27 Affordable Pet Products Animals Adore
A pint of doggy ice cream that comes in four decadent (if I do say so myself) flavors: maple bacon, peanut butter, sprinkles, and vanilla. Simply add water, freeze, and prepare to be your pup's new favorite parent.
A silent chew toy if you've ever chucked a stuffed toy into the depths of your closet due to mid-day naps being interrupted by *squeak squeak squeak*. You'll get your nap in, doggo will get playtime in, everyone wins.
A self-warming pet bed if they assume permanent position in front of the space heater the second temps begin to drop. This is machine washable and uses insulation (not electricity) to remain warm.
Promising review: "My senior cat and my younger cat both took to these almost immediately. I bought a few so they could each have one and will likely buy more as well to put in other rooms. We have really cold winters and they're both obsessed with laying in front of the space heater, but I didn't want to leave it on all the time for them so when I found this, I figured it was worth a shot. I felt the pad where my cat was laying for a while and it was warm, so it works as intended." —MGet it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two colors).
A heated water bowl for animals who reside outside, i.e. stray cats, chickens, pigs, goats, etcetera. This keeps water liquid and prevents it from freezing.
Promising review: "At first I was a little skeptical in purchasing this heated bowl for my chickens but this bowl works great. It keeps the water from freezing and I live in Wisconsin, so the winters can be brutal. I have seven chickens and they seem to really like getting some warm water." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
A package of freeze-dried beef liver treats over 5,000 reviewers swear their dogs are *obsessed* with, and honestly, I sort of can't blame them? I think I'd like these if I were a dog, too.
Promising review: "At first, Willow wasn't quite sure about these freeze-dried beef liver treats. The texture gave her a moment of 'paws' (pun intended). But once she took that first crunchy bite, it was game over — she's absolutely hooked! Now, these treats are her go-to favorite. She'll sit, stay, and maybe even do a backflip if it means getting one. The 14-ounce tub is the perfect size to keep her tail wagging without running out too soon. If your pup needs a high-value treat to bring out their inner superstar, these are a must-try! Willow gives them two paws up!" —KathyGet them from Chewy for $4.99+ (originally $5.99+, available in six sizes).
A large duck chew toy that reviewers (myself included) rave about for its durability. This lil' guy is truly the gift that keeps on giving because you won't have to replace it after a mere few days — my Frenchie has been chewing on the same one for ~five months now and it's still going strong.*
Promising review: "My English Mastiff (and the biggest baby ever) loves his ducky. He has ripped up other toys, but not his beloved duck. He has had it for a few months now and brings it everywhere around the house with him, even sleeps snuggled up with it. I don't know why dogs seem to love this toy so much, but I would highly recommend purchasing." —KristenGet one from Amazon for $7.90.
A calming diffuser kit to help anxious cats, an especially great plug-in for days when you're out of the house for several hours or introducing a new pet to the family unit. Reviewers also love this because it helps soothe their pet's aggression.
A pack of EcoKind's Himalayan yak cheese chews that not only taste delicious (and no, we're not lying, Dr. Dolittle himself confirmed) but last for quite a while, making it a tasty and mentally stimulating treat.
Promising reviews: "We were skeptical at first because the dogs weren't quite sure about them, but we can't let ourselves be caught without them now. Our 9-year-old male Australian Cattle Dog likes them occasionally, but our two under-a-year females love them, fight over them, and even fall asleep chewing on them!We especially like these smaller-sized pieces because the longer ones we got before seemed to lose favor with the dogs after a while, but these they can finish and not leave for me to find in strange places." —Danny Scarbro"I have a very easily bored, mischief-prone Australian shepherd-poodle mix, and these are a godsend. They don't stink, she loves them, they last far longer than other edible chew toys, and she remains interested in them all the way to the end. I was so happy to find these on Subscribe & Save at a good price." —Philly TransplantGet a four-pack from Amazon for $26.95 (also available in other pack sizes).
A wheat-free peanut butter cake mix crafted specifically for dogs (!!!) so you can shower them with love and baked goods on their special day like you would any other bestie. I simply can't imagine anything cuter.
