What Small, Inexpensive Things Make Your Life Better?

A garden hose for my balcony plants. I love plants, but carrying a watering can from the bathroom, through the bedrooms to the balcony multiple times is way too much work, so my plants kept dieing. My husband got me a 20 euro garden hose, and now it takes only a couple of minutes to water everything. (Also life saving, but more expensive and very specific: everything in my wheelchair friendly house is designed for my worst days. I cook sitting down, I brush my teeth sitting down, everything we could automate/voice command is automated/voice commanded, and it’s very reassuring that I can do everything by myself, even on my worst days)

-I love garlic but hate peeling it – we buy peeled garlic in bulk at Costco, blitz it in a food processor, and put it into a mini ice cube tray to freeze. It creates 1 TB portions of pre chopped garlic you can toss in a pan to sauté!. We also do this with leftover tea and coffee for cooling off hot drinks without diluting them. https://tinyurl.com/mcd54e3f -The Loftie alarm clock – no more phone by the bed https://byloftie.com/products/loftie?view=loftie-clock-product -Fish turner spatula – the thing I grab most in the kitchen (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000931ENU/?smid=A12YGKN8F3FM1P&tag=thewire06-20) -Cheap white square towels from Costco. We keep a big stack in the kitchen and bathroom, use them to clean, wipe up spills, in place of paper towels, etc. https://www.costco.com/unitex-100%25-cotton-towel%2C-white%2C-14-in-x-17-in%2C-52-count.product.100460088.html

For me it’s the paprika recipe app and Eat Your Books website membership. I can’t remember how much they cost but I cook a lot and having somewhere to keep all my favourite internet recipes is great (Paprika). It’s really handy when you’re actually cooking as you can automatically scale recipes or convert units (metric all the way!). I have a lot of cookbooks and Eat Your Books means I can easily search all of them by ingredient or browse their indexes (you ‘add’ a book to your library and they have indexed all the recipes – so I can be like, I want a recipe with chicken and saffron and it will show me which of my cookbooks has recipes that include those ingredients.

my cheap but useful things are 1) cordless phone chargers places next to the bed and couch and 2) the little milk frothing wands you can by for a couple of dollars. can turn a boring coffee into something that feels a little more fancy :) also just an fyi the water bottle holder link doesn’t seem to work anymore?

I’m super into all things handwork — embroidery, coloring, knitting, crocheting — and I love doing it literally anytime, anywhere. The only thing that used to bug me was crappy lighting… until I found out neck lights are a thing. Mind blown. There are a ton on Amazon, but I ended up getting the one from 86lux, since it’s the only one I saw that lets you adjust the beam, meaning you can choose how wide or narrow the light is depending on what you need. I like using the focused mode when I’m reading or doing crafts in bed, so I don’t wake up my husband. It’s super lightweight, comfy to wear, really well-made, and honestly would make such a great gift for any fellow maker or book lover. https://www.86lux.com/

I really had to think about this before contributing! These nip covers are so awesome. They are NOT sticky so they’re best with firm fitting tops but I love not wearing a bra and not looking like I’m snuggling tictacs in my shirt! I’m also usually allergic to adhesives so I don’t like sticky nip covers. https://cakesbody.com/products/grippy-cakes-circles?variant=44305910235389

I love Turbie Twists to help dry my hair in place of a towel. My sister gave me a couple and I love them– they don’t pull on my hair the way a towel does and I like the turban vibe with my robe, makes me feel fancy.

My biggest hack is what I call my hold all – it’s just a small, soft makeup purse, but instead of makeup it holds anything that I’d need when leaving the house: keys, wallet, IDs, meds and painkillers, chapstick, mascara and lip color (whatever I’m obssessing over), a pen, a permanent marker, my phone charger, mints/ gum, a protein bar. I even have my protest kit in there (highly recommend!!) – it’s a little tin, like the ones that hold mints or cream deodorant, and in there I have 2 tiny whistles and 2 pairs of ear plugs. I’ve recently added a bandana to the hold-all in case of pepper spray or tear gas at protests. I had a mask in there during covid. The idea is that instead of having to move all my stuff from purse to purse to tote bag to backpack and constantly forget something, I only have to remember 3 things: hold-all, water bottle, phone. That’s it, I’m out of the house, I know I have everything I need. Do it, fr, It’ll make your life better <3

