17 Things To Buy This Month That'll Save You Money In The Long Run
Scrappy buys that'll earn their keep (and more) this month.
Posted on November 7, 2017, at 10:59 p.m.
Elizabeth Lilly
BuzzFeed Staff
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
1. A gift-wrap organizer to corral last year's festive rolls so you know what you have before you spend $20 on fresh wrapping paper you won't even use this season.
amazon.comSharePin
We've all done it!
Promising review: "Well-made with four zipper compartments large enough for a bunch of Christmas bows and able to hold up to (I guess) 10 rolls of wrapping paper. It could also hold small to medium gift bags. It is sturdy and will probably last a long time. I originally had my items in a gift wrap holder I'd made, but without the see-through plastic compartments, I never could find what I needed. Totally portable." —Helpful Hannah
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
2. A jar of petroleum jelly — add it to your shoe care kit in place of polish.
amazon.comSharePin
It'll do what regular polish will and ohmigod it'll last must longer. Do I even need to explain how this is cheaper than getting your shoes shined?
Get it from Amazon for $4.25.
3. Holiday gifts for your kids to give. Figure out who they'll have to give holiday gifts to nowand buy in bulk for discounts on cool things, like this multitool that everyone could use in their life.
amazon.comSharePin
Boy Scout leaders, school teachers, and other folks can fall through the cracks until you're trying to find the least-crappy thing in the picked-over dollar section at Target two days before holiday vacation begins. Gather some ideas from our list of cool gifts under $10.
Get the multitool from Amazon for $5.34.
4. A tiny timer so you can set a shower time limit and enforce it. It'll beep and shame the person who's singing the entirety of Mariah Carey's classic Merry Christmas album under the shower head.
amazon.comSharePin
It holds up!
Promising review: "We got this for our son to time his showers and for brushing his teeth. He is 8 and it is super easy for him to use. Be prepared that it beeps loudly when you have to punch in the time, and there is not a way to silence the buttons. Other than that being a small annoyance, it is a very good product. Has a stand to prop it up and magnet to put it anywhere." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
5. An inexpensive LBD or supplies to transform one you already (like some fancy-lookingearrings). A LBD will get you through all sorts of seasonal soirees.
amazon.com, amazon.comSharePin
You do NOT need a new dress for every party. But this basic one has 2K+ reviews and is incredibly versatile when you pair it with stuff like these chic tassel earrings (that you can also wear over and over again).
Get them from Amazon: dress for $15.99+ (sizes XS–2X, 35 color combos) and earrings for $3.07 (four colors).
And check out our master list of 32 perfect things for your LBD for style inspo in spades.
6. Low-key heel caps that may save you a few shoe repairs and keep your high heels in fighting shape while you're partying the night away.
amazon.comSharePin
Promising review: "I love this product and use them on all my heels. They blend in great and have significantly increased the life of my heels. Love all the size options!" —Jennifer Travarelli
Get seven pairs from Amazon for $12.50 (available in three colors).
7. Micellar water — it'll last you *so much* longer than makeup-removing wipes.
amazon.comSharePin
One pre-loaded wipe never seems to do it, huh? Or maybe I just load up on mascara more than the average person. Either way, I have this stuff and love it!
Promising review: "This is my go-to makeup remover. The price for the quantity is unbeatable. My skin can get oily and when I use this my skin feels fresh and clean after, not greasy. It also works great to remove my mascara and doesn't burn my eyes or cause irritation. I've had it for almost two months and am not even halfway through the bottle. This has saved me so much money compared to how quick I used to go through my makeup-remover wipes." —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $6.79.
8. A casserole dish set to help you perfect a few easy dinners you can fall back on while feeding a crowd over the holidays, or just yourself!
gimmesomeoven.comSharePin
This Pyrex set will set you back as much as my average Domino's order AND I AM ONE PERSON! It includes a 3-quart oblong dish, 8" square baking dish, 2 1-cup storage dishes, and matching lids. Pyrex is somehow magical in that it cleans easily and never seems to drop no matter how many times I drop my roommates' dishes. (Sorry.) Whipping up the pictured white chicken enchilada casserole from Gimme Some Oven will be nearly as easy as ordering pizza, more satisfying, and way cheaper! While you're at it, check out 16 more easy dinners.
Get the set from Amazon for $22.69.
