Money may not buy happiness, but some purchases certainly make happiness easier to achieve. Some of these revolutionary purchases cost a downright fortune. Others cost less than 0. Here are nine affordable purchases that can transform the way you prepare meals, sleep, exercise, and more.
1. Chef’s knife
What’s the most important tool in your apartment kitchen? While there may be no definitive answer to this question, an all-purpose Chef’s knife is the most common response. It can be used in the preparation of just about any meal, and is a better use of 0 than a full set of low-budget knives. Calphalon, Farberware, OXO, and Victorinox all sell eight-inch, all-purpose chef’s knives for less than 0.
2. Controlled pressure cooker
Another multi-function kitchen tool you’ll wonder how you ever lived without after purchasing is an electric controlled pressure cooker. This appliance can be used to steam veggies, cook beans, hard boil eggs, and more. A controlled pressure cooker can also be used to keep food warm, making it easier for busy households to eat together. Utopia Kitchen, Costway, Aldi, and Elite Platinum sell electric cookers you can use to pressure cook, steam, warm, brown, and slow cook.
3. Electric kettle
The electric kettle is another kitchen appliance that can save you time and energy. If you drink tea, eat instant oatmeal, or prepare other just-add-water meals, this purchase is a must. Procter, Ovente, and Hamilton Beach sell reliable electric kettles for between 0 and 5.
4. Good pillow
It may be tempting to pile your bed high with pillows. But do yourself a favor and make sure there’s at least one good pillow in the mix. A high-quality pillow that’s suited to your sleeping style can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. It can also help you to manage or prevent neck pain. Memory foam pillows start at 0, and there are quality pillow options for all types of sleepers for less than 0.
5. Quality smartphone case
We spend so much time on our phones that even the most cautious among us are prone to drop them on occasion. Invest in a tempered glass screen protector and a good, properly fitting case to spare yourself the time, expense, and hassle associated with repairing cracked screens and other common phone repairs. Other inexpensive smartphone accessories that can make your life easier are extra-long charging cables and car charging adapters.
6. All-day-warm thermos/tumbler
If you drink much coffee or tea, a thermos that keeps beverages warm all day can be a game-changer. You’ll no longer have to rush through your coffee or tea in order to be able to drink it while it’s warm. You’ll also score discounts at some cafes for not requiring a disposable cup.
7. White noise machine
If you’re a light sleeper who is sensitive to noise, a sound machine may be one of the most beneficial purchases you can make. White noise machines and other sound machines generate soothing, static noise to block out disruptive noice. The Marpac Dohm-DS White Noise Machine, a highly-rated option that has hardly changed since 1962, costs 9.95. Alternatively, you could install a white/background noise smartphone app like Noisli for .99.
8. Yoga mat
Owning a yoga mat will save you every time you go to a yoga class. It will also make it easier to keep up with your own practice at home. Even if you don’t practice yoga, a yoga mat can be a great home stretch and exercise mat. Yoga mats can be purchased for as little as , but decent mats sell for around 5 and up.
9. Electric toothbrush
This is one of those purchases that can make a world of difference in your life after just one use. Only a dentist can get your teeth cleaner in two minutes than a quality electric toothbrush. Improve your oral hygiene, gain confidence in your smile, and save on dental expenses with a 0 Philips Sonicare or other dentist-recommended electric toothbrush.
View All Posts by Jason Ernst