Everything in this list is an inexpensive solution to some very basic problems, devised to make your daily routine easier without having to break the bank. Be it upgrading your kitchen, upgrading your personal care routine, or even just making your living space a little more functional, this article will help you uncover some smart, cost-effective buys. Now, let's get into some of the top wallet-friendly products one can invest in and why they are totally worth it.
1. Affresh washing machine tablets because I feel like we never remember to clean the things that are supposed to be cleaning other things…Like, of course our clothes come out stinky when we've literally never thought to clean the actual machine.
Promising review: "I purchased Affresh for the dishwasher first and it saved my dishwasher from the scrapyard. After being so thoroughly impressed by the job that the product did, I decided to try the washing machine cleaner. I didn’t think my machine was that dirty… O. M. G. I was wrong. The water in the machine was literally black with filth!! Not gray or a little scummy— I mean completely black! It’s hard to see in the photos, but look at where the water meets the drum. Horrifying to think this machine 'cleaned' my clothes. I wish I could go back in time and buy this thing like two years ago. I’m horrified (and so satisfied with the results)!" —M
Get it from Amazon for $6.95+ (available in four versions and two quantities).
2. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener perfect for anyone who wants to trick everyone around into thinking they got a full nine hours of sleep when in reality they got maybe six. 😖 This stuff is basically the makeup of the future because it's designed with color-adapting formula to help your bags ~disappear~, giving you instant coverage with a lightweight feel.
The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Monica T.
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades).
3. A strap-in airplane headrest/eyemask designed to help solve the *ultimate* plane nap problem — the dreaded head bob! These will basically lock your noggin in place so it doesn't flop forward and jolt you out of your sleep. Tell me how we are just now inventing this?!
Checkout a TikTok of the airplane head rest in action.
Promising review: "This is exactly what I needed for when I travel. I hate that I constantly fall forward or to the side when I fall asleep. This makes it so much easier, and I can still wear my earbuds and be in another world and sleep comfortably. Great idea!" —Miss Erini
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in three colors).
4. A genius guacamole saver that can hold up to four cups worth and *actually* keep it fresh after a day. Be honest, there's nothing worse than craving some delicious guac only to open your fridge and see a brown pile of mush. This will suck out all the air and keep it nice and green for days so you don't have to decide between wasting the goodness or eating wayyyy more than you planned just cause you don't wanna throw it out.
Promising reviews: "I cannot believe this works so well! I'm a huge guac on toast person, but how unappealing is brown guacamole? Received this on Saturday, made a batch on Sunday, and it was still beautifully green and tasty six days later! My standard batch perfectly fits six medium avocados, plus the fixings. Happy girl here!" —Amazon Customer
"Works exactly as advertised! My guacamole has been in the fridge for eight days and it is still fresh and green. It looks and tastes like it did last week! You just have to make sure you really get all of the air out. It's a good size and can carry a large capacity of guacamole. I like that it can be used for a small or large amount and still keep it fresh." —Janice Phung
Get it from Amazon for $10.39.
5. A ceiling fan carbon filter designed to turn your fan into an air purifier instead of a home for loads of dust buildup. These work by filtering the air with every spin to help remove pollen, pet dander, smoke, gasses, chemicals, and other allergens that are living in your house.
Note: it is recommended that you replace these every three months or so to make sure they are still filtering the air to the best of their ability.
Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99.
6. A set of delightful self-heating masks that'll soothe your feet with Epsom salts, shea butter, lavender, and peppermint to give your dogs the break they deserve.
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action.
To use, simply open the bootie, slip your foot inside, remove the backing from the tab to secure it around your ankle, and wear 'em for 30 minutes. When times up, massage the treatment into your feet and wipe the excess away with a towel.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord has these and says, "I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!"
Get three pairs from Amazon for $11.97.
7. An Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil designed to help eliminate makeup residue, blackheads, and excess sebum without clogging your pores. Reviewers are raving about this stuff and some even say you can see the gunk coming out of your pores!!
It's recommended to use this as a step in a double cleansing routine, which is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores.
See why this reviewer loves this cleansing oil for glass skin on TikTok!
