Sometimes, Being Cheap Is Expensive

I had a function to attend and needed new shoes to match the dress I planned on wearing. Being January, my finances were low, and my wallet was still recovering from holiday spending. But needs must. Undeterred, I found the perfect pair of cheap but cute sandals in a local shop. All was well, the sun was shining and the fit was fire – I looked good. Up until I walked across the road. Lo and behold, the hot tarmac started to melt the soles of my shoes, with each step, my gummy feet picked up loose gravel and debris – frankensteining into blobby platform heels. I didn’t get to enjoy rest of the function, because I spent most of my time hiding my feet under the table, counting down the hours until I could leave.

On my way home, while I stewed in anger and embarrassment, I couldn’t help but remember the “Boots Theory of Socio-Economic Unfairness”. A wealthy person can buy $100 boots that last 10 years (the equivalent of spending $10 a year), while a poor person can only afford $10 boots that last for one season, and don’t even keep their feet dry. Where was this blinding insight when I made this senseless purchase? How could I let myself get so caught up in cuteness and cheapness, that I overlooked quality?

Puffed up in righteous rage, I went back to the seller to complain, and get my money back, or exchange the monstrously deformed footwear for a better pair. He let out a weary sigh, offered me pitying look, and explained in a sympathetic tone, that the sandals I had purchased were only meant to be worn indoors as house shoes, not for traipsing about under our African sun. Deflated and rendered speechless, I left the shop. In hindsight, I could have borrowed a pair of shoes, and spared myself the shame, wasted money, and lost time.

Making a budget in line with your goals helps you plan and set aside the money you need to buy lasting quality. So, before you purchase anything or are tempted by a bargain, compare price against benefits. How durable is the item? What’s the cost of maintenance or repair? If it’s a machine, are parts readily available? It might be in your best interests to rent or borrow, rather than own. If it’s a service, is it worth it? Whatever the case, look at multiple suppliers and reviews, always ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money.

So many of us fall into the trap of buying cheap in the hopes of saving money, only for the service to disappoint us, or for the item to inevitably break down or die after a couple of uses. That no-name brand blender on sale, that temporary phone, those “too-cute to resist” shoes (yes, I’m still incensed)! To make matters worse, we look to repair and end up incurring even more pointless costs. Being cheap can be very expensive.


Have you also learned this lesson the hard way? Share your experience in the comments, and let’s all learn something new.

Connect with me – @KagoTMD on TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn. I really want to know.

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