10 Cheap Items Worth Their Money

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Buying expensive items won’t always get you quality. Of course, some expensive items are definitely worth their money. In today’s guide we will share with you ourtop 10 low-budget finds that are simply awesome!

1. Saint Hilaire Blanquette De Limoux – $12-$15

I know it is a mouthful but bear with me. Remember when we shot the video on Is it worth it, Dom Perignon champagne? In the comments, a viewer shared with us his favorite budget alternative which is the Saint Hilaire Blanquette De Limoux from France and so I tried it and it’s a really amazing sparkling wine that tastes pretty much like a champagne but it only costs $12-$15.

Now you might wonder, isn’t it just a cheap knockoff? Now usually, you will argue against knockoffs and fakes; actually, Benedictine monks in the abbey of Saint Hilaire invented this sparkling wine over 450 years ago which was a hundred years earlier than champagne. Obviously, even though they were first, champagne did much better marketing, and today, it is much more well known and much more expensive but that is good for you because you can get a quality sparkling wine at a fraction of the cost.

Of all the sparkling wines I have tasted, the Saint Hilaire Blanquette De Limoux is really a great price to value ratio and best of all, it all comes in vintages which means in specific years so you get a top-notch quality but different every time.

2. Bar Soap – $2-$25

Most people use shower gels today which is also cheap, it is basically just soap with water and so the cost per use is much higher with bar soap. A regular bar of soap will cost you anywhere between $2-$3 and maybe $20-$25 but even the lower priced models are oftentimes very good in quality, they have good fats like cocoa butter and shea butter and so I suggest you take a look at ingredients first.

You can find bigger bars or smaller bars; one soap that I have been using over and over again is the l’occitane verbena soap, it comes in a 3 ½ or 100-gram piece and it cost about $14 in the US. It smells of lemongrass, it is very nice for your skin and I personally love it. Usually, a bar lasts our entire family for half a year.

3. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen – $15

It costs about $15 and if you remember, we recently did a video on IS IT WORTH IT? The Montblanc fountain pen. Now Montblanc is very well-known and you can easily spend over a thousand dollars. A lot of people complains that “Well, that’s crazy!” So with the Pilot Metropolitan, you get a quality made in Japan pen that is very balanced, with a nice ink flow and a nice nib in its price range, and it won’t break the bank and anyone can afford it.

You can also personalize it in many different colors including very popular black and silver colors, it also comes in two nib sizes; M for medium and F for fine and while M is the standard nib size in the fountain pen world, F is really fine in this case, even the fine in other brands I think and if you’re used to writing with a rollerball or a ballpoint pen that will be a good transitional pen for you.

4. Kai N5210 – $13

In my experience, a good pair of scissors is highly underrated. Personally, I get lots of packages when I design things, I have to cut fabrics and leather and so a good pair of scissors is always on my desk. In the past, I would use those scotch titanium blades which you can get in three packs for five or six dollars at Costco and they did the job, but once I had the Kai N5210, it was all different.

They really cut consistently better with less effort and they really just stay sharp for a long time. I’ve had it for over a year, I cut a lot with it, and it’s still great. It’s so good you can even cut the chicken bones with it and any other kind of meat in the kitchen which is really not something you can usually do with a pair of scissors.

White buckskin oxford shoes with Fort Belvedere Colored Shoelaces
White buckskin oxford shoes with Fort Belvedere Colored Shoelaces
Dark Green Shoelaces Flat Waxed Cotton - Luxury Dress Shoe Laces

Fort Belvedere

Dark Green Shoelaces Flat Waxed Cotton – Luxury Dress Shoe Laces

5. Shoelaces – $12

They’re very inexpensive but it can really change the entire look of your shoe. As you know, buying new shoes, especially quality shoes, is very expensive, so if a new pair of shoes is not on a table for you right now, consider shoelaces.

Brown Derby Shoes with Light Blue Shoelaces by Fort Belvedere (Before and After)
Brown Derby Shoes with Light Blue Shoelaces by Fort Belvedere (Before and After)
Light Blue Shoelaces Round - Waxed Cotton Dress Shoe Laces Luxury

Fort Belvedere

Light Blue Shoelaces Round – Waxed Cotton Dress Shoe Laces Luxury

You can get them in 15 or 20 different colors we have boot laces as well as shoelaces that are round and flat in quality waxed cotton and as you can see, on the same shoe, you create an entirely different look. Best of all, the look is versatile even if you have just one or two pairs of quality shoes and maybe four or even ten shoelaces, you can immediately create 10 or 20 different looks.

6. Rada Knife – $13

It’s a serrated knife and I bought it three years ago at an antique show in Brimfield. At first, it seemed too cheap, it was a new knife for just five dollars, made in the USA, and I figured how good can it really be? Because I was used to Japanese knives and German Wusthof knives, after using it for a little bit, turns out it’s a really excellent knife.

