I’ve compiled a list of “My Favorite 13 of 2013”.  These are the top thirteen new things/gadgets/devices that have improved my day-to-day life and made things slightly easier, slightly more straightforward, and slightly better this past year.

I am sharing this list with you because I am a “convincer”.  I am the person who goes to a movie with you and convinces you that it was great.  I am the person who convinces you to try sushi.  I am the person who convinces you to register for a half-marathon.   I don’t take no for an answer and I can be very persistent; some call it stubbornness, I call it stick-to-itiveness.  Perhaps I will convince you that some of these things can improve your 2014 in small ways too.

Here they are, from the least to the most expensive.  You can click on the links to learn more:

1.  Cozi online calendar.

2. ING‘s no-fee chequing account.

3.  Songza.

4.  Lara bars.

5.  BlenderBall wire whisk ball.

6.  Olay Pro-X microdermabrasion kit.

7.  Spiral slicer.

8.  A snow shovel with a metal wearstrip.

9.  Crossfit lifting shoes.

10.  Video baby monitor.

11.  Vitamix blender.

12.  iMac desktop computer.

13.  Hot tub.

These are all consumer goods and services, all First-World items, and mostly middle-class attainable.  You can be sure that I feel lucky to have these things, and I don’t take my good fortune for granted.

What’s on your list?