I’m a Budgeting Expert: This Item Is the Best $100 I Ever Spent on Amazon
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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On Amazon, you can find everything from kitchen accessories and home decor to lawn mowers and power tools. Since there are so many sellers on the platform, prices and goods range wildly. You could just as easily find $1 string floss as you could a $3,000 massage chair — though you might not want to spend that much.
You can shop by what’s trending, digital content, department or program and features. If you want to keep costs to about $100, you can also filter search results by price.
Filtering through everything and finding the best item can be tough. GOBankingRates spoke with Abigail Wright, senior business advisor and financial expert at ChamberofCommerce.org, about the best $100 she ever spent on Amazon. Here are her thoughts as a budget-savvy shopper on the platform.
Best Item: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker
- Estimated cost: $99.95
“One of the best $100 investments I’ve made on Amazon is the Instant Pot Duo,” said Wright. “As a multifunctional appliance, it serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker and warmer.”
Being multipurpose is just one of the many reasons why she picked this product.
“The Instant Pot has been invaluable for efficient meal prep and saving on takeout expenses, making it a solid investment in both time and money,” she said. “This single purchase has streamlined cooking and provided countless meal options, adding great value to my budgeting routine.”
Runner-Up: Budgeting Planner Bundle
- Estimated cost: $35 to $50
While she didn’t have a specific product, another of Wright’s recommendations was a budgeting planner bundle that includes budget breakdown pages, expense trackers and savings goal sheets.
“While under $100, this item has been a consistent tool for tracking monthly expenses and setting financial goals,” she said. “The tangible format helps keep my financial strategy on track and makes budgeting a more intentional part of my routine, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to strengthen their financial organization.”
Getting the Most Value From Your Amazon Purchases
For Wright, both the Instant Pot and the budgeting planner bundle were “budget-conscious investments that pay off over time.”
If you’re looking to spend money on Amazon and want to get the most value possible, here are a few tips from the platform itself:
- Become an Amazon Prime member. It costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year. Some people, like college students and those who qualify for certain government assistance, get a discounted rate.
- Shop at small businesses. Look for businesses with the “Small Business” badge. Not only will you be supporting them, but you could get some unique, high-quality items.
- Use “Subscribe & Save.” This free program makes it easier to find great deals on everyday essentials. You can also save up to 15% on eligible subscriptions when setting up auto-delivery.
- Use Amazon Access. This is another feature that can get you exclusive discounts and deals on the platform.
- Shop for groceries. Prime members may get unlimited 5% cash back on grocery purchases when using their Prime Visa card online or in person. Grocery orders over $35 get delivered free (with a subscription).
- Shop “Today’s Deals.” Check out the “Today’s Deals” page for limited-time offers on Amazon products.
- Get free delivery. As a Prime member, you get free delivery on millions of items — some of which arrive the same day they’re ordered.
Whatever you’re in the market for — whether it’s an Instant Pot or budgeting planner as in Wright’s case, or something entirely different — you’re bound to find some great deals on Amazon.
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