It wasn't love at first sight — here's why we changed our minds about these 11+ products
It's hard to get past a bad first impression. Be it a pair of running shoes, a moisturizer or a cookware set, saying 'I hate it' after you find a few minor flaws is often easier than giving something a second (or third… or fourth) chance. But as the NBC Select team knows, not everything is love at first sight. We try products over and over again before making a final call because sometimes, even though we hate an item at first, we change our minds about it.
In this episode of For What It's Worth, NBC Select's live podcast, hosts Lauren Swanson, editorial director, and Zoe Malin, reporter, talk through products that ultimately won them over, plus a few they still can't get behind.
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Episode transcript
LAUREN: I'm getting acupuncture today.
ZOE: The bomb.
LAUREN: But she's going to ask me face up or face down, and I'm like, face down because the embarrassing sunburn that's on the front half of my body needs to be hidden. The shame that I will feel will be immense. I was wearing this necklace, so now I have to wear this necklace for the next month because there's a little —
ZOE: I hate when that happens. I was saying today that my watch tan line is back. It's going to get worse throughout the summer, but I can see it.
LAUREN: Such as runners' life.
ZOE: Truly.
LAUREN: We're going to talk about some more products today.
ZOE: That changed our minds.
LAUREN: Products we hated and then loved.
ZOE: Love it. There are so many things that you try one time and it's a terrible experience, and sometimes, that causes you to never try it again. I think that's a shame because it could be that second or third time that really, truly makes the difference.
LAUREN: Which is why we test the same product over multiple weeks. Sometimes it's hard, especially when we're doing 100 best or something like that, and you're like, I literally have 15 sunscreens that I need to test over the next three weeks. How do I do that? But it's important to test more than once because you may end up hating something at the first impression, and then you're like, actually, my skin is glowing. My face is clear. The tank is clean. All of those things.
ZOE: It's so true. I feel like, especially for me with leggings and sports bras when we've tried them in the past, I've had a few instances where I will wear them once, hate them and then I'll wear them a second time and I'm like, wait, I hated that?
Lauren: What was I thinking?
ZOE: Yes! Last year, 2024, I tested this Under Armor sports bra, and it was a great sports bra, except I don't like straight straps on a sports bra. I like cross straps because I think it holds you up better —
LAUREN: More support.
ZOE: Yes, and it goes with the slope of the shoulder better. I think it's an all-around great option. We tried this Under Armor sports bra, and unfortunately, it had straight straps, and I was like, I'm so upset because I want to give this a great review, but I just can't. The straps kept falling and I was so distracted and yada yada yada. This year, 2025, I got the bra again, and I was like, I don't want to test this again. And then I was looking at it, and I'm like, Oh my god, I can move the straps.
LAUREN: And it gave new life.
ZOE: I love it. I wore it yesterday.
LAUREN: Oh, I love that.
ZOE: It's a great sports bra and I wear it all the time, but I wasn't taking enough time to really look at it and see what I could do to make it work. And I think sometimes those tiny adjustments can make the biggest difference.
LAUREN: During Wellness Awards testing, I tested those lymphatic drainage leggings.
ZOE: Yes, from Elastique.
LAUREN: I hated them.
ZOE: I remember you telling me that.
LAUREN: And in all fairness, I went out running in them, which I don't know that they're really intended for that.
ZOE: I agree.
LAUREN: But I went out running in them, and we do Wellness Awards testing in the winter, or we start in the winter and it goes into spring. And those little beads were freezing on my legs when I was running outdoors. They're also not thermal leggings, so I was cold, and the beads were making me colder. They were hurting — they felt like little icicles digging into my skin. I hated the experience. I was like, this is not getting a high score from me. I still have them, and I wore them recently, and I kind of love them now.
ZOE: I completely agree with you. The first time I wore them, I ran in them. I shouldn't have done that. That was a dumb thing to do.
LAUREN: They're made for lounging. They're made for errands.
