×

20 Life-Changing Items You Can Buy For $100 Or Less


20 Life-Changing Items You Can Buy For $100 Or Less


Did These Change Your Life?

When it comes to shopping, you might find yourself regretting some of the useless things you buy. That isn’t the case for these items, as they’re known to completely change your life for the better. Many of these products are as cheap as $20, but their price has little to do with the huge impact they have on your day-to-day. Which of these objects do you have, and how do they affect your life?

a computer monitor sitting on top of a deskMarkus Spiske on Unsplash

1. Another Monitor

Purchase an extra monitor. You'll be more productive than ever before. It's easy to juggle various open windows, keep track of reference materials, and maintain communications in front of you when you have a second monitor. This is one of the best investments you can make for your work/study area.

man using laptop computer and headphonesSamuel Bourke on Unsplash

2. House Plants

House plants can bring an unexpected level of joy and satisfaction by providing something living for you to nurture and take care of. Caring for them is a relaxing way to relieve stress and add a calming space of greenery to your home. You could get a Venus flytrap, which also doubles as pest control.

green plant on white ceramic potAnnie Spratt on Unsplash

3. Rice Cooker

When you're not feeling 100% but still need something warm to eat, a rice cooker is your best friend. It's easy to prepare any dish in the rice cooker by just adding rice and pressing a button. You can have coconut rice or saffron rice with tofu with very little effort.

rice in bowlPille R. Priske on Unsplash

Advertisement

4. New Socks

A new pair of socks can have an outsized impact on daily life. Fresh out of the package, socks are soft, clean, and warm. Unfortunately, it's easy to get caught in a cycle of constantly wearing the same socks over and over, until the value of a new pair is forgotten.

two grey and brown apparel bokeh photographyfreestocks on Unsplash

5. Light Alarm Clock

If you want to get out of bed a different way than you have in the past, a nice light wake-up alarm clock might be right for you. This is a clock that slowly makes your room get brighter, which is much like the sun coming up. This usually wakes you in a very gentle way. The majority of people who try it for the first time feel much better than if they had a normal alarm clock or their phone alarm going off.

open blinds of window against sun raysSefa Murat Özdemir on Unsplash

6. Vertical Mouse

A vertical mouse costs about $20 and will decrease wrist pain if you're spending all day on the computer. While it looks odd, the shape is much more ergonomic and natural feeling than a regular mouse. It's that good that some people inspire coworkers to get one after they try it.

File:Sanwa Supply Ergonomic designed style Mouse (8659823169).jpgMasahiko OHKUBO on Wikimedia

7. King-Sized Blanket

A king-sized blanket on a queen-sized bed provides additional coverage and cozy comfort that can change your life. The extra size ensures that everyone stays warm and snug, without endless adjustments or battles over the blanket. This simple upgrade can improve sleep quality and make bedtime feel more luxurious.

two children sitting in front of tableAdam Winger on Unsplash

8. Sharp Knives

A sharp knife is a must-have kitchen tool that makes cooking so much easier and safer. Chop, slice, and dice with less effort and time. And you’ll avoid the slipping and potential accidents that dull knives cause.

black and brown handled kitchen knivesDanilo Rios on Unsplash

9. Glass Breaker

A keychain glass breaker is a small device that can instantly shatter a car window in case of emergency. It is an essential tool for breaking glass quickly and safely, providing an escape route when needed. Glass breakers are compact and portable, making them easy to carry in a pocket or on a keychain.

close-up photography of black vehicle during daytimeAndras Vas on Unsplash

Advertisement

10. A Kettle

For people who love having coffee or tea on a regular basis and don't like mornings, an electric kettle with a timer can be a life-saver. It will get the water ready for you at the right time, which will make the mornings easier to handle. Having an electric kettle in general will already change the quality of life for such tasks.

black kettle on brown wooden tableCharlie Firth on Unsplash

11. Weighted Blanket

Your life will change the day you invest in a weighted blanket if you have trouble sleeping or are prone to anxiety. Laying under a weighted blanket is calming and comforting. This pressure is akin to a gentle hug and may help you relax and sleep better at night.

a woman sleeping in a bed with a white comforterSlaapwijsheid.nl on Unsplash

12. Motion Sensor Night Lights

Motion sensor night lights automatically turn on when someone walks in the room. These lights eliminate the risk of bumping your toe, tripping, and falling when getting up in the dark. No one should go without it, as it is a necessary device for a safe home.

blue and white striped bedspreadPaolo Chiabrando on Unsplash

13. Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector is a device that can alert homeowners of the presence of this colorless, odorless, and potentially lethal gas. These detectors can save lives by giving early warnings of carbon monoxide poisoning. Installing a quality detector is an easy and affordable way to protect your home.

File:FA370 Carbon monoxide detector, The Hague (2019) 01.jpgDonald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 International.(Want to use this image?)Original publication 📤: --Donald Trung 『徵國單』 (No Fake News 💬) (WikiProject Numismatics 💴) (Articles 📚) 16:32, 6 June 2019 (UTC) on Wikimedia

14. Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are a simple and effective way to enhance the quality of your sleep. They work by blocking out external light and creating a dark and cozy atmosphere in your bedroom. This is particularly helpful if you are a night shift worker, live in a brightly lit city, or have trouble sleeping.

white window curtain on windowlaura adai on Unsplash

15. A Good Pillow

A quality pillow might seem like an innocent purchase but it can make an astonishing difference in how you sleep. When you choose one that correctly supports your head and neck, you keep them aligned and sleep restfully and soundly throughout the night. People are often surprised at the difference a proper pillow makes in their comfort level and general health.

white pillow on white bedJude Infantini on Unsplash

Advertisement

16. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a miracle worker. It prevents sunburn and long-term damage, premature aging, and drastically reduces the risk of skin cancer. It's worth it to spring for quality sunscreen.

person holding white plastic tube bottleBATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific on Unsplash

17. Tire Air Compressor

An air compressor is a great way to quickly inflate your tires at home, rather than taking time out of your day to go to the gas station. They don't usually cost very much, with some as low as $30 on Amazon. It's always nice to have a working compressor on hand in the event your tires are underinflated.

File:Red 1998 Ford F-150 on alloy wheels with Big Foot tires (16041067985).jpgcogdogblog on Wikimedia

18. 10-Foot Charging Cable

A 10 ft charging cable has enough slack to use your devices as you charge them. It enables you to wander around the room or office without having to be right next to the outlet. It's a very simple way to improve your day-to-day use of your devices, and avoids a lot of the annoyance with short charging cables.

black and white USB data cablesHal Gatewood on Unsplash

19. Shop Vac

A decent shop vac is an extremely useful and powerful appliance! It can be used to perform a large number of cleaning tasks around the home. It can suck up cobwebs, gravel, dirt, vent debris, and, with a wet/dry vacuum, even water.

File:Siemens vacuum cleaner Super 500.jpgSmiley.toerist on Wikimedia

20. National Park Pass

A national park annual pass provides unlimited entry to some of the most beautiful natural scenery and recreational areas in the country. Veterans who are disabled to any percentage are eligible to apply for this pass for free for life. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get outside and enjoy nature.

time-lapse photography of riverHendrik Cornelissen on Unsplash