Affordable Items to Elevate Your Lifestyle under $25
Here's a fresh, informal spin on that BuzzFeed article:
Comin' At Ya With Some Life-Changing Finds Under $25
We swear by these genius picks that'll make your life infinitely better – no matter if you're travelin', sufferin' from toddler food spills, or needin' a dose of cuteness without the high price tag.
1. Put Some Oomph In Your Day: Plan N' Win Daily Pad
Lose that skimpy planner and upgrade to this 50-sheet bad boy that keeps your shit organized. From tasks, appointments, nutritional intake, and doodles – this puppy got it all covered!
Via AmazonIt's the proud creation of a small, Wisconsin-based stationery biz with a heart so big, it'd give Teddy Ruxpin a run for his money.Love it? Grab it for $12.99 (or just $11.69 if you go for the Subscribe & Save option!).
2. Buh-Bye to Waste: EcoMug Go-Everywhere Beverage Cup
Got a penchant for to-go caffeine or booze? This cup's gotcha covered, baby! It's collapsible, microwave-safe, and comes in a variety of adorable colors. Plus, it's leak-proof, making cleanup a cinch. And the best part? It's eco-friendly as hell.
Psst...Just so ya know, the 12-ounce size don't include a straw, but the 8-, 16-, and 24-ounce versions do.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy's the proud owner of this eco-friendly gem. Here's what she has to say: "This is one of the first zero-waste swaps I made and never looked back. If you buy to-go coffee – whether you're jet-setting or just grabbing a mid-day pick-me-up – this cup is a must-have. So long as you remember to bring it, it's all the convenience of to-go coffee with none of the waste."
You can get yours for $19.95 (available in four sizes and 24 colors!).
3. Give Your Mane The Tender Loving Care It Deserves: Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars
Save the planet, one lather at a time! This shampoo bar's compact size makes it perfect for travel, and since it lasts 80 uses, it's a more sustainable choice. Plus, the plastic-free packaging and cruelty-free ingredients are just the cherry on top.
Via InstagramThis version can even work as shave foam!
Promising Review: "I was skeptical about a bar shampoo and conditioner, but I travel a lot and really wanted to cut down the use of plastic products as much as possible. I honestly am in love! I got the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Wonderbar conditioner, and my very long, fine oily hair, which I do have to wash daily, looks and feels great. I recommend anyone on the fence to definitely give it a try!" – M.A.
Get your eco-friendly set for $15.51 (available in 10 versions).
4. Toss the Toothbrush: Smile Direct Club Teeth Whitening Pens
Every sip of coffee or glass of red wine is a battle in the war against stained teeth. That war ends here! With these mint-flavored pens, you can kiss those pesky stains goodbye and scare your dentist with your Yolanda-level grin. Each pen lasts for 20+ uses and is a more convenient (and far less messy) alternative to traditional whitening methods.
Via AmazonRemember to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after use.
Promising Review: "Hardly ever do I review but this time, sheesh! This product blew me away after only three uses! First off, it's easy to use! I've tried a ton of products for teeth whitening and all have been either inconvenient to use, or make you wear a mouthguard etc. This is a PEN/brush! Hold it like a writing pen and twist up for the solution, the solution feeds through onto the brush (which is actually the size of a tooth) and you just brushstroke on dry teeth as you are smiling! It dries on and you rinse off. Magical! I've seen a noticeable difference after only using this for three days!! My husband even said 'WOW your teeth look amazingly white.' I'm a smoker/tea drinker/coffee drinker too! I noticed the difference but never said a word to my husband about it, he's a firm believer that nothing like this ever works...LOL. Well boy oh boy this product changed his mind instantly! He already swiped my other pen and has been using it too. We see the difference and are very satisfied. What's even more awesome is the price! " – Lisa E.
Score a pair for just $13.59.
