Useful items for $35 or less.
May 12, 2009 2:57 AM Subscribe
Looking for small, useful items for $35 or less to burn some college graduation money.
I've got some extra graduation money and I'm looking for suggestions of small, useful items that are around $35 or less. I'll be living on my own in 4-6 months, so things related to that are helpful as well.
Some examples:
I bike almost every day, so a $30 headlamp was well-worth the money.
A Nalgene bottle was great so that I don't have to go downstairs every time I need a drink.
A new $20 subscription to National Geographic was some of the best money I've spent recently.
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I'm a freelance photographer, beginning pianist, avid mac user, lifehacker reader, movie lover, and am on the internet most of the time that I'm at my house. My desk is usually covered in papers, but not a complete disaster. I want to start exercising more.
I've got some extra graduation money and I'm looking for suggestions of small, useful items that are around $35 or less. I'll be living on my own in 4-6 months, so things related to that are helpful as well.
Some examples:
I bike almost every day, so a $30 headlamp was well-worth the money.
A Nalgene bottle was great so that I don't have to go downstairs every time I need a drink.
A new $20 subscription to National Geographic was some of the best money I've spent recently.
-----
I'm a freelance photographer, beginning pianist, avid mac user, lifehacker reader, movie lover, and am on the internet most of the time that I'm at my house. My desk is usually covered in papers, but not a complete disaster. I want to start exercising more.
multivitamins
posted by parmanparman at 3:43 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by parmanparman at 3:43 AM on May 12, 2009
Something cooking related, such as a nice knife? Having a nice knife makes cooking a lot more enjoyable in my opinion.
posted by atmosphere at 3:44 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by atmosphere at 3:44 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: Cordless mouse.
BIG white board.
Decent computer speakers.
Roger Ebert's Book of Film.
Bike odometer.
Any Criterion Collection DVD.
1x1 Cork tiles for whole-wall bulletin board.
Socks.
posted by rokusan at 3:52 AM on May 12, 2009
BIG white board.
Decent computer speakers.
Roger Ebert's Book of Film.
Bike odometer.
Any Criterion Collection DVD.
1x1 Cork tiles for whole-wall bulletin board.
Socks.
posted by rokusan at 3:52 AM on May 12, 2009
Get yourself Bartok's Mikrokosmos. Or a medium-size cast-iron skillet.
posted by Namlit at 3:59 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by Namlit at 3:59 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: Start your collection of crap you need for camping. A sleeping bag is more than $35 . . . but it's worth it
posted by Think_Long at 4:04 AM on May 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Think_Long at 4:04 AM on May 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
This mug is my favorite travel mug ever. The seal is amazing, I never worry about filling it up and then just throwing it in my bag. It does have a tendency to retain flavors, so if you're switching from coffee to tea, you'll need to wash it pretty hard, but I think it's worth it.
Seconding atmosphere, this knife also changed the way I feel about cooking. I'd always used junky cheap knives that came as a package and thought "a knife's a knife! how much better could it be?" Let me tell you, I was dead wrong. Heavy + *sharp*, it makes prep work much, much easier (and more satisfying).
posted by frankdrebin at 4:10 AM on May 12, 2009
Seconding atmosphere, this knife also changed the way I feel about cooking. I'd always used junky cheap knives that came as a package and thought "a knife's a knife! how much better could it be?" Let me tell you, I was dead wrong. Heavy + *sharp*, it makes prep work much, much easier (and more satisfying).
posted by frankdrebin at 4:10 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: Also, check out Cool Tools. I bet you'll find a lot of awesome stuff in your price range.
posted by frankdrebin at 4:11 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by frankdrebin at 4:11 AM on May 12, 2009
You should be able to get a store-brand cordless drill and some driver bits for not much more than $35. You'll need it. Also get a tape measure, level, small hammer and something to put them all in.
posted by jgirl at 5:15 AM on May 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by jgirl at 5:15 AM on May 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
Best answer: It's way over your limit, but the Leatherman Skeletool is pretty much the be-all-end-all in my book for multitools. Every guy I hang out with, from my fireman and ER-doctor brother-in-laws, my hipster and my yuppie friends, and a mechanic all carry theirs everywhere. It's super light, the knife holds an edge really well, bottle opener, pliers (duh), screwdrivers, etc...and you can open it without looking if you need to (the fireman was literally told in training, "BUY THIS KNIFE.") My wife and I got one for our wedding, and I'm surprised she lets me carry it instead of having a time-share agreement.
