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Have you ever encountered that perfect product that changed everything for you? While there are a lot of useless or low-quality products out there, there are also a ton of great products that can improve your overall quality of life or make doing certain things simpler.
Someone asked, “What life-changing item can you buy for less than $100?” on an online forum. Here are some of the insightful responses that people offered.
#1. A Massive Blanket
Hopefully, you spend at least seven hours in bed to get a good night’s rest. We spend a ton of time in bed during our lives. So, why not invest in products that boost your overall sleep hygiene? One wildly popular product is massive blankets. The bigger and the fluffier, the better.
These massive monsters will keep you comfortable and cozy throughout the night. And because they are so huge, you don’t have to worry about your partner stealing your covers in the middle of the night.
#2. A Good Pillow
To follow the previous suggestion, a good pillow is another perfect product to revolutionize your sleep habits. Poor-quality pillows can often leave you with neck pains and other problems that affect you throughout the day and when you finally lay down to go back to bed. A good pillow that supports your head and neck throughout the night is a product many have happily invested in and continue to get value from.
Related: Here are some great strategies for a better morning
#3. A Dash Cam
Not all life-changing products are for comfort, like the suggestion above. Sometimes, they’re safety products that could help you out. One wildly popular product is the dash cam. A dash cam serves several purposes.
First, it can deter theft or even catch suspects in the act so that you have evidence of who decided to commit the crime. Of course, it’s also essential on the road to prove to insurance or police that someone engaged in a maneuver that led to an accident. A dash cam has saved many people and will continue to do so.
#4. Carbon Monoxide Detector
Most people have smoke detectors in their homes. In the event of a fire, they’ll be able to hear the alarm and act quickly to save themselves and their family members. But there’s another hidden threat that many don’t think of. Carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is undetectable without the help of tools and can cause a wide range of serious symptoms like sleepiness and headaches. Even worse, it can lead to death. A carbon monoxide alarm ensures you’re safe in your home by alerting you of its presence so you can immediately fix the problem.
#5. A First Aid Kit
We don’t anticipate somewhat serious accidents happening at home. However, if they do, having the right tools on hand can help keep you stable until you can get help. Enter the first-aid kit. One of these kits is inexpensive, but few people have them around their homes. If you’ve been looking for ways to stay prepared for emergencies, consider adding a kit to your supplies to prepare for anything.
#6. A Fire Extinguisher
Likewise, only a few of us may be worried about our homes burning down. After all, we’ll be able to catch it in time when it happens, right? The reality is that fire can spread rapidly, and it could take anything from electrical systems going haywire to grease fires to make it happen.
A fire extinguisher is one tool that can stop it in its tracks. Even if it’s just a small one underneath the kitchen sink, this is a must-have for every homeowner and renter who wants to prevent their living spaces from engulfing flames. A few seconds can make all the difference.
#7. A High-Quality Vacuum
Using multiple cleaning supplies for basic chores can be time-consuming and expensive. One life hack people share is using a high-quality vacuum capable of cleaning up basic messes, reaching high places, working on multiple surfaces, and even handling issues like moisture (which some vacuum cleaners are incapable of doing).
If it can spot clean, that’s a bonus! An all-in-one cleaning tool can completely change how you navigate household work and save you money and time.
#8. Long Charging Cables
Have you ever gotten a new electronic, only to realize that you have to bend over next to the nearest outlet to use that device while charging? Or worse, it’s not long enough, so you can’t charge your device and use it simultaneously.
Let’s face it, the charging cables often accompanying technology aren’t very long. They may also not be as well-built as third-party products. This is why many advise others to get longer charging cables. They often have more features that you can pick, will allow you to charge from further away without having to tug on the cord or sit in an uncomfortable position, and you can easily get a package of the cables you want at a price that’s better than the one offered by the manufacturer.
#9. Motion Sensor Night Lights
Stumbling around in the dark when trying to go to the bathroom or get a glass of water often leads to bruised and sore toes and other body parts. Even worse, trying to let the dog out and not being able to see anything outside can be equally trying.
Investing in motion sensor night lights (either bright outside ones or plug-in ones for different rooms) can ensure you eliminate all these problems without ever having to lift a finger to flick on the light again.
#10. Sharp Kitchen Knives
Nothing’s worse than trying to prepare a meal with dull kitchen knives. It makes it hard to chop and slice correctly, leading to many mistakes that can ruin your dishes. You may even end up cutting yourself along the way. Investing in sharp kitchen knives drastically changes the way you navigate your kitchen.
With the proper care and other tools like knife sharpeners, you won’t have to worry about trying to saw through anything as you do with your old, worn-out kitchen knives.