5. Quiet the Toddler Chaos: Infant Spill-Proof Snack Cup
Say goodbye to mealtime madness! This adorable cup keeps food contained, preventing entertaining toddler-engineered meals for pets or car seats.
Via AmazonIt's top-rack dishwasher safe!
Promising Review: "What a lifesaver! I mean really! My daughter loves her snacks; she also loves to make a mess, give them to the dog, or fill her car seat up with them. Then cry when she has nothing to eat. My wife picked one up at Target, and man...we used it so much, we couldn't clean it fast enough. So we bought a few more." – jeffgrantMEDIA
Grab a pack of two for just $6 (available in two color combinations).
6. Keep Your Fries Crispy: Car French Fry Holder
Get ready to level up your drive-thru game! This tray fits in your car's cupholder and keeps your fries fresh and crispy. No more squishing or spillage – because when it comes to fries, they don't deserve that!
Promising Review: "Life just got easier with this product, I only wish it had a sauce holder maybe on the front of it." – Kimberly
Psst...if you really wanna go all out, also grab the Dip Holder that clips onto your car vents.
Get it for $8.99.
7. Make a Statement: Pretty Press-On Nails Under $10
Who needs a salon when you've got these? These affordable press-on nails come in bold nail art designs that'll make you the style icon of your friend group. Plus, with a price tag like this, you can afford to switch it up whenever you feel like it.
Via AmazonThe set comes with everything you need to apply.
Promising Review: "I love them! They looked just like I came from the nail salon. I needed these to do a product photo shoot for my business! They were definitely convenient and worth the price." – Willaim M
Get a 24-piece set for just $7.99 (available in 25 styles).
8. Go Pro with Travel Toiletry Storage: Silicone Travel Toiletry Container
No more wrestling with crappy hotel toiletries or carting around a chaotic bag! This set includes everything you need to keep your travel beauty regimen organized.
Via AmazonYou'll get four bottles, two jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers for transferring creams, a funnel for transferring liquids, a cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a clear bag to hold 'em all.
Promising Review: "This is essential for flying! I fly pretty often throughout the year and after having numerous leakage issues with regular plastic travel containers, decided to go the silicone route and am so glad I did. I love that this set includes different sizes of bottles and tools to help fill/empty them so reusing them is a breeze and there is no wasted product. The variety of colors is great so I can easily tell apart my toiletries, even without the included labels! Love this set and highly recommend it!" – Hennie S.
Get it for just $16.95.
9. Keep it Fresh: Bread Dispenser
Say so long to smushed bread! This cool dispenser prevents your bread from getting squished and helps keep it fresh. Plus, it saves space by allowing you to store your loaf vertically.
Check it out on TikTok!
Promising Reviews: "The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer, that would keep the bread from getting crushed from the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" – DRMcQuaig
"Found this recommended from a BuzzFeed article, surprisingly. It works well at keeping the bread fresh, bread ends up lasting longer. Also easy enough for the kid to open/close so no more arguments about leaving the bread bag open and causing stale bread." – A. Atilano
Get it for $12.46 (available in two colors).
10. Stop Boob Sweat: Bra Liners
Boob sweat season is coming, and it's about to start October 31st. These reusable liners keep your undergarments fresh and leave you feeling fabulous and chafe-free.
Via AmazonPromising Review: "I am not making this up, I had been wearing a soft white tube sock under the wire area of my bras this summer. It has been hotter than usual in north Georgia and I've had some very uncomfortable chafing and irritation from being so sweaty so much of the time. I had the heel of the sock pointing up in the middle. I don't even know what I was searching for on Amazon when I found these little blessings! These bra liners are soft, comfortable, well-made for the price, and not nearly as bulky as wearing tube socks! I'm so glad I found these." – Cheryl K.
Get a set of three for $14.99 (available in sizes M-2XL and in eight color combinations).
11. Travel Fund Bank
Savings just got a whole lot prettier! Store your loose change or start stashing cash for your dream vacation with this lovely bank. The five interchangeable backgrounds add a touch of whimsy to even the boring parts of life.
