Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Feb 13, 2010 11:54 AM
Joined: Feb 13, 2010
Points: 3
I'm in a tough situation here as I'm a 21 year old college student with limited finances. I appreciate the value of spending a lot of money on a mattress, but I simply can't. I am a stomach sleeper and my current bed is so saggy that it bends my body backwards in a U shape when I sleep on my stomach. I have rotator cuff pains, neck pains, and back pains as a direct result of this bed. They go away when I return home for school breaks and sleep on a firmer bed. I am 5-7, 160lbs for reference. Here is my problem - I only have $500-600 to spend. Also, I must get my core mattress from Macys due to the fact that I need to use my Macy's card for the bulk of the purchase. I've read around some and am NOT averse to buying say a $400 firm mattress from macys just for the springs, and then getting a Latex topper from somewhere that can be up to $200 (if that is even enough money). What would you do in my situation? I'd like to spend more but that doesn't change the fact that I desperately need a new bed! Thanks in advance.
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #5 Feb 13, 2010 6:41 PM
Joined: Feb 13, 2010
Points: 3
Ah, that will teach me to more closely read descriptions. I thought it was a full Latex bed. However, this appears to be too good to be true - a full Talalay Latex bed for this cheap? http://www.originalmattress.com/products_and_prices/mattresses_and_box_springs/foam_and_latex_mattresses.aspx What's your take on this? There is a store about 15 minutes for me so I plan on checking it out in person. What questions should I ask to be sure this is high quality and not some knockoff?
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #6 Feb 13, 2010 8:02 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
computerpro3 wrote:
Ah, that will teach me to more closely read descriptions. I thought it was a full Latex bed. However, this appears to be too good to be true - a full Talalay Latex bed for this cheap? http://www.originalmattress.com/products_and_prices/mattresses_and_box_springs/foam_and_latex_mattresses.aspx What's your take on this? There is a store about 15 minutes for me so I plan on checking it out in person. What questions should I ask to be sure this is high quality and not some knockoff?



The Costco mattress has a polyurethane base.  The "air" component is air channels cut into the foam to help it breathe.  If you click on the image, you can get a second image that show what is inside.  Or go to the Sleep Science website.  I actually tried that mattress and it is pretty good, but pretty firm as well - too firm for me and thicker than I would like.

I believe the Original Mattress Factory got one of the highest ratings (for a store) from Consumer Reports.  It might be worth going there.  They use Talatech latex which is a blend of sythetic and natural by Latex International.  That is pretty good quality, but some people prefer the 100% natural.  I don't think there is a huge difference between the two.

At least try to verify who makes the latex. If it is Latex International, then you a getting pretty good quality.

Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #7 Feb 13, 2010 8:39 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
I bought a Twin Englander mattress for about $220 as I recall, I got the firmest one available which is usually the cheapest.
I don't recommend Serta, I've read in many diferent places that they are one of the worst.
Get a Sealy or something, but as long as it has good springs it doesn't matter.

Try sleeping on it as is without any latex.
It will probably suck.

Then buy two one-inch layers of latex, one medium, one soft.

Take an exacto knife and cut around the top, take the top off and throw it away.
Throw away - or store - the foam inside. It's pure junk.

Add the latex on top of the springs and then throw your sheets over it - no one will ever know you've done any surgery on it.

The bed plus 2 layers of  latex in twin size should cost you about $450 or less.

The one problem is you can't get latex layers at Costco or Macy's you'll have to use cash. Hit some relative up for a loan or gift for the latex.

Who knows maybe you're the kind of person who can sleep on about anything and your cheap Sealy will work fine for you, as is.
But save up some $ for the latex, you'll eventually need it.

http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/mattress-surgery-performing-foam-ectomy-my-englander-mattress-w-photos/6161-A-1.html
Make sure you click ALL to see each post including links to other surgeons' projects.
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #8 Feb 14, 2010 10:57 AM
Joined: Oct 8, 2009
Points: 192
my wife slept on her stomach for her adult life and at age 50 had to have major surgery which didnt work to fix the damage it has done

stop doing that, trust me on this...

stomach sleepers have big problems later = i know it is difficult to change but if my wife can do it, well, you know
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #9 Feb 14, 2010 12:14 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
Randys, did you try the 1" of Sensus foam?  If so, how is it?
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #10 Feb 14, 2010 12:37 PM
Joined: Jan 23, 2010
Points: 64
randys wrote:
my wife slept on her stomach for her adult life and at age 50 had to have major surgery which didnt work to fix the damage it has done

stop doing that, trust me on this...

stomach sleepers have big problems later = i know it is difficult to change but if my wife can do it, well, you know
Randy, About the latex mattess from costco -Is it firm, medium or soft.  I have asked this question repeatedly from you but yet no reply. thanks
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #11 Feb 14, 2010 12:42 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
lowbacpain wrote:
Randy, About the latex mattess from costco -Is it firm, medium or soft.  I have asked this question repeatedly from you but yet no reply. thanks


You can go back an read some of his old postings.  He said it was too firm / not plush like TP, so he bought a 3" Costco memory foam topper to put on top.  That made it too soft, so he want to try 1" of Sensus or latex on top.
Re: Discouraged - only have $500-600 to spend, am I wasting my time?
Reply #12 Feb 14, 2010 12:50 PM
Joined: Jan 23, 2010
Points: 64
sandman wrote:
You can go back an read some of his old postings.  He said it was too firm / not plush like TP, so he bought a 3" Costco memory foam topper to put on top.  That made it too soft, so he want to try 1" of Sensus or latex on top.

hello, I would like him to reply since he is  the one who bought it. Thanks. Can't understand why he won't reply and I have directly asked him this million times!