Promising review: "This was a huge hit, both of our chocolate labs LIVE for peanut butter. Instead of the yogurt icing, I melted some actual peanut butter in the microwave and used that as icing instead. Chuckie could barely wait for it to bake!" —aim1030 Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
An interactive cat toy that over 35,000 reviewers with picky, particular cats swear by — their kitties genuinely love *and* play with this simple and affordable toy.
A set of two lick mats you can smear with peanut butter or yogurt for a tasty puzzle that'll keep 'em occupied (and not barking) during that Zoom meeting.
Promising review: "We have a dog that gets stressed with fireworks, so every holiday that involves fireworks, we fill this up, freeze it, and she's happy. Be careful leaving them alone with it because my other dog tore it up once the treat was gone." —AlyGet them from Chewy for $13.99.
An allergy supplement if pollen weather = discomfort for your pup. These immunity-boosting soft chews are probiotics that help promote healthy skin, with probiotics to keep your dog from painfully itching and gnawing.
An ice bandana to keep your pup feeling (and looking TBQH) cool during the hot, humid months of summer.
A elevated outdoor bed that lingers eight inches above the ground. TL;DR; it allows air to pass through to keep your pup cool, all while the canopy roof prevents the sunshine from beating down on 'em directly.
An anxiety jacket that applies gentle pressure for quasi-hug, helping to keep pups calm during stressful situations: flights, car rides, thunderstorms, etcetera. Reviewers especially love this for Fourth of July (and the fireworks that come with it).
Promising review: "This is my first Fourth of July with my rescue dog, and I didn't know how she was going to react to fireworks. I bought this ahead of time just in case, and I'm so glad I did. She started shaking and panting as soon as they started going off. I put this on her and she almost immediately stopped trembling, and now she is asleep! I honestly had my doubts that something so simple would work." —weezGet it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in seven sizes and two colors).
A Dash dog-treat maker that functions like its waffle maker counterpart: simply plug it in, fill with batter, and et voila, the button will shine green when ready.
A treat-dispensing toy so playtime can last for hours on particularly cold days when walks need to be short and sweet. These toy balls are designed to interlock for bigger dogs, too.
A hair-removing glove that is the best kind of grooming tactic. Why? All you'll have to do is give your doggo some pets and they'll be snoring before you know it.
Promising review: "My dog has long fur (double coat) and she tolerates it when I use the slicker brush, but she actually relaxed and settled in when I brushed her with this. The only drawback, which wasn't enough to take off a whole star, is that the velcro has sharp corners and pokes my wrist a little when I move around. That won't stop me from using it, though, because my dog gives it two enthusiastic paws up." —TerpsichoreGet it from Amazon for $7.99.
A snuggle puppy stuffed toy for pups who suffer from separation anxiety and need a hint of extra attention. Be still my heart, but this stuffed animal is designed with a heart that beats to make them feel less alone. And I'm sorry but now I can't stop crying.
A hide-and-seek plushie that encourages curious doggos to dig around. And the design? Let's just say it makes playtime even ~sweeter~.
Promising review: "My dog loves the little bees. However, I don't think she's quite clever enough to get them out of the burrow. My kitten is the one who retrieves the bees, and the dog gets excited to steal them from her! Overall, I love this for both of my fur babies." —scarevansGet it from Target for $11.69.
A cave bed if your pooch is anything like mine and demands to be covered on a whim but can't quite burrow under a blanket. This is the no-frills solution they've been waiting for you to buy.
Promising review: "We bought this bed about a month ago for our boxer mix. She gets very chilly in the winters, even in the south. From day one she has loved this bed. She dive rolls into it. The added bonus is that she now prefers to sleep in what we call her 'taco' and doesn't jump in our bed at all anymore. So all of us are sleeping better." —ShellyATLGet it from Amazon for $39.59+ (available in two sizes).
A 2-in-1 burrow and snuffle toy made with two hidden squeaking fishbones and a treat pocket in the trout's belly, ideal for energetic dogs who expect you to throw their toy over and over again...even when it's covered in slobber.
