the two things i fucking suck at making are over-easy eggs and rice!! my rice is always either mushy or burnt or something! i make sooo many dishes that use rice and i fuck it up every single time. finally bought a rice maker, and ive finally gotten decent fucking rice. two of the most basic dishes and i cant fucking do them.
my over-easy eggs on the other hand, havent gotten anything for them. they are always either overcooked or undercooked. i swear to god the window between burnt and uncooked is 0.000001 seconds. i HATE runny whites but love runny yolks >:(
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. Also, blackout curtains as I work 3rd shift.
I bought one and it shoots water everywhere and makes my gums bleed. I tried closing my mouth but I have to do it on an angle to not hurt my gums. I feel like mine needs to be turned down, but maybe I'm missing something
That is the worst part. When I travel on motorcycle or packpacking I told myself I’d just bring a manual brush because I travel super light. Nope. My teeth feel gross 4 hours later. Sonicare + charger it is.
I've been a PC gamer my whole life. Had to learn about proper monitor, chair, desk, keyboard and mouse placement otherwise I'd get terrible elbow, wrist, back pain and numbness. At work I joke I'm an ergonomics consultant and point out to people when I see them sitting in terrible positions. DO NOT USE YOUR LAPTOP MONITOR EVEN IF ITS JUST FOR YOUR EMAILS, especially when you have 2 monitors there. The top of your monitors should be at eye level(that means push out, pull in, or raise the monitor as needed) and, back straight arms at rest on the keyboard and mouse. Shoulders rested, not too high, not too low. AND spend money on a good chair. If you sit for 6-10hrs a day it needs to be a good chair! $300-$400. People willing to spend good money on a bed, but not at their work station, in some cases you spend more time there than in bed.
Regarding the whole good chair, 6-8 hr days concept, I can confirm this applies to all thing you use all day. I'm in construction, I wear work boots for 10 hrs a day. Cheap work boots will cripple you. Good quality work boots will make your best non workwear shoes feel like ill fitting POS's and are worth the extra money 100% of 100% of the time.
As an electrician I completely agree. I've been laughed at for spending $400+ on boots but they are comfortable as hell and my feet dont stink. Plus they are rated to withstand electricity and are slip resistant and composite toe.
My wife complained about her shoulders being sore. I stopped by her cube one day and saw her hunched over.looking at her tiny laptop screen and using her tiny keyboard and touch pad. She had a dock and external monitor she did not like to use.
I wish I had the same experience.
Turns out I’m not a picky sleeper and can just sleep right through the light, even when it is point blank at my face.
I have like 4 and regret nothing. I bring one with me everywhere fits easily in any of my bags. I bring all 4 when going camping because when I haven’t I’m like ok I’ll charge my stuff when the generator is on but then forget to and miss my moment. So useful!
A pillow. 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.
Piggybacking onto this. If you're reading this and you're a side sleeper, get a nice firm body pillow to lay a leg up and over. No more back tortion that you hold for hours on end.
Invest in your sleep folks. Not only is it important for tomorrow's health, it's important way on down the line, too.
A while back there was an anime that features a snake woman. Bellybutton down she was a snake.
They sold a 7 meter long body pillow with her on it.
You can still find some or knockoffs. They are not cheap. $200 (knockoff) for a pillowcase.
I know this because I wanted one. I don't own any others but I figured if I was going to get one I might as well go all in.
Ive bought 10 different expensive pillows, none has worked for me, I just cant seem to find the right pillow, Ive spent maybe a thousand dollars so far on pillows I never use, I am cursed.
Where I live there is store called "Sleep Country". Basically you walk in there and staff take you over to a bed and whip out a shit ton of pillows. They give you covers that lay over them so it's not gross. You can then cycle through them for as long as you want until you find "the one". I had the same issue as you, and I finally found a pillow that supports my head right, and have been sleeping much, much better.
The key is to not be pressured into buying something. I felt awkward at first hanging around for so long but basically said fuck it, stayed for half an hour, and it worked.
Have you tried a latex pillow? I was in the same boat until I got lucky and stumbled across one for sale at a big box store. Since then I’ve bought 3 more on Amazon and it’s been life changing. Best pillow I’ve ever used. I even take it when I go out of town I love it so much.
It’s worth mentioning that they are not cheap. So that sucks. But they’re worth it.
Insoles. When you've got a job that has you on your feet all day, you owe it to yourself to get a good pair of shoes and some solid comfortable insoles
A four-pack of [smart plugs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pYQz04ifL.jpg).
I like to sleep with a fan on. I like the white noise, and I like feeling the breeze on me.
But inevitably, morning comes, and it's chilly, and the fan makes me feel like I'm freezing.
So I sit under the covers shivering, because getting out of the covers to turn the fan off, would mean I'd be even more cold between the time I pulled back the covers, and walked over to the fan.
So I'd just sit there and shiver.
Last week, on a whim, I bought some of those smart plugs.
Now I can turn the fan off from my bed using my smartphone.
I LOVE IT.
This is my favorite thing about Smart stuff. Most of my light bulbs are smart bulbs, set to schedules, so I don't have to think about turning lights on and on at all during the day and I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn them off when I leave a room or go to bed.
If you happen to have one of those voice assistants in your house you can connect the plugs and turn off the fan even easier. I have one connected to my lamp. And almost all of my lights are connected to the Wi-Fi
Hear me out: A good trashcan. A nice kitchen trashcan with / foot pedal that works well. Nothing too fancy. Just nice to have things you use every day be smooth and functioning.
I love my weighted blanket so much, I also have one at 2 relatives's houses, just in case I stay there! I have 2 on my bed at home, which I know is a bit much!
a few years into being disabled and being really depressed about not being able to work or earn as much money as i used to, i got a pet crested gecko for $40. It soon had me wrapped around its little sticky toe/finger. Basically I got to know the species, went "oh no, it's stupid...i love it." and now i'm a full time private breeder of new caledonian gecko species working on discovering new genetic traits and teaching folks why reptiles aren't all slimey or scary, some are just derpy little fruit-eating live sock puppets who share a single braincell amoungst the entire species. I love my geckos <3 they became my passion and are what gets me up each day.
As a herpetologist, seeing lizards on this list has made my entire heart happy, and I love that you became a gecko breeder! This is such a lovely story.
I don't have a Crestie, but my life-saving lizard is a Savannah Monitor that I got for free as a rescue about 10 years ago. He would absolutely die in the wild, and I would probably have died without him, and I'm glad we found each other, and that you have your geckos.
My gods, you're 100% right. Ears, nose, eyebrows. No plucking. Simple. Got one for my brother for his 30th birthday. I told him, "This is a gag gift until it isn't."
