The 6 items I brought for under $100 made a huge difference in my life

We are constantly bombarded with ads. Companies trying to persuade us "You need this product to make your life better!"

Mostly, that’s not true.

Honestly, you can get just fine with a few small and cheap things. These are the simple, essential things I use every day as a writer that has changed my life for the better:

1. Sound-canceling headphones

A busy home with kids running around? Does a noisy coffee shop make it difficult to focus?

Noise-canceling headphones have changed my ability to focus deeply on my work and reach a state of flow.

I use these headphones when I study at university and when I write. You can listen to music or nothing. Sometimes due to lack of habit, I put on my headphones but forget to play any music. But the act of putting on headphones reminds me that it’s time to get the job done.

It also helps that wearing my headphones means people are less likely to bother me, because they know I’m in between work.

I got a pair from Anchor that I used almost every day because I got it. On Amazon, they are currently listed at $ 85, and in my opinion, the price is good. In addition to being wireless, they are also foldable and easy to slip into my bag.

There are also cheaper options, so you can find out what's best for you.

2. Blue light blocking glasses

In addition to writing online, I am also a university student. Because of this, I'm always in front of the screen (whether it's my laptop, the computer in the library, or by phone).

Looking at the screen for hours at a time can lead to negative side effects, such as sleep disturbances, eye strain, and headaches, to name a few.

of the best solutions is to spend less time online. Depending on the device you use, you can also take steps to reduce the blue light.

But, if you have no choice but to use old computers in your university library for a research paper (as I've had to do countless times), blue light glasses are really useful.

I think my eye strain is worst when I read text on the screen, such as ebooks or online articles. Wearing blue light glasses means I can focus on work better, and work longer at the computer.

If you wear glasses in your daily life, this may not be the most useful for you. But, I still wanted to share the advice because the glasses helped me when I was in front of the screen.

I got my pair from a company called Cyxus. They have a variety of styles and most of them look just like normal glasses. They are also very affordable. The pair is only 7.

3. Color-changing pen (and a notebook)

These are simple things, but they are also extremely useful.

I think it’s important to highlight the functionality of handwriting in this digital age. In my university classes, for example, I rarely see anyone writing their notes on paper. Usually, they write notes on a laptop or tablet.

The notebook is useful in an educational setting. Handwriting helps you remember things easily as you force your brain to process information in detail.

But, notebooks are also excellent productivity tools, especially if you are a visual person. For example, you can journal your thoughts of the day and create a to-do list.

The writing in my notebook was completely upgraded when I started using the color change pen. I use one from BIC with four colors (red, black, green, and blue). It has four pens in one so I can easily split up my class notes or sections of a to-do list.

I got a pack of 3 from the same pen I use for 9 on Amazon. My pen lasts for years without the need to change.

And of course, notebooks are pretty easy to find anywhere. I use a spiral notebook because I like the option to tear the page if I need to. Here's a four-pack for $ 10 on Amazon.

4. Book sleeve

Photo provided by the author of the book sleeve. For those who are curious, Elliott Schreffer's book is "The Darkness Outside Us"

As an avid reader, I carry a book with me wherever I go.

But when I carry books in my backpack and carry it inside and out of my bag, they can easily be caught by zipper, turn and rip. They are much more likely to be harmed.

Not only do I like to take care of my books, but I often have library books in my bag that I need to return in good condition.

That’s why I use the book sleeve. Putting my books in a book sleeve helps secure the book. And, depending on your preference and what you are looking for, you can get a variety of designs and sizes.

I have two book sleeves; One of my favorites is the plants on it. They fit hardcovers and paperbacks. They can also be used for more than just books. If you use an e-reader, you can slide it into the sleeve of a book. And, most notebooks fit too.

The website from which I got these book sleeves is Book Beau. Most book sleeves are $ 20 and under. If you are a reader, this is perfect.

5. Portable charger

This item does not require further explanation.

A portable charger is very useful when you are away from home for any length of time. Even if you don’t use it, knowing you have it in a crisis relieves a lot of stress.

I am often thankful for having a portable charger when I am on the go. I use it most of the time when I travel somewhere on a bus or train.

I have a slim and lightweight portable charger that I bring with me almost anywhere. It has a plug attached to the charger so I don't have to remember to bring an adapter to plug it into my phone. Same here for $ 80 on Amazon.

There are many different portable chargers on the market. And, some of them are now wireless as well, so there are so many options to choose from.

6. Water bottle

I also discussed putting this on the list, as it seems evident in many ways.

But for a long time, I didn't carry a bottle of water with me wherever I went.

This made it much easier for me to spend money on drinks going to and from different places. It also meant that even though hydration was important for your brain to work effectively, I often worked without being hydrated.

I don't have a fancy hydro flask or anything. I usually buy a Gatorade bottle from the store and then reuse it until I need another bottle.

It is lightweight when I put it in my backpack. It has a special sports cap so it doesn't burst immediately if you tip it. Oh, and that's usually only a dollar or two.

True, in the future, I would like to take a bottle of water other than plastic for environmental reasons. But in a quick fix, reusing a Gatorade bottle works.