I Hate Spending Money. Here's What I'm Actually Buying On Prime Day, Despite That

Between phones, laptops, Bluetooth speakers, karaoke microphones and tiny digital cameras, there are just too many damn things to charge – and you may be constantly struggling to keep track of the variety of cords that go with each item. This 4-in-1 charging cord comes at the recommendation of HuffPost growth strategist Adam Schubak. “I got this from TikTok actually and I'm obsessed,” he wrote. “It's a great way to stay organized with all of your various gadgets since it has adapters for most devices you need to charge.” With USB-A, C, and lightning cable adapters, you can power up a multitude of gadgets with a charging speed that the brand describes as “impossibly fast.”

You might be familiar with Cabeau's popular neck pillows, and their memory foam pillow is on sale for Prime Day. Available in three colors, this pillow is a must-have for flights, long train or car rides and more: It has seat straps you can attach to your chair to keep your head and neck in alignment, and is made with ergonomic memory foam. It also comes with a travel bag you can attach to your luggage.

This super popular, low-maintenance shower cleaner promises to require no scrubbing at all — just spray it on dingy, scummy shower walls, let it sit overnight and then rinse to get rid of built-up soap, grime, stains and body oils. It’s bleach-free and safe for most surfaces, including glass, porcelain, sandstone, and tile, though it’s not recommended for use on natural marble. It's rarely on sale (we know; we've been tracking it) but today, you can get it for 16% off, less than its usual $24 price tag.

One thing I'm happy to spend money on — sun protection. Especially if it's something I'll actually wear, like this cult-favorite sunscreen from Supergoop. It's renowned for its clear, lightweight and unscented formula that won't leave behind an irritating white cast but still offers broad-spectrum protection. It's also an oil-free formula, great for anyone who might have sensitive or acne-prone skin, and layers seamlessly beneath makeup or can be worn on its own.

Another worth-every-penny safety buy? This highly rated and rechargeable jump starter kit includes booster clamps, charging cables and a spark-proof 12-volt portable jump starter that can safely bring dead batteries back to life on both gas- and diesel-powered engines. The battery starter also functions as a portable power bank and can charge devices using the included USB adapter. It also has a built-in 100-lumen LED flashlight for making nighttime battery jumps a little easier.

And per the 16,000+ 5-star reviews, we have to believe this bad boy comes through right when it should!

Promising review: "Bought it a couple months ago, skeptical this little thing could jump start a car. Just had to use it for the first time yesterday and it worked like a charm! Use it twice this morning as well and still had a fantastic charge! Jumped my car with absolutely no issue, and it was my 1st time jumping a car! Going to recommend this to absolutely everyone I know. (App it glitching otherwise it would be 5 stars)" — Kyle

While I try to thrift 90% of my clothes and accessories, I've been off used shoes since interviewing Michael Fishkin, a certified pedorthist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists. Per Fishkin, walking around in someone else's foot imprint can make foot pain worse, disrupt your balance and cause problems for your ankles and knees. No, thank you.

Fishkin made my little punk rock heart flutter, though, when he said Dr. Martens shoes get his seal of approval for their ample support and durable sole. A long-time Doc's wearer, I think they're worth the money — especially when you can find them on sale. I've been eyeing these low-profile mules for a while, and frankly, was surprised to see them on Amazon. It's a unisex shoe that comes in women's 5/men's 4 to women's 15/men's 14. They come in a few neutral hues, but you'll get the best deal on the pictured light tan.

Sharpie markers are a must-have in any household or office for writing notes, coloring, labeling and organization, and it doesn't get more classic than these black fine-tip markers. The ink is fade- and water-resistant and works on paper, metal, plastic and more. Over 49,619 Amazon shoppers have helped these markers earn an unheard of 4.8-star rating on the site.

