You’ve seen those shirts, right? The ones that say, “Life is good?” They’re usually adorned with a little cartoon figure, affectionately known as Jake, engaged in a bunch of different activities like fishing, eating ice cream or playing guitar. And, sure, all of those things can definitely contribute to life being good, but you know what makes life better? Stuff. Now listen, I’m not talking about indiscriminate buying here; I’m talking about purposeful purchases that don’t just make life good… they make life significantly better. That’s what this list is all about. I’ve curated 37 products below that I truly believe will make your overall life even better than it is: A lid you can snap onto partially-consumed cans of soda, cleaners that do most of the work for you (because who has time for that when you’re living your best life?!), and glasses that make it easier to see while driving at night. That’s just the beginning, though; you’ll have to keep reading to see what other tricks I have up my “Life Is Good” sleeve.
Save Money And Just Put A Lid On It
One of my biggest pet peeves is opening a soda can and not being able to finish it. If you leave it in the refrigerator and then it goes off and looses it’s bubbles. These beverage can lids won’t make the cans drink themselves, but they’ll at least keep them fresh and tidy until you’re ready for another sip. Clear and made in a snap-on style, they are drinking straw-accessible and will help your drink keep it bubbles longer than an opened, but unsealed can.
A Pair of Touchscreen Stylus Pens
Multi-purpose gadgets just make me happy and these multi tool pens are pretty high on my list. They combine a super-bright LED light, stylus, standard and metric rulers, bubble leveler, bottle opener, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers and a ballpoint pen in one sturdy aluminum-bodied device that’ll fit easily in your pocket. This purchase includes two pens — one to keep and one to give, if you can part with it.
Scrubbing the Stone
There are a lot of “stone” references out there — the movie, “Romancing The Stone,” or the musical group, “The Rolling Stones.” But, what do you know about a scrubbin’ stone? Made of recycled glass heated and treated in a method similar to the formation of volcanic pumice stone, this stone is the perfect cleaning solution for your grungy outdoor grill.
Just Hook, Mount and Go
You know it. I know it. The whole world knows it. We need to be getting more exercise and spending more time outdoors instead of perched in front of our televisions for hours on end. This phone mount for bikes and motorcycles might entice you into the great outdoors more since you can take your shows and tunes with you effortlessly.
Be Your Own Barista
Sure, you could go to the coffee shop, sit in a lengthy drive-thru line, overpay for a coffee and then throw half of it away… or, you could roll out of bed, make your brew at home and enjoy it while your feet are propped up on the coffee table. This premium milk frother delivers that delicious foamy top you love on your drinks without the $7 overpriced charge.
A Hairy Situation
I know you’re looking at this picture like, “What is this? Is it flour? Is it salt?” What if I told you it’s hair powder? Hair powder is great for people with short and/or thin hair because a small shake adds volume, texture and thickness when applied in small quantities to the hair. Adding a matte finish to your coif, it’s the perfect accompaniment to give you that modern look without trying too hard.
Brush It Off
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to do a better job cleaning my makeup brushes, which I’ve probably already broken by the time you read this. This Luxe makeup brush cleaner is my next step because it basically does the cleaning for you. Simply add water and your preferred cleaning solution to the bowl, insert the brush and watch it whisk about dirt, germs and residue.
Make Chores Fun
Are you tired of handing out — and enforcing — chores like you’re the commander of a very tiny, frustrating army? These chore sticks are a creative way to get the smallest people in your home to do the simplest tasks like taking their dirty clothes to the laundry room or picking up their toys. Each container includes 50 chore sticks, which include eight blank sticks to create your own chores.
Upgrade Your Recovery
I know this looks like some kind of weird, non-functional, multi-colored stick, but what you’re not seeing is the massager roller aspect that is truly healing and transformational. Apply as much or as little pressure as is comfortable to you to target sore, tight muscles or cramping. In as little as five minutes, you’ll notice a very quick release in tension and an increase in blood circulation to the area.
Pill-ow Talk
I didn’t realize how many people — even full-grown adults — struggle with swallowing pills. This pill grinder might make it simpler for everyone from small children to older adults to get the medications they need in a less frustrating way. Add your medications, grind it to a fine powder and then down it all a scoop of yogurt or applesauce or, I don’t know, chocolate cheesecake. The choice is yours.
It’s In The Bag
Not only are these bags better for the environment, but you’re going to be able to carry so much more without fear of a rip or hole in the bottom of your bag. If you buy one thing on this list, make it be these reusable grocery bags, which I swear will make a massive difference in your trips to the grocery store.
