You know when you buy something cheap and you’re like, “This will last two months, maybe three if I’m gentle, and then disintegrate the moment I look at it wrong”?
Yeah, me too.
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Except these didn’t. These budget buys were supposed to be temporary—just-good-enough placeholders. But somehow, they became things I’ve used regularly, for years. Some of them have lasted longer than friendships. One might outlive me.
Chemex (2018)
Chemex Glass Coffeemaker, 8-cup, $47.03 / Chemex Filters, 100-count, $34
I’m a bit of a coffee hobbiest and I have all kinds of little gadgets for making coffee, but the Chemex has been my daily go-to for over years.
What I’m specifically looking for is the holy grail: a simple, bold, diner-style cup of coffee. And the Chemex delivers—not only with simplicity, but with cheap beans.
I buy $7 pre-ground beans, and any coffee snob will have their chin on the floor at the sound of me saying that. But after making coffee through this thing twice a day for five years—so, hundreds and hundreds of cups—it still tastes great.
Everyone I make it for says the same thing.
It’s a relatively cheap and easy way to make good coffee, as long as you appreciate a good ritual. Plus, the Chemex has been around for over 80 years and is literally in the MoMA. It’s the only object in my kitchen that makes me feel like I have my life together. Which is a lie—but a pretty one.
→ Invented in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm. Part of MoMA’s permanent design collection.
Victorinox Knife (2013)
Victorinox Chef’s Knife, 8 inch, $43.98 $56
This knife was a cult favorite in the early 2010s. Every forum thread, every kitchen blog—this was the entry-level budget knife to get.
So I got one. In 2013. And I still use it literally every day.
I hone it with the steel from another set now and then. I hand wash it. That’s it. It’s held a very sharp edge, feels good in the hand, and has zero ego about it.
Just a low-drama, high-functioning daily workhorse that performs exceptionally well for its price tier.
→ Victorinox: Also the maker of the original Swiss Army knife. Founded in 1884.
Monikers
Monikers: Classics – A Dumb Party Game That Respects Your Intelligence, $19.99 $24.99
This one’s a little different because it isn’t about physical durability—it’s about staying power.
Monikers is one of my favorite games to pull out when I’ve got a group over. I’ve played it so many times with so many different groups I’ve lost count.
It’s easy to teach, works whether your friends are sober or halfway through a bottle of wine, and when someone misunderstands the rules, it just makes the game funnier.
Unlike Cards Against Humanity, it doesn’t rely on coming up with something clever or risk making the room go silent.
It technically needs a minimum of four players, but the best part is it really has no max, you can easily play it with 10 or more. Got a weird number of people and no idea what to do? You can play Monikers.
It’s essentially a refined version of Celebrity. Round one, you describe the card. Round two, one word. Round three, charades. Same stack of cards every round, which means inside jokes start flying fast. By round three, it’s chaos—in the best way.
→ Monikers was adapted from the 90s party game ‘Celebrity.’ It’s now one of the highest-rated party games on BoardGameGeek.
OontZ Speaker (2017)
OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Speaker, $28.99 $39.99
I bought this bluetooth speaker on a whim in 2017 for the shower. I didn’t want to spend much, assumed it’d die quickly, and moved on.
It’s now 2025 and this no-name brand Bluetooth speaker is still my main portable speaker. It goes to the patio, on vacation, into the kitchen, and yeah—still lives in the shower.
It’s never had an issue with battery, range, or sound quality. I’ve experienced friends’ more expensive speakers, and while they may be bassier or whatever, it never justified the significant increase in price. For under $30, it’s been a total steal.
Levi’s Trucker Jacket (2013)
Levi’s Trucker Jacket, $62.65 $89.50
There probably isn’t a piece of outerwear I’ve worn more often over the last 12 years than this Levi’s trucker jacket.
The Type III trucker debuted in 1967 and has become a staple in American menswear. It’s been through decades of trend cycles without ever fully falling out of favor.
What makes it great is how adaptable it is. It layers over anything: T-shirt, hoodie, flannel, oxford. It plays well with minimalism, rugged workwear, prep, vintage—it just fits. It’s a bit like a vintage leather jacket in that way.
It’s not just classic. It’s functional, reliable, and looks even better worn in after all this time.
Check out our massive jean jacket outfit inspiration guide.
→ The Levi’s Type III ‘Trucker’ Jacket launched in 1962. Worn by Steve McQueen, Springsteen, and thousands of dads.