You tell me a modern tech piece that includes the cables, I'll put it in my cart before you're done talking. This handy powerbank lets you charge *five* devices at once, with USB-C, USB-A plug, lightning/iPhone and a USB-micro cables all built in. In my book, this saves you money as it combines so many machines in one. But more importantly, it saves you time and stress, never needing to worry about where the dang cable is again. And, it's at the lowest price of the year.

Another solid shoe option (and a reader-loved brand), these sporty sandals from Teva are ready for long walks in the city or at the beach. Waterproof with a good sole, they'll keep you steady as you enjoy the outdoors for many summers to come. They come in a bunch of colors in women's sizes 5-11. If you're tired of wasting money on flimsy flip-flops, this is the summer upgrade you need.

Best, they're at the lowest price in months, so now's the time to buy.

Another time-saving hack — stop misplacing your keys by attaching them to a Bluetooth tracker. Tile by Life360 Mate uses an app to help you locate whatever item you attach it to. The tracker can also be triggered as an SOS alert in case of emergencies.

If you use Clorox's wildly convenient and mess-free ToiletWand system, here's a deal for you: 25% off a pack of 30 refills. Each of these single-use scrubbing heads is pre-loaded with a germ-killing formula that miraculously powers through hard water and lime stains quickly and effectively. And the best part is you'll never have to touch the used scrubber heads to replace them, thanks to a button on the wand. This pack of refills has a 4.7 overall star rating from 82,000+ Amazon shoppers.

And if you need the Clorox ToiletWand starter kit, it's also available on Amazon and even more impressively rated.

It's hard to put a price on comfort, especially if your summers tend to include Little League games and backyard dinners. Years ago, a friend of a friend at a bonfire had one of these double-wide folding lawn chairs, and I put it on my list immediately. This option comes with cup holders on both sides, including a smart little hook for a wine glass, holds up to 650 pounds and functions basically as a portable loveseat.

Apple products, especially AirPods, have been known to sell out on Prime Days past, so get them while you can. These popular AirPods are equipped with Apple's H2 chip, which aids in more intelligent and dynamic noise cancellation that's two times stronger than the previous iteration. The immersive audio senses your head movements to provide rich surround sound, and you can enjoy up to 30 hours of total listening time with the charging case.

Come on now. At this point, you know all about Apple's AirTags. If you already use them, then you know that their ability to help you track and recover everything from your keys to your phone to your cat is pretty priceless.

If you're new here, then here’s how they work: Each AirTag can ping its own location, so when you attach it to one of your belongings, you can track that item via Apple’s Find My app, which is available in the cloud and on Apple devices like iPhones, laptops and more. Through Find My, you can even tell your AirTag to play a sound so it’s easier to find. People love these things for a reason and they're always finding new ways to get the best out of them. They're 29% off list price for Prime Day week but we don't know how many days they'll be discounted, so grab 'em while they're hot!

Promising review: "Excellent for tracking luggage when you travel multiple days. My new use is when waiting at airport for luggage, you can get a sense when they will arrive on carrier or if you ship luggage to next hotel, you know they have arrived before your arrival." — Leonard Tsai

I regret to inform you that you've been fooled about A LOT of the cleaning products you own. A professional housekeeper once told me that most cleaning solutions people use could be replaced with Dawn foaming dish soap. It's tough on baked-on grime for dishes yet gentle enough to clean your mirrors and all sorts of things in between. I haven't bought glass or stovetop cleaner in two years since that pro put me on. This and a good Clorox wipe are all I need for most messes, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.

This Dawn foaming dish spray, is probably one of the best Prime Day deals. The last time I bought it on Prime Day, the 4-pack with the refills genuinely lasted me for a year. Grab it while it's finally under $16 because it likely won't be on sale again for a while.

A professional cleaner once told shopping managing editor Emily Ruane that this is the best mop — and there are quite a few reviews that back this up. It's actually one of the highest-reviewed products that we’ve ever seen on Amazon —146,509 reviewers have given it five stars.

