by Erin at SlimSavers.com

When I’m looking to buy something new, I really appreciate the comments and reviews provided by people who’ve bought it before. These provide a real user perspective and often determine whether the product ends up at my house.

I look to these to see how a piece of clothing or pair of shoes fits, if a piece of furniture is flimsy, if a food item actually tastes good, if something actually says what it claims it’ll do, and more specific feedback that’ll help with my decision. They play a huge role in my purchases, both online and in the store (thank you Amazon.com iPhone app.).

I’m 32 years old. I know what I like and what I’m looking for, and to read people say something is “spongey” or “is tight across the top” or “tastes like sand” helps a ton. Not buying something that won’t be what I wanted it to be saves money and time!

Do you count on customer reviews when shopping? Do you leave your own reviews?

Read more at SlimSavers.com.

Erin and Joline, both health and wellness junkies, spent many years pinning down the truths about eating healthy and inexpensively. Both feel the it’s-too-expensive-to-eat-healthy excuse is untrue and infuriating.