One of life's simple luxuries is sinking into freshly washed, new bedding. We spend so much time in bed—sleeping, reading, or just relaxing—that our choice of bedding affects our overall well-being. Sleeping with lumpy pillows and a threadbare blanket is uncomfortable, not to mention bad for your health. You'd likely wake up irritated, resulting in a bad start to your day. Choosing quality bedding can help ensure a peaceful night of deep, restorative sleep.

A complete bedding set typically includes a fitted sheet, a top sheet, a blanket, a comforter or a duvet, a duvet cover, pillows, and pillowcases. Some brands also include bed skirts, mattress pads, and throws in their bedding sets.

When selecting bedding, comfort is the top priority. Breathable fabrics like linen help regulate body temperature at night, while soft materials like cotton minimize irritation.

Quality bedding lasts long, ultimately saving you money in the long run. Fortunately, online shopping has revolutionized the way we find the best deals on bedding. Retailers offer diverse options, high-quality products at competitive prices, and often bulk discounts. Some provide freebies, like complimentary shipping or even a discount on your next purchase. You can also browse hundreds of bedding options in the comfort of your home at any time of the day, making this an ideal option if you have jampacked days full of other responsibilities.

Ready to find the best bedding deals? CamelCamelCamel offers incredible savings on high-quality bedding. It's a free Amazon price tracker that monitors millions of products online to find the most competitive prices, making it super easy to find the best deals on bedding.

To search for the best price of a product you like, simply enter the product’s Amazon URL or the keyword (in this case, "bedding"), and it’ll provide a list of choices with their current price and availability. This way, you won't have to search all over the internet to find bedding deals that fit your budget. You'll also get email notifications when prices drop. Whether you're looking for luxurious king-sized sheets, a cozy queen-size flannel, or budget-friendly twin alternatives, CamelCamelCamel has you covered.

Read on to discover more ways to find bedding deals that cater to diverse shopping needs.

Discounts and Promotions

It's always a good idea to revamp your room with quality bedding, and it's even better if you can do it without breaking the bank. The key is to find bedding deals online. Quality bedding can be pricey, so finding suitable discounts and promotions will greatly help your make-my-bed-the-comfiest project.

Exploring Exclusive Deals and Discounts

Snagging the perfect sheet set at an amazing price is immensely satisfying. Here are two key tactics to find those sweet deals:

1. Utilize Coupon Codes

Couponing, or using vouchers to get a discount, is still very popular. Today's couponing is digitized, allowing you to access and redeem digital coupons without physical vouchers. You only need a digital code for online platforms, coupon apps, and eCommerce stores. Adopting the habit of searching for coupon codes every time you shop can help you discover discounted home essentials or limited-time offers.

Retailer websites and coupon aggregator sites are the best places to look for coupon codes. Retailer sites generally have a Promotions page where you can find discounted bedding sets. Coupon aggregator sites are specialized hubs that gather coupon codes for various retailers. You can also use browser extensions that can help you search for and apply available coupons upon checkout.

Discounts typically come in three types: percentage discounts (e.g., 50%), dollar amount reductions (e.g., $15 off), and free shipping offers. These discounts are hard to miss on sites like Amazon, where deals get prominent badges like the one shown below.

To save more, you can stack multiple coupon codes or combine them with an ongoing sale if the retailers allow it. Pay close attention to the limitations of your coupon codes, such as expiration dates, minimum purchase requirements, or any specific product exclusions.

2. Subscribe to Newsletters for Insider Deals

Email newsletters are another great way to find the best bedding deals. Through newsletters, online retailers can communicate directly with their customers. When you sign up from your favorite bedding retailer or an eCommerce site, you get first dibs on the latest trends, new product releases, and exclusive deals.

Most online retailers prioritize their current customer list for big clearance sales. By being on their mailing list, you'll be one of the first customers to know about time-sensitive deals like huge discounts on king bedding sheets which are typically quite expensive.

Retailers use newsletters to deliver a variety of special deals to their subscribers. Most stores offer a “Welcome discount” code just for signing up. At times, they also run flash sales and give early access to major sale events. Since you have first access, this is a great way to snag bed sheets in your preferred colors or patterns. Exclusive coupon codes and promotional offers are also frequently shared through newsletters, along with alerts about new product launches and potential introductory discounts.

The thing with newsletters is that you need to manage your inbox clutter. Otherwise, the precious bedding deals will go directly into your spam folder. A smart thing to do is to create an email solely for retail offers. This way, you won't miss amazing bedding discounts like one on these LANE LINEN 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets with silky smooth texture and sustainable features.

Leveraging Seasonal Sales

Timing your online bedding shopping around major sales events is a wise choice. Seasonal sales run deep discounts, making it the perfect time to score the bedding of your dreams. Most retailers offer major discounts during celebrations and holidays, leading to incredible savings and a wide array of options.

1. Black Friday and Cyber Monday

About 200.4 million consumers in the US enjoyed last year's Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend. BFCM is the mecca for bargain hunters. Online (and in-store) retailers pull out all the stops during BFCM. You can expect half-price deals – and sometimes even more – on duvets, pillows, and top sheets. You can find deals like this on items like the California Design Den Waterproof Mattress Protector. Unlike blankets, pillowcases, and sheets that go on sale several times a year, this queen-sized, noiseless mattress protector might only be discounted during the holidays.

Of course, why speculate when we can use CamelCamelCamel to find out for sure? Looking at its full price history, we can see that it received deep discounts during BFCM in 2021 and 2023. That means there's a very good chance it will be discounted again during BFCM 2024. However, it has been offered for even less at other times of year. If you wanted the deepest discount possible, the best option would be to create a price watch in CamelCamelCamel to get alerted the next time it goes on sale.

Another reason to shop during the BFCM weekend is the wide selection available. Many retail stores and eCommerce platforms stock an assortment of bedding items in various sizes so shoppers can take their ultimate picks.

When it comes to holiday sales, it's essential to start planning early to create a wish list and compare prices. Follow the social media channels of your favorite retailers to stay updated on their holiday sales ahead of time.

2. Holiday and Clearance Sales

While BFCM is a big holiday event, that weekend shopping frenzy is not the only thing you can look forward to. There are tons of seasonal sales all year round that can give you the best bedding deals. Say you're looking for a queen bedding set like Sleepavo's cooling memory foam pillows. You can wait for the end-of-season clearance sale. As seasons change, retailers clear out their inventory, leading to reduced prices on items.

Most online retailers also set their bedding items at low prices during Labor Day, Memorial Day, and President's Day. But if the holiday rush is overwhelming, you can wait for bedding markdowns on retailer-specific events, like the store's anniversary.

Tips for Maximizing Savings

Finding the perfect bedding at a bargain price is a dream come true for any shopper. To get the best deals on bedding, you need to be smart and strategic about your shopping. Here are some tips to get the best bang for your buck.

1. Time Your Purchases

Timing is everything when getting the best deals on sheets and bedding, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Do your research on the best time of the year to shop.

When shopping, it’s important to be patient and wait to get significant discounts on major holiday sales. Besides the ones mentioned above, you can shop during January white sales, which are all about discounted household linens. This is the perfect time to replace your old comforters, mattress pads, sheets, and more. Retailers often offer discounted high-quality products like this king-size LANE LINEN Egyptian cotton split sheet set during white sales.

You can also time your purchases during overstock sales. Some retailers have a dedicated overstock section with brand-name bedding at reduced prices.

2. Take Advantage of Limited-Time Offers

Beyond the typical yearly calendar sale, you can save big on your bedding shopping with limited-time offer promos. You can also check out loyalty program discounts and daily deals.

If you often visit a shop, you might be eligible for its loyalty program which allows you to earn points for discounts. Generally, this program offers member-exclusive sales featuring exceptional items like this six-piece queen-size cooling sheets set.

Alternatively, you can look for daily deals for a single product or a small discount only available for 24 hours. But look for legit ads like "TODAY ONLY – 25% Off 1500-Count Cotton Sheets," or use the CamelCamelCamel price tracker to verify the price has actually changed.

Quality Vs. Price

Quality versus price is a common dilemma for most shoppers unless you have the money to splurge. So, which one should you prioritize?

Understanding the Relationship Between Price and Quality

Finding the sweet spot between quality and price is always a challenge. On one hand, the lowest-priced items may not be the best quality. On the other, an expensive price tag doesn't guarantee high quality. Finding the balance between the two means understanding the factors that go into quality bedding.

1. The Importance of Durability and Longevity

Bedding doesn't have to be changed daily, so they sustain a lot of wear and tear until their next wash. The oil in your hair, the dust in the bedroom, and other factors contribute to this deterioration.

Sheets, pads, and cases made of high-quality materials and with great craftsmanship can last for years. Even if you constantly use and regularly wash them, their makeup and construction make them resistant to fading and tearing. For example, this premium wearable flannel blanket with exquisite patchwork will last longer than a blanket made with cheap material and basic stitching.

Durable and long-lasting bedding sets are typically more expensive because you don't have to replace them often. In the long run, they can save you time and money.

2. Balancing Budget Constraints with Quality Expectations

Be realistic and learn how to compromise. For comfort, look for breathable and soft materials like cotton or this set of bamboo super soft cooling sheets.

