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Tool of the Trade: Little Purchases That Make Life Easier

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a bunch of thumbs sticking up in the sky

We had a great thread a few years ago about small purchases that make your life better — I kicked things off by describing why I loved various things like Turkish towels and fake plants, but readers chimed in with so many more great ideas. Let's revisit today — I'd love to hear what you've bought lately that are little purchases that make life easier.

(Check our ALL of our favorite little things here!)

Some suggestions for the discussion:

  • favorite app?
  • favorite recent purchase under $15?:
  • favorite shelf-stable food item (like spices, oils, teas, dressings):
  • favorite thing you carry in your bag daily:
  • favorite beauty or skin thing: 
  • other amazing purchase you love:

For my own $.02:

Favorite App for Easy Journaling: Daylio

I've written before about my love of the app Done for habit tracking, and while I still use that one, I've recently been using Daylio on a nightly basis for really easy journaling, habit tracking, habit breaking, and more. It takes a second and there's space at the bottom for you to add more notes, thoughts, or quotes about the day. I like it. The app is actually free but I think there's a “pro” version for around $8 — I do use Pro, mainly because then I got an offer for 50% off a few days in, and then I could change the color scheme. 

Favorite Purchase under $15: Wearlizer Watch Band

I mentioned this one in a Coffee Break a week or so ago also — for some reason I've been on a tear with buying Apple watch bands, and this Wearlizer one from Amazon has been such a hit that I'm keeping it and returning a lot of the others, including the Kate Spade and Casetify ones I bought.

I hesitated when we went to a waterpark with it, but then it isn't a great idea to have my Apple watch on then anyways. I like this particular one because it's a good nude-for-me (but they have a zillion other colors), it attaches securely to my watch, and the band is supple enough to be comfortable but secure enough that I don't worry about it slipping. 

Favorite Shelf-Stable Food Item I'm Adding to Everything: Multipurpose Umami Seasoning

trader joe's umami seasoning

I looooove Trader Joe's Mushroom & Co. Umami Seasoning, and add it to pretty much everything savory. It adds a depth of flavor and just a hint of spice. You can get it at Amazon, but Trader Joe's is obviously the best (and cheapest) source for the stuff. I believe Nom Nom Paleo has a recipe for DIYing it as well.

Favorite Thing I Carry In My Bag Daily: Anker Powercore

I cannot tell you how many times I use my mobile charging device — if I had a choice between a wall outlet and the Anker, I would go with the Anker because it charges so fast. I bought this little 4″ blue cord to attach to it (in blue), which also streamlined the process quite a bit. (The charger itself now comes in blue also, which is cool.) When I mentioned this one in a Coffee Break a few weeks ago, readers noted this one is slightly better because it is both a wall socket and a mobile charger. 

Favorite Beauty/Skin Thing: Lip Cheat Lip Liner

I really like my new lip liner, Charlotte Tilsbury's Lip Cheat Lip Liner — it stays all day, doesn't dry my lips out, and is a really nice “nude for me” color. (I got both Iconic Nude and Pillowtalk; I forget which color I kept.)  

Favorite Other Amazing Purchase: Heated Foot Warmer

I can't sleep if my toes are freezing, and sometimes, even with socks, it feels like I can't warm up. I've looked into heated mattress pads and heated blankets in the past, but they can be a pain. (The heated mattress pad is really nice but I didn't like how the cord is supposed to come out the base of the bed, which is… not near any convenient plugs and made me worry it would be a middle-of-the-night tripping hazard, or a fire hazard if I attached it to an extension cord.)

In any event: this tiny heated foot warmer is sooo soft and just as good as those other products, but can be added or removed from your bed, couch, or even your office far more easily than the other full-size options. For what it's worth, I never sleep with any of these products on, but I will use them to get the bed nice and toasty before I go to sleep.

Readers, what have you bought recently that counts as little purchases that make your life easier? Do tell…

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / tomwang. 

57 Comments

  2. Cold brew maker ($13 at TJ Maxx). It’s so easy and saves a lot of money, especially now that my stomach gets weird with too much acid.

    A dirty/clean magnet for the dishwasher is a game changer.

    1. I’m always confused about the dirty/clean magnets, can’t you just look at the dishes when you open it and tell?

      2. I rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and so it is not always obvious.

      4. It’s not always obvious (I rinse my dishes first), and I don’t want to have to inspect the dishes before putting a spoon in there after breakfast.