#11. Sunscreen
The more we learn about our bodies, the more we’re amazed by how everyday things can impact them. Take, for example, the sun. Spending too much time in the sun could lead to severe burns and, down the road, skin cancer. Indoor tanning poses even more of a risk for those worried about their skin’s health.
But even while this risk exists, you can minimize it by putting on something as simple as sunscreen. If you live in an area with a lot of sunshine, spend a couple of dollars on sunscreen. The outcome can be absolutely life-changing.
#12. The Right Showerhead
Showering isn’t just a place to get clean and prepare for the day or wash off your worries. It’s a reprieve for many. You want to be able to enjoy your shower. But if you have the wrong showerhead, that can be difficult. A good showerhead can help you get a stream that’s perfect for you and offers something that you enjoy.
If you invest a bit more money, you could get a showerhead that combats hard water. Some may even come with exciting features like flashing lights and Bluetooth speakers. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time in the shower, a new showerhead that caters to your needs is likely a worthwhile purchase.
#13. Pressure Cookers (and Similar Kitchen Appliances)
There’s a vast range of modern kitchen appliances that have entirely changed the way households approach cooking. One commonly-mentioned appliance worth having is a pressure cooker. Pressure cookers are a great way to cook food rapidly and conveniently in one primary appliance. It’s worthwhile to have if you need to whip up large batches of food for a family and you don’t want to clean up many dishes afterward.
Of course, other life-changing kitchen appliances are worth mentioning while we’re on the topic. Another choice is a slow cooker. If you’re someone who spends the bulk of their day at work and wants dinner to be ready by the time you get home, a slow cooker can help you gradually cook a meal over the course of a day without you even having to be present. If you want to fry something without the oil and the mess, an air fryer is another must-have for the modern kitchen. Put simply, if you’re looking for a more convenient way to cook, there’s an appliance out there.
Related: Use these time management techniques to get more done
#14. General, Easy-to-Follow Cookbooks
Not everyone is a culinary artist. Whipping something together without a recipe can be difficult. That’s why cookbooks are so essential for people today. Easy-to-follow cookbooks will often feature hundreds of recipes you can take advantage of when you don’t know what to make or have chef-level skills to make it.
But the life-changing aspect goes beyond this. Cooking at home can help you save money, make you less reliant on unhealthy alternatives, and make it easier to plan meals throughout the week as you pick up on new recipes you like.
#15. Electric Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are a dime a dozen. But there are a lot of advancements in the oral healthcare space that you shouldn’t ignore. One of them is the electric toothbrush. These toothbrushes can clean your mouth more effectively, giving you better oral health over the long term. They can also time how long you brush and offer a wide range of brush heads to tackle specific issues. Some may even combine water to help you flush out debris so you can get everything your regular floss isn’t able to. If oral care is on the mind, consider an electric toothbrush.
#16. Bidet
Toilet paper is expensive, and many remember the toilet paper shortages that were taking place during the pandemic. Fortunately, the bidet is gaining in popularity. A bidet is a simple toilet attachment that helps you clean with water rather than using a ton of toilet paper. It’s not for everyone, but it’s been life-changing for many!
#17. Online Courses
Education is no longer limited to what you can learn in the classroom. Digital education helps anyone anywhere learn more about topics that interest them. Going further, people can get professional certifications when taking a specific class online. You can even get an entire degree there!
Whether you’re looking to start a new career, make more money, or improve your world knowledge, online courses are often the way to go.
#18. Library Card
Books are expensive, and not everyone may have the space for them. Some people have suggested reading devices as life-changing. In some cases, they may be. However, a library card can be equally helpful. With this, you have a safe space to access free books and even use electronics or take local classes you may need.
#19. Houseplants
Houseplants are great in terms of decor. But did you know that they can also relieve stress? Having more green in your space can help you de-stress, especially if you work from home.
They may require some care and learning, but they should be worthwhile if you find the right spot to grow them.
#20. Meat Thermometer
The more you cook, the better you get at it. But even then, figuring out whether or not your meat is done can be a difficult thing to do.
Thankfully, meat thermometers allow you to check the internal temperature of the meat without having to cut it open every time to see if it’s ready. You can even purchase a remote one to keep tabs on the meat until it’s finished.
This thread inspired this article.
Jon Dulin is the passionate leader of Unfinished Success, a personal development website that inspires people to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential. His commitment to helping others achieve greatness shines through in everything he does. He’s an unstoppable force with lots of wisdom, creativity, and enthusiasm – all focused on helping others build a better future. Jon enjoys writing articles about productivity, goal setting, self-development, and mindset. He also uses quotes and affirmations to help motivate and inspire himself. You can learn more about him on his About page.