21 Things Under $25 That'll Upgrade Your Life

A stress-relieving ring, color-coded knives, an effortlessly chic dress, and more super-affordable things to help you take it to the next level.

1. Soft silicone glasses grips eye am sure will make your frames more secure and comfy.

Amazon

Promising review: "Finally, the solution to my problem. My eyeglasses would always dig into the back of my ear on one side, not to mention that they'd slip down my nose from time to time. I tried a different pair of guards and they just did not do the job. I purchased these and what a difference — my glasses have never fit better, and oftentimes I forget to take them off because they're so comfortable. Best purchase decision EVER." —Andrea Lincoln

Get five pairs from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors).

2. Affresh washing machine cleaning tablets to get your washer sparkling brighter than Cinderella's floors. Because the thing you use to wash your clothes can do a better job if it's also clean itself — duh!

Amazon, amazon.com

Just pop one into your empty machine, run a cycle, and let it do its thing!

Promising review: "I've been using bleach to clean my machine for some time, but decided to give this a try a few months ago. My very first clean with Affresh left me surprised and delighted, for not only did it clean my machine, but it eliminated the nasty smell that always transferred to my clothes thanks to a buildup of mold I didn't even know about. Every month now, I toss a tablet into the drum and let it work its magic. Now my machine is cleaner than ever, and my clothes always smell wonderfully fresh. I highly recommend this to everyone." —Kelli Crawford

Get a box of six tablets from Amazon for $11.99.

3. The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges, which'll break down basically every resolution you've ever made into easy, attainable, mini challenges.

Amazon

It has seven sections: Fitness, Food, Self-Care, Mindfulness, Organization & Productivity, Networking & Relationships, and Creativity & Learning. Each challenge is small and flexible for even the busiest people, but they really add up. For example, the running challenge only asks that you run every day — it doesn't say how fast or how long. Some other downright doable challenges? Read 20 pages a day, take a photo every day, floss properly, and meditate daily for 10 minutes.

Promising review: "'Brilliant' is not a word I toss around lightly, but The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges is brilliant! The table of contents doesn't include anything I wouldn't like to be in my routine, and includes most things I've said I would like to do, such as meditate, sleep better, wake up earlier, drink more water, walk 10,000 steps — you get the idea. Almost all of these good habits have always seemed too difficult/too time-consuming/too overwhelming, — just too much! The good approach I learned from this book is 'one thing at a time.' Trying to 'get in shape' is not really a goal, but to just run, or just train for a plank, or just do yoga (one thing at a time), makes the goal manageable, and the 30-day challenge makes it doable. The challenges cut across all aspects of my life — exercise, food, creativity, relationships — and include the exact types of habits that will make a real, positive, difference in life." —Sandra Damm

Get it from Amazon for $10.18+.

4. Leak-proof, microwave-safe bento box meal prep containers that'll not only get you to actually prepare food ahead of time for once, but look hella Pinterest-worthy once you do.

Amazon, amazon.com

They've got over 1,000 positive reviews!

Promising review: "I absolutely love these! They're great quality. I'm able to refrigerate, freeze, or microwave them without any problems. The compartments each easily fit about a cup. These containers are perfect for helping you stay on track with eating healthy or just to simplify your life. It's so nice to not have to cook dinner every evening. I just cook a lot over the weekend, meal prep for the week, then pop the containers into the freezer. The night before I put them in the fridge to defrost, then I'll just microwave them when I'm ready to eat." —Stephanie O

Get a set of 20 from Amazon for $16.99.

5. A fun 15-piece baking set to brighten up your kitchen and actually motivate you to get a (better late than never) start on your 2019 resolution to actually bake something from scratch instead of a dang mix.

Walmart

It includes a large mixing bowl and lid, five color-coded measuring bowls, five color-coded measuring spoons, two silicone spatulas, and a whisk.

Get it from BuzzFeed's Tasty collection at Walmart for $19.96.

6. A stainless steel ring with a spinning outer band that is basically a stylish fidget spinner you can wear and is here to help you give anxiety, ADHD, and bad habits the finger.

Amazon, amazon.com

Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this ring.

Promising review: "Having suffered with debilitating pain for many years, I'm determined to live narcotic-free. I have ADHD, and I've learned that one part of my brain needs to be busy so the primary part of my brain can concentrate on whatever task is at hand. I decided to try this as my first fidget ring. It fits on my ring finger and my thumb perfectly. It rests just below the middle knuckle. This ring keeps my mind busy when the pain becomes distracting. I find the textured surface to be comforting. The ring spins quite freely and without much effort. I can remove it with ease as long as my joints aren't swollen. I sort through donations for work, so it gets dirty and hit with alcohol wipes often. After a month, it still looks brand new and spins with ease. I now only notice my pain 23.5 hours a day, so I consider this money very well spent." —Stephanie Anne

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in sizes 4-12 and in six colors).

