5 Expenses That Are Worth a Higher Price Tag

The average American spends roughly $1,497 a month on “nonessential items” (adding up to about $18,000 a year), according to a 2019 article in USA Today. Therefore, by paying special attention to areas where you may be wasting money, you can potentially save enough to not have to hunt for discounts on certain items.

Sure, getting a “great deal” feels awesome, but it’s not worth it on all expenses. Check out these five expenses that are totally worth the larger price tag.

1. Tattoo removal

According to Healthline, surveys show that roughly 75 percent of people admit to regretting at least one of their tattoos. The most common and effective treatment for removal is laser tattoo removal. If you’re considering getting one of your tattoos removed, call the Fresh Start Laser Tattoo Removal Clinic in Austin, TX for a free consultation! Note: Pricing will depend on the size of the tattoo.

By getting effective tattoo removal with laser tattoo removal Austin, you can get flawless skin with superior laser tattoo removal after unfortunate incidents with a mediocre tattoo artist (or if you simply don’t want a certain tattoo anymore). The skilled and experienced technicians at the Fresh Start Laser Removal Clinic use state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal technology that can remove more tattoo ink colors on all skin types. This technology uses more wavelengths in one laser allowing for fewer treatments with no additional scarring or skin lesions. Plus, they use Cryotherapy, making the removal process far less painful.

2. Luxury watches

Let’s be honest—nobody is going to be fooled when you try to pass off a cheap stainless steel watch for a Rolex. Luckily, you can buy watches from luxury watchmakers like Audemars Piguet in a secondary market. Next to watchmakers like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin is the Audemars Piguet, one of the “grand trilogy” of fine watches. Pre-owned Audemars watches for sale through WatchBox give you the opportunity to buy the highest quality timepieces in a secondary market for a fraction of the retail price. From models like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Jules Audemars Collection, or the Millenary; the Audemars Piguet comes in a variety of iconic designs.

Whether you’re looking for stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, visible screws, functions such as a patisserie dial, or a certain type of clasp, pocket watches, water resistance, etc.; you can find the perfect wristwatch for your style in mint condition. If this is your first wristwatch, consider an extended care plan to ease some of the anxiety that comes with owning such a luxury item like a wristwatch made by a watchmaker like Audemars Piguet.

Bonus tip: Collectors of fine watches in the watch industry will also find authentic timepieces from watchmakers like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and many more at this secondary market.

3. LASIK eye surgery

Remember when Carrie got LASIK with a coupon? Just saying.

Your eyesight is nothing to gamble with. The Mayo Clinic notes that most LASIK procedures are considered “elective,” so most insurance companies won’t pay for them. This doesn’t mean you should find the “best deal,” especially since some side effects are considered “fairly common” (according to the Mayo Clinic), such as dry eyes, glare, halos, doubles vision, trouble driving at night, etc. Plus, while going blind isn’t likely, it can happen. Before even considering LASIK, seek advice from a licensed ophthalmologist who knows your medical history, and never cheap out when it comes to one of your most important senses.

4. Mattresses

It can be tempting to get a used mattress because it’s in “mint condition” and seems like a money-saving no-brainer. I mean, you’re just sleeping on it, right?

Well, if you get the recommended amount of sleep (7 hours a night minimum), then you spend 49 hours a week (adding up to 2,528 hours a year) in your bed. This doesn’t even account for napping, sex, sick days spent in bed, or time spent reading or watching TV in bed. Considering the copious amounts of time you spend in bed and the fact that mattresses can contribute to poor sleep, neck pain, and back pain (which, in turn, can contribute to poor overall health); a mattress IS NOT the place to save money.

5. Spices

According to a spokesperson for the American Spice Trade Association (who was interviewed for a piece published in MarketWatch), when it comes to spices, “if the price is too good to be true, there is probably a reason.” The article notes that since spices are almost solely sold pre-ground, it’s easy to add fillers such as sawdust, dyes, and other potential chemicals. The best solution? Buy spices whole, and grind them yourself.