I will keep editing this guide with more deals when I see them and if I see them.

If you do plan to
get any of the products, you can try to merge this with Rakuten’s cashback discount.

You can use my signup link and I get a small amount of kickback when you use my referral link.
www.rakuten.com/r/VIJAYV142?eeid=28187
When you sign up on the above link it will give you $40 whenever you will join.
All you need to do is sign up through rakuten and then click on the respective website where
you want to shop. It will automatically show in your account once the cashback hits.

If you are planning to get a laptop or a phone and planning to put it on EMI. Easiest way to do
that is to get a credit card as a lot of you might not have it. This credit card does require SSN in
the US. But doesn’t require any credit history. So make sure to check it out.
Here is the link to Amex Blue Cash everyday card - https://bit.ly/30e4gVS

You can apply for the card and get $250 sign up bonus. American express usually gives you a
virtual card so that you can make purchases starting today and then use their ‘Plan it’ feature to
put the phone on EMI.
Here is a doc which lays out how to apply for this card - Guide to apply for American Express
Blue Cash everyday card

Or let’s say you don’t have a credit card, you can always get a credit card without SSN and get
some more dollars for all the shopping you are going to do.
Here is the link to zolve credit card which will give you a $30 referral when you sign up for them
and also offer you some cash in case you don’t have enough money to shop for blackfriday right
away. You can apply for this card here https://bit.ly/3PNpcu4

1. Earphones
a. Apple earbuds - best wired earphones of all times with amazing mic. $16.99 on
amazon. Basic apple earbuds on Amazon
b. Apple airpods for $79.99 on amazon. - Amazon Apple AirPods link
c. Beats Studio buds $89.99 on Amazon - Cheapest I have seen them yet. beats
studio buds amazon. Right now they are $99.99 but wait until blackfriday and
they will be cheaper.
d. Bose QC45 - Wireless noise canceling headphones. I have been QC35s for 3+
years now and they are one of the best headphones I have used. Bose QC45
$249 + $30 cashback through rakuten . To maximize your discount, signup on
rakuten and then get these so that you get an additional 12% cashback on $249
which will be $30.
2. Iphones
Best deal on the iphone I saw was on Visible by Verizon. This is a company which
comes under verizon but is giving major deals on iphones right now. With any of the iphone 14’s
they are giving out $300 gift card if you move your service to them and also giving out beats
studio buds. If you want to get it on EMI go to the starting of this doc and get the Amex Blue
Cash everyday and put this phone on EMI through the credit card for 15 months. Merge it with
rakuten and it will give you $25 cashback extra.
https://www.visible.com/shop/smartphones/iphone-14-pro/?sku=MQ0J3LL/A

If you don’t want to move your carrier then just buy it from apple’s website but I didn’t see any
deals on the 14. There are deals on 12 and 13.

3. Shoes
In the last 5 years, I have only worn 3 brands. Nike, Vans and Columbia. Columbia were to
winter boots.
Nike Rakuten Link for 12% off.
Nike - just buy shoes from nike.com they are currently running upto 60% off. If you are able to
go to the store, you might find some crazier deals.
Winter boots - Columbia Cheapest Winter boots $59.99
There is an option for $84.99 as well if you can find your size in the above.
Costco have some great options on boots as well starting at $34.99 - Costco Winter boots

4. Laptops
a. Macbook Pro/ Air - Costco has some great deals on Macbooks - Costco
Makebook Pros/Air . Costco has another great feature that you can return the
product in 3 months. The only bad thing about costco is that you can’t use your
amex. So if you are planning to get a laptop on EMI, just go apple.com and get it
from there. Use your amex card or any other credit card which has 0% interest on
EMIs and put your laptop on that.
b. Dell/ Lenovo - both dell’s and lenovo’s website are running 50%-70% off right
now. Use your rakuten account to get additional 15% cashback on both.
c. https://www.newegg.com is another website for good deals on laptops and is
completely legit.
For all apple products - here is an article I found which would be helpful. This for mac, watch
and airpods - https://www.wired.com/story/absolute-best-black-friday-deals-2/

