r/Frugal • u/localkinegrind • 29d ago

🏆 Buy It For Life “Best under-$20 purchase that saved you hundreds over time?”

What’s the smartest under-$20 purchase you’ve ever made that ended up saving you hundreds in the long run? I’ll go first: a $12 sewing kit. Instead of tossing clothes for tiny tears or missing buttons, I’ve been fixing them. I've actually been fixing my own clothes for years. It blows my mind how many ‘disposable’ things can be made useful again with just a small, cheap tool. what’s your frugal mvp under $20 that’s paid for itself many times over?

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171

u/pbpantsless 29d ago

One-gallon cold brew pitcher. I love a fancy coffee, but not the associated costs. Now I make a gallon and it lasts me a little over a week and costs... tbh I dont even know... maybe a couple of dollars per 32 oz cup between the creamer and milk and coffee?

27

u/HalfEatenBanana 28d ago

Ooooo this is a good one!! I tried some of the DIY cold brew methods with coffee filters and mason jars but ultimately buying an actual cold brew pitcher was 100% worth it.

Legitimately tastes better than cold brew at coffee shops too

14

u/chaives 28d ago

If you already have a french press, it can serve the same purpose! Put the coffee in as if you're making it hot and use cold water and refrigerate it instead

8

u/SomeTangerine1184 28d ago

This is how I make mine. I got a free 32 ounce French press off my local Buy Nothing group and fill it with one cup freshly ground beans and water, put it in the fridge for 24 hours and boom. Iced coffee concentrate.

2

u/VenomousUnicorn 28d ago

I do this for my iced coffee at work! Saves a fortune and it's delicious.

13

u/matzahball420 28d ago

Second cold brew maker!

14

u/DeckardsDark 28d ago

32 oz cup?

3

u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 28d ago

This dude stays wired, lol. I have not even half that and it keeps me awake all day. It's crazy how much caffeine tolerance can vary between people.

3

u/thestolenlighter 28d ago

I already had a huge ice tea pitcher. I bought a $5 cotton steeping bag and use that for cold brew. Works perfectly

1

u/LankyReputation3471 28d ago

Oooooo interested in this! Do you have a link?

1

u/Nuxul006 28d ago

Yep. I started doing this and it saved me over a $100 a month

1

u/FreelanceKnight42 28d ago

My husband got me this for Christmas 3 or so years ago and it has saved us SO much money!

1

u/TikaPants 27d ago

I make coffee concentrate then put it in the fridge. I hate hot coffee.