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To ask for - Best low cost thing you’ve bought recently ?

407 replies

PollyCherry · 12/07/2025 23:42

As a flip side to the expensive letdowns thread , has anyone bought anything low cost that’s been good ?
I got a mascara in b and m that’s great on my long blonde but thin eyelashes.
And an ineos hand wash that is actually really nice.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
TheFormidableMrsC · 13/07/2025 23:24

Silicone food covers in various sizes from Poundland. Brilliant.

wwyd2021medicine · 13/07/2025 23:14

@Denimrules
No the Gino one is 3l I think
Mine was discontinued but very like the Matt Scandi ones which are 4litres (both DD's have those from when they were reduced to £25 and v happy with them other than a minor problems which doesn't affect function)

AleaEim · 13/07/2025 23:06

A baby carrier I bought from Vinted for £7, need I say more.

Ohnobackagain · 13/07/2025 22:56

EnglishGirlApproximately · 13/07/2025 16:02

@Dogaredabombi buy these ones but there are loads of varieties on Amazon. Just wet and wring out the towel, pop it in it's pouch and when you take it out it cools on hitting the air - even if the pouch feels warm. They still chilled for a couple of hours even in hot weather.
https://amzn.eu/d/cbKv6e1

I took them when I was touring Morocco in 45 degree hear last year and was do grateful for them when the rest of my group were sweating!

These are good - bought last year for Asia trip - pack of 4
amzn.eu/d/22izjAG

Abitlosttoday · 13/07/2025 22:56

LurkyMcLurkinson · 13/07/2025 09:42

This sounds great. Which one is it?

I would love a link!

Ohnobackagain · 13/07/2025 22:51

Velmy · 13/07/2025 22:17

A USB C hand held/desk fan from John Lewis. £12. An absolute lifesaver on the commute.

Agree - it’s their own Anyday range

Ohnobackagain · 13/07/2025 22:50

BlueberriesBanana · 13/07/2025 16:29

Do you have a link for the fans?

The John Lewis Anyday rechargeable one for £12 is excellent

Soukmyfalafel · 13/07/2025 22:45

Yellowbirdcage · 13/07/2025 10:30

A pack of those net tent things that pop over food. Use them daily when I am prepping or just over the fruit bowl or cat’s bowl when there are flies about.

Lidl occitane knock off verbena hand wash. Bought 6 more!

Also those Scrub Daddy sponges. Thought they were gimmicky but I actually love them.

I like the knock off lush rose shower gel from Lidl. I was dubious, but it smells pretty good for £2.

Leapintothelightning · 13/07/2025 22:42

Anotherparkingthread · 13/07/2025 00:38

Ohhh I love these threads!

I have a water flosser, a generic brand one costing about 20 pounds and I absolutely bloody love it. Bye bye bleeding gums and plaque below the gumline. Haven't needed to see a hygienist since I first got one 4 years ago, because my teeth are completely free from any build up. Worth every penny has saved me a fortune. The original one finally died last week and I ordered a new one immediately.

My "butt puncher", as it's called at our house. It's a deep tissue massager gun that I paid around 15 pounds for on Amazon and thought would be utter crap but oh.my.god. when I've got tight muscles in my back or glutes it's the absolute best thing ever. It's wicked and I can use it on myself so no more whining at my partner to rub my tight muscles. Leaves me feeling all floaty. A fraction of the cost of even one sports massage and can use it any time I feel I need it.

A new hair clip. It's way more sophisticated than my any old go to - the lazy ponytail, but still keeps my v long hair out of the way. I picked one in a soft matte brown and it matches my brown soft leather bag so I look oddly out together despite it only costing a couple of quid.

This might not be what youre looking for but I got a Bluetooth camera shutter button that pairs with my phone. I needed some pictures of myself for a profession thing but I tend to get really stiff and awkward when somebody points a camera at me. Managed to get some amazingly nice shots without hiring a photographer which saved money and they look better because I'm much more relaxed. Cost about £5. also great for group and family photos.

Oh I love the sound of the Bluetooth shutter button thing!

Howtonamechange · 13/07/2025 22:41

I bought some bulldog clips that have been great for holding the bin bag in place so it doesn't slide down and has to be fished out, holding the laundry liner, closing the bag of rice... The possibilities are endless lol

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:40

@Anotherparkingthread butt puncher and water flosser link would be so very appreciated!

