“Good Athletic Shoes”: 49 Seemingly Expensive Habits That Can Actually Save You Loads Of Money

There's a common misconception that in order to save a lot of money, you should spend as little as possible. But that isn't always the case.

Say, for example, your car breaks down... Instead of going to the most qualified and highly-recommended mechanic, you opt for the cheapest one. Nevermind that they're known for using old, broken parts and doing a shoddy job. Chances are, you'll be knocking on that same mechanic's door, or another one's, when your car breaks down yet again. And again. And again.

That's not to say the most expensive thing is always the best. But there are many pricey buys that are totally worth the money.

“Before spending a lot of money on an item or service, it may be good to understand what value it brings to you,” says Roger Ma, a certified financial planner and founder of Life Laid Out. “Does it help you save time or help you avoid doing something you don't enjoy, does it make you feel more confident, or will the experience be something you remember for a long time?”

According to Ma, and many others, you can't go wrong spending on your education.

“An investment in yourself is typically worth it. Increasing your knowledge could ultimately increase your human capital — that is, how much money you're able to command from your employer," explains the expert. "Besides, learning new material keeps life interesting and exciting.”

Your health is another investment that you can't put a price tag on. This includes both your physical and mental health. Whether you choose to spend money on a gym membership, therapy or medical insurance, it's unlikely you'll be wasting your hard-earned cash. Unless of course, you end up paying for a gym membership that you never use.

It may sound strange to some but it pays to spend money on a good night's sleep. So go ahead and splurge on a high quality bed, mattress, duvet, sheets, pillows and bedding. Throw in some blackout curtains too if you must.

“We spend 5-8 hours a night on our mattress, depending on our sleeping patterns. Getting a good night's rest affects every other part of our life,” says Ma. “If we don't get a good night's rest, we won't be productive at work, may not get that promotion, and may just feel [terrible]. A good mattress is good for your health and will pay for itself in the long run.”

Certified Financial Planner for Oakleigh Wealth, Colin Page says, in general, you shouldn't let a price tag fool you.

"There are times when the more expensive item is less expensive over time given superior durability or the ability to repair it. When it comes to certain critical things you use every day (shoes, appliances, furniture, tools, building materials), paying a bit more for the superior product can save you in the long run," he explains.

Page adds that if you can't afford a certain quality item, or use your savings if you must. "However, be wary of faux quality and the law of diminishing returns: sometimes the more expensive item is not any better, or the marginal improvements just aren't worth a big step up in price," warns the expert.

As the saying goes, time is money and many experts agree that it's worth spending money on services that help save you time. “Time is the one thing you can't get back,” says Ma, while Page adds that even if you feel stretched, you should think twice before cutting out the things you care about or that make your life easier.

Stefanie O’Connell, a financial expert and author of “The Broke and Beautiful Life” agrees. She says it's something she practices in her own life.

“My boyfriend and I both use meal subscription services like Hello Fresh, and we recently hired someone to clean our apartment once a month,” the expert told Business Insider. “We're at the point in our lives where time is our most valuable resource, so paying for things that help us buy back some of our time makes a lot of sense.”

Some argue that you should do or fix things yourself in order to save money but Ma, O’Connell and Page all agree that there are many times paying a professional far outweighs the pennies you pinch. You can't put a dollar value on peace of mind, achieving a meaningful goal, empowerment, and time, says Page.

"The value, both tangible and intangible, can be worth it, especially when the professional has your best interest at heart and takes the time to understand your particular situation and underlying needs," he adds.

“If you work in a time-intensive job (and even if you don't), then outsourcing certain services could be worth it, including cleaning, painting, and general house repair,” Ma advises. “Living in NYC, I swear by delivery services as well (food, clothing, etc.) and doormen — they make my life so much easier.”

What things do you believe we can't put a price tag on? Let us know in the comments section below...