Sacred Cows

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67 friends
79 reviews

10/26/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:

Just learned a valuable lesson: Spend your money on things that are important to you.

The $8 swing-arm wine opener I used to open my $10 bottle of wine has lasted at least five times as long as it's $30 predecessor. But the $10 wine is nowhere near half as good as its mind-blowing $20 big sister. Never again.

Where do you refuse to cut corners?

For me, it's (usually) wine and beer.

- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/26/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
I refuse to cut corners on some name brands, like:

Cheese
Toilet paper
Coke
Ketchup
Kleenex
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/27/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
I am with Kat on the ketchup, toilet paper (hello Royale), kleenex and coke.

I'll also add to that:
chocolate
make-up
undergarments (wow...did I just use that word...am I 90?!)
hotels/accomodations
mani/pedis

Does anyone else notice that the older you get the more you value brands/quality? When I was younger, a lot of this stuff didn't matter to me, I was all about having the most for the smallest amount of money. Now, I value...value...and I would rather do with less than settle for something I don't truly want or like....actually that is true in all aspects of my life.
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
10/27/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
Fuck. You're so right on underwear.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/27/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
Its true! For women, this is why stores like Linea (love this place!) and Bra Bar are in business. This is a topic that women really can spend a lot of time on (lord knows I have had hours of conversations with my chick friends on this topic). Women are very particular about their favourite gitch and over the shoulder boulder holder brands.
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
10/27/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
Ladies: If you don't already know, then listen to this woman. Buy good bras!
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/27/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Isn't it coming off anyway? Why bother wearing one at all??
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
10/27/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
Oh dear.

Shari, you should have this one with Kat offline I think...
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/27/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
LOL!!! Oh Kat, have you been spending too much time with Andrew "dirty stud" L?! LOL!!!
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/27/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
LOL - thought I'd just throw that out there pre-emptively!
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/27/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
I am always willing to pay full freight on:
doctors
sushi
a great pair of shoes
my laptop
YES! toilet tissue--the really plush kind
agreed, good bra

For name brands, it's gotta be:
Heinz
Coca-Cola
Haribo
I accept no substitutes!
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
10/27/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
Ain't no bargains or cheap outs in these departments:
premium booze/wine/beer (won't find no bottles of Fuzion in our wine storage unit)
CHOCOLATE
knickers (that's the English expression for undies :)
skin care products
cheese (I'm with you all the way on that one Kat)
paint (all it takes is washing a spot once and if it's cheap crap it'll come right off)
the Meat! :)

Name brands include:
Gasoline (Petrocan; Shell, Sunoco etc. not an ounce of no-name gas in my car!)
Schweppes Ginger Ale
Iams (I love my pets)
Lactantia Butter
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/27/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Can we all agree that one-ply toilet paper should just be abolished? Two-ply or better only, please.
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
10/27/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Kat, I'm definitely in on that one. :)
- 27 friends
- 120 reviews
10/27/2009 Katrina "foot" L. says:
I don't like cutting corners on anything. I always buy the best brand name shiz. But what I will do is find the same brand for cheaper somewhere else ie. Buying toilet paper from Shoppers' Drug Mart vs. Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart is always at least $2 cheaper

PS. "Kleenex" is a brand name not a type of product. I actually don't like the Kleenex brand, I use Scotties 3-ply, good shit
- 27 friends
- 120 reviews
10/27/2009 Katrina "foot" L. says:
And yes, toilet paper has to be top notch. When I go into a washroom and see nice toilet paper, I'm impressed!

You guys have to use Charmin extra soft, that stuff is like wiping with silk!
10/27/2009 Man About Town X. says:
Gawd, people!! What's with the anal fixation?!! All I know is that I don't want powder or "cotton" up the ol' arse!! (I want something else up the.....ooops! There I go again! ....but Shari expects this of me now!!)

Calvin Klein "Stretch" underwear: 92% cotton and 8% lyrca...perfection.
KY Lube
Colgate toothpaste
Biotherm aftershave
Complex 15 Lotion: NOTHING beats this: non-greasy, very light, excellent product
Tankhouse ale
Honda
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/27/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
Andrew dahling....I expect nothing less of you my dear ; )
- Elite '12
- 204 friends
- 384 reviews
10/27/2009 Karl "Kid Don Cornelius" R. says:
Tide pens.

That's about it for me.
- 47 friends
- 147 reviews
10/27/2009 Amanda A. says:
I don't skimp on pet food - honestly those damn cats eat better than me most days. I usually buy Wellness for them.

