13 Everyday Products Actually Worth the Money, According To Rachel Cruze
Written by
Ashley Donohoe
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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Deciding which new household items to buy can be tricky when you’re trying to avoid clutter or wasteful purchases. There’s also the risk of regretful purchase decisions made under stress, which a recent Discover and Thrive Global survey found happened to 25% of participants.
An April 2025 YouTube video from money expert Rachel Cruze highlighted 13 everyday items that have practical uses around the home and are worth the money. Learn about her experiences and see which items make sense for your family.
Wireless Phone Charger
Cruze discussed the convenience of having a wireless phone charger that you can simply place your device on without worrying about finding a charging port. This accessory also comes in stand and dock versions that you might like for a desk or table.
Before buying one, make sure your phone and its case are compatible with wireless charging. It should also be noted that this method of charging can take longer.
Neck Reading Light
If you’re someone who likes reading physical books, a neck reading light can help you read in the dark without disturbing people around you. This was one of Cruze’s Christmas gifts, and she mentioned the lights on both sides are powerful and adjustable.
Smart Bathroom Scale
Cruze shared that she bought a $30 Arboleaf Bluetooth bathroom scale that has helped her and her husband monitor their progress toward their fitness goals. Besides calculating weight, the scale has a mobile app listing various stats.
Cruze explained, “It shows you probably 18 different things about your body, and it’s everything from bone mass, muscle mass, water intake, protein intake — it gives you all this information, and it’s amazing.”
Kettlebell Weight
If you’d rather not invest in expensive home gym equipment, a kettlebell weight can be a good fitness starter item. Cruze explained that the weight is versatile, doesn’t require much space and is friendly for beginners.
Nice Workout Mat
Having worked out on her hard garage floor, Cruze has found a nice workout mat to be worth the money. You can find inexpensive versions that help you feel more comfortable and reduce slipping when you’re doing yoga, sit-ups and other exercises.
Resistance Bands
If you’re looking for an alternative to expensive and bulky weights, a good set of resistance bands is an option. These are easy to store and useful for helping you get stronger muscles.
Cruze was surprised by the bands’ effectiveness, which the National Academy of Sports Medicine has noted may be comparable to regular free weights.
Really Good Kitchen Knife
Cruze said, “If you don’t have $3,000 just to spend on kitchen knives, one good knife will do you so well for chopping and cutting and all the things.”
A popular option is an 8-inch stainless-steel knife, which comes in options for all budgets. You should also consider factors like the grip, sharpness and weight when choosing a good knife.
Scrub Daddy Sponge
Known for its debut on Shark Tank, the Scrub Daddy sponge has become popular as a versatile, powerful kitchen item that retails for just around $4. Cruze explained that the sponge’s texture changes to be softer when you use hot water and stronger when you use cold water.
Meat Grinder
This kitchen gadget is useful for finely cutting up meat to make meatballs, taco filling, burger patties and more. You can also use it to cut fruits and veggies. There are both manual and electric versions, and some models have special attachments and different plates.
Veggie Chopper
According to Cruze, this kitchen gadget can help you cut your veggie and fruit chopping time by about 90% versus doing it manually. Also, it helps cut down on the mess since there’s a container that catches the diced veggies. Plus, you typically get to pick from multiple blade sizes.
Playroom Organizer
If your children’s playroom floor is often a mess, a playroom organizer with storage bins can at least get the mess out of sight. You can use the organizer to store toys, books and other items. While using labels is an option, Cruze said she didn’t have much success with keeping things sorted.
Kinetic Sand
Cruze liked Kinetic Sand, a type of clay-like sand, as a Play-Doh alternative for her kids. She found it was a less messy option for letting her kids have fun and be creative.
“They’ll get cookie cutters that we use for cookies, but they’ll play with those within the Kinetic Sand,” she said.
Microfiber Cloths
You can use microfiber cloths wet or dry to clean your countertops, windows, mirrors and other surfaces. Cruze discussed using hers to clean the kitchen, and she found that these versatile cloths reduced streaking compared to paper towels.
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Sources
- Discover and Thrive Gloval, “Thriving Wallet Research Insights Report.”
- YouTube, “13 Everyday Products That Were Actually Worth the Money.”
