25 noteworthy purchases under $50 that have significantly impacted people's lives

Technology and creativity have contributed to making life simpler and easier. Thanks to many inventions, living has become easier and new products are being created to add to a flexible lifestyle. To add to this, there are genius products that come at affordable prices so everyone can avail of the luxury. Whether it's a quick rice steamer, a foam mattress, or even a 5-in-1 makeup product, all of them elevate the way one carries out activities making it simple. 

Reddit user ShrimpSherbet called on users asking them, "Which item priced under $50 has had the most significant impact on your life?" Several people agreed that many products have brought added comfort to their lives and also made a significant difference to their lifestyle. With 2k comments, many users pitched in and shared the products that changed their lives. Right from toiletries, home appliances and even personal care products, people spilled the beans on the innovations that made an impressive difference and are under $50.

1. Boot dryer

I purchased it while on sale at Amazon by a friend, and it has attachments to dry out both wet boots and gloves. I'm also an amputee, so I use it to dry out the liners I wear on my leg after washing them. I used to have to cringe while I dragged a cold liner on in the morning, and now I can just heat that up in the morning too. Game changer. -u/Complaint-Expensive

2. Meat thermometer

Meat Thermometer (fast acting). I used to overcook meat all the time just making sure it was done. When you can poke a thermometer in and get an almost immediate reading of internal temperature, you end up with safe but juicy meat! It turns out I use it for a lot of other things as well. Steaming milk? Perfect! -u/mks113

3. Mesmerizing food

I got a really good sandwich at the grocery store down the street. It was store-roasted beef on a hard roll with horseradish cream, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles. It cost me seven dollars. I ate it on a bench in the sunlight. I also had an iced tea with it. I read part of a book on my phone at the time. It was really nice. -u/jarfin542

4. Galileo thermometer

My Galileo thermometer. I was never able to buy pretty, decorative things to furnish my home while I was married. My apartment had nothing when I moved in. I have always wanted a Galileo thermometer and it had been sitting on my Amazon wish list for 5 years. $39.99 on a knick-knack and it felt amazing. Proof I was finally in control and this was my safe space. I know it's just a piece of decor, but it's my trophy for beating the odds so heavily stacked against me. -u/Henghyaki

5. Silicon earplugs 

Silicon earplugs. Now I no longer have to listen to my partner snoring or television noises from other residents. I am a light sleeper and those foam earplugs never worked. Game changer. -u/willycopter The foam ones made my super ears itchy and dyed inside the color of the foam earplug. Discovering the silicone ones really changed my life for the better. -u/Tasty-Researcher791

6. Crystal Prism 

A prism crystal thing. It's hanging in my kitchen and when the sunlight hits it, there are rainbows everywhere. Such a small thing but it brings me so much joy. -u/thevampirechrysalis

7. Mesh bags

Mesh wash bags for washing delicate clothes in a regular washing machine cycle. Saves so much time not having to hand wash. -u/Marshmallownap Also, excellent for washing things with Velcro fasteners. They prevent them from tangling themselves together and also they don't attach to things like terry cloth towels and washcloths. -u/memskeptic

8. Pets

My dog. The local shelter had too many cats and dogs. I had to put my previous dog down due to cancer 6 months prior. This was 8-9 yrs. ago, so I don't remember exactly how much, but I do remember it cost me under $50. -u/TheyCallMeBigPoppa83

9. Compression socks 

Compression socks. My right foot has given me issues more as of late. I know it stemmed from something I did in the army but man I was young and “healed” quickly so didn’t pay attention. Around my late 20s, and early 30s I noticed my right foot would get really uncomfortable in shoes, left foot felt fine though. My wife bought me some compression socks and completely changed everything. -u/abnthug

10. Panini press

Panini Press. Literally, my favorite way to eat anything, especially given that I'm pretty busy throughout the day working from home and can't spend a lot of time making good things to eat. There are a lot of outrageous foods to make with it and it really does save me time making foods I love to eat. -u/ZealedPoint9360

11. Car projector 

My little brother bought me a Christmas gift that was $15 for a pair: Car Door Projector Lights. Every time I open the car door at night, I see the picture projected onto the ground and am reminded of my brother. It's great. -u/IWantToPostBut