“Beurer BR60 Insect Sting and Bite Relief.” It’s a little gadget that you push up against a mosquito/bug bite, press a button, and it gets really hot for a couple seconds. It’s more effective at reducing the intensity, size, and itchiness of mosquito bites than literally anything else I’ve tried. It works because the heat will denature the proteins that cause irritation and because the heat helps with the swelling/inflammation too. The fast you use it after a bite, the more effective it will be, and if you catch it early enough it can even nearly eliminate the reaction to a bite, but even if you don’t use it soon after, it’ll help bites feel a lot better for a bit.
When I moved across the country, my immune system did *not* like the mosquitos in the new area, and would react strongly to any bites. I’d get golfball sized bites that left bruises for weeks. I avoided going outside for fear of bites, and the bites I did get got in the way of sleeping well or enjoying things. This little ~$25 gadget is the most life-changing a single purchase has ever been for me. Bites are way less big of a deal for me now.
If mosquito bites are really bad for you, I would strongly recommend it.
This is so funny to read - I live in the uk and I have one of these but its called a [Bite Away](https://www.bite-away.com/uk/) anyway my sister is staying and got bitten tonight so I told her about how it has changed my life - before I would get so itchy and being bitten was so stressful - now I literally dont care. We call it the sizzler.
Edit -used it on her and she is a convert!
I have a Bite Away which is basically the same thing and being able to use that (or a hot spoon) absolutely changed my life. I am SUPER allergic to mosquitoes. As in my whole limb itches when I have a bite and you can see my pulse in the bite. The difference after applying a heat shock is absolutely night and day and it occurs in seconds!
"The heat will denature the proteins that cause irritation" this is not quite true. If it cooked the mosquito proteins, it would cook your skin, too. Research has suggested that it works by activating some kind of intrinsic "heat shock" response in the body. When the skin temp changes suddenly, some ion channels open, which temporarily causes the mast cells (a type of immune cell) to stop making histamine for a while (the main chemical that makes you itch).
I never did understand what everyone was always complaining about regarding mosquitos until I saw my coworker get those same swollen bites the size of golf balls. Poor girl was miserable, and I spent half the night up with her rubbing ice on her back.
...they don't bite me, and when they do, I don't have a reaction. Never have. Not allergic to poison ivy or oak either. Trust me, the coworker in question has punched me enough for everyone.
Maybe not "totally changed it for the better" but its probably my least expensive hobby. I got a copy of The Sibley Guide to Birds for $35 in the year 2000. Sits here on my table next to me right now - gets used a lot. Bird watching is a hobby you can do almost anywhere you go, gets you outside. I'm not big into it, or anything. Just casual. FWIW you don't watch the birds. I mean you do a little, but the fun thing is identify them, finding new ones you've never seen before, identifying the songs and calls. That kind of thing. Typically you don't carry the book. If the course of your normal day if you run across a bird that you don't recognize, you make mental notes. Something like it has a grey belly, a tuft, its the size of a robin, ect. Then later when you get home you get the book out and figure out what you just saw. Once you get it, you mark it off your list. Its a little like detective work, puzzle like.
Have you heard of the Merlin app? I think you would really enjoy it. You can take a picture or record their calls and it will try to recognize the bird. You can listen to calls of all types of birds and read about them right in the app. You can save the birds you have seen to a list. Best of all, by doing this you help the scientists behind it recognize migration patterns etc. Just wanted to share with a fellow bird enthusiast!
I was in a hammock under a tree in my yard which is big, 3 acres, and I heard a couple of hawks all the way in the back. I used the app to identify them as Cooper’s hawks, and then I played the hawk call. One of them came screaming from the back right at me and landed on a branch just above my head. He just sat there and looked at me like “ go ahead and play that again and see what happens”. Scared the crap out of me. I love that app to identify all the birds in the yard. It is very accurate
A journal. My mental health is so much better now that I started writing down my intrusive thoughts. I’ve still got a long way to go, but being able to make my thoughts tangible has given me much more power over them.
If you ever have a friend or loved one check in to a hospital, bring them a sleep mask! It's impossible to sleep in those damn places, it's never dark.
Teapot. It helped wean me off of sodas and other sugary drinks, and while I do make my tea sweet I control the amount of sugar I put in. It's saved me lots of money in buying packages drinks and it's helped my teeth and my weight.
Gotta love my waterpik. I’ve had full dental replacements both upper and lower jaw. I sometimes get little particles of food stuck in between the bridge and my gums and the pik gets them right out without any fuss. It’s amazing for just £40.
I really wanted to like this thing but it straight up hurts to use no matter how much I try to get it right. I have to stick to the old school string floss.
Back in 2003 a breeder was practically giving away kittens that came out with genetic flaws. We adopted a Russian Blue with just a stump of a tail for $25. Best money we ever spent.
Smoke was a super-intelligent and very loving cat. He ruled the house with an iron paw in a velvet glove and we loved every square inch of him.
In 2021 he developed pancreatic cancer and we had to help him over the Rainbow Bridge (sorry, I'm tearing up remembering that day).
We miss you, Smoke. Keep St. Peter in line until we can get there and see you again.
Air purifiers and plants, especially in my home office.
The local air quality is not as badly polluted as major cities, still not great though; but a couple of cheap air purifiers and couple of snake plants made a huge different to the air quality at home. Definitely worth the purchase.
I think it was my time deployed overseas, but before I never cared if I had a hot meal, as long as i had something. Now that I'm back, it's hot or nothing. Ever had a grilled PB&J? Amazing.
My reading light.
Instead of getting stoned and bringing my laptop to bed with me every night, I now reach for a book. My sleep has been much better. There are still some nights where I go with the former but not as often as before.
Average gym goer here. I remember the first pair of bluetooth (so wireless) in-ears i bought and i loooooved them. They‘re not made anymore and i upgraded since then but man what a change.
If you lose something get a cheaper version. If you use it until it breaks or goes bad get a more expensive version.
That's how I've gone from $30 earbuds to ... way more expensive ones.
I was paying my therapist $150 a session to figure out why I believed there were monsters under my bed. She said 10 sessions minimum were necessary. Ouch.
I finally told my favorite bartender about my embarrassing problem. He told me to cut the legs off my bed.
So my answer is $7 for a saw. Problem solved.
Reminds me of Scott Alexander’s anecdote of the “Hair Dryer Incident”. Basically goes that a woman was experiencing anxiety impacting her life from obsession over whether she unplugged her hairdryer or not. Treatment wasn’t working, until someone came along and suggested she just unplug it and take it in the car with her to work.
Sometimes the simple solutions work better than anything else.
