Page 20 | What's been your best purchase of the year?

Robyn847 · 03/01/2026 19:43

2000 tiny yellow plastic ducks for a fiver. I hid 250 over the office on my last day at work, including in the ornamental plants in the Communal reception, the male and female loos and in the lift. My neighbour went on holiday just before Christmas and I had keys so I could go in to arrange the Elf on the Shelf ready for their return and I hid about 50 round their house too. Best mischief I've ever had, all for £4.99!! I'm going to be hiding them for YEARS.

landlordhell · 03/01/2026 19:44

Robyn847 · 03/01/2026 19:43

2000 tiny yellow plastic ducks for a fiver. I hid 250 over the office on my last day at work, including in the ornamental plants in the Communal reception, the male and female loos and in the lift. My neighbour went on holiday just before Christmas and I had keys so I could go in to arrange the Elf on the Shelf ready for their return and I hid about 50 round their house too. Best mischief I've ever had, all for £4.99!! I'm going to be hiding them for YEARS.

Grow up!

BalletBee · 03/01/2026 19:45

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/01/2026 19:18

I’ve been wearing Blundstones with most things since the mid 90s! They’re brilliant. A pair lasts me about 5 years and I replace immediately!

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I will never be without a pair now !

LucyLoo1972 · 03/01/2026 19:45

letshavetea · 31/12/2025 08:42

Mounjaro for me too. A new wardrobe of clothes - mainly from Vinted. Lots of concert tickets - Pet Shop Boys, Nile Rodgers, Nick Cave, Annie Lennox, ABC, Trevor Horn, Howard Jones, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Human League, Santana, Steven Wilson.

thats good going

BalletBee · 03/01/2026 19:46

Superwomanwantsnewjob · 03/01/2026 19:21

Can I ask which brand of duvet? Would you recommend?

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Sorry, to interject !
I bought this wool duvet from IKEA, it's really good.

RÅDHUSVIN Double Wool Duvet, 7-10 TOG - IKEA UK

RÅDHUSVIN double duvet, 7-10tog. Breathable cotton & wool filling. Cosy in winter, cool in summer. Machine washable.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/radhusvin-duvet-7-10-tog-wool-90557438/

Baroluleni · 03/01/2026 19:47

Justbreathagain · 30/12/2025 22:39

Period underwear, so comfy and don't even remember I am on my period anymore during the day. No leaks. A meaco dehumidifier, dries laundry overnight in the winter

@Justbreathagain please could you let me know which Meaco dehumidifier you have?
we desperately could do with one, but such a minefield finding a decent one!
thank you.

Robyn847 · 03/01/2026 19:49

landlordhell · 03/01/2026 19:44

Grow up!

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Bargain!

What's been your best purchase of the year?

BassBug · 03/01/2026 19:50

Perfume and car bits. Also little things for my daughter because she is amazing!

MrsClatterbuck · 03/01/2026 19:57

Air fryer which dh has taken charge off. Double win.
Got this last year but they are great. Kuhn Rikon gadget for opening jars bottle caps etc. Best thing ever. Had one of those gadgets that looked like pliers but we're utterly useless.
Bought another set of Curver 4 drawers. They are very sturdy and look good. Have one in bathroom and one in ensuite. Keeps place tidy and hold a surprising amount. Have two 4 and one 3 drawer.

AIthenamesaregone · 03/01/2026 19:58

Massive fun sponge here but every time I see people posting about “hiding tiny ducks” pranks I just think about the potential choking hazard for anyone who might visit with a small child. Not to mention the unnecessary plastic waste.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 03/01/2026 20:05

I downloaded the Simple intermittent fasting app on the 18th January on the recommendation of a colleague. I used it for about 10 months and I’ve now lost 4 stone 7lb. It kept me accountable for my 16 hour fasts. Best money I spent this year, was less than £20 for the version I used IIRC. I deleted it as I reached goal and stopped fasting every day, hated having to lie to it😜🤣

Second best was my gym membership, that’s pricey but I love it and go 3-4 times every week.

I started this year in such different shape to what last year, it’s been an amazing journey and it all started with a conversation with a colleague and a decision to down load an app.

Sportbilly79 · 03/01/2026 20:05

Laska2Meryls · 31/12/2025 09:31

My new eyes .
Private surgery after an accident badly affected the retina in my ' good' eye and caused floaters obscuring much of my sight and my lazy eye also needed cataract surgery. NHS said I'd just have to live with it , but id lost my my ability to see so much- and especially read and focus close work like sewing , both of which I love - it was really depressing . Ended up getting another opinion and paying for private surgery on both .. I now have perfect sight back in damaged eye and , even my 'lazy' eye is a billion times better ..I just now need off the shelf reading glasses after years of expensive prescription ones.. Huge hole in bank account but just wonderful

Edited

Did you have successful treatment for the actual floaters? Suffering with this myself and the NHs told me too that I’d have to live with it!

