12-04-2025
30 Reliable Products For Frugal Shoppers Determined To Get Their Money's Worth
1. Teeth-whitening pens for brightening up those pearly whites with a quick swipe. It's so much cheaper than having to pay for professional whitening/dentist copays and is SO easy to use! Just click, apply, and get ready to have "My Shiny Teeth And Me" by Chip Skylark stuck in your head all day.
After brushing and flossing, you paint your teeth with the pen (each pen contains about 20 uses), wait for 30 minutes, then rinse!
Promising reviews:"I have to say, I was skeptical about this product from all the TikTok hype about it, but after trying it out, it really does work. This was super easy, didn't hurt my teeth at all, and didn't taste much different than my regular toothpaste since I got the mint-flavored one. I used it for a few weeks before my brother's wedding, and it worked like a charm. I noticed visible results in only a couple of days and was able to keep using it until I reached my desired shade of white. 10/10 would recommend for anyone with sensitive teeth and tastes!" — Victoria Bravo
" Saw this on BuzzFeed — they were right! It's easy to use and actually works. I was so surprised at how well this pen bleached out some coffee stains on my teeth after just one application. I've tried Crest Whitestrips, and this is better because you can get in between the teeth." — C.S.
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $18.95.
2. The Pink Stuff, a multi-tasking cleaning product so good, you'll be tempted to part ways with every other cleaning product you own. Seriously, this amazing stuff can be used on a plethora of household items and surfaces (both indoors and outdoors).
It shouldn't be used on plastic or acrylic surfaces, highly polished stainless steel, or hot/warm surfaces. Plus, this is vegan!
Promising review:"The Pink Stuff is definitely worth all the hype it has been receiving. I had seen it in some TikTok compilations and decided to give it a try. The very first thing I cleaned was the inside of my bathtub, and wow! It really made my bathtub shine. Before I was using Kaboom, and that didn't clean as well as The Pink Stuff did. I was seriously shocked. The next thing I decided to use it on was some caked-on grease on my hood vent. Just like the bathtub, I was shocked that it was able to get it all off. All you do is apply the paste with a sponge or cloth to whatever you're cleaning and then rinse it with warm water. I found with stubborn spots, add a little warm water to the paste (if you have a spray bottle, I'd recommend filling that with warm water and misting the paste), scrub the spot a little longer, and then rinse. It worked with no issue. I'm definitely interested in looking at their other cleaning products. I would highly recommend giving The Pink Stuff a try yourself!" — JMURR
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
3. A genius sandwich bread dispenser reviewers say helps keep loaves of sandwich bread fresher longer (think: weeks) because it's time we finally put an end to that annoying moment of discovering green spots a few days after grocery shopping and having to throw away half the loaf.
Buddeez is a family-owned small biz based in Missouri that sells home goods!
Promising review:"The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer that would keep the bread from getting crushed by the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" — DRMcQuaig
Get it from Amazon for $19.44.
4. A pair of sheepskin inserts if your slippers' current insoles have seen better put it lightly. These are an easy way to give them a quick refresh without having to spend $$$ to replace them entirely or bring them to an expensive shoemaker.
Promising review:"These fit nicely, are super comfortable, and have vastly reduced the need to always wear socks, even with boots in the bitter cold of winter. Because they are actually genuine sheepskin (and quite lush,) they help regulate body temperature and wick away moisture so they are quite comfortable to wear, be it winter or summer, as well as very easy to maintain. While not a requirement, they do have cushioned arch support, which seems to be just enough. Incredibly helpful for managing the effects of Raynaud's on the feet throughout the year!" — Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes 6–12 and men's sizes 8–12).
5. A clear gel for keeping valuable (and breakable items) set nice and sturdy where you want them. Playful pets who like to jump and knock things over, curious kiddo hands, and even natural phenomena like earthquakes are no match now for this powerful paste.
