Did you know these purchases will save you money in the long run?
When it comes to saving money, a lot of people are going to tell you which purchases you should not make, or they will stress what types of purchases are going to basically make you lose money. This often creates a mindset of scarcity, where the focus is solely on cutting back. However, not enough people talk about the purchases that are not going to make dents in your wallet while also helping you save money in the long run. These are investment purchases, where a smart, upfront cost prevents a stream of future expenses.
A lot of frugal people know that the price is not as important as the quality and long-term value of the item, and sometimes it is not about how expensive your purchases will be but how they are going to aid you in the long run. There’s a significant difference between being cheap—simply buying the lowest-priced option, which often needs frequent replacement—and being truly frugal, which involves investing in durable, efficient products that pay for themselves over time. This approach shifts your perspective from being a mere consumer to a savvy financial manager of your own household.
This does not mean that you should not occasionally treat yourself to certain things, but rather that you should intentionally make purchases that will help you save money. The goal is to spend with purpose. By making conscious choices about where your money goes, especially on items that reduce waste or lower recurring bills, you are actively building a more stable financial foundation. This strategy allows for more guilt-free splurges later, as your daily and monthly expenses will be significantly lower.
In these trying times where prices seem to keep on rising and inflation does not seem to be getting better, it is high time that we focus on how we can save more money without it seeming like a chore! When the cost of groceries, utilities, and fuel is constantly on the rise, gaining control over the parts of your budget that you can influence becomes more critical than ever. Viewing these purchases as strategic moves rather than restrictive chores can make the process of saving money feel empowering and proactive.
This is why we have gathered the most important items you should buy so that you can stop spending money on some items and start saving as much as you can today! All these items are fairly easy to get and believe us, they are going to make a difference! Each one is a tool designed to fight back against waste and recurring costs. Keep reading to discover the best purchases you can make to save money daily, weekly, and for years to come!
Do you have any of these items? Have you ever considered any of them? Which one made you the most curious? Let us know your answers in the comments!
1. Vacuum food sealer
This item may seem like something only restaurants or people who are passionate about cooking would use. Yet, not only is it something you can easily own, but it is also something that will help you save money in the long run. Its primary function is to remove air and create an airtight seal, which dramatically slows down spoilage and prevents freezer burn, one of the biggest culprits of food waste.
The vacuum sealer is going to seal your food in portions, however big or small you want them so that you can store them easier or freeze them without worrying about how much space they would take up. The sealed bags are compact and stack neatly, optimizing your freezer space. This also means you can pre-portion ingredients for future recipes, saving you immense time on busy weeknights.
You can cook these portions in your own time if you freeze them, and you can easily cut down on food waste. If you notice you will not get to use those three zucchinis in your fridge before you leave on holiday, you can cut them up, vacuum seal them, and use them later when you get back. It is also perfect for preserving seasonal bounties, like berries you picked in the summer or vegetables from your garden, allowing you to enjoy them months later with peak freshness.
The vacuum sealer is also amazing if you have a warehouse store membership; that way, you can get fresh fruits, veggies, and meats for a great price, portion them, and store them in your fridge easier. Think about that family pack of chicken or the large cut of beef; you can divide it into meal-sized portions immediately, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Furthermore, it’s a key tool for sous-vide cooking, a method that produces restaurant-quality results by cooking food in a precise temperature-controlled water bath.
This way, you can use all the things you already spent money on and save more when buying in bulk, even with the bags and the price of the machine taken into consideration! The math is simple: preventing the waste of just a few expensive steaks or a large batch of produce can easily pay for the machine itself. Not to mention, the machine is fun to use!
2. Electricity usage monitor
This is one of those purchases that seems meaningless. That is, until you notice how high your electricity bill has gotten in the last few months, and you cannot pinpoint what has made it go up so much! This little gadget is a detective for your home, helping you uncover the secret energy hogs that are silently draining your bank account.
An electricity usage monitor, even the simplest ones to use, will be able to tell you which appliances are eating away a ton of electricity and what is costing you the most money. You simply plug it into an outlet and then plug your appliance into the monitor. It will show you in real-time how much power the device is drawing. You may be shocked to discover how much energy your old garage refrigerator or your entertainment center is consuming even when on standby.