7. Absolutely genius bed sheet fasteners that'll actually keep your damn fitted sheet in place. Because a life where I don't constantly have to fix my bedding, even after I toss and turn? That's the kind of life I want to lead.

Amazon

*Extremely Miranda Priestly voice* Am I reaching for the stars here? Not really.

Promising review: "My husband turns a lot in his sleep and has always woken up with the fitted sheet halfway off his side of the bed. We bought these and we have NEVER once had to adjust the sheet in the morning! These are amazing! They're the kind of thing you'll never know how you lived without before." —LinseyB

Get a set of four from Amazon for $8.99.

8. A bottle of Trader Joe's yummy everything bagel seasoning to upgrade absolutely everything you eat.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This is garlicky, salty perfection. So far I've used this on homemade popcorn, roasted broccoli, and fried eggs. They were all amazing. I've had it less than a week and I've already gone through a quarter of the bottle. I'll definitely repurchase and recommend to all of my friends." —Britta

Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on everything bagel seasoning for even more ideas on how to use it.

Get it from Amazon for $6.79.

9. The Body Shop's vegan Vitamin C Glow-protect SPF 30 lotion for an upgrade on your regular sun protection. Not only does this stuff lend your skin an extra beachy ~glow~, but it's specially formulated to be "reef safe" — aka free of certain chemicals thought to damage ocean ecosystems. Harm the environment? Beach, please.

The Body Shop

Promising review: "I needed to really start/keep using a daily sunscreen product, but was hesitant to try anything because of my oily skin and adult acne (I'm 50). Thank goodness I took the chance!!! This goes on light, is not greasy at all, covers nicely, and has a wonderful light scent of orange. It didn’t break me out or make my skin more oily and/or sensitive. Every product I've ever tried at The Body Shop has always been of excellent quality and haven’t come across any of their products that I have been allergic/sensitive to. And I love that they’re against animal testing and always give back!" —DRJENJEN

Get it from The Body Shop for $18.40.

10. Ergonomic fit in-ear headphones that over 46,000 reviewers swear by and that expensive earbuds wish they could be.

Amazon, amazon.com

Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on these headphones.

I actually bought these last month and I love them! I don't get excited about electronics and didn't think I would see what all the fuss was about, but I totally do. First of all, I love all the colors they come in (I got metallic purple) and the sound quality. And they are COMFY!!!! Yes, you do have to get used to figuring out which side goes in which ear because they are a little oddly shaped, but that's what makes them feel great — they've got a flat part that lies on the flat part of your ear (very technical terms I know) so they feel like a perfect fit. Plus, they come with three different sets of ear pads in different sizes so you can make them just right for you.

Promising review: "Compared to MANY other earbuds that I've had that cost $75, $100, $150...these sound as good as any of them. I'm astounded! I use these for running. I figured for $8, I could afford to sweat up a few of these and replace them whenever I needed to. I'VE RUN 1,500 MILES WITH THESE in the last year and a half! I've gone through four pairs of New Balance shoes, two iPod Shuffles, three pairs of sunglasses, and I'm on the SAME set of earbuds! And THEY STILL SOUND GREAT! They stay in my ears, too!" —Gene Goodell

Ge them from Amazon for $7.85+ (available in 15 colors and with or without a mic).

11. A comfy leopard T-shirt dress for anyone who's ~wild~ about the idea of taking their spring style to the next level while feeling like they're wearing loungewear.

Amazon

You can style this baby about a zillion ways, like with tights and boots for every day now or bare legs and strappy heels for a night out when it gets warmer. And don't even get me started on how cool it would look under a jean or pleather jacket!

Promising review: "I feel great in this dress. The print is the same as the photograph and the fit flatters my full figure. The material is light and slippery, similar to pajamas, and perfect for summertime. I'm obsessed with leopard print and this dress is versatile and on-trend. I'm very pleased with this purchase." —Gary Bondy

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes XS-XL and 18-26 and in 10 styles).

12. A transparent nail polish organizer so you can get your huge collection organized once and for all (and never have to rummage in your drawer to find that perfect pastel pink again). Nailed it!

Amazon, amazon.com

It can hold 48 bottles, and can also be used for other small items you may have a ton of, like spools of thread or essential oil bottles. Plus it's got over 1,500 positive reviews!

Promising review: "I was previously using a bag, but I wanted to become more organized with my tools and my polishes. It's only my personal use nail stuff, but I hate the clutter. I'm so happy with this! It has adjustable compartments on the sides, so I use those for clippers, cuticle tools, files, etc. I'm able to fit several different common polish brands in the slots. The slots are wide and tall enough for a wide range of polishes." —Eller

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors).

13. A starter set of knives that aren't just regular kitchen knives, they're fun kitchen knives. But the colors serve a purpose, too — they help prevent cross-contamination by reminding you which knife you used for what!