Promising review:" A little goes a long way, and it works perfectly! We needed this for Southern California's earthquake-prone geography and the glass art on glass shelves. We were able to affix the gel easily, and everything stays put now. You can barely see the gel through the glass shelf. The amount you need is very small, so I nearly have a full container left, and I was able to attach all the items shown in this picture. I could have done 10–15 sets of shelves just like this." — Karen Gunther
Get it from Amazon for $11.30.
6. A jewelry cleaning pen to get your precious gems looking brand-new with a quick pen swipe. Let's be real, the last thing you feel like doing is putting on real clothes, driving to a jewelry store, and paying triple the amount of what this pen costs.
Promising review:"I absolutely love this product. I saw it on TikTok and figured I would give it a try. My grandmother passed away almost eight years ago, and she left me her first engagement ring in her will. I have tried so many jewelry cleaners, toothpaste and a toothbrush, you name it. I tried everything except for sending it away to get cleaned. I ordered the Diamond Dazzle Stik on Thursday and it arrived the following Saturday, fast shipping! Today is Sunday, and I cleaned my ring with the Diamond Dazzle Stik. My ring is just as shiny as it was when my grandfather bought it for my grandmother many many years ago. I will definitely use this Diamond Dazzle Stik on all my jewelry. Highly recommended!" — Heather
Get it from Amazon for $9.48.
7. And on the topic of making your jewelry feel new — a silver cleaning dip that'll feel like trading in tarnished, rusted necklaces and bracelets for practically brand-new pieces. Wild to think those accessories were actually silver at one point and NOT charcoal-colored?!
Promising review:"I have several pieces of upscale silver jewelry that have tarnished to the point of being unwearable. Not a great investment. I have tarnish wipes, and those work well enough, but they are really designed for cutlery and not jewelry. Wipes don't get into the crevices of design work, nor do they get inside links on chains. I had come to accept that, no matter what I did, my silver pieces were always going to be a bit dirty looking. When I got this dip, I wasn't expecting much. All I can say is this: WOW. I opened the jar and dipped in half of a very tarnished (nearly black) bracelet for no more than a second just to test it. When I pulled it out, I literally squealed. It was like new! Not a bit of tarnish, not a bit of dark, just that pure silver color. However, the smell of this stuff will knock you over. I *highly* recommend wearing rubber gloves when you use this (I didn't but will from now on) and rinsing your jewelry thoroughly after dipping and before wearing." — abby
Get it from Amazon for $7.95.
8. An overnight lip mask trio designed to help hydrate and nourish your kisser overnight so it feels nice and soft when you wake up. Reviewers love that these are similar to the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and come with THREE masks for a fraction of the cost of one mask.
For reference, the Laneige lip mask contains 20 grams of product, while each of these measures 5 grams, or 15 grams, for the entire set. So, even with product sizes taken into account, these are a much better deal!
Promising review: "[Alternative] for the Laneige lip mask. This is the most moisturizing lip treatment on the market. When my lips started getting dry due to the cold season, I was thinking of buying the Laneige lip mask, but it's soooo expensive. This is a fraction of the cost and feels just the same. Very good product." — Riya
Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.90 (available in six scent combinations).
9. A produce container doubling as a colander for rinsing your favorite fruits and veggies and a keeper so they stay fresh in your fridge longer than they would in their original packaging. Because soggy spinach and sad strawberries are a tragedy we simply won't stand for.
These containers are dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe!
Promising review:"I really wanted to see if this worked, so I purchased two packages of strawberries. I washed all the berries and let them dry thoroughly. I put half in my berry keeper box and the other in the plastic container from the store. My daughter had to ask for help with the new berry keeper; she had difficulty opening it and closing it sometimes. The berry keeper kept strawberries for 15 days, and the grocery store container only kept them for 6 days. Groceries aren't cheap, and I can use anything to prolong the life of my produce. Washed well in the dishwasher on the top rack. I'll be purchasing more of these attractive quality boxes. I need one for blueberries and grapes." — Toogreen
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three colors and various sets).