There are a lot of my own foods I won't skimp on, either. I will pay extra for better cuts of meat, I will NEVER buy that ill-looking beef that is marked down at the grocery store (though I have a friend who brags that this is all he buys).
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/27/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Good for you, Amanda. I hate it when people cheap out on their pets' food. They will pay for it in the future when their cats start to get sick and have problems in older age. Wellness is an excellent brand!
- 312 friends
- 299 reviews
10/27/2009 Deanna "mongoose extraordinaire" W. says:
Heinz, shoes
- 54 friends
- 25 reviews
10/27/2009 TJ "Retired" W. says:
Toilet paper - I go for the cheap, scratchy stuff. The thick, soft, silky stuff might feel nice, but toilet paper is supposed to serve a particular and important purpose. The scratchy stuff lets you know when the job is done. The silky stuff just smears. Sorry to be graphic.
Dogs - Anything less than a Boston Terrier just won't do.
Mouse and Keyboard - These are things you use everyday. Mine were $100 each, and worth every penny.
Mousepad - Same as above. I have a frosted glass mousepad...$35, but well worth it.
Sheets and pillow - Same as above. High thread count sheets and a down pillow are mandatory for me.
Cheese
Bread - If it's not bakery fresh, what's the point? You can't dip Wonder bread in oil and enjoy it.
- 40 friends
- 134 reviews
10/27/2009 Helen "will travel for food" L. says:
i don't like to skimp on anything but thats probably why i never have money!

Important ones are
- groceries (organic fruits/veggies, italian pasta, nut butter, coconut milk ice cream)
- makeup & skincare
- shoes
- hotel
- haircut, spa and mani/pedi
- any kind of electronics and appliances
- kitchen knives
- enameled cast iron cookware (only Staub & Le creuset for me)

if you're gonna get something, get something good and it will last you forever. don't be the poor man who buys twice!
10/27/2009 Man About Town X. says:
Gawd, we should rename the people on this list Buttholers, not Yelpers!

Anal anal anal 24/7.

NOT that there's anything wrong with that.....

: )
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/28/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
Hey, you twat-less neanderthals! Toilet paper is not just for wiping buttholes.
- Elite '12
- 204 friends
- 384 reviews
10/28/2009 Karl "Kid Don Cornelius" R. says:
Susan which reminds me of my favorite all time product in Korea. The "Vagina Wet Tissue for Lady"

http://www.tradekorea....

The mixed up order of adjectives amuses me. What kind of wet? A sticky wet? An oily wet? No, when you need nature's true wetness always go for vagina wet.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
@Karl - that is hilarious!
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
10/28/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Helen....good call on the knives. I've got a small investment in those puppies and they are worth every penny!
10/28/2009 Man About Town X. says:
@ karl! hahahahahaha!! And there's even embossed TP!! Ewwww....I'm getting a bad visual of tp that has edges! Maybe Luchado would like this stuff! : )
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/28/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
I can just imagine the ad copy now...

"Ladies, why settle for an ordinary kind of wet when you deserve vagina wet?
When only the best will do, demand 'Vagina Wet Tissue for Lady.'
At select stores near you."
- 54 friends
- 25 reviews
10/28/2009 TJ "Retired" W. says:
"Tampax Tampons - We might not be #1, but we're right up there!"
- 146 friends
- 149 reviews
10/28/2009 Neil "indefinite review hiatus" T. says:
Everyone knows that the evolution of toilet paper has arrived with the wet wipes. You guys are barely beyond apes using "premium" dry TP.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
tampons are the devil - yes, i am a girl who hates them. Why would I shove a bleached dried up wad of cotton up my hoo-ha? Really?! Ask any twat dr and they will tell you it is the devil.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/28/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
"twat doctor" - LOL.

OK, getting back on topic here - I won't skimp on Q-Tips.

And I'm buying a new mattress, and have realized it's not something you should cheap out on either.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
q-tips...good call Kat

on the twat doctor note (my brother just married into a see you next tuesday doctor family), don't ever use the scented stuff ladies. Super bad. Or - coloured tp - dangerous for our goods.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/28/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Coloured TP still exists?? I thought that disappeared in the early 80s!
10/28/2009 Man About Town X. says:
Didn't I tell you the world would come to this? TP and hoo-ha talk 24/7.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
When I was in England a few years ago they had coloured TP. I also recently saw a Loblaws that Cashmere is carrying for a limited time pink toilet paper re: breast cancer awareness

http://www.cashmere.ca...
- 27 friends
- 120 reviews
10/28/2009 Katrina "foot" L. says:
O..M..G..I hate tampons too! Seriously, how bad is it to stick a drain plug (essentially) up your women goods. It's like having a clogged drain and letting the gross backed up stuff sit there! GROSSS!

My grandma is a hoarder and when we moved her from her house to her apartment we found coloured tissue boxes as well as coloured toilet paper.