Rada Knife
Rada Knife

Originally, it’s called a tomato knife and you can slice Tomatoes excellently with it, but it also works for steak, it has a flexible blade and because of that, you can cut melons, anything with a curve, any kinds of vegetables, apples, fruits, it’s just a wonderful all-purpose knife and I strongly suggest getting it.

7. Tailor’s Ham – $12

It costs about twelve bucks and it’s a little pillow filled with sawdust. It’s much stiffer than a regular pillow that you may have on your couch, on your bed, and it’s used to iron trousers or jackets, especially all the round parts which wouldn’t quite work on a flat iron table.

By the way, if you’re into ironing and you want quality creases in your shirt on your pants or anywhere else, I suggest getting a clapper because it really helps to get perfect results. It’s a simple piece of oak wood that has no sap and no rough edges and if you buy it online, it cost about $25 but you can easily make it yourself.

8. Nivea Sensitive Shave Balm – $5 – $8

As you might know, I’m really into shaving and we created an in-depth shaving guide. I tested over 300 products and one item that I come back to over and over again is the Nivea sensitive shaving balm, it costs between 5 and 8 bucks, it’s widely available in drugstores all over the world, as well as online. Works for all skin types, it smells good, it leaves a smooth result, and I’ve been using it for so long that I can safely say it doesn’t harm your skin or is aggressive in any way.

9. Red Boat Fish Sauce – $12

People who like Thai food or Vietnamese food are very much familiar with fish sauce but it can also be used in any kind of other cuisines such as American, French, or European cuisine. It has this characteristic umami flavor which you can also find in meat, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. It’s that fifth sense of taste that we, in the Western world, are not so familiar with but it’s very prevalent in places like Japan.

Whenever they serve dishes to people that contain fish sauce ,they’re always like “mmm this is so good.” “wow how did you get this flavor?” and they can never tell it’s fish sauce but they always really like it a lot because it’s flavorful, strong, but not fishy at all. You don’t have to overdo it, a spot or two is enough to really boost the flavor of the dishes you create.

Another thing I also use a lot is Better than Bouillon. Basically, it’s reduced broth or stock that you can keep in your fridge. It’s very easy to use and you can concentrate the broth in the way you would like, so you can have a very strong flavor or light flavor.

It comes in many different varieties such as chicken, beef, vegetable, mushroom, or fish, and so you can create nice bouillabaisse for example, or other fish stews very easily without having to cook out any bones.

10. Gentleman’s Gazette eBooks – FREE

Right now, we’re giving away three of them FOR FREE. I mean, what’s better than free right? So it’s over 200 pages of in-depth content about classic men’s style such as black tie guides, white tie guides, or the Gentlemen of the Golden Age Ebook to take classic style inspiration from!

Gentleman's Gazette eBooks and Courses
Gentleman’s Gazette eBooks and Courses
Morning Dress Guide - Ebook

Fort Belvedere

Gentleman's Gazette eBooks

Head over to our shop now, add it to your cart, and of course, if you want to buy something else we’re honored, but you don’t have to. Simply download them, enjoy them, and tell us what you think, maybe even leave a review, really appreciate it, thank you.

Outfit Rundown

I am wearing a more casual outfit with a navy blue cardigan combined with a red and blue checked shirt with a knit tie in navy and light blue and because of that, it contrasts with the navy cardigan. Depending on how I move with the light, you’ll see the color changes and it’s a wonderful two-tone effect that you only get from Fort Belvedere silk knit ties which I designed.

Sven wearing a navy blue cardigan combined with red and blue check shirt and knit tie
Sven wearing a navy blue cardigan combined with a red and blue check shirt and knit tie.
Two-Tone Knit Tie in Navy and Light Blue Changeant Silk - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Two-Tone Knit Tie in Navy and Light Blue Changeant Silk

Red Shoelaces Round - Waxed Cotton Dress Shoe Laces Luxury by Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Red Shoelaces Round – Waxed Cotton Dress Shoe Laces Luxury

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Burgundy and light grey Fil d'Ecosse Cotton from Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Burgundy and light grey Fil d'Ecosse Cotton

My slacks are winter white wool flannels which are heavy but perfect for winter and they provide enough contrast to the dark top part of my outfit. They have pleats because I have big thighs as well as cuffs. And the shoes I’m wearing with them are dark brown with red contrasting shoelaces. Again, it’s an entirely different look than if those shoes had maybe brown shoelaces. I’d have a look together with burgundy and off-white cotton socks that are over the calf because they pick up the red in the shoelaces and in the shirt but also the off-white color of the pants. I’m also wearing a rose gold pinky ring with a light blue stone that picks up the blue tones in my outfit.

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Reader Comments

  1. I can confirm that Pilot, at least in my own experience, makes excellent fountain pens at many different price ranges. There are certainly superior pens out there, but even their budget models perform surprisingly well.

