As consumers, we're always on the hunt for the best bargain and look to avoid being ripped off.
But sometimes it's worth forking over an exorbitant amount of money for certain indulgences to spoil ourselves with, like an exotic vacation getaway or fancy new clothes from a high-end department store.
While many of us scoff at throwing away our money on luxury items, did you know you don't have to drain your bank account for items or experiences that are absolutely priceless?
Strangers online came up with a slew of economical and helpful tips when Redditor MapleLeafCollector asked:
"What life-changing thing can you buy for less than $100?"
These can improve your way of living.
For Maximum Flow
"The squatty potty (or its knockoff). Truly changed my life."
– MeatballsRegional
"You don't even need a knockoff version - I've using a little plastic stool (lol) that I got for £1 at the Pound Shop down the road for the last 20+ years."
– Slinkywhippet
For Oral Hygiene And Foot Health
"A good pair of shoes/boots (on sale, just scored $275 hiking boots for $60) and a Sonicare toothbrush. Take care of your feet and teeth, you'll be glad you did."
– ketkate
Kicking A Bad Habit
"Nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking/vaping."
"Edit:please read the thread if you want info to quit smoking. Other commenters have some really good tips."
– notseizingtheday
You can avoid major suffering by purchasing these items under $100.
Major Life Alert
"Carbon monoxide detector. Plug it in your bedroom. That way if there's the 1/1,000,000 chance your appliance or heater or whatever malfunctions you'll at least wake up before you die from suffocation in your sleep."
"EDIT: I mean wake up before you die so you can LEAVE. The goal is to avoid suffocating."
– JacobiPoke
Emergency Kit
"A decent first aid kit. I take one with me wherever I go in the car. You can make your own with good supplies for around that much. Never know when you’ll need it."
– brotbeutel
Ultimate Protection
"A condom."
– 2be0rn0t2b
"We sell single condoms in my store. I have a couple of younger customers who buy them. I charge 1 dollar, no tax because I not about to try to haggle over 7 cents."
"And I don't say anything about it. Ever. Not even have a nice day or stay safe."
"I even told my boss not to say one word about it to their moms who also come into my store."
"I am not going to do anything to make them the least bit uncomfortable about it."
– daisy0723
Simplify your life with these.
Cruise Control
"A portable air compressor for your car tires."
– likeagausss
"Mine plugs into the car outlet. So I don't have to find an outlet."
– Gibbons74
Temporary Shelter
"If you have gone totally bankrupt and those are your last 100$, a gym membership. Gives you a couple of months of access to a locker and a shower for you to find a job in the meanwhile."
– burrrrah
"I've been homeless for 5 years and the gym is the secret to maintaining a semi normal life. If you can shower and do your laundry weekly no one will ever suspect that you're homeless, and when they do find out they're usually shocked."
– DickieJohnson
It's About Size
"10 foot phone charger cord."
– 2trashkittens
"Full circle, from corded phone to corded phone. It was bound to happen."
– F'k_you_Reddit_Nazi
Grate Solution
"I got one of those cheese graters with the hand crank (like Olive Garden) 🤌🤌🤌🤌"
– South_Bit1764
"So now you can have that awkward moment at home with family when you don’t know if now is too much cheese or a second ago…."
– Right_Plankton9802
Like A Big Warm Hug
"A heated throw. Honestly saves you so much money in the winter and makes you more comfortable. Life changing because who can afford to heat their house all day every day through winter."
– Eurghunderstandme
My husband and I bought GoSund smart plugs and paired it with our virtual assistant system.
Now, whenever we come home from a night out, either one of us can vocally command Alexa to turn the lights on in our home without us going to every lighting source to turn them on manually.
It's definitely a game-changer.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@islamoradalover/Bluesky
@hillbillybluedog/Bluesky