What I’d Buy Again: My Favorite Amazon (and Off-Amazon) Buys as a Creative Business Owner & Mom

Running a creative business from home while raising two kids (and moving every few years as a military family) means I lean hard on the tools and products that make life easier, and skip the ones that don’t.

Over the past few years, I’ve tried more Amazon finds than I can count. Some were total flops... but some? Total game-changers. From party supplies to ADHD-friendly tools and mom-life hacks, these are the products I’ve bought and would buy again in a heartbeat.

Whether you're shopping during Prime Day or just looking to make your life a little smoother, I hope this list helps you find your next favorite too.

 

🖥️ Office & Business Tools I Actually Use

Running Janie and Max means I spend a lot of time designing, writing, and managing digital products and print-on-demand listings, even though I don’t physically ship anything myself (shoutout to Printful + Printify!).

Here are a few tools that have truly helped me stay organized and sane:

• Bluetooth Label Maker: I use this to label all our tech cords and cables, crafting supplies, as well as folders for taxes. Worth every penny.
• Fireproof File Folders: My go-to for keeping everything organized - from tax forms and business records to priceless treasures like my kids’ artwork. They’re compact, secure, and give me total peace of mind.

• Wireless Mouse: The laptop touchpad wears my fingers out fast - this wireless mouse saves my hands and my sanity when I’m deep in Canva or editing listings. And it's got a silent click!

• Zipper Mesh Pouches: Whether it’s tools for my business, chargers for travel, or crayons for the kids, these zipper mesh pouches help me keep it all organized and easy to grab.

• Cute Notebooks: A cute notebook just makes jotting down ideas, to-do lists, and even phone call notes feel way more fun.
• Favorite Pens: The Uniball 207+ quickly became one of my favorite pens - so good, I actually stole it from my husband when he brought one home from work. It writes ridiculously smooth, dries fast, and somehow makes even my messy handwriting look better. Sorry, babe... it’s mine now.

🖥️ Office & Business Tools On My Wishlist

• Standing Desk Riser: This would help me get on my feet but still stay productive when my ADHD needs me to move!
• Clicker Remote Ring for Photos: I’ve got my eye on this to make taking lifestyle and mockup shots for social a whole lot easier (and less awkward!).
• Second Monitor: I’ve been eyeing a second monitor to connect to my laptop — having extra screen space would make designing in Canva so much easier (and way less squinty).

🧺 Mom-Life Helpers I’d Buy Again in a Heartbeat

Between school and summer schedules, ju jitsu and wrestling practices, cleaning routines, and trying to build a business during daylight hours, I need all the help I can get! These are some of the Amazon finds that actually help me juggle it all (mostly) without losing my mind:

• Meal Prep Containers: These make it easy to batch meals for the week - breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for both me and the kids. They also help me stay mindful of getting enough protein and not going overboard on carbs.
• Drawer Dividers: Perfect for keeping my kids' dressers organized!
• Giant Chalkboard: It’s the ultimate reset button for our week. I can erase and rewrite as often as our routine changes, which is basically always.
• Lenovo Tab P12: My Lenovo Tab P12 is my ultimate multitasking tool - I use it with Mango Display to show the kids’ chore charts and our daily schedule, plus it doubles as my on-the-go workstation when I’m designing or checking off to-dos.
• AirPods Pro 2: I swore I’d never own AirPods (I’ve washed and dried too many cheap earbuds to count), but now that I have them? Total game-changer - the reminders, the noise canceling, everything is worth it.
• AirPods Ear Hooks: These really help with keeping my AirPods secure in my ears, no matter what I'm doing!

🧺 Mom-Life Helpers On My Wishlist

• Garmin Bounce: My kids are getting more independent, but I’m just not ready to hand them a phone. This smartwatch lets them message with approved contacts, share their location, and check in without the distractions (or risks) of a full smartphone.
• Sand Remover: On my beach-day wishlist because no matter how hard we try, the kids somehow bring half the beach home with them. These help brush off the sand before it ends up in the car, the house, or my washing machine.
• Sunscreen Applicator: Because no one wants sticky sunscreen globs stuck between their fingers (especially when you're already sandy at the beach).

