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Cheaper Alternatives to Norwex

Cheaper Alternatives to Norwex

Some of my most popular posts have been about cheaper alternatives to expensive items like cheaper alternatives to Lularoe leggings and cheaper alternatives to Tieks shoes. I’ve gotten requests from several readers to tackle a cheaper alternative to Norwex. Well, here’s the post you’ve been asking for! There are a lot of great MUCH CHEAPER alternatives to Norwex! [Read more…]

When NOT to Sell a Minivan

I loved this post to help me know when to sell my minivan. It's hard to decide when to sell a car. I want to make the best decision for my budget and financial plan.

My Honda Odyssey minivan is 10 years old now with 116,000 miles. I wrote about my minivan before when I discussed how to remove paint transfer scuffs from a car. I know a lot of other families with minivans around this age. When a van is 10+ years old and 100,000+ miles, is it time to replace it? Isn’t this the time when repair bills get out of control and we should just get a loan for a new one? A lot of people want to know when to sell a minivan, so I thought I’d look at the numbers.

[Read more…]

My 2017 S.M.A.RT. Goals June Update

It is June, the kids are out of school, and I have slowed down on the blog. Right now, I need to focus on my family responsibilities and spending time with my kids. If you’d like to read more about how I decided on these goals, check out my 2017 S.M.A.R.T. Goals post from January. Read on to see my progress over the last month.  [Read more…]

Tieks Alternative: 3 Cheaper Ballet Flats

This is great! I've been tempted to buy some Tieks, but didn't want to spend the money. This post gives great alternative cheaper ballet flats. I found some great shoes!

Have you seen all the ads and discussion about Tieks ballet flats? If you haven’t heard of them, Tieks are high-end leather ballet flats that cost $175-295. A lot of people are wondering if they’re worth the price or it’s just all hype. In case $200-300 flats are out of your budget, I went searching for some cheaper alternatives to Tieks ballet flats. These aren’t Tieks knock-offs – just shoes with similar qualities at a lower price.

What are Tieks Shoes?

Tieks are high-end ballet flat shoes. Most are made of soft leather. They have a split rubber sole and a cushioned insole.

Before I discuss cheaper alternatives to Tieks ballet flats, let’s look at the qualities that people like about Tieks:

  • High-quality materials. Most models are made of high-quality leather.
  • Cushioned insoles. Tieks have a cushioned insole for comfort.
  • Durable. They hold up a very long time.
  • Flexible & Packable. The sole folds in half for comfort and carrying in a purse or suitcase.

There are a few downsides to Tieks ballet flats that often get mentioned:

  • Takes time to break in. While most people say they’re comfortable, they can be painful during the break-in period.
  • Little arch support.
  • Teal soles and back stripe. While some people like this, others would prefer a completely neutral shoe.
  • Although they are foldable, many folks complain that they’re still pretty bulky to take in a purse.

Tieks Alternative: Yosi Samra Women’s Samara 2.0 Ballet Flat

Yosi Samra Samara ballet flat is probably the most similar alternative to Tieks that I could find.

Similarities Between Yosi Samra Samara Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • Real leather
  • Cushioned insoles
  • Durable
  • Flexible & Packable – folds in half just like Tieks

Differences Between Yosi Samra Samara Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • Elastic around the top edge
  • No teal blue soles or stripe
  • Not available in as many colors
  • 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of Tieks

Although the Yosi Samra Samara ballet flats are not cheap, they’re MUCH less expensive than Tieks and seem to be pretty comparable. They have excellent reviews. For 1/3 to 1/2 the price of Tieks, they seem like a sensible alternative:

Tieks Alternative: Ollio Comfort Ballet Flat

The Ollio comfort ballet flat was the least expensive alternative to Tieks that I found, but there are obvious differences in quality. On the plus side, the Ollio flats have a lot of good reviews and women seem to find them very comfortable. You could buy 7-12 pairs of Ollio flats for the price of one pair of Tieks! 

Similarities Between Ollio Comfort Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • Cushioned insoles
  • Flexible design

Differences Between Ollio Comfort Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • All synthetic materials vs leather
  • Elastic around the top edge
  • No teal blue soles or stripe
  • Not available in as many colors
  • 1/7 to 1/12 of the price of Tieks

At such a low price with so many good reviews, I think the Ollio Comfort Ballet Flats are worth considering:

Tieks Alternative: Lucky Brand Emmie Ballet Flat

While searching for recommended flats, I saw many devoted fans of the Lucky Brand Emmie Ballet Flat. It seems to be the standard flat that everyone loves. It’s not completely the same style as Tieks, but I felt it deserved a mention as a high-quality, inexpensive flat. It’s available in a variety of colors and materials and retails for around $60. It can be found on sale often in the range of $30-50, making them 1/3 to 1/6 of the price of the least expensive Tieks.

Similarities Between Lucky Brand Emmie Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • Available in real leather
  • Available in a wide range of colors and materials
  • Cushioned insoles
  • Similar top edge

Differences Between Lucky Brand Emmie Ballet Flats and Tieks:

  • Doesn’t have a foldable sole
  • No teal blue soles or stripe
  • 1/3 to 1/6 of the price of Tieks

If you’re looking for a quality flat a decent price, the Lucky Brand Emmie Ballet Flat is a great option:

Have you tried Tieks ballet flats or any of the Tieks alternatives I suggested? I’d love to hear your comments below!