Promising review: "This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser and I’m so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin, however, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom and my scarring doesn’t look as deep! The cleanser has a light clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" —Myshel Cagle
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
8. A WD-40 pen that's wayyy more convenient than the typical spray so you can get those squeak-free doors in an easy-to-use, precise application pen. Not only does this quiet down those annoying hinges, but it also protects against corrosion, loosens rusted parts, and drives out moisture, just like the OG version.
Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." —BBP623
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99.
9. Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later Eye Primer which will help make sure that smoky eye (that you spent way longer on than you'd like to admit) actually lasts through the night instead of melting off your face as soon as you walk out the door.
Promising review: "So let me start by saying I have used nearly every eyeshadow primer available. From high-end to low — MAC, Lorac, Urban Decay...they don't hold a candle to Thank Me Later. I have very oily skin. I use this primer and my shadow lasts a full eight hours or more. I could get maybe five or six out of the other brands, if I'm lucky. I got this as a sample in my Ipsy bag, and I had to buy the full-size product straight away! I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thank you Elizabeth Mott for finally making a primer that lasts! I love this stuff!" —Melissa Mae
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
10. A cupcake scooper with dispenser that'll revolutionize your baking game!! After using this once, you'll wonder why you ever used the spoon-and-finger-scrape method to fill your cupcakes. With the push of a button, you can easily scrape all the batter off the scoop so you get every last bit while making sure each spot is evenly filled.
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "Don’t think twice — just buy it! This has revolutionized cupcake/muffin making. No more using your finger or extra utensils to scoop the mix into the tins. You can measure out exactly how much you need to scoop and then just push the button up and the mix glides right into the tins with no mess." —Dorothy H
Get it from Amazon for $9.43+ (available in two colors).
11. A tea tree and peppermint remedy soap made with aloe vera and vitamins C and E to help combat a plethora of skin irritations (we're talking dry skin, acne, athlete's foot, jock itch, and more!) plus it's just overall nourishing for everyday use. Dare I say we have found the holy grail of soaps?!
Learn more about the many uses of tea tree oil at Cleveland Clinic and learn about how it can help with athlete's foot at Mayo Clinic.
Promising review: "I purchased Remedy Soap for my 'tween' daughter who was struggling with horrible armpit and foot odor. I tried everything to help her control this — men's deodorant, alcohol, lemon under her armpits, tea bags in her shoes, washing her clothes in vinegar etc. I was literally at my wits end by the time I came across this product on Amazon. After reading hundreds of positive reviews, I bought the soap with the hope that it would help significantly reduce her foot and armpit odor. To my amazement, it eliminated her odor completely!! She went through a whole day at school, including PE, and came home smelling as fresh as she did when she left that morning. That has NEVER happened this entire school year!! Needless to say, my husband and I are beyond pleased with our daughter's results. We now have the comfort of knowing that she won't have to continue suffering from the embarrassment of unnecessary body odor. I can't thank Honestie Naturals enough for this product. It has truly put a smile back on my family's faces." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five scents and a one- or two-pack).
12. A set of safe-locking magnetic duvet pins so your duvet doesn't get all lumpy shoved up into one corner, leaving your partner to freeze with just the cover. Just attach your duvet to the cover and this'll lock in place, and when you need to get it undone you just use the magnetic key to open it right up.
Pinion Pins is a small business trying to solve one of the more annoying bedtime struggles.
Promising review: "I was super worried about if I would have enough of the Pinions, and I totally do! My duvet is kinda thick and the Pinions pierced through with no problems! Plus with a little extra room if I had some extra layers. I REALLY like how you have to have the magnet tool to pull them apart. Other duvet tools I’ve seen just plain suck. The clips are never reliable and the ties just don’t stay. This handy dandy tool ENSURES nothing will move. I placed one on each corner of the duvet and then I put one on the middle edge between each corner. Absolutely no moving! Don’t walk, RUN TO BUY THIS. I also like how unnoticeable they are." —Abigayle Mishler
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in a 16-pack).
13. A Montessori busy board with a variety of zippers, buttons, laces, and buckles so your toddler can stay entertained and occupied (😌🙌🏼). Once they're done, it folds up and has handles so you can easily take it with you.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this busy board! We bought this to keep our 1-year-old distracted on a 3.5-hour airplane ride. She absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop playing with it. We tied it to the seat tray so it didn’t slide all over. It is easy to carry, fits into a backpack no issue, and I love that it is all one piece — no tiny pieces to misplace!"—LEG 585
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors/variations).
