Decision making
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Read three-star reviews to get balanced perspectives that list both pros and cons.
Five-star reviews could be false or bought, and one-star reviews could always be trolls.
6 people, independently
Look up '[product name] problems' to find common flaws before buying.
Unhappy buyers have no incentive to praise the item.
5 people, independently
Choose Rain-X wiper blades to prevent drying out or tearing.
One user reported they lasted longer than other brands without drying out or tearing.
- Based on one person's experience
one person who lived it
Use Oral-B replaceable brush heads instead of store brands to ensure proper spinning.
Store brand heads (Equate, Up & Up) tended to jam and not spin properly.
- Based on one person's experience with specific store brands
one person who lived it
Use Dawn dish soap for cleaning grease and dishes.
It is considered superior to other brands, leaving no residue and cleaning heavy grease.
3 people, independently
- Use Dawn dish soap to remove stains from clothes.1
reviews, avoid, issues, buying48
Compare grocery prices by unit weight or volume rather than raw price.
Buy quality garbage bags, such as flex ones, to prevent leaks.
Cheap bags often fall apart or leak on the way to the bins.
2 people, independently
Search for the item name plus 'known issues', 'problem', or 'won't' to find common faults and look at maker forums for solutions.
This can uncover recurring defects, like laptop coil whine, that standard reviews may overlook.
4 people, independently
- Search for the product name combined with 'issues' to identify known defects or models to avoid.1
Be cautious about pursuing graduate school if it leads to high debt without a guaranteed increase in income.
You may end up with significant student loans while earning less than before grad school.
one person who lived it
Compare grocery prices by unit weight or volume rather than raw price.
- Labels are inconsistent with units (grams, ounces, etc.).
- Per-weight pricing is often ignored for fruit and poultry.
8 people, independently
41 more on this
Avoid smart devices that require login or app dependency for simple functions.
Servers will likely be shut down in two or three years, rendering the purchase useless.
one person who lived it
Look for recurring themes in negative reviews rather than dismissing individual complaints.
If many people mention the same issue, it is a red flag indicating a common problem.
3 people, independently
If you hate yard work, pay for a service even if you have the equipment and ability to do it yourself.
It avoids the hassle of maintenance, fueling, and dealing with heat and humidity.
one person who lived it
Buy candles for their ambiance and smell, accepting that you are burning money.
They make your home feel special.
one person who lived it
Do not skimp on trash bags; buy reliable ones from Sam's Club to avoid rips.
Ripped trash bags are inconvenient.
one person who lived it
Read 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' to help with acceptance.
It helps with acceptance.
one person who lived it
- Read books by authors who understand your struggle to aid in acceptance.1
Check 1-star reviews specifically for safety hazards or fatal incidents when buying items for pets or children.
Owners typically post information about dangers or deaths in 1-star reviews.
one person who lived it
Book hotels directly with the company for peace of mind and choose places with decent reviews.
Paying extra to book directly provides peace of mind.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of high volumes of five-star reviews on generic products, as they are often fake.
3 people, independently
- Analyze the distribution of star ratings to spot fake reviews; avoid products with only 5-star and 1-star ratings.1
Invest in quality shoes and tires instead of buying cheap versions.
They are critical for safety and comfort; one person reported that cheap winter boots leaked and required frequent replacement, while better boots lasted longer.
2 people, independently
Buy high-quality power and hand tools to avoid project interruptions.
Cheap tools may fail during use, requiring emergency replacements late at night.
one person who lived it
Stop for half a second before acting.
This helps prevent impulsive mistakes.
one person who lived it
Test the app before buying hardware if possible, or check app reviews for crash reports, as poor app performance can render the device useless.
One person discarded a well-designed activity bracelet because its app crashed daily and reset progress.
one person who lived it
Avoid Dole dried fruit.
It is notably poor quality.
one person who lived it
Diversify investments to protect against losses during market crashes.
