Spend money to save money

(RealSimple.com) -- If you can afford to pay a little more up front, it can add up to big savings in the long run.

Spend more on food to save money
• Get a vacuum sealer for wine and champagne and you'll never toss another half-empty bottle.
• Join a wholesale club like BJ's or Sam's Club.
• Buy everyday ingredients in smart, resealable packaging -- like tomato paste or pesto in a tube. They cost a bit more, but there's no waste.
• Instead of buying expensive bags of prewashed greens, purchase a salad spinner and do it yourself for a fraction of the price.
• Break your $3-a-day coffee habit. Buy a good-quality espresso maker and get your caffeine rush at home for less.

Spend more in everyday life to save money
• Lay out a couple of hundred dollars for class cards at your favorite yoga or Pilates studio and see big discounts over a pay-as-you-go plan.
• Never develop another roll of film only to find out your son blinked in every shot. Eliminate the guesswork with a digital camera.
• Spring for the extended warranty or service contract for pricey electronics, like a plasma TV. You'll be glad you did if the screen suddenly goes blank.
• Protect family pets with insurance. They'll be covered for emergencies that can cost thousands.

Spend more on household items to save money
• Give your laundry a little TLC. Use mesh bags to keep lingerie from snagging and good soap to prevent fine washables from fading.
• The best defense is a good offense. Scotchgard upholstery, and treat wooden surfaces with polyurethane to protect against stains and wear.
• A surge protector will almost surely save your files, no matter what Mother Nature sends your way.
• See the light ... longer. Long-lasting lightbulbs cost more but will buy you many more years of illumination.

Spend more on fashion and beauty items to save money
• Line drawers and closets with cedar sachets to keep moths (and holes) at bay.
• Splurge on pretty padded hangers so clothes stay in store-bought shape.
• Instead of wasting countless dollars on drugstore trial and error, book a professional makeup or color appointment and you'll never buy the wrong product again.
• Seek out a good tailor. After a few nips and tucks, even inexpensive clothes can look custom-made.
• Feed your soles. Rather than shelling out for a new pair, have your favorite shoes repaired regularly. E-mail to a friend

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