Promising review: "Our dog brings his trout toy everywhere with him. We constantly fill the pouch (fish guts!) with fun snacks, and he can spend a long time trying to 'fish' them out (pun intended). Really durable toy too, and has outlasted so far many other toys that get less regular use. Definitely recommend to all other dog owners out there!" —Manuel C. Get it from Lambwolf Collective for $32.
A plush couch liner equipped with a leakproof, nonslip heating pad to keep 'em warm when the landlord refuses to raise the heat to a reasonable temperature.
A portable paw cleaner to avoid dragging the remnants of icky winter weather into your clean home. Just add a little water, put each paw inside to be scrubbed by the silicone bristles, and that's it. Clean paws within seconds and helps your pooch avoid bath time.
A bag of handmade pill pockets for small animals because let's face it: there's nothing more frustrating than seeing your lil' critter — like a guinea pig, rabbit, or chinchilla — spit out the (very expensive) medicine that their vet prescribed. This makes the whole ordeal easy-easy.
No Furries Delights is a Canada-based small business run by two sisters with a passion for handmade healthy pet treats.Promising reviews: "Our bunny absolutely LOVES these. He always took treats from us before, but if we have any Binky chips, he gets more affectionate, sitting on our laps and giving us finger kisses. We have our bun on a digestive vitamin, and giving him one or two of these every other day has helped him. Love them and we are 100% buying them again!" —Ashley P.Get it from No Furries Delights on Etsy for $7.39+ (available in two sizes)
A magic link leash that can be worn as belt, a crossbody, or around your wrist, which is great because a: it means they won't be able to run off and b: will prevent you from pulling their collar.
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2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
30 Home Products That Will Change Your Life
A jar of the The Pink Stuff — aka TikTok's favorite all-purpose cleaning paste. From everyday messes like countertop spills and soap scum to years' worth of buildup like rust on windows, there's no grossness that this miracle cleaner can't take on. An emergency first aid kit that comes with 298 pieces of supplies so that you always have what you need if an oopsie happens. From minor cuts to more serious accidents, make sure your home (and especially your kitchen) has one of these, even if it's just to provide peace of mind. Unfortunately this kit's bandages are only available in a light beige color. If you're looking for more skintone variation please check out these, these, and these. The kit comes with multiple sizes of bandages (fabric and plastic), a rescue blanket, antibiotic ointment, aspirin tablets, a packet of burn gel, wound closures, antiseptic towels, cold pack, gauze roll, cotton-tipped applicators, a disposable thermometer, extra-strength non-aspirin tablets, finger splint, first aid guide, first aid tape, moleskin blister prevention, disposable gloves, scissors, sterile eye pads, gauze pads, a trauma pad, sting relief wipes, and a set of tweezers. Promising review: "I've had this first aid kit for several years under my kitchen sink and have never had to restock, even with generous use. This kit has pretty much everything you might need within reason, for a great price as well. This kit has been a service to those living in my apartment, from basic shaving cuts to a deep laceration for the hip. After a freak accident in which I fell on, broke, and stabbed myself in the love handle area with my glass water bottle, this kit allowed me to stay calm and pressurize the wound with gauze and bandages while arranging a ride to the ER." —Olivia KGet it from Amazon for $19.94. A multi-plug outlet with six electric outlets, two USB ports, and a built-in night-light. The night-light has three levels of brightness, and turns on and off automatically if the area gets too dark or bright. A kitchen sink drain cover to catch all the loose foodstuff that falls into your sink on the daily. That lingering smell caused by food buildup in your sink's drain? It's time to put an end to that, stat. Promising review: "It kills me to write this review because I never thought I would be writing a review for a sink strainer. But when you come across a well-engineered product that solves a problem for you, no matter how simple, it should get credit. This strainer allows full flow down the drain even when it is full of food particles, so you can just clean it easily after you are all done. No food can sneak by due to the design and it even looks good." —CaptainDingleGet it from Amazon for $9.95. And a pack of foaming garbage disposal cleaner if there's already plenty of stinky gunk buildup in your drain. It does a great job of dislodging buildup (decaying food, fats, oils, and grease that stick to the sides of your pipe) and eliminating odor that's lingering in your drain. An Instant Pot that is truly, just honestly so essential to any kitchen. This thing does it all: pressure cook, slow cook, cook rice, steam, sauté...it even makes yogurt. If I could only have one small appliance in my