ZOE: One hundred percent. Also, I think they're great for yoga. I've done barre in them, and that experience I didn't hate at all. Would I spend almost $300 on them? Probably not. I don't think I have it in me. However, I do like the experience. I actually was kind of happy with them. Also, we tested that sports bra, the Elastique one that had the lymphatic drainage beads on the back, and it was kind of lovely. If you're doing barre or yoga and you're lying on your back, you get a little massage. That was great. But again, I wouldn't wear that for running. So, I think, sometimes, it's also how you test the product. Whenever we do skincare testing, if it says you can use this in the AM or PM, I will always do both. Sometimes there's a skincare product that I think is amazing for the morning, and I will not wear it at night, and vice versa. And that's why, with running shoes, sports bras and leggings, different types of exercise are so important too. One of my most recent ones that I was originally like, I hate this, this is ridiculous and I'm never doing this again, is carbon plated running shoes. I was so against them for so long. And then after talking to a bunch of running coaches and researching them so much more, I realized that the carbon plate in a running shoe doesn't activate unless you're over a certain speed. You have to be running quite quickly.
LAUREN: Oops.
ZOE: So I was like, if I'm going to be running long distance in these, I'm not going to also be speed training. Plenty of people do. Plenty of people wear them for marathons when they're running really, really, really high, fast paces. I'm not doing that. I'm not an elite runner.
LAUREN: You mean, you're not hitting a four-minute mile?
ZOE: No, I can't say that's a goal of mine.
LAUREN: One day.
ZOE: One day. But I was so turned off by them because I thought they were so uncomfortable when I was doing 16 miles or so. Like, no, what are you doing? Then, I started speed training in them after I wrote an article about carbon plate running shoes, and I was like, wait, these are amazing. Truly, they work, but it has to be over a certain speed. A lot of the time it might be that you're using it wrong, or maybe it's just not the right circumstance. Then again, there's obviously plenty of products that you just do not like. But I think that if you hate it at first, don't rule it out.
LAUREN: Give it a second chance.
ZOE: Yes, I think it's so important.
LAUREN: What are other things on your list? Bad first impressions?
ZOE: Believe it or not, I was really against AirPods for a long time. I was a wired headphones girl, and I kept saying that I could not imagine my life changing.
LAUREN: I'm convinced I have small ears.
ZOE: Oh, do they fall out?
LAUREN: Yes.
ZOE: I wonder. It could be. But I was so against AirPods for a long time because I was so set in my ways. I also was like, the connection's not going to be great, whatever. I don't know — what did I know about headphones? And then I got them, and I was like, wow, life is new.
LAUREN: I can do the dishes while listening to a podcast and walk around the house.
ZOE: It's the best.
LAUREN: Or when we're working from home, or even when we're in the office, if you have a meeting and have your headphones in, then you're like, oh, I need to refill my water bottle, and you go and you refill your water bottle, and you're still listening. Although that's when I worry that somebody's going to be like, Lauren, what are your thoughts? And then I'm running back to my desk.
ZOE: I feel like that always happens. But truly, I was so against AirPods for a while, and Bluetooth headphones in general, because I was too set in my wired headphone life. Now, I think back to years ago when I was running long distance with wired headphones.
LAUREN: Insane.
ZOE: I cannot believe it. The amount of times I almost ripped my ears out because I made one teensy, tiny wrong move.
LAUREN: Sometimes when you wear wired headphones, the off-brand ones that you get on Amazon, do they shock your ears?
ZOE: Yes! That's actually why my mom bought me AirPods in college. When I moved to Chicago, we had to wear, obviously, insanely heavy parkas. And I would always call her when I was walking from my dorm to my first class of the day. That was always our chit-chat time. She said to me, Are you getting shocked by your headphones? I'm like, yes, why? She's like, I hear it. I was like, what? She's like, Yes, I think it's happening because you're wearing this parka and it's creating so much static. And I was like, yes, that's uncomfortable. And she's like, Why haven't you mentioned this? And I was like, I just thought this was life. What was I supposed to do about this? And she's like, there's a solution. And then she got me the AirPods, and I remember calling her and being like, Mom, this is an exciting experience.
