What's the most unexpectedly useful item you've ever bought under $20?
-
got any recommedations?
Live life to the fullest and teach your mate’s cat to play the piano by carefully dripping tuna water between selected keys.
-
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?
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.
-
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
Window film is so glorious. I have my bedroom windows blacked out with it, easier to sleep, and yes, always cool temperatures in there.
-
This post did not contain any content.
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.
-
This post did not contain any content.
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.
-
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?
wrote on last edited by [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
-
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.
wait really? and isn't that always the case with any window?
-
Live life to the fullest and teach your mate’s cat to play the piano by carefully dripping tuna water between selected keys.
no, I mean, got any recommendations for drinking slowly
-
This post did not contain any content.
A basket/bowl thing for keys, wallet, and whatever one carries around. No more hunting for them when walking out the door.
-
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
Is that the static type then that are reused and just need water, with adhesive backed ones being single application only?
-
Electric screwdriver from Lidl (well, it was less than £20) - as a DIY novice/flat pack builder, it changed my life
Lidl's tools are surprisingly good.
::: spoiler And don't just take my word for it.
::: -
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 handseating chips with chopsticks also slows me down and some times prevent me from overeating chips
-
This post did not contain any content.
$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.
-
Fyi this also works with a steel faucet or sink in a pinch
wrote on last edited by [email protected]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!
-
I knew I wouldn't regret starting to use user notes.
User notes? What are these, and how would I go about using them?
-
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 handsI’m gonna leave this right here…
SNACTIV LITE Finger Chopsticks... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXG8ZTNG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
-
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.
That's just how a normal window works
-
This post did not contain any content.
A screwdriver kit with multiple head tips, can repair almost anything as long as I am given some schematics
-
Is that the static type then that are reused and just need water, with adhesive backed ones being single application only?
wrote on last edited by [email protected]Huh, never heard of the adhesive type. I've used the static/water ones for ~4 years without any issues
-
Even though I don't regularly use it, I'm glad I have a p38 can opener on my keychain. Just in case I end up in a survival situation, it's good to have alongside a good keychain bottle opener. Obviously not as good as a leatherman, but for under $20, yeah, these two are worth it.
I used to always carry one but it ripped holes in sooo many of my pockets
