Favorite “Budget” Item?

Sansa Clip FM radio/MP3 player. $30. 1 ounce. Maybe 40 hours of battery time. FM reception not the best, but pretty good.

Someone recommended this be eliminated to save weight, but for 1 ounce it's pretty useful.

if you missed it, there was a recent longish thread on this topic. of course, i can't find it though!

…but is a “thrift store” thread.

If I were going to spend a dollar before you dropped me out of an airplane into a random place on earth, I'd buy a bic lighter.

Not the "Thrift Store" thread, but the "Best Cheap Gear of 2013" thread.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=85566

"If I were going to spend a dollar before you dropped me out of an airplane into a random place on earth, I'd buy a bic lighter."

+1

Or more than one if possible…

"If I were going to spend a dollar before you dropped me out of an airplane into a random place on earth, I'd buy a bic lighter."

No way, i would buy a very cheap parachute and take my chances…..

Ugh.

I did miss the "Cheap gear of 2013" thread.

Sorry.

My MSR Pocket Rocket. I know it's often looked down on in these forums, but it has been a very dependable stove, it's lightweight, and it goes with me on every trip. My other items get switched up- I have multiple packs, sleeping bags, tents and pads. But my stove (and the 800mL ti pot that I place it in) goes with me on every trip.

20 oz gatorade bottles as water containers attached to pack straps
DIY generic ccf cozies for the gatorade bottles in winter to keep water from freezing
Aqua Mira
Reflectix cozies for my cook pot and drinking cup
Reynolds oven bags (not turkey, the smaller one) as vapor barriers for feet in winter
Dermasafe razor blade knife
CCF sit pad