You May Be Paying Too Much

If you grew up before the 1980s, you probably remember the expression "You always get what you pay for." Typically, your mom or dad used this expression to teach you that quality has a price. A cheap watch could only be cheap. If you focused all your attention on price, you would only get junk. "You always get what you pay for" was an admonishment to pay a little extra and buy quality. The expression meant that saving a few bucks would cost more in the long run. The notion of getting what you paid for was linked to doing business with people you know and trust.

We don't hear that expression as much today. News reports, magazine articles, and even entire magazines such as Consumer Report are saying, "You may be paying too much." You may be paying too much for car insurance. You may be paying too much for vitamins. You may be paying too much for just about everything.