This is how you discover “phantom loads” or “vampire power”—the electricity used by electronics when they are turned off but still plugged in. Common culprits include television sets, game consoles, phone chargers, and coffee makers. Who knows? You may even catch people in your home forgetting to turn off the bathroom light overnight!
With the monitor, you will be able to see what is consuming too much electricity and where you can make some cuts or replacements, so you will not be wasting too much money on this! Once you identify the worst offenders, you can take action. This might mean unplugging devices when not in use, connecting them to a smart power strip that turns off automatically, or realizing that an older appliance is so inefficient that upgrading to a newer, Energy Star-rated model would pay for itself in savings.
Sometimes getting a more economical and electricity-efficient option is the way to go, and an electricity monitor will be able to tell you exactly what needs an upgrade. It takes the guesswork out of saving on your utility bills and empowers you with data to make informed decisions.
3. Reusable water bottle
Yes, we know it has gotten a little bit cliche, but a reusable water bottle will help you save more money. And while the whole Stanley Cup craze is going on, you can forego those expensive cups and look for a good-quality reusable water bottle that fits your needs and budget. The financial impact of this simple switch is astounding when you do the math. If you buy just one $2 bottle of water from a convenience store each workday, you’re spending over $500 a year. A quality $25 reusable bottle pays for itself in less than three weeks.
That way, you will not be stuck buying those disposable ones, only to throw them out after finishing them and contributing to the already existing mountains of plastic. Beyond the personal savings, the environmental benefit is massive, reducing plastic production and waste in landfills and oceans.
What’s more, your home may already be equipped with a filter, so why not fill your water bottle before going for that walk in the park instead of getting one when you get thirsty from the store? Tapping into a resource you already have is one of the smartest ways to save. Investing in a home water filter pitcher is another small purchase that unlocks massive savings compared to the cost of bottled water.
Even if you do not have one, it is cheaper and less wasteful overall to get those big water jugs than the tiny individual bottles, so getting the reusable water bottle is still a financially savvy purchase. That way, you are making the most of all the purchases you already made while saving money at the same time! Plus, having a water bottle with you at all times encourages better hydration, which has numerous health benefits, from increased energy levels to improved skin.
Not to mention, there are tons of reusable bottle options out there; they come in all colors and shapes imaginable, along with materials, sizes, and extra features. There are even spill-proof and built-in filter bottles on the market! Consider the different materials available:
- Stainless Steel: Highly durable, excellent at insulating drinks to keep them hot or cold for hours, and doesn’t retain flavors.
- Glass: Offers the purest taste and is chemically inert, but can be heavier and more fragile, though many come with protective silicone sleeves.
- BPA-Free Plastic: Lightweight, durable, and often the most affordable choice, perfect for hiking or the gym.
You just need to make your choice!
4. Multicooker
These multicookers appeared on the market a couple of years ago, and there are two camps: those who rave about them and those who think they are a complete waste of time! The skeptics often see it as just another gadget cluttering the counter, but its fans understand its true power in consolidating appliances and revolutionizing meal prep.
The reality is that instead of spending money on a ton of different small kitchen appliances, you can just get a good-quality multicooker, and it will double all of them. A single multicooker can replace a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, and sauté pan. This isn’t just a financial saving on buying multiple devices; it’s a huge space saver in your kitchen.
Not only will you be able to save space in your kitchen and cabinets since you will have one appliance, but it will also help you diversify your meals and snacks. The most popular multicookers on the market, like the Instant Pot, double as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, and many more! The pressure cooking function alone is a game-changer, cooking foods like tough cuts of meat or dried beans in a fraction of the time, which also saves a significant amount of energy compared to an oven or stovetop.
By making it faster and easier to cook at home, a multicooker dramatically reduces the temptation to order expensive takeout after a long day. You can batch cook large quantities of chili, soup, or pulled pork on a Sunday to have ready-to-go lunches and dinners for the entire week. This appliance makes home cooking more accessible and less of a chore.
