The Best Thing I Ever Bought for Under $20
Have you seen the Food Network show The Best Thing I Ever Ate? Food Network stars talk about the best thing they ever ate in various categories and where viewers can go to get those good eats. It's a great show that gives me ideas about new places and foods to try that I would've never otherwise discovered on my own. This kind of experience sharing is just the best. People love evangelizing about their new favorite finds (check out favorite bras and jeans), and people love hearing about them because it takes some of the risk out of trying something new. Everybody wins!
Curious to hear about more "best ever" finds, I asked real AOL Shoppers just like you to share their memory of the best thing they ever bought for under $20. It could be a beauty product, an electronic item, a home good -- anything! It just had to be for under $20. The eager responses were many and unsurprisingly diverse, but I've managed to group similar items together for us all to enjoy. Take a look at some of the best replies of our readers' favorite past under-$20 buys and see what new favorite products you might discover! Also, we'd love for you to share with us your own favorite under $20 buy in our comments section at the end to keep the conversation going.
By the way, the best thing I ever bought for under $20 was a black stretch belt. It goes with everything and it instantly makes regular-sized tops look tailor-made for my petite frame. It's a chic look and it also saves me the trouble of having to professionally alter my clothes!
 My double sided Cast Iron Griddle/Grill has proved to be my favorite thing in my kitchen! It heats up evenly and can take on four grilled cheeses at one time! That's not all! This thing will make pancakes, tortillas, and fried Spam! Then when you think you've tapped-out its awesomeness, you flip it over and get to grillin'!! Sliders, steaks, fish, chicken, veggies...I could go on all night.
-Carry Lank
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 In an attempt to create health-friendly meals, I started incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into my cooking, but the endless prep work was so time consuming and food processors were just too expensive. Fortunately, I found this mandoline slicer. My favorite breakfast (scalloped potatoes) used to take nearly half an hour to prep. Now I can slice both my potatoes and cheese, and be out of the kitchen in less than ten minutes.
-Danielle Hansen
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 Not a day will go by while I am wearing this color that I don't receive a compliment on it! I've never before gotten compliments on a polish color, maybe on a great mani or pedi, but not a color I just swiped on myself! I love it!
-Jen Wright
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 For $19 at Sephora, this skin care product gave my sometimes problem skin an airbrushed look without the cake or noticeable line of heavy foundation make-up. It is formulated for all tones, and works well with my very fair skin.
-Erica L.
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 I cannot seem to curl my hair with a curling iron without leaving creases in it. This iron has no plates, so I wrap the hair around the iron myself and -- voila -- perfect ringlets. It even comes with a heat resistant glove to safeguard my manicure and it heats up in seconds.
-Roey Ebert
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 As a full-time writer and part-time teacher, my days are spent in front of a computer or with my face buried in books. To counteract the effects of all that concentration, I purchased a soft, soothing eye mask. My eyes feel rejuvenated and have lost their zombie-like qualities.
-Sylvie Branch
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 The best whitening product I ever used was easy, and inexpensive. At the end of fourteen days, I was amazed. Not only had my teeth gotten much whiter, but the ease of using it every day also floored me. I put it on my teeth with a cotton swab twice a day, left it on for 5 minutes, then rinsed.
-Mary Ball
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 Our oldest son has sensitive skin. When he was an infant, we had a hard time fighting diaper rash. We tried several different diapers, wipes and lotions before finding Boudreaux's Butt Paste. This bargain find really was a life saver for our young family and the best thing we have bought for under $20.
-Paula Whitworth
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 The tiny spritzer gives you a quick spray of mouthwash. I bought the pack easily a year ago and now keep one in my room, one in my car and one with me at all times. None of them have run out yet. I love the rush you get from the minty clean feeling, and I've had more than one female companion bring up my nice-smelling breath. Easily worth every cent and more.
-Jesse Schmitt
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 Liquid Dr. Bronner's is an outstanding body soap, but it is also an amazing shampoo! I assumed any kind of multi-purpose cleaner would only work for men's short hair. But, I began washing my shoulder-length hair with the soap, and it left it more lush than any salon shampoo I had used in a decade.
-Gabrielle Moss
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 So good I bought two! Why? Working on a laptop with only 2 built in USB ports, I used to always find myself running out of places to plug in my flash drives and accessories. Thanks to the Targus Mobile USB Hub, I can finally plug in and use all my USB devices at the same time. Best of all, it's only a few inches in length, making it easy to pack and go wherever I do.