Know what's truly priceless? Mental tranquility as you travel. Where are your earbuds? Where is that necklace? While, they're both in this smart pouch from Travelon that's literally divided into "jewelry" and "tech" sections. On the soft-lined jewelry side, you've got two necklace straps, a ring bar, mesh pockets for earrings and a small zippered pocket to keep everything secure and tangle-free. The tech side offers a roomy compartment for earbuds, chargers and small gadgets, with a mesh zipper compartment. Streamlined and easy to grab, it's the answer to all your carry-on stresses. You'll get the best deal (30% off) off the classic black option.

When I tell you that getting a printer for my apartment was actually life-changing, I am not exaggerating. While I don't use it every day, when I need it, I need it. It's saved my butt (and my money) so many times printing applications for city parking, tickets for things, making copies, etc. No more rushing to the copy shop for me!

This handy Brother printer is compact while still holding 150 pages. It can print, copy, scan and fax — perfect for home office or just general life needs. Best, it's a "smart" printer, so you can navigate it from your phone — meaning you can send something to print while you're not home or get a scanned document right to your phone.

Camp gear is something I tend to buy new, just to ensure maximum safety and durability. While I got this, frankly adorable, Coleman camp lantern for camping, I've found it's great for power outages, backyard parties and really any time you're in the dark. Because it gives you 360 degrees of light, I like it better than a flashlight, and I truly think it's a good-looking piece that I'm happy to have out.

Note: You'll want to grab a pack of D batteries to power this.

If you're anything like me, you at one point had a bag of a bunch of different mini adapters, and conveniently, the one you needed would also go missing the day before your trip. Goodbye to ALL of that. Hello to a one-and-done universal travel adaptor that has every port and import you could dream of. Writing this is reminding me I need to get mine back from a friend who recently went to Portugal. (I like helping my friends save money, too.)

Finally, a bag that'll allow you to truly leave the sand at the beach. This roomy Simple Modern design is made of ethylene vinyl acetate that's lightweight, waterproof and easily rinsed and dried off to get every drop of sand off before you get going. Today it's 25% off. You can get it in three sizes.

Promising review: "I never thought I would own a bag like this. Thought they were ugly and overkill….. until I decided to get one because everyone said it is the perfect beach/boat bag! They were right!!! It’s perfect. Fits everything you need for a day at the beach or on the boat. I usually have a couple of towels, snacks koozies, coverup, sunscreen, sunglasses…all the things! The only thing extra I bought was a phone holder, clips for hair ties and a sunflower to put on it. The bag includes a large clear zippered pockets for smaller items. I even love the look of the bag. The color is light so it doesn’t get super hot like a dark colored bag. The holes keep air circulating and it’s easy to clean up and get sand out of it. Plus the price is so much better than other name brands. Seriously do not hesitate on this bag! Even my boyfriend (who originally hated the bag at first sight) decided it was a great purchase and thanked me for buying it! Made a huge difference at the beach and getting in the boat." — Bella Boo

My countertop ice maker was the best thing I bought in 2024. I have this exact model, which is the perfect size for a small kitchen, and gives you amazing, crispy ice all day long. I find it's helping me drink more water and it's certainly helping me save time and annoyance at myself for forgetting to fill the ice trays in my freezer. Snag it at the lowest price of the year.

This is the main event, people! If you've been waiting on this trusted MagSafe charger to go on sale again, then now is the time because it's 28% off right now! Set your phone, watch or AirPods down on this to instantly start powering the devices back up. If you need to pick up your phone to send off a text or check your email? The charger will remain attached to the phone thanks to its magnetized design, so you never stop juicing up.