Pricelessadvice · 13/07/2025 22:34

Toothbrush covers. They are plastic and you just clip them over the toothbrush heads.
Different colours too to easy to identify which brush belongs to who.
A pack only cost about few quid on Amazon.

Ohmygodnotnow · 13/07/2025 22:33

Anotherparkingthread · 13/07/2025 00:38

Ohhh I love these threads!

I have a water flosser, a generic brand one costing about 20 pounds and I absolutely bloody love it. Bye bye bleeding gums and plaque below the gumline. Haven't needed to see a hygienist since I first got one 4 years ago, because my teeth are completely free from any build up. Worth every penny has saved me a fortune. The original one finally died last week and I ordered a new one immediately.

My "butt puncher", as it's called at our house. It's a deep tissue massager gun that I paid around 15 pounds for on Amazon and thought would be utter crap but oh.my.god. when I've got tight muscles in my back or glutes it's the absolute best thing ever. It's wicked and I can use it on myself so no more whining at my partner to rub my tight muscles. Leaves me feeling all floaty. A fraction of the cost of even one sports massage and can use it any time I feel I need it.

A new hair clip. It's way more sophisticated than my any old go to - the lazy ponytail, but still keeps my v long hair out of the way. I picked one in a soft matte brown and it matches my brown soft leather bag so I look oddly out together despite it only costing a couple of quid.

This might not be what youre looking for but I got a Bluetooth camera shutter button that pairs with my phone. I needed some pictures of myself for a profession thing but I tend to get really stiff and awkward when somebody points a camera at me. Managed to get some amazingly nice shots without hiring a photographer which saved money and they look better because I'm much more relaxed. Cost about £5. also great for group and family photos.

YES the butt puncher! Literally transformational.

Rallentanda · 13/07/2025 22:31

A cabbage shredder. Looks like a bigger veg peeler. About £7.50, perfect fluffy coleslaw.

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:26

Velmy · 13/07/2025 22:17

A USB C hand held/desk fan from John Lewis. £12. An absolute lifesaver on the commute.

I’ve got two of these and intend to buy for other members of family. Excellent quality for the money imo

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:25

@Chemenger @bakebeans please can you link your wool duvets , thanks

oneplustwoplustwoplusone · 13/07/2025 22:25

@ButthechildrentheylovethebooksPaultons Park by any chance??!??

JMSA · 13/07/2025 22:21

Lactofull · 13/07/2025 09:05

My robot mower

ok so it was £350 BUT I was paying a gardener £30 every fortnight throughout summer and have been doing that for last 4 years…. So will save me shit loads PLUS no period ever where grass is overgrown because it’s on every day.

best recent purchase

as for properly cheap item…. My bum bag! I ONLY use at the airport but so useful for putting passports and tickets

I would bloody LOVE a robot mower.

Velmy · 13/07/2025 22:17

A USB C hand held/desk fan from John Lewis. £12. An absolute lifesaver on the commute.

Denimrules · 13/07/2025 22:15

wwyd2021medicine · 13/07/2025 00:13

My £20 airfryer from Asda
After much thinking about pros and cons, I just bought a cheap one and it's been great. Definitely the best money I have spent in recent years.

Was it the Gino Dacampo one?

IDontHateRainbows · 13/07/2025 22:14

Had breakfast in a b and b today. Massive egg, sausage and bacon butty so big I had to open my mouth extra wide for it. With a cup of tea. Cost £4 all in all which for food out these days is like traveling back in time 20 years.

cadburyegg · 13/07/2025 22:12

Water bottle drying rack. Keeps the kids water bottles, straws and lids together. No more bottles tumbling over on the draining board!

TokyoSushi · 13/07/2025 22:10

I keep seeing everybody with little pastel coloured hand held fans, so they must be good - where are you all getting them from?!

Mintine · 13/07/2025 22:09

Meredusoleil · 13/07/2025 18:50

Does it work? If so, which one please?

Yes which one and does it remove them in any area would you think!

thebear1 · 13/07/2025 22:08

USB fan from Amazon. Been a god send recently