14. A popular foot exfoliant peel that is both horrifying (!) and satisfying. After wearing the booties for an hour, you will watch layers of skin peel away (over the course of 6–11 days) from your feet to reveal a smoothness you haven't experienced since you learned to walk.
Check out a TikTok of the foot peel in action.
Promising review: "I placed this order after seeing it everywhere on TikTok... and boy am I glad I tried it! I was initially skeptical of trying anything on my feet.. and let’s be honest the peeling feet pictures are not for the weak :) .. but oddly extremely satisfying. I soaked my feet in the bag for an hour as instructed (super easy to use) ... two weeks later, BOOM baby soft feet. It came with two soaking uses so I used the second on my sister. 10/10 would recommend!!" —Alma Elias
Get two pairs from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes, eight scents, and three quantities).
15. A firming eye cream with powerful, deep hydration to help reduce puffiness and dark circles. This cruelty-free and vegan cream is infused with vitamin C, vitamin E, rose hip seed oil, and hibiscus flower extract to help brighten and firm your skin.
Promising review: "Incredible product! Still cannot believe what a difference it has made in the lines and wrinkles around my eyes. I use it twice a day, and actually use it for my entire face and my neck. My skin feels so soft, and lines are disappearing." —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $17.49+ (available in three sizes and one- or two-packs).
16. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount you can clip to the back of the seat in front of you, your suitcase handle, or pretty much anywhere else. You will be able to keep up with the Kardashians (or the reality show of your choice!) even if you're crammed in a seat that doesn't have a built-in TV.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months for a multi-leg, ultra long haul trip and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers. However, I find myself using it a lot outside of travel too! Work-wise, I've clamped it onto my office desk shelving to hold my phone at eye level beside my computer. At home, I simply clamped it to a deck of cards and it turns into a versatile stand that I can place on any flat surface. Heck, I've been using it to hold my phone comfortably at eye level while watching videos in bed. It's extremely well-built and I find myself fidgeting with it all the time. Thus far it still feels solid and I don't anticipate breaking it any time soon. Even if it does break, I'll be happy to buy another one or two of it!" —Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in five colors and packs of two)
17. A juicer designed to get 👏🏼 EVERY 👏🏼 LAST 👏🏼 DROP 👏🏼 from your lemons, limes, oranges, or whatever else you need to squeeze. It'll catch all the seeds so you don't have to go fishing at the end, and it collapses down flat so it won't take up a huge chunk of your drawer.
Check it out on TikTok here.
Promising review: "I don’t know why someone didn’t come up with this sooner. But to the person who did, you’re kind of my hero. This thing is amazing, just cut the fruit in half, drop it in with the cut side facing towards you, and squeeze the handle. Gets so much more juice out than the old-style juicers. Super easy cleanup too. I have some severe health issues including bad arthritis in my hands, and this doesn’t hurt at all to use. 10/10 highly recommend!" —Kristen L.
Get it from Amazon for $14.51+ (available in three colors).
18. A painting station, which has thought of everything and has you covered for all your painting needs. It comes with a collapsible water cup that magnetizes to the board, built-in paint wells, brush holders on the side of the cup, and brush rests. Since it's made of silicone, it's super easy to clean and you won't have to worry about getting dried paint off your dining table.
Promising review: "This product is awesome. No slipping around. The magnet is durable and strong. The paint cubes are a good size. The space on the mat for canvases or sand or anything is perfect. I was looking at these types of mats and could only find smaller ones. But my daughter loves to paint so this size is perfect. I highly recommend." —TJ
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in seven colors).
19. A pack of the internet-beloved Mighty Patches that are not only effective but also satisfying. Just place one of these on your pimple, go to bed, and wake up to a drastically smaller pimple — and a satisfying patch full of all the gunk this pulled out.
Mighty Patch was created in 2017 by Hero Cosmetics, which is a woman-owned and Asian-owned company, founded by current CEO Ju Rhyu. Hero Cosmetics now creates cleansers, toners, pimple patches, and more.
