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  3. What's the most unexpectedly useful item you've ever bought under $20?

What's the most unexpectedly useful item you've ever bought under $20?

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  • tetris11@lemmy.mlT [email protected]

    One way window heat shield. Reflects 85‰ of the UV back out. Sticks to the window using only water.

    Noticeable difference in temperature for any sun-facing windows

    K This user is from outside of this forum
    K This user is from outside of this forum
    [email protected]
    wrote on last edited by
    #67

    How easy are they to cut to size, or if you need to use multiple to cover a window how does the gap/seam look? Have been thinking of getting them, but we also want to replace our windows at some point. I assume you can't just reuse them?

    M tetris11@lemmy.mlT 2 Replies Last reply
    4
    • jordanlund@lemmy.worldJ [email protected]

      Really good nailclippers:

      https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Personal-Care/Nail-Clipper/p/8.2050.B1

      If you're willing to go over the $20 barrier, you get more functionality:

      https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Small-Pocket-Knives/Nail-Clip-580/p/0.6463

      I liked it enough, I bought two more.

      Smallest MagLite:

      https://maglite.com/products/solitaire-led-key-chain-flashlight-with-gift-card-gift-box

      G This user is from outside of this forum
      G This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      wrote on last edited by
      #68

      It's hilarious that they say

      Swiss made nail clipper with two functions

      Followed by not mentioning what the other function is...

      G jordanlund@lemmy.worldJ 2 Replies Last reply
      3
      • little8lost@lemmy.worldL [email protected]

        Chopsticks are also nice to mix fluids in a bottle because for some they are long enough
        I also started eating potato chips with them, can reach deeper in + clean hands

        nailbar@sopuli.xyzN This user is from outside of this forum
        nailbar@sopuli.xyzN This user is from outside of this forum
        [email protected]
        wrote on last edited by
        #69

        Ooh, I'll try to remember this next time I'm having chips!

        1 Reply Last reply
        1
        • T [email protected]

          One of these stainless steel bars of "soap". It's for getting onion and garlic smell off your hands. I was skeptical when my partner bought it, but it totally works. Rub on your hands under cold water and it's like you never even looked at the garlic.

          R This user is from outside of this forum
          R This user is from outside of this forum
          [email protected]
          wrote on last edited by
          #70

          Does this also work for jalapenos?

          T H A 3 Replies Last reply
          1
          • tetris11@lemmy.mlT [email protected]

            got any recommedations?

            undulyunruly@lemmy.worldU This user is from outside of this forum
            undulyunruly@lemmy.worldU This user is from outside of this forum
            [email protected]
            wrote on last edited by
            #71

            Live life to the fullest and teach your mate’s cat to play the piano by carefully dripping tuna water between selected keys.

            tetris11@lemmy.mlT 1 Reply Last reply
            4
            • K [email protected]

              How easy are they to cut to size, or if you need to use multiple to cover a window how does the gap/seam look? Have been thinking of getting them, but we also want to replace our windows at some point. I assume you can't just reuse them?

              M This user is from outside of this forum
              M This user is from outside of this forum
              [email protected]
              wrote on last edited by
              #72

              At least in home depot, some of them come with a specific blade tool, or one that's not too much more expensive. It's hard/sharp enough to seamlessly cut through the tints, but not scratch your window.

              1 Reply Last reply
              2
              • tetris11@lemmy.mlT [email protected]

                One way window heat shield. Reflects 85‰ of the UV back out. Sticks to the window using only water.

                Noticeable difference in temperature for any sun-facing windows

                F This user is from outside of this forum
                F This user is from outside of this forum
                [email protected]
                wrote on last edited by
                #73

                Window film is so glorious. I have my bedroom windows blacked out with it, easier to sleep, and yes, always cool temperatures in there.

                1 Reply Last reply
                3
                • E [email protected]
                  This post did not contain any content.
                  F This user is from outside of this forum
                  F This user is from outside of this forum
                  [email protected]
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #74

                  My pocket stun gun was $19.99. Decided I needed a defense mechanism I could conceal after an encounter with a scary aggressive homeless man.

                  Also has a flashlight.

                  J vetoftheseas@discuss.onlineV N 3 Replies Last reply
                  8
                  • E [email protected]
                    This post did not contain any content.
                    N This user is from outside of this forum
                    N This user is from outside of this forum
                    [email protected]
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #75

                    Wool poncho. I've used it to stay warm, stay cool, as a groundcloth under my sleeping bag, as a blanket, as a pillow, as a decorative throw, as a cat bed, as a picnic blanket, as a beach blanket. It's incredibly useful and versatile.

                    chefdano3@lemmy.zipC K 2 Replies Last reply
                    10
                    • K [email protected]

                      How easy are they to cut to size, or if you need to use multiple to cover a window how does the gap/seam look? Have been thinking of getting them, but we also want to replace our windows at some point. I assume you can't just reuse them?

                      tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                      tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                      [email protected]
                      wrote on last edited by [email protected]
                      #76

                      Pretty easy to cut, but of course it'll never be perfect, and it's better to cut smaller than larger since it sticks to the window using water, and needs a complete seal, so any corners that overlap a frame will just slowly force the whole thing to peel off.

