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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What item (food, clothing, make up ect) is worth every penny?

229 replies

Birthdaygirltoday33 · 14/05/2023 15:34

In the cost of living crisis, things have increased in price, while value, quality and quantity has diminished...

So what do you think is worth buying, worth the investment in thew tough times items can be cheap or expensive, but must at least good quality...

For example m&s baked beans 50p a tin, cheap, but tastes better than more expensive brands.

Fairy washing up liquid is more expensive but lasts long and is overall better economy

OP posts:
Liorae · 14/05/2023 21:21

Naot sandals.

ginghamstarfish · 14/05/2023 21:21

Quisquam · 14/05/2023 17:11

We go to Aldi it maybe Lidl and buy their chocolate with no palm oil!

I can’t stand Cadbury’s since it was taken over, and they changed the recipe for the worse!

Agree only buy Aldi or Lidl chic now, it's lovely. Cadburys etc all crap now and full of palm oil.

Leftbutcameback · 14/05/2023 21:24

Expensive padded loo roll. Anything else and I just get sore. Sorry if that’s TMI! I do try to buy it on offer.

Facial sun block. After learning about what actually works, I now wear it 365 days and it has to not pill, and not look too white.

Leftbutcameback · 14/05/2023 21:26

SnapBang · 14/05/2023 20:27

Also interested in reading people’s shampoo buys.

I have fine hair that i just cannot see any difference with no matter the shampoo? I do get it done in the salon every six weeks and I also use a professional treatment on it twice a week instead of washing. I ask drink lots of water. Is that enough? I’d love to improve the thickness of my hair even more but I’ve tried all different shampoos and to be honest get the same result with the cheapest of the cheap as with very expensive so I feel it’s a waste!

@SnapBang - I think it also depends on what your water is like. With really hard water you have to work to get the right shampoo. Aboard / in Wales I can have shiny hair with any shampoo!

Fluffyhoglets · 14/05/2023 21:26

Comfortable shoes. I have chronic pain. Cheap uncomfortable shoes make it worse.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/05/2023 21:28

Yes to Andrex. I switched to Sainsbury’s own brand for a while and it made me really sore. Back to Andrex and all is well below, as it were.

Any recs for the best towels? I used to like M&S and John Lewis but the latest ones don’t seem very good.

Namechange666 · 14/05/2023 21:42

Extraordinary foundation by ciate london. Not only go you get more product for your money (50ml instead of standard 30ml) you can buy it in so many shades and undertones. I have been complimented on my skin so many times wearing this foundation and it covers up my rosacea but makes my skin look glowing.

It says £28.00 online but I've never paid full price as they quite often do sales. The product lasts me about a year and I wear it every day so I buy two. You don't need a lot.

OriginalFloorboards · 14/05/2023 21:44

Ihateboris · 14/05/2023 17:43

Decent bin liners

Yes!

HappyMe6 · 14/05/2023 21:48

Kirkland bin liners massive and thicker love them, Essie nailvarnish, fairy Liquid. HP sauce. Caramac chocolate.

universityhelp · 14/05/2023 21:52

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I've not bought any recently but you could look at the Dorma brand in Dunelm, otherwise I would have suggested John Lewis.
I also agree about bin liners, forgot about that! I'm in charge of the bathroom bin and get the branded types, we have to reach a compromise for the kitchen bin as it is changed mroe often.

bunchofforgetmenots · 14/05/2023 22:03

delouis mayonnaise
organic meat
m&s underwear
Esther Williams 50s swimsuit
lovely bed linen
I'm happy to rely mainly on basic food & second hand clothes, if I have a few nice things

takealettermsjones · 14/05/2023 22:15

Shoes..always shoes.

Jones boot company for boots
Skechers for trainers and sandals
Muck boot company for wellies

Also Neal & Wolf shampoo/conditioner.

elm26 · 14/05/2023 22:16

Yorkshire tea bags
Faith washing up liquid and dishwasher tabs
Green giant sweetcorn
Robinsons Apple & Bcurrant squash

Mindovermatter247 · 14/05/2023 22:29

There’s a few things that I won’t change… I’d rather pay more than eat the shit versions ( yes I’ve tasted other brands) - my personal taste
heinz ketchup
heinz baked beans
heinz or hellmans mayo
original coke
daddies or Hp brown sauce

Ohfgsjon · 14/05/2023 22:34

SnapBang · 14/05/2023 20:27

Also interested in reading people’s shampoo buys.

I have fine hair that i just cannot see any difference with no matter the shampoo? I do get it done in the salon every six weeks and I also use a professional treatment on it twice a week instead of washing. I ask drink lots of water. Is that enough? I’d love to improve the thickness of my hair even more but I’ve tried all different shampoos and to be honest get the same result with the cheapest of the cheap as with very expensive so I feel it’s a waste!

Fibrology is very good for fine hair.

whatausername · 14/05/2023 22:36

Fairislefandango · 14/05/2023 18:20

What country do you live in that you have a local tea seller?

Northwest England! There are two independent coffee and tea companies (both with lovely attached café), one in each of my nearest decent-sized towns. There was one in the nearest town in the last two places I lived too. Not that unusual, surely?

IA it's not that unusual, I've one and I'm in Scotland.

LyleLyleAlligator · 14/05/2023 22:45

Asics trainers
Modibodi pants
Fairy liquid
Nescafe Azera Americano coffee
Hellman's vegan mayo

Pasithean · 14/05/2023 22:47

BarelyLiterate · 14/05/2023 18:17

Have you noticed the massive shrinkflation this week? A standard block of Lurpak is now 200g, which is 20% smaller than it has always been. Blocks are now visibly smaller. The price, of course, has stayed the same.

Show quote history

Yes I noticed that too now need two packs to bake. RIP off.

Pasithean · 14/05/2023 22:56

Lurpak. Or home made
proper cheese.
fresh tomatoes not tinned.
hula hoops. DH. Favourite.
harris gin.
highland park whisky
.

Neverknowinglysensible · 14/05/2023 22:58

@GeneHuntsCowboyBoots finally, another person who rates Goldenfry gravy granules over the evil tasting Bisto. And it’s so much cheaper!
Apart from Goldenfry:
President dome butter
Jackson’s sliced bread
Helmann’s mayo
Longley cottage cheese, Snowdonia Black Bomber cheddar, an amazing crumbly Lancashire from the cheesemonger in Chester
I’m a recent convert to quilted Cushelle loo roll after years of Tesco Coconut -just wow!

Nyna · 14/05/2023 23:13

Ben&Jerry’s chocolate ice cream with chunks of brownie.
Really large, fluffy, expensive towels for the shower.
A new iPhone every three-four years (definitely not the latest release though).
Old Amsterdam cheese

LulooLemon · 14/05/2023 23:18

Fresh flowers from local florist market stall

I live in Lululemon align leggings (hence my name 🤣)

Fresh ground coffee and loose leaf tea from independent seller

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/05/2023 23:25

Solovair boots
Patagonia outdoor gear
Scarpa walking boots
Brookes trainers
Ron Hill running kit
Birkenstock sandals
North Face luggage
Howies merino baselayers
Shokz headphones

Yorkshire Tea

Hypnos mattesss

Blouses/shirts from Toast

Muck Boots

mrlistersgelfbride · 14/05/2023 23:27

Agree with Dove deodorant
Body shop body butters
Charlotte Tilbury eye cream

Fairy washing powder
Heinz beans
Felipo Berio Olive oil

mrlistersgelfbride · 14/05/2023 23:28

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads Brookes trainers...yes! After years of running I'm a recent convert to them. Best trainers ever!