entire kitchen, it would be this one. Promising review: "This is quite possibly the coolest, most versatile kitchen gadget I've ever owned. I love it so much that I've purchased two more for friends and relatives. What can it do? I think the real question is 'What can't it do?' I truly believe you could replace every cooking appliance (including your oven and stove top) and do EVERYTHING in the Instant Pot. I purchased two sizes for my own use: the 3-quart (which is my almost-every-day workhorse for two person dishes) and the 8-quart (which I bring out to handle my dinner party dishes). Everything I've tried has been fabulous. In the realm of kitchen appliances, there is no better investment than the Instant Pot. Highly recommended!!!" —StereomanGet it from Amazon for $79.95+ (available in three sizes). An ergonomically designed 12-in-1 screwdriver so you can make sure you're ready when you need to tighten a screw — from loose cabinet doors and funky furniture to electrical panels and hanging art. Promising review: "As a semi-retired handyman, I really appreciate tools that make my life easier. And this one is well-thought-out. First, the interchangeable bits are fairly thin and long, which makes them easier to get into tight spaces. The second thing is how easily and quickly the bits can be changed. Because they are on the outside of the handle instead of inside a hollow handle or bit holder, you can easily see which one you need next. Make the swap with just a flick of a finger, and the bit you need is ready to go in seconds." —MrGizmoGet it from Amazon for $19.99. A food storage set that includes eight 30-ounce containers with lids, perfect for meal prepping. These are made out of thick glass that doesn't get that food stain fog like traditional plastic ones. Promising review: "Absolutely love this product! Makes storing and transporting my meals extremely easy and keeps everything fresh all week. Portion size is perfect. I fit a whole chicken breast plus rice in them with room to spare. The leak-proof design holds in freshness and gives me peace of mind when transporting them in my backpack. When all is done, they are extremely easy to clean." —RHGet it on Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three lid colors). A microfiber duster to actually capture dust particles instead of scattering the dust around like a traditional feather duster. It's machine washable too, so when it gets caked with nastiness just slide it off and toss it in the washing machine to make it like new again. A garlic chopper to take on the daunting task of chopping or mincing garlic. You just put up to five regular-size cloves in it and then use your hand to roll this thing on any smooth surface, and it chops it all up in a matter of seconds. If you want to mince it, you keep rolling for maybe 10 more seconds. It's seriously the best! Promising review: "Love! Love! Love the GarlicZoom! Mincing garlic has never been more easy or fun. It makes mince work out of garlic, onion, chilies and herbs. I'm not sure what I love most about this little gadget. Not smelling stinky garlic fingers all night? No burning fingers or eyes from chopping a super hot chile? Or mincing fresh herbs in a blink of an eye. I have a problem wrist from an injury and an arm and hand that suffers from nerve damage. I can still manage to zoom this. When people ask if the can help in the kitchen, this is the chore that I give them and everyone loves it. They think it's the neatest little thing." —Kennedy CollinsGet it from Amazon for $11.49. A storage box to contain and hide your tangled mess of wires and cords. Modern living means nests of cables in your home, but fortunately you can hide it away thanks to this sleek storage box that fits up to 15-inch extension leads. It has a rubber underbelly so it'll stay put once you place it where you want. DMoose is a small business in Buffalo, NY that makes an awesome cable management box. Promising review: "I'm so happy with this organizer box. I can't stand a heap of tangled cords going every which way. I've got two AC adapter boxes in there. Also in the box is a small power supply, the cord for the iMac I use, and a long USB cord plugged into my charging station. It's awesome." —Ben WGet it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in four colors). An expandable rack that wraps around your awkwardly shaped sink pipe, no problem. When you use this you'll quite literally double the storage space in your cabinet. Can you say "miracle product"? Measures 15 inches long x 11.25 inches wide x 15 inches high and can expand to 25 inches review: "I'm so glad I bought this. I have a 24-inch vanity in my bathroom and this fit perfectly. I have it extended to about 23-inch and it holds sturdy, though I can see if you were to extend it to its full length it gets weak in the middle. I liked it so much that I ordered another one for the kitchen. I got some clear bins to help organize bottles and other goodies I keep in the bath." —Marlene it from Amazon for $24.87 (available in three finishes). A set of two toothpaste squeezers with built-in stands to make sure you get all the paste out of the tube. Because these hold the tube upright, it's way less