Promising review: "I heard all about these on TikTok so I decided to order. I switched my birth control and was having a ton of breakouts. These are amazing! They helped me stop picking at my face and my skin is so clear now. Will always have these in my house from now on!" —Kiara Galloway
Get a set of 36 from Amazon for $11.97.
20. A plant-based cooking oil solidifier so you can stop pouring oil into a makeshift tinfoil bowl in your sink's drain — where it lives for hours while it solidifies (anyone else? Can't just be me…). Just sprinkle the powder in while it's hot, let it cool, and easily dispose of it in the trash!
FryAway is a Latine woman-owned small biz founded by Laura Lady who specializes in planet-friendly ways to dispose of oil.
See it in action on TikTok!
Promising review: "Quite impressive. After making some fries, we added a packet to the hot oil and stirred a few times. Maybe 10 minutes later, we checked the pan, and the oil had solidified. Using a wood spoon, we easily removed the solid and put it in the trash. I will always make sure to keep a pack of FryAway in our pantry. Highly recommended." —Ryan O.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two styes).
21. An eyeshadow color removal sponge so each color doesn't require its own brush because you're afraid to accidentally contaminate your gorgeous nude color with the hot pink you used yesterday. Just rub the brush on the sponge for a few seconds and watch the pigment disappear. And you can use both sides before taking it out to wash it for endless reusing.
Check out what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord thinks of this awesome little tool: "I picked up this color removal sponge from Amazon after hearing about this hack on TikTok and can testify that it actually works SO well. I'm *so* bad about cleaning my brushes (I know...shameful) and this makes it super easy to clean a brush in a matter of seconds. So even if I'm trying to do a *slightly* more elaborate eyeshadow look for the day, this makes the process of switching colors as quick and painless as possible. Also, it's *super* lightweight, and I've already tossed it in my bag and brought it on vacation with me. This is one of those products I won't be traveling without in the future if I plan on doing eyeshadow at any point — and it means you only need to pack one or two eyeshadow brushes!"
Promising review: "This product makes it even easier for me to be lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. It also allows me to use the same brush for a makeup look since I can swish away a previous shadow and move on to the next. Great buy. Super easy to wash. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but when I do finally travel again, I'm sure this will be excellent to travel with and make it so that I only need to bring one or two brushes." —Azaleah Bumpus-Barnett
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a four-pack).
22. A fabulous lip-plumping gloss set to create absolutely luscious lips for anyone who likes the look of lip fillers but not the price or commitment. You're probably gonna have to apologize to your friend who just got filler done before you discovered this product.
You'll get one lip plumper and one minty sleeping mask for your lips.
Promising review: "I discovered this product from TikTok and I had to give it a try. I tried the day lip plumper and within a few seconds, there was a subtle tingling/burning that lasted for a few minutes but as it occurred, the plumping started to happen! It made a noticeable difference and made my lips look like I had filler! I'm obsessed!! —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
23. Some seamless, machine-washable cotton-bamboo-blend bra liners that will revolutionize your bra-wearing experience, especially on hot days. Not only does this absorb your dreaded underboob sweat, but it also helps make a barrier between your skin and the underwire of your bra that digs in *so* uncomfortably.
Promising review: "This is one of those things that I wish I'd found years earlier. I've suffered from mortifying stress-induced under-boob sweat for most of my adult life. Also, I'm a lifelong Seattle girl who gets upset when it's warmer than 65 degrees outside. So when I stumbled upon this product, I was curious enough to buy a small pack. And yes, I've come back for MORE! For real, I won't put on a bra without one of these liners now. It absorbs all the moisture from heat and stress. And because it's a really soft bamboo/cotton mix, my skin is finally not feeling tortured under there! To the makers of this ingenious life-changing product: thank you thank you thank you! Sincerely, all the grateful ta-tas you've helped to care for." —Niko
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes M–XXL, three colors, variety packs, and multiple pack sizes).
24. A keloid minimizer because sometimes no matter how well you take care of your new piercing, you just get hit with the keloid curse. This is designed to help reduce the size of the uncomfortable bump so you don't have to end up taking out your adorable new earring.
Note: This product is not an overnight miracle. Apply this 2–3 times a day, be patient, and you'll start to see the results.
Talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your keloid on your own, and learn more about keloids from Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "This product is amazing! Truly a miracle product. I had an AWFUL keloid forming near my nose piercing about six weeks after getting it done and it was getting bigger and more irritated by the day, nothing was helping. I bought this and started using it and in less than two weeks my huge keloid was completely gone! I was definitely skeptical and a little nervous when it didn’t seem to be getting noticeably smaller after a week but then the second week, it started totally disappearing so give it some time to work if your bump is on the larger side. If you remain patient and apply it twice a day, it should do the trick!" —Jordan Caprigno
Get it from Amazon for $12.85+ (also available in multipacks).
25. A root touchup powder that has TikTokers *shook* with how well it covers up their grown-out roots or greys between hair appointments or how it gives the illusion of fullness on any thinning areas.
It comes with a little sponge attached for easy application.
Promising reviews: "This product is awesome. Covers the grays/roots. Stays on all day. Also if you have thin hair it will fill in the spots nicely. Comes with a sponge that you unscrew off the bottom. This will last a very long time. This is much easier to use than the spray that doesn't always get the right spots and tends to get on your clothes. A good selection of colors. Great price. Will re-order when the time comes." —Amazon Customer
"LOVE! so easy to use and perfect for helping my thinned hairline from postpartum hair loss. I tried a more expensive brand and liked this one more. Definitely recommend it for helping the hairline look fuller. I toss it in my makeup bag and apply quickly ." —Catie B.
Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in two sizes and 15 colors).
26. A fabric shaver, because the little pilled up balls of fabric all over your clothes are not it. With a quick swipe you will watch all those balls disappear, leaving the item looking fresh and new.
*If using on clothing, make sure to hold the fabric tight so the shaver doesn't catch and make a hole.*
If you get the battery-operated version, you'll also need AA batteries.
Promising review: "A literal MUST-BUY!! Bought this for my couch after seeing so many people reviewing it on social media and it worked like a charm! Those little lint balls were so frustrating after I would wash my cushion covers but this little tool fixed that problem in minutes. About to go use this on everything I own!!" —Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $13.30+ (available as rechargeable or battery-operated and in six colors).
27. A silicone tumbler-shaped ice tray that makes three different sizes of cylinder ice so you can stack 'em up inside your water bottle to create the coldest, crispest water you've ever tasted.
Check out a TikTok of the tumbler ice tray in action.
Promising review: "So far, so good! Works great for 40-ounce Hydro Flask." —Vic
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors).
28. A stainless-steel tongue scraper designed to scrape away your bad breath, but reviewers have also found that it helped them experience flavors more intensely! Squeaky clean mouth AND more flavorful food? Sign me up!
Promising review: "I hate brushing my tongue, I also hate having bad breath, decided to try a tongue scraper. I was skeptical about the claim that it doesn’t trigger the gag reflex but I gave it a try and it’s amazing. It doesn’t make me gag like brushing, it cleans my tongue way more effectively than brushing and the gunk doesn’t come back as fast. My breath smells better, things taste better and my mouth feels cleaner. I love this thing!" —Jo. K.
Get two from Amazon for $6.49+ (available in seven varieties).
29. A bag of polyester stuffing so you can give the back sofa cushions the extra TLC they deserve. Not only are they not attractive when they're all smushed down, but man are they uncomfortable. And with any leftover stuffing, you can rejuvenate stuffed animals, throw pillows, bedding, and more. After all, there's no such thing as too much fluff!
Promising review: "Ok, so I had been looking into buying a new couch but I only wanted a nice leather one and they are SOOO EXPENSIVE. I decided to try and fix ours and I am SOO HAPPY with the results!! I bought two $52 boxes of poly fill (used 1 1/4 total, so I still have a lot left). I cut open each of the three sections of the inner cushions of each back cushion, re-stuffed them, and sewed them back up. It took me about a day and half. I want to get some furniture foam to plump up the seat cushions (but that is another project and significantly more money), but the end result is a HUGE improvement! The couch looks (and feels) a million times better! Wish I done this years ago! The first 'before' pic has a back cushion already stuffed because I didn’t think to take a pic until after I already stuffed a cushion. If you are thinking this won’t work (like I was), you are wrong. DO IT!!!!" —Geoff
Get a 20-oz. bag from Amazon for $17.58 (available in nine sizes).