There are simple varieties out there, along with some that are more complicated and go as far as making wine and bread too! Choosing the right one depends on your needs, but even a basic model offers incredible versatility and value.
Save your money and get one, cook at home, and enjoy the marvels of technology! This one is our favorite one and you can easily get it from Amazon in a variety of sizes!
5. Produce keeper
Since we have tackled the vacuum sealer, we need to talk about its partner, the produce keeper. This is for all the fresh produce you have seen at the store. You thought they looked amazing and then forgot about them in the fridge, or you had to throw them away because they got disgusting in the fridge. That limp bunch of cilantro or those slimy strawberries represent money thrown directly into the compost bin.
We all have had to throw away the likes of strawberries because they got spoiled fast in the fridge, and the best purchase to help you with that is a reusable produce keeper! Unlike the standard plastic containers or bags your produce comes in, these are specifically engineered to create the ideal environment to extend the life of your fruits and vegetables, sometimes by weeks.
They are reusable containers that are specifically designed to help slow down their spoiling process. They tackle the two main enemies of fresh produce: improper humidity and ethylene gas. Leaving lettuce in a sealed bag creates too much moisture, leading to slime. Leaving it open to the air dries it out. A produce keeper solves this dilemma.
It is equipped with an internal colander that prevents the produce from touching the walls and bottom, which prevents bruising and promotes air circulation. This is coupled with a carbon filter trap that gets rid of all the ethylene gas, a natural hormone produced by fruits and vegetables that accelerates ripening and decay. Add to this an adjustable vent to maintain the perfect level of humidity inside the container for different types of produce, and you have an amazing product on your hands. These are especially effective for delicate items like berries, leafy greens, mushrooms, and grapes.
This way, you will eliminate the extra money spent on produce you never get to eat, getting your money’s worth every time! You’ll find yourself making fewer trips to the grocery store and throwing away far less food, which is a direct saving on your grocery bill. Just don’t forget about them in the container!
6. Wool dryer balls
Fabric softener sheets are some of those items that cost you a ton each year, and sometimes they do not even seem like they are doing a good enough job with certain clothes. These single-use sheets are a recurring expense that adds up quickly, and they work by coating your fabrics in a layer of chemicals to reduce static.
A better way to make sure your laundry is going to soften while in the dryer is to make the switch to wool dryer balls. You throw them in with your clothes or sheets and start the cycle as normal. As they tumble, they lift and separate the laundry, allowing hot air to circulate more efficiently. This simple action can reduce drying time by up to 25%, which directly translates into savings on your electricity or gas bill with every single load.
They will soften your clothes in a chemical-free way while also saving you money! This makes them a fantastic choice for people with sensitive skin, allergies, or for washing baby clothes, as you avoid the artificial fragrances and softening agents found in commercial dryer sheets. For a bit of natural scent, you can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender or lemon, to the balls before tossing them in.
It is one of those purchases that you only have to make once, and you can reuse them for years on end. A single set of wool dryer balls can last for over 1,000 loads, making the initial investment incredibly cost-effective compared to the endless cycle of buying boxes of dryer sheets.
This is an amazing product that will cost you about $20 for a pack of six, and you can say goodbye to fabric softener sheets for a couple of years easily! It’s a win for your wallet, your skin, and the environment.
7. Food dehydrator
If you have been spending money on dried fruit from the store or your family is a huge fan of jerky, why not invest in a food dehydrator? Those pre-packaged healthy snacks can be surprisingly expensive and are often loaded with hidden sugars, sulfites, and preservatives. A dehydrator puts you in complete control.
You can make your favorite fruit snacks in the comfort of your home, and this is another one of those money-saving purchases that is going to have a ton of extra uses. You can create delicious apple chips, banana chips, or fruit leathers using 100% fruit. It’s a perfect way to use up fruit that’s about to become overripe, turning a potential waste into a delicious, healthy snack for school lunches or work.
If you camp frequently, you can use it to pack dried foods in an economical way for a hike or camping trip, along with making sure you have high-quality and tasty supplies on hand. Dehydrating your own meals, from spaghetti sauce to chili, makes for lightweight, nutrient-dense backpacking food that is far cheaper than specialized store-bought options.
