Ever feel you’re charged way too much for whatever it is you buy in daily life? Perhaps that pricey bottle of olive oil you so desperately want, or maybe those jeans you have always wanted. Everything seems to be a little pricier these days. You may ask whether you are being taken advantage of or whether you are not shopping with your head. Don’t worry, a group of experts here tells you what you should be paying for 14 common items. Let’s dive in and learn how to make better choices so you won’t waste your hard-earned money.

Everything Around Us is So Expensive. Why?
We have all noticed that the prices are going up. Probably it is because of the pandemic consequences or because of the cost of living, which has become impossible not to feel you get less for more. And whatever you so easily acquire, whether it is a cup of coffee or a pint of beer, you have to think: “Wow, that’s expensive! And why is that?

According to experts, prices have increased for so many reasons. Shipping costs, material prices, and even labor shortages have made it impossible to maintain low prices. Just because something is pricey does not always mean it’s worth the amount. You may pay for a brand or its packaging design. So, how do you know that you are being ripped off? And when is it okay to pay a little more for better quality?

Let’s take a look at a few common items and see what a fair price is for each one.

Wine – To Spend or Not to Spend?
Wine is one of those purchases where the price differs enormously. You can get a bottle for £4, but connoisseurs will tell you if you are paying less than £8 then you’re not getting a value for money. According to Pierre Mansour of the Wine Society, there is more to producing wine than most might realize. Along with vineyard maintenance, picking grapes, fermenting the wine, and shipping, the producer needs to decide which vineyards to source the grapes from, how much money to spend on the equipment, what brand to design, and which varieties to select, among a multitude of other decisions. The problem lies in the fact that when you are trying to save a dollar on buying a cheap bottle, most of it goes towards things like the bottle itself, taxes, and shipping. So, if you are looking at a £4 bottle, the actual wine inside might be worth less than £1!

He says that one should pay between £8 and £15 to get a good quality bottle of wine, and it really seems that £12 is the right price. In that price, you’ll get some much better quality wine, and that’s a good value for the money you spend on it. Cheap wines may even harm the ecology and the producers because cheap wines are made in considerable volumes to save money.

Olive Oil – Why You Should Pay More
Another thing to look out for is olive oil. You do not want to settle for the cheap option as plenty of things factor in with the price of olive oil and these can include the weather and what type of olives are used and how it is produced. A good bottle of extra virgin olive oil should cost you between £5 to £10. If you see something that is cheaper, then it probably may not be pure olive oil or might have been made from inferior-quality olives.
Denims – Quality Not Quantity
Of course, everyone loves a good pair of jeans, but how much should you spend on them? According to the experts, if you pay less than £30, you are not likely to get the best quality. Those cheap jeans tend to lose shape rather quickly and require being replaced frequently. On the other hand, spending about £50-£100 for a pair of jeans can be relatively more worthwhile as they remain durable, fit well, and look better.
Cleaning Spray – When Cheaper Is A-OK
Not everything has to cost the earth. Cleaning sprays, for example do not have to break the bank. You can find good quality cleaning stuff for approximately £2 to £4. You need not spend more than that. For this, buying cheap is fine, as long as the job’s done, right?
Chicken – Know Where It’s From
Chicken is one of the most common food items found in most families, but the price you are paying for it can vary hugely due to its origin. Maybe it’s high time you reconsider your buying habits if it is below £3 a kilogram. Cheaper chicken always means a little harm to both the environment and the animal itself. For £5 per kilo, you know you are getting chicken that has been reared under better conditions and is healthier for you to eat.
Butter – Pay for the Taste
The quality will again make a difference on butter. Poorer butters may taste and contain additives. Spent a little bit more, you might get a better taste and texture for £2 to £3 for a block of good butter. It also lasts longer because you do not need to use as much.
Bed Linen – Invest in Comfort
You spend one-third of your life sleeping, so it’s worth investing in good-quality bed linen. Cheap sheets, under £20, might feel scratchy and wear out quickly. Spending around £50 for a good set of sheets will give you more comfort, and they’ll last a lot longer.
Coffee – When to Splurge
Another thing is coffee, where the price ranges are so huge. Sometimes a cup of coffee from your shop costs between £2 and £4, though. Is it worth that? If you buy coffee beans, experts say that it should be around £7 to £10 for 250g. That guarantees you good flavor, and it’s more ethical as well.

Shop Smart, Spend Wisely
After all, this will help you make smarter choices knowing what a fair price is. Not everything has to break the bank, but sometimes it might be worth paying a little extra upfront to save money in the long run. Quality has its price-whether it is for wine, olive oil, or bed sheets-but it’s worth it.