Even within budget-friendly options, you can discover high-quality textiles. If you’re on a tight budget, perhaps you can start with the basics, like sheets and pillowcases. Once you save up, you can upgrade to a comforter or duvet.

Another way to balance your budget with quality is by reading reviews. Take the time to read the comments and feedback from other customers to determine if an item is worth buying.

Tips for Finding Affordable Yet High-Quality Bedding

The secret to finding the best deals on bedding is to be resourceful. Just because you saw an ad for affordable bed sheets doesn't mean that's the best deal you can get. Consider these two tactics:

1. Seek Out Deals on Trusted Brands

Brands that are household names are known for their quality. While these sets can be expensive, it doesn't mean you always have to pay full price. You can visit outlet stores. Yes, online shopping has its perks, but sometimes, a physical store is where you can hit the jackpot. Many trusted brands have outlet stores that offer overstock items at reduced prices. These brands usually advertise time-limited sales offered at their physical stores through their social pages or newsletters, so be on the lookout.

Another option is subscription boxes. A subscription box is a curated mix of products regularly delivered straight to your door. While you need to pay a recurring fee for this, curated boxes often contain customized luxury bedding items that aren't available to all. You also receive tons of freebies. This is great if you're into theme bedding sets like superheroes or boho-themed items like this cotton waffle twin luxury throw.

2. Explore Alternative Materials and Styles

Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton, and silk are always the ones on the vision board. But there are many more materials that you can explore, like linen, microfiber blends, and bamboo. Linen bedding, sought after for its natural breathability, has become increasingly affordable over the years. Alternatives like cotton blends also offer a comfortable feel and are often budget-friendly. Bamboo is another great choice for those with a more eco-conscious lifestyle. It’s highly sustainable, making it an eco-friendlier option than other fabrics. It’s also hypoallergenic, incredibly strong, and durable yet soft (softer than cotton).

Style-wise, instead of plain-colored sheets, you can choose ones with fun designs, such as this four-piece sheet set with cute foxes, flowers, and rainbows. It's marketed for kids and teens, but if your style is fun and playful, no one's stopping you from giving it a try.

Final Thoughts

Quality bedding doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. The internet is a treasure trove of bedding deals, so use it to your advantage. Wait for big sales during the holidays or retail-specific events. You'll get tons of options and discounts during this time.

Set a priority list, identifying factors you can't compromise on and those with which you can be flexible. Explore alternatives like new materials and styles to see which works best for both your budget and comfort level. Achieving the perfect balance between the two means you get to invest in bedding that will last for a long time.

By Geri Mileva.

We all want a house that looks worthy of a feature in House Beautiful. But it takes more than décor and aesthetics to turn a house into a home that’s pleasing and comfortable for those who live in it. What every house needs are home essentials that serve both form and function. Whether you're a first-time homeowner or have resided in your current house for years, explore these tips and special deals on household must-haves.

Before moving into a new house, many get excited about planning the home décor, furnishing, fixtures, and first home essentials. But over the years, clutter tends to build up and the house starts feeling less like a home and more like a hodgepodge of things.

In an online home improvement and organizing survey, nearly 95% of respondents claimed that a clutter-free home is important to them. Yet, about 70% of the respondents confessed that they had clutter issues at home.

Come to think of it, just how many table lamps should you have in each room? Does it make sense to have extra cabinets for more storage? What are the must-have kitchen appliances? To answer these questions and more, we need to understand what exactly home essentials are.

Home essentials are basic items that make a home functional and comfortable. They include furniture, appliances, and personal care items (among other things) that can be found in different areas of the house. They are important in everyday living as they significantly improve the quality of life and overall home experience of those who live in the house.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the new home essentials that every modern home should have, along with some of the best online deals available right now.

Home Essentials for the Living Room

This is often one of the busiest spaces in the house. It is where the family gathers to enjoy common activities like hanging out with each other or playing family games. This is also where guests are usually received and entertained. Keep these activities in mind when choosing the kind of furniture, entertainment system, lighting, and décor for this room.

Sofa Set

In a lot of homes, the sofa is the largest furniture piece in the living room. It should ideally occupy about two-thirds of the wall against which it is placed.

Most homes can accommodate a three-seater sofa and a couple of matching one-seaters. If your room is larger and used frequently for entertaining, consider sectionals or modular sets for extra seating. For smaller rooms, a settee or a love seat would be ideal. A day bed is a practical option for a studio apartment or a small living room that could double as a guest room.

Center and Side Tables

These should be proportional to the size and height of the sofa. It should not be awkward to set drinks or other items on the table while seated on the sofa. If you love playing board games, a larger table would be the best choice to accommodate big groups and all the game pieces.

Lighting

Though living rooms are brightly lit, some might benefit from lighting fixtures with dimmers for mood and ambiance. Placing lamps on side tables at each end of the sofa can offer gentle lighting. Or you could strategically place standing lamps in two corners of the room if you are not keen on having side tables.

Entertainment

A television set is often considered the centerpiece for living rooms. Some may also consider matching sound systems as must-haves in their home essentials list too.

If you have gamers in the family, your living room would not be complete without their consoles and accessories. But keep in mind that it's crucial to maintain an organized space by properly storing items when not in use. This will help prevent clutter and maintain a clean and welcoming living room environment.

Decorative items

Home décor essentials depend on your personal style. A good-sized rug to “section” the area would be a nice touch. You can also leverage the power of small items such as throw pillows and blankets. They're not just decorative accents, they also enhance the comfort of your seating. A plush functional throw blanket, for example, is perfect for snuggling on the couch during TV time.

A hooded Sherpa blanket from Safdie & Co. is a smart choice. It's breathable, skin friendly, and fade and stain resistant.

Essentials for the Bedroom

The bedroom should be the most relaxing place in the entire house, with an ambiance that’s conducive to restful sleep. Your bedding, furniture, and lighting should transform the bedroom into a welcoming sanctuary where you can retreat at the end of the day.

Bedding

Choose a good mattress and pillows that provide the right support. Remember that you spend a third of your time sleeping, so it’s wise to invest in good bedding. While some people may choose higher-end bedsheets and pillowcases, there are also many quality and affordable options available if you're on a tight budget.

Storage solutions

Essential bedroom storage solutions include a closet, bureau, dresser, and a couple of nightstands or bedside tables. For those fortunate enough to have larger spaces, walk-in closets or dressing rooms can provide additional storage. However, it's important to regularly declutter and organize these storage areas to prevent them from becoming overloaded.

Lighting

Unlike the bright lights in the living room, bedroom lighting tends to be more subdued and cooler. Dimmers are good options, along with lamps on the nightstands. A small lamp on top of the bureau can also provide mood lighting or a soft glow if you prefer not to sleep in complete darkness.

Relaxation items

To create a more relaxed atmosphere in the room, you can also consider adding items like scented candles and aromatherapy accessories. Alongside these calming additions, an air purifier is a great new home essential that ensures that your room is free of dust, allergens, and pollutants. Breathe cleaner air as you sleep with a nice and quiet high-filtration device like MORENTO’s Smart Air Purifier.

Home massagers are great to have in the bedroom to knead out the knots in your body right before you turn in for the night. A quick session on the Zyllion Shiatsu Foot Massager, before you sleep, will relieve you of the aches from being on your feet all day.

Another massager that you can have in the bedroom is the Zyllion Peanut Massage Ball Roller. This is best for those who want to relax after a workout as well as those who struggle with chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia and sciatica. This deep-tissue massager helps reduce stress and relieve muscle pain, allowing you to slip into a relaxed slumber.

Essentials for the Kitchen

The kitchen is another room where people store the most clutter. All too often, homeowners complain about not having enough counter space because small appliances and cookware occupy their countertops. A OnePoll survey found that over half of the respondents expressed their need for more surface space on their countertops, refrigerators, pantries, and shelves. Try sticking to just a handful of kitchen essentials to make more room for your essential kitchen supplies.

Appliances

Every home should have a refrigerator and a stove. Modern homes would also most likely have a toaster, a coffee maker, a microwave oven, and maybe an air fryer. The average family would not need more than one unit of these appliances. There is no need to “stock up” on these appliances as they are readily available and can be easily replaced when they break down.

Utensils

You can't achieve much in the kitchen without proper cooking utensils. No matter what kind of cooking you do, you'll need basics like knives, cutting boards, measuring cups and spoons, and at least one wooden spoon. Other tools like whisks, rubber scrapers and spaghetti spoons can be just as important, but be careful to only get things you'll actually use.

Cookware and food storage containers

Pots, pans, lids, and other kitchen knick-knacks can easily multiply. Food storage containers can end up as a stack of mismatched tubs and lids. It’s best to stick to the essentials that are actually used to prepare food for the family. A simple set of cookware that includes a sauté pan, a frying pan, a saucepan, a stock pot, and a grill pan should cover all stovetop cooking needs.

Kitchen gadgets and tools

Focus on the basics and select appliances and housewares that you regularly use, with a few extras for special occasions. Multi-cookers and food processors are excellent for consolidating common kitchen tasks.