This fold up tote bag (with a pocket on the outside too!!) is literally the sturdiest and most compact reusable bag I’ve found! I can load this bag up with tons of groceries and heavier items and it works fab! It has longer straps to put it on your shoulder too! It’s only 2.99. Love this so much! https://www.target.com/p/burst-print-foldable-tote-bag-black-red/-/A-77377107#lnk=sametab

The NYT Cooking App. The recipes are great, and the comments are the best. I consider it my cooking school. It is $40 a year if you just get the Cooking App. I have given a 1 year gift subscription to friends who like to cook.

Okay, world’s greatest comment section! Mine is keeping a bottle of Miss Mouth’s Messy Eaters stain spray in every single room of the house. I don’t know how it works and don’t care to understand its witchcraft, but it is the ONLY thing that gets out food stains in clothes (from my toddler and, let’s be honest, myself). I keep one in the laundry room, kitchen and closet to immediately spray on stained clothes/furniture and you can usually see it lift the stain out immediately – it’s wild!

A year ago I bought a second toiletry bag and bought doubles of everything I use so that I can keep it ready to throw in luggage when I travel. It has lowered my packing stress and makes the process that much simpler. Included with the usual deodorant, make-up, toothbrush, etc. I always make sure I have a handful of these compressed towel tablets: https://prepared4x.com/products/prepared4x-disposable-compressed-towel-tablets-kit-100-bamboo-compressed-towels-with-metal-cases They’re bamboo, so compostable and/or biodegradable. And they mean that when we travel to places where wash cloths aren’t standard, no one has to use a hand towel to wash their face!

The “Rain Parrot” app – tells you to the minute what the rain forecast is going to be for the next hour. Absolute lifesaver when walking the dog!! https://www.rainparrot.com/

An early Mac OS had a feature called Windowshade that let you minimize any window on your computer screen by double clicking along the header. I loved it because I always have lots of windows open at once. When it disappeared, decades ago,I always managed to find an app that let me keep doing it. These days I pay a very small amount for annual subscription to WindowMizer. Without it, I think I’d go mad! I send a heartfelt thank you message with every annual payment.

I know a bunch of people set timers on alexa for their kids, but very few kids actually have a good concept of what 10 minutes “is”. Even a regular timer with the numbers counting doesn’t work for my 11 year old… it always sneaks up on her. A visual timer (or ADHD timer) has been a huge help as you can physically see the time, represented as a color block, getting smaller. She’s getting tested for ADHD, but honestly, I think this timer would be great for most kids. I wish I had found one a lot sooner in my parenting game! https://www.amazon.com/Time-Timer-Home-MOD-Homeschool/dp/B08K9GFDMP/

Sharpie by the fridge! Simply write the date you opened perishable food right on the container. No more guesswork, much less food waste.

A $10 Brix Jar Key opener. It pops the seal on jars, and, voila- easy open!

Why in the world would one need a motion activated light in a closet?

I finally bought a little bamboo toast tong with a magnet that lives on the side of our Easy Bake oven. It brings me joy every time I’m not scrabbling around with a fork to get my toast out!

I keep revisiting this post this week because comments I want to read keep coming in :) Something I was talking about with friends today is how in our very compact Brooklyn kitchen, we’ve replaced almost all drinkware/glasses with wide mouth Ball mason jars. This is purely an efficiency play, not for aesthetics, because they can double as tupperware for food storage. We also use them as mugs – they’re fine with boiling water, and fine with being frozen. And we use them as meal prep containers. And for pickling. And for measurements, since they have pretty accurate unit markings along the sides. Basically just the most versatile thing in our kitchen! We like the wide mouth ones, both for ease of access, and because the lids are interchangable with all the larger size jars from Ball. It’s handy to have more than we need, and we never run out of drinking glasses when we have company over. https://amzn.to/4kXIRn5

I’m late to the party, but ever since NYC instituted composting, I have struggled with getting rid of the coffee grounds out of my French press and into the compost holder in my kitchen. It would add a lot of water and make a big, heavy, soggy mess. Then I realized that I could pour the grounds into an inexpensive little metal sieve, let it drain, and then dump the grounds into the compost.