                      Very easy to re-use, it sticks using water and requires a flat piece of card (e.g. an old credit card) to spread it out over the window

                      K 1 Reply Last reply
                      3
                      • W [email protected]

                        I did this at my last House and it was fantastic.

                        Just need to remember that once it's dark outside the reflective side "switches" and everyone can see clearly into the house.

                        tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                        tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                        [email protected]
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #77

                        wait really? and isn't that always the case with any window?

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        6
                        • undulyunruly@lemmy.worldU [email protected]

                          Live life to the fullest and teach your mate’s cat to play the piano by carefully dripping tuna water between selected keys.

                          tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                          tetris11@lemmy.mlT This user is from outside of this forum
                          [email protected]
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #78

                          no, I mean, got any recommendations for drinking slowly

                          bigdaddyslim@lemmy.worldB 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • E [email protected]
                            This post did not contain any content.
                            edg@lemmy.worldE This user is from outside of this forum
                            edg@lemmy.worldE This user is from outside of this forum
                            [email protected]
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #79

                            A basket/bowl thing for keys, wallet, and whatever one carries around. No more hunting for them when walking out the door.

                            R K 2 Replies Last reply
                            5
                            • tetris11@lemmy.mlT [email protected]

                              Pretty easy to cut, but of course it'll never be perfect, and it's better to cut smaller than larger since it sticks to the window using water, and needs a complete seal, so any corners that overlap a frame will just slowly force the whole thing to peel off.

                              Very easy to re-use, it sticks using water and requires a flat piece of card (e.g. an old credit card) to spread it out over the window

                              K This user is from outside of this forum
                              K This user is from outside of this forum
                              [email protected]
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #80

                              Is that the static type then that are reused and just need water, with adhesive backed ones being single application only?

                              tetris11@lemmy.mlT 1 Reply Last reply
                              1
                              • M [email protected]

                                Electric screwdriver from Lidl (well, it was less than £20) - as a DIY novice/flat pack builder, it changed my life

                                M This user is from outside of this forum
                                M This user is from outside of this forum
                                [email protected]
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #81

                                Lidl's tools are surprisingly good.

                                ::: spoiler And don't just take my word for it.

                                :::

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                2
                                • little8lost@lemmy.worldL [email protected]

                                  Chopsticks are also nice to mix fluids in a bottle because for some they are long enough
                                  I also started eating potato chips with them, can reach deeper in + clean hands

                                  J This user is from outside of this forum
                                  J This user is from outside of this forum
                                  [email protected]
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #82

                                  eating chips with chopsticks also slows me down and some times prevent me from overeating chips

                                  S 1 Reply Last reply
                                  5
                                  • E [email protected]
                                    This post did not contain any content.
                                    H This user is from outside of this forum
                                    H This user is from outside of this forum
                                    [email protected]
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #83

                                    $20 bread maker I found at at a thrift store. There's no telling how many hundreds of loaves of healthy, fresh baked wheat bread I've churned out of that thing over the past two years, especially now that we're grinding our own wheat too.

                                    vetoftheseas@discuss.onlineV J 2 Replies Last reply
                                    15
                                    • venus_ziegenfalle@feddit.orgV [email protected]

                                      Fyi this also works with a steel faucet or sink in a pinch

                                      A This user is from outside of this forum
                                      A This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote on last edited by [email protected]
                                      #84

                                      Or the outside of a stainless mixing bowl. That’s what I use since there’s usually one drying next to the sink anyway. And it’s also useful as a bowl!

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      2
                                      • T [email protected]

                                        I knew I wouldn't regret starting to use user notes.Demonstration of user note reminding me that I share a fandom with this user

                                        nusm@piefed.zipN This user is from outside of this forum
                                        nusm@piefed.zipN This user is from outside of this forum
                                        [email protected]
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #85

                                        User notes? What are these, and how would I go about using them?

                                        T 1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • little8lost@lemmy.worldL [email protected]

                                          Chopsticks are also nice to mix fluids in a bottle because for some they are long enough
                                          I also started eating potato chips with them, can reach deeper in + clean hands

                                          nusm@piefed.zipN This user is from outside of this forum
                                          nusm@piefed.zipN This user is from outside of this forum
                                          [email protected]
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #86

                                          I’m gonna leave this right here…

                                          SNACTIV LITE Finger Chopsticks... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXG8ZTNG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

                                          B 1 Reply Last reply
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