Lack of diversification led to significant losses during the 2007 tech crash.
one person who lived it
Adopt a growth mindset where failing is viewed as part of success rather than a reason to fear action.
one person who lived it
Cancel subscription services like Amazon Prime to avoid buying unnecessary items for convenience.
One person reported saving thousands of dollars by removing the inclination to buy unneeded items just because they were convenient.
2 people, independently
Check dates on tablet reviews to distinguish between early model success and later version failures.
Best reviews may only apply to the first model, while later versions can be inferior.
one person who lived it
Read the lowest-rated reviews of a product first to identify real, long-term issues.
Lowest-rated reviews provide honest feedback on real problems, whereas positive reviews often come from users who have not had the product long enough to judge its durability.
one person who lived it
Avoid Seagate hard drives in favor of other brands.
Seagate drives have experienced too many failures.
one person who lived it
Verify warranty support and hardware quality for specific production years, as earlier batches may have had widespread issues.
Some products had significant warranty problems in earlier years but received proper drives and support in later releases.
one person who lived it
Buy Ziploc freezer bags because other zippers often fail.
Other zippers provide false confidence and may not seal properly.
one person who lived it
Invest in high-quality outdoor gear like backpacks, water systems, sleeping pads, and shoes to avoid the misery and injury associated with cheap alternatives.
Cheap gear can lead to heavy loads, broken equipment, and blisters, making hikes miserable.
one person who lived it
Be aware that competitors may pay for negative reviews against rival products.
Businesses have been called out for rating competitors' products low.
one person who lived it
Consider investing in higher-quality tools for long-term hobbies if cheaper alternatives prove inadequate.
One user found a $100 grinder inferior to a $450 one; others listed specific brands like Windsor & Newton and Copic Markers.
one person who lived it
Stop comparing your experiences to others' because comparison steals joy.
comparison is the thief of joy
one person who lived it
Read support forums for expensive gadgets to identify widespread problems and judge company responsiveness.
Forums reveal if there are widespread issues and how the company reacts to them.
one person who lived it
Check if a product's design has been corrected to resolve initial reliability issues.
Companies sometimes fix defects so newer models do not fail as frequently as early versions.
one person who lived it
Volunteer for local organizations if you have time.
Saves you money?
one person who lived it
Focus on reviews from smaller creators who likely purchased the product themselves, as they are less likely to be biased by free items or discounts.
Popular reviewers may favor companies to secure future free products, whereas smaller reviewers typically do not receive such perks.
one person who lived it
Search for common issues, defects, and recalls when buying used cars.
Some vehicles have expensive, specific, and unanticipated complaints that can eliminate options.
one person who lived it
Prefer ZigBee smart devices over WiFi-connected ones to avoid per-device apps and logins.
ZigBee devices allow control through a single app without requiring separate accounts for each device.
one person who lived it
Assume online reviews and blogs may be manipulated by marketers, paid placements, or censorship of negative feedback.
Online stores often stuff reviews with marketer-written content and censor negative posts under various excuses.
one person who lived it
Read recent online reviews before purchasing, as companies sometimes reduce product quality after receiving many good reviews.
Companies may lower quality once they have established a reputation; one person reported that subsequent orders from the same seller were flimsy, discolored, and ill-fitting compared to the first.
one person who lived it
Maintain proper asset allocation and rebalance regularly.
You would profit quite handsomely from market drops.
one person who lived it
Choose a college major based on practical employability rather than just personal interest.
Liberal arts degrees may not provide enough information about resulting jobs.
one person who lived it
When selling items online, avoid subjective opinions in descriptions and state only facts.
Opinions differ from person to person.
one person who lived it
Watch amateur product review videos to see unedited, realistic usage conditions without fancy lighting or angles.
Amateur videos show how the product looks in real life rather than enhanced professional presentations.
- Some users prefer well-edited reviews over shaky, poorly lit amateur footage.
one person who lived it
Remind yourself that you can afford the financial consequence of a mistake and that you will learn from it rather than catastrophizing.
one person who lived it
Avoid attaching emotional interpretations to technical writing when evaluating products.
