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There is a lot of very good, cheap, magical items out there.
And a lot of them are useful throughout an adventuring career.
One of my all-time favourite cheap magical items, is the Quick Runner's Shirt
These are so cheap, you can easily afford several "I feel so sweaty after a good workout, I have to change my shirt".
It's the poor man's pounce, or the "I have to summon something, and move out of the way", or many other situations in combat were you just need that extra move action. And at a bargain price of 1000gp, you can easily afford one at level 3, and have one for each encounter later on.
Another time honoured piece of equipment, is the Robe of Infinite Twine, for all you rope lovers out there. Endless rope, in a 1lb package. A million and one uses.
For the spontaneous casters out there, there is the Mnemonis Vestment, not quite as cheap, and bordering on a medium magical item, but very useful. Those utility spells that you'd really want, but can't prioritize to put on your spell list? Get a scroll of each of those, and this robe, it should pay itself back rather quickly. Of course, a written source could also be a spellbook, so if your friendly wizard will borrow you his... Also a candidate for a multiple purchase at later levels.
Then there are all the cheap +5 to a skill items. A couple of examples are:
Eyes of the Eagle, a bit boring perhaps, but always useful. Perception is just very important.
And the Stalker's Mask is also quite good, and though the stealth bonus is probably better on the armour, because it is a flat cost there and you can get a higher bonus, it is also more expensive there. This is, of course, perfect for the assassin, but viable for all characters that needs to hit the BBEG.
On the almost not minor item front, is the Jaunt Boots. A 15ft step? Yes please! Useful for all, but at 7200, it is pressing the budget. Time to get that Craft Wondrous Items feat.
A cloak I like is the Cloak of the Hedge wizard. Enlarge Person is nice for the fighters, and everybody can use Silent Image, the DC might be easy to overcome, but they still have to interact with the illusion in some way, and that takes time. Just make sure you get the right type, the enchantment type is almost useless, as Sleep is close to completely ineffective at the level you can afford this, and the DC will probably be low enough that Charm Person won't work that often. Too bad it clashes with the ever present Cloak of Resistance, however, it is cheap enough to be placed on the same cloak.
The poor man's fortification, the Buffering Cap, non-lethal damage is a lot easier to handle.
The perfect gift for the unlucky thief, the Burglar's Braces.
Having trouble with those annoying casting on the defensive rolls? Get the Spellguard Bracers today!
Coupled with Quick Runner's Shirt and Jaunt Boots, and you will be a very slippery eel.
Pathfinder's advanced multi-tool, the Traveler's Any-Tool, and at almost the same cost as a regular masterwork tool, it is a bargain. Now you can really boost that Profession (basketweaving).
My last entry is almost a must if you are travelling in areas with no firewood, it's the Campfire Bead. It might not save you any money, but it will save you the trouble of carrying all that wood. Also a lifesaver in arctic areas. Get three of them, at you have a bonfire for the whole day.
Yes, I do think that Craft Wondrous Items is one of the better feats out there. AN honourable mentioning of the Expeditious special armour quality, it is a flat cost of 4000gp, and while not as nice as Quick Runner's Shirt (and they can't be used together), nor Jaunt Boots, it is still useful.
An equipment guide could be nice to have, I suppose.
So, what magical items do you like?
All suggestions are welcome, at all prices. I just like to get a lot out of a little.
... Yeah. Quick runners shirt seems almost TOO cheap for what it does.
I like Eyes of the Eagle. Only 1250g for a hefty bonus to the most important skill in the game.