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Home & Garden

16 things you need to get back into your post-summer routine

Goodbye vacation, hello busy schedule.

Fall Credit: Nespresso

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The start of September means the end of lazy beach days and last-minute getaways—and the return of stricter, busier routines. And while the adjustment can be a little rough (unfortunately most workplaces don't support "fall Fridays"), these products can help make the transition a little bit easier.

From a must-have organizer to the best fitness tracker, you can get them all on Amazon, so you can make it through your new post-summer schedule (or at least try to) with just one click. You're welcome.

1. Our number one affordable espresso maker

Espresso
Credit: Reviewed.com/Betsey Goldwasser

Like your own personal barista.

Reviews: 724 Rating: 4.2 stars

Think coffee is going to cut it? Yeah, right. While we love our trusty drip coffee makers, sometimes you need something a little stronger—like an espresso. This espresso maker from De'Longhi earned the title as our best value single-serve espresso machine because it can make your favorite, strongest, most caffeinated drink with just the push of a button—without spending too much.

Get the De'Longhi Lattissima Plus Espresso for $299.96

Planner
Credit: Panda Planner

Keep track of everything from your daily tasks to long-term goals.

Reviews: 4,473 Rating: 4.3 stars

I would be lost without my planner. Seriously, my life would be even more of a mess than it already is. This one, designed for the ambitious goal-getters out there, is one of our favorite planners of 2019. With more than 4,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, people claim it has helped them with time management, productivity, and even positive motivation.

Get the Panda Daily Planner for $24.97

3. These containers to help you meal prep

Meal Prep
Credit: Prep Naturals

Lunch, solved.

Reviews: 2,047 Rating: 4.4 stars

You probably start September with every intention of eating nutritious, homemade lunches every day. But after a few weeks—or even a few days—the temptation to eat out for the fourth day in a row is just too much. Stay on track and make lunch-packing easier with these meal prep containers that are highly recommended by our kitchen and cooking writer, Valerie. You can use them to store leftovers or whip up big batches of food for the week on Sunday.

Get the Prep Naturals Glass Meal Prep Containers for $27.99

4. An alarm clock that mimics the sunrise

Light
Credit: Philips

Rise and shine.

Reviews: 4,439 Rating: 4 stars

Waking up before the sun is hard to do, but this light and alarm clock combo makes it a little easier. It simulates the natural and gradual light of the sunrise so you won't be awoken by harsh fluorescent lights. Reviewers like that it comes with relaxing alarm sounds and adjustable brightness settings.

Get the Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock for $107.56

5. This charger you can wear on your wrist

Bracelet
Credit: Auzev

Part fashion, part function.

Reviews: 282 Rating: 4 stars

Dead phone? Ain't nobody got time for that. Whenever your battery runs low, just plug your device into the nearest outlet or portable charger with this lightning cable bracelet. Positive reviewers say it's both comfortable and convenient and has saved them many times while they're out and about.

Get the Auzev Lightning Cable Bracelet for $14.99

6. This calendar that sticks right to your fridge

Calendar
Credit: Cinch!

Never miss an appointment again.

Reviews: 1,187 Rating: 4.7 stars

While a planner can help you keep track of your own life, if you have kids or a significant other, you'll need a master calendar to help juggle everyone's busy schedules. This magnetic one has more than 1,000 5-star reviews because it's a dry erase calendar, so you can easily wipe things off as plans change, and it's the perfect size for the whole family to use.

Get the Cinch! Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar for $16.99

7. Our favorite fitness tracker

Fitbit
Credit: Reviewed.com/Jackson Ruckar

The Charge 3 also has sleep tracking now.

Reviews: 4,954 Rating: 3.4 stars

You spent summer lounging poolside sipping frozen margaritas. But now that it's fall, it might be time to get back into your exercise routine. Start incorporating more movement into your day with our experts' go-to fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 3. Not only is it waterproof and easy to use, but it also has an incredible battery life (a full charge can last up to 10 days).

Get the Fitbit Charge 3 for $139.9 7

8. This busy morning game-changer

Rack
Credit: Prepac

It comes in 4 different finishes.

Reviews: 307 Rating: 4 stars

With backpacks, lunches, coats, after-school sports equipment, and homework, trying to get everyone out the door in the morning is a serious struggle. But with this clever storage bench, which has 15 shoe cubbies and hooks for all of the things, you can prepare everything the night before instead of rushing in the morning. According to users, the rack is a cinch to put together and has plenty of storage space.

