8 Under $22 Purchases That Honestly Make My Life Better Every Day

Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness may be right on a moral level, but on a material one, I'd completely disagree. The trick to getting money to equate to happiness is to save, invest, and spend it wisely.

Sometimes, that means building your wealth with a diverse portfolio so you can quickly retire. Sometimes, that means putting a trip on a credit card to see sights you've only dreamt of. And sometimes, it means purchasing small, simple things that make your day-to-day life just a little more manageable. 

While the first two might feel out of reach, here are eight of my favorite small purchases that make a daily difference in my life. 

Price: $22 (Amazon)

To be transparent, I got these as a Christmas gift from my late mother-in-law about 12 years ago. I laughed at the gift at the time, but man, I am so thankful for them now. 

I've had these sheers for over a decade, never sharpened them once, and I swear they can cut through anything. I've used them to bite through rigid wire, I've used them to trim thick branches, and I've used them to neatly slice paper. They are worth every penny. 

Price: $8.99 (Amazon)

During the pandemic, I became ever so slightly obsessed with plants. My plants needed a lot of direct sunlight to thrive, but I didn't want to give up the privacy my curtains gave me, so I invested in this $8.99 roll of privacy film. 

I measured each pane, cut them out, sprayed water to adhere to the glass, smoothed it with an old credit card, and instantly got full coverage. The sun peaks through the film beautifully, and you can't see anything from the street.

Plus, around 8 am, my living room dances in rainbows in the mornings. 

Price: $6.99 (Target)

My kitchen is not big and is admittedly weirdly designed. I have to use every square inch since a complete renovation is out of the question. I was hanging my cleaning gloves over the faucet for the longest time to drip-dry when I realized a $6 pack of hooks could solve my problems.

I wiped the sides of my cabinets down with rubbing alcohol, stuck the hook to the clean surface, and could hang my towels, gloves, and oven mitts in an accessible place over my sink. 

Price: $4.99 (Amazon)

We're big fans of smoothies for breakfast over here. They are so quick and filling, but trying to drink from those dinky disposable straws was a frustrating endeavor.

So I solved my problem with $5 and a quick shipping from Amazon. They've held up for three years now and are easy to clear with the provided straw cleaners. 

Now, I no longer fight for my life just to get through breakfast. 

Price: $12.38 (Amazon)

I was never the biggest fan of microwaved food, but when I became a mom, that food snobbery went right out the window. Still, I struggled with the microwave settings for years to get the temperature just right. 

After wasting countless minutes finagling with the timing and power mode (and an unbelievable amount of wet paper towels strategically placed to cover dishes), I broke down and bought a set of 2 splatter covers. 

Not only does it help keep the microwave cleaner, but it also helps evenly cook food. I save time and energy with this simple purchase, and that is worth every cent, in my opinion. 

Price: $5.99 (Trader Joe's)

Look, this mom is a busy woman, and washing and styling my hair does not make the top of my to-do list daily. I, however, do like to at least look like I have it together, and this nifty little product helps with that so much. 

One tiny pump to my dry hair on non-wash days, and it'll feel silky, smooth, and tamed. The product contains argan oil, moringa seed oil, chia seed oil, and vitamin E, which not only controls frizz but helps protect against heat damage if I do find a few minutes to style it. 

Plus, it smells like heaven.

Price: $12.99 (Amazon) 

To help myself age a little more gracefully, I started investing in small products that can make a big difference, and these gloved are among them. 

I certainly couldn't swing an exfoliation spa treatment weekly, but I can set my alarm 5 minutes earlier once a week and rake things scratchy glove over my body for the same effect. 

The rough material scrapes away dead skin cells, leaving a glowing and smoother surface that lasts for a few days. It also helps skin absorb skincare products better and helps prevent ingrown hairs. 

You get two for $12.99, and while it's admittedly a little uncomfortable to use them, I never feel cleaner afterward when I rinse. 

Price: $8.99

My skin is drier in the winter than the Sahara desert. My back would routinely feel like it was on fire with itching, so I invested roughly $9 in this simple back lotion applicator, and it was a game-changer. 

I simply lather the lotion on the pad and use the long handle to spread it evenly across my back. Easily some of the best money I've ever spent in my life. 

The truth is, I suffered longer than necessary in various situations because I didn't make these purchases sooner. They are simple but impactful, and if you're going to get routing use of them, they are worth spending the money on. 

You can throw away your money in many ways, but taking the time to make your day (or life) go easier is genuinely worth every cent. 

Now, I routinely look around my house and go: "What's causing me grief?" and if I can solve it with a trip to the store or a click of a button, that's precisely what I'm doing.