        Also, super helpful if you or your husband or kids half unload the dishwasher when it’s clean.

      5. Can’t believe how many people rinse their dishes first! That wares so much water

        1. I must have a crappy dishwasher because if I don’t rinse then the dishwasher just bakes the food onto the dishes.

  3. I wanted to start drinking coffee again, so I bought a one cup cone drip and it’s been amazing. I also bought a heyday phone charger (external battery) and cord for my phone. Each piece was maybe $9.99 and it’s been saving me. It’s not heavy so I can throw it in my purse or take it to a meeting. I also bought the little heyday bluetooth speaker for my office to listen to music.

    1. Anything in the Perricone No Makeup Makeup line.

      A bottle of Dawn dishwashing detergent. Why did I live the last 30 years not knowing it removed grease stains from just about any garment, even where the garment has been washed and dried?

      1. Wait you put dishwashing liquid in your clothes washing machine? Or do you handwash to get the stains out?

        1. I rub the Dawn into the stains and let it sit for a few hours, then run it through the washing machine on the regular cycle with Tide or whatever.

          1. I do the same thing and it works so so well. I can to this solution from first principles and felt like a genius when it actually worked.

  4. A coat recommendation? I live in the PNW and get by without a proper winter coat. Now, I will be traveling to the Alps region for business in November. So I would like to get a warm coat that looks professional, preferably with a belt. Any recommendations? I can afford up to 500 bucks. Thank you.

      1. Aritzia does fabulous wool/cashmere blend coats. The hoods are always well sized, too. I always brought mine to Germany for cold weather work trips. Herno is a great brand as well, though expect a slightly higher price point.

      1. That’s a great price! Lands End has done a 50% off coats sale sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas the last two years. If you find one that you like and isn’t on budget, watch for that sale. I swear by my Lands End puffer coat. It comes in tall and petite! But it may be too warm and casual for business travel. Their online return policies are nice too.

  5. App: Google Keep. Lets me keep notes for myself and sync lists with my spouse.

    Purchase under $15: A tiny metal phone stand for my desk. Keeps my phone out of my hands and easily within view for when I get calls/texts.

    Food item: True Lime/True Lemon/True Grapefruit packets!!! I LOVE THESE. It’s a little packet of crystallized lime juice (or lemon, grapefruit, whatever) – and literally just that. No other ingredients. I love adding it to water to make it more interesting, and they’re a lifesaver if I need a boost of citrus in a recipe when cooking.

    Beauty item: I keep trying other things, but I keep coming back to my beloved Fresh Sugar Rose lip balm. Just enough color to make me look not dead, but not so much I can’t put it on without a mirror. Plus it feels/smells amazing.

    Favorite other amazing purchase: My Yeti products! I have a 16 oz bottle (with chug lid) and a travel mug for when I’m on the go, and an insulated coffee mug (with normal mug handle and a lid) for long weekend mornings with a toddler.

      2. This may be the solution to constantly buying lemons and having them rot…. Win!

      3. I typically get mine on Amazon, but some grocery stores carry them! In my area, Target doesn’t but HyVee does.

      4. I get them on amazon. My stores only stock the lemonade version which is NOT the same.

    2. I’m also really happy with True Lemon packets. I came across them randomly in a hummus recipe (as a strategy to make lemony hummus that’s not too watered down with juice), and now I use them constantly.

  6. Freaking out a little… I lateraled to a new biglaw firm a few months ago. A junior partner invited me to attend a conference with him, so I booked the same train and hotel that he did. Well, the head of the group reviewed the expenses, and I just got an email extolling the ‘extraordinary expensive’. Eek. I’ve already emailed the junior partner to ask the best way to respond, but he’s abroad and won’t respond for several more hours. So now I’m just sitting at my desk having a mini panic attack about this.

    This is essentially my first interaction with the head of the group (who is in another office/ city), and I’m now super stressed that she’s judging me for staying at this hotel (which, admittedly, was pricey but I only stayed there bc that’s what the junior partner did!).

    This is going to be fine…. right?

    1. Why don’t you just tell them “I mimicked the travel plans of the junior partner for convenience as we are going to the conference together – I apologize if this is not in the norm of the firm, I did not know. Please allow me to re-book travel plans that are more appropriate.” You should have asked, but you’re new and didn’t know. This isn’t a “I’m screwed forever” screw up, it’s a simple and easily correctible mistake.