Ophy83 · 03/01/2026 20:07

Hedjwitch · 31/12/2025 10:02

A wood burner type fire for our very cold sitting room. The fire is electric though with LED very realistic flames. Its made such a difference.

Which one did you go for? I'm looking for a fire like this for my garden room

Uberaddict · 03/01/2026 20:09

Automatic cat tray. Got it on Black Friday. Even though me and DH take turns, I reckon it has given me back 40 mins a week.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 03/01/2026 20:10

Business class upgrade

gryffindor1979 · 03/01/2026 20:14

Uberaddict · 03/01/2026 20:09

Automatic cat tray. Got it on Black Friday. Even though me and DH take turns, I reckon it has given me back 40 mins a week.

Have been considering one of these! Which one did you opt for please?

leccybill · 03/01/2026 20:14

£15 tickets to see Evita, in the pre-sale, row C. It was breathtaking! Still not over it.

MissPobjoysPonies · 03/01/2026 20:14

CactusRabbit · 30/12/2025 22:05

I have 2. First is my coffee machine. It grinds the beans, so I can have a freshly brewed coffee each morning. I love it!
Second one is a prize from postcode lottery. It's a rechargeable hot water bottle, and it's been a game changer! Especially useful for when I'm cold watching DS play rugby....

What was your coffee machine purchase? Am trying to find one but am overwhelmed!

SulkySeagull · 03/01/2026 20:16

Robotic vac and mop - it’s life changing

A David Lloyd membership - I know this is controversial but our local one is great and I’ve become fitter/thinner and mentally happier since joining.

health & her pre menstrual subscription - my PMDD had taken over my life last year, 2025 was much more manageable thanks to this!

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/01/2026 20:21

@Illegally18 and @SquirrelFan Expert Africa is a great travel agent to use for safaris. I would also recommend Yellow Zebra Safaris. In both cases they have ready-made options on their websites but you can ask them to tweak them to suit you (or create a bespoke holiday for you).

Ive been twice to South Luangwa National Park (the size of Wales) in Zambia. Its where Kingdom, the recent David Attenbrough documentary, was filmed. A totally amazing place but very expensive.

I must warn you that safaris are addictive. I only intended to go once as a 'trip of a lifetime'...

Superwomanwantsnewjob · 03/01/2026 20:21

TheeNotoriousPIG · 03/01/2026 14:55

I have never even been above ground in London, so no! 😂

I'm nowhere near a big city, which might be why it is much more reasonable than whatever you've been quoted. Do try the smaller establishments, though- they tend to offer more reasonable quotes, and usually a more personalised service!

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Which type of laser is it? Also suffering from menopause induced rosacea… 😮‍💨

Uberaddict · 03/01/2026 20:22

gryffindor1979 · 03/01/2026 20:14

Have been considering one of these! Which one did you opt for please?

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The Devoko 90l. Honestly - I weighed it up for ages but was such a good buy. It uses so much less litter as well as time

MrsClatterbuck · 03/01/2026 20:26

Also my new ice cube trays by Joseph Joseph. With proper lids so they won't spill when putting in freezer. So much better than the previous ones with a silicone folding lid

DuchessofStaffordshire · 03/01/2026 20:28

HouseWithASeaView · 30/12/2025 22:49

My emus. Like Uggs but wider so they actually fit me
My robomop. A clean kitchen floor at the touch of a button.
A dual electric blanket. Means I can actually have an electric blanket again as DH just doesn’t turn his side on.
Waterproof trainers. On the few occasions I have been out for a run this winter, they have made such a difference.
£££ sunglasses. Knowing how expensive they were, I pay much more attention to where I am putting them and haven’t lost them yet. I got them in May so that’s good going for me. If I hold onto them for another few years (hollow laugh) I’ll be able to properly justify the cost of them. In the meantime, I enjoy wearing them and think they look fabulous.
Champagne. I’ve realised it’s one of the very few drinks I can have more than a couple of glasses of and feel fine the next day. I am rarely in a situation where I
might drink more than a couple of glasses so it’s not as extravagant as it sounds.

Last year’s hits (walking boots &
toaster tongs) continue to be well
used & much loved.

I'm glad you love your trainers! I tried gortex/waterproof ones once and found that once your feet get wet they stay wet whereas normal mesh ones let your feet dry as you run.

Superwomanwantsnewjob · 03/01/2026 20:31

This thread is kind of contradicting the No Spend January one I’m on… 😁🤣 Sooo many amazing ideas on here that I’d never thought of… 😂