Easy solutions for under $35.
Sticking to a budget can be difficult. Even if you’ve been consistently tracking every purchase, sometimes it’s the smallest mistakes that quickly add hundreds of dollars to your monthly expenses. Luckily, many of these mistakes have easy fixes that can be purchased (at incredibly budget-friendly prices) from Amazon.
From produce savers to protective furniture leg covers, I’ve filled this list with all sorts of solutions to the costly mistakes you could be making around the house. And because the name of the game is saving money rather than spending it, I’ve also made sure that each item you’ll find below is available for $35 or less — including that Brita filter for your sink. But if you want to see more you’ll just have to keep scrolling.
01
Mistake: Spending cash on dryer sheets every month
Fix: These wool balls that you can keep reusingIf you’re still using wasteful dryer sheets, consider this a sign that it’s time to upgrade to these dryer balls. Each one is made from 100% organic New Zealand wool, without any extra fillers or synthetic materials. Simply toss them into the dryer with your wet clothes, and they’ll help aerate them as they tumble, allowing them to dry faster while simultaneously reducing wrinkles and lint.
02
Mistake: Letting heat escape through drafty doors
Fix: A draft stopper that’s easy to installLetting heat escape through the bottoms of your doors is an easy way to wind up with a costly energy bill, so why not grab these stoppers? The adhesive backing makes them incredibly easy to install — just press them right into place. You can also trim them to fit smaller doors as needed, and they can even help soundproof your home as well.
03
Mistake: Letting your produce go bad before you eat it
Fix: Using these blue apples to help keep everything freshOnions, apples, avocados — you name it, these Bluapples can help keep it fresher for longer. They work by absorbing ethylene gas in your produce drawer, though you can also use them in fruit bowls, as well as out on your fridge shelves. The best part? They’re effective for up to 90 days before you need to replace the moisture-absorbing packet on the inside.
04
Mistake: Letting your drains get clogged with hair
Fix: This drain protector that helps keep your pipes clog-freeDrain always clogged with hair? Place this protector on top, and it’ll stop any pieces of hair or debris that flow its way. The silicone ring around the edge helps keep it from shifting out of place — even with a heavy stream of water bearing down on it. And since it’s made from stainless steel, there’s no need to worry about it becoming rusty.
05
Mistake: Wasting money on disposable makeup pads
Fix: These cotton rounds that can be washed & reusedDon’t waste money on makeup pads — instead, make the switch to these cotton rounds. They’re completely reusable and come with a drawstring pouch that keeps them packaged together when it’s time to toss them into the wash. Reviewers also appreciated how they’re “eco-friendly,” with many raving about how effective they are at removing makeup when squirted with some micellar water.
06
Mistake: Swinging doors open and messing up your walls
Fix: A set of completely clear doorstoppers that also help with noiseYou won’t mind sticking these door handle stoppers next to all of your doors because they have a transparent design. These little discs come with strong adhesive on the back, so you can quickly take care of every door in your home. Plus, these protective stoppers absorb the noise if you swing open the door a bit too hard.
07
Mistake: Incorrectly guessing where the studs in your wall are
Fix: Using this stud finder before you drillMounting heavy items to the studs in your walls is essential if you want to make sure your drywall won’t rip out later, making this stud finder a must-have. Each order includes two removable magnetic stud markers, making it easy to designate up to three stud locations. Plus, its compact size easily fits into nearly any toolbox.
08
Mistake: Letting furniture legs scratch your floors
Fix: Capping them with these protective coversLetting furniture legs scrape against your floors is an easy way to wind up with scratches, so why not cap them with these covers? They’re made from soft silicone, making it easy to stretch them over top legs of nearly any size. They also come in a variety of colors so that they have an extra-subtle look: clear, brown, dark walnut, black, and more.
09
Mistake: Ignoring your pipes until they’re rife with clogs
Fix: Pouring some of this clog dissolver down your drainsIf you wind up standing in a puddle of water during every shower, it’s probably time to grab this clog dissolver. Simply pour it down your drain, and it’ll quickly dissolve everything from hair to toilet paper. And since each bottle comes with two pre-measured applications, there’s no need to portion it out before use.
10
Mistake: Losing track of the items inside your fridge
Fix: Using these bins to help keep everything organizedBuying ingredients you already have is an easy way to waste money, so why not use these bins to help keep your fridge organized? They’re made from clear plastic, making it easy to see what’s inside without having to unpack anything. Handles in the front and back make them easy to pull out when you need something — and each one is also completely BPA-free.
