There was a time when my spending habits came in two flavors: all-in or all-out. Either I was obsessively optimizing every penny or stress-scrolling through product reviews like I was shopping for a heart monitor instead of a mop. I wanted to make the perfect choice every time—cheapest and best value and long-lasting. The goldilocks of budgeting.
And it burned me out.
Then I stumbled into a mindset shift I now swear by: “good enough” spending. It’s not about settling. It’s not about giving up on quality. It’s about letting go of decision fatigue, financial guilt, and analysis paralysis—and trusting that sometimes good enough is exactly what your money and your brain need.
Not only has this helped me spend less over time, but it’s also helped me spend smarter. Because budgeting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being sustainable.
If you’ve ever stared at a cart full of “budget picks” you’re not excited about, or spiraled into a YouTube rabbit hole trying to find the best water bottle under $15, this one's for you.
What Is “Good Enough” Spending?
“Good enough” isn’t the same as “bad.” It’s not about buying junk or cutting corners just to save cash.
It’s about identifying the point where a product or service meets your needs well enough that spending more wouldn’t significantly improve your life—but would drain more of your time, energy, or budget.
Think:
- A $30 pair of headphones that sound 85% as good as the $150 ones.
- A $12 bottle of wine you actually like.
- A reliable used car instead of leasing something new.
- Store-brand pantry staples that taste the same to you as the name brand.
It’s about finding your value threshold and learning to stop there.
The “Best” Isn’t Always Worth It
One of the reasons this mindset clicked for me was realizing how often chasing “the best” was costing me—not just in dollars, but in time and anxiety.
Example: I once spent over an hour researching which toaster to buy. A toaster. I read about heating coils. I compared crumb trays. I started wondering if I should just get a toaster oven.
Then I bought a $25 model that toasts bread. It’s still toasting bread. I haven’t thought about it since.
That’s the kind of mental freedom good enough spending gives you. It liberates you from trying to maximize every purchase.
And ironically, it helps you make better decisions overall—because you stop burning out before the important ones.
Where “Good Enough” Really Shines in Budgeting
Not every spending category is ripe for this approach—but many are. Here’s where I’ve found the most success:
1. Groceries and Pantry Staples
I used to be loyal to name brands for everything: peanut butter, pasta, even salt. But over time, I realized most store brands taste nearly identical and cost 20–40% less.
Now, I only “upgrade” if I can taste the difference or get more mileage from it. (Yes, I still buy the better coffee beans.)
2. Tech and Electronics
You don’t need top-tier everything. Unless you’re editing video professionally, most mid-range laptops or earbuds are more than good enough for everyday use.
I’ve found that mid-range gear lasts longer than bottom-shelf stuff and gives you 80% of the performance at 50% of the price.
3. Clothing and Shoes
You know those $200 boots you swear will last 10 years? They might. But if you’re not going to resole them or maintain them, the return on investment may not pan out.
I now aim for moderate quality I’ll wear often—and I skip chasing “investment pieces” that feel more like wishlist pressure than actual need.
4. Subscriptions and Services
You don’t need four streaming platforms. You don’t need a $70/month fitness app. You don’t need the “premium” Dropbox plan if you’re using 10GB of space.
I go through my subscriptions every 3–6 months and ask, “Is this still pulling its weight?” If not, I downgrade to good enough.
Why This Works (Psychologically and Financially)
There’s a little brain science behind all this.
When we’re stuck comparing, maximizing, and “perfecting” our spending decisions, we hit decision fatigue. That leads to worse decisions overall—and ironically, more spending.
In contrast, when you choose “good enough,” your brain gets relief. You make decisions faster. You save time. You reduce buyer’s remorse because your expectations are more realistic.
Plus, the savings add up. If “good enough” choices shave 10–20% off your spending across categories like food, tech, clothing, and home goods, that’s hundreds—maybe thousands—over the year.
And those savings? They can go toward things you actually care about: debt payoff, travel, investing, or just breathing easier next month.
What “Good Enough” Spending Isn’t
Let’s make sure we’re not misunderstanding this strategy.
It’s not:
- Settling for stuff that breaks easily
- Ignoring your values or comfort
- Defaulting to the cheapest option every time
- Lowering your quality of life
It is:
- Choosing enough value, not maximum
- Spending smarter, not harder
- Leaving room for things that actually bring joy
- Understanding your real needs and preferences
In short: you get more peace of mind, more savings, and more time—without sacrificing the things that matter.
When “Good Enough” Doesn’t Cut It
Some purchases still deserve full attention, research, and investment.
I don’t go “good enough” on:
- Health insurance plans
- A mattress (you use it 1/3 of your life)
- Safety gear (helmets, car seats, smoke detectors)
- Anything that directly affects long-term health or security
These are the strategic exceptions—the areas where quality matters most because the consequences of going cheap are serious.
The goal isn’t to apply “good enough” to everything—it’s to use it intentionally.
How to Start Thinking in “Good Enough” Terms
It’s not a switch you flip overnight. This mindset takes a little rewiring. Here’s how I made the shift:
1. Identify Your Perfectionism Traps
Start noticing where you obsess over reviews, spend hours choosing between similar products, or constantly upgrade things “just in case.”
That’s where “good enough” can help.
2. Set a Value Threshold
Ask yourself: What do I actually need this to do? If a $40 version does 90% of what the $90 one does—and you won’t notice the difference—stop there.
3. Practice Contentment
It’s easy to feel like you’re “missing out” if you don’t get the best. But reminding yourself that you’re saving time, money, and stress helps ground the decision.
Over time, you’ll stop craving the upgrade—and start enjoying the freedom.
Savings Success!
Set a 48-hour timer before “upgrading” a product. Give yourself space to decide if it’s actually better—or just shinier.
Compare your cart to your needs. Ask, “What problem is this solving, and is the solution overkill?”
Do a “value check” on subscriptions. Cancel or downgrade anything that hasn’t added real value in the past month.
Use the 80/20 rule. If a cheaper product gives you 80% of the benefit for 20% of the cost, it’s probably good enough.
Give yourself permission to stop researching. Set a time or info limit for comparison shopping. Then choose and move on.
Why This Hack Deserves More Hype
“Good enough” spending isn’t just a clever way to cut costs—it’s a mindset that saves you from the financial anxiety trap so many of us fall into.
It gives you space. It makes budgeting feel lighter. It lets you focus on what really makes your life better—without drowning in decisions or draining your bank account trying to get the “best” of everything.
If you're exhausted from trying to optimize your entire financial life, consider this your official permission slip: good enough is often more than enough.
And ironically, the more I embraced this approach, the more satisfied I became—not just with my budget, but with my life.
Keep it smart. Keep it light. And don’t forget—your best money moves might just start with a “good enough” one.
