18 Products You Need for a Problem-Solving Toolkit

We deal with problems every day, from minor to major. There’s not always a quick fix, but sometimes, you wish there was a solution to that creaking door or the pesky stain you just can’t seem to get off your favorite shirt. That’s where these amazing products come in, helping to ease your frustrations just a tiny bit. What’s more, all are under $50 each, so you won’t break the bank or get stressed over the next little inconvenience.

_{Prices are accurate as of October 4, 2024. Subject to change.}

For Cleaning Nearly Everything: Stardrops The Pink Stuff All Purpose Cleaning Paste

This viral paste can be used on nearly any surface. Use it to clean greasy stoves, stained pantries, mucky grout, and even dirty shoes — it really is that versatile. I particularly like it for quickly cleaning all the gunk off my bathroom tiles. That alone makes it worth every penny.

For Knots and Tangles: Wet Brush Original

I wake up with tangled hair every morning, and if it wasn’t for the Wet Brush, I’d show up everywhere with a messy mop. Despite having soft bristles, this brush works well to detangle stubborn knots without pulling and protects against split hairs and breakages. I have straight to wavy hair, but it works well for curly hair too.

For Bathroom Breaks: Squatty Potty Simple Bathroom Stool

Modern bathroom amenities are thankfully better than the days of chamber pots and outhouses, but despite the advancements, we still tend to go incorrectly. Humans are meant to squat when they poop, not sit. The Squatty Potty is designed to reduce strain and relax your muscles. There’s a reason this product is a bestseller on Amazon — it honestly cuts your bathroom time in half. The brand sells several different stools, including those made from stylish bamboo, but this model is really all you need. As the name suggests, it’s simple and effective.

For Meal Prepping: Pyrex Simply Store 9-Pack Glass Food Storage Set

Meal prepping can save you a ton of time and money during busy work weeks. But when it comes to storing all that prep work, it’s best to avoid plastic containers as much as possible — especially if you’ll need to pop them in the microwave at work. Instead, use this Pyrex set which comes with nine glass containers to store everything from meat to veggies. They are dishwasher and microwave-safe and are made from tempered glass to resist stains and odors.

For Lost Keys: Tile Mate (2022)

I don’t know about you but I constantly misplace my keys. On a normal day, that’s frustrating. On a day when I’m already running late, it feels disastrous. A Tile Mate helps prevent the frenzy. Simply attach it to your keys, bag, or anything else you want to keep safe and use your phone or smart home device to ping it the next time you can’t find it. It has a range of 250 feet and is even water resistant, so it can handle the occasional drizzle without giving out. iPhone users may also like Apple AirTags, but I appreciate that the Mate has a cutout for your keychain already included.

For Stains: Tide Pen Stain Remover

If you’re a messy eater or deal with unexpected spills often, the Tide Pen helps keep your clothes stain-free whether you’re at the office, on a date, or running errands. It’s compact so it fits right in your pocket or work tote, and it eliminates coffee, ketchup, wine, and even tea stains. Simply press the pen’s tip onto the stain to release the cleaning solution, rub it in with the microfiber pad, and let Tide do its job. You can even repeat the process for stubborn stains.

For Squeaks and Creaks: Squeaks Gone Lubricant Oil

If you’re struggling with squeaking and creaking doors, try this lubricant oil. It breaks through rust and corrosion, loosening rusted door bolts, and eases friction on fans, cabinet drawers, and squeaky bed frames.

For Busy Mornings: Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

If you love breakfast but hate making it during busy mornings, this breakfast sandwich maker will save you time and sanity. Layer ingredients as instructed, from the base to the egg to the toppings. You’ll have a delicious sandwich in five minutes and you hardly have to put in any work.

For Daily Medication: Auvon Weekly Pill Organizer

Whether you’re taking a bunch of supplements and vitamins every day or have medication that you absolutely can’t miss, a pill organizer helps make that routine easier. No more opening multiple bottles or trying to remember if you took your pill that day already. Because it saves so much space, I love using it when I’m on vacation. I store my pills in the conveniently labeled slots and never have to worry about missing one again.

For Cluttered Bags: OMYSTYLE Purse Organize

I don’t know about you but my work tote is always a mess — I can never find my keys, pens, or anything else that’s essential in there. This purse organizer changed everything for me. It has 13 compartments, so it neatly stores everything from makeup to granola bars. Now I can separate where I keep my keys from my credit cards, so I know where they are in a pinch. I love the zippered compartment to store essentials like loose cash or IDs. Six sizes are available depending on the size of your everyday bag.

For Pet Hair: Chom Chom Roller Reusable Lint Roller

Disposable lint rollers are great for clothes, but if you have pets, you’ll go through hundreds of those sticky sheets trying to keep your furniture hair-free. The Chom Chom Roller easily removes pet hair as well as other dust and debris from your couch, pillows, carpet, or anywhere else your furry friend is shedding and traps it in the built-in receptacle. One Better Report editor has owned one for years and it’s as capable now as it was brand new.

For Tangled Cables: OHill Cable Clips

If you have a bunch of cords leaving your TV or laptop, or you just have too many wires on your bedside table, these cable clips can help tidy the mess. They stick on surfaces and keep your charging cables neatly in place, preventing them from getting tangled with each other or falling while not in use. There’s 16 in a pack, so every room in your house is covered.

For Traveling: NapFun Neck Pillow

Traveling economy for long distances can be draining on your body, but especially on your neck. A neck pillow makes it easier to sleep on a long-haul flight (or drive), keeping your neck comfortably in place and preventing aches and pains later. This one is made from memory foam and has front and side chin support — much more than your standard neck pillow — and an adjustable cable to keep it in place. It also comes with a portable travel bag and the cover is machine washable.

For Cluttered Outlets: Yishu Surge Protector Power Strip

Do you live in an apartment or an older home with limited outlets? This handy power strip has eight outlets, plus three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. It also has a six-foot cord and surge protection built-in.

For Dark Hallways: GE Automatic LED Night Light

If you have trouble finding your way to the bathroom at night and don’t want to blind yourself with your overhead lights, choose these night lights. They sit nearly flush against the wall and automatically turn on when the lights go out. They’re not blinding, but are just soft enough to help see in the dark.

For Runs: Sport2People Water-Resistant Reflective Running Belt

This water-resistant reflective running belt keeps you visible and safe in the dark and also holds any important items like your cards and keys. It even has a phone holder so you can focus on your exercise without leaving all your necessities behind. It’s adjustable from 24 to 51 inches.

For Packing: Veken 8 Set Packing Cubes for Suitcases

You may go into packing with lofty goals, but inevitably, things end up getting shoved in — either at the end of your trip or before you even leave. Instead, organize your clothes and accessories with ease with these packing cubes meant to separate sweaters, pants, underwear, and toiletries so you always know where something is. Plus, they have see-through panels so you can quickly see what you’ve stored where. There’s even a bag meant for dirty laundry. They’ll fit in your suitcase or even in a duffel bag if you’re heading out on a shorter trip.

So you’ve woken up with a pimple, or worse, picked at one and now it’s more noticeable than before. Mighty Patch is your solution. Made from hydrocolloid, the Mighty Patch soaks up fluid from the pimple, reducing its size within eight hours. I use them all the time when I have a breakout and can confirm that they work — be it by healing an already enflamed pimple or by keeping me from picking new ones. 

For Pimples: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch

Feature Image Credit: Courtesy of The Pink Stuff