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Flickr/ Roanoke College
Early adulthood is a stage in life where being able to make smart financial decisions takes on a heightened importance.
The necessity of sticking to a budget means that the ability to determine when it makes sense to spend and when it makes sense to save is a pretty invaluable one.
As a college student myself, I can relate to the sort of lifestyle that supports an industry of instant-noodle foods bought in bulk. And so I’m pretty strict with my spending, except for the times when I really need something that might require more of an investment than Easy Mac, like a good external hard drive or a productivity app that will maximize my current educational investment.
Being anadult withresponsibilities without the adult nest egg means thatI have the time to find the best deal, and the shoestring budget to really incentivize the search.
The happy news for all of us is that not everything that makes your life simpler as a student or a young adult has to be expensive. Many of the bargain products really do perform the same as their higher-priced peers, and do so without shaking you down for spare quarters.
In the interest of saving you the most on products that will make your life run more smoothly, I put together a list of high-value items, both inexpensive and higher-priced, that are worth their weight.
1. A note-taking app
iTunes
If the Flintstones had opted to keep driving their Stone Age car in the 21st century, that would be comparable to taking notes the traditional way instead of using Notability.
It's one of the App Store's editors’ choice apps, and that isn’t very surprising. It was the best-selling paid productivity app in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, and it’s no small feat to have north of a thousand reviews in the app store and still be rated 4.5 stars.
The app allows you to annotate PDFs, mark-up photos, record lectures, provide audio feedback, and thanks to the cloud, lets you have unrestricted, uniform access to the notes you take in school or during a business meeting.
My personal favorite feature is that your notes automatically link to recordings, so during the playback, you can watch your annotations grow along with the recording.
Notability for iPhone and iPad, $9.99
2. TrackR Bravo
Amazon
Life is busy and scattered, and so are you on occasion. It probably doesn't help that so many of your most important things are small enough to misplace easily and harder to find.
TrackR is here to make sure that you never really lose your house keys, wallet, purse, or even your TV remote ever again.
Lost your phone? Press the button on the device and it'll ring, even on silent mode.
TrackR Bravo, $23.95
3. A screen protector for your phone
Amazon
Accidents happen and they're supernaturally prone to happen in this stage of life.
Paying $7.99 now instead of around $100 to fix a shattered screen is the kind of margin that can make or break someone's day. So having a dependable and cost-effective plan A is one of the easiest and smartest financial moves you can make.
This specific protector is ultra-thin, ultra-clear, and highly durable. It's the best seller on Amazon and more affordable right now than ever.
amFlim iPhone Screen Protector Glass, $7.99
4. Shatterproof wine glasses
Amazon
College students walking around with long-stemmed crystal is something out of a cleaning commercial dreamscape.
Shatterproof wine glasses are one of the best investments you can make, sparing you the multitude of ingredients needed for a DIY stain removal venture, or a new couch.
Not only are they cheap, but they'll help you relax a bit more should the get-together be at your place.
Govino Shatterproof Wine Glass, Set of Four, $12.95
5. An HDMI cord
Amazon
If you're used to watching TV and movies online, this is probably one of the best small expenditures you can make.
An HDMI cord will allow you to hook up your laptop to the TV, so you can experience it on a bigger screen and with more people.
For $8, this might be the most useful item on the list.
Monoprice High-Speed HDMI 6 Feet Cable with Ethernet capability, $7.37
6. An extra-long charging cable
Amazon
Having a 10-foot-long nylon-braided charging cable is a low-budget luxury that really can't be overstated in convenience.
The nylon braid will help deter breakage and ensure that your purchase lasts longer. But since these are especially prone to go missing, this two pack comes in handy for an easy spare and/or replacement.
GEENKER 10 ft Nylon Braided Charging Cable, Two Pack, $10.99
7. An iPad Air 2
Amazon
The iPad is a Goldilocks sweet spot for many — big enough to see PDFs, notes, and videos comfortably but not as clumsy as a laptop in size.
While a laptop or a desktop might be better for a huge Excel sheet, the iPad is a perfect tool to keep travel easy, if you're going from class to an internship or just heading out on a weekend trip.
It's a bit pricier for this list, but nonetheless less expensive than newer generations with the same functions, and an even better deal when found professionally refurbished or at a discount on Amazon.
Apple iPad Air 2 128 GB Tablet, $465
8. An external hard drive
Amazon
An external hard drive is something you might not really be itching to buy, but you'll learn to love immediately.
Notes, papers, pictures, and anything you save on your computer takes up space. Eventually, you'll be dealing with a slower machine that is so jammed with clutter you don't know where to start the deep cleanse.
