You don't have to spend a fortune on things that are aimed to improve your life.
All it takes is a bit of research or opening your eyes to the possibilities around you that can have a profound and positive effect without breaking the bank.
Fortunately, the internet was here to help with suggestions when Redditor ShrimpSherbet asked:
"Which item priced under $50 has had the most significant impact on your life?"
For A Peaceful Night's Rest
"Sheet fasteners. they're under 10 bucks. my mattress topper, and mattress are just too tall for fitted sheets. even though i buy 'extra deep pocketed fitted sheets.' now my fitted sheet stops sliding off the bed and bunching up at night. it's saved me endless irritation."
– OpticalInfusion
For Ultimate Comfort
"Boot dryer."
"Purchased while on sale at Amazon for me by a friend, and it has attachments to dry out both wet boots and gloves. I'm also an amputee, so I use it to dry out the liners I wear on my leg after washing them. I used to have to cringe while I dragged a cold liner on in the morning, and now I can just heat that sucker up in the morning too."
"Game changer."
– Complaint-Expensive
Getting It Right In The Kitchen
"Meat Thermometer (fast acting)."
"I used to overcook meat all the time just making sure it was done. When you can poke a thermometer in and get an almost-immediate reading of internal temperature, you end up with safe but juicy meat!"
"It turns out I use it for a lot of other things as well. Steaming milk? Perfect!"
– mks113
Brilliant Joy
"I bought a mushroom shaped lamp that has mirrors on it like a disco ball. Every morning when i wake up my room is covered with light sparkles, and every night the streetlight outside shines on it and covers my room with what looks like stars. It’s my favorite piece of art in my home."
– Conscious_Star_1995
Hydration Companion
"My giant hydro flask. That is now 10 years old and covered in layers of stickers from my travels. I drink so much water because of that thing."
– fishNpoi
A Son Is Born
"That bag of weed 17 years ago that caused us to throw caution to the wind. Next year he's off to college."
– notevergreens
"Nope. They are just dumping him at college without telling him. Hopefully he will be accepted."
– tripudiator
The Perfect Lunch
"I got a really good sandwich at the grocery store down the street. It was store roasted beef on a hard roll with horseradish cream, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles. It cost me seven dollars. I ate it on a bench in the sunlight. I also had an iced tea with it. I read part of a book on my phone at the time. It was really nice."
– jarfin542
Physical Empowerment Growth
"First martial arts lesson, which is always the hardest. It's been very significant since. New friends, new skills, new lifestyle, new perspective, new purpose."
– StaunchMeerkat
Hygienic Upgrade
"Switched to a double-edge safety razor recently, and it's probably the best switch I've ever made."
"Smoother shave, smoother skin, less irritation, and you feel like and old-school bad*ss every morning."
"I landed on a Merkur-34C handle and Feather blades, for those interested, but opinions on those vary a ton."
– Modern_rocko
A Not-So-Positive Impact
"apparently you can develop allergies to foods that you used to eat."
"i had not eaten carrots in some years, because i was never really a fan but my mom would make me eat them as a kid."
"so anyway, i had some carrots this year and almost straight up died, they nearly choked me to death by swelling up my throat and closing the air way."
"later at the ER i was told that i had become deathly allergic, so now i must be super vigilant."
"so thats the story of how a 12 dollar bag of carrots had a huge impact on my life."
– Opinionated-Femboy
Here's The Story
"The drinks I bought for my future wife and her friend when I introduced myself to them in line at a bar 10 years ago."
– jdsizzle1
All-In-One
"I have ADHD and am constantly found without my debit/credit cards, metrocard, cash or ID."
"So I got a phone case with a bunch of card holder pockets in the back. It’s been a few months and it’s working out very well."
– XelaWarriorPrincess
Perfect For Tracking
"I have an AirTag on my keys and wallet. If I leave the house without one of them I get a notification. If I can’t find where the heck I put my keys down in my 1 bed apartment (seriously, how do I keep loosing my keys in the same 730 sq ft) I can use find my to pinpoint exactly where they are hiding."
– Darkelement
For The Home Mechanic
"A set of socket wrenches and an oil filter wrench... Don't know how much money it really saves me but at least I don't have to worry about the local "we lube it fast" chain forgetting to tighten the oil plug."
– PyroSpecialFX
Love Connection
"boosted myself on Tinder and then almost immediately matched with my now wife."
– Jawa_III
"Same here, just Bumble! Set it at a 50 mile radius and blindly swiped during a road trip between three major cities."
"Matched with her where I'd never have matched if not for the road-trip. Turns out my work relocated me 4 miles away from her place a month after we met, and the rest is history!"
– swoop1156
Buying myself a wine bottle opener for $25 at T.J. Maxx was one of the best purchases I've ever made.
I was never good at manually uncorking a bottle. It would be time-consuming and the process would also cause me to strain my neck.
Not anymore! It may not have made a huge impact, but it did help with winding down without unecessary stress after work.