LAUREN: My inner ears aren't getting electric shocks.
ZOE: So that was one that I really was so against for a while, for no reason. And now, I'm obsessed. I'm trying to think of other ones that had a really bad first impression. Do you have any that stick out for you?
LAUREN: Oh, there's something Chad got that I hated, and now I'm like, okay, I actually like it.
ZOE: Isn't that terrible when you have to admit to someone that they were right about something? So annoying.
LAUREN: What was it? I can't remember, but this I still hate — he set up his freaking sound bar for surround sound. And I am like, it's so dumb that we have this. Our apartment is 700 square feet. We don't need surround sound. And our living room is 200 square feet. It's not big enough that we need surround sound. So that is a product that has not changed my mind, and I will not let it change my mind. It sucks. That straight up sucks.
ZOE: One that I can't get behind is the Furbo, which I know is surprising as a parent of four pets, but the spewing treats out… it's a no from me.
LAUREN: When we did Pet Awards testing, I was testing one of those cameras, and I loved it for a moment. I was like, This is so great. I can watch him, and I can throw treats in the air. I think it works fine for dogs. I don't know. I haven't tested it with dogs. But not for cats that can jump up on the counter.I did not screw it to the wall or whatever, so he learned very quickly that there are treats inside this canister, and if all he does is just knock this thing over, he can have a huge quantity of treats. That was instantly what happened. I would set this thing up, and he would knock it over. I would set it up with no treats, and he would knock it over.
ZOE: Right, because they still think they're in there. They smell the remnants of it. But I think even with a dog, they sit in front of it. It's conditioning.
LAUREN: It's literally screen time for pets.
ZOE: Yes! I cannot get behind the treat-dispensing cameras. I just can't. The other thing for me is, when I look at my pets on my cameras, I don't want them to know. I don't want to drive them crazy. I don't want to cause a whole scene. I want to sneakily be able to be like, Alright, is everyone alive? Is everyone okay? And then turn my camera off. If I were to throw a treat out, the ruckus that would ensue… even from a distance, I can't handle that. I love my 360 cameras. I have the Petcube ones, and I have Blink ones too. They're fantastic because you can spin them around quietly, so the pets don't really know, and you can see the whole room. I have everything I need right there. I don't need to spew a treat out and cause a problem. That's one that I will not change my mind about.
LAUREN: Creating addicts… like, no.
ZOE: I'm not about that life.
LAUREN: I thought of one. Actually, I thought of two. Number one: you know Therabody?
ZOE: Yes.
LAUREN: They have that recovery cube?
ZOE: Yes.
LAUREN: When I first got that product, I was like, this is so dumb. Because why would you need a special device when you could just get an ice pack? Essentially, the Therabody either cools down or heats up, so it's either a heat pad or an ice pack. And I thought it was so dumb. Like, just use an ice pack. I was being a little bit of — what's it called when you're a technologically-adverse person? A Luddite? I was being a little bit old, grumpy and crotchety about it. I actually really liked it during marathon training. My shins were hurting and my knees were feeling a little strange, and I would just plop that thing on and it would do a hot and cold cycle. I would just set it and it was awesome. I could recharge it, nothing was melting, nothing was wet.
ZOE: You didn't have to take one thing off; put the other thing back.
LAUREN: Yes! I actually really liked it. So, I hated it at first, and then I ended up really liking it, and I used it a lot. The other thing that we use consistently is the Casper Glow Light. I was at the press event when they launched the Casper Glow Light, and we were at their factory. I think the CEO was there. And I was like, Why are you launching a night light?
ZOE: You're a mattress company.
