What’s something you buy which is cheap/basic that is really good?

[Earbogeys]

Mine is bars of unscented soap from (predictably) Aldi, and also Waitrose own salt and vinegar crisps.

What gems are in your life?

Also Aldi Q10 cream

Thanks everyone for the rice cooking tips. I shall cook it tomorrow. 😁
I plan to learn how to use chopsticks too.

The Ordinary products. So cheap for the same stuff that other brands charge twice the amount for.

Fairy liquid. It lasts us twice the amount of time as supermarkets brands.

Aldis own washing powder and softeners are just as good if not better than bigger brands.

Asda/George school clothes. I used to be a die hard M and S/John Lewis uniform buyer. Not anymore! Really good quality.

Also bought a pair of straight legged black work trousers for myself from there and they are so stylish - have had loads of compliments when wearing them.

@Maggiesgirl

Plain bottle of witch Hazel. Have always used it for face cleaning/toning. Git my DDIL into it who had bad skin. She swears by it now, her skin has cleared up and glows. £1.10 from Home Bargins

and very good for hair

No 7 eyeliner, brown. Better than Clinique, Bobbie Brown, Mac, Chanel….

Picard (French Iceland) fish fingers.

Agree with the Boots own stuff. Their Curl Creme is just as good as any of the fancy brands or any of the stuff I've found in Afro Queen type stores. And so much cheaper - was £1.99 last time I found it.

Exfoliating gloves £1in Morrison’s. Saves a fortune in body scrubs

Yes, Daz! Best I’ve found for removing stains and suitable for both white and coloured laundry, so I don’t have to buy 2 boxes. I’m very sensitive to sickly scents too, but this has a subtle, fresh perfume which suits me fine.
Also, own-brand Weetabix! Not the ‘saver’ cheapest,plain-boxed, but the regular Tesco, Asda etc.

Aldi paper towel, £2.10 pack of two, best paper towel on the market!

@surfergrl

Agree with the Boots own stuff. Their Curl Creme is just as good as any of the fancy brands or any of the stuff I've found in Afro Queen type stores. And so much cheaper - was £1.99 last time I found it.

Do they still do it though?

Tinned potatoes for making mash. Tinned potatoes - absolutely disgusting but trust me - add a dash of milk and a blob of butter and mash....

Don't judge until you've tried it! Haha

Aldi's scented hand wash for the kids! Bubblegum, love heart & strawberry laces scented, in a bottle twice the size of the carex ones (usually £1 on offer!) Aldi ones are 67p, still antibacterial and smell really good! Can't go wrong. X

Lidl croissants

@surfergrl I do the curly girl method and this is 100% my go to

Lidl own brand plain tortilla chips. I don't think any of the calories are absorbed by the body haha I have 2 packs a week as my main carbs...delicious with salsa and home made guacamole.
Also Imperial Leather, never used anything else, cheap and not irritating, detest bottled soaps and hand-wash so wasteful and polluting

MeredithGreyishblue
Shit, maybe I am spreading misinformation!! I thought it was maybelline but maybeit was burgois!! Are they gone? I used to live for their lip glosses

Lidl anything tbh, it's the only place I shop because I can't fault the quality of any of it. Especially the bakery. When you walk in and they've just done a fresh batch of Nutella croissants or pain au chocolate.. mmmm

Lidl do magnum type ice cream lollies that are gorgeous and you get 6 in the box, much cheaper than actual magnums and just as lovely. Also, Lidl do a reed diffuser for about £3 and its really lovely - fig scented and lasts for ages.

Bicarbonate soda from Wilkinson’s to clean my teapot and mugs

Sainsbury Dandruff shampoo at £1
Washing powder
Unbranded loo roll
Co op quarter pound burgers
Olay moisturiser

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

Must re-read and take notes, so many great suggestions on here!

Asda do electric rice cookers, ideal size for 2-3 people, for about £10-16. Look out for the reduced price around the Chinese New Year ;-)

Superdrug own brand Colour Effects hair dye. Often on offer (3 for 2 or second one half price or something). They just shampoo in - and out - so are dead easy and quick to use, ie instead of your usual shampoo. I use one a couple of times a week and all my hairdressers always comment on the colour and condition. £1.99 for what they say will last 3 washes, but I get loads more than that out of it on my mid-length hair in a soft water area.

I agree with the colour effects! Great for my hair.

Aldi No3 Candle and diffuser. It smells just like Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. Everyone asks what the smell in my house is…

@LoisLane66 melt a knob of butter. Put cup of basmati rice in and stir until butter all over. Add two cups water. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT lift lid.

Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream. I have recently discovered that this cult classic makes my skin so smooth, soft, supple, luminous and not greasy at all. You can use it on the face, body, hands....everywhere. It is super cheap but can beat the socks off expensive Harrods counter brands. Do give it a try!