Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last.
Every time the new year rolls around, I start to rethink my entire existence. Instead of setting a few realistic resolutions, I head straight to Pinterest in search of grandiose ways to overhaul my life. Maybe this will be the year I learn how to ski, despite the fact that I live in Manhattan and am terrified of ski lifts.
But in 2026, I’m trying something different: setting small goals that I can actually make stick. If you’d like to do the same, I’ve enlisted the help of the Filter US’s archives, combing through our expert-vetted products and advice to help you get a jump on five feasible resolutions for the new year.
I want to: cook more at home
Did Uber Eats make a regular appearance on your credit card bill in 2025? Or perhaps, dining out was among your top spending categories.
If you’d like to prepare more meals at home in 2026, we’ve recommended some kitchen staples to get you started, including this rice cooker, loved by pro chef Kiki Aranita, and a blender that does more than make a great smoothie.
You might also consider picking up a few versatile cooking tools, such as this fish spatula, which lends a helping hand for everything from pan sauces for weeknight dinners to perfectly fried eggs (and yes, fish too).
To cut down on food waste and make every dollar of your grocery bill count, we’ve also shared our favorite glass food containers to preserve your leftovers.
More cooking recommendations:
I want to: get a good night’s rest
One of my 2026 goals is to improve my sleep; if you, too, have found yourself envying your friend’s perfect sleep score on their Oura ring, there are a few swaps you can make to set yourself up for a better night of rest.
Over the past few months, we’ve asked our contributors for their recommendations, and they have suggested everything from a supportive pillow made of memory foam to a sleep mask that just so happened to be one of your favorite products of 2025.
More sleep recommendations:
I want to: try a new way to sweat
A fitness routine doesn’t have to look like an overpriced pilates class or lifting heavy weights at the gym.
If you’d like to make working out a regular part of your life in the new year, you might not even need to leave your house. For an easy at-home set-up, try this pair of weights or an aerobic step platform. Consider this durable yoga mat that lasted one of our contributors for a decade of practice.
More fitness recommendations:
I want to: spend more time with loved ones
Whether you’re envisioning a social calendar full of dinner parties or hope to host more family gatherings, start simple.
Board games, like Bomb Busters, are an affordable activity to bring your family together. If you’d prefer something on the calmer side, we also tested a variety of jigsaw puzzles, recommending Ravensburger as the very best.
If you’re planning to have more people over in the new year, consider picking up an affordable set of wine glasses, a pair of smart bulbs and a Dutch oven as you level up your hosting game.
More hosting and game recommendations:
Best of: laundry stain removers
When I put on a white T-shirt, I want to convey that I’m effortlessly chic. But that’s a little hard to do when there’s coffee splatters all over it.
As it turns out, stain removers are the affordable hack I’ve been missing out on. To find which ones actually work, we asked self-proclaimed messy eater Jenny McGrath for help. She did our dirty work for us (literally), sacrificing 14 white t-shirts while testing laundry stain removers from common outfit ruiners, including ketchup, coffee, lipstick, mustard, and red wine.
New Year’s advice: products to create little rituals
In the dark gloom of January, I depend on my morning cup of coffee (even if I do end up spilling it all over my work clothes) and my nighttime routine (which sadly hasn’t cured my chronic lack of sleep) to keep me sane. It’s more than an excuse to purchase a luxuriously soft blanket and fancy bag of coffee beans; these products create small pockets of happiness in my daily routine.
If you’re searching for tiny ways to elevate your everyday life, Filter US contributor Julia Skinner shared her most-loved items, such as a high-quality matcha powder for an afternoon energy boost and a genius hack to turn your bathroom into an at-home spa.
Get outside: winter running staples
If you’re hoping to pick up running in the new year, you don’t need to wait for the weather to warm up to get started.
Recently, I shared a few of my favorite winter running staples that keep me warm, including a soft pair of gloves and a long-sleeve shirt that’s lasted me for years.
And if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warm and sunny year-round, I’ve also highlighted a pair of year-round favorites, including a cushiony pair of running shoes that have dethroned my tried and true Hokas.