Quick-fix tools also make great kitchen essentials that save time and effort. One such easy-to-store and convenient tool is Safdie & Co.’s rapid defrosting tray. It allows for fast defrosting right on your countertop, eliminating the need to transfer meat to another container for overnight refrigerator defrosting or microwave thawing.

Essentials for the Bathroom

It’s always nice to have a bathroom that’s not only hygienic but also comfortable and relaxing. While luxury features, like a heated toilet seat or a jacuzzi tub, may be ideal for some, even standard fixtures and accessories can create a sense of luxury and relaxation.

Bath linens

Soft and absorbent towels and bathmats are definitely must-haves. Have enough towels for everyone using the bathroom. Make sure there's enough in the linen closet to regularly replace these essentials on rotation.

Personal care items

Toiletries and skincare products are essential, but they can easily pile up. It’s always best to buy and stock up on items that are actually used. Make sure to use up each item before opening a new one. Utilize countertop organizers and bins to keep everything orderly.

Storage solutions

Do not leave toiletries and bathroom accessories lying around. Install a linen cabinet, a towel rack, an under-the-sink organizer, and a bathroom console to keep everything in place.

Bathroom accessories

Shower curtains, soap and shampoo dispensers, and a shower head caddy are some accessories that keep the bathroom organized. Also, consider having a cleaning caddy that can be stashed in a closet or under the sink for easy access.

Essentials for the Home Office

Many homes typically include a designated home office or study area. In others, a portion of the bedroom might be set aside for this purpose. Regardless of the setup, your home office must be aptly furnished as well.

Desk and chair

Your office and study furniture should be just the right size if you want to be more productive at work. The small computer space-saver table from Safdie & Co. is a compact option for your home office.

In choosing the right desk, find one that’s sturdy enough to withstand years of use and ergonomically designed for comfort. There should be enough surface area to do paperwork and to accommodate a computer or laptop. If there's no space for a separate printer table, you might consider placing a rack on the desk to store the printer and other office supplies.

Computer or laptop

Like everyone else, you and every family member will each need a computer for work or school.

Laptops are both convenient and portable, ideal for those who work on the go. They also save space due to their compact design.

If there’s a gamer or graphic designer in the family, a robust desktop setup would be more suitable as it would provide the massive computing power they need. However, keep in mind that this will require additional desk space.

Office supplies

It’s important to allot space for all necessary office supplies so that they are easily accessible. Desks with drawers are perfect for organizing small items, keeping them out of sight but within reach. Pen holders and paper trays also serve as excellent tabletop organizers.

For those who work at their desks for extended hours, it would be good to have a portable heat therapy massager on your home office essentials list. You can soothe your tired hands and fingers with the Zyllion Cordless Rechargeable Hand Massager. It’s great for quick ten-minute breaks from tapping and typing away on your computer.

Organization tools

Those with more space to work with can consider file cabinets and shelving units for the home office or study. These are essential for those working with printed documents, books, reference materials, and bulky supplies.

Essentials for the Dining Room

Furnish your dining room with pieces that not only serve a purpose but also bring joy to family meals or make entertaining guests a breeze. Remember, what goes into this space really boils down to your family's eating habits and how often you love playing host at mealtimes.

Dining table and chairs

Like all other furniture in the house, dining room furniture has to be comfortable. Apart from matching the interior décor, the furniture needs to be functional, easy to maintain, and durable. The dining set should, of course, provide ample seating for all family members. If you frequently have mealtime guests, choose a larger table that can accommodate everyone comfortably.

Dinnerware and serveware

A good set of plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery should be enough for everyday use. Having a couple of sets stashed away in a china cabinet is essential for those who have parties and entertain guests from time to time. Choose matched sets in classic designs that can be used on various occasions. Also, keep a full set of disposable paper plates and cutlery on hand for casual gatherings where quick clean-up is preferred.

Decorative elements

It’s great to have something “extra” to enhance everyday dining experiences. A centerpiece, a tablecloth with matching placemats and coasters, and candlesticks can add a nice touch. However, make sure that the decorative items you include in your dining room essentials checklist enhance rather than clutter the table spread.

Essentials for the Laundry Room

Furnishing the laundry room is easier for bigger homes. It could be a challenge to pull off in homes with limited space. But with a bit of planning and some tools for organization, it’s doable.

Washer and dryer

The classic side-by-side washer and dryer setup is the most common choice. Those who have a little more budget to spare can go for an automatic washer and dryer machine that does all the work. While a single machine is ideal for small spaces, it also tends to be more expensive. An alternative option is a stacked setup of front-loading washer and dryer machines.

Laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other cleaning supplies

Whether you buy cleaning supplies in bulk or small volumes, it's best to have appropriate storage for these items. Make sure they're easy to reach to make your laundry chores less of a hassle. Having extra storage is also a good idea to keep other cleaning supplies tidy and out of sight.

Ironing board and iron

Modern homes typically have ironing boards in either a traditional standalone style or as a wall pull-out. Although the pull-out option saves more space, it isn't always the preferred choice. Regardless of your preference, these items should be stored where they can be kept clean and ready for use at all times.

Essentials for Outdoor Spaces

Most homes have outdoor spaces, such as spacious patios or simple balconies, where people can enjoy fresh air or cool off. Similar to all indoor areas, these parts of the house should be furnished to meet the family’s needs.

Outdoor lighting

Floodlights and stringed lights are common lighting options for these outdoor spaces. Spotlights are needed for gardens with focal features like fountains, landscape sculptures, and pergolas. Just make sure that these fixtures are correctly wired and pose no hazards. Remember to buy electrical supplies only from trusted household names and brands.

Grill or outdoor cooking equipment

These are must-have essentials for families who enjoy having backyard barbeques and outdoor dining experiences. Dedicate a space for grilling and outdoor cooking away from doors and windows to keep the smoke out of the house. Don’t forget to provide storage for grilling supplies and accessories as well. If backyard entertaining is your thing, you would also need to put together a home bar essentials checklist that includes items like a cooler and an ice maker for your drinks.

Gardening tools and supplies

Homes with gardens require regular maintenance. Make sure that all tools and supplies are stashed safely and conveniently. Consumables should also be checked and re-stocked as necessary.

Home Sweet Home

Transforming a house into a home takes effort. Choosing the right home essentials can help ensure the comfort and safety of all residents, eliminating clutter and reducing the risk of accidents from poorly chosen furniture, fixtures, and appliances.

You don’t need to turn to expensive designer name brands or follow trends to equip your house with essential home goods. Just understand the needs of all members of your household. Take these into consideration and make thoughtful choices to create a comfortable and enjoyable space that’s both visually appealing and practical for you, your family, and the people you welcome into your home.

By Geri Mileva.

Good news! There is now a pattern of early deals emerging before annual sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. This translates to more savings opportunities with increased time to strategize purchases.

Previously, all of the saving happened on a single day, but now there are often deals leading up to, and for as long as a week after – this is particularly true for Cyber Monday. Whether you use Amazon’s early deals to get ahead on gift buying or everyday essentials, they are a great arrow in your money-saving quiver.

Get Ahead on Gift Purchases

Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven (5.25 qt.)

Anyone who knows Le Cruset knows that they NEVER go on sale. Yet, here we are with the perfect enameled Dutch oven showing a drastic price drop. Let cozy soup and fresh bread season begin.

VitaMix

An affordable Vita-Mix?! We thought the day would never come. Vitamix is the apogee of blender technology: it’s tough as nails, cuts preparation time, has a handier-than-handy tamper tool, uses vortex technology, and is easy to clean. This is a great gift for the entire household, friends, and family.

JBL Clip Bluetooth Speaker

We are lucky that Cyber Monday deals also include audio gear. When JBL released the Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker, it was a game changer. This clippable JBL is half the size without giving up too much fidelity, and it’s half the price. Try clipping it up on the porch to get a party vibe going, or on your handlebars while biking around; you can even bring it into the shower.

Bose Wireless Headphones

These are the end-all headphones for music lovers and audiophiles. Protip: replace the ear pads with a personalized color to stand out.

Frame TV

Frame TVs are the future. They add a feeling of uncluttered balance to any room and enhance aesthetics according to the type of art featured. The right art can even make small rooms look bigger, and with a digital frame TV, you don’t have to commit to a single piece of art.

Digital Picture Frame for Older Adults

Do you have grandparents with shelves packed beyond their capacity with framed pictures? To add a poignant touch, pre-load the digital frame with images of their grandkids, fond memories of yesterdecade, and pleasant scenery. Then, set it to auto-rotate. With 16 GB of storage, you don’t have to worry about running out of space.

Fuzzy Slippers

Fuzzy winter slippers are a home essential and also make a great gift. The ULTRAIDEAS are sturdy, built with memory foam and anti-skid soles, and come in many different colors. If you don’t quite like this style, the Landeers are a bit more ubiquitous without looking old-fashioned or skimping on the fuzziness or memory foam. Decadent fuzzy slippers also make a great side gift for kids or an office gift for a co-worker.

Fashionable Cardigans

Comfy cardigans are back in fashion for adults and teens alike. The Zesica cardigan is the perfect balance of light, warm, and chunky. Letting it hang open allows for fashionable layering as well. With 35 different color and pattern options, it is easy to find one to suit the taste of the most picky dresser in your life.

