24 brands that improve the quality of everyday life

This multi-tool pocket knife is manufactured by Victorinox AG. Swiss Army knife versions vary, but most include scissors, tweezers, blade, bottle opener, light, nail file, ruler, pin, and corkscrew. It easily folds together to fit into your pocket.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods gives customers a vast array of natural and organic products all in one place. It may be pricier than other organic market places, but it offers options — which is all we can ask for when looking for that rare, organic bath soap.

Skype is the fastest-growing service for Internet communication — allowing people everywhere to make video and voice calls for free. It now offers an instant translation tool that can interpret live speech in real time.

Satisfying our coffee fixes since 1971, Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world. Now with features like mobile payment and testing out delivery services, waiting in line might soon be eliminated — making for happy customers.

Coca-Cola not only provides us with carbonated soft drinks, but also manufactures Powerade, Minute Maid, Vitamin Water, Odwalla, Smart Water, Simply Orange, Dasani water, and more.

This popular condiment brand has been dressing burgers and hot dogs since 1869. The company manufactures food products that we consume on a daily basis, such as Bagel Bites and ketchup.

Target is the second-largest retailer in the US. Fans of the brand praise its clothing, home decor, and snack sections.

Need something in bulk? Costco has your back. People who pay for a Costco membership swear by and say it is a household essential. Also good to know — Costco is the largest retailer of fine wine in the world.

The world of athletic apparel is competitive, but Nike continues to innovate and create products that consumers can't resist — possibly even developing a way for you to make your own sneakers at home.

Ikea provides us with affordable, ready to assemble furniture for every day use in apartments, houses, kitchens and offices. Thanks to its step-by-step instruction guide, the need to pay for movers and assemblers is eliminated.

Samsung's consumer electronics include monitors, printers, air-conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines – producing basic electronic products for every day use.

This producer of cereal and convenience foods produces cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, and frozen waffles.

Although you have to pay extra for this commercial-free, premium television network, HBO has produced Emmy Award winning series such as Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Veep, Entourage, and Girls. HBO has made itself more accessible by creating HBO Now — unlimited access to its series and movies for $14.99 per month.

Nintendo is the largest video game company by revenue. Gaming has never been the same since 1977 when the first Nintendo color TV home video game consoles were created. Then Wii broke ground with interactive gaming in your home.

Sony is one of the leading manufacturers for electronics, PlayStation, movies, music and TV shows — giving us entertainment and technology all in one.

Want to sell that limited edition signed sports jersey? Or even just some used books? Head to eBay, the online auction and shopping website, to get rid of things you don't want or buy hard-to-find items.

Word, Office, Power Point, Excel, Entourage, Bing, XBox, MSN — many of us use this software everyday. Microsoft is one of the world's most valuable companies.

Did you know that a Lego brick from 1958 would still interlock with a Lego brick made today? The brand's toy sets are an iconic part of many childhoods.

The social networking site that allows us to keep up with and communicate with friends around the world has a total number of 1.4 billion active users per month. Almost 30% of Americans use Facebook during the work day.

The happiest place on Earth is bound to have a spot on this positive brands list. Walt Disney Company is the world's second largest media conglomerate providing us with theme parks, production companies, and television networks. We consume Walt Disney without even realizing it when watching ESPN or ABC.

Netflix recently reported 69.17 million subscribers worldwide, including more than 43 million in the US — but we all know that number should be more since you're probably using your dad's uncle's friend's account.

Amazon continues to make our life easier with it's endless products and fast shipping. It also has a huge consumer-electronics market by including an e-reader and tablet and launching Amazon Instant Video, which has produced an award-winning original television series, "Transparent."

Constantly innovating and updating its products and services, Apple aims to improve the way we use technology. Apple gives us computers, smartphones, software, and music that we use on a daily basis.

Just Google it. Google is the ultimate search engine for all of our inquisitions. The tool conveniently steers us in the right direction and provides us with an endless supply of information.