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5 cheap items that will probably end up costing you more

Some cheap products are not bargains at all. These five everyday items can break, disappoint, or need replacing, costing you more over time

Joshua Rawson-Harris / Unsplash

A low price can feel like an instant win. You spend less, take the item home, and move on with your day. The problem starts when that bargain does not last. A cheap product that breaks, performs poorly, or needs to be replaced can turn a small purchase into a recurring expense.

A Reader’s Digest report highlights that the real cost of an inexpensive product is not always visible at checkout. A $5 umbrella may seem far more appealing than a $50 one. If the cheaper umbrella breaks in the wind, however, you may soon find yourself buying another. 

There is also the cost of frustration. A poor-quality product can waste time, create extra work, or force you to replace something sooner than expected. A cheap set of knives may save money initially, but dull blades can make everyday food preparation slower. Bargain luggage may look perfectly adequate until a wheel or zipper gives out during a trip.

That does not mean the most expensive option is always the best choice. The smarter approach is to consider how often you will use an item, how important durability is, and whether a low-priced version is likely to do the job well.

Here are five items that, if purchased on the cheap, could end up costing you more in the end.

Osman Rana / Unsplash

An umbrella is one of those purchases that seems almost impossible to justify spending much money on. After all, its basic job is simple: Keep you dry when it rains. That makes a $5 umbrella........

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