We spotted this money question on Reddit this week — and it caught our attention.
User servitefriarsasked, “What can you buy for less than $50 to instantly improve the quality of life?”
The replies are often delightfully straightforward.
You might not think $50 can be transformative at first glance. And you may have dismissed some of these purchases as unnecessary splurges.
But the thread helps put the value into context.
We’ve compiled the top 10 answers, as upvoted by Reddit users, leaving out anything that’s always free.
Here are several items people said made a meaningful difference in their daily lives — all for less than $50.
1. Send “Your Mum Some Flowers”
We’re serious.
This was the most popular reply and certainly one of the sweetest suggestions.
From your couch you can order flowers for delivery to a loved one — but really, send them to your mom. Prices vary, yet you can easily find bouquets under $50.
2. An Attachable Bidet. For Real.
Sick of friends coming back from Europe raving that bidets are everywhere and life-changing?
Thankfully, they’re slowly becoming more common in the U.S.
Since ripping out your bathroom isn’t an option for most, bidet attachments priced between $20 and $100 let your toilet do double duty.
3. Slow Cooker
Parents often praise the game-changing benefits of a slow cooker.
It can handle nearly anything — meats, soups, stews, casseroles, dips, oatmeal, even some breads.
This Crock-Pot 6-quart slow cooker is only $49 on Amazon. Cooking for one or two? Consider the 3-quart slow cooker for about $20.
4. Seed Packets (for Gardening)
“Gardening is very therapeutic,” commenter lemonriot noted, “so right away you get that benefit. Later you have food, cut flowers, whatever. Save seeds for the next season. And so the wheel turns.”
Start a small vegetable patch in your yard and enjoy both the mental and physical perks. Plus, you’ll trim grocery costs!
This set of 12 heirloom non-GMO vegetable seed varieties is under $20 on Amazon. Or grab this full starter kit for $35.
If flowers are more your thing, request free wildflower seeds from FindABee. Don’t forget to share a bouquet with your mum.
5. Handheld Showerhead With Adjustable Spray Settings
This suggestion seemed odd until we thought about it.
You shower most days — for many, it’s how the morning begins. An upgrade can make that routine more pleasant. For $20, you can dramatically enhance the experience.
6. Fire Extinguisher and a First Aid Kit
As user dryfire put it, “These are things you buy while hoping they never need to improve your quality of life.”
Pick up a home fire extinguisher for $20–$30. First-aid kits vary by contents, but you can find a solid one for about $20.
7. Electric Kettle
Comments hinted that Brits favor electric kettles more than Americans, but we can vouch for their life-improving potential!
We keep anelectric kettlein the Savinly office — it was only $25.
They’re ideal for break rooms, dorms and compact apartments without full stoves. Quickly boil water for coffee, tea, oatmeal and other quick recipes.
Or choose the stovetop model for roughly half the price.
8. A Good Pillow
What counts as a “good pillow” varies from person to person.
It’s worth investing in a supportive pillow that won’t collapse within months.
I bought this contour memory foam pillow at Target for $24.99, and my neck thanks me.
9. Electric Toothbrush
It’s not shocking someone mentioned this, though its popularity surprised us.
Multiple commenters attested to its life-changing effect. Better oral care, fewer dental bills and a confidence boost follow.
Pick up this Oral-B electric toothbrush for $49.95. Replacement heads run under $20 for a pack of three.
10. Wine and Dine Your Friends
“Wine and dine your friends,” suggested user her_nibs.
“Not extravagantly at restaurants — just a casual ‘good to see you, want a beer? I baked bread yesterday, take a loaf!’” they wrote.
They added it pays dividends in favors.
“I can trade a few loaves of homemade bread for big favors.”
Here are 10 good wines under $15 and some thoughtful DIY gift ideas. If you want to dive in, here’s how to start baking bread at home.
Your Turn: What have you bought for under $50 that changed your life?
Disclosure: What would Abe do? Probably nod approvingly for us including affiliate links in this post. Thanks for helping us stock Savinly’s beer fridge!
Dana Sitar (formerly a staff writer at Savinly) has written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, aiming for humor where it fits.
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