Promising review: "The Apple MagSafe Charger has been a fantastic addition to my tech setup! It delivers fast and reliable wireless charging for my iPhone, and I love how it just snaps into place perfectly every time. It’s super convenient and charges my phone quickly, which is exactly what I was looking for.
One thing to note is that you’ll need to buy a USB-C plug separately, as it doesn’t come with one. But once you have that, it’s smooth sailing. The charger works great, and the build quality is what you’d expect from Apple—top-notch.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free, fast wireless charger, the MagSafe Charger is definitely worth it. Highly recommend!" — Jan Eric Welch

If you fly a lot or commute daily, switching to a backpack with a specific laptop pocket is worth every penny. It's easier to carry on your back and makes sliding your laptop in and out so much easier and quicker. This model from Swiss Gear holds up to a 16-inch laptop, with a trolley sleeve, a bunch of pockets and weighs only 1.5 pounds.

Ok, this is a wildcard, but my lord, if you haven't smelled the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream, you haven't lived. Truly, it smells so good that multiple times I've asked people what perfume they're wearing and they tell me this. It's made with guarana, a caffeine-heavy extract from plants native to South America, to help smooth and tighten skin, while boosting you with hydration. The custardy and nourishing formula feels great on and the long-lasting fragrance makes it worth every penny. This is also something I find a little pricy, so grabbing it on sale sounds like the perfect move.

"May I just say, I am very INTO Liquid I.V. hydration packets," said Wynne. "I learned about it from old party animal friends who use it for hangovers. I'm not a big drinker, and just use it on really hot days or when I'm under the weather to get extra hydration in. It's also been great for traveling." These also come expert-recommended for preventing heat exhaustion.

Each powder stick contains eight vitamins and nutrients and can hydrate you more quickly than just drinking water. The sticks are also travel-friendly, since they're single-serving and come in a ton of delicious flavors.

Why you need it: It may not be summer anymore, but staying hydrated is never a bad idea. Plus, as Wynne put it, "My only qualm with the stuff is its price tag so when it goes on sale, I snatch it up quickly!" The last time these were so cheap was Black Friday.

The Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy are beloved by cleaning enthusiasts (and those of us who hate cleaning, and need heavy-duty products to get stubborn messes that would have been easier if we just cleaned them when they got dirty.) Plus they come in fun colors.

The scrubbers stay firm in colder water for heavy-duty scrubbing and soften when exposed to warm water. You can even use them on stainless steel and cast iron since they're scratch-free. Clean up after yourself without having to break a sweat thanks to these effective little dudes. This is the first time this pack is on sale during Prime Day and at the lowest price of the year.

I was skeptical about letting Bezos into my home, but if you (like me) are a forgetful Franny, an Echo is your new best friend and the best money you can spend to stay on track. It reminds me of meetings and appointments, but also spells words for me and even does math equations!

With a 4.6 out of 5-star rating awarded by 160,139 Amazon shoppers, the latest-generation Echo Dot has been a smart speaker of choice for years. This compact speaker employs a richer, louder and more vibrant sound than other generations before it and seamlessly connects with all your smart home systems, notable streaming services and phones so it can be commanded with just your voice.

Few things are more convenient than saving on your electric bill, no matter how much money you have. Each of these clever smart plugs turns any regular old wall outlet into one you can set to turn on and off on a schedule or at your whim, without getting off the couch or even needing to be at home (they're especially great when you realize you left home without turning off an appliance, or when you want to make it look like someone's home while you're on vacation).

You can use either Alexa or the Kasa app or both to control them, and setup is truly simple either way: All you have to do is plug one in, push a button to connect it to your Wi-Fi, add it to the phone app and live your life. And if you have an outlet or lamp switch that's hard to reach or stuck behind furniture, they're complete game-changers.

I do not have the money (or mental fortitude) to install a dishwasher in my current place, but something like this portable dishwasher feels magical. Great for a small space like an apartment, dorm or even RV if you camp, it can go right on the countertop and holds up to 30+ items. The machine only consumes 6 liters of water per cycle using the built-in tank, and has five washing programs, an auto-open function and a UV sterilization function. Bonus: You can even use this to wash fruit!

