You get what you pay for!

Even when the economy is running smoothly, a lot of people try to save money here and there by buying cheap products. 

Maybe saving a dollar on shampoo will be worth the sacrifice, but there are some things that should not be scrimped on. Items that you should not go cheap on are the ones that you put in your car to make it go. Sure, you could say that I am biased because I am married to a mechanic, but it is in your best interest to repair your car to it's maximum potential. 

If you have to feed your family Ramen noodles for a week to be able to afford it, please consider the benefits: 

The parts are going to last longer. Say you have the option to buy a $300 part vs. a $200 part. The $200 one has no warranty and is likely to poop out in a year. The $300 part has a 2 year warranty, but you are sure it will last the entire two years. At the end of the two years with the good part, you spent $300 and with the cheap part, you spent $400, plus the extra time you spent at the mechanic. 

You will also save on extra expenses: If a part fails and has to be put in again, the mechanic still has to be paid for his work. 

I think this applies to more areas of life than just in a car. I am learning that sometimes the savings aren't worth the sacrifice to the enjoyment I get to have in life.