26 Low-Cost Swaps To Make If You’re In Your Budgeting Era – BuzzFeed

Gift GuideBeauty + Personal CareFashionHomeSports + FitnessStoresTechKidsPetsSex ToysView All We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.Good, useful stuff for cheap. It’s that simple.BuzzFeed StaffThey’re made from organic bamboo, are machine-washable, and are SUPER strong! They can be used ~120+ times~ before discarding (ideally in your compost!). Promising review: “Don’t let the quantity discourage you. I cut mine in half! One half-sheet takes the life of dozens of sheets of regular paper towels and cloth towels! My regular cotton towels can’t compete with one sheet of these bamboo towels! No lint left behind, it doesn’t break apart in my hand, and it is as strong as Magic Erasers if you’ve tried them before! Using them is not gross when you think along the lines of using rags. One sheet has lasted over a week with rinsing with hot water and soap and hang drying. This is a game changer!!!” —Neela921Get a roll (20 sheets) from Amazon for $9.99.See it in action on TikTok. Promising review: “I tried this mascara for the first time in 2020 after seeing it go viral on TikTok. It was too inexpensive not to try, right?!?! Well, let me just say how upset I was to find out this little inexpensive bottle outperformed EVERY expensive mascara I had ever bought. This is now the only stuff I use!” —Amanda SimsFor more info and review pics, check out BuzzFeed Editor Kayla Boyd’s full Essence Lash Princess Mascara review! Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black and brown).County Line Kitchen is a small business specializing in mason jar-style cold brew makers, pitchers, and accessories.Promising review: “This has been a hit in my house. Makes the most delicious cold brew and is of great quality. Has saved a ton of money on going out and on pods I used to buy. I try to let it sit for 48 hours so I can dilute it with a little water to get it to last longer, and throw it in my dishwasher in between uses. Perfect!” —JoGet it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 2 sizes and four colors).Promising review: “I love these! I was hoping they could compare for the Birkenstock brand, and I’m so glad they can! I debated whether to purchase these, but when they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. They look and feel just like my Birkenstocks for a fraction of the price. I will definitely be buying them in the other colors. Their fit is accurate as well. I wear a size 10 and ordered a size 10. I have about 1/2 inch of the shoe behind my heel. I would say they are a perfect fit!” —Alicia LewisGet them from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in women’s sizes 5.5–14 and in eight colors).Everything pictured above is included — 16 rounds, a bamboo storage caddy, and a mesh laundry bag. Promising review: “I love these reusable pads! They’re perfect for skincare serums as they don’t absorb too quickly and are super soft against the skin. The wooden container fits them perfectly and looks beautiful. 10/10 would recommend.” —Dennis Hemken, JrGet it from Amazon for $14.99.Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It’s recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.Promising review: “I have the driest heels, and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this, my heels had some pretty deep cracks, and now they’re almost baby-soft again. BUT please follow the directions…left it on my super-dry, thick-callused heels for only three minutes, and the calluses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don’t have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore.” —Kiki Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two scents and a two-pack).Promising review: “My nails were in bad shape before I started using this product. I had one nail that would constantly split on the side, but not anymore. I saw the difference right away after using this product. The smell is great, it is a good moisturizer for your cuticles, and it has wonderful ingredients. I definitely recommend it, and I will be purchasing another really soon.” —Tasha StewartGet it from Amazon for $8.88 (also available in multipacks).Promising reviews: “Absolutely amazing. I have bought these, like, five times now over the years and never once regretted it for a moment.” —Hannah D.”These covers are AMAZING! I used them for the first time this weekend during my bachelorette because of how much white I would be wearing, and they were perfect. I usually use petals, but sometimes you can see the shape of the petal, and my nipple still shows, but these covered my boobs perfectly, and you couldn’t see them through a see-through white body suit. They lasted through the night when I forgot to take them off before bed and also lasted through tonsssss of sweaty dancing. I never leave reviews, but I had to spend the word. All my girls on the trip were amazed by them and are all ordering now.” —Amazon CustomerBuzzFeed editor Natalie Brown swears by these pasties! Check out her Nippies review to learn more.Get a pair from Amazon for $26.50+ (available in two sizes, with or without lift, and five shades). Promising review: “These are the only dryer balls I’ve found that actually made me not need fabric softener sheets. It cuts down on static, and I don’t find pet fur clinging to my clothes when I pull them out of the dryer.” —Tianhui