20 Things That Cost You Way More Than They Should

PopularGreetingCards.com offers thousands of greeting card designs starting at just 39 cents each – so why are so many retailers offering up brand-name cards for $5 or more? The monopolization of the industry by big-name brands may be one of the reasons, with paper quality and luxury details being another. Not to mention, the psychology of it all plays a role too. As consumers, we see the pricier, flashier cards as being “better” and therefore reflecting our own generosity in gifting them to others. The bottom line? Greeting card prices are astronomical; and while the sentiment may justify the cost, you’re better of spending a little extra on the gift, sparing the pricier paper and calling it a day.

That said, check out the things Canadians actually pay less for.

Of all clothing, jeans are definitely one of the items with the biggest variation in price from one retailer to another. Factor in the major markup on designer denim, and you might end up paying upwards of $400 for a pair of jeans that likely cost under $50 to make. If you’re hooked on the luxe feel of designer brands, do yourself a favour and check out discount retailers like Marshalls and Winners for the brands you love at a fraction of the price.

Remember, living below your means is one of the key ways you can retire with millions.

You’re already swimming in debt with those ridiculous course fees, and now you have to factor in the puzzlingly high cost of academic textbooks. While the wholesale cost for printing those bulky books is nowhere near the severely inflated retail prices on campus, the unfortunate truth is vendors know you haven’t got any choice if you hope to pass those classes.

Do yourself a favour and scope out online and campus ads for used course books being sold by students who have completed the course. And hey, when you’re done with them, do your fellow classmates a favour and pass it on!

By the time diamonds reach the jewelry store – and your hands – they’ve often been marked up to three times their original cost. While merchants are now looking to level the field for consumers in a bid to compete with luxury brands, the costs can still seem a little out of whack. Do your research into what you’re looking for, what you’re willing to pay and who’s offering the best deal – and quality. Ultimately, this won’t ever be a cheap expenditure, but do the legwork and you’ll ensure you get the best bling for your buck.

For more, don't miss 17 ways you're shamelessly bleeding money.

Ready to print all those beautiful photos from your camera via your handy home printer? Not so fast…

There’s a reason why inkjet printers are so inexpensive. Often, manufacturers price their printers at a cost that has them making little to no profit – sometimes even losing money – because once you own their printer, they know they’ll make their money back in spades with the profits from sales of the accompanying ink cartridges.

This is one of those pesky “supply and demand” situations, wherein vendors know that you’ll likely want a nice glass or bottle of wine to go with your meal, and from there they can set their prices at two, three times the cost of what you might pay buying it directly from places like the LCBO.

Consider inviting friends over for one glass before or after the restaurant. See 10 more ways to make the most of a tight budget.

Growing up, remember how your parents used to feed you a big meal and hide bottles of water and snacks in their bags before heading out to the amusement park? This was because they knew then, as we know now, that the markup on anything food or drink-related within those fair gates will leave you feeling more nauseated than any rollercoaster!

For some reason, something that only costs pennies per unit can end up costing you several times that once it finds its way to store shelves. Now slap a “designer” water label on it and watch that price climb even higher. If you’re not into breaking the bank for the basic necessities of life, we suggest investing in one of the many at-home water-filtration systems that can work via a jug in the fridge or even installed to work directly through your tap. Save the money, and the plastic!

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If you’ve discovered the joys of at-home coffee machines such as Nespresso; where endless decadent coffee pod options are available to you at about $1 a pop (sold in multiples via “sleeve” boxes) than you may be wondering why that “other” coffee shop is shelling out similar ready-made coffee for several times that in stores. This is another one of those supply and demand scenarios, and while we wish we could tell you a home brewing system will help you kick the costly on-the-run habit, it’s more likely you’ll find a balance between a budget cup at home and a venti-splurge on the go!

When you’re flying high and your stomach starts grumbling, be prepared to do some major damage on your credit card. It may not make sense, but airlines offering on-board menus have some of the scariest markups around – so either stock up at the duty-free, or don’t say we didn’t warn you!

See more items that save you hundreds of dollars over time.

Math is mentally draining as it is, so it just seems cruel to us that scientific calculators, of all things, would be so expensive. Don’t be fooled; however you look at it, the math on this is just out of whack. Like many items on this list, this one is costly because really, what other option do you have? Luckily, nowadays, unless you’re required to buy a scientific calculator specifically, there are a few apps out there that can also get the job done!

Did you know, on average it’s more expensive to fly within Canada than it is to go international? An online article from CTV news from 2014 reported that, according to Air Canada executives reporting in 2012, airport fees south of the border were 230 per cent lower per passenger than those at Canadian airports. Yikes!

Speaking of flying, you won't believe the 20 biggest flying mistakes you may be making.

In a similar story as that of printers and ink cartridges, you’ll often find great deals on first-purchase razor handles (with a blade or two in the package), only to discover that the companies are making their money with the costly refill blades you’ll undoubtedly be back soon to buy.

While we may find we suffer less with this in Canada, our American neighbours south of the border will be quick to tell you that prescription medication, while necessary when prescribed, is not always financially feasible. While there are several reasons for this (we could go on, and on…) one of the most aggravating has to be the fact that the U.S. government doesn’t employ pricing regulations or drugs, instead allowing manufacturers to base cost on what their competitors are charging.

If it comes down to making more cash, try one of the top 20 jobs in Canada that pay over $200K.

Yet another airport conundrum – the dreaded baggage fees. You’ve gotten to the airport on time, carted your bags through the maze-like lineup to check-in, and are ready to go into vacation-mode when the person behind the counter informs you that, regardless of being within the weight limit, you will now need to fork over some serious dough for “baggage fees.”

While the standard charges are aggravating enough, US Today has reported that Americans with a bag weighing in at over 71 lbs can expect to pay fees in the hundreds.

Plastic frames and a tiny lens – how can that be so costly? And yet, designer styles which boast trendy offerings and high-quality lenses can have you spending several hundred dollars for a pair.

At the end of the day, sunglasses are a year-round necessity and you should be protecting your eyes with a quality lens. That being said, don’t overpay for something simply because of the brand behind it. Shop around and we guarantee you can find something you’ll love just as much – for a lot less!

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It’s folded reinforced paper with plastic piping on either side for hanging – and yet, it’ll cost you more than you’d like. We’re not sure why, and although we don’t like it any more than you do, until they come up with a less expensive substitute, our filing cabinet can’t live without it.

If you’re looking for brand-name makeup brushes, you’d better prepare yourself for the sticker shock. No, it’s not unicorn hair they’re using, and yet +$50 a brush? Yup. Don’t stand for it. Do the research and decide for yourself what kind of bristles and handles work best with your beauty routine and then look into online stores like Amazon.ca, where you can find endless options (generally at a lower cost) and ship it home for free! Not everything is overpriced: these beauty products under $10 are cheap and worth every penny.

Another puzzling overpriced item, we’re chalking this one up to brand-name cruelty. The big names have something of a monopoly over the drugstore-polish scene, and while they tend to set their prices similarly, they’re all typically asking for between $5 - $12 a bottle!

Ladies, you may think you’re being thrifty by scoping out the local drugstore for a replacement hair brush, but think again. (And, don't miss the 20 things you shouldn't buy at a drugstore). Stores like Shoppers Drug Mart have their basic brushes starting at about $15 on average, with the prices only going up from there. Take your brush-business elsewhere, it’s just not worth it. We suggest the accessories section of stores like Forever21 and H&M, where they’ve got your beauty basics covered – at budget prices.

For more, don't miss the 10 things Canadians pay more for.