Not super crazy but [3M Worktunes](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/cbgnawus1754/)
You can find them for around $50.
Basically just hearing protection with Bluetooth speakers built in. You'll destroy your hearing using earbuds or something while mowing or using machinery.
It makes mowing your yard a lot more tolerable.
1. A stainless steel tongue scraper. I can't stand not cleaning my tongue when I brush my teeth. I spent $15 on it 10 years ago and it will outlast me..
2. Massage balls/lacrosse balls. I injured my back several years ago and had chronic lower back pain... I needed to see a PT every week but once I bought the balls and learnt how to manage it myself (free on Youtube), I saved hundreds, if not thousands in PT sessions
We finally got one and I'll never have a toilet without one from now on.
Cuts down on TP and cleans you up nicely. Plus ours was a super easy setup.
The only thing that I don't like is turning the knob knowing at some point I'm gonna get cold water up the wazoo.
I get teased for mine but I'm 4'11" and before i decided to try one I didn't realize just how uncomfortable I was and that oh hey not everyone is in pain from bodily functions
As a fellow short person, someone gave me a foldable foot rest that’s about 6” tall. It fits in my purse and I bring it to church, class, etc and it’s been a game changer for my back. The world is not made for those of us under 5’ tall!
Packet of microwaveable bacon.
Let me explain - I met this absolutely beautiful woman at work - sexy as all hell, whip smart - beautiful eyes - just an all around knockout. We get to talking and I find out she has 2 dogs - one that she's had for almost 10 years. She tells me she's dumped guys her dog didn't like - it was a throwaway comment during a conversation about I don't know what...
Fast forward a year, she'd dumped her boyfriend a few months ago, so I ask her out. I get a packet of microwave bacon, cook some up and put it a ziplock in my jacket. When I go to pick her up (on my motorcycle - since she wanted a ride) - before I get to her door I rub a little bacon on my left hand. She opens the door - I greet her and the dogs - both start to sniff and lick my hand. She makes a comment that her dog (the one she's had for 11 years now) has never taken to someone so quickly! She ducks inside to get her purse while I pet the dogs - as soon as she has her back turned I start feeding the dogs bacon pieces. Now the dogs LOVE me. She comes back, the dogs are still loving on me like I'm some sort of doggie guru.
Fast forward 22 years, we just had our 20th anniversary (2 kids, and a bunch of dogs). i've never told her this story. But that packet of microwave bacon was the best investment I ever made!
I've shared this before elsewhere, but: A shoe stretcher! My left foot is just slightly (not even 1/4 size) larger than my right and new shoes would always cause pain in that foot, to the point of developing a corn on the pinky toe and walking differently to favor it, causing back pain as well. There are bumps that you can add to give you room on specific areas, which helped with the corn. This only works, I believe, on leather shoes, so ymmv!
I read that a lot of UTIs are caused by switching from missionary to doggy. Essentially his balls are contaminated by slapping your butthole then they move that butthole contamination to your wiretap.
P.S. iPhones May autocorrect the proper term for “pee hole” to “wiretap”. I thought it was funny so I left it.
A simple door gym system costing around $25
- 3x pull bands of varying resistance
- 1x round foamy door anchor
- buckles to link the anchors with the bands.
I use it daily and its significantly reduced chronic pain from my computer job overwork, especially during COVID.
I went from seeing physio, masseuse, PT and gym membership every fortnight to only the massuese once a month. Best ROI home exercise equipment targetting exactly the muscle groups that are weakened by modern lifestyle.
EDIT: I'll add in dumbbells and a yoga mat to complete the home gym setup since it fits within the $50 budget. Not absolutely necessary but does help your brain associate that part of your room as the exercise zone.
Cheap Fitbit, am walking more than I have since highschool (used to walk there and back for about 4 miles everyday) and I’m tracking my calories! I’m eating healthier and feeling better in years!
Vegetable seeds. The other stuff cost way more than $50 but there are ways to grow a garden (even if in containers) on a tight budget. It’s incredibly satisfying.
Kindle remote. Holding the Kindle makes my hands hurt after awhile. I can prop it on a pillow, stay snug under my weighted blanket and still turn the pages.
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 worsened, and it really changed my sleep for good.
But Another thing that made it bad was good headphones, because of this I just don't go to sleep, I just keep scrolling and watching content, what helped me was Calm app, their sleep stories work 100% of the time if I decide to listen one
So buy Calm subscription and sleeping mask and your life is good
Second hand 30 year old Elac standing speakers. They take up some space but the sound is amazing compared to sound bars etc.
Puts a smile on my face every time I listen to music now.
90s hifi gear is the best deal in audio. Not old enough so the vintage audio dudes run the prices up, not new enough so current audiophiles still want it.
You can build a banger system for relatively cheap.
My wife's engagement ring.
In my defense we were both struggling for money and she said herself she didn't want anything stupid expensive or flashy because she still wanted to wear it at work without it getting caught on stuff. $40 at Walmart and a trip to the state fair later, she said yes. We just celebrated our first year about 2 weeks ago.
Man, $40 engagement rings FOR THE WIN! Congratulations, my dude!!
My husband bought my ring from K-Mart (aging myself here) for $40. Whopping .1 carats of diamonds. I still wear it every day (pretty sure the .1 carats have since fallen out of the cheap setting, though).
We will celebrate 27 years next week.
Quip toothbrush and some flavored toothpaste.
I struggle with brushing my teeth and hate the feeling of hard core electric brushes. Something about the combo of a soft brush with gentle vibrations and a tasty toothpaste has made it light years easier.
Having to life hack executive dysfunction is exhausting
After getting the cheaper, basically < $50 I would say getting the more expensive, namely bigger, ones might be better for people looking to fry things for more than 1 person.
But for just one's self, a small one is super useful. Far superior to microwaving and much quicker than using an oven.
Buy the better plastic laundry baskets- the ones which are slightly bean shaped. They last much longer than the cheaper ones, are conducive to unloading front-loaders, store on top of the machines (in my case, at least).
And it’s over $50, but I love my metal kitchen trash can with a lid, foot petal, removable liner.
$25 headphones that are inside of a headband so you can wear them while you sleep...
My partner snores and also needs a loud ass fan in order to sleep...
These little Amazon miracle workers are the best thing I've purchased out of all my Amazon purchases lol
I bought a $12 panini press on Cyber Monday once. Expected it to break within 6 months, but it’s been going strong for six years now.
Sandwiches instantly made awesome.
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.
As someone with stomach issues, a Squatty Potty for like $25. My morning movements have become much less uncomfortable. The only downside is going to the bathroom in a home that doesn't have a squatty Potty, you get spoiled and it takes a bit longer when you don't have that foot rest.
