Amazon Finds That Make Life Easier
I used to feel a twinge of guilt every time I saw that familiar brown box with the smiling arrow sitting on my porch (I know you know it!). For a long time, I tried incredibly hard to avoid relying on Amazon for my purchases. My priority has always been supporting small, local businesses within my community. I love the charm of a boutique store and the feeling of directly helping an artisan or family-run shop thrive. I live in a community full of botiques so it’s usually my first stop when buying someone a gift or browsing for a new sweater.
But, I’m also realistic about hectic schedules while juggling work, household chores and family obligations. There are days I feel like I barely have time to come up for air. I’ve no doubt we all look at the clock toward the end of a day and wonder where the time’s gone. And I’m sure, like me, your time is a precious commodity. Driving across town to a massive big-box store to hunt for a specific organizing bin, only to find it out of stock, is incredibly frustrating. Just last week, I was looking for a pair of cleats from Dick’s Sporting Goods. I checked the specific store, and it said it had three pair left in the size I needed. I quickly made a stop up there, and low and behold, no such cleats existed that store. GAH! So yes, there are times when I hop online and go to Amazon when I need something quickly and do not have the time to get it in-person. I also use Amazon when I cannot find a product elsewhere as they seem to have so much at the ready. There is no denying that Amazon has become a game changer for those of us running at full tilt in our daily lives. If you’re looking for more of my favorite Amazon finds, you might want to bookmark my post about the ulimate guide to elevated Amazon finds. You may find some treasures in that!
All of that to say, over time, I’ve shifted my perspective. I realized that my shopping habits didn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation. I still prioritize local shops for unique items, but I’ve embraced the convenience of two-day shipping for the practical, everyday problems.
Supporting Small Businesses Through a Massive Platform
One of the turning points for me was learning how the platform actually operates. When you buy Amazon products, you aren’t always buying directly from a massive corporate warehouse. According to recent reports from the National Retail Federation, a massive percentage of items sold on Amazon actually come from independent, third-party sellers.
By paying attention to who the seller is on the product page, I can still support small companies while taking advantage of the incredibly fast shipping network. And sometimes, having an item arrive at your door in 48 hours is really just what we need to keep our daily lives running smoothly. There is no shame in utilizing a tool that gives you back a few extra hours in your week. My take? If a delivery helps you avoid a stressful evening errand, it is well worth it.
Discovering Things You Never Knew You Needed
The sheer volume of inventory available online is staggering. You can go online looking for a simple extension cord, and suddenly you’re down a rabbit hole discovering a whole ecosystem of smart home devices that can automate your morning routine. Those rabbit holes have led me to some really fun purchases! (I’m looking at you handheld karaoke microphone.)
I am constantly stumbling across clever innovations that streamline my day. In fact, many of these obscure discoveries make fantastic presents, which I highlighted recently in my post about Practical & Useful Gifts You Never Knew You Wanted. For me personally, the beauty of Amazon is the consistent and helpful user reviews. You can instantly see how a quirky gadget worked for thousands of other people before you spend a single dime.
Products From Amazon That Make Life Easier
So, what kinds of items actually move the needle on your daily stress levels? The best Amazon finds are the ones that eliminate minor, repetitive annoyances. When you string enough of these small conveniences together, they genuinely make life easier. Below, I have linked my holy grail items (okay, holy grail may be a tad bit dramatic but you get my drift) …the specific products that have saved me time, energy but also added a little something something extra to my life.
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Collapsible Colander and Strainer
One thing I find to be extra cumbersome in my cupboard is a strainer. This collapsible colander is the perfect solution for anyone wanting to save space in cabinets or drawers.
Garlic Skin Peeler
I cook a ton and one of my most hated things is taking the skin off of a piece of garlic. Yes, I’m aware if you smash it with the side of a knife, the skin can easily come off. But this silicone tube is even quicker. Put the garlic in there. Roll it back and forth once or twice and voila, the skin comes off completely. (And you can’t beat it for under $6.)
Foot Glide Anti Blister Balm
There is nothing worse than being out and about in a new pair of shoes and suddenly you have unexpected blisters. This is a small travel-friendly anti-blister balm that really does work. Run this over the spots that give you the most trouble and you’re good to go. Long distance runners swear by this.
Air Fryer Paper Liners
We use our air fryer quite a bit and depending on what we are heating, the basket can get a little gnarly (salmon skin, anyone?). These paper liners make clean-up a breeze. I prefer them to the silicone liners as I’m not in love with the idea of heating food at high temps on silicone. I know it’s safe, but then aren’t I left having to clean the silicone liner? Paper liners? You can pitch or recycle and be done with it.
