Affordable improvements
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a CD slot phone holder that clips into the dashboard to position the phone near the AC vent for cooling.
Dashmount and window mounts get too hot in summer; this keeps the phone cool.
- Dashmount and window mounts do not work because they get too hot.
one person who lived it
Walk outside for 20-30 minutes without a phone or music to calm your brain.
Your brain feels much calmer after a week of doing this.
one person who lived it
Try a weighted blanket if you struggle with sleep.
One person reported they don't want to sleep without one anymore.
one person who lived it
Use a leather hole punch to add holes to belts and shoe straps after weight loss.
It allows you to continue wearing items instead of replacing them.
one person who lived it
Buy a used crock pot as a frugal investment.
One person found it to be their best food investment in a long time.
2 people, independently
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Use a dedicated alarm clock with a large snooze button instead of a cell phone.
Use a hot water bag for long-lasting warmth.
it stays warm for hours
one person who lived it
Use a dedicated alarm clock with a large snooze button instead of a cell phone.
It prevents feeling around for the phone at night and avoids the phone falling under the bed.
2 people, independently
Use a Bluetooth sleep mask to listen to audio while sleeping.
It allows listening to music, podcasts, or meditations without wires.
one person who lived it
Install a coded door lock to avoid fishing for keys.
It is more convenient and can be cheap.
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Mount a dash holder for your cell phone in the car.
It is safer when using the phone for directions and prevents dropping the phone into hard-to-reach areas.
one person who lived it
Use a book clip for hands-free reading, which may increase the likelihood of picking up a book.
It allows you to be hands-free while doing fidgety things.
one person who lived it
Hang fairy lights in your room to create a cozy atmosphere.
It makes the room feel much more cosy.
one person who lived it
Keep extra earbuds in your laptop bag and purse.
You never know when you will need them.
one person who lived it
Use a height-regulated computer desk with monitor stands and an ergonomic setup to alleviate wrist, neck, and back pain.
Properly setting arm height and screen ergonomics does wonders for pain.
one person who lived it
Place a bread machine outdoors in summer to bake.
It allows baking without heating up the house.
one person who lived it
Choose a heated mattress pad over a heated blanket.
It is next level.
one person who lived it
Consider an 18-inch or under-the-sink dishwasher for smaller spaces.
Standard dishwashers are 24 inches wide.
one person who lived it
Place a laptop stand on your desk to improve eye comfort and store small items underneath.
It is more comfortable for the eyes and saves space by allowing storage underneath.
one person who lived it
Use an inexpensive lunchbox to keep leftovers cold and feel happy about bringing lunch to work.
It keeps lunch cold, draws compliments, and makes you feel happy about bringing leftovers.
one person who lived it
If you struggle with cluttered desks or vanities, use trays from the dollar store to organize surfaces.
Keeping things organized becomes easier.
one person who lived it
Sous vide chicken using an immersion circulator for juicier results.
It prevents overcooking and produces very juicy meat.
one person who lived it
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Use an Instant Pot for quick, easy cooking and batch preparation.
Freeze chicken breasts individually to thaw and marinate one at a time.
It allows you to prepare single portions for meals like salads without thawing the whole pack.
one person who lived it
Decorate your home with colors and items you love to create a sanctuary.
Your home is where you spend most of your time.
one person who lived it
Use a rice cooker to prepare brown rice.
It saves time and guesswork.
one person who lived it
Identify chronic minor annoyances in your day and spend money or time fixing them.
This is a way to focus on purchases.
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Research how to dress for your body shape and buy quality clothes that suit your figure; if you are a woman, also invest in a good haircut, style, makeup, and eyebrows.
It makes you feel good.
one person who lived it
If you want to quit soda, try making your own kombucha with a starter kit.
One person reported this helped them kick the soda habit.
one person who lived it
Replace multiple blankets with one large comforter for warmth.
One person reported needing only this one item instead of 3-4 blankets.
one person who lived it
Use an Instant Pot for quick, easy cooking and batch preparation.
It allows for fast, unattended cooking of large batches, replacing multiple appliances and reducing the risk of burning food.
3 people, independently
Buy appliances like Instant Pots used for less money.
Many people buy them, use them once, and then sell them.
one person who lived it
Grow herbs in any container to make cheap meals tasty.
Free herbs make cheap meals tasty.
one person who lived it
Journal daily to record thoughts, plan the next day, and review improvements.
It helps organize what you have done and improved.
one person who lived it
Install a shower chair or bench to sit while showering.
Sitting provides relief and makes tasks like leg shaving easier.
one person who lived it
Use separate to-do list apps for work tasks and personal weekly tasks, including a bonus list for grocery items, to stay organized.
It helps when supporting multiple clients and keeps you on task.
one person who lived it
Grow a beard to batch maintenance tasks during free time rather than shaving daily.
