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9 Items To Splurge, Settle or Skip at Big Lots
By Angela Mae,
11 hours ago
Paul Weaver / SOPA Images / Shutterstock.com
When it comes to spending money , it’s not always as straightforward as deciding whether you need or don’t need something. Sometimes, a certain item might look great but not actually be worth the cost. Others, you might see the higher price tag and skip it without realizing it would have actually been better to have it.
This is just as true of shopping at Big Lots as it is of any other store. The difference is that Big Lots has a pretty eclectic variety of goods, ranging from furniture to basic food staples. For some of these, you might already be able to guess which things fit into the “splurge,” “settle” and “skip” categories. For others, you might be surprised.
GOBankingRates went through Big Lots’ catalog of items to find the top items to buy, settle on and skip. These are our picks.
Competitor pricing: $3,700-$4,900 (depends on size)
This plush pillow top mattress has 4.7/5 stars out of 640-plus customer reviews. It features several comfort layers, including a cool twist gel foam and gel memory foam, that boost airflow and reduce heat.
It also has an 850-coil density system that’s designed to help you get some quality sleep. If you’re going to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a quality bed anyway, you might as well go with one that’ll ensure you sleep fantastically.
To go with that comfy mattress, you won’t want to miss out on a quality — yet affordable — comforter set. This particular option at Big Lots includes a floral pattern comforter, a bed skirt, three decorative pillows and a sham. It comes in two designs, too, so you have some variety. Plus, it’s oversized and machine-washable — definite wins for those who run cold and want something that’s easy to clean.
Big Lots sometimes has some great sales on items that are already affordably priced. Right now, that includes this set of two wicker patio chairs by Broyhill.
These chairs are well-designed and sturdy, making them great for outdoor use. But you can also put them inside — like in a sunroom — if that suits your style better.
They’re highly reviewed and for good reason. Along with being durable (thanks to their strong steel frame and all-weather wicker), they’re also oversized and comfortable.
Not everything at Big Lots is an automatic “must-have.” In some cases, it might make more sense to settle and buy something simply because it’s convenient and doesn’t cost a ton.
This is what we found with Big Lots’ three-piece non-stick baking sheet set. It does what you’d expect it to, and it’s not expensive, but there are better quality options at other places.
That said, if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to spend much time comparison shopping, this isn’t a bad purchase. It’s also rated well on the retailer’s website.
This office chair is decent with high reviews, breathable mesh and an adjustable height. But there are more ergonomic chairs out there — ones with better designs.
Still, it’s hard to beat the lower price at Big Lots. So, if cost is the main issue for you and you really need a new office chair, it might be worth picking this one up.
At 90 inches long and 63 inches wide, this outdoor area rug is a bit cheaper than what you’d find from other retailers. It’s also pretty durable with a simple design that makes for a great outdoor piece. It also has 4.7/5 stars on Big Lots’ website.
If you want something a little higher quality or with more design options, you might want to shop elsewhere. But if any outdoor area rug will do, then this isn’t a bad buy.
Although the per-can price is something like 70 cents, you might not want to get your sodas at Big Lots. Not only are you spending more money, but you’re probably going to hit the grocery store soon enough anyway. Unless it’s a major need, wait on this one and get it elsewhere.
Cosmetics can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest ones available. Big Lots has a few cheap makeup products — like this eyeshadow — but it’s hard to gauge the quality. If you can, wait until you can visit a store that specializes in makeup — like Sephora or Ulta — and splurge a little there.
Herbs and spices can be pricey, which is why you might be tempted to pick up some of these basics at Big Lots. The quality varies, however, and you’re not necessarily going to get the best price by doing this. Hold off for the time being and shop for these types of things at the grocery store.
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