Get the Prepac Storage Hall Tree for $169.99

9. These trendy blue light blocking glasses

Glasses
Credit: Gamma Ray Optics

Keep your eyes happy and healthy.

Reviews: 4,971 Rating: 4.4 stars

Swap your sunglasses for blue light blocking glasses to help your eyes readjust to staring at a computer screen for hours on end—now that you've used up all your vacation time. These ones from Gamma Ray (which are under $20!) can be fitted for any prescription and users swear they've felt a lot less fatigued at the end of the day and their eyes felt less strained.

Get the Gamma Ray Blue Light Blocking Glasses for $17.99

10. These sticky notes that will replace your to-do list

Sticky
Credit: Knock Knock

Did you remember to pick up milk?

Reviews: 182 Rating: 4.5 stars

If you're anything like me, the more reminders you have for something, the better off you are. That's where these sticky notes come in. There's a pack for every occasion, from delegating things to other people (cough, your significant other, cough) to the things you need to buy (hello, grocery shopping). Glowing reviews say the notes are sticky enough to stay on most surfaces and they are a cute and colorful way to remember everything you have to do.

Get the Knock Knock To Accomplish Sticky Notes Packet for $10.80

11. The best affordable yoga mat to relax

Yoga
Credit: AmazonBasics

Nama-stay calm this fall.

Reviews: 2,200 Rating: 4.3 stars

Even if the Type A part of you is secretly thrilled to be in a routine again, it can still be a stressful adjustment. To make the fall transition a little easier—and a lot more zen—roll out our experts' favorite beginner yoga mat whenever you have a free moment in your week. We love that it's affordable, has a non-slip surface, and provides the perfect amount of cushioning.

Get the AmazonBasics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Mat for $18.68

12. This gadget for the coffee-obsessed

Cup
Credit: Swigzy

Take this to the Starbucks drive-thru with you.

Reviews: 543 Rating: 4.6 stars

Taking your morning coffee with you in the car is all fun and games—until you come to a screeching stop and it spills all over you. Protect your precious cargo and stay caffeinated with this cup holder adapter, which is popular on Amazon for firmly holding any size cup or mug in place and for being easy to adjust accordingly.

Get the Swigzy Car Cup Holder Expander Adapter for $23.99

13. This chores chart every parent needs

Chores
Credit: Jennakate

Check off chores as they're completed.

Reviews: 156 Rating: 4.6 stars

Doing chores teaches kids responsibility and the value of hard work—but trying to remember whose turn it is to clean the bathroom or wash the dishes can start World War III if you aren't careful. This chart, with daily and weekly options, will help you organize everything so that never happens. Parents say it's the perfect size and is easy to wipe off if you use liquid chalk or dry erase markers.

Get the Jennakate Chores Chart for $19.99

14. This pan for making your own healthy snacks

Pan
Credit: Pampered Chef

Use this mold for your favorite no-bake recipe.

Reviews: 545 Rating: 4.5 stars

Confession: I am a granola bar fiend. Clif bars, Kind bars, Kashi bars, even the classic Chewy bars—if it's in bar form, I'll gladly eat it. But since buying bars can really add up—and are sometimes filled with added chemicals—I've taken to making them at home with this handy pan. It's incredibly easy to use (just fill and refrigerate!) and it's even easier to clean.

Get the Pampered Chef Snack Bar Maker for $30.50

15. This car organizer for anyone who's always on the go

Car
Credit: Drive Auto Products

There are plenty of pockets for sports equipment, groceries, and more.

Reviews: 2,592 Rating: 4.6 stars

Between shuttling the kids to soccer practice and carpooling to school in the mornings, you unfortunately spend a lot more time driving around town now that summer's over. Keep your car somewhat clutter-free with this container that can clip securely in place in your trunk. It's a favorite among Amazon shoppers because it's durable and sturdy and has plenty of storage space.

Get the Drive Auto Products Car Trunk Organizer for $23.97

16. This charging station for bedtime

Charging
Credit: Hercules Tuff

Consider this a bed for your electronics.

Reviews: 2,139 Rating: 4 stars

Earlier mornings also mean earlier bedtimes for the whole family. Since your phone or tablet can be a big distraction when you're trying to fall asleep, set up this popular charging station in the kitchen or living room and have everyone "turn in" their devices before heading to bed. It has rave reviews for being easy to set up and that the LED lights that change color as your device charges.

Get the Hercules Tuff Charging Station for $39.99

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