10. BluApple produce fresheners that may extend the life of your precious fruits and veggies 2–3 times longer. All you need to do is toss 'em into the produce drawer in the fridge and let them work their magic.
Amazon, Amazon
Promising review:"I'm so happy with my purchase because these keep my produce fresher for much longer than normal. Nothing is worse than buying red bell peppers at the store and having them start wilting after four days. These should be in everyone's fridges!" — jhDub
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99.
11. A shoe stretch spray because you spent too much on those now-too-snug cowboy boots a few years ago to let them miss out on all the country music concerts you have lined up this spring/summer. Time to dust those babies off and show them to the world!
My colleague Amanda Davis swears by this spray. Here's what she has to say about it:
"So, I have about three pairs of shoes that have just been sitting in my closet because while they are sooo so cute, the leather was too tight for my foot to comfortably get inside 'em. Did I return them? Nope. (We all know the hassle of online returns, right?) Instead I bought this shoe stretch spray on a whim. I didn't expect much but WOW! The shoes that took me a minute of struggling to get into fit *perfectly* now!!
The process was as simple as could be, too. I just sprayed my shoes (inside and out, heel to toe) like there was no tomorrow, I put on some semi-thick socks (just to ensure I had ample room later), and wore the shoes around my house for about 30–40 minutes. As I was walking around, I could literally feel them begin to loosen up.
After about 30 minutes, I took my shoes and thick socks off, and the shoes just ~slide~ on. Easy Peasy. Now I have a new favorite pair of shoes and zero dollars have been wasted. I tried these with a pair of chunky leather loafers, but I can only imagine what they'll do for my pair of Dr. Martens — the boots known to take a while to break into. This stuff is a must!"
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
12. A Spatty Daddy set for ensuring those precious remnants of things like food and makeup stuck in the hard-to-reach crevices of the jar aren't going to waste. Everything is so expensive, so it's more important than ever to make sure you're utilizing every last drop of your daily essentials before restocking.
Amazon
These are FDA- and USDA-approved, BPA-free, and can fit into virtually any bottle. Plus, they're made of sturdy, resilient, and flexible material, and they're dishwasher-safe!
Promising review:"When a recipe calls for two tablespoons of mustard and your jar is empty, this little gadget will help you scrape out those two tablespoons out of that jar. My kitchen helpers laugh and joke about this little gadget. And everyone agrees that it's worth buying." — John Milan
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.
13. And a bottle-emptying kit you simply attach to your shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, or anything else running low to easily squeeze out every drop. You paid good $$ for your products and we're here to help you stretch your dollar.
Promising review: "Well worth it! Think of all the product in bottles you waste every year by not using something like this. It certainly covers the cost of this item! I love it!" — R360
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two colors and as a pack of six).
14. A hairbrush cleaning tool because in the long run, it'll be a heck of a lot cheaper to get rid of the combo of hair, dust, and fluff taking residency between the bristles than it will be to keep buying new hairbrushes.
Promising review:"When I bought this I was really skeptical. I am grossed out by my hairbrush and clean it all the time. I've soaked it in vinegar and tea tree oil, used a toothbrush, scrubbed it with shampoo, picked it clean by hand — everything you can think of. Still, it's so hard to get the little lint that forms at the base of the brush — they don't dissolve off and you have to pick them off the bristles one by one because a toothbrush won't even break them up. This thing works amazingly. I don't know why, it just does — the particular texture of the bristles on this really grabs everything. It scraped the little lint rings right off and now my brush is cleaner, 10 times as fast." — HeartsofHavoc
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
15. Bra extenders that'll add an extra 2 inches to your bra. If you wear a bra, you know just how rare it can be to find one that you actually adore and we want to help you preserve your faves for as long as possible.