You can defer most maintenance to times when you are not busy, even if total time spent is similar to daily shaving.
one person who lived it
Use a slow cooker to prepare a wide variety of meals.
It is amazingly useful.
one person who lived it
Buy cotton yarn at church bazaar sales to support local groups.
It supports local groups.
one person who lived it
Use a double air fryer to replace oven usage.
One person barely uses their oven now.
one person who lived it
Invest in a higher-end robot vacuum with mapping capabilities for better performance.
Cheaper models bounce randomly, while expensive ones use lasers to map the house and allow blocking off areas.
one person who lived it
Use scented oils or pillow sprays at bedtime for relaxation.
They help with relaxation and the user enjoys falling asleep smelling them.
one person who lived it
Create a physical cookbook binder to reduce screen time and increase cooking motivation.
One unemployed person found it more enjoyable than screen time and helped them feel less shitty about themselves while cooking a lot.
one person who lived it
If you lack in-unit laundry, use a utility wagon to transport loads to the laundry room.
It eliminates the exhaustion of carrying heavy loads of clothes.
one person who lived it
Buy pencil cups and drawer organizers from going-out-of-business sales to reduce desk clutter.
It makes the room look neat, helps you find items, and provides plenty of desk space.
one person who lived it
Keep a notepad on the fridge to add grocery items immediately when needed.
It makes shopping easier, cheaper, and faster.
one person who lived it
Keep houseplants to beautify your room and boost happiness.
They make the room look beautiful and can improve mood, especially in winter.
one person who lived it
Try playing an instrument or engaging in creative activities; one person found picking up the piano did not regret it.
Creativity is important.
one person who lived it
Try Thai nasal inhalers, such as the Poy-sian brand, for aromatic relief.
Sniffing aromatic things is popular there.
one person who lived it
Buy seed packets for gardening, which provides immediate therapeutic benefits and later yields food or cut flowers; collect seeds for the next season.
Gardening is very therapeutic.
one person who lived it
Keep your clothing inventory proportional to your laundry cycles rather than having excess.
Having the right amount prevents additional stress from washing, drying, and ironing.
one person who lived it
Incorporate color into your environment.
One source suggests colors can change outcomes, such as increasing graduation likelihood in colorful schools.
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Use Bar Keepers Friend to cut through tough stains.
Use a cast iron pan for frying and browning.
It fries and browns better than Teflon.
- The pan may be finicky when new.
one person who lived it
Use Xtra fine Uni Ball Vision pens for line work.
They provide super dark ink and look like a dip pen without the hassle.
one person who lived it
Use Bar Keepers Friend to cut through tough stains.
It contains oxalic acid, which is effective at cutting through stains.
2 people, independently
Keep a small mesh strainer in the cupboard to drain beans or rice, scoop hard-boiled eggs, or dust powdered sugar.
It takes up little space but is big enough for these tasks.
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Use a coarse plastic sponge to exfoliate your body and wash your face in the shower.
It helps keep skin looking good.
one person who lived it
Wear Ofoos slides around the house for arch support and comfort.
They are much better for feet than slippers.
one person who lived it
Use a deep tissue massager to relieve muscle tension.
One person realized how much tension they were carrying around after using one.
one person who lived it
Apply vegetable oil or peanut butter to clothes to remove tar.
Vegetable oil helps get the tar off; some people prefer peanut butter because it sticks better.
one person who lived it
If you struggle with indoor bugs, try using diatomaceous earth.
One person reported it kept their home relatively bug-free, with no wasps gaining entry.
one person who lived it
Use melamine foam sponges to clean various surfaces.
They act like super fine sandpaper and can clean almost anything.
one person who lived it
Use a cover for plates when microwaving food.
It prevents food splatter inside the microwave.
one person who lived it
Use a metal cat litter scoop for durability and ease of use.
Cheap scoopers break or flip litter; a metal one feels sturdier and makes the task faster.
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Use silicone nonstick mats for baking sheets to replace foil and parchment paper.
They are easier, cheaper, and create lower waste.
one person who lived it
Wear merino wool socks for isolation, quick drying, and odor resistance.
They isolate even when wet, dry quickly, and resist stinking.
one person who lived it
Use forearm forklifts when moving heavy or awkward items.
One person described it as essential for moving such items.
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Use Shoe Goo, a waterproof epoxy, for versatile repairs on boots and shoes.
It is clear, fast-drying, semi-removable, and highly versatile.
one person who lived it
Use a slap chop for faster, easier onion dicing without tears.
It makes the process faster and eliminates tearing up.
one person who lived it
Use a yoga mat for floor exercises if you dislike carpeting.
it allows for yoga, foam rolling, and stretching routines without touching carpet
one person who lived it
Use cotton or linen bedsheets for better breathability.
They breathe better than cheap alternatives.
one person who lived it