Anoher tool, if you fiddle with things at all, is the Klein 10-in-1. Not the 5in1, not the 12in1. They're in the "electrical tools" at Home Despot. That, and a nice stacked-leather-handle claw hammer, and you've got the start of a nice little home-repair kit.
One more thing, well within your price range: good wool socks. Even lightweight ones, or short ones for the summer. They will make your feet so much happier, it's unreal.
posted by notsnot at 5:20 AM on May 12, 2009 [4 favorites]
Anoher tool, if you fiddle with things at all, is the Klein 10-in-1. Not the 5in1, not the 12in1. They're in the "electrical tools" at Home Despot. That, and a nice stacked-leather-handle claw hammer, and you've got the start of a nice little home-repair kit.
One more thing, well within your price range: good wool socks. Even lightweight ones, or short ones for the summer. They will make your feet so much happier, it's unreal.
posted by notsnot at 5:20 AM on May 12, 2009 [4 favorites]
Seconding the cast-iron skillet.
In terms of how useful it is, how long it will last, and how much pleasure it will give you (if you're anything like me), it is probably the greatest bargain in existence.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:37 AM on May 12, 2009
In terms of how useful it is, how long it will last, and how much pleasure it will give you (if you're anything like me), it is probably the greatest bargain in existence.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:37 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: This guy makes really great stuff for professional photographers. You could get a small camera bag within your budget or a big one for a bit more.
Other ideas: A really good pair of headphones. A set of earphones that won't fall off while jogging. A set of small dumbbells so you can start lifting weights at home. A full license for a piece of shareware you use frequently. A good quality diary.
posted by embrangled at 5:44 AM on May 12, 2009
Other ideas: A really good pair of headphones. A set of earphones that won't fall off while jogging. A set of small dumbbells so you can start lifting weights at home. A full license for a piece of shareware you use frequently. A good quality diary.
posted by embrangled at 5:44 AM on May 12, 2009
The Suze Orman in me is a little alarmed at the attitude suggested in the phrase "burn money". Once you do start out, you're going to find plenty of uses for money whether you want to or not. Let genuine need be your guide, not a transient desire to trade cash for material burdens.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:46 AM on May 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by IndigoJones at 5:46 AM on May 12, 2009 [3 favorites]
If you're planning on cooking at all (you should), you should get yourself a wooden cutting board. Not too big, not too small. If you want to buy it new, fine, but a used one can be cleaned up nicely too.
posted by knile at 5:53 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by knile at 5:53 AM on May 12, 2009
A rice cooker, a crockpot, a large enough pot for pasta and yes, the cast-iron skillet. You'll be able to easily cook just about anything, easily, with these things.
If you're really going to be on your own within the next year, I would go for practical, as IndigoJones suggests. When my mom put the family home up for sale in plans to move out of state, I started collecting the things I would need to live on my own. My 21st birthday was more like a wedding shower than a birthday- I asked for (and got) dishes, an iron & board, a toaster and a coffee maker. When I did get my own place, and realized just how much of my paycheck rent was eating, I was glad I had these things and wouldn't have to spend what little extra I had on them.
posted by dogmom at 6:12 AM on May 12, 2009
If you're really going to be on your own within the next year, I would go for practical, as IndigoJones suggests. When my mom put the family home up for sale in plans to move out of state, I started collecting the things I would need to live on my own. My 21st birthday was more like a wedding shower than a birthday- I asked for (and got) dishes, an iron & board, a toaster and a coffee maker. When I did get my own place, and realized just how much of my paycheck rent was eating, I was glad I had these things and wouldn't have to spend what little extra I had on them.
posted by dogmom at 6:12 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: cool/useful stuff from the MOMA Store: pocket mirror, business-card case, not a paper cup
Style by Joseph W. Williams
Leil Lowndes - How to Talk to Anyone
Moleskine 18-month calendar covering July 2009 to Dec. 2010
eMusic subscription -- I think you can get a free trial, then after that you can choose among their many different kinds of monthly subscriptions, with the more expensive ones being better deals (as low as a quarter per track). Nothing on major labels, so the selection is hit-or-miss, but it's all cheap, legal, DRM-free, and infinitely re-downloadable.
