As I’ve been on my quest to do less and have less, I’ve been confronted with a crossroads: what I need and what I don’t. Sorting needs versus wants can be a tricky business, akin to sorting out the opinions others have of you versus the ones you have of yourself—murky territory for lifelong people pleasers. Where do I begin and who should I be in the end?
Here lies the link between our perceived worthiness and how we spend. And it is one of the reasons my relationship with money has never been great.
This concept became starkly clear as I cataloged my closet using the digital app Whering. I’ll write about this in another post because it’s incredibly helpful. The process itself made me nauseated—also up for discussion in a forthcoming post. My stuff is an accumulation of my personas—all pieces of a whole, but not the whole me. I am done carrying the weight of all that.
I’ve taken a curious view of my spending habits—sans shame—and I can see both sides of the coin. I see products that I do not want to live without. And when I look at what I use every single day, it becomes clearer what needs to go. Focusing on what you really like makes it a lot easier to let go of what you don’t.
If you had to pick up and move right now or downsize significantly, what would you take with you? What do you miss when you’re away from home? They are good questions to help narrow in on where your needs and wants align in a Venn diagram and pinpoint the products worth the spend. Here are mine at this moment in time.
I’m sharing the best products in my daily routine and why they’ve become a key part of my life.
22 Products I Love and Use Every Day
Home Products
$850
This espresso machine is the first thing I touch in the morning. I use it multiple times a day and it has held up nicely over the past four years. Embarrassingly, I could not live without it. Read more about this espresso machine in my product review blog post. This product was gifted to me as part of a partnership.
These mugs are made by hand in Ginny’s Minneapolis studio. Something about grabbing your favorite mug makes the ritual of coffee in the morning significantly better. Full stop.
$699 $599
The Hearth Display is how I keep track of my kids’ stuff, how my kids keep track of their stuff, and how Joe keeps track of our stuff. What I love about this display is it’s physically hanging in my office. My family can track our calendar, routine, and to-do lists without needing to bug me for instructions or a list. Hearth also has a handy AI “helper” that allows you to text items that need to be added to your calendar. I send my kids’ sports schedules, lunches, field trips, and events in a text message and VOILA, they’re on the calendar. It’s the single best device I’ve added to our family’s life. This product was gifted to me as part of a partnership.
$278
You can throw these silk PJs in the wash and they feel great on your skin. Also, I look really good in them. The cut is 10/10.
Beauty Products
$182
I’ve tried many vitamin C products over the years and this one is the GOAT. Worth every penny you’d save not buying other products that do what this one does.
$56
My skin always looks really good when I wear this sunscreen. It can even replace a moisturizer, thus extending the life of my fancy nighttime moisturizer. This product was gifted to me by the brand.
$20 for a pack of 10
I’ve purchased these sheet masks seven times in the past three years. They add an instant zap of moisture to my skin. The price is reasonable enough that I don’t feel too guilty using them regularly.
$220 $198 + an extra 40% off applied in cart
This product has saved my face from looking tired and lifeless time and time again. I use it preventatively, but I know if I want to look fresh—even when I’m feeling anything but—this little sucker leaves my skin looking brighter and visibly lifted in an instant. 10/10 wouldn’t want to live without it. Read my full product review here.
$455
I bought my first red light device early last year—the Solawave—and after seeing really great results when used continuously, I decided to invest in a product that would make it easier for me to do it consistently. I use the Dr. Dennis Gros LED mask much more regularly than the Solawave, which to me is another way of thinking about why the investment is worth it. Read my full review of the product here.
$30
Hand and neck cream entered the chat halfway through my 40th year. I’m still searching for the best neck cream (after confirming having a separate one from your face does help). BUT, in the hand cream department, I found one I really like from the brand evolvetogether. Having a cream that feels luxurious for my hands, specifically in scent and texture, makes the repeated application something I look forward to, be it in the car, at my desk, or before bed. This is my favorite scent.
$20
No mascara compares to this one for my thin and straight lashes. It never clumps and it doesn’t lose its oomph once it’s been opened and used for a couple of months.
$9
This is my favorite lipstick because of the price, color, and how long it lasts on my lips. It mixes with all my other shades and defines the shape of my lips nicely. It’s a workhorse!
$46
This CC cream is sorcery in a tube. It instantly makes me look more alive. It goes on like a lotion but magically creates a filter-like finish that doesn’t cake like most foundations.
$107+
I’ve tried a few Le Labo scents—Bergamote, Jasmin, and Rose 31—and nothing compares to Santal 33.
Wellness Products
$6
This is a simple strap I use every day to stay on top of stretching. I keep it next to my bed and often use it while watching TV to keep my hamstrings and lower back feeling loose and flexible.
$33
I consider movement to be the most important factor in my overall physical and mental health. My foam roller saved me from countless bouts of tense shoulders, tight hips, and crampy hamstrings. There are plenty of free classes on YouTube that provide instructions on how to use a foam roller. I always get a better experience when I’m following an instructor versus rolling on my own.
$249 $211
And speaking of activities I love—TENNIS! There are few things I would rather be doing. I love my Wilson Shift racket. It provides lots of topspin and control!
$180
Long walks are another way I prioritize repeatable, low-impact exercise. I try to walk after meals or when I’m feeling stuck. I also like to run short distances on days I want to raise my heart rate. My favorite shoes for both are the ASICS Nimbus Marai.
$28
I take these omega-3 DHA supplements for muscle recovery, endurance, and joint health. Always connect with a trusted medical professional for supplement recommendations personalized to you.
Work Products
$15
I have a terrible working memory and only recently realized it is a gift to my future self to just WRITE THINGS DOWN. So I use my planner for dates, notes, etc. It’s a mess most weeks but at least I have one physical place to put things I can refer to later. Since I designed this one, it’s exactly how I like to plan out my weeks.
$16
I write every day and in a journal with a pen and paper a few times a week. I love the size and simplicity of these notebooks. They look great on your desk and hold up to lots of wear and tear. Find the spiral-bound journal here and the lay-flat journal here.
$550 $530
I use these headphones all day at work and also really love them for lying on the floor and listening to music.
Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of revenue to fund the operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.