Why would you want less than the best? But in reality we have to buy what we can afford. I try to buy the best I can afford and that does not mean the most expensive. I always try to buy on sale. Being retired and older, I have less spendable income, and it is hard to cut back.
Ladies, on those counter tops, consider Silestone, it holds up better than Granite, you don't have to worry about stains and treating it every year. It is a quartz product and nothing can hurt it. I love it.