11
Mistake: Wasting paper towels to clean up spills
Fix: Making the switch to these eco-friendly dishclothsWhereas paper towels are incredibly wasteful, these Swedish dishcloths can be washed and reused hundreds of times, making them an eco-friendly (and affordable) upgrade. The best part? They’re versatile enough to wipe up spills as well as scrub away grime, as they have a gritty texture when dry that’s perfect for scouring pans.
12
Mistake: Forgetting to turn your lights off
Fix: Turning them off remotely using these smart plugsCan’t remember if you turned your lights off? As long as you’re using these smart plugs, you’ll be able to turn them on and off remotely using the downloadable smartphone app. You can also put them on schedules so that they’re on when you come home, as well as control them with voice commands as long as they’re synched with either Alexa or Google Home.
13
Mistake: Letting dry ingredients go stale inside cardboard boxes
Fix: Transferring your foods into these airtight containersWith airtight lids that help keep everything inside fresh, these containers are an easy way to help keep dry ingredients from becoming stale. Their stackable design helps you save space in crowded pantries, and each order includes a set of chalkboard labels to help you keep everything organized. Choose from two lid colors: black or blue.
14
Mistake: Throwing out bottles before they’re completely empty
Fix: Scraping the sides clean using this miniature spatulaCondiments, skincare, conditioner — this miniature spatula can be used to scrape the insides of nearly any container clean. The small head easily fits through narrow bottle mouths, while the flexible silicone contours to the shape of the container to help you get every last drop. One reviewer even raved that “it has paid for itself probably a hundred times over and it’s still saving me money.”
15
Mistake: You keep a night light in the bathroom on at all times
Fix: This sleek toilet paper holder with a motion-sensor night lightThere’s no need to keep a bathroom night light constantly plugged in if you set up this toilet paper holder with a dimmable LED light. This warm white motion-sensor light will turn on for nighttime bathroom breaks and turn back off 25 seconds after you head back to bed. This holder also has a sleek matte black shelf on top for your phone.
16
Mistake: You forget about cluttered olive oils & spices
Fix: This chic marble lazy Susan to quickly check for olive oilInstead of forgetting about your backup olive oil bottle and buying another one, simply stick all of your olive oils, spray cooking oil, and even extra boxes of salt on this lazy Susan. You can spin it to quickly see if you have any olive oil left, and the marble design looks put together on your countertop.
17
Mistake: Having puddled water degrade your tile floors
Fix: Preventing shower leaks with this door sealIf there’s always a puddle of water on your floors once you’ve finished showering, consider swapping out that old door seal with this new one. It’s made from high-quality vinyl that grips onto glass, creating a tight seal to help keep water from escaping your shower — and installation is as easy as pressing it into place. Plus, you can also trim it to fit smaller doors as needed.
18
Mistake: Letting your cats shred furniture
Fix: Using these shields to protect upholstery from clawsAdd these shields to your couch (or any other piece of furniture), and they’ll help protect the upholstery from your cat’s claws. they’re thick enough to handle even the most destructive cats — and the adhesive backing allows for easy installation. Plus, the flexible design means you can wrap them around corners if needed.
19
Mistake: Taking Your pup to the groomer for baths all the time
Fix: An extendable sink sprayer attachment to quickly clean your pup’s furWashing your pup in the kitchen sink isn’t a huge hassle with this sink attachment because you can choose from three spray settings and stretch it to reach all of your pup’s fur. Plus, it comes with a little adhesive holder you can stick to the side of your sink or on your wall for when you’re not using this extendable sprayer.
20
Mistake: Overcooking pricy meats by accident
Fix: Checking their internal temperatures with this thermometerNot sure whether that roast is fully cooked? Shed some light on the subject with this meat thermometer. The extra-large LCD screen makes it easy to read, while a helpful backlight helps you see in the dark when grilling at night. The best part? There’s also a temperature guide printed on the handle that covers everything from poultry to medium-rare beef.
21
Mistake: Cleaning around a grimy faucet every day
Fix: This silicone faucet tray to take care of stray waterInstead of wasting your cleaning spray wiping around a wet and grimy kitchen faucet multiple times a day, stick this adjustable faucet tray on your countertop. The silicone design comes with two built-in drainage spouts to send all of the stray water back into the sink. It also raises up your sponges or hand soap bottles to avoid griminess.
22
Mistake: Buying way too many hand towels or clothes
Fix: These stackable organizers to easily see the towels & tees you already haveIf you’re always missing hand towels or T-shirts in a cluttered closet, these foldable organizers make them way easier to see. You won’t run out and buy another set of trendy hand towels if you can pull out one of these durable and stackable organizers and find the ones you already have.