messy. All the globs of toothpaste that are littering your sink and bathroom countertop will be a thing of the past. Promising review: "These work great. They keep even a full tube upright so the bathroom counter looks tidier. The key twists the empty section of the tube easily so every bit of the toothpaste is used with no fuss. Have one for my husband and me and for each of the two kids. Highly recommend this product." —Chelley PattersonGet a set of two from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in packs of white and red or white and navy blue). Reusable unpaper towels so you can save some cash *and* the planet. Try not to think about how much money you've spent on single-use paper towels and instead just buy these already. Marley's Monsters is a woman-owned small business based in Eugene, Oregon making eco-friendly home review: "I love these sustainable towels! The patterns are super cute and they arrived fast. They also roll nicely onto an old paper towel roll so work perfectly with the towel holder we already have in our kitchen." —Jillian ChouGet it from Marley's Monsters on Etsy for $20+ (available in packs of six or 12) A pack of vacuum storage bags to stuff with clothing and bedding and then attach literally any vacuum to it to suck the air out. The vacuum seal will reduce the size by up to 80%! Imagine how much extra stuff — linens, towels, seasonal clothing — you can store away when not in use. Promising review: "These bags are freaking great. My fiancé and I recently moved from a two-bed/two-bath to a one-bed/one-bath. We lost a lot of storage space and didn't want to get rid of our guest bedding when we are planning to buy a house within the next year. We use the jumbo and large bags for our guest linens/extras. I think the medium bags could come in handy for packing luggage for extended trips back home." —KyraGet it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in four pack sizes). A pack of washing machine tablets to make sure your machine is sparkly clean and therefore capable of making sure your dirty laundry gets clean too. One tablet will remove odor-causing residues and grime, most of which you probably don't even realize is there. And a dryer vent cleaning kit that'll suck out all lint and other particles that have been building up in your dryer's vent. Your clothes dry much faster if your vent gets a deep cleaning from this thing. A printable Wi-Fi sign so you don't have to try to remember your router name and password every time a new person comes over. You download the file, so if you ever need to change your network's name or password you just edit the original copy and print a new sign. Pastel Design Studio is a woman-owned small business based in North Carolina making original printable art and graphic review: "The cutest Wi-Fi sign! Can't wait to put it up for our guests this weekend! Love that I can change the details when we move and change passwords! So cute!" —HannahGet it from Pastel Design Studio on Etsy for $5.99. A set of drawer organizers that'll help keep your socks, bras, scarves, and more from overflowing onto your bedroom floor. The set includes four bins: one with six cells for scarves and tights, eight square cells for underwear, seven wide cells for bras, and 24 small cells for review: "I love these things; they're so versatile. I have them all over: drawers, closet shelves, cabinets. I use them for more than just underwear too. I use them for dry art supplies in open shelves and just about anywhere else I need to organize." —Kindle MacGet it from Amazon for $14.47 (available in seven colors). A 15-piece set of airtight food containers, because your most-used pantry items deserve special containers that'll help prolong their freshness. 2024 is the year of the clutter-free pantry, people! You heard it here first. Promising review: "I ordered this set to continue on the road to an organized pantry. There are enough containers and enough variety of sizes to make me happy. I have stored pastas and noodles, dried beans, rice, sugar, instant mashed potatoes, crackers, etc. When I open a box of something, I put whatever is unused into one of the containers and feel very secure that the contents will be fresh and protected from any possible insect problems." —R MGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors). A Tushy bidet, because keeping yourself clean has never been easier. This attachment doesn't need electricity or anything! And it's super easy to install. An Oxo over-the-drain hair stopper if you shed hair like it's just your job. This tiny but mighty tool will catch all those loose strands before they can congregate in your pipe. A windproof rechargeable lighter for all your candles and grilling needs. The flexible neck makes it easy to light hard to reach wicks, and it'll spark 400 times before it needs to be recharged. Promising reviews: "I'm a candle freak, so I was tired of using a regular lighter and then having to rig up something to reach the wicks as my candles burned down. I had seen these lighters previously, read through the reviews and decided to purchase. I've been very happy with my purchase. After reading reviews, I just make sure to clean the lighter with the