The other side of a price tag
Never take a price of anything at face value. Instead of the immediate and obvious cost today, consider all opportunities and costs attached to this purchase in the future.
We get blinded by price tags. They're simple, clear numbers that make comparison easy. Too easy.
I faced this recently with two similar digital products. One cost twice as much as the other. The cheaper one was a one-time purchase, whereas the more expensive one was a yearly subscription. The cheaper option seemed like the obvious choice - until I looked deeper.
Price tags hide the real story. They cast a shadow over possible shortcomings. They don't reveal the time wasted on workarounds. They don't display the cost of replacements when cheap things break or simply don't work as well.
The more expensive option often brings hidden benefits. It might last longer, work better, or save time. It might reduce stress or prevent future problems. It might open new opportunities or create unexpected value.
The math is simple but deceptive. Divide the price by the value created over time. Suddenly, expensive things become cheap. And cheap things reveal their true cost.
When making purchase decisions, I've learned to ignore the price tag. Instead, I ask: What value will this create? What problems will it solve? What opportunities will it enable? What risks will it help me avoid?
The cheapest option today often becomes the most expensive tomorrow. And sometimes, the best way to save money is to spend more of it.