Growing Up in an Immigrant Household: Saving Smarter, Spending Wiser

Growing up in an immigrant household, saving money was our number one priority. We rarely splurged unless it was Black Friday or the off-season sales. Those habits stuck with me, but over time, I’ve learned that investing in quality items that add value to my daily life is just as important as saving, especially when it comes to tech or other items you use on a daily basis. Here are some of my top picks!

Click on the links to explore some great Black Friday deals – hope you find some good finds! Thanks for dropping by!

1. AirPods ($249 $154)
I rarely leave the house without them. Whether I’m going for a walk, listening to Diary of a CEO, Planet Money, Travel with Rick Steves, or just listening to music, these AirPods help me escape into a different world. They’re incredibly lightweight, and the sound quality is top-notch. Just be mindful of the noise-canceling feature when walking on busy streets or late at night.

2. AirPods Max ($460 $400)
I love my AirPods, but I’ll admit—my friends are obsessed with the AirPods Max. They say it’s the comfort of headphones paired with next-level sound quality. And the colors? So cute. My friend got hers in green. The last time I checked, that color was sold out at Target, so if you’ve been thinking about it, grab them on Amazon while you still can.

3. Amazon Echo Dot ($100 $55)
During college, I was first introduced to smart speakers by Amazon Echo Dot when my friend purchased it for his bedroom. It made home living much smarter. It connects directly to Spotify, Apple Music, and a bunch of other apps, so it’s perfect for setting the vibe—whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or just relaxing. Bonus: it’s super helpful for reminders and random questions like, “When was Ratatouille made?” It can set up a morning and bedtime routine for you as well. Enjoy your little assistant at home!

Smaller version of Amazon EchoDot for your bedroom ($50 $23)

4. Tablet (or iPad) ($350 $250)
This one’s for all the multitaskers out there. When I was in Lisbon, I stayed with a 66-year-old woman from Turkey who lived on her iPad. She used it for everything—booking tour tickets, video chatting, and scrolling Instagram. For me, my tablet is my creative outlet. I use it for Netflix marathons, doodling my next ideas, or just taking some quiet time to read. It’s honestly perfect for staying productive and taking a much-needed break from the noise.

5. Apple Watch ($400 $330)
A mini phone strapped to your wrist. That’s basically the Apple Watch. My friend, who’s a total fitness guru, uses hers to track her steps, workouts, and overall fitness goals. While I don’t have one myself, I’ve find my friends checking notifications without pulling out my phone, setting timers, paying through Apple Pay, or even just tracking activity levels.