Dumb ways you're wasting money that are so cheap & easy to fix
Zero-effort money saving around the house.
Seemingly benign mistakes can lead you to waste money around the house. The problem is that you don’t always recognize when mistakes drain your wallet because you weren’t aware there was a simple (and cheap) solution. That’s why I’ve scoured Amazon to help you solve everyday problems with some utterly genius, budget-friendly products. From simple organization hacks to game-changing lifestyle items, these 40 buys are worth investing in because they’ll totally save you money.
01
Mistake: Wasting the last bit of expensive products
Fix: Get to the bottom of pricey toiletries with these emptying capsDon’t throw away your toiletries early when it’s hard to get the last few drops out because this bottle-emptying kit will make it easy. Screw one of three adapter sizes onto your bottle and fit the adapter into a base cap. This will keep your bottle flipped upside down so its content drips to the opening. One reviewer wrote, “This product is genius. I used it on a Costco-sized bottle of body wash, and it was the first time I felt I got every last drop. It held the bottle on its top without a wobble, and the pull-out stopper worked like a charm with no leaking.”
02
Mistake: Wasting toothpaste because it squirts *everywhere*
Fix: Cap your toothpaste with these self-closing toothpaste capsThese silicone self-closing toothpaste caps feature a clever self-sealing tip so you can dispense toothpaste neatly. Once on a tube, a quick squeeze dispenses toothpaste and reseals itself when you stop, which means you won’t waste toothpaste from too much squeezing or dripping. One reviewer wrote, “I love these! Keeps the toothpaste clean, free from stuck-on caps, and just so much less wasted toothpaste.”
03
Mistake: Ruining your clothes or furniture with stains
Fix: Spray stains with this clever spot treater sprayYou don’t have to give up on clothes or furniture when you stain them — this stain remover spray will remove hard-to-treat stains like spaghetti sauce and ketchup. Its eco-friendly formula is designed to work on multiple fabrics (including upholstery and carpets). Just spray some on the spot and toss everything in the wash instead of throwing them away.
04
Mistake: Repurchasing lost chargers
Fix: Keep up with chargers with these cord tiesThese cable ties will help you keep track of your charger cables so you won’t lose any. Thread the round end through the slotted end to attach a tie to a cable, then secure the neatly wrapped cable with the self-gripping tie. A pack of 40 is enough to tidy up other cords around your house, too.
05
Mistake: Buying paper towels all the time
Fix: Clean multiple surfaces with these reusable dishclothsYou could spend money for 100 rolls of paper towels, or you could use these budget-friendly Swedish dishcloths designed to give the same cleaning power. Each dishcloth is equal to 25 rolls of paper towels and works on multiple surfaces, including glass, wood, and tile. They’re also machine washable and biodegradable.
06
Mistake: Tossing leftovers because you don't have space in the freezer
Fix: Use these freezer bag holders to freeze food into super slim blocksThese freezer bag holders allow you to freeze food into slim, easy-to-store blocks. Simply insert a freezer bag and fold the top over, then pour soup (or other leftovers) into the bag and seal it. Stick the whole container in your freezer, and once frozen, undo the silicone bands to remove the bag.
07
Mistake: Buying disposable sticky rollers
Fix: Eliminate fur, hair, & lint with this reusable hair removerSticky tape rollers add up, but this reusable lint roller will keep going and going. It features a genius fabric that picks up lint, hair, and fur whenever you roll it back and forth over a surface. Instead of throwing away tape strips, this just requires a quick removal of the hair from the back compartment.
08
Mistake: Buying pre-chopped veggies & fruit to save time
Fix: Speed up food prep with this vegetable chopper & stick to a budgetInstead of spending more money on pre-chopped veggies, grab this vegetable chopper — it saves money and speeds up your food prep. It comes with four easy-to-swap-out stainless steel blades for small and large dicing, spiralizing, and ribboning, and a 5-cup catch tray. It has also earned over 78,000 five-star ratings.
09
Mistake: Replacing dirty or scuffed sneakers
Fix: Cleaning your sneakers with these easy shoe cleanersScuffs and buildup don’t mean your sneakers are irreparable because these sneaker-cleaning sponges can buff away tough scuffs, marks, and grime — making your shoes look fresh again. Add water, and the clever cleaning formula will work as you gently buff the white micro scrubbers over your shoes. To finish, wipe your shoes with the orange side.
