7 Commuters on the Cheap Amazon Buys That Save Them So Much Money
It doesn’t matter if you’re behind the wheel or sandwiched in between two people on the subway: Commuting certainly isn’t the most glamorous (or fun) part of our days. Especially if you’re trying to juggle a travel jug of iced coffee, your smartphone, and leak-prone containers. What’s the alternative, though? Spend a small fortune getting lunch at a deli? No thanks!
We asked real commuters to wax poetic about the must-have buys that make packing lunch (and coffee! And snacks!) a million times better. Not only will these things improve your mornings, but they’ll also help out your bottom line.
“I love my bkr water bottle for so many reasons. It’s made of thick glass, which I was initially nervous about, but it has withstood every bang and drop — it’s even taken a tumble on some New York City streets and survived. The silicone sleeve comes in a number of colors and styles, and cleaning the thing is a breeze. I’m lucky to have a dishwasher, so I run it through a cycle a few times a week and it’s perfect.” — Melissa, 27
“My PackIt freezable lunch bag is the envy of all my colleagues. I never have to go near the never-cleaned communal fridge at work because I bring my lunch in its own refrigerator. You throw the bag in the freezer at night, pack your lunch up in the morning, and you are good to go. Don’t have time to eat your yogurt? It’ll still be cool when you get back home.” — Liz, 32
3. YETI Rambler 20-Ounce Tumbler, $30
“I bought my first Yeti two years ago for my commute, and it’s the best travel mug I’ve ever owned. The lid sits tightly so it never spills, and I use it for hot and cold beverages. It insulates so well that, if I forget my coffee in my car, it’s still warm by the time I get home. My Yeti holds up in the dishwasher too. It looks as good as new, which is impressive considering I use it every day!” — Deb, 27
4. Bentgo Salad Lunch Container, $15
“This container was especially helpful during my Whole30 period because it made eating salads much more enjoyable. I love that I can separate the dressing and my salad toppings from my greens. Even though I prep my salads the night before, nothing gets soggy by lunch hour the next day. Plus the container is comes in multiple colors, so it makes it easy to find when you’re digging through the communal office fridge.” — Christina, 32
“I love this cup because I can take my morning drink on the go. Plus, there are a lot of places that give discounts if you bring a reusable cup, so I’ll bring it if I need a second cup later in the day.” — Stephanie, 28
6. Gorlos Canvas Tote Shoulder Bag, $13
“I have a tendency to pack my entire life with me wherever I go — and the office is no exception. I’m never just carting around a container full of food; I’m lugging around my workout clothes for a post-work sweat, a reusable water bottle, books, so many things! (If I have everything with me, I will never have to buy anything in a panicked pinch!) I usually trot around the tote from my co-working space, but I have my eye on these sweet styles from Gorlos. Being a ‘bag lady’ has never been so stylish.” — Kelsey, 27
7. Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, $19 for 10-piece set
“I bought these after reading rave reviews on a Kitchn story and they were not exaggerating. I also bought these AFTER a far inferior container leaked soup all over my laptop. If I had bought these in the first place, I would have saved SO MUCH MONEY.” — Kate, 35