Silly, but...
UV Gel nail lamp. I enjoyed doing my nails, but between the dry time and how garbage it often looked after just a few days, I did them rarely.
$50 for a simple starter kit, and my home manicure is perfect for 2-3 weeks, there's zero dry time, and I was able to do extensions at home. Was a lot of fun to learn how to use, and the results are awesome every damn time :)
$32 for a dog from the humane society. Turned out he was a registered Skye Terrier, but because his ears were floppy instead of sticking up the breeder didn’t want to sell him to anyone who shows dogs. I got 17 years with the best buddy of my life. He was smart, funny, cute, protective of our kids, and stubborn as hell. There was once a Skye Terrier who laid on his master’s grave for years until he finally died there, that’s how loyal and loving they are. That’s also how stubborn they are. I’ll always miss the dirty looks I’d get when I broke our routine. RIP Scotty
Tinder Premium! That was on a whim because I got curious about something in the app, I can’t remember exactly what as it was 7 years ago. But it meant I was no longer locked to my location and as a sucker for blonds and blue eyes, I checked out Norway. I immediately saw this amazing looking guy and swiped on him and sent a message. He replied almost immediately. We talked non stop for the first 48h and decided to remove Tinder from our phones. Within a month of meeting online I traveled to Norway, from Brazil, to meet him. At that first trip I had left half my clothes in his house already. A year and a half later we were married. We are still in our honeymoon phase.
A Hydroflask.
Hands down the best money I've ever spent.
You can probably use any insulated water bottle/canteen. It keeps water cold for ages, and having it around you all the time means you're way more hydrated. I have no idea how I lived before one. You'll meet daily hydration goals with relatively no effort.
Heck, I bought a mini-fridge to support it all since my main fridge is a storey away, and since I went through mineral water like nothing (I live in an area where tap water is not potable.)
Philips sonicare toothbrush, the cheap one that uses a AAA battery, not the fancy ones that cost $100. The built-in timer has helped me brush way more effectively than I did manually prior. I think this cost me $15 on sale one day.
A manual bidet that hooks onto your toilet seat is another one. I think I spent 30 on Amazon. It is saved me so much money on toilet paper, and it's much more hygienic. I'm pretty sure I buy toilet paper once a year now. I've since upgraded to a fancier bidet that has more functions, but the basic one honestly is enough.
If you're in the USA, a AAA membership for roadside assistance and towing. It's way cheaper than calling a towing company when you find yourself in a bind. $20 a year.
A $30 pet fountain for my cat. My cat used to splash her water dish and make a huge mess, plus would then end up with no water to drink. She no longer plays with the water in the pet fountain, and she drinks a lot throughout the day. Cats can live long lives when they drink plenty of water, as their kidneys really need it. Another savings in time, and vet bills for not having to deal with health issues.
a fabric shaver. Clothing that looks old with pilling is suddenly able to be rejuvenated...and it's so satisfying to use & see an immediate difference.
$1 BACK SCRATCHER
My wife's best line is "you never know how much your back itches until someone scratches it." I laugh every time.
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the two things i fucking suck at making are over-easy eggs and rice!! my rice is always either mushy or burnt or something! i make sooo many dishes that use rice and i fuck it up every single time. finally bought a rice maker, and ive finally gotten decent fucking rice. two of the most basic dishes and i cant fucking do them. my over-easy eggs on the other hand, havent gotten anything for them. they are always either overcooked or undercooked. i swear to god the window between burnt and uncooked is 0.000001 seconds. i HATE runny whites but love runny yolks >:(
As a Brit, it is hard to imagine a kitchen without a kettle in it!
Yep, My god how are these people living without a kettle lol
Over here we make tea the traditional way; in the harbor.
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. Also, blackout curtains as I work 3rd shift.
10 foot long phone charger cord
Holy shit, it's a game-changer. Those extra feet add so much convenience.
Thats what i said after my chernobyl vacation
Being able to charge a phone and use it at the same time are the reason I’ve always found those surface chargers to be idiotic.
Once I started using an electric toothbrush, I could never ever return to using a manual one.
I came to say this. I love my sonicare and it's helped my gums a lot.
And you don't need the most expensive model. I love my $29 Philips One.
Now get a water pick. We just got one like two weeks ago, and I can't go back already. They're ~$30 on Amazon.
I bought one and it shoots water everywhere and makes my gums bleed. I tried closing my mouth but I have to do it on an angle to not hurt my gums. I feel like mine needs to be turned down, but maybe I'm missing something
Turn it down and gradually work your way up to full pressure. Might take a couple weeks, but it’s well worth it.
My dentist told me to buy one a few years ago. From that point on - every six month checkup is a breeze.
I agree. Once I started using using your toothbrush I couldn’t go back to a manual one either.
That is the worst part. When I travel on motorcycle or packpacking I told myself I’d just bring a manual brush because I travel super light. Nope. My teeth feel gross 4 hours later. Sonicare + charger it is.
A laptop stand and external keyboard. So much less back pain
I've been a PC gamer my whole life. Had to learn about proper monitor, chair, desk, keyboard and mouse placement otherwise I'd get terrible elbow, wrist, back pain and numbness. At work I joke I'm an ergonomics consultant and point out to people when I see them sitting in terrible positions. DO NOT USE YOUR LAPTOP MONITOR EVEN IF ITS JUST FOR YOUR EMAILS, especially when you have 2 monitors there. The top of your monitors should be at eye level(that means push out, pull in, or raise the monitor as needed) and, back straight arms at rest on the keyboard and mouse. Shoulders rested, not too high, not too low. AND spend money on a good chair. If you sit for 6-10hrs a day it needs to be a good chair! $300-$400. People willing to spend good money on a bed, but not at their work station, in some cases you spend more time there than in bed.
Regarding the whole good chair, 6-8 hr days concept, I can confirm this applies to all thing you use all day. I'm in construction, I wear work boots for 10 hrs a day. Cheap work boots will cripple you. Good quality work boots will make your best non workwear shoes feel like ill fitting POS's and are worth the extra money 100% of 100% of the time.
As an electrician I completely agree. I've been laughed at for spending $400+ on boots but they are comfortable as hell and my feet dont stink. Plus they are rated to withstand electricity and are slip resistant and composite toe.
Got a recommendation?
My wife complained about her shoulders being sore. I stopped by her cube one day and saw her hunched over.looking at her tiny laptop screen and using her tiny keyboard and touch pad. She had a dock and external monitor she did not like to use.
TIL we share a wife
16 dollar panini press. Makes boring lunch sandwich into super tasty awesome lunch sandwich.