10
Mistake: Throwing away produce because you don’t eat it fast enough
Fix: Pop these produce savers in your crisper drawerIf you struggle to use produce in time, pop these produce-saver apples in your crisper drawers. Place a saver packet inside the plastic blue apple, and ventilation holes at the top will allow the packet to absorb the ethylene gases your favorite produce releases. Plus, the brand says they can keep your fresh produce around way longer than usual.
11
Mistake: Throwing out the last bit of jelly because you can’t empty the jar
Fix: Scrape hard-to-reach food from jars with this spatulaDon’t give up on the last bit of jelly or peanut butter — thanks to its slim build, this BPA-free jar spatula will help you reach the rest. The silicone tail is slim enough to scrape food stuck in the bottom or around the creases of jars. It also doubles as a spreader for toast, bread, or crackers.
12
Mistake: Wasting veggies because they fall between your grill’s grates
Fix: Put veggies & other small ingredients inside these mesh grill bagsStop wasting food when you grill — these heat-resistant mesh grill bags have plenty of room to hold kabobs, chopped veggies, sprigs of herbs, and more. At over a foot long, these bags can also fit chicken breasts, fish fillets, and steaks inside. Plus, their nonstick material is easy to clean and reusable. One reviewer wrote, “No more losing a majority of my favorite veggies falling through the grill and into the flames. Mesh makes it very easy to brush some of your favorite oil and season while cooking.”
13
Mistake: Tossing wilted or rotting herbs that got lost in your fridge
Fix: Keep herbs fresh with this compact herb-saverInstead of misplacing herbs and inadvertently causing them to wilt or rot, store them in this herb saver. To use it, remove the inner cup, add water to the fill line, place your herbs inside, and pop the cup back into place. When you store it in your fridge, herbs will stay crisp and ready for recipes for two to three weeks.
14
Mistake: Paying to replace pricey screens
Fix: Cover tears & holes with this screen repair tapeYou might feel like replacing your entire screen for a little bit of damage, but opt for this window screen repair tape instead. It features a durable, temperature-resistant fiberglass layer and an adhesive layer. To use it, measure the tear, cut some of its screen-like design to size, peel off the backing, and smooth it onto the screen.
15
Mistake: Wasting cleaning solution on toilets with hard water stains
Fix: Switch to this pumice stone toilet bowl cleaner, which only requires waterWhether your toilet has rust, buildup, hard water stains, or limescale, this pumice stone toilet bowl cleaner will save you money on expensive cleaning solutions. It’s also totally odorless. Use it with water to gently buff away grime, stains, rings, and other deposits. When finished, let it dry and store it in the included case.
16
Mistake: Wasting water re-washing dishes that were already clean
Fix: Flip this genius dishwasher magnet to “clean” or “dirty” to stop guessingKeeping track of the dishwasher cycle can be challenging, but this stylized dishwasher magnet will stop the guessing game. It features a double-sided design with the words “clean” and “dirty,” so everyone will get the message. It also comes with an adhesive magnetic strip that you can adhere to a nonmagnetic dishwasher.
17
Mistake: Using a ton of bug spray that doesn’t last long
Fix: Wear these mosquito bracelets that last up to 2 weeksForget bug spray that needs reapplication after reapplication with these mosquito bracelets that offer 350 hours of protection or up to 14 days. Their easy-to-wear design is complete with a blend of geraniol, lemongrass, and citronella oil. Just slip one on your wrist and enjoy your outdoor time. And since they’re waterproof, you can even wear one while swimming.
18
Mistake: Wasting paper towels when you clean
Fix: Clean with these popular & reusable microfiber ragsThese microfiber rags can help you stop wasting paper towels for cleaning tasks like polishing glass or dusting. Their absorbent blend of polyester and polyamide gives a gentle, deep clean and easily picks up dust and grime on multiple surfaces, including glass, wood, and metal. Plus, each cloth is reusable and machine washable.
19
Mistake: Buying pre-minced or pre-peeled garlic
Fix: Crush & peel garlic easily with this odor-free garlic crusherPre-minced and pre-peeled garlic is expensive, so try this clever garlic crusher, which has over 5,000 five-star ratings. Its fun Dracula-inspired design is actually a “monster” of a kitchen helper. Just stick unpeeled garlic cloves inside Gracula, press and twist his head, and you’ll have minced garlic in no time. And yes, your hands stay odor-free.