Promising review:"Bought these for my pregnancy based on a tip from a recently pregnant friend. Total game-changer. I only had to buy a new-sized bra once, and then I used these for the rest of my pregnancy, as my cup size didn't change anymore, but OMG, my ribcage just kept on expanding and expanding to accommodate the baby. IMO, these make wearing a regular bra possible during those body-changing portions of pregnancy, saving me money in the long run. Additionally, they work as clip onto the original spacers easily, they match up with the original hooks really well, and they are very comfortable and easy to use. Best $6 I've ever spent on Amazon. Buy them, you won't regret it." — Queen Bee
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 20 options).
16. A set of denim button pins because is there anything more frustrating than finding jeans that fit in all the right places but sit a tad too loose on your waist, but the next size down is too small? Yup, there is — finding an old pair of jeans in your closet that still fit but are a tad too tight in the waist and having to choose between wearing them or sucking in your breath all day (do not do that second option). All you need are these pins that'll help add or reduce an inch to your fave denim pieces.
These button pins are also discreet so you'll barely even notice they're there.
Promising review:"There are the best things ever. I have jeans that fit great but the waist is always too loose. So I saw these on TikTok, and I was curious to see if they worked or not. But seriously, you need to buy these — the buttons are great material and just the most useful things overall." — Alexa Botello
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight styles).
17. A vacuum wine saver for those who are all too familiar with the struggle of their recorked wine never tasting as good as it did the first time they opened it. This stopper actually creates an airtight seal on your bottle to help keep your favorite red, white, or pink fresh for up to 10 days!
Promising review:"Save money by preserving your wine! I really enjoy a glass of wine some evenings, but just one glass (OK, maybe two) is plenty. The problem always is that if you recork you might get one more day out of the bottle. What if I don't want another glass the next day? By the day after that, you would be really lucky if that recorked wine was any good. With this product, you will never toss unused wine again. The vacuum seal really works at keeping out the air and preserving your wine so it remains as fresh as when you first opened it. Another feature is that the seal works so well that if you put your bottle back on its side in a rack or wine fridge, it will not leak. I am making this product my go-to hostess gift!" — T. K. Nagy
Get it from Amazon for $14.39+ (available in four colors).
18. Water bottle cleaning tablets that'll help get your beloved drinking bottle back to the condition it was in at the store. I, for one, don't feel like buying a replacement bottle and I'm going to make a fair assumption you don't, either.
Promising review:"I seriously can't believe how well these little tablets work. I had the most disgusting Hydro Flask coffee mug — I tried everything. A bottle brush, different kinds of soap, vinegar, EVERYTHING, and there was still a seemingly impenetrable layer of black sludge inside. I let a tablet sit in each of my mugs for an hour or two, and the black sludge rinsed out COMPLETELY, without even scrubbing. They look brand-new. What a magical product. No weird smell or taste afterward, either. I liked it so much I used it on another Hydro Flask I use primarily to hold my Bloody Mary mix in the fridge. I couldn't put anything else in it because it would always taste like spicy tomato juice. Bottle Bright to the rescue! No residual smell or taste anymore. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING." — Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $7.99.
19. Some anti-pickpocketing clips because it's an easy way to help keep unwanted hands out of your bags and away from your precious belongings. I'm willing to bet that your vacation budget doesn't include "replace items that might get stolen from my suitcase or backpack."
Amazon,
Promising reviews: "Prefect for international travel! Easy to use and protected against theft/pickpockets. Used it on my recent trip to Europe!" — Rachel Bristol
"These were very useful to have. After reading about pickpockets, it was a comfort to have them." — NOLA
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four color combos).
20. A FlexiSnake for unclogging your hair-filled drain. Simply ~snake~ this tool down there, let it grab the hair, pull it back up, and then decide whether you should marvel at its abilities or gag. Not to mention, it's a heck of a lot cheaper (and TBH, way less embarrassing) than calling a plumber.