posted by Jaltcoh at 6:53 AM on May 12, 2009
Style by Joseph W. Williams
Leil Lowndes - How to Talk to Anyone
Moleskine 18-month calendar covering July 2009 to Dec. 2010
eMusic subscription -- I think you can get a free trial, then after that you can choose among their many different kinds of monthly subscriptions, with the more expensive ones being better deals (as low as a quarter per track). Nothing on major labels, so the selection is hit-or-miss, but it's all cheap, legal, DRM-free, and infinitely re-downloadable.
posted by Jaltcoh at 6:53 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: Save some for when you NEED it rather than just want to spend it.
And if you want to get something really rewarding with it, let me pearoast a link given to me by another Mefite:
www.kiva.org/
Enjoy :)
posted by greenish at 7:05 AM on May 12, 2009
And if you want to get something really rewarding with it, let me pearoast a link given to me by another Mefite:
www.kiva.org/
Enjoy :)
posted by greenish at 7:05 AM on May 12, 2009
If you like Coffee, the very portable Aeropress will make the best goddamn coffee you've ever had. ThinkGeek has it for about 25$. I have one for home and one for the office.
posted by GilloD at 7:17 AM on May 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by GilloD at 7:17 AM on May 12, 2009 [2 favorites]
Get headphones that will sound better than the earbuds that came with your music player. The Sennheiser PX100, Koss PortaPro, Sennheiser CX300, and Koss KSC75 all come in around or under $35.
Another idea is the Victorinox/Forschner 8" chef's knife. If you only have one knife for cooking, it should be an 8" chef's knife. The Victorinox gets really good reviews, and is under $20 on Amazon. Also in the cooking vein, a 12" Lodge cast iron skillet is under $30. Both the knife and the skillet will be useful for years after your post-grad phase of life.
posted by paulg at 7:18 AM on May 12, 2009
Another idea is the Victorinox/Forschner 8" chef's knife. If you only have one knife for cooking, it should be an 8" chef's knife. The Victorinox gets really good reviews, and is under $20 on Amazon. Also in the cooking vein, a 12" Lodge cast iron skillet is under $30. Both the knife and the skillet will be useful for years after your post-grad phase of life.
posted by paulg at 7:18 AM on May 12, 2009
As a recent college grad, I would definitely recommend a good wok. It's got all the advantages of a frying pan and a pot combined in one. It's been the only cooking vessel I've needed. Don't think you can only cook asian food or stirfries in there, its amazingly versatile.
posted by KilgoreTrout at 7:41 AM on May 12, 2009
posted by KilgoreTrout at 7:41 AM on May 12, 2009
Best answer: I second the decent pair of running shoes and also suggest any of the following-
- A filing box w/hanging file folders for your cluttered desk
- A gym membership if you don't already have one
- Maybe some hanging pictures or even frames for your own photos to hang in your new place
posted by BearPaws at 8:11 AM on May 12, 2009
- A filing box w/hanging file folders for your cluttered desk
- A gym membership if you don't already have one
- Maybe some hanging pictures or even frames for your own photos to hang in your new place
posted by BearPaws at 8:11 AM on May 12, 2009
Sadly, you can't get even a halfway-decent pair of running shoes for only $35, but you can get a basic dumbbell set, which will allow you to do any number of exercises.
And a tea kettle.
posted by General Malaise at 8:16 AM on May 12, 2009
And a tea kettle.
posted by General Malaise at 8:16 AM on May 12, 2009
If you're about to be on your own for the first time, I'd say housewares, especially cooking tools: toaster, tea kettle, french press (if you drink coffee), knives, pots & pans. I still have some of the gear that I got for Christmas my first year on my own, and that was [mumble mumble] years ago.
Start thinking about what you like to eat/drink, and then work from there. And try thrift stores/goodwill for some of the more durable stuff, like the cast iron recommended above, as well as plates & cups.
As a cyclist, I'd say look into inexpensive bike tools, maybe even double up and look for things that will help with your camera gear.
On the other hand, like several of the previous commenters, I'd caution against too much burning, just because you happen to have the cash. Feel free to save the cash, or to put several small gifts together into something more meaningful. (Bike jacket; running shoes; quality tools, etc.)
