Life
20 Practical Things Every Grown Ass Man Needs To Own
I'll be the first to admit that I'm very lucky to have an awesome relationship with my parents. Both of them are wonderful people, and I respect them immensely. That being said, neither really fit into traditional gender roles while raising us. For my dad specifically, being a "grown-ass man" didn't mean unfaltering masculinity, lifting weights after bringing home the bacon, or dumping all the childrearing duties on my mom. Quite the contrary, actually.
Yes, he always liked to tinker and fix things, but he also cleaned and did laundry as much as, if not more so, than my mom did. He spent loads of time with both me and my brother — sometimes Legos and sometimes Pretty Pretty Princess — and he made a mean linguine with clam sauce. When it came to things that every grown-ass man should have, it wasn't about tools or aftershave or ties with him. In fact, it wasn't even about "being a man" so much as it was about being a prepared, self-sufficient human who could handle problems when they came up (and the same applied to my mother.
Consequently, if you're a guy who's looking to make his life more ready for adulthood, check out these top essentials that'll have a big effect on the maturity levels of your home, work, and social lives.
1. Your Very Own Plunger (That Actually Works)
G.T. Water Products Master Plunger, $15, Amazon
Quit calling your neighbor or landlord every time you get a clog. The G.T. Water Products Master plunger has an innovative accordion design that offers seven times the displacement of a cup plunger. It works on everything from toilets to sinks, and reviewers say, "I have never used a better toilet plunger in my life."
2. An Organized Way To Charge All Your Devices
NEXGADGET Universal Charging Station, $40, Amazon
If you're currently living in an orgy of wires and never seem to have enough outlets, the NEXGADGET universal charging station is the answer. It's got six extra USB ports, slots to hold your phone, tablets, and e-readers, and interior cable storage to stop things from getting tangled.
3. A High-Quality Set of Matching Towels
Superior Bamboo Cotton Towels, $35, Amazon
That awkward moment when a houseguest uses your shower and you hand them your childhood Aladdin beach towel. Because these Superior Bamboo Cotton Towels are made from 40 percent rayon, they're insanely soft, absorbent, and durable. They also come in ten different colors, and each set has two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths.
4. The Right Tools To Dig Yourself Out Of An Auto-Related Hole
Top Gear Premium Roadside Assistance Kit, $36, Amazon
The next time your car breaks down for whatever reason, you'll be prepared with the Top Gear premium roadside assistance kit. It's got 66 essential pieces, including a booster cable, first aid kit, electrical tape, work gloves, tools, and a safety vest. Best of all, everything fits in the handy storage case with room to spare.
5. This Convenient Way To Make Real Meals
Crock-Pot Digital Slow Cooker, $49, Amazon
If you think you don't have the time or the skills to cook actual meals, think again. Just throw all your ingredients into the Crock-Pot digital slow cooker, set a temperature and a time, and come home to a warm meal. This one's got epic features, like an automatic stirrer and a warming-once-cooked setting, and it's safe and easy to clean.
6. A Reliable Moisturizer That's Good For You
Brickell Daily Essential Moisturizer, $35, Amazon
The notion that soft skin is for women is pretty outdated, so do yourself a favor and don't skimp on the skin care — treat yourself to a high-quality pick that you'll want to use in the morning and at night every day. This Brickell daily essential moisturizer has all natural ingredients, like jojoba oil and green tea, and guys absolutely love it because it's hydrating, non-greasy, and smells great.
7. A Classy Way To Serve Your Liquor
Etched Globe Spirits Decanter with Matching Glasses, $66, Amazon
If you're still entertaining with Solo cups and mismatched shot glasses, it's time for an upgrade. This elegant etched globe decanter with two matching glasses is handcrafted to perfection, actually moves on its wooden axis, and adds a classy element to any room or gathering.
8. Hangers That Match (And Actually Hold Onto) Your Clothes
Home-it Black Velvet Hangers, $21, Amazon
A college closet often looks like a rainbow of plastic hangers. A grown-ass man has hangers like these Home-it black velvet ones. They come in a pack of fifty, are durable, strong, and flexible, and are coated in a soft material that provides an anti-slip guard against your clothes.
9. This Lantern To Help You Handle Emergencies
Qooltek Multifunctional Emergency Lantern, $25, Amazon
The Qooltek multifunctional emergency lantern can be cranked, recharged, powered by solar energy, or used alongside batteries. The lantern itself has two levels of LED brightness, an FM radio and emergency siren, and a power bank to charge your cell phone in a power outage.