Plant stands also make great small surfaces for things like phones, drinks, decor, whatever! They can be found for reasonable prices and in a lot of different styles. They fit nice and snug in tight areas in need of a little something.

We love these Auvon nightlights (plug in and rechargeable) for stairways, etc … and now bring them with us when traveling, which is a game changer https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=auvon+night+light&adgrpid=59633823285&gad_source=1&hvadid=686293184351&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9000671&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11848272836865695406–&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11848272836865695406&hvtargid=kwd-658857690399&hydadcr=21636_13527092&mcid=01e5dfb512023f64ac477fb98f85b103&tag=h0a61-20&ref=pd_sl_asw7ebi03_e

I have a shared grocery list with my husband in the reminders app on my iphone. We both always know what we need from the grocery store! I’ts great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTMrrDRIMFU This cheap ugly iPhone holder for my car so I don’t have to hold my phone while following directions. https://tinyurl.com/yddz8987 Also a small garbage can and tissues in your car. I like having extras of the things you’re always looking for like chargers, scissors, box cutters, sunglasses. It makes me feel good to have a bounty of these things. A knife sharpener! Preparing food with a dull knife sucks. I like to keep lemons in the freezer sliced in half in a bag. Anytime I have a recipe that needs lemon I microwave them for 30 seconds and used them as I would a fresh lemon. I also keep ginger in the freezer and just use a microplane to grate it whenever a recipe calls for it. I never have to worry about lemons or ginger going bad. The furminator is the only brush that works on our long haired cat. https://tinyurl.com/4yuzfd2f I am obsessed with making pitchers of Red Zinger and Lemon Zinger iced tea. There’s no caffeine, and it’s so delicious! I’ve even brought pitchers of it to friend’s houses to share and everyone raves. My aunt used to drink it in the 90’s and it reminds me of her. https://tinyurl.com/4fauuuck This neon phone case because I was forever losing my black phone in our gray sofa. https://tinyurl.com/2s3cshac I want to write 100 more of these but I will spare you. I love this questions, and folk’s answers so much.

I love my16 oz nalgene water bottle. It’s lightweight and fits in my purse for errands or for being out for the day.

Candle wicks from JoAnns (rip). I make “new” candles with the remaining wax leftover in jars/tins. It’s a great to get your moneys worth and little extra burn!

“smart” light bulbs + alexa > voice control lights (no more fighting about who has to get out of bed to turn off the lights) and we set it up so it starts dimming around 10PM so we know it’s time to go to bed :)

My close relatives I had grown up with are mostly gone, I lost most of them during 5 years. My mom’s sisters. So, one day I wrote a postcard to each of them explaining in details how I missed them how I loved them. Before, I chose postcards I knew they would like. It’s like re building a connection to them although I couldn’t send them these postcards I build new connections in my heart. The whole hole in my heart filed with bitterness and grief got healed.

Oh I also commented this on Big Salad last winter – you know how in the winter you have to put on leggings or tights under a cute dress, and it’s less cute because of the block of opaque, practical-looking black? There’s a whole genre of tights now that are faux-sheer – the texture makes it look like you can see your skin through pantyhose, but it’s secretly a layer of beige fleece. For under $8! (Sadly no diversity in size or skin tone offered.) https://amzn.to/4557QPB

I usually wake up before my husband and my children… rather than a loud alarm that will wake up everyone, I strap this analog vibrating alarm clock around my ankle when I go to bed. You can set two alarms and snooze! Not necessarily a game changer for me, but the rest of my house appreciates it :) https://www.maxiaids.com/product/new-white-shake-n-wake-zzz-with-blue-lcd