Nite Ize Doohikey (2015)
Carabiner Key Clip, $6.37 $7
I’ve had this thing on my keys since 2015. Six bucks. That’s it.
It packs a box cutter, screwdriver, bottle opener, wrenches, and mini ruler—all in something smaller than a stick of gum.
It’s stainless steel, TSA-friendly, and so light you forget it’s there until you need it.
I open boxes constantly and I’m almost never near a box cutter when it happens. Or I’m coming back from the gym and don’t have a pocket knife. The DoohicKey covers me.
It works. It doesn’t add bulk. It replaces a keychain, and quietly becomes one of the most useful things you own.
→ The earliest known multi-tool was Roman—found in the 3rd century CE with a spoon, knife, and spike.
IKEA Frames (2016)
RÖDALM Frame, $29.99
Frames are #4 on my list of things that cost way too much for what they are. Have you ever tried to buy a frame at even a cheap place like TJ Maxx? A big one for a large poster is $60. And usually ugly.
Start looking at nice frames? Hundreds of dollars. For a rectangle that holds paper. You can buy wood furniture for less.
IKEA’s original Ribba frame has been around forever. We’ve recommended it on Primer for over a decade as a go-to for our free printable art.
It’s minimalist and if you don’t scratch the plastic, it lasts surprisingly well. The newer version is called Rodalm, and it has an upgraded design that lets you adjust how far back your art sits from the front. It gives it a more premium feel.
And weirdly, there’s still no competition in this category. Even the faux-wood options from IKEA look better than a lot of what other brands offer.
→ The original RIBBA series had been around since the early 2000s. IKEA quietly upgraded to ‘Rodalm’ with more adjustability and better finishes.
AE Fleece Shirt Jacket (2020)
Amazon Essentials Polar Fleece Shirt Jacket, $28.50
With clothing, we unfortunately don’t expect much out of super budget-friendly options. Especially something like a fleece shirt jacket that only cost 30 bucks.
But I’ve had this thing for five years, and I wear it regularly.
It’s super soft and has a nice structure with the double chest pockets. As a shirt jacket, it works great. It’s a little softer and less rigid than some of my other nicer versions, and the green color offers a nice pop.
It’s basically a cozier, more intentional alternative to a hoodie. Throw it over a solid t-shirt and you’re good to go.
Lodge Cast Iron Pan (2012)
Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet, $24.33 $34.25
Very rarely is the cheapest version of something also the best-performing version. But with skillets, that’s exactly the case.
For under $50, a cast iron skillet gives you a pan that cooks a better steak than most pans five times the price. I’ve had this one since 2012.
It’s still going strong.
You do need to learn how to care for it—no soap scrubbing unless dire, no dishwasher, re-season occasionally. But what you get in return is worth it: perfect char, ideal grilled cheese, anything from the stove to the oven to the grill—or even a campfire.
This pan isn’t just going to outlive your nonstick. These things will survive the apocalypse.
Mixing Glass (2017)
Cocktail Crystal Mixing Glass, $15.99
There are some things I want to buy once and never think about again. Most of my cocktail gear fits that category, and this heavy-duty mixing glass is no exception.
I bought it in 2017 for $16. It’s a classic design to it, but nothing flashy. It’s functional, heavy-duty, and still going.
Mixing glasses are great for spirit-forward drinks like Old Fashioneds and Negronis. Stirring (instead of shaking) gives them a cleaner, smoother texture.
And I’ll be using this one until I knock it off the counter while making round three.
→ The classic Yarai mixing glass, known for its criss-cross cut pattern, originated in Japan and became a bartender standard worldwide.
Converse Chuck 70s (2020)
Converse 70 Sneaker, $59.95 $85 / At Converse
It nails that rare mix of versatility, longevity, and visual balance. Unlike bright optic white, Parchment has a soft, warm tone that plays well with everything—clean enough to feel fresh, grounded enough to look lived-in.
It works with minimalist basics, vintage fits, prep looks—whatever you’re doing, it slides in effortlessly.
The upgraded construction also makes a difference: heavier canvas, higher foxing, better insoles. And the shape still looks good with both slim and wide-leg pants. One of the few sneakers that can ride style waves without getting tossed out.
It’s funny how often the things we think are temporary become the most reliable.
It’s not about the price tag—it’s about usefulness. And sometimes, a little surprise loyalty from your stuff.
Don’t trust anyone that says expensive stuff is the only stuff that lasts.