Toilet Night Light
Headed to the loo half asleep in the middle of the night? I personally hate turning on the light for a 3am pit stop. This little night light will give a good glow to your toilet bowl when it detects movement so that you don’t have to deal with turning on any bright lights. We have one on every single one of our toilets.
Non Slip Refrigerator Liners
I cannot tell you how much I hate cleaning out my refrigerator. The mysterious sticky spills, old food bits – you know exactly what I’m talking about. These non-slip liners absorb spills and keeps random drips and food from getting stuck onto the shelves and crisper. Ready to clean? Peel the liner off, throw it in the washer and dryer to clean and you’re good to go to install freshly cleaned liners.
Produce Savers
I received produce savers as a wedding shower gift many moons ago and at the time I thought I’d never use them. Well… they are now the hardest working shower gift I received. All these years later and I use them weekly to extend the shelf life of lettuce, berries, broccoli and bell peppers. Given the price of groceries right now, this really hits home knowing you can keep your produce edible for so much longer.
Bracelet Helper Tool
I struggle with clasp bracelets, and when I ask my husband to help with delicate, small clasps, his larger fingers struggle. I usually end up abandoning the bracelet altogether. This little tool is genius! So much easier to secure and fasten the bracelet with this little gadget.
Portable Heating Pad
I use a heating pad quite often. I used to dread having to get it out, plug it in and hope for the best that it would reach wherever I was sitting or lying down. This is a game-changer for anyone who needs easy access to a heating pad.
She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
I love this for any woman in your life to keep her safe. The fact that women don’t feel safe enough existing in the world without having a personal safety device, while men never think a moment about it, is a whole post I can write another day… but I digress. This is a personal safety alarm for anyone in danger. Pull the top loop, and it sounds an ear splitting alarm while activating a strobe light to draw additional attention to aid whoever is feeling unsafe.
Nori Press Travel Steam Iron
I get grossed out using the iron in a hotel. I don’t know why, call me crazy. Anyway, this is handy dandy little tool for travel. It doesn’t take up much room in your suitcase and it’s less cumbersome than your average travel steamer.
Adjustable Bedside Table
This small rolling table easily slides under beds and couches making it a great way to have a small tabletop in several different locations of your home.
Box Cutter
I got this before the holidays and I cannot believe how often I use it. This is such a great retractable blade to open those endless deliverys and easy break down the boxes to add to your recycling bin. You’ll thank me later.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellant
We bought one of these during COVID when we were spending a ton of time outdoors social distancing with friends and have since added another three to our collection. I really do feel this is a great mosquito deterrent. I use them everywhere from our backyard to outdoor concerts.
Bug Bite Thing
While we’re on the subject of bugs, the Bug Bite Thing is fabulous, especially if you have kids. This uses a gentle suction to remove mosquito saliva which pretty much immediately takes away any impending itch.
Loop Earplugs
Great if you sleep next to someone who snores and useful for general dampening of extra loud noise on airplanes, at concerts, you name it.
Disposable Car Trash Bags
I have just one son, but given the explosion that happens in the back of my car, you would think that I have 4 of them siting back there. Things have been much more tidy since I started using these disposable car trash bags.
Magnetic Measuring Spoons
I was constantly scrambling to find a loose measuring spoon in my kitchen drawer. Am I unorganized? Yes. These magnetic measuring spoons really stay together nicely in a drawer, which helps save even a tiny bit of my sanity.
Oil Dispenser Spray
This works with a bunch of different types of cooking oils. It distributes a fine mist of spray to evenly coat pans or food. I find it much easier when cooking something like salmon. I would have normally poured a bit of oil on the salmon, brushed it all over and never could get a consistent amount of oil on the fish. With this, spray and you’re done and the piece is equally coated.
Label Maker
If you don’t already have a label maker, the time is now! I use mine for everything from labeling containers in our pantry to using it for all the storage tubs in our basement that contain things for different holidays. The uses are endless. If you like (or want) to be organized, this is a good Amazon find.
Reclaiming Your Time and Energy
Finding the right balance between supporting your local community and managing your own time isn’t always simple. However, strategically utilizing online deliveries for tedious, everyday necessities gives you the freedom to spend your weekends doing things you actually enjoy.
By seeking out third-party sellers and focusing on items that genuinely solve household problems, you can shop smarter, not harder. I hope a few of these recommendations help clear up some of your daily clutter and give you a little more breathing room in your schedule.
Disclosure: The Betty Edit participates in affiliate programs, including FlexOffers, ShopMy and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links on this site, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely like, personally use, or that come recommended by trusted friends. Thank you for supporting The Betty Edit.