The best purchases of adulthood
From humidifiers to budgeting software, you know you are an adult when...
There are certain moments when I become acutely aware that I am a real (almost middle aged) adult now (even though there are many times I don’t feel like it). One of those moments was when I had a 30 minute conversation about mold that builds up in humidifiers. I started thinking about the best purchases I have made in adulthood. My 20-year-old self would never have understood the appeal of or have wasted her hard-earned cash on the list that follows.
Humidifiers. Heat is brutal on my skin. My nose gets dry, my cuticles peel, and my skin cracks and becomes prone to cuts in the wintertime. I religiously refill my humidifier every single night. Speaking of the aforementioned mold, this is the best design I’ve tried.
Budgeting software. Spend money to save money? Kind of. My husband and I have used You Need a Budget, and while yes, you do pay for it, we believe the data and organization is worth it. It is so helpful to know exactly where money is going.
Steam cleaner. Scrubbing the shower and all of the grout between tiles is awful, but it must be done. This helps better than anything I have tried.
Duplicates. This applies to several products, including hairbrushes, scissors, and spray cleaners. It is so much more convenient to have what you need nearby instead of going across the house to retrieve it, or even worse, not being able to locate the singular item. Especially with kids in the house, I think duplicates are worth it.
Similarly, stocked travel toiletry bags. I hate packing, and one of the parts I dread most is gathering all of my toiletries. I now keep a toiletry packed and stocked for the next trip. I realize it probably is not ideal to have my skincare sitting unused for months at a time, but I decided I am prioritizing convenience in this case. If I run low or run out of something while traveling, I make a note and restock immediately when I return home so there is almost nothing to do when time to pack for the next trip.
All of the sleep props: sound machine, eye mask, cooling sheets, specialty pillow…There is that meme about sleeping in your teens vs. your 20s vs. your 30s vs. your 40s. It’s true.
Good lighting. Let’s be honest: Some of this has to do with looking at my aging face in the mirror, and I want all of the flattering, soft light I can get. I also recognize how much my mood changes with lighting conditions. Dreary day? I am more irritable. Blue task lighting? I get a headache. Warm glowy lamps? The space feels cozy. I always pay attention to the kelvins now when I buy lightbulbs now.
Quality pens. Life is too short to be fighting with bad pens that won’t work. I keep good pens stocked all over the house, and if I come across one that will not write, I toss it immediately.
Skincare. They say as you age, you rely more on skincare than makeup. That’s certainly true for me. We all know I don’t like my angry 11s, and that does not stop me from trying to erase the lines with serums and moisturizers.
Sunscreen. I spend a small fortune on sunscreen. I am very okay with this investment, given how much skin cancer runs in my family. I have learned that Supergoop is the kind I will actually wear everyday because it does not smell, it is not greasy, and it rubs in easily. When I buy other (cheaper) brands, I am much more likely to skip applying sunscreen altogether.
Paying for people’s work. The last few years, I have put more of my money towards subscriptions to support small content creators. I subscribe to a few Substacks and Patreon groups. Our family also supports a few big journalism and local journalism outlets. I have realized that I would like to do my part to make sure that this kind of content is around years down the road.
Convenience. Time is money, right? I have grown to embrace grocery pick-up and delivery and pre-chopped vegetables, even when they cost more.
Quality clothes, and fewer of them. I have learned which brands of clothing hold up over time, and which ones don’t. I have also learned a lot of strategies for laundering clothes and how to make them last (the main takeaways: wash only when needed, heat is the enemy, hang dry whenever possible, and wash like fabrics together).
Prettier versions of necessary things. For all of the things we use regularly and need to have—mugs, umbrellas, folders, and such—why not have a beautiful version? It makes me a little happier to open up my Rifle Paper Co. printed umbrella on a rainy day.
A fancy electric toothbrush. Perhaps the most boring on the entire list, but hear me out: They work so well. I like how clean my teeth feel after using them, and my dentist and hygienist always comment on how little plaque and tartar build up on my teeth between cleanings. Preventive measures…a true sign of adulthood.
Okay, so what is on your list? What have I missed or yet to discover?
I never thought about some of these adult purchases, like a steam cleaner or quality pens. It's interesting to see what others prioritize as they grow older. Excellent work! 👏🏼