7 splurges CNBC Make It staff thought were ‘worth the money’

Fact #1: Until recently, I hadn’t owned a rain jacket since middle school. The parachute team is here. But walking my dog ​​in the rain, with a leash in one hand and an umbrella in the other, is a tough juggle.

Fact #2: When I decide to buy something new, I research my options. Maybe too much. However, that’s how I ended up with the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket. They retail for $179, but I got one from Worn Wear (Patagonia’s used gear website) in excellent condition for $107, plus $7.50 shipping.

My first impression was negative. It felt like all the skinny arms were designed for Michael Phelps. Then, when I narrowed the sleeves, they somehow instantly fit — a feeling I found replicated with the waistband and hood as well. Even in heavy rain, my upper body was no longer wet. If only I could say the same to my dog.

—Cameron Albert Deitch, Success Editor

I’m not a “glass skin” skincare girl — I’m a pale, acne-prone skin girl who’s desperate for sunscreen that won’t break out on me.

In May, after a popular sunscreen brand teased a two-month run of oil on my forehead and chin, I splurged on Lion Pose’s AHA serum at Sephora for $79. Do I know what AHA means? Absolutely not. But I heard that the product reduces scars, redness, and dark spots on acne-prone skin, and I decided to try it. It cleared up my dry, patchy skin so quickly that I went straight back to the brand’s Mineral Sunscreen, which retails for $40 at Sephora. Formulated with women of color in mind, this sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast and acts as a primer under makeup. Plus, he kept the redhead’s fair-skinned beach bag going all summer long.

— Megan Sawyer, Success Reporter

Anyone who said money can’t buy happiness has never lived in an apartment without a dishwasher and wanted one so bad. I recently caved and purchased a Hava countertop dishwasher, which is small enough to fit under my kitchen cabinets, but large enough to fit four place settings.

Setup is simple and straightforward: plug it in, feed the outlet hose into the kitchen sink, fill the water tank via a jug or hose connected to the tap, add detergent and let it run. I’ve always had clean dishes after a quick 29-minute wash, and longer cycles last over an hour. New models are on sale for $279.99, and you can get a refurbished version (running like new) for a discounted price of $199.99.

-Jennifer Liu, Senior Business Reporter

I used to really hate wearing glasses for long periods of time. I felt like I was constantly pushing them up from sliding down my face. But last year, I learned about Covery, an Asian American-owned eyewear brand made to fit the lower bridge of the nose. Their distinctive “high” frames are placed higher on the nose and away from the cheekbones. (If you’ve ever gotten glasses marks on your cheeks or mascara on your lenses, you’ll understand how important this is.)

I was able to order five pairs to try at home for $10, and that credit was applied to my later purchases. Frames start at $105, and my lenses totaled $195. The frames were such a game changer that I ended up ordering sunglasses from them too.

-Jennifer Liu, Senior Business Reporter