photo credit: @mohammaddadkhah via Unsplash
Cup of Joe shared one of these posts again recently, and it’s been a while (2+ years!) since I shared my own list of small, inexpensive things that make my life better. So here’s an updated version.
An apple slicer
In particular, this apple slicer*. It cores and cuts the apple into not just 8, but 16 thin and even wedges in one swoop. It’s so easy to use.
A milk frother
I just rediscovered my milk frother and how much fun it is to serve coffee with a little bit of foam on top. When my parents were here, I made ‘fancy coffee’ one afternoon and frothed some milk, which prompted my mom to buy herself a milk frother when she returned home. It’s the little things!
It’s a 10 Silk Express Miracle Leave-In Treatment
I picked up the It’s a 10 Silk Express Miracle Leave-in treatment* at TJMaxx. It was a small bottle at a reduced price, and I am so glad I bought it to try it out. It’s absolutely great for my fine, often frizzy hair and makes it silky smooth!
Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel
I have one similar to this one*. It’s a game changer. Actually, I have two. One at home and one for travel. I don’t travel anywhere without it. It’s super-absorbent and dries my hair much more gently than regular towels.
Bonne Maman (jars).
I use them for everything — storing my sourdough starter, storing herbs in the freezer, as a to-go container for overnight oats, collecting coins, etc. They’re so versatile. Also, Bon Maman jam is the best.
Which small, inexpensive things make YOUR life better? Please share!
(And don’t miss out on exploring Cup of Joe’s comment section. So many awesome suggestions!).
I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2025 Happy writing!
* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites, and all items were bought with my own money.
Lisa's Yarns
November 17, 2025 at 7:38 amI do not use any of these things! I used to have a milk frother and then donated it during a kitchen purge. Now I kind of wish I’d held onto it for more elevated coffee!
One thing I like is this strainer/holder for berries. I got it from my MIL. The strainer part sits inside a container so it collects water that drains off. We always have berries for my yogurt so it’s a very useful little gadget!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 pmI used my frother on and off, but I sure am happy to have it :)
That strainer for berries sounds like a super-practical gift!
Michelle G.
November 17, 2025 at 8:13 amI love microfiber towels for my hair…and for everything! I wish they came in more colors or even with designs on them. Maybe I should look into that. I get the huge packs from Costco that are bright yellow. Good deal, but ugly color! One thing that was inexpensive that I love is a little squeeze bubble thing that I can put on a litre bottle of pop. (Official name isokari Fizz-Keeper Pump & Pour) It really works!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:27 pmOh, is that like a carbonation preserver?
coco
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 amI love mason jars. I also love bowls and spoons that provide me with disproportionally joy when I use them. Water bottles, I love buying them too.
Allison McCaskill
November 18, 2025 at 9:29 amListen Coco, there are times when my tiny adorable spoons and bowls are the only things getting me through the day!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:27 pmI am a big fan of pretty bowls and spoons!
mbmom11
November 17, 2025 at 9:44 amThat apple slicer is one of my favorite kitchen accessories. My kids eat a lot imore apples because of it. The thinner slices are delightfully crunchy without being too thick.
I buy fun colored dry erase markers for work. Dark green and dark blue are so much nicer than black .
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 pmOh, a dry eraser board! Love it.
Elisabeth
November 17, 2025 at 10:36 amOur kids LOVE the milk frother and use it all the time.
I am such a big fan of small things that bring joy. Here’s a few of mine
– Magic Bags (like heatable bean/rice sacks). I use them every day.
– Good pens (I love my Pilot Juice Up 04)
– My heated foot mat. I’m sitting at my desk right now and enjoying the heat on my feet as I type this. It is the first thing I turn on when I sit down at my desk!
Don’t have the time to go to the cup of Jo article now, but definitely want to go read the comments!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 pmYour heated floor mat sounds amazing! I want one.
Nicole MacPherson
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 amOooh I love the microfibre hair wrap. Suzanne got me into them years ago and I’ve never looked back!
