Ask Lemmy

USB plug -in desk fan that plugs into my laptop that I got on Amazon for $10. Carry it everywhere with me.

Mantric Rechargeable Remote Control Knicker Vibrator I got on sale for 50% off. I'm not super into the whole public thing, but I've been using it way more than my magic wand, that fucking tip is shaped perfectly. Plus it would make an excellent phaser prop.

The old Pier 1 Imports back scratchers. They use to sell for 75¢.

A nice pepper grinder! Makes every meal better

I keep an extremely small 64GB USB-A/USB-C flash drive on my Keychain so I can move files between phones, phone to computer, or load movies and TV shows from a computer or phone and plug into a TV to play.

It's only $10 and sometimes it's very convenient to always have on hand the ability to move files around without the use of a network or the cloud or whatever. The size of it is extremely small.

Verbatim 64GB Store ‘n’ Go Dual OTG USB 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive for USB-C Devices – 2 in 1 Type C Thumb Drive https://a.co/d/40uW3fE

My Glucusent book light, I use it every night when I read before bed. It is the best book light I've ever had and I absolutely love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09PR1BTM7

Milk frother for my morning latte.

USB hand warmers. I am very sensitive to the cold and its so nice to hold while walking around or keeping in your pockets

Get into locksport!

https://covertinstruments.com/products/the-fng

I bought a nice pair of fingernail clippers. ~$15 Green Bell from Japan. You hardly have to apply any force to the lever at all, and the nail just slices off neatly and falls inside. Not like my old cheapo pair that went "KACHONK" and endangered anyone in my vicinity of shrapnel injuries.

DYMO Embossing Label Maker

They're like $9 on Amazon and I label everything. I have 2 myself, and they're also my go-to for white-elephant parties.

A pi zero w. Need a wireless Android Auto adapter? Flash the right image. Need a Klipper controller for a 3D printer, flash the right image. Need to add a wireless thumb drive to any device that you can drop files to over the network? Flash the right image and run a few commands. They are very cheap and insanely versatile. I originally got a handful for $5 each and am still finding uses for them.

Breakaway charge cable for my phone! They act like those old MagSafe chargers for Mac, and when I'm clumsy, instead of a busted off charge port, no damage! I also have curious cats who can test gravity without wrecking my phone.

You can get a wax seal kit for that much. I have a whole set now, but I seal absolutely everything. All you need is a candle, a wax melting spoon, a seal, and sealing wax

Slider style EDC utility knife. Small, lightweight, and because the blades are cheap and easily replaced you can abuse them - cut on concrete, pry stuff, if it breaks the blade, not a big deal.

https://a.co/d/gouJDKV typical example but there's lots of different ones.

Bonus - these blades are more expensive than most, but still cheap and last a lot longer than standard blades do https://a.co/d/bQj77Qz

glove lights. they are great for working in dark places where you can't hold a flashlight.

Don't know if you'll get something for as low as $20, but a small thermal printer. Functions as a label maker on steroids, there is no ink, or proprietary* paper. Some thermal paper rolls have built in stickers, some are transparent, some have special shapes and colors, etc.

I've used it to label plants, tools, cables, boxes, so-so-many gridfinity boxes. It takes 1-2 seconds from hitting print to having it ready.

* not entirely the case, in that some have set sizes, or markings to automatically feed and count. However, these are low tech, and there are third party vendors.

My basic bitch wireless phone charger stand. Holds it at a good angle so I can see when someone sending me a Teams message while I'm pretending to work.

A small dry erase white board for grocery lists on my refrigerator.

Victorinox Nail Clippers:

https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Personal-Care/Nail-Clipper/p/8.2050.B1

Laser pointer

Its amazing for both tasks related and unrelated to playing with my cat

manual pull string food processor.

I love chopping up food with it. It's very fun and works perfectly.

immersion blender honorable mention.

Moondrop Chu 2 earphones. I use expensive Hifi gear at home, but those are more than good enough on the go while also being cheap enough for me not to have to worry about them getting damaged or stolen.

Uhh, dildo.

“Lock laces” elastic shoestrings. Gives me a nice fit and I can slip my shoes on and off more easily.

Managed to pick up an attachable bidet toilet washlet for around $16. Worth every penny.

Thinkpad T440p docking station, I get everything these days is USB C but I love having a docking station thats sturdy and has tons of ports vs a dongle that hangs off the side of my laptop and has maybe six ports.