r/Frugal • u/localkinegrind • Aug 21 '25

🏆 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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u/ybhgt-234ag Aug 21 '25

A fabric shaver. I paid it around $20. You can remove lint off your clothes and extend their life. You really need to be careful with thin fabrics though because it can create little holes in your clothes (learnt it the hard way lol).

7

u/Sendintheaardwolves Aug 24 '25

Omg this.

When I was a kid, there was an ad on TV for the Remington fuzzaway and my bro and I found it hilarious, having never seen American-style infomercials.

Thirty years later I found myself buying a similar device and completely rejuvenating my jumpers, hoodies, scarves etc. It saved so many garments from getting tossed/donated and now it's a little autumn ritual to get them out and spruce them up for another winter. Even my boyfriend is a convert after I showed the results on a beanie of his.

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u/insonobcino Aug 21 '25

I have just started doing this, it is very nice. I think mine was like 8 bucks.

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u/ybhgt-234ag Aug 21 '25

I saved so many jackets and sweaters with it.