Night Rider
I always used to hear grown-ups talk about hating to drive at night and I never understood why until I became an adult who dreads driving at night herself. These night vision glasses reduce glare, reflection and their negative effects to allow you to see clearly without straining your eyes for a safe ride. Polarized lenses mean these work well in daylight hours, too.
Just A-Slingin’
I totally bought one of these pet sling carriers for my mom and her co-dependent dog for Christmas, fully expecting they would both hate it. To my infinite surprise, she was thrilled and the dog looked pretty pleased, too. The reversible papoose pouches are great for small dogs and cats who suffer from separation anxiety… and the pet owners who enable it. You know who you are.
Shock Absorbers But For Your Feet
There’s not much you can focus on when your feet are constantly on fire. Believe me, I get it. These heavy-duty gel heel cups treat plantar fasciitis (which is straight from the devil himself) and sore heels by cushioning and elevating the heel bone. Designed for all-day wear, these fit comfortably in most shoes thanks to the low-profile heel backing. Even if someone could see them, you’re not going to care. Relief over everything.
Just In Case
Every time I come across this locking storage box on Amazon, I immediately think of Will Ferrell’s George W. Bush skit on Saturday Night Live. (If you haven’t seen it, seriously, go Google “Will Ferrell + lockbox” and thank me later.) This particular box is good for medication to jewelry and everything in between. A combination lock means you’ll never have to worry about misplacing a key.
Organize Your Life
The kitchen is the heart of the home, which means that the refrigerator is like command central. Get your troops organized with this dry erase planner bundle that includes monthly, weekly and daily schedules to keep everyone on track. This set includes six fine-tip markers and a large eraser, and everything sticks right on your fridge for the ultimate in convenience.
Mirror, Mirror
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: It’s dark in the morning when you’re trying to get ready so you either; a) Do your makeup in the dark and hope for the best, or b) You use whatever shred of lighting you can find and hope for the best. This backlit vanity mirror will solve your getting-out-the-door problems with touchscreen light control and multiple magnification choices.
Face The Music
You know why they call it “beauty rest,” right? It’s not just about the sleep, to be honest, but it’s also about the quality of sleep. This memory foam beauty pillow actually improves your hair and skin as you sleep because it’s designed to alleviate pressure on your face and skin, which can contribute to wrinkles, creases, acne and overall aging. It works well for both back and side sleepers.
Shower Your Pets With Love
If “dog bath day” in your house is the most dreaded day of the week, you need to invest in one of these Aquapaw dog bath brush pro tools. Combining a scrubber and a sprayer in one unit that leaves you with one hand free, it makes it 10 times simpler to give Fido a good cleaning, whether it’s in the bathtub or outside. (Just save the outdoor baths for the warmer months, O.K.?)
Go Handsfree
This pillow pad tablet stand is, hands down, the best post-Kindle (and post-iPad) purchase I’ve made because now I don’t get a crick in my neck trying to read in bed at night. This tablet stand goes other places, too, such as doubling as a “cookbook” holder in the kitchen or serving as a “movie screen” to hold your tablet in place.
Try Egg Rolls
Not that kind of egg roll, silly! The “egg rolls” I’m talking about come out of this Rollie quick egg cooker. Make eggs, omelets, frittatas and more in just two easy steps. This unique cooking design features a non-stick cooking chamber and won’t create extra clean-up in the kitchen. Each unit comes with a cleaning brush, five wooden skewers and 25 recipes to get you started.
Under Wraps
I don’t know how I lived before someone invented hair turbans. I vaguely remember trying to achieve the same look when I was a teenager with a too-plump bath towel. Fast-forward 20 years and all my prayers have been answered. This hair towel is soft and absorbent and can cut your blow-drying time in half. I love the patterned ones pictured, especially the palm leaves.
Suck It Up
You know what sounds good? Boba tea. You know what you have to plan ahead for? Boba tea. That’s because if you make it at home, you’re going to need one of those jumbo smoothie straws wide enough to suck up those delicious tapioca pearls. These straws are also useful to keep on hand for other things, too, like smoothies, shakes and other frozen concoctions.
Picnic Prep = Done
I would honestly picnic all the time if I owned one of these picnic backpacks. After all, I live at the beach so eating outdoors is a no-brainer. But, this backpack is loaded with everything you need including service for four plus wine glasses, a cheese knife, wine opener, salt and pepper shakers, bamboo cutting board and even a blanket to spread it all out on.