Promising Reviews: "It's really cute to save up for vacations, etc. It also comes with five backgrounds so you can change it whenever. Great buy.✨" – Chantaye
"I gave this to my daughter for her Disneyland fund. It is really cute and has different paper backgrounds for the back of the bank." – Cathy
Get it for $13.99 (available in three styles).
12. Clean Up the Mess: Shower Cat Hair Remover
Your roommate or S.O. might complain about all those hair strands you leave behind in the shower, but those days are over! Grab any loose hair and swipe left through the tool to trap it, then just swipe right to clean out. It's as easy as using a dating app, but actually less cringe-inducing.
Via AmazonIt's made by a small business!
Promising Review: "I first saw this product on TikTok and I knew immediately that I needed it. I just moved into a new apartment and I didn't want to be how I used to be, where I'd just let hair go down the drain and plug it eventually, or peel it off of the drain after each shower. It works great but I probably need some practice with it. I currently just floss my hair through it so it will hold them and there are a few stray hairs that don't stick." – Cari Schwartzkopf
Get it for $14.95.
13. Wash Away the Day: Laundry Soap Bar
Say goodbye to expensive laundry detergents and hello to this affordable magic bar! It not only cleans clothes like a dream but also works wonders on makeup brushes. And did we mention it's just $4?
Promising Review: "I use it to clean my makeup brushes and nothing else cleans them with ease like this." – Veronica
Via Amazon"Got grease out of a shirt that nothing else got out." – K. Hawley
Get it for just $4.01.
14. Ice Cream Bar Molds
Upgrade your homemade treats game with these dinosaur-shaped ice cream bar molds! The Dino-Skeleton Sticks add an extra fancy touch, making these the perfect summertime treat.
Via AmazonPromising Review: "I bought these as a surprise for my boyfriend's kids who love dinosaurs. The packaging was easy to open, the molds are adorable, they were easy to clean and simple to use. We made mixed berry smoothies to use as the pop and the kids had a blast mixing and pouring. The pops look so great once they're frozen! The little details in the dinos' feet and face are just adorable. And the dino skeleton as the stick is perfect, the kids absolutely loved that surprised! Highly recommend, fun for kids and adults! I just wish I would have bought two, instead of one! Will be buying the zombie molds for Halloween for sure!" – Alexis G.
Get a pack of four for $15 (available in four styles).
15. Fluffy, Lightweight Comfort: Floss Floral Strap Sandals**
Stay stylish and comfy all summer long with these affordable slide sandals. In a variety of colors and available in sizes 2/2.5-11.5/12, you might just end up getting one in every color.
Via AmazonVia AmazonPromising Review: "So cute and COMFORTABLE, literally feels like walking on clouds! And they're breathable – no sweaty feet." – Jordan
Get them for $15.99 (available in women's sizes 2/2.5-11.5/12 and 15 colors).
16. Hang In There: A Moon Phase Garland**
Add some boho chic vibes to your wall with this cute moon phase garland. Even if you use it for loose change, you'll be dreaming about your next tropical getaway every time you drop in a coin.
Promising Reviews: "It's really cute! Glamorous brush storage. This thing looks amazing, feels really sturdy, and they included a lot of pearls, so even short brushes can be stored in it." – Lindsey S.
Get it for $19.99 (available in two colors and in a vertical banner style).
17. Satisfy Your Sweet + Salty Cravings: Cookies & Cream Chex Mix**
Your taste buds will thank you when you indulge in this amazing combo of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy.
Promising Review: "These are the tastiest little snacks I have tried in years." – Kelly Angel
Get it for $5.49.
18. Tropical Touch: Personalized Beach Bag Pouch**
Upgrade your beach bag game with this pretty monogrammed pouch. Perfect for your sleeping mask, sunscreen, and other beach essentials.