This pack contains a reusable handle and five single-use heads that you just remove and dispose of after handling your clogged pipes.
Promising review:"Wow. Best thing ever. Seriously. I have had tweezers and sticks and plumbers and chemicals trying to get my master sink to drain. The plumber even said I needed an entirely new faucet to get the drain plug part because they don't sell those separately. Well, I have two sinks, a tub, and a shower that all match, so that was not a valid solution. Doubt I can find the same model. So I bought this thing, stuffed it down, and pulled up hair and black muck. Did it about eight times quickly, ran the water, and went right down the drain. Seriously. This is the best tool ever and the best $20 I have ever spent. Everyone with a sink needs this tool. Seriously." — juliejules
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $19.99.
21. A set of press-on nails reviewers adore because, unlike other brands of press-on nails, these actually look like they were done professionally at the salon. Ya know, all without having to leave the house and spend half your paycheck on routine salon visits.
Glamnetic is a small business that specializes in uniquely designed, reusable press-on nails.
Promising review:"So happy with the results so far. I have had them on for two days and they are feeling very secure. I feel like with a lot of adhesive nails, they tend to look really fake and cheap, but these really look professional." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in various styles).
22. A set of heel protectors that are a must-have for outdoor events like weddings, graduations, and parties galore. No matter the occasion, you're gonna want these babies so you can rock your favorite heels without worry of them breaking on rough surfaces or sinking into grass.
Read our Stoppers Heel Protectors review!
Promising review:"After slightly sinking into the ground at my own wedding, I decided that I absolutely needed these for every summer wedding thereafter! They were a hit — everyone thought they were genius and my heels were spared from sinking into grass as well as dirt and gravel! LOVE THEM! I need them in every size!" — Alexis
Get them from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four sizes).
23. Cheese storage paper for preserving the freshness of your cheesy goodness. There is nothing more disappointing than pouring yourself a glass of wine, opening the fridge to take out the cheese that'll accompany said wine, and realizing it's moldy. Even though? You just bought it? This week?
Amazon
Promising review:"Before I bought this cheese paper I would do the cheese search in the refrigerator. After buying cheeses, opening them, and then rewrapping them in heaven knows what (namely plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and plastic containers), it was always the same result: moldy cheese. This box contains the paper in sheets plus some stickers that you can write on with the name of the cheese and the date it was wrapped or even sell by date. There are also pictures of a sheep, cow, and goat so the source can be identified by circling or checking one of them! What I also like is that the cheeses can be rewrapped after use and amazingly the stickers still stick! The paper can also be cut to size to wrap smaller cheeses. So far I have noted that the cheeses have stayed fresh with not a trace of mold. I highly recommend this product to all cheese lovers!" — prairie woman
Get a pack of 15 sheets from Amazon for $17.50.
24. A universal wall adapter that'll have you set for all of your future travels. That's right, no more buying continent/country-specific adapters before each trip OR praying the outlets in foreign countries won't ruin your $600 Dyson Airwrap forever. Not to mention, the small size makes it so easy to throw into a carry-on or personal item. Maybe this space-saver can help you save some $$ by not checking a bag.
Promising review:"Probably the best $13 I've spent on anything. If you travel a lot, especially internationally, this is a must-have because you have every kind of adapter on one plug and don't have to worry about constantly buying a certain adapter every time you travel to a different country. This has it all." — Abby Graumann
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors).
25. A makeup brush cleansing shampoo to clean those things you use to apply cosmetics to your precious FACE. Because makeup buildup is yucky, and we don't want you to have to spend money on new brushes and sponges!
Promising review:"I hate washing my brushes, I've always done it by hand and it's always caused the big fluffy powder brushes to feel rougher or become matted no matter how hard I try to reshape them. I got this solution and used it with a makeup brush spinner, and I couldn't BELIEVE how amazing my brushes were afterwards! I also have insanely sensitive skin and most any soap I put on a brush will cause me to breakout when I use it later, no matter how well I typically rinse it. But I really think that this cleaner and the brush spinner worked great and I haven't had any sensitive bumps on my skin since using them." — Chelsea
Get it from Amazon for $6.
