Consumer Advice

As I get older, my mattress takes on new importance in my quality of life. I currently sleep on a futon on the floor for my back. It's working, but at some point, I'd like to graduate to a real bed.

I had a friend who was terminally ill and bedbound. She had not replaced her mattress in many years and it was saggy and broken down. Lying on a bad mattress caused her more pain and distress than the final stages of her illness. I did not have the means to help her, but vowed to not repeat her mistake.

The problem is that mattresses have become big-ticket purchases, and you won't know until you've had it for awhile if it is a fit for your body. I have a deteriorating disk that probably won't get any better with age. I need to figure out what kind of mattress is best for my spine.

So I keep putting off buying a mattress. I don't even know where to begin.