Top Items That You Should Buy That Will Save You Money In The Long Run

It takes money to make money! This is something that we have heard our whole lives, especially in business. But also, sometimes it takes money to SAVE money. It sounds like I’m contradicting myself but there are some amazing products that you can purchase that can result in BIG savings! Here are my top money saving items that I recommend!

LED Bulbs

Cost: $39.99-$89.99

I’ll be honest, I was very hesitant to jump on the LED bulb bandwagon. My husband is a lighting designer for concerts and trade shows so I thought him insisting to buy them was just because he loves expensive lights and they were a waste of money. After he did lots of research and showed me how they not only save money in the long run but are actually really convenient and able to control them from our phone, have them programmed to go on and off at certain times and turn on when we get home is really cool! We personally use Phillips Hue Smart Bulbs. Typically LED Bulbs use about 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, saving you money, and can last up to 25 times longer!

Instant Pot

Cost: $79.95

Please! Don’t let the Instant Pot intimidate you! I know so many people that are terrified to get an Instant Pot because they have heard about them exploding. As long as you take time to learn how to properly use an Instant Pot you will be totally fine! I cannot express how much the Instant Pot has saved me money. It completely takes the excuse away for eating out when you are too lazy to cook for forgot to take meat out to thaw out. I put FROZEN chicken breast in my Instant Pot and can have dinner on the table within 30 minutes!

Silk Pillowcase

Cost: $23.99

Self-care is a big goal for me in 2019. I starting investing in quality skincare products. One of them is a silk pillowcase! My grandma always slept on a silk pillowcase and I always thought it was weird but now I am forever changed and will never go back to traditional cotton pillowcases. Sleeping on silk is a game changer in better hair and skin. I have been able to cut down on my acne products as well as hair product to maintain frizz!

Basic tool kit

Cost: $79

I am all about DIY, the importance of being able to use a tool kit to do basic repairs with around your home is invaluable. I am currently renting and all of the home repairs are covered, but that doesn’t mean a tool kit doesn’t save us money. My cat recently knocked over the small table that I use to hold my microphone on when I film broke it.

I was so bummed that I was now going to have to go out and buy a new one or alternative but my husband was able to drill some new holes and completely fix it! If you are a homeowner then the saves are even bigger if you are able to do basic home repairs. Remembers, YouTube is your best friend in learning how to fix the garbage disposal, change a car light bulb or minor repairs.

Menstrual Cup

Cost: $13.50

Keep reading! Please don’t give up on me! I was grossed out the first time I heard what a menstrual cup was and said that I would NEVER use one. Well, I am proud to say that I’ve been using one for several months now and I am never going back to traditional pads and tampons! I can go an entire 12 hour day without having to worry on my heaviest period day. A $13 investment can save you over $120 a year!

Audible

Cost: $15 per month (FREE trial)

I have an entire bookshelf of books that I haven’t had the time to read yet. I would receive all of these great book recommendations from friends and buy them immediately off Amazon and then never get the chance to read them. Audible has been a game changer for me reading more! I now listen to audiobooks on my commute to work which makes the drive fly by, gets my mindset right for the day and makes my drive more productive! Audible is running a special right now for 2 free audiobooks with this free trial!

Heavy duty phone case

Cost: $21

I am saying this while knocking on wood… I have never cracked my phone screen, and trust me I am clumsy and have dropped my phone soooooo many times! That is 100% due to a heavy duty phone case and screen protector. My favorite brand is Speck Phone cases which are military grade and my favorite screen protector brand is ArmorSuit. I prefer the film type screen protectors over the glass ones.

Home Gym Equipment

Cost: $45

With the cost of one month’s membership at a typical chain gym you can purchase your own equipment for a lifetime’s worth of workouts. Not only can the gym be intimidating but it’s also easy to make an excuse of it’s too far, it’s raining, it’s going to be busy… all of those excuses can’t be used if you are working out in your own home. Some free weights, a yoga ball and yoga mat go a long way!

Programmable thermostat

Cost: $206

Yesterday I got home from work and was hit with a very cold breeze. All I could do was sigh because instantly I knew that I forgot to turn the AC up and I was paying to have the air running all day long. This would’ve never happened if we had a programmable thermostat! It’s so cool that you are able to set the AC/Heat to go up and down during certain times of day as well as control it from your phone! The savings are huge!

Amazon Prime

Cost: $119 (or try a free 30-day trial)

If you are a frequent Amazon shopper investing in Amazon Prime will save you TONS of money. It is small upfront fee but the money it will save you in 2-day free shipping adds up quick. There are also many other added benefits like Amazon Prime video!

Your turn!

What are some items that you have purchased that have saved you money in the long run? Let me know if the comments below!

Ways I save money:

Here at Freedom In A Budget, I am all about saving money! Here are some of the EASY ways that I save money:

• Fetch Rewards is a free grocery savings app that rewards you just for snapping pictures of your receipts. That’s really it. Free gift cards on groceries on thousands of products every day, no matter where you get your groceries. Just scan your receipts and get gift cards from places like Amazon, Target, Ulta, Applebees. Use code QHKBH to earn 2,000 points ($2)!

• Rakuten/Ebates: Rakuten is my to go way to earn Cash Back from over 2,500 stores like Macy’s, Amazon, Sephora, Walmart and much more. Join Rakuten today for free, and you’ll get a $10 Cash Bonus to get you started! Every three months, you’ll get a Big Fat Check in the mail or a PayPal payment just for shopping. 

• CIT Bank offers CDs and savings accounts that provide a safe, secure way to grow your savings. With the CIT Bank No-Penalty CD, you get the security of an 11 month CD with no withdrawal penalty seven days or later after funds have been received. 

• M1 Finance is an easy to use brokerage platform that allows you to invest in Fractional Shares and auto reinvest!

• Webull Get 2 Free Stocks on WeBull when you deposit $100 (Valued up to $1400).

• Honey: Stop wasting money- Honey finds you the Internet’s best discount codes. 

• Budget Templates: Excel budget templates with pre-populated categories and formulas to keep you on track with hitting your financial goals.