26. A waterproof phone pouch you'll rainy outdoor concerts, vacation excursions involving water-based activities, and beach/pool days. Having to replace your phone after having some splish-splashing fun would be a real vibe killer, wouldn't it?!
I got this phone pouch prior to going to Nashville to see The Eras Tour and I can't recommend it enough. The forecast predicted rain all weekend and on night three, the storm was so bad that the show was delayed two and a half hours — leave it Taylor to turn it into a memorable rain show! Keeping my phone in this pouch allowed me to still take photos and videos and keep in contact with my group when it was time to meet up afterwards without worry of water damage and is now something I'll always keep on hand for outdoor shows in the rain.
Promising review:"I originally bought this for a solo trip to Florida because I wasn't willing to leave my phone and credit card or rental car keys on the beach while playing in the ocean. For the price, this little thing has paid itself off and then some! I was able to fit my iPhone, two cards, and car keys in this while I blissfully floated in the ocean for hours. I even ordered this wristlet that makes your phone float in case I let go of it. I've also used it in my hotel jacuzzi tub (and the bathtub at home), in the hot tub at the hotel, and the water park. I am not afraid to completely submerge my phone or just let it get splashed. Especially for solo female travelers, you never want to be separated from your phone because it's your life source, so nothing ruins a beach day by water damaging your phone. I really love this product!" — SpikesInk
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 14 colors).
27. An emergency sewing kit because smol little fabric rips happen and you can choose to throw away your garment, replace it, or put the sewing skills learned in your middle school home economics class to the test and repair it yourself.
The set comes with a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, 12 spools of thread, 16 needles in a needle holder, three white buttons, two needle-threaders, two straight pins, a safety pin, a seam ripper, and a thimble.
Promising review:"This set is complete and perfect for those of us who just need to mend now and then. Portable and easy to manage." — TruthBeTold
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four sizes).
28. Shout color-catching sheets that'll help prevent dye transfers and color runs in the wash. Now you won't have to worry about a single red garment turning your white shirts pink. Less money spent on having to constantly buy multi-packs of Hanes white tees = more money to spend on fun fashion pieces.
Promising review:"These Color Catcher sheets really protect colors from bleeding. It makes all clothes/laundry brighter and looking like new — not that old washed color after just one wash without these sheets. I give this product 5+ stars. Highly recommend. A few pennies spent additionally on your laundry makes one look like wearing new clothes all the time." — Nikita
Get 72 sheets from Amazon for $11.53.
29. A set of matte liquid lipsticks boasting some seriously impressive pigmentation and even more impressive wear. This stuff will last all day without fading. Oh yeah, and the whole set costs less than $10. You can thank me later.
Promising review: "What can I say? I saw a TikTok about this lipstick, and for $10 had to try it! The reviews are right; for some reason, this lipstick is better than even $20 name-brand ones bought from Ulta. Not only does it smell great, but it dries in under a minute. It survived eating a cupcake, a Starbucks drink, and an entire evening out with no smudging and had to be removed with a makeup wipe. Fantastic product!!" — Claire
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $8.99 (available in six color combinations).
30. Soundproof door strips that'll help prevent cold air from escaping your room in the summer and warm air from escaping in the winter. These can also aid in reducing noise levels — extra perfect if your room doubles as a home office and your "co-workers" (aka roomies, family members, and pets) are loud.
Promising review:"Product works really well! I needed a quick fix to my home office situation. I live in an apartment in Manhattan and never noticed how much sound comes in and out until I had to be on conference calls working from home! This little tape made a big difference, took me a couple of minutes to install." — Sandra Hernandez
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in four colors and two sizes).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