5. Ipads - I am not a big fan of Ipads except for using it as a content machine while
traveling. Only good deals of ipads I really have seen is either on amazon or costco.
Usually Ipads launched a year or two ago are cheaper in most cases. Here is the link to
the cheapest Ipad you can buy - Amazon Ipad Link 10.2" If your soul purpose is to read
books and watch movies this is perfect. If you want to take notes, Ipad pro might be a
good option.
a. You can also check Apple Certified Refurbished Website to get some deals on
good ipads. They also have 90 days warranty just in case something happens. I
have previously bought 2 ipad pros from here and they have been working great.

--------------------------------------------------------

I put together this list quickly of this I have either used before or I am currently using. These
recommendations are mine and I have dropped in some cheaper alternatives as well.
As a student I had no money but if you are working I would recommend getting better quality
things so that you have to buy less as some stuff is just more reliable.

I have put in approximate time I have been using or used a particular product for.

Remember You can use my rakuten referral link and sign up to get some cash back on a lot of
stores other than amazon - www.rakuten.com/r/VIJAYV142?eeid=28187
You will get $40 for just going to the store through rakuten and activating cashback,

Personal EDC

1. Phones (<1 yr) - Currently using iphone 14 pro. I personally thought Iphone 13 was
better with the battery. But definitely not going for the 15 as there have been heating
issues. Just buy this from apple’s website or your service provider
2. Apple Airtag for Keys (~ 2 yr) - Can’t emphasize how many times I have lost my keys
and found it because of this. Plus the airtag comes in handy when we are tracking
luggage while travelling. I would recommend buying the 4 pack if you have an iphone -
https://amzn.to/3tobkNT
3. Favorite Iphone Cover (~3 yr) - Always love the transparent cover. Have to see the
color of the phone through the case - https://amzn.to/3toRbau
4. Preferred Earphones for Apple (~ 1 yr) - https://amzn.to/3PQkHgU These are the
lightning case ones. If you want the USB-C ones they are a bit expensive.
 5. Alternate Earphones for android - https://amzn.to/3tlP5Ih They are a bit expensive
right now but I would wait for the prime big sale or black friday when you can get it for
less than $90.
6. Wired Earphones (~5 yr) - Will do the job - https://amzn.to/46lOvsO
7. Preferred Headphones (4 yr) - Noise cancelling headphones for the win for long flights.
https://amzn.to/3LUpY5P Cheap to replace earpads if needed.
8. Favorite charger for mac and phone for traveling (~ 1yr) - Hands down the best
purchase I have made for travelling as I can charge laptop, Ipad and apple watch with
the same charger - https://amzn.to/3Q7MUkz
9. Favorite charger USB C - https://amzn.to/3POL0np
10. Wallet (~ 3 yr, replaced multiple times) - I have ordered this same wallet in bulk just
because they loosen up over time but still love it due to small footprint -
https://amzn.to/48Nu1Ld
11. Apple airtag keychain - You would need this for your keys or backpacks -
https://amzn.to/3F6JxUP
12. Water bottle
a. Plastic - 1 yr old - For travel and cold weather - keep the bag light -
https://amzn.to/3rHaLye
b. Metal - For summers - 4 years old - Highly recommended - A bit expensive but
highly recommended - https://amzn.to/3Q7NBKH
13. Backpack
a. Current backpack NORHTFACE (1 yr) - Expensive but you can wait for the
blackfriday or prime day for cheaper price - https://amzn.to/3LOEa0f
b. Cheaper backpack recommendation (used for 3 yrs) - Couldn’t find the original
one used but similar to that one Carhart is a good company -
https://amzn.to/48M5EgC
c. Sling bag for lighter travel (~ 2 yr) - Can easily fit tablet and water bottle - really
handly for any travel - https://amzn.to/3ZNMJOD

