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?

Asda toilet roll is decent, actually. Not quite as thick as Andrex but pretty damn close. I also used Asda own brand nappies and wipes on both my kids and never had any leaks or reactions. Used Pampers and the pee literally came out the sides immediately. Weirdly, the most expensive Pampers were the worst nappies we used.

Asda’s own brand tends to be pretty solid in most areas, tbh. The only thing I wouldn’t buy non branded versions of is chocolate and Diet Coke.

@Rina66

Oh thanks everyone for the heads up re the unstoppables, I'll stop doing that then. I used to buy unstoppable wax melts from B & M but they stopped making them hence why I used the beads. It wasn't for cheapness, it was because I really love the smell, I never use cheap wax melts, they're just awful.

I put unstoppables into cheap trainer socks, knot the ankles, and pop them in my wardrobes and drawers - lovely smell but without the fumes.

@SomewhereOnlyIKnow

Dove Shea butter soap is lovely, but I can only get it at Sainsbury’s now.

B&M usually have it in too.

IKEA garlic press - the best I’ve ever used

We use Home Bargains for generic paracetamol, antihistamines and cold and flu stuff, saves us a fortune and the ingredients are just the same as the expensive ones.

Lidl's own brand Prosecco and Champagne are both lovely and really affordable if you like having some bubbly regularly.

The Home Bargains version of Footner is brilliant. It actually works compared to other cheap ones I've bought online and it's a fraction of the price of Footner.

Poundland have some really nice homeware stuff too. I've got some wine glasses from there which have lasted years and I got hand towels when we moved a few years ago which are still really soft and fluffy (much better than the M&S ones I got around the same time.)

@Supersimkin2 I say the same, but how did we get into the habit of calling it "full fat Coke"? There is no fat in Coke or Diet Coke!

Good tips on here. I use Lidl's own brand Bio washing powder, my husband is a farmer and it's the only thing that gets muck/ engine oil/ grease out of his clothes.

Lidl sell hand soap bottle refill pouches, they are cheap and save plastic. I'm sure other shops must sell it but I haven't seen it.

Tesco own brand sparkling water €0.45 for 2ltr love it. I also check what fruit/ veg is in the weekly specials and try something new!

I love milkshakes, but pre-mixed ones are very pricey so I buy nesquik milkshake powder.

The Ordinary and Inkey list skin care - they are brands for interested in skincare, goes beyond just 'day cream' / 'night cream' but you can get fantastic products with great active ingredients for under a tenner.

I say the same, but how did we get into the habit of calling it "full fat Coke"? There is no fat in Coke or Diet Coke! It comes from saying 'full fat milk'. I really hate when people say this!

@BertieBotts

A rice cooker. Cost about £20 but it's saved me hundreds in replaced burnt on pans/time scrubbing them plus we actually eat rice regularly which has saved money because rice is cheaper than oven chips or whatever else we would have had with the food instead.

Which one did you get? I dithered over Lidl’s and wish I’d just got it last time they had it!

Lidl small tubs of Ardennes pate. About 79p and better than many more expensive pates. Fabulous.

Ginger nut biscuits no like it smell chicken not good but crunch like chocolates

Soda. For washing machines, drains, washing up, all sorts. It’s what your great granny would have used!

You ok @HastySlander?

Collection yellow concealer - really covers up my awful dark circles! Better than much more expensive ones.

Fake jaffa cakes

Milk

@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.

@JackieWeaversZoomAc which one ?

@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.

Oooh, do let us know where this is from? What 'own brand' is it?

Elbow grease spray, £1 and takes the stains out of everything
Pink paste, £1 for a big tub it's amazing all over the house
Lidl olive oil moisturiser, it was so cheap for a big bottle and it's amazing. Non greasy and smells fantastic
Lidl cien lip balm, works wonders with dry lips and it's not peppermint like Carmex which I hate
Nivea micellar water in the big bottle, honestly takes all of my makeup off in one go
M&S brand chocolate digestive are so much nicer than mcvities although they are expensive for biscuits as well
Lidl orange juice!! It's nicer than innocent or other expensive brands

Lidl Classic dishwasher tablets.

@amusedbush

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.

I came on to say these! We call them 'fake fantas' in our house and love them. SO cheap too.

Sainsburys 99p After Eight substitutes. Cheap, now tastier than the originals, and dairy-free.

@Zotter

Waitrose’s own Pure skincare

I wrote this above but when I look at the Waitrose website it seems no longer available so perhaps discontinued.

@Earbogeys

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

What gems are in your life?

Everything I buy is cheap because I'm tight.

Yes to the Lidl Cremant which is excellent