LAUREN: Yes, a night light you can take to the bathroom felt like such a weird pivot. I mean, they were so kind. I should say — they were so kind. The product had me baffled at first. This was probably 2017 or 2018, so now this is six or seven years later, and we have the Casper Glow Lights on our nightstands. Chad uses it every single night. He flips off his nightstand lamp, and then he turns over the Casper Glow Light every single night without fail.
ZOE: We have a couple people on our team who love that thing.
LAUREN: Mine's not charged. Mine is sitting on my nightstand, not charged. But if his is not charged and not operating, he has a bad night's sleep. He's in a bad mood, and he's like, I don't know what to do. I go to bed earlier than him, and I need to make sure that the lights are off.
ZOE: Me too. I need pitch black.
LAUREN: He is a man that will sleep with the lights on, and it drives me nuts. So I'm like, you need to turn your nightstand lamp off. And he turns it off, but he still needs a light, so he uses the Casper Glow Light because it fades out. That's the perfect scenario for us because he still has his light, but then probably in 30 minutes, when he's asleep too, it's already off. And I don't have to be up in the middle of night, reaching over him, turning off his light, which has happened.
ZOE: I love that you changed your mind about that.
LAUREN: Now I'm a big fan because it has created a better sleeping scenario for him.
ZOE: Well, for both of you, truly. Speaking of bedtime, another thing that I was kind of against, or I didn't really understand the purpose of, was a silk pillowcase. I was like, Why am I spending so much money on a silk pillowcase. This is ridiculous. And then I got one as a gift one year. It was in my stocking, and it wasn't a particularly fancy one; it was just a silk pillowcase. And after a couple of sleeps, I was like, wow, my hair actually does look much better.
LAUREN: Have you noticed anything good with your skin, too?
ZOE: Yes, for sure.
LAUREN: I feel like the changes with those are subtle, but impactful.
ZOE: With curly hair, I noticed it very quickly.
LAUREN: Oh, I'm sure with curly hair.
ZOE: I'm so sorry to this pillowcase that I was so adamantly against you. I now have one that I travel with, and I put it on the pillow in the hotel. I love it. I cannot believe I was thinking this is the most bougie thing ever, and it truly was so necessary for me. I love it. Also, another one that I was like, this is ridiculous, was the filtered showerhead. I was like, This is dumb.
LAUREN: Does it show you what it filtered out?
ZOE: Yes!
LAUREN: How disgusting.
ZOE: I was horrified.
LAUREN: I need to see pictures.
ZOE: I showed someone on our team the other day. I now write about filters of all kinds, and never in my life did I think I'd be so passionate about water filtration. But we are. I now not only have a filtered showerhead. I also have a filtered bathtub thing, I have sink ones, I got my pets a filtered water fountain. That was the one that really got me. Listen, if I'm going to use disgusting water for myself, who cares? But not my children.
LAUREN: I hope that when I come back in my second life, I will come back as one of your pets.
ZOE: You will get the freshest, most filtered water.
LAUREN: I'll get the freshest, coolest air. I will have fresh food. I will have fresh water. I really want to manifest that and put that out to the universe. In my next life —
ZOE: One of my cats.
LAUREN: I will be one of Zoe's cats.
ZOE: I set up this water fountain. I was like, girls, you are going to love this, which obviously they do. They love a fountain.
LAUREN: Do I need one? I don't have one, and I was talking to someone yesterday because we were talking about how there's this new Japanese vaccine that will keep cats alive for another 10 or 15 years.
ZOE: Fantastic, sign me up.
LAUREN: It helps their kidneys not fail. And this person was like, My first cat died of kidney failure because I always fed them dry food and they never drank enough water. And I'm sitting there going, Oh my God, I am such a bad cat mom. My cat has dry food. He drinks water, but is it enough? And she's like, Now I got wet food for my cats, and I got one of those fountains. And I'm like, I need to get a fountain.
