Nov 8, 2026

Worth the Money? Rachel Cruze and George Kamel Rate 13 Life-Changing Products

Almost everything is considered “life-changing” in today’s landscape, from skincare products being recommended by social media influencers to car commercials emphasizing the latest vehicle you can’t live without. But how much of this is true versus what’s overhyped?

In a recent episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, financial experts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel took a deep dive into rating popular life-changing products to see if they’re worth every penny or a total waste of money. As a bonus, some products have been personally purchased by Cruze and Kamel, so they have firsthand experience as to whether they’re worth the splurge or not.

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1. Stanley Cup

Life-changing? Nope.

Remember the Stanley cup, aka the viral insulated tumblers everyone was buying up a few years ago? These tumblers were once so popular shoppers waited in line before stores opened to snag the latest colors before they sold out.

While Cruze and Kamel think the tumblers are well-made, neither considers this drinkware to be particularly life-changing.

2. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Life-changing? It depends.

Cruze said she’s never purchased blue light blocking glasses, which are designed to reduce eye strain while looking at computer screens and other digital device screens. But neither she nor Kamel spends most of their days staring at screens.

Wearing a pair of blue light blocking glasses could be beneficial if you’re in a role where most of your day is spent studying screens. These glasses are also cheap as far as life-changing products go and usually cost $10 to $20 per pair.

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Life-changing? Yes.

High-quality noise-canceling headphones can cost upwards to a few hundred dollars if you’re shopping for brands like Apple. But this is a fairly reasonable price when you consider how much use you’ll get out of each pair.

4. Supplements

Life-changing? It depends.

There are tons of supplements on the market, like AG1 Greens ($79 per month with a subscription). You can also spend $30 for a 60-day supply of supplements or $50 to $60 for a tub of protein powder.

Before you invest in any supplements, Kamel recommends doing some research. Ultimately, how life-changing these products are depends on the supplement, how they’re used and how much it costs. Buy products evaluated by medical professionals for health benefits, not hype.

5. Bidet

Life-changing? It depends.

A bidet is a plumbing attachment to your toilet that promotes healthy hygiene at home. The cost ranges anywhere from $30 to as much as $2,000 depending on the types of features you want your bidet to have in the bathroom.

Cruze and Kamel are split on the bidet as a life-changing purchase. Kamel said it likely is a game changer for people who use it regularly. That said, many households may be more content to keep the restroom tech-free and rely on toilet paper.

6. Robotic Vacuums

Life-changing? It's a matter of perspective.

The cost of robotic vacuums has become attainable over the years. Roombas, for example, are often on sale at Target. Cruze likes robotic vacuums and finds them especially helpful if you have pets who shed a lot at home.

Kamel is not a fan since he feels these devices create more work than they’re able to take care of. “It just feels like you still have to vacuum after it vacuums.”

7. Therapy

Life-changing? Yes.

Both Cruze and Kamel are pro-therapy and believe these sessions are life-changing.

Years ago, therapy was something only the truly wealthy could partake in. Now, the cost of sessions has become a lot cheaper with some insurance plans offering coverage options.

8. Health Apps & Tech

Life-changing? Yes.

Next the pair considered apps pertaining to physical, mental and spiritual health, and biometric tech associated with it.

These apps, and their associated products like Oura Rings, provide helpful information about what’s happening with our bodies. It’s a tough category to do an overall take in, but many of these apps are worth downloading.

9. Apple AirTags

Life-changing? It depends.

Kamel and Cruze are split on the “life-changing” nature of Apple AirTags.

For Kamel, AirTags are a must-have to keep from losing or misplacing precious items. If something happened and your critical belongings, like luggage or car keys, were lost for good, think of all the money you’d need to spend to fully replace these items.

Cruze, on the other hand, said she doesn’t check bags at the airport but understands the value of AirTags for checked luggage. Still, she’s not completely sold on attaching AirTags to her belongings.

10. Portable Chargers

Life-changing? Yes.

Because nothing is worse than being in a situation where your smartphone’s battery has died at the exact moment you need plenty of charge.

11. Athleisure Attire

Life-changing? No.

Let’s not use the phrase “life-changing” to describe athleisure attire. Is it good for increasing the quality of your life? Sure. Overhauling your life completely? Eh, probably not.

12. LASIK Eye Surgery

Life-changing? Yes.

LASIK isn’t cheap (around $1,500 per eye), but it’s a life-changing surgery for correcting one’s vision.

13. Pickleball

Life-changing? Yes.

Is playing pickleball fun? Sure! Cruze said she’s pro-pickleball, especially if you struggle with similar sports like tennis.

It’s also a whole lot cheaper than tennis to play. You can pick up a set of rackets from Target for as little as $10: a cheap price to create memories with friends.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Heather Taylor

Edited by

Brendan McGinley