I have been seeing so many “things worth my money” reels lately, and every time I scroll past one, I catch myself thinking about my own quiet list.

I have been working as a virtual assistant since 2009. Over the years, I have slowly bought things that I thought would make working from home easier. This is my honest, slowly-built list of things worth buying as a VA.

Some were splurges. Some were random experiments. A few turned out to be disappointing. But some quietly became part of my everyday work life without me even realizing it.

Before I share my list, I have to be honest.

My work setup right now is not pretty.

I have been moving my station around our bedroom, and the current spot is probably the most uncomfortable one yet. We have two computers, a lot of dogs, and a small space to work with. There are wires, things that still need organizing, and days when the room feels more crowded than cozy.

Once things settle down in my personal life, I would love to start working on my little home office refresh. But for now, I am learning to make peace with the mess.

A work setup does not have to look perfect to help you do good work.

And even in this imperfect space, the things on this list have made my workdays easier. These are the ones I would happily buy again.

What Makes Something Worth Buying for Me?

For me, something is worth buying when I continue using it long after the excitement of opening the package is gone.

It does not need to be the most popular brand. It does not have to match a beautiful Pinterest desk setup either.

It just needs to solve a real problem.

Maybe it helps my body feel less tired. Maybe it saves me time. Maybe it makes calls more comfortable. Or maybe it simply makes a long workday feel a little gentler.

I also try to think about how often I will use something. A more expensive item can still be worth it if I use it every day for several years. On the other hand, even a cheap purchase feels wasteful when it stays untouched in a drawer.

That is the simple rule behind this list.

The One I Would Buy First: My Xpanse Electric Computer Table

Approximate price: ₱4,000 to ₱6,200, depending on the size and style

I had sciatica before I bought this table.

Sitting for long hours would leave my lower back throbbing by the end of the day. There were times when I would finish work and immediately need to lie down because my back felt so heavy.

My Xpanse electric computer table changed a lot for me.

Being able to stand while working, even for just a few minutes at a time, made my body feel lighter. I can change positions when sitting becomes uncomfortable instead of forcing myself to stay in the same position for hours.

It did not magically remove every ache, but it gave me another option. When you work from home, that small freedom can make a big difference.

If you are a VA who sits for eight hours or more, an adjustable table is something worth considering.

It does not necessarily have to be Xpanse. Look for one that fits your space, budget, height, and computer setup. Mine just happens to be the one that worked for me.

This is probably the purchase I wish I had made sooner.

Current Xpanse electric desk listings in the Philippines are around ₱4,000 for basic models, while larger or L-shaped versions can cost more.

My MacBook Air M4

Approximate price: around ₱70,000, depending on the size, storage, and seller

I bought my MacBook Air M4 last year, and I still cannot believe how much I use it every single day.

It is fast, quiet, lightweight, and the battery is honestly a dream. I can move around the house, continue working during a power interruption with enough battery left, or bring it with me when I need to work somewhere else.

For the kind of VA work I do, it rarely slows me down.

I use it for client work, managing websites, organizing files, checking campaigns, handling different tools, and doing the many little tasks that come with working online.

This was not a small purchase. I really thought about it before buying it.

But after using it almost every day, I can say that it was worth the money for me. When your computer is the main tool you use to earn, having a dependable machine can make work feel much less stressful.

The exact price depends on the size and storage. A MacBook Air M4 has recently been listed at around ₱70,000 in the Philippines.

The Surprise Favorite: My UGREEN Computer Microphone

Approximate price: ₱700 to ₱1,800, depending on the model

I have never liked wearing a headset.

It gives me headaches, and after a while, I start feeling uncomfortable and closed off. I wanted something that would let me speak clearly during calls without having anything pressing against my ears.

My UGREEN computer microphone is actually the third microphone I bought.

The first two did not work well. One had audio problems, and the other simply did not give me the clear sound I needed. They were not expensive, but buying things that do not work properly still feels like wasted money.

UGREEN was the first one that worked well for me.

My voice comes out clear, my ears stay free, and meetings feel much more comfortable now.

But again, this is not really about the brand.

A different microphone might work just as well for someone else. The important thing is to check whether it is compatible with your computer, read reviews, and choose one that works for the type of calls or recordings you normally do.

Current UGREEN desktop microphone models in the Philippines range from around ₱725 for a simple plug-and-play model to roughly ₱1,800 for versions with more features.

My NVISION Extra Monitor and Dual Monitor Stand

Approximate monitor price: ₱4,850 to ₱5,045
Approximate dual monitor stand price: ₱750 to ₱1,700

Having a second screen made my work so much easier.

I can keep my current task open on one screen while checking messages, references, spreadsheets, or instructions on the other. I no longer have to switch between tabs every few seconds and then forget which tab I was looking for.

It sounds like a small thing, but it saves so much time throughout the day.

