Better Sleep through Better Mats (Part 2) was revised December 30, 2025
How Better Decisions Improve Sleep
How can we sleep better by using better mats? For many decision‑makers, the path to better sleep runs through better investment choices and loss avoidance.
Recently, there was a situation that made sleep difficult because the cost to resolve it was unclear. Spending more than necessary felt painful, but not spending now risked a much larger loss over the next two to three years. Reframing the problem as, “We can make a small investment now to avoid a certain loss over two to three years,” changed the decision and reduced stress.
Loss avoidance, especially in this financial environment, is a critical driver of sanity and better sleep. For the brave ones, sanity and sleep also come through making better investment choices on the upside; it is the same idea, just a different side of the coin.
Using Total Cost of Ownership to Get Better Sleep Through Better Mats
One of the best tools for turning stress into clarity is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Instead of asking, “What does this cost today?”, the better question is, “What will this cost me over the full life of the asset?”
When TCO shows that a higher‑quality option avoids substantial loss over time, the decision becomes easier. Investing a bit more now to avoid a future, larger loss is often the most rational and most restful choice.
In the case of mats, better sleep through better mats!
How Can a Pair of Boots Help Me Sleep Better?
Think of a great pair of work boots versus a cheap pair that will last two years. You spend more now, but the better boots last a decade. You also avoid the time and hassle of shopping for replacements every couple of years. And, you take care of those boots really well.
One way to frame the boot’s TCO is to say, “Invest another $110 in a better boot and get a $325 return over 10 years.” A different framing is, “I can save myself $110 by buying a cheaper boot, but I will lose $325 over ten years.”
In short, you can frame it in whatever way works best for you. For many people, it is easier to act when they focus on avoiding losses rather than chasing gains. That framing helps them make better decisions and, as a result, sleep better.
Example: Boot Total Cost of Ownership
High‑quality work boots (leather, Vibram soles, 10‑year lifespan):
- Purchase price: $260
- Lifetime “freight” (laces): $5 per pair every two years
- 5 pairs over 10 years = $25
- Replacement boots: $0 (boots last the full period)
- Replacement Vibram soles: every 3⅓ years
- 2 × $70 = $140
- Total Cost of Ownership: $260 + $25 + $140 = $425
Lower‑grade work boots (mixed materials, various soles, 2‑year lifespan):
- Purchase price: $150
- Lifetime “freight” (laces): $0 (new laces come with each pair)
- Replacement boots: 4 × $150 = $600 over 10 years
- Replacement soles: $0
- Total Cost of Ownership: $150 + $600 = $750
Difference:
The higher‑quality boot costs $110 more up front but avoids a $325 loss over 10 years.
The cheaper boot costs $110 less initially, but if you stay in similar work for a decade, you lose $325 in additional total costs.
For some people, the cheaper boot might still be the right choice if they truly do not know how long they will need it. For many others, the TCO math makes the higher‑quality boot the better financial and emotional decision.
|
| High Quality Work Boots. Leather & Vibram soles (10-year lifespan) | Lower Grade Work Boots. Mixed materials, various soles (Two-year lifespan) |
| Purchase Price | $260 | $150 |
| Lifetime “Freight” aka laces $5/pair every two years | $5/pair x 5 pairs = $25 | $0 (Laces come with new boots) |
| Replacement Boots | $0 | 4X $150 = $600 |
| Replacement Vibram soles (every 3 1/3rd years) | 2X$70 = $140 | $0 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $425 | $750 |
| Difference | Costs $110 more; avoids a $325 loss. | Costs $110 less; if you don’t know how long you will use your new boots this might be a decent option. |
Need more information? Look here
Questions? Contact us