13 items under £20 that have changed people's lives for the better

From a board game to concealer

(iStock/chatsimo)

They say the best things in life are free. But those words are for quitters, and people who have never been blessed with finding a great bargain. Sometimes all it takes is an item less than £20 to transform your life for the better.

For me, it was a slim, iridescent card holder for £10. That meant I could ditch my bulky coin purse filled with 1p coins and Euros, and nip about with a my bank card and a few loyalty cards in one coat pocket and my phone in the other.

Curious to discover other items that have change people's lives for the better for a relatively small amount of money, we put out a request on social media. Below are the answers that we got.

Board game

“My passion for classic board games, of which I now have 100, was inspired not just by childhood memories of fun times, but a chance visit to a Sue Ryder charity shop where I came across a Chad Valley Soccer game which then led me to build a collection that now includes, Buccaneer, Totopoly, Payday, Rat Race and many more.

"I have so many that it has resulted in a plan to create a charity event which encourages families to play games from the past enabling them to interact and have fun together." Pete Bassett, 50.

Bluetooth speaker

“I use it so often for many things, date night with James, listening to music when I shower or get ready, or for background music in the apartment when I go on breaks away with friends. It is a miniature god-send and has meant that I can have a soundtrack for everything I do at home.” Matt Horwood, 28

Condom

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“It's the most obvious thing that's changed women's lives,” Rachel McCormack, Canada

Moisturiser

“Bulldog Skincare For Men’s Intensive Moisturiser has actually changed my life! A journalist at Vanity Fair once recommended it to me and as a Beauty PR, I’ve tried all sorts of sexy and luxury creams but nothing works quite like this one. It’s been clinically proven to deliver 24 hour hydration and keeps my skin soft all day. I suffer from acne and dry skin so a moisturiser either clears my spots and makes my skin flake or it moisturises and makes me even spottier.

"This one however, has given me the confidence to go out of the house without foundation. Honestly, life changing and I only spend 20 minutes getting ready in the morning now.” Lekha Mohanlal, 27

Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment

"I used to have to pay to get this sent over from Australia before it was stocked in the UK and it's honestly a life changer. Can be used as a moisturiser, on burnt skin, dry skin, to help heal scratches, as a lip balm - it's literally a wonder products and it's only £5.99." Sophie Collier, 27

Baggage tags

"My husband was picking up my luggage from baggage reclaim in sunny Sardinia for our first romantic weekend away together following the birth of our first son. When we got to the little boutique hotel I opened the case and to my horror what I found was a wardrobe more suited to my grandma, complete with DVT socks and Jesus sandals! Sadly he had picked up the wrong case at the airport.

"To avoid it ever happening again we now have luggage labels. A £15 purchase to avoid that happening ever again." Emma, 38,

Concealer

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“My maybelline concealer. Honestly I've never looked more awake.” Adam Henry

Make-up remover cloth

“My personal gamer changer of a purchase is the ‘Makeup Eraser’, suggested by a make up artist friend of mine it has impacted my life for the better.

“The microfiber flannel removes all makeup just by running it under warm water. Great for when you’re tired or had a few too many drinks,” Poppy Fitzpatrick, 22

CamScanner

“My life was changed by one free app on my iPhone called CamScanner. When the bank asks for that signed mandate they never warned you about, or when that supplier wants Ts&Cs document returned the same day, I scan my signed paper copy, make a PDF of it and away it goes on email.

"Though I’m sometimes cornered by admin or tight for time because I’m a one-man business and office manager, I’ve always got a way out! It really does saves me hours every month. I laugh (quietly) when big firms still ask me to fax over documents!" Mark Walker, 54

Evian Brumisateur

“I can’t live without my evian brumi. I carry one in my bag at all times which is incredibly helpful on the tube when it gets a little too hot to bear and when I’m sitting at my desk for hours and need to be refreshed.” Candace Fremder, 29

Coal teeth whitening kit

“I started using ProCoal teeth whitening kits and can’t shout about them enough. My teeth always look white in the morning, but I’m a coffee addict and I find by the early afternoon they aren’t looking as great and I found myself getting quite self conscious about it. In fact I often brought a tooth brush into the office and would clean in the office sink, but I get a lot of weird looks as our office toilets are shared with a few other brands on other floors.

“I’ve never really bought into the whole ‘home whitening kit’ thing, as I remember reading that unless you go to the dentist they don’t actually work, but this one definitely seems to get good results. I think it cost me about a tenner a tub. “ Tom Bourlet, 30

Mooncup

"The Moon Cup for periods certainly has changed my life! It's £19.99 and saves me hundreds of pounds a year on sanitary products and has made everything very easy for me." Millicent Binks, 29

When We Were Very Young by A.A Milne

“This collection of poems started my life long love affair with words and literature. I still remember many of the poems by heart today.” Harriet, 27