Gardeners have been using it for years to make most of their apples when the orchard has been overwhelming them. It’s also perfect for preserving an abundant harvest of tomatoes, peppers, or herbs. Having your own dried herbs on hand all winter is a luxury that saves you from buying tiny, expensive jars from the supermarket. You can also make your own dog treats if you wish so that you can save money on those and ensure your dog is getting healthy snacks too! Creating jerky from beef, turkey, or even salmon allows you to control the sodium and flavor for a fraction of the cost of commercial brands.
The possibilities are endless with this DIY money-saving purchase! From crunchy vegetable chips to yogurt drops, a dehydrator opens up a new world of homemade, healthy, and frugal food preservation.
8. Rechargeable batteries
Batteries that you can only use once are generally thought of as waste; they are pricey and create a ton of waste that you have to dispose of in a correct manner. Every disposable battery is a recurring cost and an environmental hazard, containing corrosive materials that are difficult to recycle.
Getting rechargeable batteries is the best way to go, generally because they are a more convenient way to make the most of one product for high-use items that require batteries. The initial investment in a charger and a set of batteries may seem higher than a single pack of disposables, but the break-even point comes very quickly. After just a few charge cycles, you are already saving money.
This is one of those purchases that is not for every item in your home that needs a battery, but the ones that get a lot of usage and you seem to change the batteries frequently are definitely some that would benefit from rechargeable batteries. Think of high-drain devices like video game controllers, wireless mice and keyboards, camera flashes, and children’s electronic toys. These are the items that can burn through disposable batteries at an alarming rate, making them perfect candidates for the switch.
It may seem like a pricey purchase up front, but you are also saving money this way! A quality set of modern NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries can be recharged hundreds of times, meaning one set can replace hundreds or even thousands of disposable batteries over its lifespan. The long-term savings are not just significant; they’re enormous.
9. Oven thermometer
Yes, they are not only when you are cooking a turkey. Oven thermometers can actually help you save money since a lot of ovens, especially the traditional gas ones, do not accurately report temperatures. Even brand-new ovens can be off by as much as 25-50 degrees Fahrenheit, which can wreak havoc on your cooking and baking.
This is why you can end up with undercooked dishes or waste money by having to throw away parts of your food because it was burned. Imagine a cake that doesn’t rise properly, cookies that spread into a greasy mess, or a roast that’s burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. These are all common symptoms of an incorrectly calibrated oven. An oven thermometer is the simple diagnostic tool that solves this mystery.
The solution to this problem is easy, and it will save you money in the long run! Oven thermometers are cheap to get, as some of the most effective ones are under 10 bucks, and they are easy to use. They hang from the rack or are sat on one of them, giving you a true read of the inside of the over. This allows you to adjust the temperature dial accordingly to achieve the actual temperature your recipe calls for.
That way, you know exactly what the temperature inside your oven is, and you can adjust the cooking time accordingly. This not only saves food from being ruined but also saves energy. If your oven runs hot, you’re using more gas or electricity than necessary. If it runs cool, you’re likely cooking things longer, also wasting energy. No more wasted money on gas, electricity, or food!
10. Smartphone protector
You may already have one, or you may have been skipping on this important aspect of keeping your smartphone in tip-top condition, sometimes with the dire consequences of having to spend more money on repairing your phone. In the modern world, a smartphone is a significant investment and an essential tool, making its protection a non-negotiable part of ownership.
It may seem silly, but think about it like this: smartphones have become indispensable for most of us. A single dropped phone can lead to a repair bill that costs hundreds of dollars. A screen replacement for a flagship phone can easily cost $200-$400, sometimes more. A quality screen protector and a durable case often cost less than $50 combined. It’s some of the cheapest and most effective insurance you can buy.
They serve all the functions of a normal phone, along with browser surfing, flashlights, radio, calculators, wallet apps, and many other functions! Losing access to this central hub of our lives, even for a day, can be incredibly disruptive. Protecting it is protecting your lifeline to work, family, and information.