ZOE: It's the Petlibro Capsule Fountain. It's kind of for dogs, and they have other ones for cats that I'm sure are great. But because I have cats and a dog, I just got the dog one. And my cats actually love that they kind of have to stand up and get the water. I feel like they think they're in the wild at the watering hole.
LAUREN: Like they've earned their water.
ZOE: Exactly. They also love that it's bowl-shaped, so they scoop it into their mouths. It's the most fun activity ever for them. It's adorable. But I didn't think to myself, This is the same water that's coming out of my shower. Of course, it's going to be nasty. It's coming out of my kitchen sink, too. The first time I took that filter out, it was black. I will show you a picture. Oh, my God. Any filtered product, I am now your number one fan. I completely changed my mind. I think it's sometimes those before and afters that you need to experience.
LAUREN: Those disgusting ones?
ZOE: Yes, because you can see them online —
LAUREN: But you're like, is it marketing?
ZOE: Yes, especially if you see that on a brand's website. So often you're like, please, you edited that. But no, not this. I'm won over for life. It was stunning.
LAUREN: I mean that, plus the Japanese vaccine. I need my cat to live another 20 years. Every time my husband does the math and realizes how old he is, I'm like, I don't want to hear it. I don't want to talk about it.
ZOE: Nope. Out of sight, out of mind.
LAUREN: I need the world to freeze in this moment, him to stop aging, me to stop aging. My husband can age.
ZOE: Truly, you must get this. It changed my mind. You will have your mind changed. Winner. I feel like sometimes it's those things that you're a little reluctant to try. Because there's plenty of things that I just know I'm not going to change my mind about, and it's not even worth trying. There are other things that I'm on the edge about, and I'm like, should I just take the leap and just see if it works? And sometimes that's the thing that wins you over.
LAUREN: I feel like it happens a lot when we do our product testing. We measure a little bit by first impression and what our initial thoughts were. But it happens so often with us where we're like, this is actually a great product. We hated it at the start but loved it at the finish.
ZOE: I also think it's interesting when people love something on the first impression, they use it at least four or five times, and they're like, you know what? It's not working for me anymore. Sometimes you have to experience the wear and tear. And in some situations, that wear and tear could be over a month, but in other situations, it could be over days.
LAUREN: That happened with Wellness Awards leggings testing, shoes, white T-shirts. So many people are like, I loved it, then I washed it and now I hate it. There's the reverse of that, which happens too. I think give something a chance, try it and if you still don't like it, find a better home for it. If you can return it, fine. But often, returns just end up getting thrown out, especially with Amazon. So maybe find a good home. If you try pet products, what do you do with pet products if you don't end up loving them?
ZOE: I first try to see who in my life could take it, and then I will donate it to the animal shelter. Some animal shelters will take anything, but others will only take some things, so I'll call and be like, will you take this? And nine times out of 10, they're thrilled to take it. One of our best hacks as a team is anytime we don't like, or washed and ruined, sheets, towels, etcetera, you can take them to the animal shelter. They always need them. Obviously, your budget is your budget, and you don't want to waste your money. But if you're trying something and you go into it saying, I will just see what happens, if, after a couple tries, you're like, This is not for me, and you can't return it or no one wants it, donate it to someplace great.
LAUREN: You might not like it, but somebody else will. Unless it's a beauty product, which you can't donate. But there's places where you can recycle beauty products.
ZOE: I think the moral of the story is, just try it. Give it a chance. And remember that not everyone will have the same experience with it. That's important. Just because one person's mind can't be changed, doesn't mean you won't like it. Like me with the Furbo. Those Furbo lovers out there, you do you.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm a reporter at NBC Select and I co-host our live podcast, For What It's Worth, with editorial director Lauren Swanson. In this article, I summarize Episode 2: Products that changed our minds. I included a summary of the episode, a transcript, products we recommend during the podcast and related articles.
