7 Affordable Luxuries That Make Life Better

indispensable products for $35 and under!

Sep 26, 2025

I am an avid reader of New York Magazine’s celebrity interviews about the everyday stuff they rely on—like toothpaste, bleach, and dog poop bags. There’s something oddly satisfying about knowing what underwear movie stars are wearing, the travel bags they carry, and what they smell like.

One thing I’ve noticed is that famous people often swear by inexpensive and widely available products. And, proving the age-old adage that “stars are just like us,” when I pay close attention to what I rely on and use daily, I realize I’m the same.

As prices increase at eye-popping rates for everything from coffee beans to electricity and flights, it is comforting to know that many of the things that bring me daily happiness do not come with hefty price tags!

Here’s the list of things I use every day, all priced under US$351. I am very curious to know: what are your cheap and cheerful everyday essentials?

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1. Maldon Salt, $5.99. It is not an exaggeration to say I cannot live without this crunchy, perfectly salty-but-not-too-salty, flaky British sea salt. I sprinkle it on everything, from salad greens to my morning eggs, and a small dish resides permanently on our breakfast table. Fun facts: it’s been around since 1882 and is an “official purveyor” to the British Royal Family!

2. Socks, $18 (or $45 for 3). Getting a good night’s sleep is paramount for me, and I’ve religiously worn socks with my pajamas since reading that wearing socks to bed helps you both fall asleep faster and sleep better. After many years of testing, these are my favorites: soft, long and just structured enough that they don’t slip off and get lost during the night, yet not too tight.

3. Reading glasses, $27.27. It is a firm rule of midlife happiness that you cannot have too many pairs of reading glasses! I buy these in multiples and stash them everywhere: my purse, bedside, car, and kitchen counter (indispensable for reading the tiny print on cans and jars!).

4. Gardenia room spray, $22.68. This is a fancy French room spray that doesn’t smell like chemicals. I keep it in our powder room, and one container seems to last forever! Visitors regularly ask where they can purchase it.

5. Silk hair ties, $35 for 4. I have fine straight hair, and most hair ties cause breakage. I will never wear anything other than these silky ties that slide on and off smoothly. As a bonus, I can match them to my hair color!

6. Frownies, $25.95. To me, the “elevens,” the wrinkles that form between the eyes, signify anger and unhappiness, and I want to minimize them. Botox is very effective, but so are Frownies, a non-invasive, old-school alternative to injectables—they’ve been around since 1889! I wear them between my eyes every night, because I (like many people) tend to frown in my sleep. There are 144 in a package, which is 18 cents per use…

7. Gelocity pens, $5.39 for 4. I write three longhand pages every morning and am passionate about these pens: the ink flows smoothly and dries quickly without smudging, and the grip is comfortable. Like eyeglasses, I have these stashed everywhere!

These products are not cheap, but more than earn their keep, with repeated daily use over many years!

1. Slippers: $119.95. Although it’s a Rule of Midlife Happiness that we don’t extensively detail our injuries or medical issues, I highly recommend Oofos slippers and slides for anyone dealing with foot issues: they have proper soles that can be worn inside and out!

2. Tinted moisturizer: $86. I apply this genius tinted moisturizer/sunscreen instead of foundation all year round because it’s formulated to magically match the color of your skin as it changes during the seasons! My dermatologist recommended it, and it includes zinc, vitamin C, and SPF 45. It goes on smoothly and lasts all day. It’s expensive—and also the best tinted moisturizer I’ve ever used!

3. Perfume: $200. I’ve been wearing this men’s cologne as perfume for nearly two decades; it makes me feel grown-up and self-assured to have a signature scent that is classic, a little bit different, and not overpowering! Quercus is made by Penhaligon’s, another purveyor to the British Royal Family—Princess Diana famously wore their Bluebell scent—and I love that it’s equal parts sweet (jasmine and lily), fresh (citrus and basil), and warm (patchouli). Mostly, I love that I never smell it on anyone else!

My electric kettle on the left; the rice cooker is at the end of the grey counter!

4. Electric kettle: $99.95. Electric kettles are a staple in Australian and British kitchens, where tea-making (and drinking!) is an art form. It’s the fastest, safest way to get properly boiling water for black tea. My kettle has multiple temperature settings for making green and white teas, as well as French press coffee. My kids use it for instant ramen! This thing is a workhorse—I’ve had this model for at least seven years!

5. Rice cooker: $229. I don’t like to keep kitchen gadgets on the counter, but I make an exception for this deluxe Japanese rice cooker because it’s such a comfort to always have warm rice available—especially when a gluten-free option is important. With a rice cooker, you will never burn the bottom of a saucepan again!

Reader, Maddie Burton, took this pic in Paris!

This week, I published the 200th issue of Happy on Purpose, a milestone that crept up on me, but deserves a trophy!

Thank you to all 8,000 of you(!!), for reading along, kindly hitting the ❤️ button, supporting this enterprise as paid subscribers, and for generously sharing your wisdom with me in the Comments and via email! I am deeply honored and a bit intimidated that people as clever and accomplished as you allow me into your inboxes each week to share my own ideas and advice. I especially loved your comments on last week’s issue on the useful wisdom that lives “rent-free” in our heads…❤️

Emily A. said the phrases often rattling around her head are, “It’s a good day to have a good day,” “You can, and you will,” and “Done is better than perfect.”

Elizabeth said, “A quotation that I’ve always found helpful is, “The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief.” I think it’s from Shakespeare’s Othello. It has helped remind me in times of need that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your reaction to it.”

Christy M added, “The only thing that will help is to *do the thing.*” It sounds so silly and obvious, but as a master procrastinator of things that feel difficult, or boring, or anxiety-inducing, when I remind myself that the only way out of this feeling of dread is to DO THE THING, I’m able to move forward.”

Mike L. emailed to say he was printing the list to pin at “the eye-level spot in my closet,” and wanted me to shorten point number 1 (Jackie Kennedy’s quote about bungling raising your children). Here’s what we came up with: My children are my most important legacy.

I’m always curious about what you enjoy most (plus I’m eager to please!). Let me know what you think—and you’re very welcome to reply to this email with your questions, thoughts, or feedback.

An Easy (And Free!) Decorating Trick! Plus, vote on this month’s giveaway!
The Least Funny Thing Tina Fey Ever Said…and why I can’t stop thinking about it!
The 7 Most Important (And Counter-Intuitive) Things I Know About Building a Meaningful Life. I spent years searching for my calling. Here’s what I finally learned.
Dinner and a Show: Cozy Couples Edition. 6 great shows with meals to match!

❤️ It’s a good week to become a paid subscriber: it’s time for our monthly giveaway. Readers can vote between now and Monday, September 29, on which of three great options (Colorblock Fleece Jacket; Silky Pant; Cozy Sweater) they’d most like to win! The Cozy Sweater is currently in the lead! 😉