Tube wringer for getting the last drop out of toothpaste, sunscreen, tomato paste, etc. Sooo satisfying! https://www.amazon.com/Tube-Wringer-Metal-401-Tube-Wringer/dp/B003JO3I8A/ref=dp_prsubs_d_sccl_1/132-1612186-5517218?pd_rd_w=wcTgq&content-id=amzn1.sym.be3a2f09-77ee-4ba3-b2da-1b73c76c3fe2&pf_rd_p=be3a2f09-77ee-4ba3-b2da-1b73c76c3fe2&pf_rd_r=NPSG95F5BNH8RHP4AS5H&pd_rd_wg=h6hum&pd_rd_r=af641962-fd4f-43d4-8d75-58b33ffc5d37&pd_rd_i=B003JO3I8A&psc=1

If you love the zit patches but don’t want to spend the $$ for specialty face care/you need or want a different size, the hydrocolloid BandAids are exact the same product but a long strip of the material instead of a dot. Fantastic for painful large cystic acne, and cheap!

Apple Airtag in my car glovebox to remember where I parked!

I commented earlier but forgot! Dusk to dawn sensing light bulbs for your porch! I would always forget to flip the switch and they’d be on all day or I’d come home to a dark house but they last FOREVER and I just love them!! lol

Two whiteboards from an office supply store with magnetic backs. One has the meal plan for the week, the other has our social plans. Just writing this out has kept us more organized and my partner has picked up more responsibilities related to these things.

These are fantastic! Thank you for the tips on timers and a new alarm clock :) Here are a few free ones that I use to minimize advertising in my life (as I would rather buy things that COJ commentors tell me to buy, lolz! :) and also, less advertising is great for mental health) An ad blocker like AdblockPlus to track adds on websites and have the default be to block them: https://adblockplus.org/ A default search engine like Ecosia that doesn’t give you sponsored content: https://www.ecosia.org/ I’m sure there are other methods out there… I’m all ears for ways to make my brain less agitated!

oxo good grips plastic handheld mandoline!

Stainless steel cups with a lid! I bought some for freezing smoothies, but what I love about them is how cold they are — for ice water, ice cream, and smoothies. What I got is called IMPRESA Freezable Smoothie Cups – 16.9 oz Stainless Steel Cups & Lids, Glossy Silver, 6-Pack – Freezable Juice Containers With Slide-Top & Spill-Resistant Lids. I love how little space they take up in the cabinet, and my husband is always reaching for them too. The only downside is they were a little stuck together when they arrived – had to put them in either cold or hot water to loosen them up to separate.

Make Up Eraser Cloths to remove makeup at the end of the day using just water. Also facewash wristbands to keep water from running down my arms (keeps me from having to wipe puddles of water from counter).

Silicone jar jackets. My family would blow through 20 water glasses per day and it drove me crazy to find abandoned glasses all over the place. I bought 4 silicone jar jackets, assigned each family member a colour and our new house rule is that you are only allowed to drink out of your assigned jar. It has been a game changer! Clean counters, less washing, full cupboard of glasses available for guests.

Maybe not the cheapest thing around, but I got myself the cutest ravioli shaped spoon rest. It makes me smile every time I have to set a spoon down while cooking, which I think counts as making my life better. As a bonus, it’s the perfect size for a single egg to nestle while a pan heats. I love it! https://ohhelloleigh.com/products/copy-of-speckled-stoneware-spoon-rest-1?variant=41496167809107

I recently got these perfect little glasses to split a 16oz beer with my husband: https://www.duralexusa.com/collections/duralex-le-picardie-tumblers/products/duralex-le-picardie-clear-tumbler?variant=7290155925563

Erin’s comment below about keeping a box of handy things by the door reminded me of this idea. I keep a clear storage box with a lid on the back seat floor of my truck. I keep essentials in it: sunscreen, electrolytes, pair of shoes and pair of crocs, and socks, leggings, bra, hoodie, tee shirt, snack bars, chap stick, hat, mittens, rain jacket, puffer jacket, my winter shoe grips that fit into my boots, extra collar and leash for dog, wipes, sunglasses, ball cap, those white zip locks for the weed dispensary. My essentials box saves my bacon all the time. I worry so much less about forgetting something important and I get out the door much quicker.