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A ballet flat — your basic go-to shoe that goes with literally anything. These ones level up with some arch support so your poor arches, knees, and back aren't screaming like a first grader at recess. Promising review: "Absolutely love these!!! I'm a teacher and usually spend a lot of time on my feet. I have health issues and am extremely picky about my shoes. These are sooo comfy! I bought a pair last year and loved them so much that I bought several pairs this year. I can't say enough positive things, you'll just have to try them." —MGGet them from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 5–12, including narrow, wide, and extra wide fits, and in 13 colors). A neutral block heel for when you want — or need — to wear heels but you haven't put on actual heels since remote teaching of 2020. (🙋♀️) If you miss heels but can't commit to tiny pumps, these babies are the perfect compromise. Promising review: "I am a teacher and these are lightweight and comfortable for me all day. I wish I would've discovered them years ago. I appreciate the sole for zipping around the hallways. Highly recommend!" —lewis1998Get them from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in five colors). A supportive platform mule because sometimes you just want a shoe you can secretly kick off when you're working at your desk. I see you. I AM you. Promising review: "I love these shoes. I am a special education teacher which means I'm on my feet ALL day. Before I started wearing these, I had to choose cute shoes that HURT or ugly shoes that don't make my feet hurt AS bad. Because I am a 26 year old, I let myself wear the cute shoes and suffer more than I'd like to admit. These shoes have quickly become my most worn because they are cute AND I have NO pain when I get home. Before I would get home and stay on my feet until I was ready to rest for the evening because of how much it hurt to get moving again. Not to mention the dreaded first few steps out of bed in the morning. Thanks to these shoes, I'm styling(lol) and foot pain free!!" —Melanie BrownGet them from Amazon for $79.99 (available in sizes 5–12 and in 11 colors). A slip-on sneaker to give your dogs plenty of support, even when your students are acting like feral animals all on their own. I love these shoes because they're so comfy and stay on. I've worn them all over theme parks, which means if you're a SPED teacher with an eloper you're ready to go. Promising review: "These shoes are a perfect basic! I use them for work, and as a teacher I'm on my feet a lot. Even wearing them the first time, they were extremely comfortable. The back of the shoes don't give me blisters like new shoes usually do. I love that on the outside it's this soft leather material, so whenever they get dirty I can very easily wipe them down. I use them most days and again, so comfortable and very basic that they work with many outfits. I definitely recommend if you need an everyday shoe!" — them from Amazon for $22.30+ (available in sizes 5–13, including wide fits, and 23 colors). A sling-back clog in case you love the clogs look, but your feet don't love dragging a heavy shoe for hours and hours. Clogs are excellent for changing up your look and if they can work, they SHOULD. Promising review: "I have debilitating ankle pain that impacts how I walk. As a science teacher, I need to be on my feet all day and able to walk about the room continuously. These shoes are light so lifting my foot does not cause pain and planting my foot on the hard surface of the floor is padded nicely by these shoes. Hands down the best sho I've EVER worn. I have funky feet too and these shoes are easily the best I've found for both my foot and ankle. No orthotics needed." —Amazon CustomerGet them from Amazon for $70.32+ (available in sizes 5.5–12 and in 11 colors). An ankle boot with a block heel so you can have the heels look without having to actually balancing on a heel the size of a tiny stick all day. You're going to feel fierce and unstoppable in these babies. Promising review: "My favorite pair of boots by far. I get so many compliments and I can wear them all day. I'm a teacher, so I average about 4+ miles of walking per day." —Jessica AllenGet them from Amazon for $42.98+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in 14 colors). A cutout bootie for a full coverage shoe that goes with anything you want to wear. Whether you're making jeans look a little more professional or jazzing up your old reliable pair of business pants — these little cutouts will have you feeling like Miranda Priestly even if some days you feel more like Ms. Trunchbull. Promising review: "I walk all day as a teacher and they were great." —Suzan them from Amazon for $47.48+ (available in sizes 5.5–11 and eight colors). A riding boot because cold weather is coming sooner than you might think, even if you aren't ready to give up your favorite dresses and skirts. Riding boots, leggings, dress — say hello to free movement. Promising review: "Love these boots! I'm a first grade teacher and always on my feet — I can wear them all day!" —Emily FultzGet them from Amazon for $47.99 (available in sizes 5–12 and in five colors). A low chunky heel that'll look equally great with skirts and pants. No matter how strict or relaxed your dress code is, these are going to be your favorite go-to fancy shoes. Promising review: "I am a teacher and on my feet quite a bit during the day. These shoes are very comfortable. Just the right amount of heel to wear with any length of jeans or pants." —KarleneGet them from Amazon for $34.99 (available in sizes 5–12, including wide sizes, and in four colors). A wedge boot to give you that perfect ankle boot look with full foot support. Whoever came up with wedges had to have been a teacher — coverage, support, and movement. Promising review: "So comfortable, and I get so many compliments! I am a preschool teacher and have been wearing them to run around with the kids and they're been great — even on my mulch filled playground. Feels like I am wearing sneakers." —Natalie GonzalezGet them from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in sizes 5–12 and in 10 colors).