Watches I currently own and love

1. Apple watch - If you are getting a good deal and love the apple ecosystem get the apple
watch. https://amzn.to/46CSPn9
2. Casio - My cheapest watch - Link
3. Casio - Daily wear for dinner and outings - https://amzn.to/3F6hKDQ
4. Tissot - Favorite dress watch right now - https://amzn.to/3RMnkmx

Current office Setup and Recommendations

1. Standing Desk - https://amzn.to/3LRrPsf This ones a bit expensive but totally worth it if
you work from home a lot.
2. Chair - Recommended from a cousin who bought this recently. I tried it and liked it a lot
for the price - https://amzn.to/3RRNRPo
 3. Keyboard - I have used this one briefly https://amzn.to/46IKdv5 But I don’t use many
keyboards anymore.
4. Mouse - Favorite mouse for personal use - https://amzn.to/46omctG
5. Cheaper mouse alternative - https://amzn.to/3ZMzJZs Used this one for office work
6. Vertical mouse when I was having wrist pain - https://amzn.to/3PLlG1W I have bought
this mouse 3 times already over the period of 5 years
7. Table mat/pad - Get one of these - https://amzn.to/45CW39v Definitely feel nicer to
have it.
8. Table lamp - This one is clamped as my table was smaller earlier but you can get a
table sitting one as well - ​https://amzn.to/3ZOlALn
9. Monitor (personal) - this one is 32” but I am a one monitor person. If you are 2 monitor
person you can go for something smaller like maybe a 27” - https://amzn.to/3PObYM5
10. Monitor (work) 34” - From my company I get this monitor but since it’s mostly in the
office and my site I use it there - https://amzn.to/3F9SH2Y

Kitchen essentials

1. Airfryer for the kitchen - If you have to buy 2 things I would recommend air fryer and a
good mixer for the kitchen. It saves time, plus cooks the frozen stuff really well. You can
check it out here - This one is small but should do a job if you are college student -
https://amzn.to/3ZKQLak
2. Better air fryer if you are planning to invest a bit more - https://amzn.to/3Q615qm
3. Under cabinet LED lights - https://amzn.to/3ROWAla

Smart Home Essentials

I have helped setup a few student apartments over the years and these are my favorite things I
would definitely recommend.

1. Smart Speaker - I would recommend picking one and sticking with it. I personally use
google home the most and have connected most of my lights and switches with it. We
also use smart speaker for white noise during night to sleep.
a. Google Home - Link
b. Alexa - https://amzn.to/3tq2Wxr
c. Apple Homepod (most expensive) - https://www.apple.com/homepod-mini/
2. Smart Lights - I have a mix of philips hue and the cheap alternates at the house
a. Cheap - Works decent - https://amzn.to/48Nf5wG
b. Expensive - Philips Hue - https://amzn.to/46lesbX Good deals during prime day
3. If you can buy apple TV - It elevates your viewing experience by a lot -
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-tv/apple-tv-4k
 4. Wyze Camera - As we have 2 cats, whenever we are out of town we setup cameras to
watch them. I have found wyze camera reliable and affordable - https://amzn.to/3LQBaAt
I have bought 3 of their cameras up until now.

Any Home Essentials

1. Bidet - This is the bidet I have recommended to a lot of people around me and is easy to
install - https://amzn.to/45sYnPX
2. Vacuum - Over the years I got stick vacuum and roomba. Roomba was definitely an
upgrade but totally worth the investment. Especially since it mops the floors as well. With
pets in the house it keeps it really clean.
a. Regular Vacuum - For students
b. Stick Vaccum Cordless - https://amzn.to/3FbEqmh
c. Roborock Roomba - Sweep and Mop - https://amzn.to/3PQoyuo - 100% worth it
if you are working and have pets
3. Trimmer - If you have a beard, I can’t recommend anything better -
https://amzn.to/3F8YHsw