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?

Collection Lash Surge mascara. It's a Lancôme Hypnose dupe for less than a fiver but absolutely brilliant quality.

@WorkTwerkWorkTwerkWork

They have their limitations- really disgusting clothing I.e. when the kids have been in the woods or the youngest has coated themselves in their dinner is a bit beyond the power of a soapnut. They're not that good on short washes either unless there isn't much in the washing machine. I use them about 80% of the time including towels and bedding.

Check your private messages as well!

Nivea night cream (about £2.50) as day cream and night cream.

Dove bar soap - moisturises well, is cheap and better for the environment than plastic.

Whogivesacrap toilet roll. Recycled, delivered each 3 months, as cheap as ordinary loo roll but they give half their profits to build loos in countries with inadequate sanitation.

Aldi tonic & lidl portugese tarts

The new Astonish concentrated disinfectant. They're made with essential oils, odour neutralising, and antibacterial. The scents are incredibly good, long lasting, and a small bottle makes 2 litres. And they're only a quid. Way better than Zorflora which always smells a bit like hospitals to me no matter which fragrance you buy

Also Poundland lip stain. Lasts ages, feels smooth and the colour is nice too. Nail varnish is good from there too.

And Wilkos Essentials twist up eye liner. Easily as good as the Rimmel one and about a 3rd of the price.

@TheFormidableMrsC

Collection Lash Surge mascara. It's a Lancôme Hypnose dupe for less than a fiver but absolutely brilliant quality.

Whaaaat? Thanks for that tip 👍 I almost forgot Iceland pizzas, they are lovely

Aldi nuts. Better than m and s.

Tesco aspirin 29p - saves the agony of paying a fiver for nurofen when you’re struck down. Two pills and a full fat coke cure anything.

@JackieWeaversZoomAc

After years of using fancy clothes wash, when they discontinued Method super concentrated laundry liquid, I switched to own brand plain pack clothes detergent. It's brilliant at cleaning clothing, lasts forever ever, low scent and is packaged in a cardboard box.

Which own brand is this ? Sounds great.

@spinachandchickpea

Nivea night cream (about £2.50) as day cream and night cream.

Dove bar soap - moisturises well, is cheap and better for the environment than plastic.

Whogivesacrap toilet roll. Recycled, delivered each 3 months, as cheap as ordinary loo roll but they give half their profits to build loos in countries with inadequate sanitation.

I did get WGAC loo rolls but they worked out more expensive, and the quality of the basic one was terrible. I upgraded to the one with the black and white packaging - I think it has bamboo in ? But it was so much more expensive than supermarket loo rolls that I have stopped.

Generic ibuprofen, antihistamines, paracetamol etc from Lidl....cost pennies and exactly the same as branded stuff!

My cheapo favourite is The Ordinary basic moisturiser, and their concealer in a little tube. The concealer is an excellent texture and colour match, both daughters and I use it.

Salt of the Earth deodorant. It's about £5.50 but one has lasted almost a year. The trick is to put it on while your armpits are still wet but once that is done it works brilliantly.

@HandlebarLadyTash

Aldi tonic & lidl portugese tarts

I've mentioned the tarts as well and it's really good to see we also agree on the Aldi tonic - great minds!

@GaiusHelenMohiam

Co-op own brand tonic (the full fat stuff though).

It’s good with everything from Gordon’s to a £50 craft gin. I drink/talk about gin professionally so you can take it from me.

Coop diet tonic is also good.

@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.

Aldi's is the best, in my opinion (I've tried them all). Best tip I read a few years ago was to keep them in the fridge - the texture really improves.

Tesco own brand Pom Bears for the pre schooler. Eat Real veggie sticks rather than Kiddylicious for the baby.

Reusable kitchen roll. Game changer.

Been trying to reduce plastic, been using shampoo bars from Poundland or Home Bargains. Also laundry eggs from Amazon rather than washing powder

Aldi version of Pringles. Think they're called Stackers, about 80p a tube.

Custard creams. Get loads in a packet for under 50p. 😊

@SafferUpNorth

Generic ibuprofen, antihistamines, paracetamol etc from Lidl....cost pennies and exactly the same as branded stuff!

Yes to all of these. I'm currently using Galpharm cold and flu capsule (6 for the day and 2 for night - pack of 16) which has exactly the same in as the expensive name brand ones - only it cost a quid.

@TatianaBis

I think my best buy is Sainsbury's coffee and walnut cake. Cheap but so good. Also Sainsbury's Christmas cake slices.

I agree. It’s delicious. They used to do a lovely coconut cake too but as soon as I discovered it they discontinued it.

Waitrose own brand lemonade. So lemony was delicious and far superior to any other.

Aldi's fake cans of Fanta Zero. I'm autistic and orange Fanta Zero is one of the few things I will drink, so when there was a national shortage a few months ago I had a huge meltdown. DH sourced the Aldi one and it's even nicer, plus it's cheap as chips. I always have boxes of it in the boot of my car.

I've recently discovered Boots' own brand vitamin C moisturiser. I think it was £4 for the tub and it's lovely. It smells nice and fresh, it's not too heavy or greasy and my skin looks bright.

Nivea sensitive skin cleanser and Olay sensitive skin moisturiser. Better than much more expensive brands I’ve tried.