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
We lived in my mother-in-law's freezing garage in Utah for 1.5 years. It helped us save thousands, but I sometimes felt ashamed.
Our rent was set to increase by 50% so instead we moved in with my mother-in-law. Her garage was the only available space, so we cleaned it up and made it as homey as we could. We were there for 1.5 years until another opportunity came along. My husband and I spent nearly two years living in his mother's garage for $250 a month. It wasn't the cute, converted kind you see on DIY TikTok with string lights and space-saving hacks. I'm talking cement floors, cobwebs in the rafters, exposed insulation, and space heaters aimed directly at the bed just to get us through the winter of 2022-2023 — one of Utah's heaviest snowfall winters to date. Deciding to live there didn't feel like a romantic or bold choice. It felt like our only choice if we wanted a chance at having something of our own one day. We were tired of chasing our own tails We moved over Memorial Day weekend of 2022. Our lease was up in our duplex apartment, and the rent was about to skyrocket by more than 50%. The idea of continuing the endless cycle of renting while barely being able to set aside enough to save for a down payment on a home felt like chasing our tails. Love Business Insider? Log into Google and make us a preferred source. So we decided to move into the garage, which was the only space in my mother-in-law's home that she had available. The $250 a month covered our utility use and allowed us to put an extra $1,500 toward paying down student debt and boosting our savings. While it was barely habitable, we did our best to make the space homey. To start, we pressure-washed every surface, scrubbing rodent droppings from nooks and crannies and bleaching everything from floor to ceiling. Then, we added a large donated area rug and a couple of second-hand couches, and I packed in as many house plants as possible. Since there were no closets, we hung our clothes on racks we bought on Facebook Marketplace. Over the holidays, we added some decorations and played fireplace YouTube videos on the TV for a cozy, albeit artificial, ambiance. Our story isn't unique, and maybe that's what makes it so devastating In Summit County, Utah — where my husband was born and raised — the median home price as of January hovered around $1.7 million, the highest in the state. We're not looking for anything close to that, but instead hope for something near the $450,000 price range, which still feels like a stretch here. You might be thinking that moving to a cheaper area could be the solution, but that would mean leaving the town and tight-knit community we want to raise a family in, and that's a trade we're not ready to make. I came from a big Mormon family — the oldest of six children. We never wanted for love or food on the table, but when your parents are trying to stretch what they have between a gaggle of children, there's not much left to assist with down payments or real estate leg-ups. That kind of help just isn't in the cards. Still, my husband and I were determined to build a life in his hometown. We dreamed of a small piece of land where we could continue his family's legacy of farming, raise some children, and enjoy slow evenings sitting on the porch watching the sun go down over the Uinta Mountains. Our version of that dream came with frost-crusted mornings, penny pinching, and forgoing simple pleasures like going out to dinner or buying to-go coffee in the mornings. What it was like living in a garage Living with all our belongings in one large room, with boxes stacked nearly to the ceiling, often felt cramped and cluttered. Sometimes I'd lie in the darkened room at night, looking up at the garage door tracks overhead and wonder if we'd lost our minds. If all this sacrifice was really worth it. And often, the honest answer was a resounding: "I'm not sure." There were moments I felt ashamed. I'd go into my office in nice-looking thrifted clothing and feel like I was hiding some secret failure. On the surface, we looked like we had things together. No one knew we spent our nights huddled with our sweet Bernese mountain dog for warmth (even though we