🧠 Wellness Tools That Support My ADHD + PCOS

Living with both ADHD and PCOS means I’ve had to get really intentional about managing my energy, hormones, and stress levels. These are a few tools and products I’ve stuck with because they work for me:

• Ovasitol Supplement: Game-changer for managing blood sugar and hormone regulation. I take it daily.
• Spearmint Tea: A calming ritual that also helps with hormone balance and excess androgens.
• Loop Earplugs: For sensory overload or just lowering the background chaos. I have multiple pairs so that I always have them on hand!
• Fidget Ring: These look cute and keep my hands busy during calls or while planning.
• Compact Digital Scale: Helps me hit my protein goals and keep my carb portions in check - simple, fast, and super accurate. And also folds up for storage no matter the size of my current kitchen!
• Brooks Glycerin 22 Running Shoes: A total game-changer! Super comfy, supportive, and perfect for getting my walks in without sore feet or ankles slowing me down.
• Electrolyte Mix: Helps with energy, hydration, and cravings.
• Weighted Vest: Adds just enough resistance to turn everyday walks into a sneaky strength workout - without slowing me down.
• Daily Protein Shake: LyfeFuel is my go-to daily shake - packed with clean, plant-based nutrients that support my energy, hormones, and focus without any junk.

🎖️ Military Life Must-Haves

Military life comes with constant change — new homes, new routines, new everything. These are a few items that help keep our family organized no matter where we’re stationed:

• Light Switch Label Stickers: IYKYK! These save our sanity after a PCS. I can label switches in our new house so no one is flipping every switch to figure out which one turns on the hallway light.
• Zipper Binder: For keeping important paperwork like EFMP docs, school records, and medical files easily accessible during moves.
• Command Hooks: A rental-friendly way to organize without damaging walls or doors.
• Battery Organizer: Because you'll absolutely need batteries the day after unpacking and can never find the right ones.
• Daddy Dolls: Not on Amazon, but a comforting way for kids to stay connected during deployments - a soft, huggable photo reminder of the parent they miss most.
• Privacy Window Film: A renter-friendly way to block visibility without losing natural light - perfect for base housing or any room that needs a little more privacy.
• Mag-Safe Portable Battery Bank: Keeps my phone charged on the go - no cords, no fuss, just snap and power up!
• Mag-Safe Phone Wallet: Not on Amazon, but this wallet keeps my ID and cards right on my phone - no purse needed, just grab and go!
• Kids' Growth Chart: Perfect for military life - easy to roll up and take from house to house, so we never miss a milestone.

🐾 Catification Must-Haves

Our two cats, Link and Zelda, are part of the family, which means I’ve added a few Amazon finds to make our space more cat-friendly without sacrificing function or style. These are our favorites:

• Litter Genie: Total game-changer for keeping odors under control and cleaning quick.
• Water Fountain: Encourages our cats to drink more water (and it’s actually cute on the counter).
• Automatic Feeder: Keeps them fed on time, even when our schedule’s chaos.
• Wall-Mounted Shelves: Adds vertical space without cluttering the floor.
• Adhesive Cat Scratch Mats: We’ve saved so many chair legs with these.
• Cat Tree: we have the perfect spot by the front window of our living room and they love playing and sleeping in this cat tree!

🐾 Catification Items On My Wishlist

• Cozy Window Perch: I know our cats would love this in a sunny spot!
• Hidden Litter Box Furniture: I love the idea of these but I know how finicky cats can be about change!
• Desk-Mount Cat Beds: Anyone else's cats love to walk right across their work space and keyboard?

Whether you're juggling creative work, mom life, military moves - or all three like me - the right tools can help, and a little help can go a long way! These are items I've tried, loved, or added to my wishlist because they genuinely make life a little smoother, more joyful, or just plain easier.

If you found something helpful here, I'd love to hear about it! And if you have a favorite Amazon find you think I should try, drop it in the comments or message me on Insta @janieandmaxco.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly use, love, or have on my wishlist. Thanks for supporting Janie and Max. 💛

Happy Prime Day, and happy organizing, creating, and catifying! 🛍️✨