9. This Drybar book for people who swear by salon blowouts. Teach yourself how to DIY one before the holidays instead of paying $45 a pop!
amazon.comSharePin
The cult-status hair salon that specializes in juststyling services will cost you $45 a blowout at a New York City location, but prices vary by their manylocations. (BTW, check out a full review of the salon from my colleague Emmy Favilla here.) If you go for *just one* blowout this holiday season, you could make your money back by buying this book!
Promising review: "I love Dry Bar. I wish we had a location closer, but this book is the next best thing. Between reading the tips and tricks in the book and the plethora of online videos you can watch on their website, I almost have the technique down and couldn't be happier with the results. Every product from Dry Bar that I've tried has been amazing. Believe the hype! Well worth the price." —Hcavinder
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (Kindle, hardcover).
10. A replacement zipper to save any pants that fall victim to holiday-season weight gain or a delish Thanksgiving meal with
amazon.comSharePin
This thing is just under $10, which is considerably less than a new pair of slacks your third helping of turkey burst open at the dinner table in your in-laws' presence.
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
11. This powerful stain remover that'll go such a long way in righting spillage wrongs that'd probably require professional cleaning. Consider it prep for an onslaught of spilled wine, chocolate fondue, and all sorts of holiday-ish during the next few months.
amazon.comSharePin
Promising review: "This 65+ senior/grandma has done a lot of laundry in her life and I’ve never found anything that consistently works as well as Grandma’s SSR every time. It’s the best stain remover I’ve ever found. Hands down, the best!" —Hallie R. Shepherd
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $13.50.
Ready this three-ingredient stain remover from Nifty before company visits because you and I both knowsomeone's going to spill something in your home.
12. A slow cooker to do all the work for you, rather than paying steep prices for pre-made holiday party food.
thewanderlustkitchen.comSharePin
Ah yes, that meat tray is *so* easy to order for pickup at your local grocery store, but a cozy slow cooker dip seems much more appetizing than a tray of cold meat, no? What's that, you don't have a slow cooker? They make at-home meals so much easier and use less electricity than your oven! Check out this fondue recipe from The Wanderlust Kitchen and 17 more party dip recipes.
Get a highly rated seven-quart Crock-Pot from Amazon for $24.99. (Tbh, that's the cost of a *bargain* party meat tray.)
13. And a fast-food recipe cookbook that'll fight cravings and stop your kids from begging for a happy meal.
amazon.comShare
Scrappy buys that'll earn their keep (and more) this month.
Posted on November 7, 2017, at 10:59 p.m.
Elizabeth Lilly
BuzzFeed Staff
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
1. A gift-wrap organizer to corral last year's festive rolls so you know what you have before you spend $20 on fresh wrapping paper you won't even use this season.
amazon.comSharePin
We've all done it!
Promising review: "Well-made with four zipper compartments large enough for a bunch of Christmas bows and able to hold up to (I guess) 10 rolls of wrapping paper. It could also hold small to medium gift bags. It is sturdy and will probably last a long time. I originally had my items in a gift wrap holder I'd made, but without the see-through plastic compartments, I never could find what I needed. Totally portable." —Helpful Hannah
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
2. A jar of petroleum jelly — add it to your shoe care kit in place of polish.
amazon.comSharePin
It'll do what regular polish will and ohmigod it'll last must longer. Do I even need to explain how this is cheaper than getting your shoes shined?
Get it from Amazon for $4.25.
3. Holiday gifts for your kids to give. Figure out who they'll have to give holiday gifts to nowand buy in bulk for discounts on cool things, like this multitool that everyone could use in their life.
amazon.comSharePin
Boy Scout leaders, school teachers, and other folks can fall through the cracks until you're trying to find the least-crappy thing in the picked-over dollar section at Target two days before holiday vacation begins. Gather some ideas from our list of cool gifts under $10.
Get the multitool from Amazon for $5.34.
4. A tiny timer so you can set a shower time limit and enforce it. It'll beep and shame the person who's singing the entirety of Mariah Carey's classic Merry Christmas album under the shower head.
amazon.comSharePin
It holds up!
Promising review: "We got this for our son to time his showers and for brushing his teeth. He is 8 and it is super easy for him to use. Be prepared that it beeps loudly when you have to punch in the time, and there is not a way to silence the buttons. Other than that being a small annoyance, it is a very good product. Has a stand to prop it up and magnet to put it anywhere." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
5. An inexpensive LBD or supplies to transform one you already (like some fancy-lookingearrings). A LBD will get you through all sorts of seasonal soirees.
amazon.com, amazon.comSharePin
You do NOT need a new dress for every party. But this basic one has 2K+ reviews and is incredibly versatile when you pair it with stuff like these chic tassel earrings (that you can also wear over and over again).
