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Save or splurge: Leisure stuff

To get the most for your money, you need to know two things: when the good stuff is worth paying extra for and when the economy choice is plenty good enough.

Callaway FT-3 | $299
Driver
Callaway FT-3 | $299
Save or spend: Save
Every year club manufacturers come out with new drivers, but you should resist the urge to buy the latest one.

Because of the quick product cycle, "we're approaching the limits of nature," says Frank Thomas, former technical director of the U.S. Golf Association.

Take this as evidence: Golf Test USA, a leading independent reviewer, tested last year's Callaway driver (the FT-3) and this year's (the FT-5) and found, on average, no noticeable difference in terms of drive length.

Meanwhile, the FT-5 sells for $535; the similar titanium-faced FT-3 goes for less than $300.

Driver

Golf balls

Grill

Bike

Treadmill

Drill
The kitchen Bring home the bacon and fry it up in a stainless steel, aluminum-core pan. (more)
The living room It doesn't take a Hollywood budget to feel like you've got front-row seats. (more)
The bedroom You spend a third of your life in bed. Why skimp on the mattress? (more)
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