12. Magnetic laces

Zubits. Magnetic laces. I no longer have to tie my shoes or my kids. I also have a daughter with Down's syndrome. This is a game-changer. The heel of the shoes doesn’t get wrecked when you cram your foot in, and the shoe opens up nice and wide and then snaps closed. I freaking love them. -u/rockinsocks8

13. Foam roller

Foam roller, I have the upper crossed syndrome, super common. I tried everything, physical therapists, yoga, anything to help my back pain/neck pain from 40+ years of bad posture. 5 minutes a day with this changed my life. -u/Foodfighter01

14. Glass food storage containers

A set of glass food storage containers that are dishwasher, oven and freezer safe. I have yet to throw one away and it’s been 2+ years with no cracks, stains, smells or issues. I’ve found one moldy under my car seat once that slid under when driving and it cleaned right out with zero smell. They’re my go-to meal prep containers for work weekly. -u/mcquillr

15. Head-mounted flashlight 

A head-mounted flashlight. I use it all the time when doing plumbing or other home repairs. Also, “garden cushions”, which are 2 thick foam cushions to kneel on when working on home repairs. -u/Thorazine88

16. Kettlebell

A kettlebell. I used to fly a lot in my mid-20s for work, probably 20-30 round trips a year as a consultant, and I would always end up with bad back pain after even a short flight. It didn't help that my work was 100% a desk job either. So my doctor recommended a series of lower back exercises, mostly focused on kettlebell swings. After a few months of that, the pain was just gone and hadn't returned. -u/Wind_Yer_Neck_In

17. Garage door opener

Bought a device that lets me operate my garage door opener from an app on my phone. I can check to see if the garage door is open or closed no matter where I'm at. I can open or close the door remotely (if I have a friend who needs to borrow a tool) and when I ride my motorcycle, I can just open the door using my phone to put the bike away. -u/cplcarlman

18. Humidifier

Humidifier. There are also under and over $50, but during the winter if you have dry air in the house, it will also save you from colds, and inflammation in the throat, you won't wake up with a dry throat. -u/Schurlee28

19. Aqua Notes

Aqua Notes. It’s a waterproof paper notepad with suction cups on the back and a regular pencil that says, “Never let another good idea go down the drain!” It’s a notepad you stick in your shower to capture those brilliant thoughts while you’re in there. I swear, at least half of the software I’ve developed originated on those notepads! -u/LifeOBrian

20. Silicone strainer

Silicone strainer attachment for pots/pans. When I got it I thought it was silly. I don’t even know where my standalone strainer is now. It’s all I’ve used for the last 3 years. 100% would recommend. -u/PickleEspresso

21. Buckwheat pillow

Buckwheat pillow. Sounded like some new-age health nonsense garbage, but it changed my sleep quality 10x. I never wake up with neck pain anymore, my face never overheats in the night and my wife says I (almost) never snore anymore (she's not just being nice, she lets me know.) -u/TrashRave17

22. Wallet card phone cases

It seems inconsequential, but buying a cheap phone case with "wallet card" space for 4 cards, and forcing myself to ditch a wallet altogether, has led to an overall lean away from low-key hoarding tendencies. I'm now more realistic about the possibility I might "need" something later and I don't feel as worried about ditching the things that are less likely to have a future use. -u/Mortifer

23. Good books

The book The Five Levels Of Attachment was about $15 and seriously improved my mental health, self-confidence and ability to communicate with people when we disagree. -u/HolyRamenEmporer

24. Wired earbuds

Wired earbuds. I get very anxious and uncomfortable being in loud public spaces by myself. They help take my mind off of the distractions and noises so I can focus on what I’m doing and get it done. If I didn’t have at least earbuds on me I’d never be able to stay in the store long enough to get my shopping done. -u/PictureThicc

25. Electric kettle

As an American where this is not a super common household item - an electric kettle with temperature settings. I drink a lot of tea, that's its main use. Good for French press coffee or instant hot cocoa too. But it's also handy for cooking it I only need a couple cups of hot water. -u/porquegato