-J. Conboy
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 The set of cables is configured not only for iPod, but also for universal USB cords or anything with a USB hookup. The kit came with a car charger as well as a wall socket attachment. When I travel, instead of having to keep track of a bunch of chargers, I only had to keep a couple of cords.
-Annette Grieshaber
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 Nothing spoils a sunset or a mountain landscape more than an uneven horizon line. You'll always end up cursing yourself upon reviewing your shots, which look like they were taken on-board a ship in a storm. A nice bubble level will benefit you with straight shots and the interest of people around you, intrigued by this professional-looking addition to your camera.
-Emmanuel B.
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 With baggage fees almost doubling, if we aren't careful, it could cost more to bring bags on vacation than to take a flight. As many try to consolidate everything into one bag, recall that the charge for overweight bags is upwards of $125. Avoid the clothes shuffle at the airport and invest in a luggage scale -- the best money you will ever spend on checked bags.
-Joyce Zee
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 It's not the most glamorous treat but it has changed my life. I use it in the kitchen for quick-steaming vegetables, keeping leftovers fresh and separating cookies from sticky sweets in a tin. I also use it for traveling. Any bottles that will open and spill in my suitcase get a layer of Press'n Seal under their caps. When I paint my nails, I use a layer of it under my hands to capture any drips. I even wrap my dry heels in it after I slather on cream!
-Kayla Cagan
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 The Mr. Coffee coffeemaker has, by far, been the best thing that I have ever spent under $20 on. The digital feature allows you to program when your coffee will start brewing and its ability to pause the brew and serve makes sneaking a cup easy when you simply cannot wait for a full cup of your morning fix. This 4-cup coffeemaker is essential to starting your day off right and energized.
-Kristin Pompano
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 The best thing I ever bought for under $20 was a sheepskin seat belt cover. At times, a seat belt can be so uncomfortable. But, with this cool car accessory I have no more pinching or riding up of the seat belt strap. The seat belt stays in place. The insulating sheepskin cover also adapts to the surrounding temperature so that it will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Now, my seat belt provides for both safety and comfort!
-"Classy Lady"
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 Cranium games are always intelligent and creative, so when Whoonu came out, I immediately bought it for my family. We got together and played for hours, even letting the little ones stay up well past their bedtimes. Everyone used the cards to guess what everyone else's favorite things were; and my wife and I were amazed at how much the kids learned about us. Who knew Whoonu would bring us closer as a family!
-Diana Exil
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 I bought this for my 1-year old daughter because I thought it was cute and educational. When you first open it, you can program the dog to your child's personal settings by plugging Violet into your computer's USB port, visiting the Leap Frog site and following the instructions. The dog sings and says your child's name and it will say your child's favorite color, food, and animal.
-Dana Hiles
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 Duct tape is magical. Things for which I have used duct tape: hold my bumper on the car after an accident; make a cheap wallet for my kids; Halloween costumes; temporary mend for my socks; making my shoes/boots water resistant; fixing my bike tire; framing art on the wall temporarily until I decide if I want it there; and yes, sometimes to seal up a duct. Just think of the possibilities.
-Killian McRae
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As a tribute to reader Killian McRae, and to inspire your own creativity, watch this video on just one more way you can enjoy an under-$20 duct tape purchase:
Now it's your turn to tell us about the BEST thing you EVER purchased for under $20!
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Comments page 1 of 2
Highest Rank
Gina Cook said 3-14-2011 @11:12AM
The best thing I ever bought for under $20 is Amazing Goop. This adhesive has come through for me in many sticky situations. It is the only thing keeping my pedastal sink attached to my wall securely at this moment, since there is a loose bolt. It is doing a very fine job of it I might add. Only cost around $3.00. It truly is amazing to me!
replyNeutral
JaromeP said 3-28-2011 @12:01PM
Reusable coffee filters are one of the best buys you can make. That and getting f r e e samples from HTtP://BIt.LY/CouponSavings they have tons of f r e e stuff! Plus you don't have to buy any of it. I have gotten f r e e things worth about 20 bucks.
Lowest Rank
saturn said 3-14-2011 @11:55AM
I always fall into the trap on here of thinking I am going to learn something new, but was, once again, dissappointed. For the Butt paste people, plain vaseline works wonders and is very inexpensive. And if your baby has constant diaper rash, a trip to the doctors might reveal that the baby has a yeast infection or other issue. If you keep your baby clean, dry and change their diaper often diaper rash should not be a problem.
replyAs for all of the other items, how can these things be THE BEST thing they ever bought? I can think of many very useful things I have bought and used over the years, but I can't think of any one thing that was the absolute best thing.