Deals on Essential Items

Sleep Hack Items

Sleep is essential to feeling good during the shorter days of winter. Bedding is one of those items that does not seem essential –perhaps this is because we tend ignore worn-out sheets and flat pillows except when we’re in bed. Eventually, the time will come when you have to buy new bedding, and rather than spending an arm and a leg when money is tight, take advantage of these early deals now. Good sleep equals good mental health.

Follow this link to see the most up-to-date deals going on now, or pick from our list of camel picks below. Happy sleeping.

• High Thread Count Sheets
• Boho Quilt
• Deep Pocket Mattress Topper
• Luxury Pillow Sets

Smart Light Bulbs

Again, when lightbulbs burn out, there is no choice but buy more immediately. That’s why it is essential to buy them ahead of time when they are on sale. It’s best to pay slightly more during a sale for increased durability and smart capabilities too. If you want to add color to your life, try these Wi-Fi-enabled, multi-color bulbs for the same price.

USB Wall Charger and Surge Protector Power Strip

Another great way to enhance sleep is to set up a charging station away from your bed. This wall charger has nine outlets in total including USB, USB-C, and 3-prong. It is also highly affordable.

Ring Doorbells and Accessories  

Ring doorbells welcome a sense of safety whether you are home or away. They allow you to track package drop-offs and communicate with your friends when you are gone or just getting out of the shower. They are super easy to install and can also double as a pet cam.

Strategize to Save

One of the best money-saving strategies is to go to the Black Friday Early Deals section and use the filters on the left side of the browsing window to fine-tune your search for gifts and essentials. It’s even possible to order all your gifts and household items in a single order which can trigger consolidated shipping benefits. Or, if you have a bit more time, check back for the entire week to catch all the new deals added daily. Happy saving!

No joke, the Great Turkey Shortage of 2022 is confirmed. Luckily, this little puzzle presents an excellent opportunity to enliven old traditions. Thanksgiving depends on decadence and big fall flavors, not on that familiar fowl. Expanding culinary horizons and putting a few new notches on the belt is always good. So here are some delectable options that will give our feathered friends time to recalibrate for next year.

Smoked Chicken

A little smoky flavor goes a long way. This turkey alternative is simple: take the lightly smoky spices like cumin and smoked paprika, along with some salt and pepper, and apply them to the outside of the whole chicken or one broken down. Then, add grill marks using a traditional barbeque for a bit more smoke flavor or on a George Foreman grill, and finish in the oven. The smoked chicken will work well with classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes and squash gratin.

Thanksgiving Duck

There are many benefits to preparing a lovely, crispy duck this year. First, searing off the skin will render a good amount of duck fat, known as “liquid gold,” which is excellent for other applications like roasted potatoes. Also, duck rarely dries out and takes just a fraction of the time a turkey takes to prepare.

Our tools of choice to ensure crispy duck skin: enameled cast iron! A shorter pan is excellent for the slow rendering process and also serves as a solid vessel to make a seriously decadent duck fat gravy. But save a bit of that liquid gold from coating some halved fingerlings and roasting off in an enameled roasting pan.

Tagine

This fragrant dish comes packed with slowly stewed pieces of meat and vegetables. North African spice blends of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, turmeric, cumin, and paprika complement fall flavors and add a new but adjacent flavor dimension. And the little bits of dried fruits like apricot conjure the sacred meeting of salty and sweet.

Try using this traditional tagine pot — a truly spectacular centerpiece. Or a dutch oven also works to build flavors and textures. And speaking of textural triumphs, don’t forget to toast some sliced almonds in a smaller non-stick skillet for a killer garnish.  

Paella

This Venetian dish is a physical embodiment of community and family. Some refuse to eat it in restaurants, believing homemade paella is second to none. A paella pan and fire source are all you need to get started. Traditionally, paella contains meat and seafood mixed in and served atop saffron rice. However, paella can be vegetarian or vegan without sidestepping any whimsy. Extra points are awarded for cooking over a campfire and having everyone eat directly out of the pan.  

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to try turkey alternatives for vegans and vegetarians. The suggestions below serve as a great side dish for any Thanksgiving meal. Packed with flavor without using meat, these vegetarian and vegan options work great as side dishes and main courses.

Get Your Pasta On

Pasta and gnocchi are not antithetical to Thanksgiving. Recipes including brown butter, crispy sage, and sweet potato scream fall. Regardless of dietary restrictions or the turkey shortage, making a point to get into the art of pasta making is evergreen. Who knows, once dazzling your friends and family with next-level pasta dishes becomes all too easy, a DIY pop-up is in order…next, the world!

Check out some of these tools to enhance your fresh pasta-making abilities:

• The book, Mastering Pasta: The Art and Practice of Handmade Pasta, Gnocchi, and Risotto by pasta chef extraordinaire Marc Vetri is a great place to start.
• Multi-pattern board for pasta and gnocchi.
• Marcato Pasta Machine - An alternative shortcut to hand rolling.
• Pasta Drying Rack - Instant kitchen counter vibe enhancer.
• Ravioli Stamps - Try filling them with squash and top with brown butter and crispy sage.

Quiche

Quiche is a great side dish to a Thanksgiving meal, especially if you lean into fall flavors with autumn squashes like butternut and delicata. Round it off with some sage, leeks, mushrooms, and parmesan. Also, there is always the option to make several quiches, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian

Tofu Pot Pie

Simply substitute tofu for the protein in any potpie recipe, and you will have the flavors of Thanksgiving and fall in an excellent little package. Protip: crisp up the tofu slowly in the oven and beforehand to get a little more texture. Once it marries with the fall gravy inside the pie, you will have achieved a sort of braised fall tofu effect that will have people falling in love on the first bite.

Give Turkeys a Break, Expand Your Palette

Thanksgiving turkey shortage aside, looking to other meal options is an excellent way to avoid worn-out culinary familiarity and boredom. Taking on tiny new directions in your cooking and relaxing into them can permeate days and evenings with a newfound spirit of well-being. So start slowly and share this delicious food with friends, family, and new friends.

The phrase, “hard work pays off,” does not apply to dressing up for Halloween. The amount of joy a simple and affordable costume will bring into the lives of you and the people around you is far, far greater than the effort it takes to pick out a costume and order it. Halloween costumes are a form of expression too, a chance to show off a side that maybe the everyday people in your life didn’t know. They’re also socially lubricating, and let’s face it, you don’t want to be the only one who shows up to work or to a party in normal clothing. It's also a good idea to get the entire family involved, including the pets.

Pets

The Most Simple Pet Costume

You don’t have to worry about your pet's hilarious costume falling off if they’re a bit more active or unwilling to be dressed up. This pumpkin costume has a simple design that will not bother your fuzzy friend while contributing greatly to the fun spirit of Halloween.

Cat Breading Headpiece

Cat Breading or Breading Cats is a wild and hilarious fad seeded from a viral meme of a cat with its head punched through a slice of bread. What makes this costume special, other than the extreme affordability, is that it is a costume, not just a slice of bread. Anyone could put their cat's head in bread, dressing them up in this costume is a work of art.

Beatles Mop-Top Wig

This wig might be the all-time most hilarious thing to put on your pet. The guests at your Halloween party are not going to be able to keep their cool.

Lions Mane and Tail

This is a very subtle costume that is honestly simple, attractive, and almost stylish enough that it might get some use more than once a year.

Piglet

This costume takes your pet's already high level of cuteness up about a million notches.

Costumes for Children

80’s Vibe

Colorful and bright, it’s best to jump on this costume before the 80s aesthetic becomes trendy again.

Inflatable Sumo Costume

At this point, these sumo costumes are evergreen. If your kid is more extroverted or likes to make people laugh, it’s your parental duty to inform them of the world of inflatable costumes.

Save T-Rex, Ride a Flamingo

Out of all the optical illusion costumes in the genre, this is the most up-to-date version. It really heightens the level of ridiculousness in the best way.

Pizza Slice Costume

Subtle and hilarious because of its simplicity.

Adults

Easy Taco Costume

This hysterical taco costume is perfect if you just want something simple and effective. Also, imagine how amazing it would be to get a taco costume for the dog as well and walk in lock step whilst trick or treating with the kids, hanging out at a party, or sitting on the porch handing out candy.

Simple Stranger Things Get Up

This is a very simple costume consisting of a Stranger Things shirt and a lightbulb necklace.

Maverick from Top Gun

“Top Gun: Maverick” is not just a very popular movie right now, this simple and affordable costume is highly realistic. Better not to walk by any air bases while wearing it… or at volleyball games.

Game of Thrones

This wig and overcoat are spot-on replicas of the popular television show.

Get Into Halloween

It’s easy to just deny your inner child and not dress up for Halloween. But the amount of effort it takes to stick a costume on an order is next to nothing compared to the immense boost in mood when you resign yourself to the silliness of dressing up. Take it one step further by sporting complementary costumes across your family (including your pets), and create new fun memories of bonding as we move from fall into winter. Lederhosen anyone?

Amazon has unprecedentedly issued a second Prime Day this year. Get ready for a lot of saving opportunities on October 11th and 12th. With the announcement, Amazon also dropped a slate of Prime Day Early Access Sale items on top of a ton of Fall Savings items already available. This is a great way to lessen the inevitable financial blow from the holidays. Getting ahead of gift shopping is an arrow in the quiver of other money-saving opportunities, like filling out items on the fall-needs list and stocking up on household essentials.