"This is for the dudes. This thing does its job without fail. Molly's Suds for cleaning and Elements Hypochlorous Acid for sanitizing. There's no smell, and the dishes are clean with no left over residue." — Swank

You know what's really worth my coins? Not getting eaten alive by bugs while I'm trying to enjoy a cold drink outside. Stave off mosquitoes without the harsh stench of bug spray using Thermacell's rechargeable repeller, which creates a 20-foot protection zone. The portable device can get to work in as fast as 15 minutes and this version can provide up to nine hours of protection.

If you’re looking for a survival tool for home power outages, remote and outdoor living or maybe even your RV, then the gas-free Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is one reliable powerhouse. This portable generator has also become a HuffPost reader favorite and it’s so powerful that one reviewer says it was able to run a full-size fridge and a few fans overnight.

I am always buying silly lights from the gas station, so I never thought I'd need this USB-rechargeable long-stem lighter that seemingly all my co-workers love, but after burning my fingers one too many times on a half-burned candle, I grabbed one. I really should have done this sooner, this thing is amazing and if you like candles, you should get one (or five.) It uses no kind of lighter fluid or potentially dangerous flame to light candles or grills or any other emergency items. There's also a safety feature that ensures it will only generate sparks after unlocking.

My mott: More headphones, less problems. Truly, always having a spare pair has saved me from many a meltdown when I'm out in public and just want to listen to my audiobook. These high-quality headphones are currently retailing for less than $30. Enjoy up to 32 hours of battery life and if you ever forget to charge them, you can speed-charge for two hours of listening time in just 10 minutes. Make calls on the go with a “VoiceAware” program that lets you limit how much of your own voice you hear as you talk. These earbuds are water and dust-resistant, perfect for taking on the trail, mowing the lawn or using while working out or working at your desk.

Tired of giving Starbucks all your money? I hear you. Try this popular coffee and espresso maker while it's on sale right now. Heating up in 20-25 seconds, it will give you your perfect cup in less than a minute. This machine has a 40-ounce water tank, meaning you don’t have to refill it constantly, and it has an automatic capsule ejection that holds up to 10 used capsules after brewing. The machine itself works with just hitting a button and can make 5 and 7.77-ounce servings of coffee as well as single and double espresso shots. It measures about 17 inches across and a little over a foot high, making it easy to store on your counter or table, even in smaller kitchens.

OK, I truly am not one to kneel at the alter of brand names, but sometimes, they're freaking worth it. I recently cat sat for a friend who has this well-known stick vacuum from Dyson, and was actually shocked how easy it was to use, thanks to its lightweight body and extra-portable cordless design. With two powerful cleaning modes, you can tailor its suction to the job at hand while enjoying up to 40 minutes of cord-free runtime.

Those with pets (or long hair) will also appreciate how effectively this thing traps fur and hair without getting strands tangled in its brush. Plus, it's designed to capture an impressive 99.99% of dust and other allergens in its filter for a cleaner home and cleaner air.

Ensuring cold drinking water on the go can help keep you and your family hydrated. If you're looking for ice retention and gorgeous design of a Stanley cup, but crave the practicality of a more traditional water bottle — meet the flip-straw style Stanley IceFlow. It’s a leakproof option that reviewers love for throwing in backpacks and taking in the car. And today, select colors and sizes are discounted in a rare sale. The IceFlow features a movable top handle, instead of the fixed side one on the Quencher. The slimmer body lets you slide it into a side cupholder on your backpack, while the double-wall vacuum insulation can keep ice solid for up to two days.

You can shop all of Stanley’s Prime Day deals here.

Money spent on safety is never wasted! This Everlit roadside emergency kit contains a 12-foot jumper cable, hand crank flashlight, glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, safety gloves, an emergency poncho and so much more, to make sure you're covered for truly any situation. The kit also includes an auto air compressor to inflate a flat tire in seconds. It's a MUST-BUY in the Prime Day sale.