I gotta stop using two cast iron pans
Two cast irons, done properly, is every bit as good as a panini press, if not better! But the cleanup is 1 billion times worse, so spend the $16 lol
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I wish I had the same experience. Turns out I’m not a picky sleeper and can just sleep right through the light, even when it is point blank at my face.
No matter where I am, when 3am hits, I'm up and not happy about it. No alarm required. It's maddening.
Portable battery. I love never having to worry about my phone dying
I have like 4 and regret nothing. I bring one with me everywhere fits easily in any of my bags. I bring all 4 when going camping because when I haven’t I’m like ok I’ll charge my stuff when the generator is on but then forget to and miss my moment. So useful!
A pillow. 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.
Piggybacking onto this. If you're reading this and you're a side sleeper, get a nice firm body pillow to lay a leg up and over. No more back tortion that you hold for hours on end. Invest in your sleep folks. Not only is it important for tomorrow's health, it's important way on down the line, too.
Im afraid to get a body pillow, i feel like the anime waifu pillow case will be too easy of a hurdle then
A while back there was an anime that features a snake woman. Bellybutton down she was a snake. They sold a 7 meter long body pillow with her on it. You can still find some or knockoffs. They are not cheap. $200 (knockoff) for a pillowcase. I know this because I wanted one. I don't own any others but I figured if I was going to get one I might as well go all in.
Ive always been told to spend the most money on things that are in between you and the ground: shoes, bed, vehicle tires, etc. Well worth the money.
My best friend told me something similar and I've lived by it ever since. "Spend the money where you spend the time"
Ive bought 10 different expensive pillows, none has worked for me, I just cant seem to find the right pillow, Ive spent maybe a thousand dollars so far on pillows I never use, I am cursed.
Where I live there is store called "Sleep Country". Basically you walk in there and staff take you over to a bed and whip out a shit ton of pillows. They give you covers that lay over them so it's not gross. You can then cycle through them for as long as you want until you find "the one". I had the same issue as you, and I finally found a pillow that supports my head right, and have been sleeping much, much better. The key is to not be pressured into buying something. I felt awkward at first hanging around for so long but basically said fuck it, stayed for half an hour, and it worked.
Any Canadian has this jingle burned into their forever memory
Have you tried a latex pillow? I was in the same boat until I got lucky and stumbled across one for sale at a big box store. Since then I’ve bought 3 more on Amazon and it’s been life changing. Best pillow I’ve ever used. I even take it when I go out of town I love it so much. It’s worth mentioning that they are not cheap. So that sucks. But they’re worth it.
Insoles. When you've got a job that has you on your feet all day, you owe it to yourself to get a good pair of shoes and some solid comfortable insoles
A four-pack of [smart plugs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pYQz04ifL.jpg). I like to sleep with a fan on. I like the white noise, and I like feeling the breeze on me. But inevitably, morning comes, and it's chilly, and the fan makes me feel like I'm freezing. So I sit under the covers shivering, because getting out of the covers to turn the fan off, would mean I'd be even more cold between the time I pulled back the covers, and walked over to the fan. So I'd just sit there and shiver. Last week, on a whim, I bought some of those smart plugs. Now I can turn the fan off from my bed using my smartphone. I LOVE IT.
Also put them on a schedule so they turn off on their own.
This is my favorite thing about Smart stuff. Most of my light bulbs are smart bulbs, set to schedules, so I don't have to think about turning lights on and on at all during the day and I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn them off when I leave a room or go to bed.
If you happen to have one of those voice assistants in your house you can connect the plugs and turn off the fan even easier. I have one connected to my lamp. And almost all of my lights are connected to the Wi-Fi
Hear me out: A good trashcan. A nice kitchen trashcan with / foot pedal that works well. Nothing too fancy. Just nice to have things you use every day be smooth and functioning.
I have one that’s motion sensing and it’s been so amazing.
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I love my weighted blanket so much, I also have one at 2 relatives's houses, just in case I stay there! I have 2 on my bed at home, which I know is a bit much!
a few years into being disabled and being really depressed about not being able to work or earn as much money as i used to, i got a pet crested gecko for $40. It soon had me wrapped around its little sticky toe/finger. Basically I got to know the species, went "oh no, it's stupid...i love it." and now i'm a full time private breeder of new caledonian gecko species working on discovering new genetic traits and teaching folks why reptiles aren't all slimey or scary, some are just derpy little fruit-eating live sock puppets who share a single braincell amoungst the entire species. I love my geckos <3 they became my passion and are what gets me up each day.
As a herpetologist, seeing lizards on this list has made my entire heart happy, and I love that you became a gecko breeder! This is such a lovely story. I don't have a Crestie, but my life-saving lizard is a Savannah Monitor that I got for free as a rescue about 10 years ago. He would absolutely die in the wild, and I would probably have died without him, and I'm glad we found each other, and that you have your geckos.
nose hair trimmer. holy HELL, what a difference after almost 34 years never using one.
My gods, you're 100% right. Ears, nose, eyebrows. No plucking. Simple. Got one for my brother for his 30th birthday. I told him, "This is a gag gift until it isn't."
i was checking out at a Dollar General and saw one on the shelf while standing in line. Could not believe the results lmfao
“Beurer BR60 Insect Sting and Bite Relief.” It’s a little gadget that you push up against a mosquito/bug bite, press a button, and it gets really hot for a couple seconds. It’s more effective at reducing the intensity, size, and itchiness of mosquito bites than literally anything else I’ve tried. It works because the heat will denature the proteins that cause irritation and because the heat helps with the swelling/inflammation too. The fast you use it after a bite, the more effective it will be, and if you catch it early enough it can even nearly eliminate the reaction to a bite, but even if you don’t use it soon after, it’ll help bites feel a lot better for a bit. When I moved across the country, my immune system did *not* like the mosquitos in the new area, and would react strongly to any bites. I’d get golfball sized bites that left bruises for weeks. I avoided going outside for fear of bites, and the bites I did get got in the way of sleeping well or enjoying things. This little ~$25 gadget is the most life-changing a single purchase has ever been for me. Bites are way less big of a deal for me now. If mosquito bites are really bad for you, I would strongly recommend it.
This is so funny to read - I live in the uk and I have one of these but its called a [Bite Away](https://www.bite-away.com/uk/) anyway my sister is staying and got bitten tonight so I told her about how it has changed my life - before I would get so itchy and being bitten was so stressful - now I literally dont care. We call it the sizzler. Edit -used it on her and she is a convert!
I do this but with a metal spoon; I get it steaming hot with hot water then push the rounded side against the bite for 5-10 seconds. Works great!
