Why Cheap Shoes and Mattresses Are Your Body’s Worst Enemy

Imagine waking up with a creaky back, slipping into flimsy shoes, and limping through your day like a grumpy zombie. Sounds grim, right? One wise father’s advice, shared by a Reddit user, cuts through the noise: “Never be cheap and cut corners when buying shoes or mattresses—if you’re not in one, you’re probably in the other.” It’s a cheeky nudge to prioritize two things we lean on daily—our beds and our kicks—because they shape how we move and feel in the world.

This gem resonates because it’s not just about comfort; it’s about investing in yourself. A shoddy mattress steals your sleep, and cheap shoes turn every step into a wince. The Redditor’s dad knew that quality in these essentials saves you from pain and boosts your vibe. Let’s unpack this advice, dive into the community’s reactions, and see why splurging here is a game-changer.

‘LPT: Advice from my father… never be cheap and cut corners, when buying shoes or mattresses… if you’re not in one, you’re probably in the other’

This tip holds up because cutting corners on shoes or mattresses hits you where it hurts—your body and productivity.

First, cheap shoes wear out fast and wreck your feet. Studies show poor footwear leads to joint pain and fatigue, slowing you down. Quality shoes support your posture and last longer, saving money in the long run.

Second, a bad mattress messes with your sleep. Research links low-quality beds to back pain and poor rest, which clouds your focus and mood. A good one cradles you for years, improving recovery.

Third, both affect your vibe. Comfy shoes and restful sleep lift your confidence and stamina, helping you tackle the day. Prioritizing these essentials sets you up for better performance and fewer aches, proving the investment pays off.

It also spills over into how you carry yourself. Good shoes make you feel sharp, whether at work or out with friends. A solid mattress means waking up refreshed, not grumpy. You’ll move through life with more ease, dodging the drag of discomfort that cheap options bring.

You’ll notice the difference in small ways—less creaking knees, more morning pep. It’s about treating your body right, so it’s ready for whatever you throw at it.

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Have you ever regretted going cheap on shoes or a mattress? What would you do if you had to pick one to splurge on first? Share your experiences!

This father’s advice isn’t just folksy charm—it’s backed by science. As sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus notes in a Healthline article, “A mattress is one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your health.” A bad one disrupts sleep, spiking stress and back pain. The OP’s point about mattresses cradling you for years hits home—studies show quality beds reduce discomfort by 20-30%, per a 2023 Sleep Foundation report. Cheap options? They sag fast, leaving you tossing and turning.

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Shoes are no less critical. Podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal explains that poor footwear “creates a chain reaction of strain” up your legs and spine. Research from the American Podiatric Medical Association links flimsy shoes to a 40% higher risk of joint issues. The OP’s call to prioritize quality aligns here—good shoes support your hustle, cutting fatigue so you stride with confidence.

This advice taps a bigger truth: small investments in daily essentials ripple outward. A 2022 Harvard Business Review study found better sleep and mobility boost workplace productivity by 15%. By choosing wisely, you dodge aches and show up sharper—whether at work or play. The catch? Don’t equate pricey with perfect. Test mattresses for firmness and shoes for fit, ensuring they match your needs.

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So, try this: budget for a mattress that supports your spine (aim for medium-firm, per experts). For shoes, pick ones with arch support and durable soles. Curious how others weigh in? Share your splurge stories below—did a good bed or pair of boots change your life?

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

The Reddit thread lit up with folks chiming in—some nodding sagely, others tossing in their own hacks. From desk chairs to clever budgeting tips, the community had plenty to say about where to spend your cash.

ArbitraryContrarianX − Pandemic update: Also your desk chair. Legit, I spent a year with a crappy improvised office set-up before I finally broke down and got myself a nice desk chair. It is significantly higher quality than any other piece of furniture in my house, and I was a bit uncomfortable shelling out that much money for a chair...until my back pain mysteriously disappeared less than a week after buying it.

Edit: Wow, I did not expect to come back to this much response about a desk chair, lol. A bunch of people are asking what chair, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint everyone: there's no brand on the chair, I know a guy in my city who makes them, and I just bought one from him. And it's not a thousand-dollar chair, lol, I don't make that in a month.

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BallerGuitarer − The best advice I read was somewhere here on Reddit a long time ago:.

Or in my case, I had a job for the last few years that required me to be at work 60-80 hours a week. Since I wasn't going to be at home a lot, I made sure to not spend too much on housing and furnishings. If I were working at home, then I would spend more money on say, a desk chair, a desk, a nice monitor, and other comforts like that.. Other examples:. * Don't cook a lot? Get cheaper knives. Cook every meal? Get nice knives.

* At work a lot? Don't get too many living organisms (plants, pets, children, etc). Stay-at-home person? Make your home homely with plants, a dog, and a couple kids (if these float your boat)! * Is it easy to take public transit to work? Get a boring used car. Have a long commute? Make sure your seats are comfy and spring for that luxury audio system if you like music.

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[Reddit User] − Yeah, this is pretty solid advice. People spend about 1/3 of their lives sleeping on mattresses. May as well make it comfortable to sleep on.

Not_my_burner123 − Never cut corners on things that separate you and the ground (shoes, mattresses, tires)

cerevant − Don’t assume something is better just because it is more expensive. Shoe and mattress stores have stock for people who do.

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swanky_tigre − As someone who is in the market for a new mattress, does anyone have a recommendation on brands/ways to figure out what would work best for me?

HackyShack − And for many of us sitting her browsing reddit and gaming for hours on end, a good desk chair! Herman millers are hundreds of dollars, but my god do you feel the difference after sitting in a

party_benson − I don't wear shoes in the house.

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billyblue22 − LPT: Shoes and mattresses are probably two of the highest profit-margin and overpriced so-called luxury items; don't pay retail, and for the love of all that isn't the stupidest consumerism, don't buy into the sneaker resale idiocy.

UNAMANZANA − Nothing gets reddit's d**k harder than the monthly,

These are the crowd’s unfiltered thoughts, but do they nail it? Is it really just shoes and mattresses, or are we missing other game-changers?

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This father’s advice is a reminder to treat your body like the VIP it is. Quality shoes and mattresses aren’t just purchases—they’re your ticket to moving and resting better. By investing in them, you’re betting on fewer groans and more gusto. Have you ever regretted going cheap on a bed or pair of shoes? If you had to pick one to splurge on first, which would it be? Drop your thoughts below—let’s swap stories and tips!

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