Amazon

It includes a chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife, slicing knife, utility knife, and santoku knife.

Promising review: "This is my best buy of the month, and best knife buy of the year. Yeah, I've had sharper, better quality knives in the past, but for hundreds of dollars more. For basic kitchen use, this is the set to buy. I like that they're colorful, because I've already been able to familiarize myself with which knife is which color and what I need to use them for. I haven't had to sharpen them yet and I've been using them pretty steadily for about a month. The blade cases they come with are extremely handy. I like that I don't have to use a knife block. These fit nicely in my drawer. At this price, they are worth every penny. I wouldn't have a problem spending $40-$50 for these knives." —GWP

Get a set of six knives with covers from Amazon for $19.99.

14. NYX Honey Dew Me Up primer, which is made with gold flakes, honey, and collagen to make both your skin and your makeup look even better. Talk about a glow up.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I don't know how I lived without this. Seriously, buy it. My skin NEVER looks this good. Mix it with your foundation and then apply to your cheekbones before using a powder highlight, and then be amazed at your complexion. The bottle isn't huge, but it only takes a little bit to get the desired results. I'll be buying this product over and over again for a long time." —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

15. A work-appropriate knit skirt that's actually — *gasp* — comfy, and is sure to make you write off your constricting, stuffy pencil skirts for good.

Walmart

A comfy upgrade = the best kind of upgrade. Check out more cute things that'll make dressing for work a breeze.

Promising review: "I love this comfortable skirt! I've been looking for work skirts that are more comfortable and just less stuffy than traditional suit skirts, but still have a tailored look. Now I've found one! I have the plaid one, and it looks SO nice with black hose/tights and is so comfy, so I'm back for the windowpane print. It's such a comfy and nice-looking work skirt!" —KayDay

Get it from Walmart for $16.87 (available in sizes 6-10 and in three colors and prints).

16. OMG-worthy pet sunglasses to seriously upgrade your Insta grid. Just don't be surprised if you furry friend starts throwing shade.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Honestly, guys, the review photos for this product have added years to my life.

Get them from Amazon for $6.98.

17. A clever clasp that'll allow you to easily layer necklaces without them getting tangled, plus keep sets you like to wear together so you can put them on at the same time.

TheresaRose/Etsy, Kayla Suazo/BuzzFeed

The two sides of the clasp come apart and fasten together (but not by a lobster clasp, because who has time for that?!?), and each side hooks to one end of the necklaces. Oh, this perfectly layered jewelry combo? I just threw it on.

Promising review: "I recently bought a couple of these and had one of those very real WHY DIDN'T I BUY ONE OF THESE SOONER moments. They do an amazing job at keeping your necklaces from tangling as you wear them, and I love that I can layer several of my favorites at once. I am forever sold on these." —Kayla Suazo, BuzzFeed writer

Get it from TheresaRose on Etsy for $11.50+ (available in two colors and for two strands or three).

18. A pretty and professional business card holder that's a major step up from just stashing your cards in the little cardboard box they came in. You'll impress your networking contacts before you even hand over your deets!

Amazon

It can hold up to 30 cards and the flap is magnetic to keep it securely closed.

Promising review: "This is an adorable business card holder. It also has a pocket in the front to put your driver's license and a credit card. It's perfect for going to networking events so you don’t have to lug a big purse around. I’m always getting compliments on it!" —Dana

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in eight colors, including a pink glitter one I bet Elle Woods would trade her scented resume for).

19. The Invisibobble Sprunchie, which looks like the infamous hair accessory of your youth but has a modern twist — it's designed to be extra comfy and not leave behind an annoying post-ponytail crease.

Sephora

One of my coworkers has the leopard one and she loves it! These cuties are made with Invisibobble traceless hair elastics (I swear by the plain, non-scrunchie ones) inside the velvet-y, '90s-throwback exterior.

Promising review: "I love this product! I can't leave my house without my Sprunchie — it holds my ponytail perfectly and leaves no marks on my hair after using it. The best part is that there's no hair breakage or crazy knots when I take it off. I highly recommend!!" —wynar01

Get it from Sephora for $8 (available in three colors and prints).

20. A faux leather dinosaur charm to upgrade a basic bag and make boring accessories ~extinct~.

Forever 21

Get it from Forever 21 for $5.90.

21. And a cute lunch bag with a crossbody strap, because seriously who was the jerk who decided most lunch bags should have impossibly short handles so schlepping them to work is as big of a pain in the ass as possible????

ModCloth

Seriously, WHO???? I have some choice words for him!!!

This significantly-easier-to-carry wonder is also insulated and has a magnetic snap closure.

Get it from ModCloth for $25.

Also check out last month's roundup of things under $25 that'll upgrade your life.

Now go kick life's butt with the help of all these products!

4Kids Entertainment

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget!

BuzzFeed