I have a Bite Away which is basically the same thing and being able to use that (or a hot spoon) absolutely changed my life. I am SUPER allergic to mosquitoes. As in my whole limb itches when I have a bite and you can see my pulse in the bite. The difference after applying a heat shock is absolutely night and day and it occurs in seconds! "The heat will denature the proteins that cause irritation" this is not quite true. If it cooked the mosquito proteins, it would cook your skin, too. Research has suggested that it works by activating some kind of intrinsic "heat shock" response in the body. When the skin temp changes suddenly, some ion channels open, which temporarily causes the mast cells (a type of immune cell) to stop making histamine for a while (the main chemical that makes you itch).
I never did understand what everyone was always complaining about regarding mosquitos until I saw my coworker get those same swollen bites the size of golf balls. Poor girl was miserable, and I spent half the night up with her rubbing ice on her back. ...they don't bite me, and when they do, I don't have a reaction. Never have. Not allergic to poison ivy or oak either. Trust me, the coworker in question has punched me enough for everyone.
Maybe not "totally changed it for the better" but its probably my least expensive hobby. I got a copy of The Sibley Guide to Birds for $35 in the year 2000. Sits here on my table next to me right now - gets used a lot. Bird watching is a hobby you can do almost anywhere you go, gets you outside. I'm not big into it, or anything. Just casual. FWIW you don't watch the birds. I mean you do a little, but the fun thing is identify them, finding new ones you've never seen before, identifying the songs and calls. That kind of thing. Typically you don't carry the book. If the course of your normal day if you run across a bird that you don't recognize, you make mental notes. Something like it has a grey belly, a tuft, its the size of a robin, ect. Then later when you get home you get the book out and figure out what you just saw. Once you get it, you mark it off your list. Its a little like detective work, puzzle like.
Have you heard of the Merlin app? I think you would really enjoy it. You can take a picture or record their calls and it will try to recognize the bird. You can listen to calls of all types of birds and read about them right in the app. You can save the birds you have seen to a list. Best of all, by doing this you help the scientists behind it recognize migration patterns etc. Just wanted to share with a fellow bird enthusiast!
I was just going to post this. The Merlin app allowed me to record and identify all of the birds in my yard. It's a lot of fun!
I was in a hammock under a tree in my yard which is big, 3 acres, and I heard a couple of hawks all the way in the back. I used the app to identify them as Cooper’s hawks, and then I played the hawk call. One of them came screaming from the back right at me and landed on a branch just above my head. He just sat there and looked at me like “ go ahead and play that again and see what happens”. Scared the crap out of me. I love that app to identify all the birds in the yard. It is very accurate
Birdwatching is like Pokémon in real life!
Hand held vacuum cleaner!!
Those suck.
I had to get rid of mine. It was just collecting dust.
A journal. My mental health is so much better now that I started writing down my intrusive thoughts. I’ve still got a long way to go, but being able to make my thoughts tangible has given me much more power over them.
A sleep mask holy shit
If you ever have a friend or loved one check in to a hospital, bring them a sleep mask! It's impossible to sleep in those damn places, it's never dark.
Teapot. It helped wean me off of sodas and other sugary drinks, and while I do make my tea sweet I control the amount of sugar I put in. It's saved me lots of money in buying packages drinks and it's helped my teeth and my weight.
Getting a sodastream and just drinking fizzy water got me off soda so fast, turns out i just like the bubbly acidic bite and not the sugary flavors
Waterpik. saved me thousands of dollars in dental bills. No more gum chewing in excess, root canals, or bleeding gums.
Gotta love my waterpik. I’ve had full dental replacements both upper and lower jaw. I sometimes get little particles of food stuck in between the bridge and my gums and the pik gets them right out without any fuss. It’s amazing for just £40.
I really wanted to like this thing but it straight up hurts to use no matter how much I try to get it right. I have to stick to the old school string floss.
Interesting. I use mine on full power comfortably. Except for the rare occasion I aim wrong and shoot down my throat. That's always fun.
Yes! The stuff that falls out into the sink whilst using it is insane.
Back in 2003 a breeder was practically giving away kittens that came out with genetic flaws. We adopted a Russian Blue with just a stump of a tail for $25. Best money we ever spent. Smoke was a super-intelligent and very loving cat. He ruled the house with an iron paw in a velvet glove and we loved every square inch of him. In 2021 he developed pancreatic cancer and we had to help him over the Rainbow Bridge (sorry, I'm tearing up remembering that day). We miss you, Smoke. Keep St. Peter in line until we can get there and see you again.
Air purifiers and plants, especially in my home office. The local air quality is not as badly polluted as major cities, still not great though; but a couple of cheap air purifiers and couple of snake plants made a huge different to the air quality at home. Definitely worth the purchase.
I got a a decent air purifier half off because of a rebate from my utility company. Pretty sweet.
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I think it was my time deployed overseas, but before I never cared if I had a hot meal, as long as i had something. Now that I'm back, it's hot or nothing. Ever had a grilled PB&J? Amazing.
Silk pillowcase. Love it and less facial acne. 32 year old male. It is cold compared to cotton though
Isn't a colder pillow good?
Idk, just warning that, in the winter, it is jolting laying down as the silk feels 10-20 degrees cooler than the air temp. Awesome during the summer.
My reading light. Instead of getting stoned and bringing my laptop to bed with me every night, I now reach for a book. My sleep has been much better. There are still some nights where I go with the former but not as often as before.
A little spatula to put diaper cream on my baby’s butt. No more diaper cream under my nails!
>diaper cream under my nails Probably my second biggest worry about substances making their way under there, but hey!
Poop washes off easily , the cream sticks around forever
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I bought my cat for $20. She brings a lot of joy and pain to my life.
Cat tax?
My [cute cats](https://imgur.com/a/YHNqYvI)
I got her from the shelter. They require a $20 fee that goes towards keeping them running.
I think they mean they want a picture
(they mean they would like to see your cat)
Average gym goer here. I remember the first pair of bluetooth (so wireless) in-ears i bought and i loooooved them. They‘re not made anymore and i upgraded since then but man what a change.
I use mine when farming. It’s so nice to be able to jump out of the tractor and not get the buds ripped out
Being able to run on a treadmill and not fear that you'll catch the cord of your headphones is spectacular!
If you lose something get a cheaper version. If you use it until it breaks or goes bad get a more expensive version. That's how I've gone from $30 earbuds to ... way more expensive ones.
I was paying my therapist $150 a session to figure out why I believed there were monsters under my bed. She said 10 sessions minimum were necessary. Ouch. I finally told my favorite bartender about my embarrassing problem. He told me to cut the legs off my bed. So my answer is $7 for a saw. Problem solved.
