I tried the 'buy it nice or buy it twice' method — what is this trend and how does it work?

The 'buy it nice or buy it twice' is an old adage that simply means, if you buy something 'cheap', there's a chance that it won't last you as long or won't be fit for purpose, so you'll end up buying it again. If you 'buy it nice' you'll save yourself hassle, time and money in the long run.

It's about intentionally shopping, aiming to make sure you don't make a mistake buying products that might not be of a great quality. But, they also don't have to be the best. While it's still relevant today, there's some flexibility given the modern day landscape of fast trends, online shopping, and the increase in cost of living.

So, 'buy it nice or buy it twice' might not necessarily refer to something being the worst if it's the cheapest or the best purely because it's the most expensive. Instead, it aims to reframe your mind to think about whether the product you're buying is going to be of good enough quality to last and suit your needs. Sometimes skimping out on quality can have negative repercussions – especially on your wallet.

I've lived by this saying for a number of years, especially since purchasing a house. Suddenly, there are much bigger financial decisions to make like large furnishings and garden decor. And it's something I definitely find myself prioritizing a lot more in my day-to-day life with the rise in prices. Here's how it works.

What is the 'buy it nice or buy it twice' method

'Buy it nice or buy it twice' has been around for years, circulating around fast fashion choices and spending crazes, though its true origins are hard to track down. I've always referenced 19th-century writer, John Ruskin's: "It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little."

Its not quite as catchy and certainly not as current. What you'll find in the modern online space is a trend that encapsulates the 'buy it nice or buy it twice' ethos and calls it being 'frugal chic'.

An unusual turn of phrase considering chic would insinuate luxury, while frugal means to not splash out But, all of these phrases have the same core value – to invest in quality should hopefully mean you're not having to buy the product again. Pay too cheaply and you're sacrificing on a product that'll fulfil your needs, break easily, or cost you more to replace.

When it comes to making informed shopping decisions, it's not just about what you spend, but the time you spend deliberating, re-buying, re-ordering, and what you ultimately waste by purchasing something that might seem affordable, but ends up causing you more hassle than it was worth in the first place. And plenty more hassle to replace.

3 ways I tried this

There are lots of great ways to apply the 'buy it nice or buy it twice' mindset to your purchasing decisions and, for me, there's the opportunity to shop for my new home, while working with a strict budget.

The ethos is something I have in the back of my mind for most of my buying decisions, but when it comes to the home, I find that the larger furniture choices is when it really comes into play. Buying a sofa is a big investment, but there's definitely a scale of expense.

While I don't opt for the most expensive items for my home, considering my budget, I do like to steer away from anything that feels too budget because I have two small kids and need it to have certain qualities. I also know that if I choose to shop too cheaply that those qualities won't be met and I'll end up replacing the item.

Whatever your budget or your style, the scale will change, but what you don't want to do is spend money on something that ultimately you end up having to buy again or aren't happy with.

This also applies when I tried to apply the adage to my clothes shopping. Yes, I might be able to pick up a 10-pack of socks from Costco for a budget price, but they also quickly develop holes that mean I end up buying more socks anyway.

And finally, I've tried adopting this mindset when shopping for my kids. The same rule applies for their clothing, but it can also apply for products like toys, pushchairs, and... well, pretty much anything.

I'm easily overwhelmed in shops, and when it comes to making important choices on behalf of my kids, it can be particularly overwhelming. There's so many types of one particular product on sale, but it's about not buying too cheaply that the product isn't fit-for-use.

While what I choose might not be considered 'chic', I prioritize convenience over style and save my money there, but I also don't pick the most budget option, in case it fails me. The best way to learn how the 'buy it nice or buy it twice' method will work for you though is to consider times in your life when you've made these mistakes.

My verdict

It doesn't have to be the most stylish sofa, outfit, or kid's product to be worth your money, which means you don't have to spend the most amount of money on a product for it to mean it's the 'best'. It just has to be good enough that it doesn't end up ultimately costing you more money.

It may sound as simplistic as a phrase, but there's many layers to how it works in terms of your actual budget. And, let me be clear, it won't work for everything. Sometimes, products that don't have much purpose and aren't a long-term purchase can be disregarded.

Saying that, it does work for a lot of things. That's why I read reviews on the best air fryers or the best washing machines before I make an informed decision. I find doing my research makes it easier to decide that while there are cheaper options on the market, there are also tried-and-tested options that'll help you invest your money, rather than waste it.

While I follow this mindset on a regular basis (and rave about it to others), I also make it clear that I'm not suggesting you have to spend loads of money on something as a compromise. There's a huge scale of affordability and that's the world we live in. The most expensive product doesn't necessarily mean it's worth its price tag, but the cheapest things may indicate that it's not been made with as much sustainability as you'd like. It's important to weigh up both durability and price.

And if you have managed to grab something at a cheaper price that works incredibly well, then you've hit the jackpot. There's certainly always a place in purchasing decisions for budget-friendly options.

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