Fall Needs

There’s a good chance that a single, strategic Amazon order could get you set up for not just fall, but the chilly winter as well. Thinking ahead about cold weather annoyances and general considerations saves money because last-minute buying almost always means having to get more spendy.

Good, Cheap Wool Socks

A pack of cozy wool socks is the antidote to the bare feet on a cold kitchen floor cringe when all you need is to get the coffee going. Amazingly, the always long-lasting and sturdy Dickies socks are also the cheapest option.

Light Therapy Lamp

Are you a morning person that has trouble adjusting to the extra hour of darkness early in the day? Or, a night person that can feel a bit deflated when the sun starts going down in the late afternoon? A light therapy lamp could be helpful.

Cozy Throw Blanket

A warm throw is great for people who work from home, or for taking the chill off during after-dinner movies on the couch, or early morning coffee and news-reading sessions in or out of bed. Once again, the best option is also a name brand: Eddie Bauer offers this super-cozy, fleeced-lined option worthy of breaking out that 1000-piece puzzle and the Reddi-whip coffee.

Projector for Movies

Make an occasion out of simple things like some home-popped popcorn and a long movie that’s fun or intriguing. The idea is that the slow pace of a film helps us adapt to the slow pace of fall, and then winter. A projector like this also makes a great gift.

Cool Rain Shoes

One might think that their current shoes will be able to handle the incoming wet weather. But we all know that mindset leads to soaking feet and remorse for not just pulling the trigger on a pair of wet-weather shoes before it became an issue. These Chelsea boots take the classic Blundstone look while lowering the price and offering WAY more color options. They also appear a bit more unisex. Just saying.

Get Ahead on Gift Gets

This surprise Prime day works out perfectly for those of us that like to get ahead any way we can on holiday gifts. A good strategy is to figure out a loose budget and let the options available inspire purchases. A few pointed searches could illuminate a gift that you hadn't thought of.

Good, Cheap, and Fancy Shower Head

This very fancy showerhead includes overhead rainfall and is way cheaper than you would expect. It's the kind of gift that hits the sweet spot of being highly desirable, yet something nobody would treat themselves to. Extra credit if you actually install it and leave a bow and a card tied to it for your partner to find. Light some scented candles while you’re at it.

Gifts for Home Chefs De Cuisine

The strategy here is to do a little detective work as to which item is missing from the kitchen belonging to the home chef in your life. Then, look at all the kitchen deals available right now and find a good option while the prices are low.

Gifts For Pet Parents

It’s unclear which is better: giving the gift to your pet-crazy friend or family member or getting to see the cute screen captures of their fuzzy friends at home being cute.

• Kasa HD Pet and Security Camera
• More Affordable Option

Electronics Savings in Full Swing

The unprecedented collision of the fall sale and the surprise 2nd Prime Day of 2022 created a great opportunity to buy that big gift that you have already decided you want to give this year. Looking through the Fall and Early Prime Day Sales sections is a good idea, whether for a child, another family member, or even yourself.

Starter Blue Tooth Speaker for Kids

It’s good to start slow when it comes to another noise-making device. And having a smaller option is great for the music and podcast lovers in your life that like to create little chill-and-listen zones in different cozy areas of the house. Also, this is another affordable name-brand model that gets extra points for being waterproof.

Wireless Earbuds  

We are at a time when wireless earbuds are no longer a novelty. There are many options and specs to consider, so we figured out a few Camel Picks that make sense for different purchase needs.

• Good Affordable Earbuds
• Apple Earbuds

Back-Up Phone Essentials

There are a ton of Home Essentials available at a discount right now, so it is good to stock up on soaps and other home needs. But something that we often don’t think about until it is too late are the items that tend to give out suddenly at inopportune times, like necessary cellphone accessories.

Charger Cables

Most of the time, when a phone charger goes out, the charging block is still fine. So it is a good strategy to stock up on a few extra charging cables now rather than having to overpay for a 25-foot cable that is just going to break again from the bodega.

• iPhone Cables
• Non-iPhone Cables

Glass Screen Protectors

The last thing you need is a cracked screen on top of additional holiday responsibilities. Screen replacements are expensive enough that it's easy to resign to the frustrations of having a broken screen. There is an overabundance of products that offer protection, but the most straightforward antidote tends to be these glass screen protectors.

Affordable Portable Phone Charger

When a phone charger goes out, realistically, one only has maybe a day that they can go without their phone, and really it's probably more like a matter of hours. The quickest option is usually to go to the closest big box store. Yet, they seem to know this because going to the local big box almost always results in overpaying. Now is the time to invest in a relief charger.

Two Sales Converge

This surprise coalescing of sales feels almost like recognition of the financial precarity of the latter stages of the pandemic. When it is done correctly, there are money-saving and stress-reducing strategies available to ease the transition out of summer, through fall, and into the winter.

Sleep is inextricably related to the mind as much as it is to the body in complex ways. Simply put, a lack of sleep exacerbates the hard parts of life, and good sleep enhances the ability to stay present and cash in on higher cathartic payloads during all of life’s adventures,.

Good sleep is something that can be summoned with very little to no money, and the benefits are bountiful. Committing to doing what you can to get better sleep, in tandem with stuff like drinking the correct amount of water, establishes a strong, and often overlooked, foundation. Once this base level has been set, the mind will be more alert and able to pinpoint more subtle physical and mental needs. Not to mention, the transfer of this newfound energy can be directed at relationships, work, or hobbies that make you a truer, more realized version of yourself.

The Basics of Sleep

The most important remedy for bad sleep is controlling the environment of the bedroom. The universal necessities are darkness, and just the right temperature. Aside from that, there are other adjunct considerations depending on specific sleep-personalities.

Blackout Curtains

The light that hits the eyelid sends a message to the brain telling it to start secreting cortisol into the bloodstream. This is what causes our minds to register that the morning has come and it's time to wake up. However, artificial light can affect sleep, and even just normal light from the rising sun can be properly handled with the affordable purchase of some straightforward blackout curtains. These are a Camel pick because of the low cost, abundant options, and high quality.

Small Air Conditioner

This is a small air conditioner that will not increase the electricity bill. If you tend to run cold and a bit more heat is needed, this wool blanket adds just the right amount of warmth on top of your comforter. Or try this small space heater. Do whatever it takes to get the temperature of the room into the Goldilocks zone.

Alarm Clock

Any sleep hack article will tell you that staying away from the little pocket computer that holds all the world’s troubles before bed is a must. Yet, many find the ability to stay off their phones a futile effort. One way to counter this issue is to get an alarm clock and charge your phone out of earshot and sight. However, some of us like to fall asleep to music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Luckily, we have found a perfect answer in this alarm clock. This is a Camel top choice because it has dimming options that will keep unwanted light out, a radio, which could be used to lure in sleep, and even Bluetooth capabilities. Imagine plugging your phone in far from your bed, putting on some relaxing music or an interesting podcast, setting a sleep timer, and piping it into the speaker on your nightstand.

Eye Masks

Eye masks are a great tool to use to control the light signals that are subconsciously being sent to your brain while sleeping. The real trick is not to put it on when you first fall asleep, but in the early morning when you wake up to use the bathroom and get back in bed, hoping for a few more quality hours. Depending on your needs, try one of these suggested masks.  

The ONDER Blinkable Eye Mask

This eye mask gets points for contouring in a way that allows blinking. The design also attends to that pesky bit of light that often sneaks in around the nose. This Camel top pick is also great for sleeping on planes.  
Also, try weighted and cooling options.

Ear Plugs

Some of us like to sleep with a white noise machine or a not-too-quiet fan. On the other hand, some of us like there to be utter and complete silence. Use the same method as the eye masks: put ear plugs in when you return from the bathroom early in the morning, when the world outside has begun to broadcast audio disturbances big and small.

Memory Foam Pillow

A comedian once said something to the effect of, “If I don’t have the right pillow, I wake up feeling like I was hit by a train.” Getting the spine into a straight position is key for physical relaxation, which attracts the mental ease one needs to shepherd in the rejuvenating effects of sleep.  

Weighted Blanket  

Finally, some people swear by weighted blankets. If you are one of those people, this is our pick for the most affordable weighted blanket that is still high quality.

Rituals to Replace Phone Time

Phones are designed to be additive so separating from them is not a matter of willpower or the lack of it. Rather, creating space from the phone before bed is good because it allows for a buffer from the good and bad stresses of the world, promoting more neural mental connections and enhancing problem-solving.

It can be very hard to put the phone down at night before bed. However, putting in place some sort of ritual, or set of rituals, is a solid way to feel more grounded and set up a mental environment conducive to sleep.  

Affordable Mole Skin

One advantageous activity that brings you away from the phone and sets you up for a lower-stress morning is simply writing down what the next day’s tasks will be. Try getting a nice new journal or writing pad along with a cool pen that you are excited to use. Make lists about what the next day will look like, or go old-fashioned and start journaling about your thoughts. Top Recommendation: Space-Themed Journal

Smudge Kit

Smudging might seem woo-woo to some, but the act of smudging a room acts as a mental reset. Habitual smudging a few times a week before bed will act as a Pavlovian signal to the mind that it is time to start getting ready to relax and settle in.