aren't typically cuddly sleepers). Or that we cried in that crowded space many times, contemplating how we were ever going to afford to get somewhere more comfortable. Or how, no matter how many plants I added, it never stopped feeling like survival mode. After a year and a half, we were finally able to move in with another family member, where we have more space and creature comforts. As difficult as our stretch in the garage was, it allowed us to pay down $15,000 in debt and save enough for a small down payment on a modest piece of land. Now, we plan to build a modest home of our own, which feels more attainable than buying even the most "affordable" house in our area. In our small town, it seems like more and more locals are being replaced and priced out by retirees from California, second homeowners, and short-term rentals. The reality is, many from small, picturesque towns like ours can't afford to stay in the places they were raised unless they downsize. I know we aren't alone. Quietly, others, like us, are doing something similar, whether it's living in basements, converting sheds into tiny homes, or moving back in with parents. It's basically downsizing into survival mode to help buy a more comfortable future. It's humbling and sometimes humiliating, but it's also a kind of hope. A gamble. A stubborn belief that maybe, just maybe, it might be enough to build something that feels like home.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
New products for your busy family – Potty time to mom
Whether you need a baby shower gift or you are ready to help kids ease transitions to new stages like potty training or bathtime independence, these new products are ready to help you on your parenting journey – there's even something to give mom some hands-free help. The Super Potty Trainer ($12.14 from Walmart, also available from Amazon and other retailers) is a 'Shark Tank' veteran that provides a unique step for potty training. It is designed to bridge the gap (literally!) for kids who are moving from a child's potty to a regular toilet – building their confidence along the way. It sits under the rim of the toilet under the seat, which means it is portable and can travel with your child, and it shrinks the size of the toilet bowl, helping little ones feel more secure. GoldBug Glow Mirror ( $30, also available from Amazon and Walmart) – Keep an eye on rear-facing little ones and keep them entertained when the trip takes longer than they have patience for. This wide mirror straps in with UV-stabilized webbing and features remote-controlled, multi-colored LED lights. It has an adjustable 360-degree pivot design that locks securely in place, so you can easily check in while you get everyone safely to your destination. GoldBug 5-in-1 Car Seat and Nursing Cover ( $19.99, available from Target) – This universal multitasker is made of breathable fabric and ideal for shading baby in the stroller or carrier, serving as a privacy cover for nursing or covering a high chair or shopping cart. And of course, it is machine washable. This one makes a great baby shower gift that can be used for years. FlipBelt ($37+, – As a mom, you really need more than two hands at all times. While the FlipBelt is meant to be a running belt to hold keys, phone and other essentials, it can do all those things while you're chasing a toddler or chaperoning a class trip too. Available in a range of sizes, varieties and colors. Just for Teens UV Patches ($8.99 for a package of 36, available on Amazon) Don't let the name fool you, these UV patches are also good for big kids and adults. These sun stickers go under sunscreen and change color so it is easy to check and know when it is time to reapply sunscreen or get out of the sun altogether. Dinghy Soaps ($7.50, ages 3+) These adorable soaps float – and they are made with simple, clean ingredients like aloe butter, shea butter and olive oil. Perfect for kids who are gaining bathtime independence, these boat-shaped soaps are a manageable size for little hands and add a little fun too. Scents come from essential oils and are all natural. Handmade in Colorado. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What's Hot: 6 new products for babies, toddlers, moms and teens