I paired my monitors with a dual monitor stand. I honestly forgot the brand, but it has been solid and reliable so far.

The stand also freed up more space on my desk. There is more room underneath the monitors, and the setup feels less cramped even when the rest of the room is not completely organized.

My extra monitor is from NVISION, but any dependable monitor that works with your computer can do the job. Just check the size, ports, resolution, and whether it can be attached to your chosen monitor stand.

Some NVISION monitors around 23 to 24 inches are currently listed at roughly ₱4,850 to ₱5,045. Dual monitor stands vary widely, with basic models starting below ₱1,000 and sturdier options costing more.

My UGREEN 6-in-1 USB Hub

Approximate price: ₱1,100 to ₱2,200, depending on the ports included

MacBooks are lovely, but they can feel a little stingy with ports.

My UGREEN 6-in-1 USB hub gives me the extra connections I need in one small device. I can connect accessories and other work equipment without constantly unplugging one thing to make space for another.

It is one of those small purchases that does not feel exciting until the day you forget to bring it.

Before buying a hub, check which ports you actually need. Some people need HDMI and USB ports, while others also need an SD card reader, Ethernet connection, or charging support.

You do not need the one with the most ports. You only need the one that fits your normal workflow.

Current UGREEN 6-in-1 hubs are listed at around ₱1,100 to ₱2,200, depending on the design and included connections.

My Cafelffe Automatic Capsule Coffee Maker

Approximate price: ₱3,600 to ₱4,100

This one is not exactly a work tool, but it has still made my work-from-home mornings better.

I love coffee, but I do not always have the energy to prepare something complicated before starting work. With my Cafelffe capsule coffee maker, I do not have to think too much.

I choose my coffee, press a button, and wait.

That small routine gives me a quiet moment before emails, tasks, and notifications begin.

When you work from home, the line between resting and working can become blurry. Sometimes a familiar routine, even something as simple as making coffee, helps your mind understand that a new part of the day is beginning.

The coffee maker is not a necessity. I could still make coffee without it.

But it has made my mornings gentler, and that makes it worth having for me.

Cafelffe capsule coffee machines are currently listed at around ₱3,599 to ₱4,099, depending on the model and ongoing sale.

AI Tools That Make My Job Easier

I also pay for and use different AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Genspark, and a few other tools needed for work.

I do not rely on them to do my entire job.

I mainly use them when I need help with coding, troubleshooting technical problems, researching solutions, organizing complicated information, and completing repetitive parts of a task faster.

They make some parts of my work less draining.

This is especially helpful when I am working with websites, code, automations, or unfamiliar tools. Instead of spending hours stuck on one small problem, I can use AI to help me understand what might be wrong and where I should begin looking.

Not every VA needs several subscriptions.

Start with one tool and learn how it fits into your work. The most useful AI tool is not always the most popular one. It is the one that helps with the tasks you actually do.

Extra Google Storage and iCloud Storage

Storage is not glamorous or exciting, but it is one of the quiet things that makes online work easier.

I pay for my Google storage monthly. I also pay for iCloud storage every three months because I share it with two of my friends.

When you work with client files, photos, videos, documents, graphics, and backups every day, having enough space gives you room to breathe.

I no longer want to spend midnight deleting old files just because my storage is full.

Cloud storage also gives me peace of mind because important files are not all sitting on one computer. Of course, I still try to organize them properly, although I will admit that my folders are not always as neat as I want them to be.

The amount you need will depend on your work.

A VA who mostly handles emails and spreadsheets may not need much. Someone who works with videos, product photos, or large design files may need a bigger plan.

A Gentle Reminder Before You Shop

Not everything on this list is for everyone.

Some virtual assistants work perfectly well with a simple laptop, a reliable internet connection, and a comfortable chair. That is completely valid.

You do not need to copy someone else’s setup.

Buy slowly.

Think about the problems you face during your normal workday. Is your back always hurting? Do you keep running out of storage? Are meetings uncomfortable because of your headset? Are you constantly switching between tabs?

Start with the problem that affects you the most.

You also do not need to buy everything at once. I collected these things over several years. My current setup still does not look like the beautiful work-from-home spaces I see online, and that is okay.

A useful setup matters more than a perfect-looking one. And if you are just starting out and are not sure where to begin, I made a free VA Starter Kit that might help.

Gentle Closing: Things Worth Buying as a VA

Little by little, my work space is becoming more mine.

It is still messy. It is still crowded. There are still things I want to change someday.

But these purchases have quietly helped my body, saved me time, made work less stressful, and added a little comfort to my normal days.

That, I think, is what “worth it” really means.

Not something that looks impressive when you first buy it.

Just something that continues to make your life a little kinder long after the package has been opened.

Affiliate Disclosure
Some links added to this post may be affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only plan to link products I personally use or genuinely believe may be helpful.