Ease Back into Reading

Reading in, or around the bed, gives us something to focus on rather than perpetual thoughts. It can be hard to get back into the habit of reading in general. That is why we suggest starting off with books and magazines that pique your interest. Even a habit of reading trashy novels can be the ticket to effortlessly conditioning the mind and body for sleep.

Magazine Recommendations

• Popular on Amazon
• US Weekly
• National Geographic
• Smithsonian
• Top Recommendation: High Country News  

Arts and Crafts

They say that it is best to use a bed just for sleeping. However, there is something super cool about the idea of lying in bed, writing a letter, or making a small drawing and letting the mind wander where it wants.

• Small Drawing Kit
• Marker Kit
• Pad of Paper for letter writing that isn’t dated or academic. Imagine the delight of your friends near and far when you start sending them old-fashioned letters.

Knitting Supplies - Not only is knitting a great way to calm the mind, but knitted items make for killer presents. Get good sleep while saving money on gift-giving.

What’s Your Sleep Personality?

To try to understand how to accomplish good sleep, ask yourself what type of environment feels attractive to you. Get in the reflective mindset by thinking back to childhood sleeping habits and the feelings associated with them. Then do the same thing, working your way through high school and college to the present. Another way to figure out your sleep personality is to ask friends about some of their bedtime rituals that don’t involve the phone. Don’t get worried if the answer does not show up right away, or if you have to try out a few methods. The small amount of work you put in now will translate to ease and advancements in every part of your life.

It's the time of year when last-minute scrambling for school supplies takes place. Luckily, empty store shelves don't matter with quick, overnight, and even day-of shipping on back-to-school essentials available 24/7. Below is a list of obligatory school items that have fast shipping and are well made. There are even a few extra credit items thrown in.

K-12 Essentials

• Jansport Backpack - There are many cool colors and patterns available. This time-tested backpack never goes out of style.
• Mechanical Pencils, Wooden Pencils, Pens, and Extra Erasers
• The Perfect Binder - Or maybe something more substantial.
• Binder Paper
• Pocket Folder 6 Pack
• Giant Variety Snack Pack - Contains not just the typical granola bars and fruit snacks...
• Leak Proof Lunch Box - A standard re-usable lunch box goes a long way.
• Re-usable Masks with Fun Prints - N95s with cool colors are also available.

Back to College Essentials

• Portable Charger - Because college students tend to be out and about.
• Anti-Theft Book Bag - There are also smaller anti-theft options available.
• Thumb Drive 5 Pack - Always back up digital assets like school papers and essays.
• Highlighter Pack - These pastel colors are easy on the eyes.
• Lap Desk - Watch what happens when this is paired with a favorite beverage or a snack.

Extra Credit

• Jansport Insulated Lunchbag
• Thermos Reusable Food Jar
• Ice Packs

Good Luck!

Hopefully, this list helps to relieve some of the stress of having to run down to the store only to find that back-to-school isle full of empty shelves. Or maybe there were a few items forgotten and you don't feel like making another trip out. Getting into a good studying groove can be hard, but sometimes there are just a few affordable items that can help you settle in sooner rather than later.

Skittering across hot Summer concrete, sound familiar? How about the immediate, even shockingly cool, wet, and weightless respite of a pool, river, or ocean? This transition is as satisfying as 100 sneezes at once. Nothing compares to the quick rejuvenating shiver that goes up the spine when you first jump in, signaling relief from the hot gravity of land. Not to mention the health benefits like anxiety reduction, increased flexibility, decreased depression, and improved mood.

Get Out and Swim for Under 50 Bucks

Only a few items are needed to make swimming a common method to recharge during hot Summer days. Below are items that are not just affordable but well-made. Throw them in a tote and keep them near the front door to reduce the friction of getting up, out, and into immediate cool-down mode.

• Banana Boat Sunscreen - Straightforward with high or low SPF options.
  
• Simple Bathing Suit or Trunks - These options work for most tastes and body types and are very affordable.
  
• Beach Towel - These towels have some of the coolest designs, are made of microfiber that dries fast, and also, somehow, are the most affordable options.  
  
• Absolute Cheapest Hat That’s Still Cute - For a few more dollars, this more utilitarian hat offers UV protection.
  
• Amazon Basics Folding Chair - This is an important one. Having a good folding chair mitigates hot river rocks or poolside concrete, sand, or even mud. A solid chair makes chilling out much easier. This is why we feel, at camelcamelcamel, that having at least a no-frills chair is necessary.
• Coleman Folder Chair - There really is no difference between a solid camping chair and a beach chair. And if you like name-brand gear, this Coleman chair is the lowest-priced option.
• Goggles - A must-have for kids. For extra credit, have a screening of The Little Mermaid the day before to get them excited about the underwater world of wonder.
• Aloe - Because nobody is perfect.

Beach, River, and Lake Gear Hacks

There are unique circumstances to keep in mind when visiting beaches, rivers, and lakes, like an increased number of people and, of course, hot sand and rocks. Pro to: grab the waterproof bluetooth speaker before heading out.

Mesh Bag - Mesh is a great defense against persnickety sand. Keep it packed and by the door. Also, this particular bag is giant, so it can double as a sports bag for a teenager or a gym bag.

​​Beach Shade - To help deal with overheated and cranky kids, a systematic approach to sun and shade time is a game changer.

Sandproof Beach Blanket - This water and sand-proof, quick-drying blanket is extremely affordable.

Sun Lotion Stash Container - Sticking your wallet and phone in a disguised sun tan lotion bottle creates a sense of security when running back and forth from the water. Check out just how many amazing secret hiding containers are available.

Cooler Options - It is always great when a name-brand option is also the cheapest. For something a bit more manageable in different terrains, the 30/50/60 Can Lifewit Cooler Bag and the TOURIT Cooler Bag both have sturdy straps.

Water Shoes - A must when seeking more diverse and secluded swimming spots. It’s surprising how much easier water shoes help to navigate diverse terrains in search of euphoric waterholes and tucked-away waterfalls. These no-frills options will do just fine, while these options have a few more fun patterns to choose from.

Water-Proof Fanny Pack - Having a waterproof fanny pack is clutch, especially if you want to take photos without having to swing a backpack around while walking through a river. Take it one step further with a full-on waist pack, which is great for quick solo cool-down missions on the way to and from work.

Water Skipping Balls - These buoyant water balls do not sink, and are particularly fun to skip back and forth across little pools of water while hanging out with friends and family.

Exercising Equipment for the Water

Why not switch up your exercise routine and really capitalize on the myriad benefits of swimming? Some advantages include less stress on joints and the body generally; a greater reduction in emotional stress; and improved heart health. Bringing swimming into an already established routine or starting back up in the water after a break can be just the kind of variation needed to motivate yourself.

Go Long! - For some good old-fashioned exercise, just get a normal frisbee, the brighter the color the better, or a waterproof football, and go out for some long, diving catches.

Dynamic Fitness Noodle - It’s almost silly to call this must-have for any swimming situation, a piece of exercise equipment. But not only can the kids use it for water games; there are a lot of exercises that can be done to mix up the normal fitness routine.

Kick Board - Want to swim some laps for cardio but don’t have a PHD in aqua-kinetics? A kick board allows for instant relief from having to learn how to do a freestyle-backside-butterfly-stroke.

Floating Belt - This device opens up an entirely new angle on human-to-pool (and gravity) relations. Additionally, the use of a floating belt brings even the casual fitness enthusiast to the next level of weightless exercise.

Water Exercise Kit for Well Under 20 Bucks - If you are just a bit more serious about moving your workout into the water, this simple and highly affordable kit is all you need to get a new routine going.

Make it Your New Thing

For better or worse, in this hyper-connected world, there is always a lot to think about. Taking a step back and changing up your environment and body temperature is a solid way to process everything you have going on, or to just take a break from it all. Swimming cools the body down and enhances brain activity. It can often be neglected as a regular calming method to incorporate into your life. But think about how much more chill the time spent outside of the water can be once you’ve escaped for a while into a cooling, weightless, watery euphoria.

To wring out as much savings as possible from the wet sponge that is our current financial reality, taking a few minutes to organize spending goes a long way.

Saving strategies can fall into three valuable categories: "Splurge" Items (splurge is in quotes because everything in this section is very reasonably priced), Everyday Essential Items, and Future Gifts. Any or all of these strategies can encourage a mature mindset around spending without the threat of having to make any major life changes.

Additionally, from now until the end of Prime Day, daily deals will be in rotation based on your personal taste and needs. Keep a tab open with the link for “Today’s Deals” and check back daily to make sure you don’t miss any new items. The same goes for the Prime Day coupons that are available now through the final hours of the sale. Last, check out this Prime Day Stampcard promotion to save an additional 10 dollars. If you fond yourself confused with all these new saving options, start here.

Prime Day is actually two days. It lasts for 48 hours starting at midnight, Pacific Daylight Time.

