People Share The 'Big Purchases' They Say Were Worth Every Penny

"I was always under the impression that GoPros were more for people who lead way more adventurous lives than I do," says Adam Schubak , growth strategist for the HuffPost shopping team, "but I decided to make the investment ahead of my wedding and honeymoon. I was so happy with the video quality that we ended up using it to record our ceremony in lieu of hiring a videographer. Since then, I take it with me on every vacation and family gathering to capture memories that I can relive at the click of a button."

The Hero12 model can take ultra high-definition HDR photos and videos, but isn't nearly as bulky as other expensive cameras. It's also super durable, able to be dunked underwater down to 33 feet and still deliver high-quality images thanks to the water-repelling lens cover.

Schubak also believes his purchase of a Nintendo Switch was well worth it. "Nintendo has been a staple in my life for as long as I could remember and adulthood hasn't changed any of that. From having at-home date nights with my husband to having intense Mario Kart races against my niece and nephew, playing Nintendo Switch has become a part of my daily routine," he says. "I could write essays about what it has done for my mental health during difficult periods of my life over the past few years. This bundle , which includes the system, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, joy-cons and a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online, is the ideal starter pack for gamers of any age."

If you love cozying up in weighted blankets, shopping writer Haley Zovickian has recommended this weighted hoodie from Thera in previous HuffPost coverage . "The jackets deep pressure melted away my tension and soothed my nerves surprisingly quickly, and it felt like I was wearing a secure, cozy cocoon," she wrote.

"It turns out this cocoon-like feeling is exactly the intended effect: Thera designed the hoodie to feel like a calming hug aiming to reduce cortisol , calm the nervous system and boost oxytocin and serotonin like hugs do. (The jacket is also supposed to help support deeper and more restful sleep.)"

The hoodie comes in five colors in the fleece version and three colors in the minky version, in sizes XS-3XL. An XS weighs eight pounds. It's also available in a kid's size in three fleece colors and one minky color.

"The Litter-Robot may be the best purchase Ive ever made, for the life-changing reason that I have not scooped a single bit of litter since I bought it nearly a year ago," Zovickian says. "To say this has been a quality of life upgrade for me and my cat is a dramatic understatement. I now never interact with cat poop except for when I empty it out every nine days (!), and my cat has a fresh, hygienic bed of litter ready for her use all the time. Its the most precious thing I own besides my kitty.

Yes, its more than I ever anticipated spending on a litter box, but for me, it was worth every penny I paid for it. (Check out my ode to the Litter-Robot here.) If youre curious about how the Litter-Robot works, check out the process in action on TikTok or YouTube . It automatically scoops litter by rotating its inner shell, shaking clumped litter through a filter and depositing the soiled litter in a sealed drawer-like compartment underneath the box (which also effectively and blissfully traps odor)."

HuffPost editorial manager Erin Evans said this 11-piece Calphalon cookware set was still a splurge when she bought it on sale, but she loves it. The set includes a 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, and an 8-quart stockpot, all of which (except the 10-inch fry pan) come with tempered glass lids. The pots and pans are nonstick but metal utensil-safe, oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and even dishwasher-safe to make cleanup easy. It also has a lifetime warranty.

Heads up: The standard set that Evans owns appears to be going fast (so get it while you can), but there's also another version of the set with the same cookware that has MineralShield nonstick technology, making it five times more durable, according to the brand.

One HuffPost editor recommends the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine as a big upfront expense that will pay dividends later, especially if you're someone who's constantly going out to get coffee at coffee shops. By making coffee at home, you can start saving money big time. (Ruane has a similar model from Breville that she uses daily and adores .)

The machine has a pictorial touchscreen, making it easier than ever to choose the coffee drink you want. You can adjust the coffee strength, milk texture and temperature to your preferred settings, then save them as a favorite so the machine remembers them for later. It also heats up in just three seconds and can brew one to two cups at a time. The machine is available in up to five colors. And if this splurge price has you hesitating, save the link for later, because the Barista Touch is known to go on sale sometimes .

A HuffPost editor commends this UPPAbaby stroller for growing with her family. The stroller comes with a water-repellent bassinet for babies up to 20 pounds, and a toddler seat for children from three months to 50 pounds. It also features an under-seat basket that can hold up to 30 pounds, shock-absorbing wheel suspension, a rain shield, bug shield and UPF 50+ sunshade to protect the baby. It's available in up to seven colors and currently has a hard-to-beat average rating of over 4.7 stars at Amazon .

"[It's] so pricey compared to the other types of baby carriers but the Artipoppe baby carrier is worth the price," says HuffPost senior producer Leah Mark. "I have used other ones and they always end up hurting my back and always [need] two people to put it on. With the Artipoppe, I can put it on myself. This weekend, my baby spent about 90 minutes in the carrier at a baseball game and didn't complain at all and my back wasn't hurt."

The Zeitgeist Baby Carrier comes in 34 variants, with options for different colors, materials and patterns.