Don't get me wrong, I do not mind spending money on quality, but I also firmly believe that we are a society that is consumer mad and that we get charged according to our rabid consumption--not cost-of-goods-to-market + x% mark-up.
I have a short list of "need" items and a longer list of "WANT" items. Today I got a few of each: I got a brand new, still wrapped Cuisinart salad spinner for only $10.00! It's usually $25.00. I got a new set of sheets with pillow cases; Izod cotton jersey fabric for only $16.00. And a plastic vegetable slicer (a cheap version of a mandolin) for $7.00.
I came home and feeling bargin-hunting inspired I got on eBay. I bid on three items at about $15.00 each. A Sunbeam stand mixer, a Hamilton Beach food processor, and a DeLonghi toaster oven. I don't plan to bid higher at this point, so if I win even one of them at that price, I'll be thrilled.