Cheap Shoe Theory

It was a regular day. As I was scrolling through Instagram, like every other day, every reel was consuming my time. But one particular reel made me pause and think. It carried a powerful message from a digital creator named Harish Bakthavatchalam, who spoke about the Cheap Shoe Theory.

Here’s what he said…

A person needs to buy a pair of shoes. He has $4,000. Instead of spending a large amount, he buys a pair for $500 and saves the remaining $3,500. After six months, the shoes wear out, so he buys another pair for $500. The same cycle continues every six months. Over the next two years, he ends up spending $2,000 just on replacing shoes.

Now imagine another person who spends $3,500 on a high-quality pair of shoes just once. That pair lasts for three to four years without needing frequent replacements.

This theory may sound simple, but it carries a powerful takeaway.

I would like to share a real-life incident that made me realize this even more. Sometimes, we need to recognize what truly matters, and at the same time, reassure ourselves that we are on the right path.

I am someone who has always focused on buying quality products whenever possible. One day, I told one of my friends that my shawl cost around $250–300. They mocked me and asked, “Who would buy a shawl at that price?” Similar comments happened on several occasions.

So, I decided to try something different. I purchased a low-cost product from an online platform. The difference between that product and the higher-quality products I had bought before was immediately noticeable. The quality, durability, and overall experience were completely different.

I don’t mean that low-cost products always mean low quality. There are many affordable products that offer excellent value. However, in many cases, the market has conditioned society to believe that choosing the cheapest option is always the smartest decision, even when it isn’t.

The motive of this story is not just about buying shoes.

It is about making wise choices in every aspect of life. Whether it is choosing a friend, a soulmate, a business partner, or even making everyday purchasing decisions, choosing the right one matters far more than simply choosing the cheaper one.

I would like to conclude with my biggest takeaway from the Cheap Shoe Theory:

“Don’t choose what’s cheaper, Choose what’s right.”

Thanks for being here! I’ll continue sharing real-life incidents and the lessons they teach me. If this blog added value to you, please leave a comment and share your thoughts. Let’s connect and learn from each other’s journeys.