They're not usually meant to convey any.
one person who lived it
If negative reviews cite minor flaws like flimsy parts, judge if you can manage them by adjusting your usage rather than avoiding the product.
one person who lived it
buy, name-brand, brand, soap28
Buy name-brand feminine hygiene products if generic ones are uncomfortable or leak.
Buy Kong brand dog toys if you want items that last at least a month.
Other brands are often destroyed within two days by dogs.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand feminine hygiene products if generic ones are uncomfortable or leak.
Generic pads and tampons may not absorb well or may feel wet and yucky.
- One user states that no-name pads are always more comfortable than Always brand.
2 people, independently
Try Gloss Moderne hair mask for silky hair.
One person reported their hair became so silky using this product.
- Based on one person's favorite product experience.
one person who lived it
Clean mirrors with a mixture of two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water instead of Windex.
It makes mirrors shine.
one person who lived it
24 more on this
If you live in the Midwest, buy fancier hygiene products at Menard's for lower prices.
Menard's is a hardware store that carries these items at low prices.
- Applies specifically to Midwesterners with access to Menard's.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand clothes for durability, then resell them cheaply or pass them on to offset costs.
Name-brand shirts remain in excellent condition after use by multiple children, unlike cheaper graphic tees that wash poorly.
one person who lived it
Buy beauty and body products at Marshalls or TJ Maxx to save money.
They are much cheaper.
one person who lived it
Buy Philips Sonicare brushes despite the cost.
Cheap replacements tend to lose bristles in the mouth.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand Q-Tips instead of generics to avoid flimsy sticks and loose cotton.
Generic versions are often too flimsy, have loose cotton, or poke through and scratch ears.
2 people, independently
Shave a toddler's head to treat lice rather than picking nits.
Picking nits is inefficient and you may miss one, requiring you to start over.
one person who lived it
Buy generic drain cleaner and bleach since they contain a single working chemical.
There is no need to pay for expensive brands when the active ingredient is the same.
one person who lived it
Buy concentrated bleach from Walmart or Target instead of Dollar Tree's LA's Totally Awesome, which is mostly water.
The Dollar Tree brand was ineffective at removing odors due to low concentration.
- Concentrated bleach is more expensive but works better.
one person who lived it
Use high-quality dental floss to make daily flossing pleasant.
Cheap floss can be painful, making it harder to keep a daily habit.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand body wash and deodorant if you have sensitive skin or dislike the smell/feel of generics.
Name-brand options like Dove and Native may feel and smell better, providing a small daily luxury.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand body soap, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner.
Knockoff brands may leave you feeling unclean or like residue was left behind.
one person who lived it
Treat yourself to Aesop hand soap or Element from Brooklyn for exceptional quality.
These products offer an incredible experience worth the cost.
one person who lived it
Use lotion-infused tissues when sick.
It prevents nasal skin damage.
one person who lived it
Launder delicate underwear on the handwash setting and hang to dry to extend its lifespan.
It lasts longer.
one person who lived it
Buy Foca laundry detergent for a low-cost option that cleans without expensive perfumes or advertising overhead.
It avoids the high costs associated with major brand advertising and scent additives.
- Usually carried in supermarkets catering to Mexican or Mexican-American communities.
one person who lived it
Try using a Diva Cup as a menstrual product for a potentially life-changing experience.
- This is based on one person's enthusiastic recommendation.
one person who lived it
Buy name-brand toilet paper rather than cheaper alternatives.
Some users find generic options less comfortable or durable.
- One user prefers Scott tissue specifically for longevity.
one person who lived it
Buy Michelin tires rather than cheaper alternatives like Kumho summer tires.
Cheaper sticky tires may need replacing every year.
one person who lived it
Buy IKEA brand AA and AAA batteries for inexpensive, high-performance power.
They are inexpensive and perform really well.
one person who lived it
Invest in higher-quality personal hygiene products you enjoy using.