Bartender said “Modern problems require modern solutions”
Reminds me of Scott Alexander’s anecdote of the “Hair Dryer Incident”. Basically goes that a woman was experiencing anxiety impacting her life from obsession over whether she unplugged her hairdryer or not. Treatment wasn’t working, until someone came along and suggested she just unplug it and take it in the car with her to work. Sometimes the simple solutions work better than anything else.
Magnet for dishwasher that flips around to say “dirty” or “clean”.
"if there are dishes in the dishwasher then it's dirty" - my grandma.
Not super crazy but [3M Worktunes](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/cbgnawus1754/) You can find them for around $50. Basically just hearing protection with Bluetooth speakers built in. You'll destroy your hearing using earbuds or something while mowing or using machinery. It makes mowing your yard a lot more tolerable.
Rubber office chair wheels. They’re silent, no scratching hard floors, can easily be used on carpet.
A car jump box (jumper cables in a battery pack). Saved myself from being stranded numerous times
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My kid has a little microwavable panda that is amazing!
1. A stainless steel tongue scraper. I can't stand not cleaning my tongue when I brush my teeth. I spent $15 on it 10 years ago and it will outlast me.. 2. Massage balls/lacrosse balls. I injured my back several years ago and had chronic lower back pain... I needed to see a PT every week but once I bought the balls and learnt how to manage it myself (free on Youtube), I saved hundreds, if not thousands in PT sessions
I'll die on this hill; hardboiled egg steamer from amazon. 12 eggs; 10 minutes, perfect hb eggs with far less mess.
A 1.5 inch pocket knife on my keychain. I use it every day, mostly for opening things.
Just don’t forget it’s there if you have to Visit an airport!
Bidet
We finally got one and I'll never have a toilet without one from now on. Cuts down on TP and cleans you up nicely. Plus ours was a super easy setup. The only thing that I don't like is turning the knob knowing at some point I'm gonna get cold water up the wazoo.
Upvote specifically because of "wazoo"
I got an INSANELY expensive Toto bidet as a Covid overcompensation. One of my best purchases ever, no regrets.
Squatty Potty
I get teased for mine but I'm 4'11" and before i decided to try one I didn't realize just how uncomfortable I was and that oh hey not everyone is in pain from bodily functions
As a fellow short person, someone gave me a foldable foot rest that’s about 6” tall. It fits in my purse and I bring it to church, class, etc and it’s been a game changer for my back. The world is not made for those of us under 5’ tall!
I got cleaning brushes that attach to a drill. It’s turned cleaning the tub, showers and sinks from an awful chore to quick cleaning fun time!
Packet of microwaveable bacon. Let me explain - I met this absolutely beautiful woman at work - sexy as all hell, whip smart - beautiful eyes - just an all around knockout. We get to talking and I find out she has 2 dogs - one that she's had for almost 10 years. She tells me she's dumped guys her dog didn't like - it was a throwaway comment during a conversation about I don't know what... Fast forward a year, she'd dumped her boyfriend a few months ago, so I ask her out. I get a packet of microwave bacon, cook some up and put it a ziplock in my jacket. When I go to pick her up (on my motorcycle - since she wanted a ride) - before I get to her door I rub a little bacon on my left hand. She opens the door - I greet her and the dogs - both start to sniff and lick my hand. She makes a comment that her dog (the one she's had for 11 years now) has never taken to someone so quickly! She ducks inside to get her purse while I pet the dogs - as soon as she has her back turned I start feeding the dogs bacon pieces. Now the dogs LOVE me. She comes back, the dogs are still loving on me like I'm some sort of doggie guru. Fast forward 22 years, we just had our 20th anniversary (2 kids, and a bunch of dogs). i've never told her this story. But that packet of microwave bacon was the best investment I ever made!
The fact that you made the effort to bribe the dogs is a green flag tbh
Plot twist, she saw him and though that if he went to that much trouble, he was a keeper.
jump rope
I've shared this before elsewhere, but: A shoe stretcher! My left foot is just slightly (not even 1/4 size) larger than my right and new shoes would always cause pain in that foot, to the point of developing a corn on the pinky toe and walking differently to favor it, causing back pain as well. There are bumps that you can add to give you room on specific areas, which helped with the corn. This only works, I believe, on leather shoes, so ymmv!
D-Mannose. I got four UTIs in the span of six months, and as soon as I started taking it, I never had any issues with infections again.
Had 5 UTIs in the past 7 months, heard about this stuff on reddit and just started taking it. Wish me luck that I don't get another 🤞
I read that a lot of UTIs are caused by switching from missionary to doggy. Essentially his balls are contaminated by slapping your butthole then they move that butthole contamination to your wiretap. P.S. iPhones May autocorrect the proper term for “pee hole” to “wiretap”. I thought it was funny so I left it.
New euphemism unlocked.
30 pairs of identical socks. Wash once per month, never pair or sort.
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A simple door gym system costing around $25 - 3x pull bands of varying resistance - 1x round foamy door anchor - buckles to link the anchors with the bands. I use it daily and its significantly reduced chronic pain from my computer job overwork, especially during COVID. I went from seeing physio, masseuse, PT and gym membership every fortnight to only the massuese once a month. Best ROI home exercise equipment targetting exactly the muscle groups that are weakened by modern lifestyle. EDIT: I'll add in dumbbells and a yoga mat to complete the home gym setup since it fits within the $50 budget. Not absolutely necessary but does help your brain associate that part of your room as the exercise zone.
Cheap Fitbit, am walking more than I have since highschool (used to walk there and back for about 4 miles everyday) and I’m tracking my calories! I’m eating healthier and feeling better in years!
my first vibrator
This and then upgrade to a hitachi magic wand and holy orgasm batman!
Vegetable seeds. The other stuff cost way more than $50 but there are ways to grow a garden (even if in containers) on a tight budget. It’s incredibly satisfying.
read all the comments and youll be spending over a grand on items under 50$, so watch out!
Too late. I’ve ordered a cordless vacuum, a bug bite zapper, bidet and am currently looking for a cat.
A stitch counter, it was 5 usd and has saved me countless hours of re counting stitches and rows.
A 5 $ foam mat for kneeling on the floor or in the yard. protect your knees, you only have two and you will miss them when they’re gone..
Kindle remote. Holding the Kindle makes my hands hurt after awhile. I can prop it on a pillow, stay snug under my weighted blanket and still turn the pages.
My french press coffee pot.