      1. Yes, what were they expecting? For you to stay at the Red Roof Inn? If they are going to be cheezy after the fact, perhaps they should have told you up front where you should have stayed, and what you should have eaten. FOOEY on them. Also, I see the head of the group is a woman. No offense, since we are all ladies here, but there may be some degree of jealousy going on. She is the head of the group and she may well have been interested in this same junior partner who you went on a trip with. Now she is dissing you for that? You went to a busness event and should NOT be made to stay at a place where the junior partner did not have to stay at. Do NOT worry. The Junior Partner’s travel records will substantiate what you did.

    3. Of course. You’re new. You just did what the partner did. How are you supposed to know.

    4. Yes. I get chastised for not staying in bougie enough hotels. We never can win!

    5. Apologize, tell her you just booked where the partner did, rebook if it’s not too late, and ask your admin who to contact to get expense guidelines.

      1. Thanks all, this has made me feel better! The conference was last week, so what’s done is done unfortunately- otherwise I completely would rebook.

  7. I bought a phone case has a case on the back that holds 2 cards, and I can’t get over how convenient it is. (This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PB9WP6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It was about $7.

    I keep my driver’s license and one credit card in it. Yes, I still carry a purse sometimes, but it’s just so nice to know that I don’t really *need* it for quick errands. And, let’s face it, I’m a lot more likely to forget/lose my wallet than I am my phone.

  9. favorite app: PlantSnap, take a pic and it identifies options for what the plant is. Great for taking along on hikes.
    favorite recent purchase under $15: sincerely jules scrunchies from target. Fun for at home/casual use and doesn’t rip my hair.
    favorite shelf-stable food item: Pukka tea lemongrass and ginger; refreshing and revitalizing.
    favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: Ricola, original flavor.
    favorite beauty or skin thing: Cheekbone Beauty’s Ashley lipstick. Love the colors, formulas, and scent. Recently learned about this Indigenous Canadian company that supports (financially and otherwise) initiatives to support indigenous children’s education.
    other amazing purchase you love: merino wool socks from costco, super cozy and warm around the house and when hiking.

  10. Favorite app: Stitcher. I listen to podcasts in the shower, while getting ready, on my commute, etc. starting off with the news and usually ending with trivia or other entertainment-type podcasts. It lets me multitask and easily keep up with daily events.

    Favorite recent purchase under $15: A new phone case for my Samsung S7 that has a credit card slot in the back. It’s not one of those stick-on pouches; it’s actually built INTO the phone case, and holds a couple cards. I feel it’s more secure because you really wouldn’t notice it’s part of the case unless you looked for it.

    Favorite shelf-stable food item (like spices, oils, teas, dressings): Any tea by Kusmi! Anastasia is my favorite, though.

    Favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: My bag has a key ribbon which is an absolute lifesaver for my metro commute.

    Favorite beauty or skin thing: Mighty Patch for acne – it’s available on Amazon. I dot one over a zit before heading to bed, and in the morning it’s gone down considerably.

    Other amazing purchase you love: It was a gift, but my Yeti mug. I use it mostly at work, but it’s also great for traveling. I once filled it with ice water at 9 AM, and still had ice cubes at 3 PM!

  11. Crown dish scrub from amazon. For anyone who handwashes their dish, you have to get these. Ours lasted almost 3 (three!) years with daily use. Compare that to the annoyance of replacing a standard sponge that breaks apart in weeks. I’m only on my second, but I’ve bought a dozen to give away because people love it when they visit our house. I hate doing dishes, but I will always sing praises for this scrub cloth thing.

  12. favorite app? – I picked up Paprika on the advice of other ‘rettes and I LOVE it. Worth every penny. I don’t even use it for meal-planning, like I planned to. I use it to quickly and easily store online recipes (especially amazing for blogs that have way too much copy before the actual recipe…this just downloads the recipe and I don’t have to sort through all of it) and, best of all, for my grocery lists. I have separate Grocery Store, Costco, Spices, and Target lists. I have no short-term memory so this is awesome for me.
    favorite recent purchase under $15?: small daily pill case I picked up while waiting in line at Sephora. I’m not great at remembering daily meds, and this plus a phone reminder has really worked. Bonus, I can see if I took it that day (again, bad short term memory)
    favorite shelf-stable food item (like spices, oils, teas, dressings): Penzey’s spice blends. Our most-used is Fox Point, and I also love Chili 3000
    favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: Kiehl’s hand salve, an absolute must-have for me (and Burt’s Bees lip balm. never go anywhere without both)
    favorite beauty or skin thing: Raw Sauce essence toner. I keep buying several at a time because I’m so worried I won’t be able to find it anymore.
    other amazing purchase you love: agree with others that the Zojirushi coffee mug is life-changing. I also love this herb snipping scissors that basically chiffonades with a snip.

