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Original poster

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
Executrixnotextraordinaire · 13/07/2025 16:58

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 have been looking for a replacement hand wash for downstairs loo as Scottish Fine Soaps have discontinued Citrus Verbena which Ive used for about 5 years. L’occitane was looking likeliest candidate but I bought Aldi Citrus one to try as handy to me, its ok, but nowhere near as good, guess where Ill be going tomorrow 😃
thank you for sharing!

mum2jakie · 13/07/2025 16:58

Placemaking for the links!

Cooling towels look great, thanks!

Stelmosfire1 · 13/07/2025 16:45

https://www.procook.co.uk/product/procook-pineapple-cutter-sage

pineapple tool! Makes it so easy and much less waste then my previous method of butchering them with a knife absolute game changer, annoyed I’ve never bought one before

HappyHappyy · 13/07/2025 16:40

Inflatable paddling pool from Amazon, we’ve had a really fun weekend for £20!

RebeccaDecember · 13/07/2025 16:29

Bed Sheet Clips - sheets stay put on the beds! It’s the little things in life…

BlueberriesBanana · 13/07/2025 16:29

AbzMoz · 13/07/2025 15:45

Paper/fabric fans for keeping in handbags - I’ve carried them for years and often pass them along to people struggling on public transport etc

Korean body mitt scrub - FAR better at sloughing off skin than a scrunchy puff

Do you have a link for the fans?

BlueberriesBanana · 13/07/2025 16:26

Dynamo labelling machine. I labelled the shit out of everything.

Hankunamatata · 13/07/2025 16:08

Nail wraps from lily and fox Australia. Saving myself a fortune instead of gel nails as £1.99 a set. I can change them weekly as I get bored, designs I couldn't do with gel and kuch kinder to nail. Use them with Sally Hanson hards as nails as top coat.

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!

YQXCC 2 Pack Cooling Towel (120x30 cm) Ice Towel for Neck, Microfibre Cool, Soft Breathable Chilly for Yoga, Golf, Gym, Camping, Running, Workout & More Activities : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop YQXCC 2 Pack Cooling Towel (120x30 cm) Ice Towel for Neck, Microfibre Cool, Soft Breathable Chilly for Yoga, Golf, Gym, Camping, Running, Workout & More Activities. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

https://amzn.eu/d/cbKv6e1?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5372495-to-ask-for-best-low-cost-thing-youve-bought-recently

HolidayHappy123 · 13/07/2025 15:48

£15 mini handheld turbo fan as requested by DD. I thought it would be rubbish but its great so I’ve ordered myself one.

Lactofull · 13/07/2025 15:47

SheGotOffThePlane · 13/07/2025 15:46

A Joseph Joseph salad spinner! Very retro but fabulous for all the summer salads we've been having. About £20 from Amazon.

I have one almost brand new if anyone wants to buy

takes up lots of space and all to drain lettuce!

SheGotOffThePlane · 13/07/2025 15:46

A Joseph Joseph salad spinner! Very retro but fabulous for all the summer salads we've been having. About £20 from Amazon.

Dogaredabomb · 13/07/2025 15:45

EnglishGirlApproximately · 13/07/2025 09:21

Cooling towels, an absolute godsend in this weather. Took them to a festival yesterday and the people we were with were constantly nabbing them to share for five minutes. DS even took his to bed last night!
Would love links to the water flosser, back massager and hair band please 🙏

What is this genius item??? I need a link please

AbzMoz · 13/07/2025 15:45

Paper/fabric fans for keeping in handbags - I’ve carried them for years and often pass them along to people struggling on public transport etc

Korean body mitt scrub - FAR better at sloughing off skin than a scrunchy puff

postmanshere · 13/07/2025 15:42

Maybe not quite the point but I picked up a Rockit from a charity shop for £5 and it’s been a life saver with the newborn.

buckeejit · 13/07/2025 15:41

Just as an alternative to the solar buddy you can just use a plain sponge to quickly apply sun cream to everyone - great for children who fuss when getting creamed!

ivw just bought some msg & potato starch to make chow mein at home after watching some YouTubers.

Hoppinggreen · 13/07/2025 15:39

Just come back from holiday and stayed in a villa with a pool. I got a lilo for E4 from a nearby Lidl and happily floated on it for most of the holiday and stayed cool

Original poster
PollyCherry · 13/07/2025 15:32

Checking in for links !

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 13/07/2025 15:18

Very squishy stress balls. I am neurodivergent and my psychiatrist recommended getting some fiddle toys. I have tried varies toys in the past and they did nothing for me but these squishy balls are wonderful. They bring my anxiety down. Less than £10

To ask for - Best low cost thing you’ve bought recently ?
Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 13/07/2025 15:12

A Solar Buddy! Its a sun cream applicator. I haven't actually used it yet but watched a family cover themselves in suncream using one at a theme park on Friday. I asked what it was and the lady said she gets asked all the time. It looked amazing.
Got mine on Amazon prime day (whilst still at theme park) for £7.50. Saving it for hols.

ssd · 13/07/2025 15:07

Waiting for the butt puncher too

SoScarletItWas · 13/07/2025 12:46

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.

Blatant placemarking to be notified when @Anotherparkingthread comes back with links to her flosser and butt puncher 😎

cadburyegg · 13/07/2025 12:44

A toothpaste dispenser. Sounds gimmicky but it hugely reduces the amount of toothpaste that the kids manage to get all over the sink.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 13/07/2025 12:41

I bought some silicone toothpaste lids. They fit over the top of the toothpaste and voila! No more dried gunk from not putting on the lid.

caramac04 · 13/07/2025 12:38

PuppyMonkey · 13/07/2025 11:04

The dishwasher thing… this is really an issue for you? I open it and see if things are still dirty or if they’re clean personally. Also I’d just forget to switch the magnets. Grin

Edited

We do rinse everything so it’s not always very obvious that the dishwasher is loading
DH tended to leave the door open to indicate it’s loading. Drives me mad. Also, I’ve no sense of smell and I worry an open dishwasher might be a bit whiffy