20
Mistake: Buying single-use plastic food storage bags
Fix: Store prepped produce & leftovers in these reusable food storage bagsStop wasting money on disposable storage bags with these BPA-free food storage bags cleverly made of food-grade vinyl that’s reusable and top-rack safe. A pack of 10 includes two gallon-size bags, four sandwich bags, and four snack bags with leakproof seals. They’re even safe for freezer storage.
21
Mistake: Buying batteries when you already had them
Fix: Organize & see all your batteries with this clever organizer caseIf you buy batteries but then discover loose ones in your junk drawer, simply keep batteries organized with this battery organizer. It cleverly comes with slots for 93 batteries, including large 9-volt and D batteries. It’s slim enough to store in a drawer (or mount to a wall) and comes with a battery tester.
22
Mistake: Breaking expensive glasses during outdoor gatherings
Fix: Sip from these unbreakable drinking glassesIt might be tempting to take your glassware outdoors, but instead of breaking and replacing glassware, opt for these sleek wine glasses made of unbreakable, stainless steel. A set of four dishwasher-safe glasses features a timeless stemless shape and a clever insulated design.
23
Mistake: Wasting stale pantry ingredients
Fix: Store dry ingredients in these airtight food storage containersThese BPA-free food storage containers feature a leakproof, airtight seal that keeps moisture and air out food (AKA — they prevent food from going stale or spoiling too soon). A set of seven features four stackable sizes for storing pasta, grains, and other dry ingredients. It also comes with handy labels and a marker.
24
Mistake: Buying touch-up paint for your house
Fix: Fill these brush pens with leftover paint to touch up areas of your homeInstead of purchasing touch-up paint whenever your walls need a refresh, use any leftover paint to fill these fillable paint pens, which will keep the paint fresh for years. Push the plunger to release paint to the brush tip when you’re ready to touch up paint in hard-to-reach areas and beyond.
25
Mistake: Using all of your air freshener because you can’t find the pet stain
Fix: Use this spray & UV flashlight to find & banish pet stainsUse this pet odor eliminator spray by attaching the included UV flashlight to the sprayer and shining the beam on surfaces to reveal a hidden pet stain. Once you’ve found one, spray the eliminator on the spot. It’ll instantly eliminate the odor and fill the room with the pleasant scent of orange oil. One reviewer wrote, “I always worry that my house/apartment smells like dog, and I just don’t notice. ( ...) Not only does the light point them out, but the cleaning spray gets rid of them in seconds!!! It truly neutralizes the odor and leaves the room smelling amazing!”
26
Mistake: Burning through candles too quickly
Fix: Use this candle warmer lamp to control the wax’s melting speedThis candle warmer lamp keeps candles from burning too quickly. It features four brightness levels to control your candle’s melting speed. Place a candle on the wooden base and adjust the halogen bulb’s brightness with the built-in remote on the cord. Since it’s flameless, your wax will melt evenly and distribute a pleasant scent without smoking.
27
Mistake: Pouring out too much dish soap for dishes
Fix: Use this dish soap dispenser that gives the perfect amount every timeThis 13-ounce soap dispenser has a clever design — when you push a sponge down into the holder, it dispenses the perfect amount of dish soap onto it. This prevents overusing dish soap and gives you a sponge holder to boot. Plus, the dispenser reaches the bottom, so it sucks up every drop of soap.
28
Mistake: Wasting ingredients because you can’t see them
Fix: Use these clear storage bins to make fresh produce & perishables visibleWhen you use these fridge organizer bins, you won’t risk losing sight of perishable ingredients like fresh fruit and veggies. A pack of six comes with a helpful egg holder, two wide trays for large produce, two narrow trays for small produce, and a drink holder for soda, sparking water, or other canned sips. One reviewer wrote, “Great organizer [set] for the fridge. I can actually find stuff and items don’t get shoved to the back to rot. So worth the money. Should have bought this years ago.”
29
Mistake: Improperly storing half-used produce (so it goes bad)
Fix: Save half-used produce with this clever silicone food saversInstead of storing half-used tomatoes, lemons, and other produce in the open, try these silicone food savers. A set has five different-sized savers that, when stretched to fit, provide an airtight seal over produce and jars. AKA — it’s designed to prevent browning and premature rotting by keeping fruit and veggies fresh. One reviewer wrote, “I find I use 1/2 of fruits like limes and lemons or avocados. I would use a plastic baggie and the next day I would throw them out. These keep my favorites fresh even after a few days. No more waste of plastic or food.”
