167. How To Evaluate a Purchase or Brand: The Questions You Should Be Asking Before You Buy Anything

Is that brand actually worth it, or are you just paying for marketing? In this episode I walk through my full buy less, buy better framework — how I evaluate brand ROI, how to actually read a material composition label, and where I personally splurge versus save on everything from denim to bedding.What I cover:👉🏻 Why a higher price tag doesn't automatically mean higher quality - and the three questions to ask before buying anything👉🏻 Brand breakdowns: Aritzia, Reformation, Levi's, AGOLDE, Quince, Everlane, and more👉🏻 Material composition 101 - natural vs. synthetic fibers, where blends are fine, and what to never put on your skin👉🏻 How to care for high quality pieces so they actually last (dry cleaning, fabric shavers, hang drying)👉🏻 The high touch vs. low touch framework and exactly where I spend money and where I don'tSubscribe to Beyond Your Budget:https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kitBREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATORhttps://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator💳 Tools I Use:Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcHSoFi HYSA: https://secure.money.com/pr/pa5344bfc4f2Try Classpass: https://classpass.com/refer/UKLV6BN026All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa💸 My ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaalloccaTIMESTAMPS:00:00 — My buy less, buy better journey and what this episode is about08:00 — Brand ROI: are you paying for quality or marketing?11:00 — Aritzia breakdown — what's worth it and what isn't16:00 — Reformation breakdown — the nuance of fit vs. material19:00 — Levi's, AGOLDE, Citizens of Humanity, Quince, and Everlane23:00 — Material composition 101 — natural fibers: cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, silk29:00 — How to care for high quality pieces so they last30:00 — Synthetics: where they're fine and where to avoid them34:00 — Blends, ratios, and where you want 100% natural38:00 — Where I splurge vs. save and the high touch low touch framework