FanGet it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four styles and larger pack sizes).See it in action on TikTok.Promising review: “I rarely write reviews, but I am already in love with whatever sorcery is in this bottle! This was a TikTok-influenced buy, so I was skeptical. When I got the product, I was having a horrible breakout with a HUGE irritated pimple in the crevice of my nose, and after two days of using it before and after work, it’s gone! It immediately helped the redness and irritation as well, and I’m blown away! After less than a week, my breakout has almost cleared up completely.” —Catherine bunchGet it from Amazon for $17.46. Note: You’ll need to take the “pod holder” out of your machine before you put this in, and reviewers advise that you carefully read the directions to make sure you’re popping and locking everything correctly.Promising review: “GET ONE!! It’s such a money saver!! I buy a 3-pound can of Costco’s coffee and use it to fill it up. I’ve saved so much using this thing. It’s easy to clean and disassemble for deep cleaning. Works and fits perfectly!” —Sarisol Get it from Amazon for $7.99.Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it “the miracle product I’ve been searching for.”Promising review: “I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it that it wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was skeptical about this product because I had never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy, was I wrong to doubt this product; it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair.” —Therese-ClaireGet it from Amazon for $7.40.ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. Promising reviews: “TikTok made me buy this, and it is money well spent!! I’m convinced my beagle sheds a full coat of hair and regrows it daily! I use this on my bed every single day, and it blows my mind how well it works. Before this, I was going through four to five disposable sticky rollers a month and spending three times longer to remove dog hair. I am buying these for everyone in my family as Christmas gifts this year! ❤️” —tiff4shortGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).The menstrual cup factor that freaked me out the most was the thought of having to get up there and break the seal to take it out. So when I saw the Flex Cup, which is specifically designed to make that process easier, I figured, why not give it a try? This is a purchase I would definitely file under the ‘life-changing’ category. Yes, there is a learning curve, but by my second cycle with the cup, I felt like a pro. Even with the pull tab, taking it out can be a little messy (I tend to just do it in the shower), but it’s definitely a more controlled experience than if it wasn’t there at all. With my flow, I can leave my cup in for 12 straight hours without fear (I can’t say the same about tampons…), meaning The Flex Cup has made my period less awful. A true feat!Promising review: “So very happy with my purchase!! Fits comfortably! Easy to insert and remove just takes some getting used to. Save money on pads and tampons! Very, very, very happy with this purchase.” —EvieGet it from Amazon for $29.98 (available in two sizes). Some reviewers recommend sizing up! For more info, check out BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord’s full Bambody period underwear review. Promising review: “You no longer have to spend money on pads or tampons. I will say they kind of feel like diapers, but I am so confident I have worn white pants with them. I will never have to buy pads or tampons again. In fact, I don’t mind my period as much because these underwear make it so easy. The directions do say not to dry them in the dryer, so I air dry mine.” —Sarah Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in women’s sizes XXS–XXL, sold individually or as multipacks in various colors).Promising review: “Most important thing to know for first-timers is to hold the sides of the nail, not the paw and pads. Holding the nail absorbs the bit of vibration that they feel. They will do lots better! Second is to keep the guard on. Initially, I thought it was just a cap of sorts. Realized my mistake and put the guard back on, and it made the job easier as far as the nail and the grind goes. This is a really good purchase, and I’m glad I have it!! I have three big dogs, and it’s very hard to get them to the vet every time their nails have to be done. This is just a lifesaver.” —Lori H. Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in six colors).Promising review: “I’m trying very hard to reduce my dependence on plastics that have to be thrown away. I find these reusable silicone ‘pouches’ just as good as a plastic ziplock bag, but more sustainable. They are easy to clean and disinfect in the dishwasher spread over the prongs so that the water can thoroughly wash them. They’ll be a little damp inside when they come out, but just prop them upside down over something so that they can air dry.” —KD-DGet it from Amazon for $9.73+ (available in four colors).Promising review: “I just started baking with these at Christmas time. They are great! They really save me a lot of money as I haven’t needed to buy parchment paper to line my cookie sheets anymore. I use them to roll out sticky dough, also. I am a fan! They fit a regular-sized cookie sheet very well. They are easy to clean. I wish I would’ve discovered these sooner!” —Tamara whiteGet a pair from Amazon for $12.99 (available in a macaron style and larger packs). Promising review: “Don’t hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and I bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and ‘bouncy.’ I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy.” —chrisGet a five-pack from Amazon for $5.94+ (available in four color schemes). Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients’ earwax impactions.Promising review: “My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life, and up until this point, we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn’t wait for an appointment, so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read, it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out with no problem. Highly recommend.” —TeaGet it from Amazon for $29.50. LivaClean pimple patch ingredients include hydrocolloid, Salicylic acid, and tea tree oil. Read more about tea tree oil and acne at Mayo Clinic. Promising review: “I LOVE the look of pimple patches on myself (as weird as that sounds) and absolutely hate the semi-clear ones since they just draw my eyes to something that’s SUPPOSED to be invisible. So I easily fell in love with the Starface pimple patches — but the issue with those is they’re SO expensive and don’t work at all. THESE, however, have immediately sucked everything out of my face. I love them and literally wear them all the time. So many people have complimented me, saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I love how you just wear stickers on your face; it’s adorable.’ These also work as [an alternative to] the TikTok Shop ones that are really popular right now and are cheaper! 10/10 from me :)” —evalyn evokeGet a pack of 240 patches from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four designs/shapes as well as multipacks). Turbo Microfiber is a small business that launched in 2018 on a mission to create top-quality cleaning accessories to help you get through your to-do list as sustainably and cost-effectively as possible. Promising review: “I got both kinds, the ones with the wrap-around flaps for the regular green mop and I got the nonflap ones for the WetJet. They are made of a good quality material, well designed, fit perfectly, and are easy to put on and take off. They stick to the mop very securely; you don’t have to worry about them coming off when cleaning, and when done, you just toss them in the washer. I am so happy I started using these. They are saving me loads of money on those wet and dry refill sheets and save the planet as well!” —Phoenix HintonGet a two-pack from Amazon for $24.75. TS Designs is a Michigan-based Etsy shop that specializes in home products and country, rustic, and vintage-styled gifts and decor.Psst — the seller notes that this works best with Swiffers with the yellow handle, but also is compatible with the blue handle. You should avoid using fabric softener when washing this duster, so it won’t lose its static cling.Promising review: “Great washable duster replacement tops. They vacuum off and wash up easily, and they grab dust and cobwebs every bit as well as the disposable ones I was using. Considering it means putting a bit less into landfills and also saving money in the long run; I only wish I had bought these years ago, sincerely. Also, they shipped very promptly and arrived sooner than expected, so that was a pleasant surprise. Thanks!” —otherlings Get it from TS Designs on Etsy for $4.99+ (available in 10 colors and in multipacks).Promising review: “I love that they are washable, and we will save money since they are reusable. I was afraid my dog would think it was OK to pee on the carpet because they kinda resemble a rug, but he only pees on the mats, and they are surprisingly absorbent. I’m definitely ordering more in different designs.” —SheGet a. two-pack from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six sizes and 11 colors). Promising review: “I LOVE THESE SO MUCH!!! I never write reviews, but I am enjoying these earbuds so much right now that I had to share the news! I have SO many pairs of earbuds. I don’t love any of them…including the Apple AirPods and Jaybird Runs. They are average and overpriced if you ask me! The TOZO T10s blow them all away in price point (obviously) but also sound quality, comfort, and look. I LOVE the wireless charging capability, which is a huge reason why I purchased them. No buyer’s remorse here! Awesome product!” —Katie G.Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors). This set comes with 4 AA batteries, 4 AAA batteries, a charging unit, and a case for each battery set. Promising review: “With five children and all the technology in the world today, I go through batteries like water. I swear, I’m forever buying batteries, and nowadays, they’re expensive. I bought this battery charger. It came with four AAA and four AA batteries. When I tell ya’ll this has been a game changer for my family, it seriously has saved me tons of money. I highly recommend buying extra batteries. It comes with eight, but you can buy more batteries on the side, and they’re pretty cheap as well. I highly recommend this product 👍” —Jade Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in three other styles). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/daniellehealy/low-cost-swaps-to-make-if-in-your-budgeting-era-an