23
Mistake: Letting your dryer get clogged with lint
Fix: Using this vacuum attachment to clear it outIf your dryer seems to be working harder than usual to get the same amount of clothes dry, you may need to use this vacuum attachment to clear lint from its vents. The hose is easy to maneuver all around your dryer — and each order includes a flexible lint brush for any particularly awkward spots. Choose from three colors: blue, gray, or black.
24
Mistake: Replacing stained furniture
Fix: Erasing the stains with help from this sprayRed wine, tomato sauce, chocolate — this spray is so potent that you can use it on nearly any type of spill or mess. It’s also safe to use on clothes, as the formula contains zero peroxide or chlorine, and is completely pH neutral as well as biodegradable. Simply spray, blot, and rinse — then sit back and watch as the stain disappears.
25
Mistake: Stocking your home with flashlights & nightlights
Fix: A USB-rechargeable night light you can stick everywhereIf you buy way too many nightlights or flashlights, grab this unique night light instead. You can stick it to the bathroom wall with adhesive or even a metal stair railing with the built-in magnet. Wherever you put it, you can simply pull this USB rechargeable night light off the wall whenever you need a flashlight.
26
Mistake: Buying new paint every time your walls get a little scratched
Fix: This reusable brush pen set you can fill with backup paintKeep this set of brush pens next to your can of backup wall paint, and you’ll always be ready to take care of scuffed walls (without spending a bunch of money). They come with little syringes, so you can fill the pen with wall paint and quickly draw over whatever scratch find on your wall.
27
Mistake: Swapping out a shakey washer or dryer
Fix: These non-slip washer & dryer pads that won’t wear downStick these non-slip pads under an annoying washer or dryer to take care of that seriously frustrating shaking sound on laundry day. Each one is made of durable and rubber-coated stainless steel, so this laundry room fix will last a while. Plus, their rubber covers work on tile, wood floors, and more.
28
Mistake: Searching for new outdoor or indoor furniture too often
Fix: A matte paint to cover up faded & dated piecesThis container of matte-finish paint is the only thing you need to spend money on when you’re tired of a piece of furniture because it can seriously cover up anything. It has built-in primer, so you can paint it right over a faded outdoor chair or a bedside table without a bunch of effort.
29
Mistake: Letting your bacon grease go to waste
Fix: Storing it inside this container until you can use itIncorporating bacon grease into your meals is an easy way to add some depth of flavor, making this container a must-have in any kitchen. Its built-in strainer removes any burnt bits so that all you’re left with is pure grease — and the tough metal walls are built to handle high temperatures.
30
Mistake: Spending money on disposable mop pads
Fix: Switching over to these reusable onesThere’s no need to waste money on disposable mop pads when you have these reusable ones available. They’re made from soft microfiber that latches onto dirt and dust, not letting go until you either shake them out or toss them into the wash. The best part? You can use them with nearly any type of spray mop.
31
Mistake: Replacing grimy loofas or hand towels all the time
Fix: A trendy double-sided hook to avoid smelly bath towelsThis wall-mounted bathroom hook is the easiest way to save yourself from replacing loofas and your washcloths way too often. It has a simple matte-black finish, and it gives you two little spots to hang up your loofa or prevent your hand towels from smelling gross.
32
Mistake: Spending too much on patio lighting or candles
Fix: A dimmable light to clip onto your umbrellaThere’s no need to buy a bunch of candles or add pricey lighting to your patio if you have this LED umbrella light. You can adjust it to fit on whatever patio umbrella you already have, and it has timer settings in case you forget to turn it off after a backyard party. Plus, the remote lets you adjust the brightness for the perfect patio vibe.
33
Mistake: You end up watching your TV all night
Fix: This light therapy lamp with the easiest-to-carry designWith this mini light therapy lamp, you won’t stay awake all night with the TV on because it can help regulate your sleep. It has a fold-up design, so you can carry around your home and get all of the mood-boosting light you need during the day. This little light with a built-in stand also might save you from spending money on a plane ticket.
34
Mistake: You forget to use all of the eggs in the back of your fridge
Fix: This two-drawer egg holder that won’t break any eggsThis two-drawer egg holder is way better than plopping a carton of eggs in the back of your fridge and forgetting about them. The top and sides are clear, so you can always see if you need eggs on your grocery runs. This food-grade holder also has built-in stabilizing clips, so the drawer (and all of the eggs) won’t fall out when you use it.
35
Mistake: Wasting money on disposable plastic baggies
Fix: Making the switch to these reusable onesI’m a huge fan when it comes to these reusable food baggies, and not just because they’re way more leakproof than the disposable ones you’ve probably been using. Each order comes with 10 bags in varying sizes, making them suitable for everything from snacks to pounds of meat. Their zip-lock seals also help keep air from getting inside — and they’re so effective that I’ve even used them to keep halved avocados from turning brown.