Yes, I saw that breast cancer awareness tp...I would never buy that, but I mean just by having it there I would think about going to donate to breast cancer, so maybe that's the point? Highly doubt it but I ain't wiping nothing with that coloured stuff.
- 27 friends
- 120 reviews
10/28/2009 Katrina "foot" L. says:
Oh and Andrew, I was potty trained at 6 months so I have "reason" to be anal retentive.
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/28/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
Cheap knockoff Q-tips are worthless. The stems are too bendy and the cotton bud is not absorbent enough.
A good mattress is a wise investment that'll last you years.
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
10/28/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Kat....we dropped a bundle on one of the pillow top mattresses and it is the most comfy bed I've ever slept on! Atta girl. Wise decision.
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
10/28/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
Fuck. I try to have an intelligent discussion, and go away for a day to find tampons, tp and qtips.

(actually, qtips and knoves are something I don't screw around on either).

But seriously? We get it. If you're buying shit tickets, get premium seats!
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
10/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
@Dale - you are uber cool...I thought I was the only one that called tp shit tickets!
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/28/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
Hey, what's not intelligent about Q-Tips?
"Shit tickets"--nice.
- 40 friends
- 134 reviews
10/28/2009 from Yelp for iPhone Helen "will travel for food" L. says:
Agree about getting a great mattress. Worth every penny!
- Elite '12
- 204 friends
- 384 reviews
10/29/2009 Karl "Kid Don Cornelius" R. says:
After a rather disastrous climb up Mount Everest I discovered don't cheap out on your guide. Go with the full priced Sherpas, never the half priced Maybepas.

(Sorry a small thematic invasion from the pun thread.)
- 30 friends
- 171 reviews
10/29/2009 Abby R. says:
There are just too many gems in this thread - I don't know where to start.

@ all of you: LOL!

Kat - look into memory foam. If you go east in the Beach, not past Ed's Ice Cream, there is some sort of organic/natural memory foam place.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
10/29/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
@Abby! Yes!! Someone just wrote a review of it - it's called Keetsa. I'm gonna check it out!
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/29/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
I won't ever cut corners on turkey after feasting on a free-range, organic bird from The Healthy Butcher this past T-Day.
Yeah, it's more expensive ($4.50/lb) but it tastes like a whole other kind of animal!
Never again will I eat hormone-and-antibiotic injected, cooped up till the end of its sad little life Butterball!
- 30 friends
- 171 reviews
10/29/2009 Abby R. says:
I'm with you Susan. Every time we go grocery shopping we laugh at ourselves at how organic-yuppie we are. We pretty much buy everything organic, but mostly b/c my SO is obsessed with natural health, GM foods, and all the other harmful things.

Just call me girl in a bubble - because that's what I'm becoming. Today I got a text reminder to "make sure you juice veggies and add spirulina"

Which is another thing we never cut corners on - vitamins. We get the best ones (read: the stinkiest, biggest, horse pills on the market).
- 300 friends
- 210 reviews
10/30/2009 susan "My hat is not filled with marzipan" c. says:
I always insist on a Zojirushi rice cooker.
The Japanese take rice-making very seriously and they don't fock around with their rice cookers.
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
11/10/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Abby....where do you buy spirulina? I've been looking around for it. I had some in a smoothie at Fresh. It is some sort of seaweed protein kelpie thing right?
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
11/10/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
I buy my Spirulina at Noah's or Essence of Life. There is a good brand that comes in a dark glass bottle that needs to be kept refrigerated. I think it's by Natural Factors.
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
11/10/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Kat am I correct in thinking that this is some form of a protein?
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
11/10/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
From Wikipedia:

"Spirulina contains an unusually high amount of protein, between 55% and 77% by dry weight, depending upon the source. It is a complete protein,[citation needed] containing all essential amino acids, though with reduced amounts of methionine, cysteine, and lysine when compared to the proteins of meat, eggs, and milk. It is, however, superior to typical plant protein, such as that from legumes."
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
11/10/2009 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
@Shari....thanks. I should have probably just googled it.
- 30 friends
- 171 reviews
11/10/2009 Abby R. says:
We order all of our vitamin junk from http://iherb.com - the prices are FAR cheaper than here, we never pay duties, and shipping is only $3. The trick is to keep the weight under a certain amount and then the shipping is that insanely cheap - it also keeps the cost down to avoid customs noticing.

If you are serious about wanting the "best" (aka most nerdily researched) spirulina I can ask my SO what we use (since I have yet to crack it open.)
- 32 friends
- 95 reviews
11/10/2009 eune "in a deep fried pickle" y. says:
Hear, hear http://iherb.com. Crazy cheap and super fast delivery. I get my Hyaluronic acid serum from them and it's only $12 which is $30 less than what I used to buy a similar product for at The Carrot.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
11/10/2009 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Oooh, I'll have to check out iherb - had never heard of it! Thanks Yelp!