Not only are they generally expensive to get, but if you do not make sure you protect them accordingly, you run the risk of having to spend a lot to get it fixed due to a cracked screen and sometimes have to wait for what seems like an eternity until you get it back. A good case with a raised lip around the screen prevents the glass from hitting the ground on a flat drop, while a tempered glass screen protector will absorb the impact and shatter, sacrificing itself to save the expensive screen underneath.
This is why we say you spend those extra bucks on an appropriate screen protector and case so that you can minimize any chance of your smartphone getting damaged. Furthermore, protecting your phone also preserves its resale value. When it’s time to upgrade, a phone in pristine condition will fetch a much higher price or trade-in credit than one covered in scuffs and cracks.
And with the huge variety of cases out there nowadays, you are bound to find something that you will like! From ultra-slim clear cases to rugged, military-grade protective ones, there is an option for every style and level of needed protection.
11. Shower timer
This may sound like something taken out of the military or even summer camp, but hear us out. This purchase is one that can save you a ton of money in the long run, and once you get used to the practice, it will make a lot more sense. It is not about creating a stressful, rushed experience; it’s about building awareness around resource consumption.
A lot of us get lost in the shower if we are not hurrying, and we end up having to pay a lot when it comes to the hot water bill. A standard showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That means a leisurely 15-minute shower uses over 37 gallons of water. Cutting that down to a still-comfortable 8 minutes saves nearly 18 gallons per shower. For one person, that’s over 6,500 gallons a year. For a family of four, the savings can exceed 25,000 gallons of water and, crucially, the energy (gas or electric) needed to heat it.
Besides cutting down on the amount of water used and saving you money, these little waterproof shower timers can also help you become more efficient with your routine. It’s a mindfulness tool. When you are conscious of the time, you tend to be more focused on the task at hand rather than letting your mind wander under the hot spray.
You place them on the wall of your shower, and it will show you how much time you have been in since you started the shower. This way, you can know how much time you spend inside, make sure your routine is more efficient if you waste time and water, and take the extra time to relax more with your morning coffee! You can challenge yourself to gradually reduce your time, starting at 10 minutes and working your way down to a comfortable 5 or 7 minutes.
They are fairly inexpensive, and if you want to cut down on your water bills, they are a great gadget to try out! This tiny investment can yield surprisingly large returns on your utility bills month after month.
12. Solar holiday lights
The holidays may not be just around the corner anymore, but they are going to come around eventually. And if you live in a neighborhood where everyone decorates their homes or you just like to make sure your home looks festive, you know just how much holiday lights can end up costing you. Planning ahead for this expense can save you a bundle.
Indeed, it is just over the Christmas period, but it can still end up racking up a pretty high electricity bill. Running multiple strands of traditional incandescent lights for several hours a day for a month can add a noticeable amount to your December electricity bill. So why not make the change to solar-powered holiday lights?
They look just like the normal ones we are all familiar with when it comes to outdoor decorations, but they do not use normal outlets. They get attached to a solar panel, which you stake into the ground in a sunny spot. This panel charges a built-in battery over the day, using that stored electricity to power the lights when night comes. This means they cost absolutely nothing to run.
It is automatic too, so it will turn on at night and use its own reserve, so you will not have to worry about anything, including any accidental electrical fires! The built-in light sensor means you never have to remember to plug them in or set a timer. This also enhances safety, as you eliminate the need for long extension cords running across your lawn, which can be a tripping hazard and vulnerable to damage from snow or rain.
Don’t limit their use to just the holidays, either. These lights are perfect for year-round ambiance on a patio, along a fence, or in a garden, providing free, beautiful lighting every single night. It’s an investment that pays off in festive cheer and zero-cost operation.
These are just some of the purchases that can help you save money in the long run; some may be for you, some you could pass on. The important thing here is to shop smarter and know how you can easily save more. Ultimately, saving money isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making smart, strategic choices. Each of these purchases represents a small, one-time investment that pays dividends for years to come by reducing waste, lowering your bills, and giving you greater control over your financial well-being. By thinking long-term, you can build a more secure and less stressful financial future. Another way to save money is to know what to avoid buying. To help you, read our article about which items you should never get on Amazon!