If your concern is having something to tell friends/relatives when you send a thank you card, don't worry. I'm sure they don't care if you bought something specifically with their gift, threw it in a savings account, or just had a blow-out dinner out. :)
posted by epersonae at 9:15 AM on May 12, 2009
Start thinking about what you like to eat/drink, and then work from there. And try thrift stores/goodwill for some of the more durable stuff, like the cast iron recommended above, as well as plates & cups.
As a cyclist, I'd say look into inexpensive bike tools, maybe even double up and look for things that will help with your camera gear.
On the other hand, like several of the previous commenters, I'd caution against too much burning, just because you happen to have the cash. Feel free to save the cash, or to put several small gifts together into something more meaningful. (Bike jacket; running shoes; quality tools, etc.)
If your concern is having something to tell friends/relatives when you send a thank you card, don't worry. I'm sure they don't care if you bought something specifically with their gift, threw it in a savings account, or just had a blow-out dinner out. :)
posted by epersonae at 9:15 AM on May 12, 2009
George Foreman grill. The base model starts in the $25 range at Target or similar type store. It makes it easy to grill chicken or eggplant since you are trying to keep in the healthy range. Best thirty bucks I ever spent.
posted by 8dot3 at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by 8dot3 at 9:30 AM on May 12, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I enthusiastically second the AeroPress and/or French press (they're quite different and I love both) but if you're fussy about your coffee you'll also want a decent burr grinder, for which you'll needs to spend more than $35.
Others have also already suggested a good pocketknife or multitool, which you will use if it's with you. You can get a very good LED flashlight for under $35 as well.
Have you purchased a new thumbdrive in the last year or two?
Do you own a general-purpose cookbook? Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything has proven very useful.
posted by Songdog at 11:50 AM on May 12, 2009
Others have also already suggested a good pocketknife or multitool, which you will use if it's with you. You can get a very good LED flashlight for under $35 as well.
Have you purchased a new thumbdrive in the last year or two?
Do you own a general-purpose cookbook? Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything has proven very useful.
posted by Songdog at 11:50 AM on May 12, 2009
A computer repair kit. I like my multitools but the CRKs are cheaper and usually more useful. A 10-in-1 driver is similarly useful and also cheaper than a multitool.
posted by chairface at 1:30 PM on May 12, 2009
posted by chairface at 1:30 PM on May 12, 2009
I love my new Lamy Fountain Pen. Uses inexpensive cartridges. I chose an extra-fine nib. Lots of fun to write with, and gets a lot of admiring comments. Available in many colors. $26.
posted by schrodycat at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by schrodycat at 4:50 PM on May 13, 2009
Best answer: Levenger Shirt Pocket Briefcase
nth-ing a nice multitool - mine's a SOG
Swiss Army knife
A bigger USB drive than you think you need
Not sure if it gets cold where you live, but the best $20 I've spent in a long time was on a Buff. It was my go-to hat most of the winter (I'm in Madison, WI, so sometimes I needed a warmer hat) but the really nice thing is that it's light enough to wear as a hat or headband - folded in either 2 or 3 ply depending on temperature - under a bike helmet.
Fisher Space Pen
posted by altcountryman at 8:57 PM on May 13, 2009
nth-ing a nice multitool - mine's a SOG
Swiss Army knife
A bigger USB drive than you think you need
Not sure if it gets cold where you live, but the best $20 I've spent in a long time was on a Buff. It was my go-to hat most of the winter (I'm in Madison, WI, so sometimes I needed a warmer hat) but the really nice thing is that it's light enough to wear as a hat or headband - folded in either 2 or 3 ply depending on temperature - under a bike helmet.
Fisher Space Pen
posted by altcountryman at 8:57 PM on May 13, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions.
The shirt pocket briefcase is excellent, and although I already have and use a PDA daily, I prefer using paper, because when if I'm talking to someone and writing, then at least they know I'm still listening.
posted by mtphoto at 1:39 AM on May 17, 2009
The shirt pocket briefcase is excellent, and although I already have and use a PDA daily, I prefer using paper, because when if I'm talking to someone and writing, then at least they know I'm still listening.
posted by mtphoto at 1:39 AM on May 17, 2009
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posted by rhizome at 2:58 AM on May 12, 2009 [2 favorites]