Highest Rank
James Madiford said 3-14-2011 @11:56AM
I'll put the Grabit up there with under $20 items. You probably remember the "if you've ever stripped a screw" infomercials and the one with Pitchman Billy Mays. These things actually work. I got them as gifts or stocking stuffers for everyone I know. It's better to have them BEFORE you need it! You can still buy them online at http://bit.ly/cFjJeE - and this is the pro version which is apparently even stronger.
replyHighest Rank
Anthony R said 3-14-2011 @1:16PM
I love Billy - he was so in your face! The funny thing is that a lot of the things he pitched actually are pretty cool. I have a Grabit and it's saved me plenty of headaches.
Highest Rank
brad b said 3-14-2011 @11:58AM
the best thing I ever bought for under $20 was my first wife.... Three drinks and she was mine
replyHighest Rank
Alexandra said 3-14-2011 @12:50PM
My best purchase under $20 ($14 on sale) was a PUR water filtration pitcher. It makes my tap water taste like bottled, and greatly improves the taste for drinking and making tea and coffee.
replyHighest Rank
Alexandra said 3-14-2011 @6:42PM
A PUR water filtration pitcher ($14 on sale). It greatly improves the taste of my tap water for drinking and making coffee and tea. More convenient and less expensive than bottled water.
replyHighest Rank
Cathy Calmes said 3-14-2011 @1:25PM
You listed a 20" cast iron grill/griddle on your best things I ever bought for under $20.00.
replyYou did not list a source for this. If you have a source I would appreciate knowing where to purchase this item. Thanks.
Highest Rank
Casey said 3-14-2011 @3:05PM
Click on the name of the item. It will take you right to the web site where you can purchase it.
Neutral
Jock said 3-28-2011 @11:29AM
I found that you can click on the link and go to the source but of course it was unavailable (wouldnt you know) just my luck
Neutral
Julie said 3-14-2011 @1:30PM
IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY ALSO INCLUDED WHERE TO BUY THESE ITEMS...DUH!!!
replyNeutral
anna said 3-14-2011 @5:26PM
Shop at family dollor good deals nice clothes good locations hard to beat em
replyHighest Rank
Phred said 3-28-2011 @9:02AM
The Dollar Tree is even better. Everything in the store is $1 and greeting Cards are 2 for $1. I buy all my birthday cards and things like that there that would sell for a few dollars at a regular store.
Neutral
Kathy said 3-14-2011 @5:52PM
The sillicone pastry brush... best thing ever. I have been through a dozen of the regular pastry brushes over the years. They're hard to clean, they fall apart, you can't really use them on a grill without cooking them. These work on a hot grill, a hot griddle and everything else you need a pastry brush for and then they go in the dishwasher! Lots of brands out there, I liked this particular one best. I bought one for my mother and one for my sister, too! They're happy with them, also.
replyhttp://www.amazon.com/HIC-Brands-that-Cook-Essentials/dp/B00428M7GG/ref=sr_1_19?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1300139322&sr=1-19
Highest Rank
JustMe said 3-28-2011 @9:08AM
The double sided grill is also excellent to use when you need to defrost meats quickly,,, so therefore, it has multiple uses. Just lay your meat on it, the cast iron pulls the coldness out really fast,,, Or you could buy one of those thaw out things,, but why
replyNeutral
NORMA C. said 3-28-2011 @11:05AM
The best thing I ever bought is called a "Dam Grill" that is the real name of it and have used it for many years now. Bought it way back in the early '70's to use in our then camper. Still useing it too makes the best pan cakes, burgers, steaks u name it. Love it.
Highest Rank
Lulu said 3-28-2011 @9:31AM
Mr. Coffee drips from the basket when the carafe is removed, and unless you're VERY careful, it also drips from the carafe when you're pouring your coffee into the cup. Yes, I'm a slow learner, but my next coffee brewer will NOT be Mr. Coffee.
replyHighest Rank
dan said 3-28-2011 @10:06AM
I'm not sure what's up with that but my $200 Cuisenart does the same thing. Very irritating. I use a different pitcher when filling so I eliminate the puddles all over my counter.
Highest Rank
Barbara said 3-28-2011 @9:46AM
Glad Press and Seal can be used to wrap around your neck with sticky side up to catch hair when shaving neck or trimming hair. I love this.
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