Splurge Strategically

The idea of treating yourself or splurging has been stigmatized. Items that fall into this category are often viewed as extra or unnecessary. However, with a basic level of financial awareness, spending money can be guilt-free. Once this spending-stigma is removed, one can focus on what they need to recalibrate and focus on the finer things. In the spirit of taking care of the mind and body, this list of Prime Day picks stay at realistic price points.

Amazon Echo Hack - A great gift of the modern world is the wealth of quality content like streamable music, podcasts, and audiobooks – a lot of which is totally free.  One way to recharge the mind is to tidy your living space while listening to something interesting and exciting. However, it can be hard to follow a podcast or audiobook while moving from room to room. Setting up Echoes around the house makes it much easier to get lost in a super interesting audiobook or podcast, or get energized by the music you adore. After powering through some chores effortlessly, celebrate by taking a lavish bath. (Outside the US: Australia, Canada)

Lavish Bath Supplies On the Cheap - Okay, the house is tidy, and now you're free to immediately surrender to a warm bathtub full of bubbles and any pleasing aroma of your choice. Picking up a pre-made spa kit is a great way to take the bathing game up a couple of serene notches. (Outside the US: AUS, CA)

Pro tip: pair one of the spa kits with some amazing scented candles. (AUS, CA)

Back, Shoulder, and Neck Massager - Not only do massages feel great, the process of getting one is basically the same as meditation. Slowing down and taking the time to make sure the body feels taken care of is a great way to start or end the day. (AUS, CA)

Smart TV - We are in a renaissance of great shows and movies available on all types of specialized streaming services. No matter what size screen fits your household, Prime Day is offering Smart HD Fire TVs for as low as 89 dollars. (AUS, CA)

Sony Portable Speakers - If the Echo isn’t your speed, any of these Sony Speakers will do the trick and they are extremely affordable right now. (AUS, CA)

Air Fryer - So many people are talking about this oil-free way to prepare food. There is no better time to grab yourself an affordable air-fryer than right now. (AUS, CA)

Musical Instruments - Playing music is just as refreshing as meditation and helps keep us sharp… and makes us more interesting.

Click this link for a daily list of self-care items on sale through Prime Day.

Essentials

One of the greatest Prime Day strategies is to stock up on everyday essential items while they are at the lowest prices of the year. Not only are the items below the bare essentials that every household needs, but they also represent the most simple and affordable options out there.

Additionally, there is a great promotion going on right now where 20 dollar Prime Day credit is added to orders of 75 dollars or more.

Quick and Easy Cleaning Process

Not only is cleaning necessary, but it’s a good menial task to help with recalibration and recharging. It can feel daunting, but realistically, getting the house clean is a quick and easy process that can be finished in 2 to 4 steps.

Step One) Dust with a Simple Duster - The quickest way to jump into a rapid and pain-free cleaning spree is to dust all surfaces before sweeping. This particular model is washable too.

Step Two) No Frills Broom and Dustpan (for carpeted rooms, go directly to step four) -  Once the sweeping is done, a cheap and simple broom and upright dustpan are all that's needed to collect fallen debris and dust.

Step Three) Use a Hard Wood Floor Cleaner - The next step is spraying some multi-surface cleaner of your choice, and making a quick pass over hardwood floors.

Step Four) Vacuum - Now that all surfaces are dust-free, a quick pass with any of these name-brand yet very affordable vacuums is all you need.

Other Essential Items

Save on all of these essential Prime Day items:

-   Shower Curtain Liner

-   Plush Towels

-   Kleenex

-   Tool Kits

-   Blackout Curtains

Future Gifts

The combination of approaching holidays and shrinking bank accounts is an unpleasant feeling. Yet gift-giving is just as satisfying for the giver as the receiver. Are you wanting to get ahead of gift buying for holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations like graduations? Below is a list of gifts for the different types of people in your life.

Gifts for…

The Budding Chef - It’s rare to see high-quality cookware at this cheap price.

The New Home Owner - Keep an eye on this page featuring accent pieces for the home. There are many great money-saving opportunities on items like clocks, mirrors, and sconces.

The Stressed-out Friend - Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to draw a bath. Also, some households don’t even have a bathtub. The good news is that Shower Steamers are a quick and easy path to relaxation.

The Friend with Kids - There are a surprising amount of toys available right now for Prime Day. There are all types meant for infants to young adults, even adult adults.

Someone in Need of a Hobby - A hobby can be a solo effort as well as a fun group activity. A simple sewing kit is less than 7 dollars, whereas a fuller kit is still only 20 dollars. Also, think about their unique personality – consider a beer making kit or a tie-dye kit as well.

Friends with Cats - The future of cat toys has arrived with this amazing Automatic Cat Toy.

Friends with Dogs - This outstanding bundle has everything you need and is extremely affordable. Add a foam dog bed for extra credit.

Friends That Live Far Away - Stay in touch with friends and loved ones with good old-fashioned correspondence via the postal service. This stationery kit is all you need to show someone far away that you love them. Pro tip: include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in your first letter to reduce friction on the other end.

Your Valentine - This holiday is a bit more forgiving, but a solid bath kit is never a bad idea.

Saving Strategies are Easy

Amazon keeps building on the past year's savings, and this year is no exception. Using the strategies above and keeping an eye out on the rotating Daily Deals will make sure that no saving opportunity will go unnoticed. When done correctly, Prime Day can be used to prepare and save for the rest of the year.

How does one show appreciation and love for the father figure in their life? Holidays like these can be tough when money is tight. Cut through that mindset by thinking of this holiday–made national not that long ago in 1972–more as an opportunity to create and store some good old-fashioned positive memories.

In order to give a thoughtful gift, some actual thought must be put into the gifting process. Start by thinking about how the dad in your life recharges - in the company of others, or alone? From there, ideas for more personal gifts with loving intentions behind them will emerge. At the core of all thoughtful gift-giving is the quality of time spent, and the memories that are stored away for later.

Quality Time with Food and Fire

Metal Skewers - Skewering foods and methodically cooking them over an open flame is a perfect base for good old quality-time. This gift is meant to supplement a s'mores kit or some nice, skewrable meats. Enjoying each other's company while methodically rotating marshmallows or sausages. Having metal skewers is also a good way to normalize the social and ceremonial side of family.

Chimenea - Speaking of normalizing the consumption of s'mores, as long as safety precautions are taken, a chimenea becomes another good reason to get outdoors, connect, and act like an actual family again. A little decaf coffee after dinner around the chimenea?

Churrasqueira Style Barbecue - This rotisserie-type barbecue from South America is a total sleeper in the United States. Skewered meats and vegetables sit on a frame over wood or charcoal. People gather around and take turns turning the meats while drinking wine and chatting. Once the meat or vegetables are ready, they are passed around in bite-size proportions with chimichurri sauce for dipping. Repeat, all day.

Le Cruset Wine Sleeve - The fact that anything Le Cruset item is under 30 dollars is impressive, making this wine sleeve a great and affordable gift for the epicurean father figure.

DIY Type Gifts

DIY gifting is next level when it comes to showing appreciation for the Pops. It becomes extra special when the gift fits their personal style too. Here are some suggestions, but also, think about your dad's personal taste and interests. What kind of style does he have?

Tie-Dye Shirt Kit - Fun to do together or make shirts ahead of time using Dad's favorite colors.

Home Made Hot Sauce Kit - Same goes for a hot sauce kit, an activity to do with Dad, or you could make a special batch that is personality specific: are they a fan of fruit, or smokey barbecue flavors?

Quality Time and Games

Indoor and outdoor games are perfect for creating new memories, and it's definetly barbecue season. Check out our last blog on Budget Barbecue Essentials, which also double as cool gift ideas.

Pétanque Set - Another great reason to go outside and get into some mellow yet physical activity. This old-school lawn game can be played on almost any terrain infact, in some cases, the more obstructed the better.

Kubb Game - Another fun game meant to be played on a law while the churrasco barbecue is simmering, and the chimenea is spitting out s'mores.

Worse-Case Scenario Card Game - This game is particularly apt when played around a campfire in the wilderness; ironic, like a dad-joke.

Exploding Kittens Card Game - It's impossible to keep from laughing when playing this hilarious game.

Be With Each Other

The most important thing is to connect with the father figure in your life and let them know that you appreciate their efforts. A simple and thoughtful expression might be to throw a simple afternoon party. Maybe even invite friends who might not have a dad. With all these people around, games and food partner well with conversation, catching up, and well-wishes.

“Do I really need to order both tongs and a grill spatula?” There are endless questions like this that price-conscious people ask themselves on a daily basis, subconsciously looking for ways to cut costs. The reality is, tongs are great for snatching big and small chunks of vegetables and meat from and around the grill like Edward Scissor Hands, but don’t allow for the flipping of burgers. In general, a uniform scraping of the essence of grilling, char, is mandatory. Therefore, both are necessary, but one might consider spending grill fork money on a time-saving spice rub...that's where we come in.

Rather than get stuck trying to figure out how to cut cost, but not quality, we have compiled a list of just the essential items that allow anyone to perfectly grill anything, stress-free. Order ala carte or pick the list up in one order, either way, it’s an excellent time to get outside and connect with loved ones and meet new people over some perfectly charred, spice-rubbed pork ribs. It’s officially grill-and-socialize season.

