Shopping·13 min read

Smart Things to Buy Now That'll Save You Money Later

products that will help you save money later
Design: theSkimm | Photos: W&P, Our Place
February 16, 2024

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So you made a personal resolution to save money, but you’re not sure where to start. There are many ways to bulk up your savings account, including by spending smarter. Here we’ve found products that’ll help cut down on unnecessary expenses, from preserving your produce for longer to eliminating recurring costs like tampons. We're not here to tell you that if you stop buying single-use makeup wipes you'll be able to buy a house in a couple years. But we *do* think these small changes will end up giving your budget some wiggle room.

dyson-airstraight
Dyson

The Dyson hair tool that’s worth the investment…

Take it from us, we tested the Dyson Airstrait on four different hair types and found it’s nothing like the straightener we used in middle school. This multipurpose tool can take your hair from wet to dry, straight, and volumized in as little as 20 minutes depending on your hair type, and with much less damage than traditional hot tools. Most testers found their hair to be sleek and that their blowout lasted for days, which means less money spent at the salon. ($499.99, Dyson)

Buy it
sams-club
Sam's Club

A Sam’s Club membership…

By buying items in bulk, you’ll be making less spur-of-the-moment purchases at your pricey grocery store and saving money on gas from less trips to the store. Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive deals online, like a Dyson vacuum and a Samsung television. Psst…take 50% off a membership when you sign up now through March 31. ($25+, Sam’s Club)

Sign up
budgeting journal to keep track of monthly savings and spending
Amazon

A budget planner to help you track your spending…

Stay on top of your hard-earned cash with monthly spreads that’ll help you record things like income, rent, utilities, and groceries. Keeping track means less unnecessary spending and more reaching your financial goals. ($10.98+, Amazon)

Buy it
makeup erasing cloth that only needs water
Amazon

A reusable cloth that’ll wipe away makeup with just water...

It’s soft, won’t irritate sensitive skin, and will end your consistent buying of single-use packaged wipes. The trick is in the fabric that activates when wet and sucks all the makeup, dirt, and oil out of your pores. Once your face is clean, you can toss it in the laundry. ($20, Amazon)

Buy it
always-pan
Our Place

A nonstick pan that can truly do everything…

You don’t need to buy an entire set of pots and pans. You can use this single pan to fry, saute, steam, braise, sear, and boil, so it can handle anything from eggs to stir fries to sauces. It also comes with a beechwood spatula that sits on top of the handle and a nesting steamer basket and colander. We’ve used it countless times and love how easy it is to clean. ($150, Our Place)

Buy it
energy-saving light bulbs
Amazon

An energy-saving LED light bulb…

This bulb only uses 23 watts but is equivalent to 100 watts, so you get light that’s similar to natural sunlight, but won’t run up your energy bill. It’s also dimmable, so you can adjust it for reading at night. ($24.99/4-pack, Amazon)

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teeth whitening subscription service that creates a personal formula to prevent teeth sensitivity
Laughland

A personalized teeth-whitening kit so you can stop buying pricey strips…

Start by taking a quiz about your teeth’s sensitivity, your brushing habits, and diet. Based on your answers, you’ll get a custom formula that’s fast-acting, effective, and won’t cause sensitivity. The kit will come with your gel formula and a mouthpiece, and it promises whiter teeth in as little as six days. We’ve used this kit and swear by it. ($19/bundle subscription, Laughland)

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blow drying brush that'll give salon like blowouts
Amazon

A blow-dryer brush that’ll give you salon-like blowouts…

With this brush, you don’t have to be an expert to have a good hair day. It features three heat and speed settings, plus a cool option for styling. The oval design helps to smooth your locks and create volume. You’ll save so much just by going longer in between hair appointments. ($32.41+, Amazon)

Buy it
produce saver containers that'll keep your produce fresher for longer
Amazon

A set of containers that’ll keep your produce fresh for longer…

These containers regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide flow, so they keep your produce from spoiling before you get several meals’ worth from them. Plus, the built-in filter never needs to be replaced. Pro tip: don’t wash your produce before adding it to the containers. ($23.89/set of three, Amazon)

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mini spatulas to fit inside small jars and makeup bottles
Amazon

A mini spatula set to get every drop out of makeup bottles…

If you’ve ever owned a bottle of foundation, you know how frustrating it is to see so much go to waste. Enter these mini spatulas. They’re designed to fit in the nooks and crannies of small bottles, so you don’t have to throw away your bottles of makeup and skincare that still have product left. ($7.99/8-pack, Amazon)

