Frugal Shopping: AliExpress Edition August 17th 2025 Order

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I’m a few days behind on posting because I got sick. The original plan was to post about this when I ordered it, but then I forgot, got sick, and here we are — the order’s already here, and honestly, I’m pretty darn pleased with what showed up. This was one of those “too good to be true but somehow actually true” deals. They sent me a coupon to buy three items for a grand total of $0.99. Naturally, I accepted this challenge like the responsible adult bargain-hunter I am. So this entire AliExpress haul? $1.05 after tax. That’s what I paid for three items. As always, I’m going to break down what I paid, what they’re actually worth, and then we can all bask in my frugal glory. Item #1: The Adventure Bag It’s like a backpack, like a fanny pack, like… honestly, I don’t know what to call it. Let’s go with “over-the-shoulder canoe-chic.” We’ve been taking the canoe out lately, but our usual backpack is so big it feels like we’re moving cross-country every time we leave shore. I gambled on this smaller one, and it’s water resistant, which is great because I like my stuff dry and my luck questionable. Paid: $0.35 (with tax) Normal price: $7.67 Savings: $7.32 Basically, they almost paid me to take this thing. Item #2: Miniature Chip Bag Magnets Ten adorable little fridge magnets shaped like chip bags. Because obviously, when you’re finally getting healthy enough to move back home, nothing says “fresh start” like decorating your fridge with tiny snacks. I love miniature things, and these were just too cute to leave behind. Paid: $0.35 Normal price: $5.45 Savings: $5.10 Zero regrets. These tiny chips now live rent-free on my fridge. Item #3: Android Air Bud Impostors Basically: Apple AirPods for people with Android phones and trust issues. They look like AirPods, they sound decent, and since I burn through earbuds like kids burn through cereal, cheap backups are always welcome. Paid: $0.35 Normal price: $7.69 Savings: $7.34 Honestly? Not bad. They actually work surprisingly well — which is mildly suspicious, but I’m not asking questions. The Grand Math: Normal total: $20.81 What I paid: $1.05 Total savings: $19.76 So yeah — three functional, weirdly satisfying items for about a dollar. Bargain-hunting level: legendary. Have you gotten any good deals recently?