You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get something that truly improves your life. In fact, some purchases may only cost a few dollars and add to your life for the better. In a recent conversation online, people shared purchases under $50 they’ve made that have had a dramatic impact on their lives. Here are 12 of our favorite choices.
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Pillow
Don’t skimp on your pillow. One person noted “I’ve reached the age where sleeping ‘wrong’ or even certain yawns make me feel incapacitated. A better pillow than the cheap ones sold at Walmart has made a big difference.”
Good sleep is essential. A quality pillow plays a big role in that.
WaterPik
Dental hygiene is important. One Redditor says “Waterpik. It has saved me thousands of dollars in dental bills. No more gum chewing in excess, root canals, or bleeding gums.”
If you don’t like the dentist, this can be a worthwhile investment.
Kitchen Utensils
The right kitchen utensil can be a lifesaver. One person claims “A good set of three different sized stainless steel whisks. You would not believe how much easier making sauces and eggs are with these.”
Don’t go cheap. A dependable utensil can last you years.
Panini Press
No more boring lunch. One person says “$16 dollar panini press. Makes boring lunch sandwich into super tasty awesome lunch sandwich.”
Do you love Panera? Save money and get tasty sandwiches.
Sleeping Mask
Good sleep benefits you in many ways. One Redditor shares how they’ve improved their sleep, “A sleeping mask, I had struggled a lot due to lighting from outside since I was a kid, purchased this in hostel because problem got worse, and it really changed my sleep for good.”
If you like to sleep in total darkness, a sleeping mask can help improve your sleep.
Cast Iron Skillet
Do you hate to cook for yourself? One person offers a solution, “My cast iron skillet. It helped motivate me to cook more, which was a huge issue for me as someone who used to order take out and food delivery way too much.”
If you’re trying to get away from ordering out, or one person meal kits, a good skillet helps you save money and eat healthier.
Rubber Office Chair Wheels
Do you hate to scruff up your office floors? This Redditor has a solution, “Rubber office chair wheels. They’re silent, no scratching hard floors, can easily be used on carpet.”
After a quick installation, you no longer have to worry about messing up your office floors.
Portable Battery
A dying phone can be frustrating. One person offers, “Portable battery. I love never having to worry about my phone dying.”
Portable batteries are small and you can take them with you wherever you go. You no longer need to worry about your phone dying.
A New Pet
Looking for a new companion? A furry friend can be a fantastic option. One person says, “I bought my cat for $20. She brings a lot of joy and pain to my life.”
Visit a local kennel and see who could use a new to them home.
A Pill Organizer
It can be challenging to manage multiple pills. One person offers a great solution, “My $9 pill organizer. Friends have laughed at me because it seems like an old people thing, but I‘ve finally managed to stick to my meds (yes, ironically my ADHD is so bad I couldn‘t even get that done). To me this was a real life changer!”
Simple organization often makes life much simpler to manage.
Back Scrathcher
No one likes when they have an itch in a hard to reach place. A back scratcher is a fantastic solution to that problem, and they’re super affordable.
“I have a bamboo back scratcher that I bought on vacation in Hawaii 15 years ago for a few bucks. It never leaves the closet door handle. I can go right to it, and it’s the best,” says one person.
Talk about value!
White Noise Machine
Changing your environment can alter your sleep. That’s what one person found when they moved from the country to the city. A simple purchase made the difference between restful evenings and sleepless nights.
She said, “Speaking as a country girl now living in the city, a white noise machine. The sound of crickets chirping or rain is so much more relaxing and comfortable for me to sleep to than traffic and sirens.”
35 Real Ways to Save Money Every Month
Many people believe it’s impossible to save money. Or, they think saving $20 or $30 a month won’t amount to anything. Both are incorrect. There are many simple money-saving tricks that can amount to significant savings. You just have to start one, then another, to increase your savings.
35 Proven Ways to Save Money Every Month
101 Ways to Make Money on the Side
There are countless side hustle ideas you can pursue. Not everyone will be a good fit for you. Here’s an exhaustive list of options to make extra money on the side.
Ways to Make Money on the Side
17 Best Side Hustle Ideas With Great Pay
Side gigs are a terrific way to make ends meet, but there are so many that you may not know where to start. These side hustle ideas offer great pay and flexibility.
7 Best Cheap Meal Kit Delivery Services
Not all meal kit delivery companies are expensive. Some are relatively affordable and cheaper than dining out. Plus, they can save you time in the kitchen. That’s a win-win.
7 Best Cheap Meal Delivery Kits
Get Cash Back on Your Gas Purchases
It’s painful to fill up at the pump. Thankfully, there’s an app for that! With Upside you can get rebates on your gas purchases that you can redeem for cash.
Upside App Review: Is the Gas App Worth it?
This thread inspired this post.
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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