Don't buy this, buy that!(BONUS SECTION)

When gawking at those chicks in the tabloids who flaunt their luxe lives, you likely think, I bust my ass every day-why can't I get a piece of that? Well, you can ... thanks to our sneaky substitutions for stuff you lust after.

 
         DON'T BUY THIS                         BUY THAT 
 
            Vincent Longo Volume    Maybelline Define-a-Lash 
                   Riche Mascara    Mascara 
 
                             $23    $7.95 
 
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     This high-end version has a    ... But so does this one, and 
        chubby wand and flexible    color formulas generally the 
       bristles for a clump-free    same among mascaras. 
                        look ... 
 
             Seda France Classic    Seda France Classic Toile Luxury 
           Toile 88-ounce candle    votives (three per pack) 
 
                             $125   $154 
 
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   It has a price tag to fit its    Get a better dispersion of 
         size: jumbo. And though    the scent with minis that 
 it lasts long, it lives in only    you can pop into inexpensive 
         one corner of the room.    glass votive holders. 
 
       Name-brand toiletries and    Toiletries and cleaning products 
      cleaning products from the    from discount or bulk stores 
                   grocery store 
         (such as Joy dish soap) 
 
          Starting at $4 an item    Starting at $2 an item 
 
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    There's something satisfying    For most household items, generic 
about seeing the name brands you    drugstore versions are just as 
  grew up with in your own home.    effective as the national brands. 
    Then again, who wants to pay    Tip: Split a huge bulk pack with 
  like a sucker just because you    friends for even greater savings. 
       like the look of a label? 
 
                    Dom Perignon    Segura Viudas, Reserva 
                       champagne    Heredad sparkling wine 
 
                      About $150    About $20 
 
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  It's the ultimate splurge, but    You get great zingy flavor 
    much of its sticker price is    (and the same air of luxury) 
       linked to the prestige of    from a Spanish Cava sparkling 
          officially coming from    wine that's well under the cost 
              Champagne, France.    of the "real thing." 
 
        Taking your own car on a    Renting a Zipcar in 1 of 50 citie 
           day trio with friends    for a day trip with friends 
 
                                    After $75 in fees, hourly rates 
         About $100 in gas costs    from $64 
 
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    You pay for wear and tear on    Hop in a Mini Cooper or BMW. 
     your car, and you could get    Fees include gas, parking, 
        screwed out of gas money    and insurance, and you get 
     by a "pay you later" rider.    180 free miles. 
 
     Buying a trendy mixed-breed    Adopting a pup 
      dog, like a Labradoodle or    from the pound 
                          Puggle 
 
                  $600 to $2,000    $75 to $200 
 
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 Here's the thing: All those new    You can find a comparably 
      canine blends are actually    cute pooch at your local 
mixed-breed dogs. So you're just    Humane Society or ASPCA, 
way overpaying for a mutt-albeit    where about 30 percent 
    an Puggle extremely adorable    of the dogs are purebred. 
                            one. 
 
                    Apple iPhone    Samsung Instinct 
 
                  Starts at $399    Expected to be $200 to $249 
 
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Yes, we love the almighty Phone,    This has fancy touch/Web features, 
       with its touch screen and    plus it comes with two batteries 
Internet capability, but not its    and integrated GPS navigation. 
                 single battery. 
 
Herman Miller Eames compact sofa    JCPenney Click Clack sofa 
 
                           $3,299   $300 
 
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          The design is amazing,    This futon-sofa combo 
              but do you want to    is also chic and modern 
            splurge on something    but won't hit your 
        wine can get spilled on?    wallet nearly as hard. 
 
Miu Miu Ruched Messenger Handbag    Gathered Braided Celebrity Satch 
 
                           $1,445   $49.99 
 
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     The leather's so yummy that    You get the same It Bag 
 you practically want to eat ...