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?

@Kgutdfn

Boots Natural Collection foundation and mascara.

Me too! Love the mascaras.

And this

Sistema microwave rice cooker from amazon absolute game changer never bought packet rice since.

A microwave rice cooker is a game changer!

Wooden handed household brushes from Wilko laundry section. I have them hanging on a set of hooks in my utility room. They look just like the posh ones that cost 4x as much. Lovely quality and do a really good job as well as looking fab.

Agreed about the bar soap- buy the stuff wrapped in paper or card.
Works much better than shower gel and lasts ages- so much kinder to the planet.
A big bar of soap will last me 4 months having a shower every day.

Elbow grease spray from Poundland, it's amazing what that cleans through and it doesn't wreck your hands

@2022success

Tesco Baked Beans Tesco Homestyle oven chips.

Both as good as/better than branded equivalents.

Oh, and Tesco Laundry tablets.

Oh yes, Tesco homestyle oven chips, my children won't accept anything else!

Lard and dripping (use much less than oil and makes everything taste better)

@CrotchetyQuaver

Elbow grease spray from Poundland, it's amazing what that cleans through and it doesn't wreck your hands

It's brilliant stuff!

Iceland frozen cream cakes. I think there are 10 in a tray, all different, with a moulded top over them so they dont get squashed the freezer. £4.99 for 10 I think. I get them at Christmas as you can take out what you need for visitors and they defrost in less than an hour. I live in a village and its brilliant when people are coming over for a short visit. Saves a 14 mile round trip to get fresh ones.

@thinkhorsesnotzebra I was going to suggest to @Caramellatteplease using a slice of loofa which is what I use for our soap, and these soap savers seem to be pretty much the same thing!

Lots of good suggestions on here which I shall make a note of

White vinegar instead of fabric conditioner. It's cheaper, doesn't smell and keeps whites whiter. It helps keep the washing machine gunk free as well.

I developed horrific eczema in my forties (as in, 'dressings changed twice a week at the GPs' bad) and while I haven't found anything that really works on my body, the Tesco little shea butter handcreams at £1 or £1.50 have been great for my hands. They've been much better than anything else I've tried, even the expensive medicated stuff.

@DriveMeCrazy1974

I think most supermarket own brand versions of Jaffa Cakes are actually better than than the real ones by McVitie's these days. I don't know why, they just are! Especially Tesco's version.

We like the M&S ones

@ScrambledSmegs "Where did you get your rice cooker from please? I've been looking for one for ages and they're either too expensive or have terrible reviews."

I got a Tefal Cool Touch 1.8L Rice Cooker for £27.50 from Robert Dyas, based on the Which? magazine reviews. It's great. The only trouble is, the minimum amount you can cook is fairly large so it would only suit a family.

I love the convenience of a rice cooker. Because I am not good at multi-tasking, I struggle to get everything ready for dinner at the same time. The rice cooker just sits there keeping the rice warm until you want it!

Chickpeas. I roast them with salt, paprika and a little olive oil and they are such a satisfying snack

@JackieWeaversZoomAc

Soda crystals - put a spoonful in with every load of washing in hard water areas.

I am a fan of soda crystals for cleaning etc but I didn't know I could do this. What difference does it make to the wash or is it for protecting the machine?

Tesco bagels, bet than the leading brand, can't remember what it's called

Waitrose’s own Pure skincare

Tesco Fox and Ivy towels. I read a recommendation in a newspaper and they live up to it-thick, fluffy and long lasting. Better than any of the posh ones from JL, White Co etc.

Lidl’s Platinum washing up liquid is amazing, their cheaper washing up liquid is really appallingly bad.

I am also a great fan of Elbow Grease products.

@Thatkid Do the soap nuts clean properly? I was thinking of getting a bag but not sure how they can handle things like muddy & sweaty sports clothes. Do they remove stains too?

Nivea Soft moisturiser.

I have used loads in my quest for nice skin (no runs eye oily and acne prone but yet still starting to looks bit tired at 38 years old). Branded, expensive, very expensive, cheap, you name it I've tried it.

Nivea Soft is cheap and lovely, soaks in quick and smells great. Switched a while ago and I'd use nothing else now! Also it's so cheap you can use it on your body without worrying that you're wasting your posh face cream!

These threads always seem to cost me money - at least this time it was only £7.99 for the microwave rice cooker.

I have an underactive thyroid and my eyebrows were disappearing. I was looking at buying a product to help them grow and it was about £25 for a tiny bottle. Bought a bottle of castor oil instead, couple of pounds, and washed an old mascara wand. Six weeks later I looked in the mirror this morning and I have eyebrows!

Lidl for degrease, jam/preserves, pasta ,fruit and veg. Asda own brand cream soap and sugar free granola, Tesco soft drinks and table sauces...all own brand

Lidl Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts). You can get them nearly as cheap - £2 for 4 - at Tesco but much more expensive at the Coop and Waitrose.

Lidl's are the best of all of them.