Think about the items you use every single day. Your hands touch them 365 days a year. They give you joy or serve a specific, vital purpose. From giving you rest to helping your mind and body function more efficiently, these products make your life easier and fuller.
For most, Christmas is a season of abundance — perhaps one could argue over abundance. We spend, indulge, and push the limits of our bodies and budgets. January and February feel like months of dearth. As we reduce the amount of food we consume or the dollars we spend, we often feel like we’re being punished.
But it’s during these months we should be investing, too. Not only should we be paying off what we owe and saving for the future, but we should also be investing in those products that allow us to become better versions of ourselves. After all, when we take care of our bodies and our homes, we free up the resources necessary to work more effectively. And believe it or not, spending time and money caring for the items we use most proves financially prudent no matter the cost.
In the bedroom
Approximately one third of our lives are spent sleeping. And yet many of us neglect the areas of our home where we sleep the most. Laundry dangles over the unused treadmill. Clutter covers every corner. Our bedrooms are in need of a serious investment.
Begin by spending time de-cluttering your space. Donate clothes that no longer fit. Clean off shelves and either store or give away the things you haven’t touched in years. The less in your sleeping space, the better you’ll rest.
After you finish refining what you own, consider making some upgrades. Depending on the support and comfort, you may want to replace your mattress. Experts suggest swapping this out every 7 to 10 years.
My top pick for the best prices of quality mattresses is a warehouse retailer such as Sam’s Club or Costco. If you don’t have a membership to either, head to your favorite home repair retailer. Check for special discount offerings like the 11 percent rebate at Menards or Lowe’s. Don’t be afraid to ask to speak to a manager to perhaps land a better deal, too. You may not succeed, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
If replacing the mattress is beyond your budget, consider investing in new sheets or pillows to help you get better sleep.
In the bathroom
A necessity, your bathroom provides both relief and renewal. There’s nothing like a hot shower or water running from the faucet to brush your teeth. However small annoyances on a daily basis add up to lost time and money.
I’m constantly amazed at how small changes can make the greatest differences. Last year, I finally got fed up with two small annoyances in our shower. 1) The shower curtain rings constantly being held up on the curtain rod. 2) The shower curtain kept blowing in toward anyone taking a shower.
For less than $15 and in less than 15 minutes, I replaced both. This small change has yielded a huge difference in both attitudes and in the amount of time it takes us to get ready during the day.
Again, begin with de-cluttering the space. Eliminate unused shampoo and body wash bottles. Toss out old toothbrushes. Repair or replace items that constantly fall or delay you in the mornings. You don’t have to completely renovate your bathroom. You just need to create a space that doesn’t irritate or vex you.
Consider hiring out more major repairs. After all, that drippy faucet drives you crazy and drives up your water bill, too. Stick with practical necessary fixes over stylistic or fashion updates. You may also want to consider replacing towels and other daily used items.
In the kitchen
From the refrigerator to the stove, from the sink to the coffeemaker, our kitchens allow us to save more money than perhaps any other room in our homes. By brewing our own coffee, we cut down on latte expenses. Through packing our lunches each day, we can make a major impact on our finances. When we cook at home, we provide a place for our family to gather and eat at the end of a long day drawing our hearts together and preventing dropping scads of cash at a restaurant.
And yet, the items we use the most often receive the least amount of care. A few quick investments in time typically provide maintenance your kitchen requires.
Once more, de-cluttering will provide more relief than any purchase. Clean out cabinets overflowing with duplicates. Ditch expired pantry goods. Donate those “you’re never going to use it, why on earth did you buy it” items. Cutting down on what’s in your kitchen will help you prepare foods and clean up more effectively.
Deep clean daily use items such as coffee makers, teapots and even major appliances. While running out to purchase new dishes or kitchen towels may make the space more aesthetically pleasing, fight that temptation. However, if you do need to replace truly worn out items, stick to basic colors and patterns. Personally, the only towels I purchase for both the kitchen and bath are white. This cuts down on laundry loads and makes replacing said items easier to match.
If it’s time to make a major replacement for an appliance, try to find a product that’s in the middle of the road price wise. Read reviews like it’s your job. And ask your friends and family which products they love and those to avoid as well.
Replacing an appliance should be a 15-20 year investment (or more if you’re lucky). Don’t be afraid to spend money on this necessity. However do your due diligence by researching prices, looking for coupons and getting the best deal possible.
