Never cheap-out on peanut butter and toothbrushes

"Never cheap-out on peanut butter and toothbrushes."

My mom has said this to me many times and I don't think I really 'got' it until the last year or so; you should never cheap-out on peanut butter and toothbrushes.

Let's face it: I can be a cheap person. I buy cheap vitamins, cheap cheese, cheap shoes, and I don't think I've ever bought a movie full-price, instead I opt for the previously viewed/discount bins. This isn't to say that I don't spend my money on a nice meal once in a while, it just means that when I buy every-day things, I generally go for lower prices.

But no matter how cheap I may be, I will never cheap-out on peanut butter or toothbrushes. There's something to be said for buying name-brand items that you really love! Kraft trumps No Name any day, and spending that extra buck on a fancier Colgate brush really *does* leave my mouth feeling tinglyclean. Everyone has their own splurges; some can't fathom spending less than $60 on a shirt, while others invest in fancy paper napkins to match the decor. Personally, I think it's great when you can achieve a good balance between being thrifty and splurging on items you will really enjoy. You don't order eggs benny every time you go out for brunch, but once in a blue moon that buttery sauce is totally worth it.

It's only within the last couple years, really, that I can understand spending a bit more on something. I used to think it was ridiculous to spend $40 on a sweater, but I now see that if I'm going to get good use out of it for a few seasons, $40 isn't so bad. Will I ever shop at Holt's and spend $200 on a shirt? No. Every splurge has to have its limits. But come over to my house for toast and peanut butter and I promise I'll spare no expense on delighting your taste buds.