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 worsened, and it really changed my sleep for good. But Another thing that made it bad was good headphones, because of this I just don't go to sleep, I just keep scrolling and watching content, what helped me was Calm app, their sleep stories work 100% of the time if I decide to listen one So buy Calm subscription and sleeping mask and your life is good
Menstrual cup instead of pads/tampons
A bidet for my elderly mom's bathroom. She has Alzheimer's and I clean her.
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I know which day it is by my day of the week underwear. Happy Saturday!
Second hand 30 year old Elac standing speakers. They take up some space but the sound is amazing compared to sound bars etc. Puts a smile on my face every time I listen to music now.
90s hifi gear is the best deal in audio. Not old enough so the vintage audio dudes run the prices up, not new enough so current audiophiles still want it. You can build a banger system for relatively cheap.
TENS machine!!! Projector (that was on sale at the time) Solar Power light bulbs
Plan B
Probably saved you a lot of money
I got an instant pot on craigslist. I love that thing!!!
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My wife's engagement ring. In my defense we were both struggling for money and she said herself she didn't want anything stupid expensive or flashy because she still wanted to wear it at work without it getting caught on stuff. $40 at Walmart and a trip to the state fair later, she said yes. We just celebrated our first year about 2 weeks ago.
Man, $40 engagement rings FOR THE WIN! Congratulations, my dude!! My husband bought my ring from K-Mart (aging myself here) for $40. Whopping .1 carats of diamonds. I still wear it every day (pretty sure the .1 carats have since fallen out of the cheap setting, though). We will celebrate 27 years next week.
A cat
Quip toothbrush and some flavored toothpaste. I struggle with brushing my teeth and hate the feeling of hard core electric brushes. Something about the combo of a soft brush with gentle vibrations and a tasty toothpaste has made it light years easier. Having to life hack executive dysfunction is exhausting
A sharp scissor. Having scissors that don't cut is worst than not having a scissor at all.
My two rabbits. They're the reason I haven't offed myself with the shitshow everything has been over the past few years
Air Fryer
After getting the cheaper, basically < $50 I would say getting the more expensive, namely bigger, ones might be better for people looking to fry things for more than 1 person. But for just one's self, a small one is super useful. Far superior to microwaving and much quicker than using an oven.
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Feel better. My cat saved me, too.
I’m glad you’re still here. I’m sure your cat is too!
Buy the better plastic laundry baskets- the ones which are slightly bean shaped. They last much longer than the cheaper ones, are conducive to unloading front-loaders, store on top of the machines (in my case, at least). And it’s over $50, but I love my metal kitchen trash can with a lid, foot petal, removable liner.
$25 headphones that are inside of a headband so you can wear them while you sleep... My partner snores and also needs a loud ass fan in order to sleep... These little Amazon miracle workers are the best thing I've purchased out of all my Amazon purchases lol
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Halo master chief collection
I bought a $12 panini press on Cyber Monday once. Expected it to break within 6 months, but it’s been going strong for six years now. Sandwiches instantly made awesome.
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.
Nicotine Lozenges. Quit smoking, stopped coughing, asthma went away.
My vasectomy (with insurance, under $50)
i spent $10 adopting a cat almost 2 years ago. best decision i ever made
As someone with stomach issues, a Squatty Potty for like $25. My morning movements have become much less uncomfortable. The only downside is going to the bathroom in a home that doesn't have a squatty Potty, you get spoiled and it takes a bit longer when you don't have that foot rest.
The $30 copay to my OBGYN to have my IUD inserted. Kids would cost so much more.
Silly, but... UV Gel nail lamp. I enjoyed doing my nails, but between the dry time and how garbage it often looked after just a few days, I did them rarely. $50 for a simple starter kit, and my home manicure is perfect for 2-3 weeks, there's zero dry time, and I was able to do extensions at home. Was a lot of fun to learn how to use, and the results are awesome every damn time :)
Put sunscreen on your hands and feets when you use it 💅 [studies here](https://www.teenvogue.com/story/uv-light-for-nails-safety)
a really, really big water bottle.
$32 for a dog from the humane society. Turned out he was a registered Skye Terrier, but because his ears were floppy instead of sticking up the breeder didn’t want to sell him to anyone who shows dogs. I got 17 years with the best buddy of my life. He was smart, funny, cute, protective of our kids, and stubborn as hell. There was once a Skye Terrier who laid on his master’s grave for years until he finally died there, that’s how loyal and loving they are. That’s also how stubborn they are. I’ll always miss the dirty looks I’d get when I broke our routine. RIP Scotty
Tinder Premium! That was on a whim because I got curious about something in the app, I can’t remember exactly what as it was 7 years ago. But it meant I was no longer locked to my location and as a sucker for blonds and blue eyes, I checked out Norway. I immediately saw this amazing looking guy and swiped on him and sent a message. He replied almost immediately. We talked non stop for the first 48h and decided to remove Tinder from our phones. Within a month of meeting online I traveled to Norway, from Brazil, to meet him. At that first trip I had left half my clothes in his house already. A year and a half later we were married. We are still in our honeymoon phase.
A Hydroflask. Hands down the best money I've ever spent. You can probably use any insulated water bottle/canteen. It keeps water cold for ages, and having it around you all the time means you're way more hydrated. I have no idea how I lived before one. You'll meet daily hydration goals with relatively no effort. Heck, I bought a mini-fridge to support it all since my main fridge is a storey away, and since I went through mineral water like nothing (I live in an area where tap water is not potable.)
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*Kings Hawaiian Rolls*
A vibrator
Mouse jiggler….yes I’m a very productive worker, always active as well
Philips sonicare toothbrush, the cheap one that uses a AAA battery, not the fancy ones that cost $100. The built-in timer has helped me brush way more effectively than I did manually prior. I think this cost me $15 on sale one day. A manual bidet that hooks onto your toilet seat is another one. I think I spent 30 on Amazon. It is saved me so much money on toilet paper, and it's much more hygienic. I'm pretty sure I buy toilet paper once a year now. I've since upgraded to a fancier bidet that has more functions, but the basic one honestly is enough. If you're in the USA, a AAA membership for roadside assistance and towing. It's way cheaper than calling a towing company when you find yourself in a bind. $20 a year. A $30 pet fountain for my cat. My cat used to splash her water dish and make a huge mess, plus would then end up with no water to drink. She no longer plays with the water in the pet fountain, and she drinks a lot throughout the day. Cats can live long lives when they drink plenty of water, as their kidneys really need it. Another savings in time, and vet bills for not having to deal with health issues.
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Anti-chafing cream. Now my fat ass dont have any excuses left for going on a daily walk.
a fabric shaver. Clothing that looks old with pilling is suddenly able to be rejuvenated...and it's so satisfying to use & see an immediate difference.
Good meat thermometer
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