700 pages. Do the math. I print a lot of detailed schematics and the laser prints them perfectly. It also does not care how long it sits unused. No dropouts, no clogged nozzle.

The cost of Printer ink is ridiculous when you get the brand name / OEM ink. Last time I bought ink  I found generic ink for my HP. Got 2 cartridges for half the price of just one OEM Cartridge. The cartridges looked different but they installed perfectly and printed perfectly. 

1

The Shop

Beta480RX
Posts
545
Joined
12/30/2025
Location
Helena, MT, USA
10/7/2026 8:35am

I will third the mattress.

Our Sleep Number is amazing and worth every penny we paid for it and then some.

2
BMR179
Posts
520
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
East Texas, TX, USA
Fantasy
10/7/2026 8:56am

Analog Speed Queen washing machine - previous washing machines needed some type of repair every year and only lasted about 3 years.  The Speed Queen we have is 11 years old and has not needed a repair...yet.

Outside shower - living in Texas, we use it almost exclusively during the hot months.  No glass to clean, just pressure wash it when I'm washing my scooter.

Whole house generator - My wife's request.  That is the one thing I was always too cheap to buy.  It is nice to never lose power out in the country.

 

2
Moto Nomad
Posts
1252
Joined
1/19/2021
Location
Grass Valley, CA, USA
10/7/2026 9:51am

A cowbell. Can't believe I lived life without one.

2
RaceFan
Posts
363
Joined
1/9/2014
Location
GB
10/7/2026 9:59am

Bean to cup coffee machine.

Good all weather, zip-out lining, riding gear for road riding. Not sure why I avoided this for so long but it has made an unbelievable difference to riding in the wet and cold weather.

2
1
Nairb#70
Posts
4349
Joined
2/25/2020
Location
Ivoryton, CT, USA
10/7/2026 9:59am

A stand up Jet Ski back in the '90's.

mx617
Posts
1642
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Kamloops, BC, CA
10/7/2026 12:36pm

A good laptop. I used to buy whatever was on sale and functional, I don't need a lot of computing power. 

Fast forward to a flooded basement and insurance claim, I put $1500 towards a nice 2 in 1 (folds into tablet mode) with touchscreen, backlit keyboard, metal frame instead of cheap flexy plastic. 

Functionally it does nothing better, but holy shit is it nicer to use. 

1
1
APLMAN99
Posts
13003
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Tualatin, OR, USA
Fantasy
10/7/2026 12:50pm

My biggest item that I refuse to scrimp on ‘as an adult with means’ is Cottonelle toilet paper. My wife knows that if she comes home with a different brand of buttwipe, my next wife won’t make that same mistake……! 

I don’t miss those broke college student days of going to the Dollar Store for toilet paper!  

2
1
10/8/2026 5:51am

Fleshlight.

Word on the street is that you are a cheap skate and bought that Fleshlight at a garage sale.

😁

2
Chance1216
Posts
9016
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA, USA
10/8/2026 6:46am

Hookers and, cocaine

5
TAUTOG
Posts
1825
Joined
1/27/2023
Location
Mohrsville, PA, USA
10/8/2026 6:54am

Fleshlight.

Boomslang wrote:

Word on the street is that you are a cheap skate and bought that Fleshlight at a garage sale.

😁

Pringles can, sponge, and disposable glove for a hobo fleshlight

2
early
Posts
10109
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH, USA
10/8/2026 6:59am

Induction bolt heater, so much easier and safer than a torch

2
1
Chance1216
Posts
9016
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA, USA
10/8/2026 3:50pm

A dishwasher. That dang ring was 3K 😂 

6
30minmotos
Posts
1271
Joined
8/7/2025
Location
Rising Sun, MD, USA
10/9/2026 9:43am

I’m thinking paying to have my lawn maintained will be the one I wish I did sooner. It takes so much effort to get the time and good weather aligned to get it done each week. I have 1.5 acres and a bunch of areas that have to be trimmed and weeded.


I feel like I’m wasting my free time keeping up

With the yard and never make progress on any of the projects I’d like to tackle.