The external hard drive not only keeps your things safe in case your laptop fails you or is stolen, but it also allows you to free up invaluable room on your own computer, allowing it to run smoother for longer.
For most people who have done a little research on the subject, Seagate makes products that are hard to beat in both price and functionality — features that come in handy for a device like this.
Seagate Expansion External Hard Drive USB, $54.99
9. A work-appropriate backpack
Incase
If your day requires you to go from two different environments with speed and efficiency, such as class and an internship, you'll know the value of a good backpack.
However, many of the designs available may appear slightly immature in a work setting.
The ICON Slim Pack is thankfully not one of those backpacks. It's arguably the best buy for style, efficiency, and a streamlined design, at a cost that isn't unjustifiable. The Slim Pack is deceptively compact and looks sophisticated and official enough to make sure you don't have to compromise efficiency for a work-appropriate look.
Incase ICON Slim Pack, $89
10. A Yeti rambler
Yeti
Though $30 may seem like a steep price for a rambler, I would pay a lot more for this one. Not only is it virtually indestructible, but the Yeti keeps your drinks cool or hot for an unthinkable amount of time. My commute is over an hour, and when I arrive at the office my coffee is the same temperature as when I left the house.
It's BPA-free and made with 18/8 stainless steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation, and a no-sweat design.
Yeti 20 oz. Rambler, $23.99
11. A fast-charging portable battery
Amazon
Whether you're commuting to work, stuck in a classroom with one outlet, or traveling and don't want to sit on the floor next to a trash can to charge your phone, having an external battery is a minor miracle.
This compact, fast-charging power bank is smaller than your iPhone and provides almost three-and-a-half iPhone 6s charges. Anker's exclusive PowerIQ and VoltageBoost combine to deliver the fastest possible charge for any device.
Anker Ultra-Compact High-Speed External Battery, $23.99
12. A dependable alarm clock
Amazon
Juggling class, work, friends, and every other variable of life as a student is exceptionally tiring. And the body will prioritize your sleep over the interview you have at 11 a.m.
After finals week I have slept through my iPhone alarms and missed flights, dates, and once even a fire drill. Having a backup to ensure you're always where you need to be is one of the best and smartest measures you can take.
This alarm clock will charge your phone, wake you up with a light that simulates sunrise, and allow you to set your alarm as your favorite music or anything else you prefer. It can even communicate with other smart devices in your place, so it can adjust the room's temperature or start your coffee brewing.
WITTI Design BEDDI Smart Radio Alarm Clock Speaker, $99.99
13. A memory-foam mattress pad
Amazon
Sleep is something that everyone does, and something that massively impacts almost every area of our lives.
If you want to maximize the investments you're making in yourself by going to school or starting a career, waking up ready to go and refreshed is an advantage as much as it is a necessity.
This pad is made from two inches of memory foam and an impressive Cool Cycle Polymer that keeps cool air in, and heat out. The best part is that it does as good of a job as items listed at much higher prices.
Red Nomad Twin XL Memory Foam Mattress Pad Bed Topper, $71.99
14. An iPad keyboard
Belkin
While the iPad is convenient for compact, efficient, and lightweight travel, I often find myself getting frustrated at the decreased speed with which I can take notes when I'm using it in class.
Thanks to one of the best keyboard additions on the market, that concern isn't really as valid anymore. Though the smaller size does cramp the keys, it's a necessary evil that isn't too damning.
The Belkin Keyboard is backlit from three brightness levels and allows you to attach the iPad at landscape or portrait modes. The detachable case works with the keyboard or by itself. It's also Bluetooth-enabled and able to connect to up to two devices at once.
Belkin Ultimate Pro Keyboard, $109.99
15. A 2-in-1 stylus pen
Amazon
If you plan on writing notes on a tablet or even with your phone, the stylus tip is as responsive as your fingertips with smart tools and much more accurate.
On one end of the stylus is a mesh tip for the iPad and on the other a retractable ballpoint pen, in case you have to switch to paper notes or the blue book.
The mesh tips protect your screen from scratches and offset that annoying "tap" sound in the middle of class or a meeting. These tips will glide against the screen without skipping or hitting resistance.
Twist 2-in-1 Stylus, $10.99
16. Over-ear headphones
Amazon
Earbuds tend to bleed sound and many of the work spaces at both a university and office are primarily public.
If you want to block out someone chewing in the library or just listen to your own music without drawing attention to yourself, it's smart to invest in solid over-ear headphones.
Based on our own trial and error, these are among the best budget headphones on the market.
Sony Professional Diaphragm Headphone, $89.99
This article was originally published on 2/23/2017.
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