This Dallas, Texas-based shop specializes in monogrammed goodies, especially for bachelorette parties.
Promising Review: "These bags are adorable! I purchased 12 for a group trip to Mexico and they were perfect! They are sturdy, hold more than expected, and the zipper is not flimsy. The monogram is adorable!" – Amy Greenstein
Get it from SprinkledWithPink for $11.99 (available in two sizes, 14 colors, and 20 monogram colors).
19. Style it Up: Glass crystal makeup brush holder**
Take your vanity or desk to the next level with this elegant holder that adds a touch of glam to your makeup brushes. Plus, the faux pearls really elevate the entire look.
Via AmazonPromising Review: "Just wow! Glamorous brush storage. This thing looks amazing, feels really sturdy, and they included a lot of pearls, so even short brushes can be stored in it." – Lindsey S.
Get it for $19.99.
20. Flip Your Hair: Chi Thermal Care Hair Care Kit**
Take your tresses to the next level with this hair care kit that promises a healthier, shinier, and more manageable mane. Ready for the ultimate transformation?
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Jordan Grigsby raves, "You see that shine? That volume? That bounce? Babyyyy my hair is FLAWLESS. Witchcraft, right? Oh, and if you could feel it?! HONEYYYY, so, so soft and silky. It is seriously bone-straight and looks and feels soooo healthy! And, my hair is NATURAL (other than the obvious blue dye); I haven’t used relaxers or keratin treatments in over 10 years. Now, I am by no means a hairstylist, and nothing tops their magical hands, but sweetieeeee, these products blow my mind. This trio does what needs to be done, and like, I did it – I delivered these results. Nothing has ever made my hair look like this unless a stylist was styling my hair. And when I step out of my house, you cannot tell me I'm not the most fabulous person in the world – I'm literally Beyoncé. My hair flows and bounces as if I have a personal fan in front of me, and I CANNOT keep my hands out of my hair. The shampoo and conditioner help get ALLLL the product buildup out of my hair and leave my hair feeling squeaky clean. Then, I add my serum (before blow-drying and again before straightening), and BAM – I'm flawless. The combo of all three is just chefs kiss, and they help protect my hair from heat damage. If you want a magic wand to set everything off, invest in the Babyliss straightener! My hairdresser uses it so I grabbed one too and now I always look like I just stepped out of the salon." Check out her full Chi Silk Infusion review.
Get it from Amazon for $24.94.
21. Tidy Up: Bag Clips**
Simplify your pantry organization with these stylish bag clips that seal your snacks securely and keep them fresh.
Reviewers say the magnetic part doesn't work well, but they're great if you just need chip bag clips.
Promising Review: "I was surprised at the quality and how chic they look! Definitely an upgrade from your normal bag clips." – Aron Cabreza
Get a set of five for $10.97.
22. Clean Up: Toilet Bombs**
Freshen up your bathroom with these adorable flower-shaped bombs that deodorize and clean your bowl. Buh-bye, nasty smell!
They're from a Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based small business specializing in bath and body products.
Promising Reviews: "I wholeheartedly wasn't expecting much – I saw this on a list and decided WTH and purchased some. They are forking amazing! The smell isn't too overpowering, and they work so nicely! You have a customer for life!" – Ashley Hockers
"These SMELL FANTASTIC!!! I've been using between toilet cleanings as well – drop one in and leave it for an hour or so and then flush – sparkling clean and smells amazing." – Michelle Way
Get a 10-pack from Blue Poppy Bath on Etsy for $11.40 (available in four scents).
23. ** tidy up: Bathtime Toy Organizer
Clean up the mess left behind after bath time with this handy organizer and scoop. Say goodbye to wasted minutes spent tidying up and watch as your little one actually enjoys helping!
Via AmazonPromising Review: "I don't know why we didn't buy it sooner! It's so easy to clean after bath now, just scoop, and all toys are in one place. It's super convenient that you can suction it to the wall, and it doesn't take much space in the bathroom. Super happy with this purchase!!!" – Ekaterina Cheremukhina
Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available with or without toys included).