little brush that's included, to make sure there is no wax on it, each time I use it. I have had no problems." —MMGet it from Amazon for $7.99. A handmade cable organizer so your devices can conveniently charge on your desk without creating a nest of unsightly cords. This organizer has a spot for up to four cords, so your daily devices (phone, laptop, etc) will have its own designated space. Batelier is a family-owned small business based in Poland making handmade wooden home organization it from Batelier on Etsy for $39. A Bissell multi-purpose portable cleaner to tackle the most aggressive messes and stains, all without the annoyance of a cord. Reviewers have used this to save their couches, rugs, stairs, car seats, and more. A pack of absorbent and multipurpose microfiber cloths for cleaning up all sorts of messes without using single-use paper towels. I love these because they don't leave a white residue on my black furniture (like a traditional white paper towel does) when I clean. I've also washed mine more than 100 times and they still work as well as the first time I used them. Promising review: "These are amazing for cleaning and a great price! I'm mad at myself for not purchasing sooner. In an effort to reduce the huge amount of paper towels we go through, I decided to purchase these. I use one to two a day for kitchen cleanup and put them in the laundry. They pick up little crumbs easily and don't leave my quartz streaky. I have a super messy 10-month-old and I clean his highchair with these and they work wonderfully. I also use these for dusting — they pick up everything. The only thing that was a negative was that the first time I washed them in warm water (per instructions), the yellow color bled onto the white and turned them an off white color. Not a big deal, but be careful not to wash the yellow rags with anything you care about! Last thing, but don't use fabric softener with these or they won't be as absorbent!" —Meg a pack of 24 from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in four pack sizes and two color combinations). An automatic, odor-absorbing, sensor-activated trash can made of fingerprint-proof stainless steel. We love a machine that truly does it all. Promising review: "I bought this trash can eight years ago. At the time, it was hard to find any stainless-steel trash cans for an affordable price, so the fact that this was the most reasonable and it had the automated lid seemed like a pretty easy choice. It still looks great and works great. You can wave over the sensor to open the lid, or there is a button on the front of it to open the lid and keep it open. The lid does a great job of holding any odors in while it's closed." —SomniGet it from Amazon for $62.42+ (available in 19 styles). A slender storage cabinet that'll fit between your toilet and the wall or tub. Not only can it hold all the essentials like extra TP and cleaning supplies, but you can use the top to show off a good book or a nice candle. A bath overflow drain cover so you can get an extra six inches or so of water when you pour yourself a bath. It also stops that annoying drainage sound — aka the mood killer — that happens when the water reaches the drain. For anyone worried that it'll cause your tub to overflow, know that it has a hole at the top of the cover that will allow the overflow drain to still do its job if the water accidentally gets higher than the review: "I have a high-stress job, and I've started taking baths as a way to unwind. However, it never seemed like I could keep enough water in the tub to really enjoy it. This little thing makes a HUGE difference!! I get at least an extra 3 inches of water, and it is great." —Hyacinthe SnyderGet it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in nine colors). And a reusable roller dog hair remover that works just as well as the single-use sheet kind, but without the guilt (and cost) of having to buy new rolls all the time. Me to you when you make some of these essential home purchases: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
9 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
The Camping Safety Items You Should Have On Hand
Safety and emergency preparedness are typically two notions that most folks already take into consideration when it comes to camping and outdoor adventures. That still doesn't mean it's not important to take stock of what's in your current stash of gear, or, if you're a wilderness newbie, to learn what essentials to take. Cody Lundin is an Arizona-based survival instructor who teaches living skills and urban preparedness. He said that the specific essential gear that a person takes outdoors is really based upon 'their bioregion, the intention of the trip, personal skill level and experience.''In other words, if I head into the mountains with spruce and fir trees, or if I go into one of our four North American deserts, the gear that I carry may change to adapt to that specific landscape,' he said, adding that winter survival and desert survival are opposite outdoor temperature extremes that can kill the unprepared hiker or Lundin said that there are items that have been carried in the wilderness for thousands of years by native peoples that