I had a milk frother that I received as a bridal shower gift…now, do I still have it? That’s a good question. Clearly I didn’t use it often, since I can’t remember. I might have given it away when we moved.
I have an apple peeler/ slicer/ corer, a Lee Valley one, that I use if I’m making an apple-related dessert (for the guys, my feelings on cooked apple are very strong and negative!)
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 pmDo you eat fresh apples at all.
Nicole MacPherson
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 amYes! I love apples. I just don’t love them cooked.
Ernie
November 17, 2025 at 1:16 pmI keep meaning to blog about this and still plan to, but there are a few things that I inherited when we cleaned out my uncle’s home. I came home with a few straw woven pot holder thingies. Not even sure what to call them, but they are perfect to store in a drawer and toss on the counter to place a hot pot or dish on when serving. Who knew I needed this in my life? Not me, but they’re so handy. And – free!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 pmOh, my mom has these straw woven trivets. I have one in cork and felt. So useful!
Martha
November 17, 2025 at 1:41 pmI can’t think of anything off the top of my head, but I’m definitely getting one of those apple slicers. It will be great for the grandkids, the one I have slices too big for them. Have a great week San!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 pmYes, you’ll love that little slicer!
Suzanne
November 17, 2025 at 3:29 pmMy milk frother died a long, protracted death and this is a good reminder to replace it! My Libby app makes my life better, that’s for sure. I am also loving these new hair ties from Kitsch that I just got. Very stretchy!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 pmI also use Libby and love it. I read all my books through Libby.
Sarah
November 17, 2025 at 7:33 pmI definitely want that apple slicer!
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 pmIt’s so useful! Get it!
Anthea
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 pmThat apple slicer sounds great! I had a milk frother years ago and need to get another one – this is a very good reminder.
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 pmHope you get to enjoy some frothed milk again soon :)
Allison McCaskill
November 18, 2025 at 9:32 amMy daughter just asked for a milk frother for Christmas and I am a bit at sea trying to pick one. I guess I could get one too and use it for chai lattes? Ever since I commented on someone’s post that I love tea but never think of making it, I am making tea again!
I love the idea of the apple slices but my hands are so bad right now I don’t think I’d have the strength to force it through the apple.
I am blanking on a similar list – mine would probably be a few things I’ve decided to spend a little more on that make my life easier.
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 pmThe cool thing with the apple slicer is that I just put my whole weight on it (and don’t just push with my hands!).
Hope you find a milk frother… I have one that also heats the milk, but the little handheld ones do their job ,too!
Daria
November 19, 2025 at 1:37 pmI have a milk frother and I rarely use it lol
But five little things for me…
1. Car: A gallon plastic bag in my car to catch all the trash. I empty it in the regular. Car wipes for dust. Water bottle
2. Stuff at work: an electric kettle, an assortment of teas, instant coffee, dry creamer, honey, sugar. Snacks- nuts, dried fruit. Pain killers for when my students give me a headache lol, dental floss, hair brush, toothpaste and toothbrush. Lip balm. Hand cream. Bandaids. I pretty much have the store in my work desk.
3. House: hallway closet. All jackets and shoes go there and the door closes. Invisalign cleaning machine.
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 pmGet out the milk frother!! LOL
I also love my electric kettle at work for tea and that afternoon pick-me-up coffee!
Melissa
November 19, 2025 at 1:37 pmI keep and use the Bon Maman jars as well, although I haven’t had to buy jam for a few years now because we have made enough over Christmas to last the whole year.
San
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 pmThat’s so cool that you make your own jam… but that means you must have a lot of jars to begin with ;)
Stephany
November 22, 2025 at 6:50 pmI need to get a milk frother to make fancy coffee at home!
I love my microfiber hair towels! I bring them on vacation, too!
Other things: my mystery coloring book, heating pad (getting a lot of use these days), and One Line a Day journal.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
November 23, 2025 at 12:28 pmI don’t use any of these things. I do own an apple slicer but I can’t remember when we last used it. It should probably go.
One small gadget I can’t live without: mhm… the is so hard. I can’t come up with anything…