  13. Wet brush from Amazon. It detangles my wet hair and allows me to run out the door in the am.

    1. +1,000 I could not believe how well wetbrush works, especially because it looks like nothing special.

  14. •favorite app? My fitness pal, obviously well known but I think it’s useful
    •favorite recent purchase under $15?:Elastic no-tie shoelaces (don’t want be bothered with laces sometimes)
    •favorite shelf-stable food item (like spices, oils, teas, dressings): Everything but the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joes
    •favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: Kindle
    •favorite beauty or skin thing: Learned about this here…Miracellar water – gets off more makeup even after cleansing wipes and is easy – my main criteria
    •other amazing purchase you love: My Ultra-light compact down jacket from Uniqlo. Love it under my cycling wind-jacket, under my raincoat when it rains and in its little stuff sack when traveling. Best $49 (on sale) I’ve ever spent.

  15. Favorite app: Insight Timer, free version. Stupid name but amazing for my onset insomnia. Pop on a sleep guided meditation and I usually never hear the session finish. Lots of other free meditation music, bedtime stories for kids, singing bowls. Whatever your flavour of mindfulness is, they’ve got something for you.
    Fave spend under $15: The e-cloth glass cleaning cloths for pretty much everything. Amazing on granite, stainless steel, glass. I can even wipe up bacon grease splatter with it and not transfer it all over the place.
    +1 for Dawn for laundry. I use about 1-2 tsp with a splash of Lysol (because poly dry-fit athletic clothes retain scent, even after washing in regular laundry soap) instead of detergent. Gets out food stains & sunscreen.
    In my bag: Alter Eco chocolate is amazing. Rich and never grainy.
    Beauty: old fave, reasonably chemical free – Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid. Like roto-rooter for pores. New buy Alima Satin Blush in Pink. Chemical free, talc free mineral blush that goes on like a dream and the perfect pink for my neutral/slighly yellow light-medium skintone. Wanted to try the Freja – a reported clean dupe for NARS 0rg@sm but it was sold out. Great colour payoff, pretty sure this will last me the better part of a decade.

  16. I’ve mentioned it here before, but I’m still really enjoying LVLupLife as a sort of social journaling app. I’m generally allergic to positivity and affirmations, but I think it’s doing something similar that works for me because it’s so concrete and specific.

  17. favorite app? Accuweather
    favorite recent purchase under $15?: I love my Wet Brush, but I am excited about adding the Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush to my arsenal (take a look at it, it’s like a microfiber towel in a brush!)
    favorite shelf-stable food item: Sriracha or hot sauce, throw on leftovers or eggs and done!
    favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: AirPods
    favorite beauty or skin thing: Olay Ultimate Hydration Essence Mist, at my desk spritzing my face e’ryday
    other amazing purchase you love: Victoria magazine subscription, it delights my soul and senses paging through it on my commute!

  18. favorite app? No new apps in my life lately.
    favorite recent purchase under $15?: Listerine Ready! Tabs. Technically my firm buys them and keeps a box in the lunchroom, but they are amazing for a post-lunch freshen up when you are on the go.
    favorite shelf-stable food item (like spices, oils, teas, dressings): Stash Breakfast in Paris. It’s a lovely lavender Earl Gray.
    favorite thing you carry in your bag daily: magnet-on sunglasses that go over my prescription glasses. So much easier than switching pairs.
    favorite beauty or skin thing: I’m really into Holika Holika Aqua Pop BB cream. It doesn’t come in many shades, but if it matches your skin tone, it’s amazing and inexpensive.
    other amazing purchase you love: A tray table for my living room. It isn’t pretty, but I have an Australian Cattle Dog who likes to be in my lap. This lets me sit on the couch and get work done without pushing her off every five seconds. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZPMFW9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  19. I have a portable Anker charger and it’s the best.

    My favourite app is the task manager TickTick – it’s on every platform and a premium subscription is pretty cheap.

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