I think if I ever pay someone to do it, that’ll be my, dang, why didn’t I do this sooner.


But I’m a cheap prick and I actually like doing it, it just is a real time suck.

2
1
APLMAN99
Posts
13003
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Tualatin, OR, USA
Fantasy
10/9/2026 10:05am
30minmotos wrote:
I’m thinking paying to have my lawn maintained will be the one I wish I did sooner. It takes so much effort to get the time...

I’m thinking paying to have my lawn maintained will be the one I wish I did sooner. It takes so much effort to get the time and good weather aligned to get it done each week. I have 1.5 acres and a bunch of areas that have to be trimmed and weeded.


I feel like I’m wasting my free time keeping up

With the yard and never make progress on any of the projects I’d like to tackle.


I think if I ever pay someone to do it, that’ll be my, dang, why didn’t I do this sooner.


But I’m a cheap prick and I actually like doing it, it just is a real time suck.

This one is definitely right up there.  It goes so quickly when a 2-4 person crew just comes in and knocks it out vs me doing it myself.  

I didn't start hiring it out until my youngest son got a job and was working himself, but it gives me back so much time that I kinda wish I would have done it sooner just so we could have had more recreational time while my kids were young.  Oh well, at least they know what to do outside!

When we were in Texas we had about a 3/4 acre 'backyard woods' area that wasn't grassy but needed mowing every couple of months.  I didn't want to buy a tractor/mower just to do that a few times a year so having the service do it made a lot of sense.  

sumdood
Posts
9366
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA, USA
Fantasy
10/9/2026 10:05am

Pest control.  I gave up on the battle with ants and signed up for a yearly contract with the local pest control service. They wanted seven hundred and something a year, they come out on a regular schedule, and anytime ants show up between stops. "If they come back, we come back"  Ok sign me up.  7 hundy is a big hit, but then I started looking at what I was spending at Denaults and Lowes just to have them show back up 2 weeks later and it took away some of the $ting.

At one point I was like, Ok you little mother fuckers, you want the dog food and minute table scraps that bad I'll put em in the yard for you, here ya little bastards I'll feed your whole goddamn village, I'll even give you water just stay the fuck out of my house. No ???   Alright then that's your call, time for you to die 😄  

2
ShellyMX
Posts
1510
Joined
3/22/2026
Location
Smyrna, GA, USA
10/9/2026 10:17am
Chance1216 wrote:

A dishwasher. That dang ring was 3K 😂 

I made what I thought was a funny remark that when my gal drinks we call it loading the dishwasher. 

I laughed pretty hard as I was running away.

3
Chance1216
Posts
9016
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA, USA
10/9/2026 10:28am
Chance1216 wrote:

A dishwasher. That dang ring was 3K 😂 

ShellyMX wrote:
I made what I thought was a funny remark that when my gal drinks we call it loading the dishwasher. I laughed pretty hard as I was...

I made what I thought was a funny remark that when my gal drinks we call it loading the dishwasher. 

I laughed pretty hard as I was running away.

Don’t forget the clothes washer 😂 

IMG 8698 3.jpeg?VersionId=iK.kIJDo5zs
2
Falcon
Posts
12674
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
10/9/2026 11:26am

The first time I ate at a real steakhouse, I thought to myself, "I am never going to Outback again." 

Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin or Continental tires for my nicer cars. 

1
Darth Blaze
Posts
32
Joined
1/4/2024
Location
Winnipeg, MB, CA
10/9/2026 12:14pm

Central air conditioning this year. Game changer. Our little window A/C unit wasn't cutting it anymore.

1
ikeG
Posts
138
Joined
6/15/2023
Location
Home, PA, USA
10/11/2026 11:31am

A wood beaded seat cover for our motorhome.  Vinyl seats had me sweating it up on way home from every race.  Told wife no when she asked if I wanted to get something.  Said no, but a month later she surprised me with one that is definitely worth it.  Huge difference 

Post a reply to: What’s something you were too cheap to buy, then wondered why you waited so long?

The Latest