And yeah, Spirulina is crazy good for you. Christine, if you find yourself put off by the taste may I suggest Spirutein - it's a spirulina based protein powder that has other stuff in it and is very high in protein, and doesn't produce a black/tar-coloured drink that will make your mouth all charcoally. It's about $14 at the health food store and comes in banana, chocolate, peanut butter, etc.
12/2/2009 Debi "The Queen of Mattresses" C. says:

This post has been flagged as inappropriate by the community and has been removed.
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
12/2/2009 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
Nice kill! Spammers, beware!
- 0 friends
- 2 reviews
12/3/2009 Debi "The Queen of Mattresses" C. says:
Sorry guys, didn't mean to "spam". Just trying to pass on a little firsthand knowledge. The 2 things you should never skimp out on: shoes & your mattress! Enough said!
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
12/28/2009 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
Don't skimp on your kid's names.

My mother wanted to name me Misty Mary M. WTF?!

I knew a Misty Storms, a Sherry Perry, a Frankie Littlejohn, etc.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
1/2/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Can I just reiterate how worth it it is to splurge on good TP? Has anyone ever found quality TP by no-name brands? It's usually just Royale or Charmin that's decent.
- 30 friends
- 171 reviews
1/2/2010 Abby R. says:
We use 100% post-consumer recycled TP from Costco (super cheap and eco-friendly - some no name brand) but to make up for it my arse gets the biggest splurge or all - Cottonelle Flushable Wet Wipes.

I seriously can't live without them.

(does "my arse gets the biggest splurge" sound wrong to anyone else?)
- 67 friends
- 79 reviews
1/2/2010 Dale "Go Epic or Go Home" M. says:
No, you're alright. Nice to know you're splurging on your bum :)
- 30 friends
- 171 reviews
1/2/2010 Abby R. says:
phew, thanks Dale!
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
1/2/2010 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
@Abby - love it! Splurge away!
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
1/7/2010 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
L'Occitane En Province Dry Skin Hand Cream. Recently discovered it. Will never be without it again.

I love this particular reel. :)
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
1/7/2010 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
Aveeno products. In particular, their baby cream. It has oatmeal, super light and great for my eczema.
- 260 friends
- 155 reviews
1/7/2010 Christine "Meat. Sleep. Pray." C. says:
Dale....gawd bless you for staring up this reel. :)
- 223 friends
- 0 reviews
1/8/2010 Carolyn L. says:
Magic Bullet. It's the ONLY blender for me now after I divorced my crappy ancient one.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
1/12/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Bobby pins.

I bought a shitty, no name box of them and even though they are identical in appearance (and seemingly in function, too), they don't hold hair in place and are constantly slipping out of my hair. My maid commented on the increase in errant bobby pins on my floors the other day!
- 5 friends
- 17 reviews
1/12/2010 Kiki I. says:
@ Shari, you are so right, I picked up some of the Aveeno baby cream as you mentioned and it's great!
Thanks for the tip.
@ Kat you have a maid nice!
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
1/12/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
@Kiki: Of course. I'm a clutterbug and I hate cleaning!
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
1/12/2010 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
@Kiki - great! I am glad you like it! It is heavenly! Try some of the Johnson and Johnson baby products too! I like their bubble bath : )
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
2/21/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Mini-kitchen appliances:
- blender
- food processor
- juicer

It really pays to stick to high end brands here, and not your Hamilton Beach/Black & Decker crap.
- 28 friends
- 75 reviews
2/21/2010 from Yelp for iPhone angela "bringing faux meat to the people" k. says:
I never skimp on:
- electronics & gadgets (computers, tv, blu ray, stereo equipment) - I'll wait to buy these things rather than cheap out.
- health food
- winter coats & boots
- bed, couches, desk chairs
2/21/2010 Jo L. says:
ODB ain't rich as you folks are so I scrimp on anything but good grub and pet food.
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
3/15/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
- can openers & vegetable peelers
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
5/3/2010 Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Reverse sacred cow:
- manicure

A $30 manicure isn't better - in fact, it's not even AS good - as a $12 manicure in Toronto.
- 200 friends
- 216 reviews
5/23/2010 Shari "is blowing in the wind" M. says:
For facial tissues - Puffs Plus with Aloe. Heavenly! Its like a smooth, soft Swiffer for your nose!
- Elite '12
- 305 friends
- 929 reviews
5/30/2010 from Yelp for iPhone Kat "don't get me started!" F. says:
Ketchup.

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