5 Things That Are Actually Worth The Money in 2026

By: Jools Dembo

Recently on social media, everyone is sharing the things that they believe are worth the money. From expensive pillows to beauty products, everyone has their things that they’ll splurge on, including myself. These are the five things that I think are worth every penny.

AMC A-List

I have watched 28 movies in the theater this year. Somewhere like New York City, theaters often charge $20 for one movie in a standard format. That means I would have spent at least $560 on movie tickets, not including upcharges for premium formats like IMAX. AMC Theaters has recently increased their A-List membership price from $27.99 to $29.99 but even if I had been paying that price all year, I would have spent around $210 total on my subscription. Currently, each movie that I have seen ends up being around $7.50. As someone who loves going to the movies, I cannot talk enough about what a great deal AMC A-List is. Aside from up to 4 free movies a week, you also get rewards, free size upgrades, and of course, feeling special every time Nicole Kidman comes on the screen.

At Home Gel Nail Supplies

For about a year now, I have been doing my own nails at home. What started as just an inexpensive lamp and a light blue gel polish has turned into my own at home nail salon. Not only does it save me so much money to purchase the products myself, but it’s also so much fun to learn how to do these things myself. I am definitely not nearly as skilled as professional nail techs (and yes, I did go get a manicure for my birthday), but I love having the ability to give myself a gel manicure when my disposable income is limited.

Hatch Alarm Clock

As the antithesis of a morning person, my Hatch Alarm Clock has truly changed my life. Not only has it helped me wake up more easily, but it also helps me fall asleep. The “Sunrise Alarm” feature helps me wake up naturally and I love that it is customizable so that you can set the duration of your sunrise. At night, I love winding down with the large library of lighting and sounds. The best part is that I wake up every morning to the dulcet tones of Ian Stirling saying “Good Morning, Islanders!”

Kindle Unlimited

Anyone who knows me knows that wherever I go, my Kindle goes. For the genres that I love, (Romance, Thrillers, Romantasy, etc.) Kindle Unlimited is absolutely worth it. With a catalogue of over 4 million books for only $12.99 a month, I can’t imagine a future in which I don’t pay for Kindle Unlimited. 17 of the 37 books that I have read this year have been on Kindle Unlimited which currently equals around $5 per book.

Nuuly

I truly don’t know how I went so long in life without a Nuuly subscription. For $98/month, you can pick out 6 items to rent from premium brands like Free People, Rachel Antonoff, Guizio, For Love & Lemons, and so many others. If you love an item, you can also purchase it at a discounted price. Nuuly has saved me so much money on outfits for specific events, and also has helped me curb my shopping addiction. Another perk is that it is a low commitment way for me to try different things and experiment with my style. My 6 items this month would have been $863 for me to purchase them all at full price and instead, I didn’t even pay $100.