Using products you dislike negatively affects how you smell and feel daily; nicer products provide lasting comfort.
one person who lived it
Use one Tide pod per laundry load unless the clothes are heavily soiled.
Manufacturer recommendations tend to encourage using more product than necessary.
one person who lived it
Use L.A. Awesome cleaner from the dollar store.
One person reported never finding anything better, based on a maintenance man's recommendation.
one person who lived it
Use Rema1000 detergents for hypoallergenic, unscented cleaning at a low price.
They offer excellent quality while being cheap, hypoallergenic, and unscented.
one person who lived it
Clean stainless steel appliances with an all-purpose cleaner, then dry and buff with a light application of mineral oil instead of specialized polishes.
Specialized cleaners are described as bogus, while this method works extremely well.
one person who lived it
taste, buy, brands, alternative14
Buy Heinz ketchup if you dislike the taste of other brands.
Buy name-brand chips if generics do not taste the same to you.
One person finds that generic chips don't taste the same as name brands, which they buy on sale.
- This is a personal taste preference.
one person who lived it
Buy Heinz ketchup if you dislike the taste of other brands.
Some people consider other brands horrible or not the same.
6 people, independently
Buy Philadelphia cream cheese rather than knockoff brands.
Other brands do not have the same taste or texture.
3 people, independently
Buy Kroger brand orange soda as a cost-effective alternative to Fanta.
It is cheaper than Fanta, and the taste difference is negligible unless compared side-by-side.
- A taste difference is detectable when tested together.
one person who lived it
10 more on this
Buy name-brand Oreos if store brands do not meet your expectations.
Some people feel store brands do not do justice to the original experience.
2 people, independently
Buy name-brand Pop-Tarts, especially Brown Sugar ones, if generics do not replicate the experience for you.
One person feels fake ones just don't do it.
one person who lived it
Stick to Simply, Tropicana, or Minute Maid orange juice rather than generic or Tree Ripe brands.
Generic and Tree Ripe orange juice taste bad.
one person who lived it
Choose higher-quality brands of Parmesan cheese to improve your dishes.
Better brands result in better-tasting food.
one person who lived it
Buy Publix Animal Crackers for their lemon flavor.
They are described as the best animal crackers with a perfect hint of lemon.
one person who lived it
Buy Tidy Cat kitty litter instead of generic clumping litter.
Generic litters that claim to clump may not actually clump.
one person who lived it
Consider Applegate Farms deli meats if you are looking for a superior alternative to Boar's Head.
One person found Applegate Farms vastly superior to Boar's Head.
one person who lived it
Buy Pillsbury cinnamon rolls instead of the Aldi brand.
The Aldi brand does not pull apart correctly and becomes deformed.
one person who lived it
Buy Walmart Great Value pizza rolls if you prefer the taste of older Totino's recipes.
They evoke nostalgia and taste like the original Totino's before recipe changes.
one person who lived it
Try Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise as an alternative to standard American mayo.
It is considered better than Hellmann's.
one person who lived it
coffee, save, money, taste7
Switch from laundry pods to liquid soap and from K-cups to ground coffee to save money.
Prices for pods and K-cups went up.
one person who lived it
Cook meals at home instead of eating out to save money and improve taste.
Home-cooked food usually tastes better than takeout.
one person who lived it
Pay for freeze-dried instant coffee.
Other types are described as paying for coffee-flavored water.
one person who lived it
Use dried blueberries instead of fresh or frozen for overnight oats.
They are cheaper and taste identical in this preparation.
one person who lived it
3 more on this
Substitute walnuts for pine nuts when making pesto.
Walnuts provide a similar creamy texture at a lower cost.
one person who lived it
Make coffee at home to ensure consistent taste and save money.
Coffee shop taste is often inconsistent after initial good experiences.
one person who lived it
Order high-quality bulk nuts from Costco.
They offer high quality at very affordable prices.
one person who lived it