Massage Envy
Confession time: Sometimes I go get a pedicure just to sit in those glorious massaging chairs. This electric massage chair pad may just curtail my pedicure trips. It features 12 rolling nodes and a heat feature plus it’s portable for you to use at home, at the office or in the car. Relax and relieve pain and soreness, no awkward mid-pedi convos required.
Pitch Instant Privacy
Whether you’re at the park, the beach or camping in the forest, there just comes a time when you need a little privacy, perhaps to change clothes, shower or use the bathroom. Now you can legitimately pitch a tent with this pop-up privacy tent that’s tall enough to stand in and wide enough to give you a bit of room to move around.
You Need to Protect Your Privacy
Speaking of privacy, there’s another type we need to discuss. I’m talking about that guy-at-the-table-next-to-you-at-the-coffee-shop-looking-over-your-shoulder type of privacy. Yeah, you know the type. This magnetic privacy screen pops onto your MacBook to offer privacy for your computing activities while also reducing harmful glare, UV and blue light. And, because it’s magnetic, it can be added or removed at your convenience.
Be A Sous Chef
I got a sous vide device like this one about a year ago and it has truly transformed my food prep. If you don’t know, sous vide cooking involves placing food in vacuum-sealed bags and then cooking it to a precise temperature fully submerged in water. This set has everything you need to get started including the unit itself, a vacuum pump and bags and a slew of free recipes.
Whip It, Whip It Good
If you want to step up your kitchen game in 2022, you need to grab one of these whipped cream makers, which professional chefs are always using on those televised cooking shows for everything from homemade whipped cream (duh) to mousse to froth for specialty drinks. This one has a one-pint canister capacity and three culinary decorating nozzles. A step-by-step guide will get you started.
Never Forget Another Password
A lowercase letter, an uppercase letter, a number and a special character .. but wait! Not that special character, a different one. Unless you’re using the same password for every site you need to access (which is a big no-no, by the way), you’ve got the same password-remembering struggles we all do. This password book is a great way to stay organized and includes alphabetized tabs for extra convenience.
Plating Prowess
There’s nothing like the holidays to make you stop and go, “Where are all my serving utensils?” Or, maybe, “Why don’t I have serving utensils?” Get this sorted ASAP with this eight-piece culinary plating set that includes an offset spatula, saucier spoon, straight tong, offset tong, urved tong, slotted spoon and solid spoon in a convenient roll pouch. It’s a steal for less than $30.
Creature Cushion Comforts
Whether you’re sitting at the office or thinking about your nap on that long-haul flight you have coming up, you might want to snag one of these ergonomic neck cushions. Made of soft and cool memory foam, this pillow is plenty fluffy and will keep your neck from hurting due to awkward positions and will keep you from accidentally napping on your seatmates. It comes with a free eye mask and a carrying case.
Power To The People
The AC adapter in your car can only do so much. Charge your phone? Sure. Power an entire laptop? Not so much. This car power inverter will let you keep working, though, even in the car since it transforms your AC adapter to a typical in-home outlet. This little box also has USB ports so you can keep juicing your phones, too.
Get Some Weighted Therapy
If you’ve got a little gremlin in your house who’s constantly swiping your weighted blanket, it’s time to get them one of their own. This blanket comes in five and seven-pound options and a variety of colored covers that are soft as well as removable for easy cleaning. If sleeping in occasionally sounds good, one of these might buy you a few extra minutes in the morning.
Cue The Cube
I’ve never really understood the long, skinny design of power strips; I much prefer this vertical cube design, which is compact and fits anywhere. This cube features three outlets, four USB ports and a five-foot extension cord with a detachable base power station. Hide it under your desk or stick it right on the wall; it’s just that versatile in a compact package.
Take A Stand
I can think of so many good uses for this rotating tablet stand, like in the kitchen to use your tablet like a cookbook or on your desk at work to keep it nice and elevated. The 360-degree rotatable base and tablet bracket holder combined with a folding arm offer unparalleled adjustments and viewing angles. A weighted base offers no-tip stability.
Spice, Spice, Baby
I love the look of this olive wood spice jar and the purpose it serves: To hold salt, sugar, tea, herbs, spices or other small items and ingredients in a clever and classy package. Handcrafted from olive wood with a beautiful grain pattern, the jar is not designed to be airtight but it is designed to be lovely. This will hold up to two cups of your desired product.