Get them from Amazon: dress for $15.99+ (sizes XS–2X, 35 color combos) and earrings for $3.07 (four colors).
And check out our master list of 32 perfect things for your LBD for style inspo in spades.
6. Low-key heel caps that may save you a few shoe repairs and keep your high heels in fighting shape while you're partying the night away.
amazon.comSharePin
Promising review: "I love this product and use them on all my heels. They blend in great and have significantly increased the life of my heels. Love all the size options!" —Jennifer Travarelli
Get seven pairs from Amazon for $12.50 (available in three colors).
7. Micellar water — it'll last you *so much* longer than makeup-removing wipes.
amazon.comSharePin
One pre-loaded wipe never seems to do it, huh? Or maybe I just load up on mascara more than the average person. Either way, I have this stuff and love it!
Promising review: "This is my go-to makeup remover. The price for the quantity is unbeatable. My skin can get oily and when I use this my skin feels fresh and clean after, not greasy. It also works great to remove my mascara and doesn't burn my eyes or cause irritation. I've had it for almost two months and am not even halfway through the bottle. This has saved me so much money compared to how quick I used to go through my makeup-remover wipes." —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $6.79.
8. A casserole dish set to help you perfect a few easy dinners you can fall back on while feeding a crowd over the holidays, or just yourself!
gimmesomeoven.comSharePin
This Pyrex set will set you back as much as my average Domino's order AND I AM ONE PERSON! It includes a 3-quart oblong dish, 8" square baking dish, 2 1-cup storage dishes, and matching lids. Pyrex is somehow magical in that it cleans easily and never seems to drop no matter how many times I drop my roommates' dishes. (Sorry.) Whipping up the pictured white chicken enchilada casserole from Gimme Some Oven will be nearly as easy as ordering pizza, more satisfying, and way cheaper! While you're at it, check out 16 more easy dinners.
Get the set from Amazon for $22.69.
9. This Drybar book for people who swear by salon blowouts. Teach yourself how to DIY one before the holidays instead of paying $45 a pop!
amazon.comSharePin
The cult-status hair salon that specializes in juststyling services will cost you $45 a blowout at a New York City location, but prices vary by their manylocations. (BTW, check out a full review of the salon from my colleague Emmy Favilla here.) If you go for *just one* blowout this holiday season, you could make your money back by buying this book!
Promising review: "I love Dry Bar. I wish we had a location closer, but this book is the next best thing. Between reading the tips and tricks in the book and the plethora of online videos you can watch on their website, I almost have the technique down and couldn't be happier with the results. Every product from Dry Bar that I've tried has been amazing. Believe the hype! Well worth the price." —Hcavinder
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (Kindle, hardcover).
10. A replacement zipper to save any pants that fall victim to holiday-season weight gain or a delish Thanksgiving meal with
amazon.comSharePin
This thing is just under $10, which is considerably less than a new pair of slacks your third helping of turkey burst open at the dinner table in your in-laws' presence.
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
11. This powerful stain remover that'll go such a long way in righting spillage wrongs that'd probably require professional cleaning. Consider it prep for an onslaught of spilled wine, chocolate fondue, and all sorts of holiday-ish during the next few months.
amazon.comSharePin
Promising review: "This 65+ senior/grandma has done a lot of laundry in her life and I’ve never found anything that consistently works as well as Grandma’s SSR every time. It’s the best stain remover I’ve ever found. Hands down, the best!" —Hallie R. Shepherd
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $13.50.
Ready this three-ingredient stain remover from Nifty before company visits because you and I both knowsomeone's going to spill something in your home.
12. A slow cooker to do all the work for you, rather than paying steep prices for pre-made holiday party food.
thewanderlustkitchen.comSharePin
Ah yes, that meat tray is *so* easy to order for pickup at your local grocery store, but a cozy slow cooker dip seems much more appetizing than a tray of cold meat, no? What's that, you don't have a slow cooker? They make at-home meals so much easier and use less electricity than your oven! Check out this fondue recipe from The Wanderlust Kitchen and 17 more party dip recipes.
Get a highly rated seven-quart Crock-Pot from Amazon for $24.99. (Tbh, that's the cost of a *bargain* party meat tray.)
13. And a fast-food recipe cookbook that'll fight cravings and stop your kids from begging for a happy meal.
amazon.comShare
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