Want more game changers? Check out our previous roundup of products under $25 that'll upgrade your life.
You incorporating these wonders into your life:
- You can now organize your life more effectively with the Plan N' Win Daily Pad, a 50-sheet notepad that helps you manage tasks, appointments, nutrition, and more. It's a product of a Wisconsin-based stationery biz with a generous heart. You can find it on Amazon for $12.99, or $11.69 with the Subscribe & Save option.
- The EcoMug Go-Everywhere Beverage Cup is an eco-friendly solution for your to-go beverages. This collapsible, microwave-safe cup comes in various adorable colors and is leak-proof. It's the preferred choice of BuzzFeed Shopping editor Danielle Healy. You can purchase it for $19.95 on Amazon.
- Make your haircare routine more eco-friendly with Eco-Friendly Shampoo Bars. These compact bars are perfect for travel and last 80 uses, making them a more sustainable choice. They also come in versions that doubles as shave foam. You can get your eco-friendly set for $15.51 on Instagram.
- Smile Direct Club Teeth Whitening Pens offer a convenient and less messy alternative to traditional whitening methods. Each pen lasts for 20+ uses and leaves your teeth with a Yolanda-level grin. You can grab a pair for just $13.59 on Amazon.
- Keep mealtime mess-free for your little one with the Infant Spill-Proof Snack Cup. This adorable cup prevents food from spilling, ensuring your toddler doesn't create entertaining meals for pets or car seats. You can purchase a pack of two for just $6 on Amazon.
- With the Car French Fry Holder, you can keep your fries fresh and crispy while driving. This tray fits in your car's cupholder and prevents squishing or spillage. You can get it for $8.99.
- Pretty Press-On Nails Under $10 offer bold nail art designs that will make you the style icon of your friend group. Plus, the affordable price lets you easily switch styles whenever you like. The set comes with everything you need to apply. You can get a 24-piece set for just $7.99 on Amazon.
- The Silicone Travel Toiletry Container set helps keep your travel beauty regimen organized. This set includes four bottles, two jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers for transferring creams, a funnel for transferring liquids, a cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a clear bag to hold 'em all. You can get it for just $16.95 on Amazon.
- Solve the problem of smushed bread with the Bread Dispenser. This cool dispenser prevents your bread from getting squished and helps keep it fresh. Plus, it saves space by allowing you to store your loaf vertically. You can get it for $12.46 on Amazon.
- Boob sweat season is coming, and Bra Liners are here to help! These reusable liners keep your undergarments fresh and leave you feeling fabulous and chafe-free. You can get a set of three for $14.99 on Amazon.
- The Travel Fund Bank is a stylish way to save for your dream vacation. This bank comes with interchangeable backgrounds, adding a touch of whimsy to even the boring parts of life. You can get it for $13.99 on Amazon.
- Clean up the mess in your shower with the Shower Cat Hair Remover. This tool catches loose hair as you swipe left through it, then cleans out by swiping right. It's as easy as using a dating app, but less cringe-inducing. You can get it for $14.95.
- Save money on laundry detergent with the Laundry Soap Bar. This magic bar cleans clothes like a dream and also works wonders on makeup brushes. It's just $4 on Amazon.
- Satisfy your sweet and salty cravings with Cookies & Cream Chex Mix. This combination of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy is sure to please your taste buds. You can get it for $5.49.
- Add a tropical touch to your wall with the Personalized Beach Bag Pouch. This monogrammed pouch is perfect for your sleeping mask, sunscreen, and other beach essentials. You can purchase it for $11.99 from SprinkledWithPink on Etsy.
- Elevate your vanity or desk with the Glass Crystal Makeup Brush Holder. This elegant holder adds a touch of glam to your makeup brushes, with faux pearls enhancing the design. You can find it on Etsy for $11.99.