    The Better Than Bouillon broth base is also a real winner – I started using them in my recipes about a year back after reading Cook’s Illustrated’s recommendation for them and have never gone back!

    (Lastly, and maybe this goes without saying here, your Fort Belvedere shoelaces are pretty top-notch.)

  2. Dear Raphael ,
    The E Books of yours are really fantastic and they fill my head with many ideas . Something I have found to be ridiculously cheap for what they do for you are stainless steel collar stays. The online giants have them for around $5 and they make your shirt collars look great , straight and erect.

  3. Another great article.

    I’m glad you liked my suggestion of Saint Hilaire Blanquette De Limoux. I have not found any Champagne under $100 that comes close.

    I’ve been using Nevia after shave balm and can vouch for that as well. The original was made in Germany, but now manufactured in Mexico. Not sure if there is a quality difference or not. Unfortunately, the “made in Germany” shave cream in a tube (not the goop in a can) is difficult to find here these days. It used to be available in most drug stores.

    l’Occitane hand cream and Better than Bouillon are my staples as well.

    Keep up the great work!

    1. “I have not found any Champagne under $100 that comes close.”

      Really?

      You would prefer St. Hilaire over Bollinger Special Cuvee or Billecart Salmon Rose??

      It’s absurd to suggest that St. Hilaire manages to surpass the quality of great Champagnes such as these.

      Don’t get me wrong. Saint Hilaire is an excellent sparkling wine for the money. And you’ll probably have a hard time matching the quality under about $30. But it simply does not stand with the finest $50+ Champagnes.

  4. 175 ml of coconut oil, $3 Australian dollars. I use this as a hair and skin conditioner
    and it works fantastically. Even better than any skin moisturiser. I used to have dry frizzy hair and dry skin, especially on my face. But since I have been using coconut oil my skin is looking great, and it leaves a fantastic fresh coconut smell. People in India/Asia have been using it for eons. My Boss even complimented me on looking ‘fantastic’, but he could not put his finger on why. One cometic shop tries to sell coconut oil for $20 (The Body Shop) , but you can get the exact same thing at your local asian or whole food grocer for around $3! I also use it to shine my car interior and it’s a great oil to cook with too. Coconuts are extremely beneficial for human health. I have heard the water can be used as an intravenous drip if need be. Thanks for your great website Mr Sven Raphael Schneider and associates.

  5. I can also vouch for the Nivea after shave. It has a refreshing but mild scent, which dissipates to the point that only someone very close knows one is wearing it. However, Sven, a soap bar that lasts a family for six months – Really? It must be very sparingly used! However, I do like L’Occitane products very much. I agree with the above posts – interesting and useful article.

  6. Hi. I would like to suggest ‘Simple’ pure soap for sensitive skin. No perfume no colour. Really mild. Made in UK. Getting hard to obtain in Australia

  7. I’ve been using L’Occitane products for since 2004. Their mens scents, shower gels and balms are very refreshing. They do last a very long time for the price. If I order enough product, I then give the freebie pouches to my wife. The soaps are on sale thru mid-March 2018 at 3 bars for $30 with a free 8 oz bar thrown in!

  8. I stopped using bar soap in the shower for one primary reason–soap scum buildup on the tile and glass.

    1. Hiya Kingston,

      Depending on where it’s from, fish sauce is made from fermented fish entrails and frames, spiced with whatever the natives deem tasty. The Romans used it (garum) the Vikings made it, and most Asian cultures make and use it as well.

  9. Great post, I love the Nivea Post Shave Balm, I’ve been using it for years and you’re right, it’s good stuff!

  10. Greetings friends and Bretheren,
    I’ve found a few things over the years that, cheap as they are, have made my life better!
    1. Astra razor blades–you can get 100 blades for less than the cost of a bag of those throw-away abominations.
    2. Kirk’s Castile Original Coco Pure Botanical Coconut Oil Soap–leaves my skin smooth and can be used as shaving soap in a pinch.
    3. Merkur safety razors; I’ve had a couple of these over the years and the are nice enough to be “borrowed” by friends and family who think/thought wet shaving was an affectation until they gave it a try.
    4. Clubman Pinaud; aftershave and hair tonics–I get more complements when I wear Eau de Quinine hair tonic–and the classic Lilac Vegetal is wonderful. Don’t be put off by the plastic bottles; this is the stuff James Bond uses!
    5. Clubman Pinaud Country Club shampoo–what James Bond uses now that Pinaud Elixir Shampoo ala Quinine is fast becoming a distant memory. Country Club is good stuff, you can wash your hair and beard with a quarter sized dollop, so it’s not only cheap but it’s economical to use as well.
    6. Almost any of the old-fashioned pucks of shaving soap.

    Thanks for the great article and the space to share; I love Gentleman’s Gazette.

    John

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