Essential Tools and Hacks

Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill - It's always great when the most affordable option is also one of the most dependable brands. The portability of this grill also opens up a ton of fun options like beach barbeques. For something more substantial, go for the classic Weber.

Aluminum Foil - The obvious use is keeping food just off the grill warm. While a lesser-known trick is tenting food with foil while it is still on the grill - this causes the internal temperature of meats and vegetables to rise quicker, decreasing the chance of burning the outside. Also, a cost-cutting, MacGyver hack is using a ball of foil in place of a grill scraper.

Probe Thermometer - How do you measure the temperature of meat and basically eliminate the chance of anything doneness that's less than perfection? A simple thermometer. This particular model displays the proper temperatures for common meats. Also, it's a multi-functional tool that can be used for liquids and candy recipes, like tempered chocolate.

OXO Grill Spatula and Tongs Set - We don’t need anything too fancy here, but you’d be surprised how many functions are designed into these simple, but mandatory (see above), tools. Also, for grillers trying to take it up to a notch, the OXO line has a ton of straight-ahead BBQ tools.

Towels are not just an eco-friendly way to clean up spills and dust off bits of ash from sizzling zucchini and chicken thighs, but when draped carefully over the top of the hand, they act as a cheaper version of the monofunctional grill glove. These towels are meant to get dirty and live long lives full of stains, so one step above rag is sufficient and cost-effective.

That's it! Get Outside!

Having a tiny grasp of temping meats and acquiring some basic, yet essential, tools help reduce the friction of getting out and barbecuing; and more barbecuing means more happiness. Just grab some charcoal and have the guests bring over something to throw on the grill, potluck style. It’s grill season, a time to take a break and connect with others.

For the second installment of the Camel Book Club, the focus will continue to be on books that serve as a good introduction BACK into reading. For people that already big strong reading muscles in their head meat, take comfort that this list is full of nothing but cunning and intriguing writing.

What Kind of Fiction?

Fiction is a very big genre with many sub-categories: mystery, science fiction, realistic fiction, and metafiction, just to name just a sliver. The suggestions below are not too much of any one category. For example, if there is a bit of dystopia in a book, it is not so much that it will make you paranoid of your neighbors, but just enough to aid the objective of that given story. The road between genres is a non-threatening one full of great books whether they were written yester-decade, or are a new release.

Straight Forward Fiction

"Belly Up" by Rita Bullwinkle - This collection of short stories is sometimes serious, sometimes surreal, always clever, and studded with tons of humor. "Belly Up" is a collection that can satisfy whatever mood you’re in, no matter how long, or short, your attention span is at any given moment.

"Visit From the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan - Jennifer Egan's first book reads like the mind of a people-watcher in a large city, if only they could follow the city-dwellers around like an omniscient fly. The story begins following a single character and blooms into the intertwining lives of several main characters, each worthy of their own novels: a light-kleptomaniac hired to assist a party-friendly music producer a generation her senior, for example. Not to mention, it won the Pulitzer Prize back in 2011. Recommended for appreciators of shows like Fleabag, and Better Things, as well as anyone who digs nostalgia-related shows.

"The First Bad Man" by Miranda July - Currently, any book July puts out is almost guaranteed to be a New York Times bestseller. There's a reason for that: she has a way of appealing deeply to audiences through multiple written-based mediums like screen and print. So what is the appeal? Well, you'll have to read this or any of her earlier works to find out. Recommend to people who are fascinated by social modernity in a non-academic way.

Fiction with a Slight Edge

"Candy House" by Jennifer Egan - The newest book on this list and from a familiar author. For "Candy House," Egan attempts a peppering of dystopia, being inspired by the minds of people like Jaron Lanier. Imagine a world where you are given the opportunity to download all of your memories and exchange some of your memories for access to other people's memories. Would you do it? What if everyone else is and you kind of have no choice? Recommend for fans of the shows "Severance," (of course), and "Black Mirror."

"10th of December" by George Sauders - Another collection of highly entertaining short stories, this book reads like the cooler older sibling of the highly additive show, "Severance." It toes the line of Sci-Fi, Dystopia/Utopia, and Slice of Life. Grounded by sentences that string together so effortlessly, before you know it, you've binged the entire collection. Saunders' writing feels both forever-evergreen and written for the now, simultaneously. This is worth mentioning since "10^th of December" was published almost a decade ago. Studded with a soft Dystopia opposite of Orwell, it comes more from a place of humor and appreciative ruefulness. Recommend for fans of shows like Atlanta, Severance, and readers of David Sedaris, and Kurt Vonnegut.

"The Every" by Dave Eggers - Although it might not feel like it by the end, "The Every," is, in fact, fiction. Taking place in the near future, this patient thriller follows the journey of a brave soul who attempts to tear down a very familiar-sounding company from the inside. Recommended to fans of Shoshana Zuboff's, "The Age of Survallience Capitalism," that need something a bit more wrapped up in a deliverable, and fictive, package. This is a dystopian thriller that's relatively light on the dystopia until it's not.

Back to the Roots

Let's not forget that the origins of Amazon belong in a garage in Silicon Valley, where self-published authors were known to speak to Papa Bezos directly, and have their work featured on a new type of webpage that would grow to be an eCommerce monolith. Despite the wild growth, Amazon still has an amazing selection of books on the cheap, from self-published thrillers to the latest translations of "Beowolf."

Once more, we assembled a team to look at the mountains of data that camelcamelcamel has accumulated over the years. There were certain items that were price-tracked over and over on the days leading up to Mother's Day. So once the Data Lemmings returned from the nooks and crannies of our database, we assembled a list of leads on gifts for the Mother figure in your life.

Frequently Price-Tracked Items for Mother’s Day

Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods are a convenience item. It makes sense why they show up as a frequently priced-tracked item around Mother’s Day. If you decide to grab a pair for the Mom in your life, be sure to show her all of the convenient hacks and Easter eggs.

If you want bonus points, pair the AirPods with an Audible subscription. Or, if Mom is a runner, AirPods make a great companion to the Apple Watch.

Bluetooth Speakers

Like AirPods, bluetooth speakers are a perfect gift for a Mother figure that doesn't abide by the laws of, "Treat yo' self." Audio treats like music, podcasts, and audiobooks create a new vibe and energy where ever they broadcast. Try pairing a bluetooth speaker with a music streaming or audiobook subscription. Some bluetooth speakers are even built to be brought anywhere so you can pair them with items that turn the bathroom into a spa, or hiking accessories.

Most Popular - Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker It’s affordable, waterproof, drop proof, and stays charged for 24 hours. It’s by far one of the cheapest options out there, surprising considering the quality of the sound and overall durability.

Most Versatile - The Echo Line has an almost endless list of mindblowing hacks, especially when paired with Alexa. Use it to set the thermostat or water the lawn. With Alexa, set lights to flash when timers go off and about a million other cool IFTTTs (“If This, Then That”). The Echo is, of course, great for music too, especially when multiple speakers are set up throughout the house. Side note: If you're someone who worries about privacy, you can set it to ensure Alexa is not listening.

Most Compact - The Tribit Stormbox Micro Speaker sounds great, is dustproof, and waterproof, and it clips to your handlebars!

Best Overall Deal - The JBL Flip 5 has great sound, high durability, waterproof fabric, solid charge retention, and the price dips very often. Be sure to set a price tracking alert for this one.

Think Creatively - Envision bringing a bluetooth speaker into the family room for puzzle night. If you want to really tug on the heartstrings, create a playlist or series of playlists that reflect your appreciation for the Mom in your life.

Domestic Gifts That Are Actually Thoughtful

Lodge “Heirloom-Quality” Cast Iron

Unless your Mom is a hobbyist cleaner - we advise against buying a vacuum, or other domestic-related gifts. Having said that, we did notice an uptick in more niche items. If Mom is the type of person that would dig a cast iron pan, chances are cooking is – at least sometimes – a hobby, not a chore.

Instant Pot

Another gift that is not just another cliche “Mom” item happens to be one of the all-time most price-tracked items around Mother’s Day. We thought about how the overall popularity of this product probably played a role in the data we sorted, but let’s face it: Instant Pots are just the bomb. Pressure cook, steam, make rice, or you can even make yogurt. Load it up in the morning with ingredients and set the timer so that when you come home, dinner is already prepared. Digging into our data and other cold numbers, it’s clear that Instant Pots have produced staggering sales for multiple years in a row; they’ve even been responsible for hundreds of cookbooks.

Making meals in the Instant Pot really is as easy as slicing a large chunk of meat in half, adding stock, onions, carrots, celery, and salt at the end– and pushing a button. Or take it up a notch and use fresh fennel and garlic; use dried herbs like coriander, and cumin (bonus points if you buy them whole and grind them by hand or in a spice grinder. Last, add some dijon mustard and dry white wine… and push the button. Do you see where we're going with this?

Celebrate the Unique

Mother’s Day is not about getting a gift that helps the Mom in your life perform “Mom Duties." Think of this holiday as an opportunity to show your love for your Mother figure by re-enforcing a part of them that might have been put aside among the mayhem that is family life. Get sneaky by casually inquiring to them about some enjoyable hobby of yester-decade, or call up an old friend or family member for some clues.