This year, CNBC Make It staff identified 7 splurges that are "worth the money." The first item is a $90 tote, and the second is a $120 sunscreen.

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The financial cost may be justified if the convenience or happiness pay-off is significant.

Seven things that CNBC Make It staff deemed worth the higher cost.

$90: Sophisticated tote

After extensive research, I have discovered the perfect work tote from Poppies and Peonies, a renowned Canadian brand.

Here are a few reasons why I love it:

1. It has flat straps that don't dig into your shoulder.
2. It has a zipper.
3. It has great organizational compartments inside.
4. It can fit a TON.
5. The pocket on the outside of the item serves as both a sleeve for sliding onto a suitcase and something I love.

— Natalie Wu, digital rotational associate

$100: Big water bottle bag

Although it was a bit of a stretch to say I was happy to spend nearly $100 on a bag to carry my water bottle, my Dagne Dover Sloan water bottle sling has lived up to the hype I had built up for it in my mind.

I bought it to use during Coachella in April and on long dog walks afterward, and it has been a godsend for both. It holds my 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle and a variety of other small necessities, such as my phone, keys, cash or cards, hand wipes, and headphones, all while keeping me hands-free and cooler than wearing a backpack.

— Kamaron McNair, money reporter

$100: High quality rain jacket

I haven't owned a rain jacket since middle school. However, walking my dog in the rain with a leash in one hand and an umbrella in the other is quite challenging.

When I need to purchase something new, I thoroughly investigate my alternatives. Perhaps to an excessive degree. Nonetheless, this is how I obtained my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain jacket. Although it costs $179 in stores, I found a used one on Worn Wear (Patagonia's secondhand gear website) for $107 in excellent condition, plus $7.50 shipping.

My initial reaction to the garment was unfavorable. The long arms made me feel like I was wearing it for Michael Phelps. However, when I tightened the sleeves, it fit perfectly, just like the waistband and hood did. Even during heavy rain, my upper body stays dry. Only wish my dog could say the same about its wet fur.

— Cameron Albert-Deitch, success editor

$120: Really nice sunscreen

I'm not a "glass skin" skincare enthusiast — I'm a pale-skinned, acne-prone individual in search of sunscreen that won't cause breakouts.

In May, after a popular sunscreen brand caused a two-month-long zit parade on my forehead and chin, I decided to try Lion Pose's AHA Serum at Sephora for $79. Although I didn't know what AHA stood for, I heard the product reduced scaring, redness, and dark spots on acne-prone skin, so I gave it a chance. To my delight, it cleared my dry, patchy skin so quickly that I went back for the brand's Mineral Sunscreen, which retails for $40 at Sephora. Formulated with women of color in mind, the sunscreen doesn't leave a white cast and acts as a primer under makeup. Additionally, it lasted in my beach bag all summer long.

— Megan Sauer, success reporter

$200: Countertop dishwasher

Someone who has never lived in an apartment without a dishwasher and desperately wanted one has said that money can't buy happiness. I recently bought the Hava countertop dishwasher, which is compact enough to fit under my kitchen cabinets but big enough to accommodate four place settings.

The process of washing dishes is simple: connect the outlet hose to the kitchen sink, fill the water tank using a pitcher or hose attached to a faucet, add detergent, and run the cycle for 29 minutes. Longer cycles can take up to an hour. New models are currently on sale for $279.99, while a refurbished version can be purchased at a discounted price of $199.99.

— Jennifer Liu, senior work reporter

$200: Designer frames

I used to dislike wearing glasses for extended periods, as they would frequently slide down my face. However, after discovering Covry, an Asian American-owned glasses brand, I have come to appreciate their "elevated fit" frames that sit higher on the nose and away from the cheekbones. This is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced glasses marks on their cheeks or mascara on their lenses.

I purchased five pairs of frames for $10 each, which totaled $50. The credit from my purchase was applied later on. The frames cost $105 each, and my lenses added $95 to the total. The frames were so beneficial that I decided to order sunglasses from the same company.

— Jennifer Liu, senior work reporter

$500: iPad mini

My new sixth generation iPad mini has exceeded my expectations, as I frequently utilize it for watching movies, sketching, reading books, and following sheet music while practicing the drums.

Although it's smaller than most tablets, I believe its 8-inch by 5.3-inch dimensions are ideal in terms of size. The screen is large enough to stream Netflix or YouTube, but the tablet's overall size is more compact than my laptop, making it easy to carry in my backpack.

I frequently use my mini to search for information on Wikipedia or Google while reading or watching a movie. While not everyone requires a tablet, it has become my preferred device for reading and web browsing, whether at home or on the go.

— Mike Winters, money reporter

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