10. Take Professional-Level Photos Directly On Your Phone
VICTONY Professional 2 in 1 Phone Lens, $25, Amazon
The VICTONY professional 2 in 1 phone lens gives you extremely impressive camera quality without needing to carry around all that bulky equipment. Simply clip one of the lenses onto your smartphone and enjoy wide-angle views or magnified photographs, and since they’re durable, high-quality, and won’t scratch your phone, people are saying, “This phone Professional HD Camera Lens Kit is amazing!”
11. This Handy And Reliable Wallet For Emergencies
Timberland Leather Wallet with Phone Charger, $30, Amazon
It's time to leave the Velcro behind. A grown-up wallet is a must, but this Timberland leather wallet is mature and super functional. It's made from genuine leather, and comes with a backup charging pack for your iPhone or Android that fits right inside.
12. This Journal For Organization And Goal-Setting In Every Area Of Your Life
BestSelf The Self Journal, $35, Amazon
The Self Journal is the number one bestselling planner because it breaks down your tasks into 30-minute intervals so you can set your day and prioritize your skills. Not only does it help you set goals, but it lets you organize a road map to reach them, and reviewers are saying things like, "If you are looking to not only stay organized but achieve goals in your life, this is perfect."
13. Prevent Swamp Crotch And Monkey Butt With This Killer Combo
NO SWEAT BUNDLE! with Anti-Monkey Butt Powder, $17, Amazon
Ideal for activities like biking, construction, and horse riding, there’s the NO SWEAT BUNDLE!, complete with Anti-Monkey Butt Powder and Fresh Balls lotion. The powder is formulated with absorbent ingredients and calamine to keep you dry and comfortable, and the lotion ensures that you’re fresh and chafe-free. “This bundle pack has been a life changer and a life saver,” says one happy guy. “Best product on the market for swamp crotch.”
14. This Foolproof Way To Start A Fire Anywhere
Light-a-Fire Fire Starters, $18, Amazon
Whether you're dealing with a barbecue or bonfire, Light-a-Fire comes with 30 all-natural pods that burn for 15 minutes, eliminating the need for kindling or chemicals. Since they're totally safe, as well as made from wood and wax, they can even be used alongside food without affecting the taste.
15. This Simple But Genius Tool To Simplify Your Facial Hair Grooming
The Groom Buddy Styling Template, $13, Amazon
For beards, hairlines, mustaches, goatees, sideburns, and necklines, there’s the Groom Buddy styling template. It’s lightweight, portable, and flexible, but specifically designed to give you any curve or angle you need while styling your facial hair. It allows for a barber-fresh look every time, and one guy says it’s so safe and foolproof, “I even used it on my little dogs for quick little trim ups.”
16. An Easy Plant To Keep Alive For Beginners
Natures’s Blossom Sow and Grow Bonsai Tree Kit, $25, Amazon
So you're not ready for kids or a dog, but you want to add a little more responsibility into your routine. There's this Natures’s Blossom Sow and Grow Bonsai tree kit, which comes with everything you need to grow four different kinds of Bonsai trees from seeds. They're a great way to make your space a little fresher and trendier, and reviewers say they're easy to keep alive even without a green thumb.
17. This Reusable Easy-To-Clean Mat For Your Grill
Non-Stick BBQ Grill Mat, $8, Amazon
Keep your grill clean and stop food from falling through the cracks with this non-stick BBQ grill mat. It can be used for indirect cooking on gas, charcoal and electric grills, and since it’s easy to clean and totally reusable, you can cook everything from vegetables to eggs without any hassle at all.
18. This One Easy Step To A Dust-Free Floor
ILIFE Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $180, Amazon
A clean floor is a good indication that you've got your stuff together, but if you're not gonna get down there and clean it yourself, consider investing in an ILIFE Robot Vacuum Cleaner. It's one of the best models out there — and for a wildly good price, at that — because it's got tangle-free sensors to navigate your space and a battery life of up to 150 minutes. It also docks and charges by itself, and works on multiple different surfaces.
19. The Dapper Way To Travel With Power
ECEEN Solar Charging Backpack, $50, Amazon
If you're still showing up to weekend getaways with your clothes in a plastic bag, consider the ECEEN Solar Charging Backpack. It's a stylish yet practical travel backpack that comes with removable solar panel strip, so you can even charge your devices during hikes, camping, and emergencies where no outlets are available.
20. Chill Individual Beers Immediately Without Watering Them Down
Corkcicle Chillsner Beer Chiller, $20, Amazon
This pack of two Corkcicle Chillsner beer chillers keeps your beer frosty without watering down your drink the way ice would. Simply freeze them before use, pop them into a warm beer, and push in to create a tight seal. Then you drink through the top, pulling the beer through the chilling device as you do so.
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