are just as valid today in a modern outdoor survival kit. So now that you've already got your tent, your sleeping bag is packed and the s'mores provisions are locked and loaded, consider the following list of items that Ludin and other wilderness experts say they always bring out into field — — plus guidance on how to make your next camping trip safe and fun. Stormproof strike anywhere matches and match safe Survival instructor Cory Lundin stressed the importance of having fire in survival situations and the modern and reliable lighting tools to make one. "I prefer a gross motor way to create fire, meaning that it is easier to do when stressed out, with cold hands, in inclement weather, or the dozens of other things that can go sideways in the wilderness," Ludin said. "Save the exotic fire by friction sets for having fun, making fun of crap TV survival shows, or showing off to your friends."According to Ludin, he carries at least three different fire lighting methods in his personal kit because there are pros and cons to each type of ignition. One method is a pack of strike anywhere matches stored in a match safe. Based on this guidance, we chose this set of 25 storm- and wind-proof matches that are easy to light, will burn up to 15 seconds each and will relight even after being submerged in water. They come in a floating and waterproof match box that features an integrated and replaceable them from Amazon for $8.95+ (available in three colors). A Ferro Rod fire starter The Ferro Rod with striker is another fire lighting tool that came at the suggestion of Creekmore, as well as Lundin, who explained that it's a magnesium bar with a ferrocerium rod embedded in the side as an ignition source. The sharp-toothed sparker effectively shaves off hot ribbons of magnesium to make quick and easy work of lighting tinder. Creekmore suggests taking along cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly when packing the Ferro Rod because these can help not only work as tinder for the fire, but also help sustain its burning for it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four styles). A pack of three credit card-sized fresnel lenses Lundin's final fire-starting tool in his kit are fresnel lenses which are the size of a credit card and use magnification to concentrate sunlight onto to tinder in order to ignite a flame."All fire craft demands a reasonable amount of skill and attention," said Lundin, who offers fire safety courses. He noted that hundreds of acres of wilderness are lost to forest fires each year, caused by careless campers with no working fire a 3-pack from Amazon for $4.99 (available in three colors). A robust knife with a continuous blade "This robust, full-tang knife is perfect for a variety of survival tasks, from cutting and carving to gutting and skinning game," Creekmore said of the Morakniv Garberg knife. "Its durable build and sharp edge make it a reliable tool for any wilderness adventure."The Morakniv Garberg also fits the knife guidance of Lundin, who said that he advises opting for a fixed blade (not a folding knife) that is carbon steel with a wide sharpening bevel that is simple in design.""The skill of using the knife comes from the user, not the knife, and a simple blade design will give the user the most options for using the knife in a wide variety of environments," Lundin it from Amazon for $70.04. A two-way emergency satellite phone Mykel Hawke is an author, former Army special forces officer, an educator and survival expert possessing an impressive resume of qualifications. According to him, having the ability to to call for help is the number one thing to do in any emergency. "I recommend a [satellite] phone or a spot device or anything that can reach for help when you have no cell coverage," Hawke said. "Sat phones," like this highly rated option that we selected, allow users to send SOS notifications to 24-hour search and rescue services globally, as well as share your location with loved ones back home at any time — though an active satellite subscription is required. The Garmin is enabled with an accurate compass and other directional routing features that allow you to track back the direction you came from. Using Bluetooth, users can sync to all existing smart devices to help plan trips and the battery can last up to 14 days per charge. One important note is that, according to some reviewers who claim to have experience using satellite phones, delays in message response time is to be it from Amazon for $349.99 (available in two colors). A multi-fuel camping stove "[Have] a good camp stove and utensils for cooking and eating. The main thing we do [is] cook, boil, eat, drink, prep, clean and repeat so, own good stuff," Hawke explained. He said that he personally uses stoves that are multi-fuel to keep ignition options open. Based on this guidance, we researched and found this well-known option by MSR, a hybrid portable camping stove that uses a brand-exclusive technology to create the optimal fuel and air mix. This means the stove operates seamlessly with canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline. Additionally, the brand claims that the feed system from the liquid canister delivers "better cold weather and low-fuel performance with a more consistent output."Get it from Amazon for $179.96+ (available in two sizes). An all-purpose emergency first aid kit It might go without saying that a first aid kit should always be among your camping essentials but Hawke said that it's surprisingly an item that people often forget. Whatever kit you choose, Hawke said the kit should be one that will tend to both illness and injuries. We found this popular 299-piece kit that includes everything you need to disinfect wounds, bandage cuts and soothe burns. Clear plastic interior compartments keep everything organized and the soft sided zip case makes storage and transportation a it from Amazon for $19.71. An editor-endorsed sleeping pad Although a sleeping pad may not seem like a typical safety essential for camping, Hawke said that a good night's sleep is often under-appreciated in the outdoors and extended days of poor sleep can really put a damper on an otherwise fun camping didn't suggest a specific sleeping pad or brand, however we are big fans of the Expend MegaMat 10, a self-inflating pad that uses a core of air-channeled foam insulation to keep the pad lightweight, yet extremely comfortable and warm in cold conditions. The MegaMat comes in several sizes and lengths to accommodate different heights and number of sleepers. Get it from Amazon for $259.95+. A pair of tactical LED flashlights Hawke mentioned flashlights should be among the standard list of tools one would need for camping. We selected these Gear Light tactical flashlights for their compact size, affordable price point and the over 61,000 5-star Amazon ratings. These weather-proof and high-lumens flashlights have five light modes, a zoomable beam and claim to be strong enough to withstand a 10-foot a 2-pack from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two colors).
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a day ago
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Employee sparks outrage after sharing dark truth about Amazon returns: 'I think people completely forgot about that part'
A retail worker, who works at a store that accepts Amazon returns, shared an image with Reddit's r/Anticonsumption community showing six full pallets of returned items collected over just one weekend. What's happening? The image shows towering pallets packed with returned items, all gathered from a single store during one weekend. "Six full pallets of returns that will more than likely go to the landfills," the poster wrote, adding that they shared this with friends and family who regularly use Amazon, hoping to influence their shopping habits. This massive pile forms part of the estimated 3.5 billion products returned annually in the U.S. Many retailers find it cheaper to throw away returned items than to reprocess them. One Redditor commented, "With how easy returns can be, you essentially have the option to 'try it on in the store', but instead of leaving it on a hook for the employee to grab and save you the 2 minute walk to put it back, you don't have to go to the store at all. You can just send it back and forth across the entire f****** planet." Another replied, "I think people completely forgot that part!! It gets shipped from china, then onto a plane, then a truck, then a smaller truck to your door, then you get in your car and drive it the store to return, then another truck picks up those returns, then more trucks to whatever it goes from there." Why is excessive product waste concerning? Each returned item carries a carbon impact from its manufacturing process, plus additional pollution from shipping stages. Many returned products travel thousands of miles before ending up in landfills, where they release methane as they break down. For items with electronics or batteries, landfill disposal causes toxic chemicals to leak into soil and water. Even regular products add to overflowing landfills and waste valuable resources and energy. Is Amazon doing anything about this? Amazon has started some sustainability initiatives, including its Climate Pledge to reach net-zero carbon by 2040. Critics note that Amazon's business model encourages heavy consumption through features like one-click ordering and free returns. While the company has reduced some packaging, the problem of return waste remains mostly untouched. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Some Amazon facilities work with liquidation companies or donation programs, but this practice isn't common across all return locations. What can I do to help reduce return waste? You can take several steps to lower your shopping's environmental impact. Buy with intention by researching products thoroughly beforehand, making returns less likely. Shop locally when possible, which cuts shipping pollution and lets you see products before purchase. When buying online, check sizing charts carefully and read reviews to make better choices. Find online retailers with smarter return policies. Some stores have dedicated restocking systems rather than trashing returns. Before returning items, consider whether they could be fixed, reused, or donated locally instead. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
