# What do you refuse to skimp on? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451 "2003-10-30T15:14:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/21 "2003-10-30T17:41:29Z")
Shampoo/conditioner - I almost started crying when my SO came home with 95 cent shampoo and conditioner. Brushes (I’m a hair snob) Cheerios… toasted oats are cardboard circlets. Feminine hygene products. One thing I always skimp on - Rice Krispies. Store brand is much crispier. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/22 "2003-10-30T17:49:29Z")
Shampoo/conditioner - I almost started crying when my SO came home with 95 cent shampoo and conditioner. Brushes (I’m a hair snob) Cheerios… toasted oats are cardboard circlets. Feminine hygene products. One thing I always skimp on - Rice Krispies. Store brand is much crispier. ---
**Author:** ![nobrainer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nobrainer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nobrainer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/23 "2003-10-30T18:21:09Z")
Butter. Must be Land-O-Lakes butter. If they don’t sell it or they have sold out - then I go to another store for it. Sporting goods - Bowling balls, golf clubs, balls, shoes must all be top of the line. Sneakers - I will now only wear New Balance sneakers. Haircut - No thanks to the barber schools. My family. ---
**Author:** ![z28in813](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a587f6/32.png) [@z28in813](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/z28in813)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/24 "2003-10-30T18:22:33Z")
Cars…just buy the top of the line edition of the model you are interested in, that way you have all the bells and whistles that you’d wish you had if you skimped out. Super Glue…only Krazy glue for me. Tires…nice directional tires give much more stability in dry and wet weather, worth every penny for your safety and driving pleasure. Sports tickets…pony up for good seats or the event just isn’t the same in nosebleed section. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/25 "2003-10-30T19:10:05Z")
Pantene conditioner. Yeah, it’s expensive, but it seems to work on my hair better than other cheaper ones I’ve tried. I’d like to add peanut butter to the list and say that I will only buy Jif, but in all honesty I have cheapskate moments even on that, and have bought generics. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/26 "2003-10-30T19:15:45Z")
Shoes and coffee. Also gifts: I buy much nicer things for loved ones than I would ever consider buying for myself. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/27 "2003-10-30T19:19:56Z")
Coffee. Always the good expensive whole beans. Mmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/28 "2003-10-30T19:32:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scout1222 \* > \*\*Pantene conditioner. Yeah, it’s expensive, but it seems to work on my hair better than other cheaper ones I’ve tried. > > I’d like to add peanut butter to the list and say that I will only buy Jif, but in all honesty I have cheapskate moments even on that, and have bought generics. \*\* Ditto! 😃 Also, yoghurt and cream cheese. The no-name stuff is slimy gunk. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgonzola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e480ec/32.png) [@Gorgonzola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgonzola)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/29 "2003-10-30T19:33:56Z")
Paper towels. If you can afford lots of paper towels, you’re rich. And glycolic acid. Not that I wouldn’t like to. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Ink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@White\_Ink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Ink)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/30 "2003-10-30T19:34:00Z")
I won’t skimp on groceries. Trader Joes brings my bill down quite a bit, but I refuse to buy bad fuel. NO cheap/bad wine, beer, bread, or otherwise crappy ass knock offs. I will however buy clothes at Ross, Marhall’s Nordstrom Rack, etc. ditto for shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Timchik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Timchik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timchik)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/31 "2003-10-30T19:42:34Z")
Coffee Single malt whisky Apple computers ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/32 "2003-10-30T20:05:05Z")
Vanilla Extract. None of that nasty imitation stuff for me. Olive Oil - though what I do buy isn’t the most expensive by any means, I’m kinda picky on the ones I get. butter. Not REAL picky about the brand, but I won’t buy most house brands and I will NOT buy margerine. Bread. I won’t eat store-bought unless it’s fresh bakery. Though that’s because I’m spoiled: DogDad makes our bread and it’s his own (very tasty) recipe. TP. Charmin only. Dog food - especially since CurrentDog is rather prone to FunkyTum. I’ve found that Iams Lamb & Rice does the best job of keeping him “non-funky”. Coffee. I won’t even drink the pre-ground crap-in-a-can. I buy it whole-bean, preferably mocha-flavored, and grind it meself. YUM. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/33 "2003-10-30T20:17:54Z")
Coffee - for me it’s Stewart’s, but I will go “higher-end” from time to time. Stewart’s is the _minimum_ I will accept in the skimping times. Cigarettes - I know they’re bad for me. That’s why I buy the ones I like. Otherwise, what would be the point?? Hellmann’s mayonnaise. I’ll go sandwichless before I’ll buy another brand. Butter (and you can get perfectly good butter at Wal-Mart for $1.87 a pound.) Eyeliner. It took me a decade to find one I love, and I’m not giving it up now. Coca-Cola. Needs no explanation. I also must have fine point, black ink ballpoint pens. Thus far, the only place I’ve been able to find them consistently is the office supply place. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/34 "2003-10-30T20:29:22Z")
Shoes and Socks - no crappy, cheapy things on my feet. Cosmetics - especially Foundation (it took me a long time to find one that matches my Skintone/color), and Lipstick. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/35 "2003-10-30T20:37:47Z")
Cheese. A good manchego makes me one happy 'dilla. Apple Juice. Organic and fresh pressed, I can get it in gallon glass jugs for $3.99 from a local co-op. Shampoo and conditioner. Has to be detergent free and made of organic ingredients. My hair is very, very long and gets nasty rather quickly if I use anything with detergents in it. One time, in sheer desperation, I used Mr. Armadillo’s 99 cent grocery store shampoo. Never, ever again. Thats… about it. I don’t have a lot of standards otherwise 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/36 "2003-10-30T20:59:26Z")
I think I skimp on everything. I buy Suave shampoo for my hair (on sale today, .59 cents a bottle)! I buy generic toilet paper, generic diapers for the kids, and generic frozen orange juice. I buy my shoes at Target and clothes at resale shops. And my hair is bouncin’ and behavin’, my body strong and healthy and my style is fabulous! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/37 "2003-10-30T21:10:27Z")
No Suave shampoo. I buy whole milk. Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese. I bought generic once, and it tasted like sand. ---
**Author:** ![carimwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac8455/32.png) [@carimwc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carimwc)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/38 "2003-10-30T21:22:28Z")
I skimp on lots of things except for food mostly. Bread has to be bakery fresh. I get most of my veggies from the farmer’s market and if not, I shop around for the good stuff. I had to search for good mayo- not Hellman’s. After the mayo I lived on in France, nothing could compare, so I had to test a bunch out. Finally found a brand I like. We grate our own parmesean cheese and make our own sauces. I live with a food snob so I have to get the good stuff. Otherwise I skimp. I love Suave (and so does my hair. My hairdresser still can’t believe I don’t use anything else.) I buy lots of my clothes at Target, Ross, Marshalls, etc. They last too. Of course I have a lot of clothes so they don’t get worn as often… ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/39 "2003-10-30T23:38:38Z")
Ketchup - Heinz Pickles - Claussen Jeans - 501s Cars - Mazda or Toyota or Subaru ---
**Author:** ![cajela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cajela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cajela)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451/40 "2003-10-31T00:01:15Z")
Food, drink, conditioner, clingwrap and toilet paper… Far too many things to name, in fact, because I care about food. I like to cook, and I shop for good quality produce and tools. But of course I’m lucky enough not to need to skimp there. Clothes, on the other hand, I’m definitely cheap about - why buy expensive overhyped brands? Likewise toiletries, except that I have to have good conitioner for my long hair, which saves me heaps on hairdressers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-refuse-to-skimp-on/210451.md?page=3)