Barbara Corcoran’s Favorite Things — And Where to Get Them Cheaply

Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Marketers have been using celebrity recommendations to make advertisements believable and to increase consumer appreciation for certain brands. Celebrity-brand publicity greatly influences consumers’ attitudes and buying intentions.
There’s no denying that Barbara Corcoran is a celebrity with a heavy consumer pull. As a trusted advisor, admired for her straightforward investment and spending advice, Corcoran doesn’t go out of her way to promote products outside her field of expertise. But as she has divulged to U.S. Weekly and New York Magazine’s The Strategist, she is partial to some common — and some downright unusual — consumer items that she can’t live without.
Corcoran, who reported upon her first ever trip to Costco recently, can be seen on the 15th season of “Shark Tank” (her 13th). Here are some of her favorite things and where you can buy them for less.
Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
- Price: $1.99 (2.3 oz) at Trader Joe’s
There are no extra points for guessing where you can get TRADER JOE’S Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. At $1.99 for a 2.3 oz shaker, this salty, seedy seasoning is a steak-n-eggs favorite of Corcoran’s and non-financial guru types and is still cheaper from the source.
La Roche Posay Sunscreen
- Price: $28.99 (3 oz) at Ulta Beauty
When U.S. Weekly tracked down Corcoran for a “What’s In My Bag?” chat last year, she provided some surprising details on the products she can’t live without, including an “S.O.S. bag, or travel kit that “has everything in it that I need for an emergency.” including makeup, tea, stockings, eye drops and moisturizing cream. When it comes to sunscreen, Corcoran turns to La Roche Posay. “It’s the best one because it sinks into your skin,” the business mogul explained. “I just put it on, it doesn’t ruin my makeup, that’s why I like it.”
Post-it Notes
- Price: $14.89 (24-pack) at Office Depot
According to Yahoo Life, Corcoran prefers the simple Post-it to brainstorm and organize her busy business life. “Whether I’m running my home, or what I’m doing at the office — running my whole organization — I use Post-its to run it,” she shares. A 24-pack of assorted neon-colored pads is on sale for under $15 at Office Depot.
Tarot Cards
- Price: $13.72 at Amazon or Walmart
Who woulda thunk it? Noting that she’s been doing “extremely accurate” readings for nearly 35 years, Corcoran doesn’t travel without her trusty tarots. “I read people’s cards because they want to hear about themselves,” the real estate mogul said. “If I tell them everything about themselves, they love me to death and I’ve made myself a new friend.” A deck of the classic Rider-Waite Tarot cards will cost you under $15 at any bookseller, metaphysical supply store, Amazon or Walmart.
Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips
- Price: $4.48 (11 oz bag) at Walmart
Anyone who’s tried Tostitos’ Hint of Lime chips knows the temptation. “This is my problem. I’m not a fat person, but I have to restrict myself to two bags of these a week because I will eat the whole bag,” she said. Chips aren’t something to scour the internet looking for deals for, but throw a bag or two into your cart next time you’re at Walmart.
Black + Decker Dustbuster 7.2V Cordless Hand Vacuum
- Price: $39.98 at Amazon
Lightweight and easy to charge, it’s no surprise that Corcoran prefers a practical and powerful Dustbuster for cleaning. “I have three of them in my home and two in my office. I should really buy stock,” she said. The compact cordless hand vacuum makes cleaning a breeze and can be found at most hardware and big box stores.
Daisy’s Carrot Cake
- Price: $69.95 (serves 16-20 people) at Goldbelly
When Corcoran invested in a tiny cake-baking company called Daisy Cakes during season 2 of “Shark Tank,” she did so as a keen shareholder and a lover of tasty cakes. She not only adores the self-indulgent treat, but also respects the way the company does business. “It’s just decadent and has four layers, and is homemade by Daisy and her mother,” she told The Strategist. “When it arrives, it comes with a handwritten letter, and a tin that you can keep.”
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Shoes
- Price: $59.99 at Journeys
The iconic canvas sneak embodies a classic design that suits Corcoran nicely. “So this is my idea of dressing something up,” Corcoran told The Strategist. “I’ll put on stretch pants and these Converses, and suddenly it’s a cool look. I’ll wear them with jeans, and suddenly it’s cool. I really get more compliments on my Chuck Taylor yellow sneakers than I do on my Gucci.”
Tic Tac Breath Mints
- Price: $10.91 (12 x 1 oz boxes) at Amazon
“You know what that’s for,” Corcoran joked to U.S. Weekly. “Not to kiss people, but to just have fresh breath!” Enough said! If you don’t want to run out, get a 12-pack of Tic Tacs at Amazon.