Buy it
dish-cloths
Amazon

Reusable Swedish dishcloths to reduce your paper product usage…

Growing up is realizing how expensive paper towels are. You can use these cellulose cloths in lieu of both paper towels and sponges, since they’re incredibly absorbent and fast-drying. One can last up to 12 weeks and around 100 washes (you can throw them in the dishwasher or washing machine), and you can compost them when they’re done. ($16.95+/10-pack, Amazon)

Buy it
soda stream that creates fizzy water at a touch of a button
Amazon

A SodaStream that’ll give you sparkling water with the press of a button…

Instead of buying bottles or cans every week, invest in a SodaStream. Thanks to the carbonating cylinder, you’ll be able to turn regular water into fizzy water in just a few seconds. You can even add different flavors like lemon, watermelon, or cola. ($106.99, Amazon)

Buy it
baking-mat
Amazon

A reusable silicone baking mat…

This mat ensures you never have to worry about rebuying aluminum or parchment paper — better for your budget and the environment. Plus, it’s nonstick, which makes it easy to clean. Make-yourself-a-cookie nights will never be the same. ($26.76, Amazon)

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shoe-cleaner
Amazon

A shoe cleaner that will make dirty sneakers like new…

Add four drops of this concentrate to about a quart of water and use the included brush to scrub away dirt and grime. It cleans a wide array of fabrics, so instead of having to buy a new pair every few months, you can just refresh your old ones. Check out our full review and see a video where you can watch it work. ($17.97+, Amazon)

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kitchen appliance that has nine functions in one, like broiling, dehydrating, steaming, baking, and more
Amazon

An all-in-one multicooker…

This Ninja Foodi has 10 functionalities, including pressure cooking, air frying, steaming, slow cooking, and baking. It can even make yogurt, if that’s your thing. So you don’t need to spend on a million different devices. This one does it all. ($119.95, Amazon)

Buy it
cold brew maker
Amazon

A cold brew maker to save you a trip to the coffee shop…

Pour water into the base, add your favorite ground beans to the mesh filter, and insert that into the water. Leave it in your fridge overnight for a perfectly chilled cup of cold brew. Just think about all those paper cups you’re going to save. ($27.99+, Amazon)

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reusable menstrual cup made from silicone
Target

A menstrual cup you can use for a year…

This menstrual cup is a more sustainable option than single-use period products. It’s hypoallergenic, latex-free, and can provide 12-hour protection, including overnight wear. You can reuse it up to a year, so you won’t have to constantly stock up on pads and tampons. ($28.49, Target)

Buy it
reusable silicone bags for leftovers, makeup, and random items
W&P Design

A set of silicone bags you can use for all kinds of storage…

You can use the standing bags to store leftovers in your fridge and the bags that lay flat for makeup, Band-Aids, and other odds and ends, as just a few ideas. However you use them, you won’t need to keep buying plastic baggies. Plus, they can go in the microwave, dishwasher, or freezer, and can also be used to steam and sous-vide. ($80, W&P Design)

Buy it
fabric shaver
Amazon

A fabric shaver to revive your favorite clothing…

Run this handheld device over your sweaters to remove pills, fuzz, and loose threads instead of buying new ones every season. You can even use it on upholstered furniture and sheets. ($14.99, Amazon)

Buy it
coffee-cup
Amazon

A collapsible coffee cup…

Here’s another way to avoid buying coffee daily. This on-the-go mug can accommodate both hot and cold drinks, and once you’re done, you can collapse it down and toss it in your backpack to reuse later in the day. It’s incredibly compact and lightweight, so it won’t take up much space. ($14.95+, Amazon)

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Makeup Brush Cleaning Pad
Amazon

A scrubber that revives makeup brushes…

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, it’s probably time to do that. Thanks to this handy scrubber you’ll still be able to use your favorites instead of buying new ones. It thoroughly cleans bristles without damaging them, plus it suctions to your sink for better control while you clean. ($3.99, Amazon)

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Massager
Amazon

A massager that will bring the spa to you…

This rechargeable deep-tissue massager helps you target those pesky knots in the neck and lower back. It has six interchangeable heads that can also help increase circulation and relieve pain. If you sit at a computer all day, this will change your life. ($48.95, Amazon)

Buy it

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