30
Mistake: Tossing out damp (& mildewed sponges too often
Fix: Store sponges on a suction cup sponge holder so they dryIf you don’t let a sponge dry out, you risk getting mildew, but this sponge holder will save your sponge-wasting woes by keeping it in a designated area above your sink. It attaches to smooth surfaces via strong suction cups, and its cat design will bring some fun, unexpected decor to your kitchen.
31
Mistake: Repurchasing worn-out leather shoes & furniture
Fix: Restore leather items with this odor-free leather conditionerIf your leather boots, couches, or chairs look worse for wear, this water-repellent leather conditioner can restore their lustrous shine and appearance without splurging on new ones. Simply buff some of the odorless, non-greasy formula onto your leather items and watch as it gently conditions them. You can also use it on new leather items for the same six-month protection.
32
Mistake: Spending too much on a plumber
Fix: Prevent drain clogs with this minimalist drain protectorStick this mushroom-shaped drain protector in your tub drain, and you won’t have to call a plumber for a simple clog again. It keeps loose hairs out of sight and neatly wraps them around the flange. When it’s time to dispose of the hair, just give it a quick tug with a tissue.
33
Mistake: Tossing out butter too quickly
Fix: Store butter in this airtight glass butter dishWhether you store butter in the fridge or on your counter, this glass butter dish will help it stay fresher longer, so you can stop throwing out butter. The acacia-wood base is designed to create the perfect temperature regulation for keeping butter soft on the counter. Meanwhile, the durable glass lid provides an airtight seal.
34
Mistake: Spending money on dryer sheets & softener
Fix: Add these reusable wool dryer balls to your laundry routineSkip dryer sheets that only last for one use — these wool dryer balls are reusable for a ton loads of laundry for up to five years. Handmade from 100% New Zealand wool, they gently soften your clothes, speed up drying time, and reduce wrinkles. Skeptical? They have over 3,600 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers and counting.
35
Mistake: Pouring out too much cooking oil at once
Fix: Cook with this helpful oil dispenser & sprayerPouring out too much pricey olive oil can waste a lot of money, so use this oil sprayer that can pour or lightly spritz oil. Its durable glass base holds over 15 ounces of oil, while an anti-clog filter draws oil up through the fine-mist sprayer. To gently pour oil, unlock the lid’s cap. One reviewer wrote, “The drizzle function is great and doesn’t give you more than you need. The spray function is a quick burst, so you have to hit the trigger a few times to coat a baking dish or bottom of a pan, but that’s wonderful because I’m never getting too much oil.”
36
Mistake: Tossing out half of your pricey iced coffee because the ice melted
Fix: Keep your beverages cold with this insulated cup sleeveThis insulated neoprene cup sleeve will insulate your iced drink to keep it cold and prevent premature melting of the ice. Plus, it will cleverly prevent cold hands and uncomfortable condensation. It comes in six sizes compatible with different coffee chain cups and a variety of fun patterns to show off your personality.
37
Mistake: Missing water leaks when they start
Fix: Place these leak detectors to be aware of leaky pipes & plumbing issuesPrevention is such a money saver, so these water leak detectors are an invaluable household tool for monitoring plumbing leaks. When stashed underneath pipes or beside appliances, they’ll sound an alarm when water drips onto the top or bottom sensors. Their easy-to-use, wireless design has reviewers consistently rating them high on setup and performance.
38
Mistake: Discarding the last bit of laundry detergent because you can’t get it out
Fix: Keep your laundry detergent bottles on this angled detergent holderBecause this laundry detergent holder secures your detergent bottle at an angle, you won’t have to work hard to dispense the last bit of detergent. The holder fits any size detergent bottle, which you’ll strap in place. Once up, press the button to dispense some into the cup, and the catch tray will prevent messy drips.
39
Mistake: Rebuying outdoor cushions & pillows every season
Fix: Treat outdoor fabrics with this sun and water shield sprayWhen left in the elements, outdoor cushions take a beating, but treat your outdoor fabrics with this sun and water shield spray, and they’ll stay protected. A one-step treatment is all you need to prevent fading from UV rays and damage from moisture. The spray also dries clear and — keeping the integrity of your fabric intact.
40
Mistake: Spending money to re-grout your tile
Fix: Restore stained grout lines with this budget-friendly grout penInstead of paying for expensive new grout, use this cheap grout pen to cover up stains. Push down the tip to activate the paint, then use the cotton applicator tip to paint your grout. One of these money-saving grout refreshers can cover up to 150 feet of grout, and the formula is long-lasting, so it won’t need multiple touchups.