Ahhh this is so fun to think about! Here are some of mine’s : 1) A portable dishwasher for my small apartment – it’s super renter-friendly cause you can load it with a water caraffe too and doesn’t need to be hooked to a tap 2) A wireless USB lamp that I can carry around the house and has helped me a ton in the poor-lit corner of my kitchen, when my sink was leaking and the plumner came over to fix it 3) A powerful magnet to secure my phone on my car dashboard as it doubles as my navigator as well

I put an extra wastebasket in the bathroom off my bedroom. I use it for recycling and it has been so handy. I recycle more because of it.

As a chronic phone dropper, I swear by those wrist straps you can attach to your phone!

so many good ideas! I really want to love silicone bags (have a bunch of stashers), but literally everything I put in them tastes like soap! We also noticed this with all baby feeding things that are silicone and have moved away to using metal plates etc. But regardless of handwashing or dishwasher, they leave everything soapy! Any tips?

Ok excuse me while I spend $200 on little treats now :) When you ran this post last time, I saw someone post about a car phone holder that fits into the car’s AC vents – I bought one for both of our family’s cars and still love them so much! Makes looking at directions so much easier/less stressful.

I put a big produce rubber band around the end of a tube of toothpaste. When it starts getting harder to squeeze the toothpaste out, I roll up the end of the tube and secure in place with the rubber band!

Game changer for me was the recipe app Paprika 🥘🛒✅ I bought it for both iOS and Mac and love love love it – best $30 I spent, 5 years ago! Takes a minute obvs to get all your recipes in it but once you have them in it’s soooooo easy to plan the meals for the week and build the grocery list. And adding recipes from the internet (even NYT without a subscription) is simple.

This cardboard box cutter! So many boxes to break down – this makes such a difference. https://a.co/d/9iG6cA6

I have a couple of S’well bottles (S’well has great sample sales in NYC, LA, etc.) I bought this adorable strap for it 3 years ago, and what a difference having a handle has made! Not only are the colorways fun, it’s incredibly convenient to sling it over my arm and be hands-free, especially since many of my bags won’t fit a massive bottle, so I previously would find myself just holding it in my hands. And it has a buckle, so I can clip it onto things like a handbag or backpack. I can also clip it to small items I want to combine with it, so I can reduce the items I’m carrying, like the strap on my Airpods case. https://amzn.to/46YLb9X

1) Tub Shrooms! These have probably saved our drains over and over. We have little ones in the shower and bigger ones in the kitchen sinks. Easy to clean, catches hair, etc. https://www.amazon.com/TubShroom-Revolutionary-Protector-Strainer-Stainless/dp/B07PB6ZX9Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=17UMC82E93NNY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Cg4nQDxuMDRSPBJLrzB4SOOjkKOQHCXRDSsHA4wCmzqszRQVl6Qg20Gy37rMlnpKVOfya1BD35BB90pxU4PZ34xe2PX2RTuUEEecVXjf8NCVpTPmAXHBqG0dDCUcdhzQGB02Pv7d3Mtel0ojNoAET3hEZ1WvO1erDjTthX5-SZgYIhbyfiQhps2g97PWBaAvizrpYC1j3wb-2Wgubgtfs8J3pxggllUiPP12enEvAB3M6Y648zw-sVKPpqqEx-KAyITjGATgmlrkTWThJl-K5tpBeAN0oS42dW8XdN4S4aQ.udJvpp50A2h0q271FRthp_kK00nGIqbXexq9PGJYv3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=tub%2Bshrooms&qid=1739986619&sprefix=tub%2Bshrooms%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 2) Kitchen Towels that hang. I tried a few different towels and clips before landing on these from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Hand-Towels-Hanging-Loops/dp/B09FTKDPD5/ref=sr_1_23?crid=1G5OOFJX6PY9C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hHsNxS4-pPQVJD6QCqeBBH5YX3BoI9D-WzBlTnpbd7an2fl_jWk8TbWyhibHWjpH86P7W0j8ysq3Met9JHX2fpcIVkD02T87O-v0ioQGzz9tTvRq0Qx0tQfrTwm4l6-4d_IcU3k_pshdDXO9QI5CXpcgvzmYibnrw6zlEOWB6CCUVxcLVUN9sbP8QI6aqjSzL8ixxbVxPyVpSel14Aan379fRjSiDJD5rVWi2cL3HIJ5kh9AYMsQo6ddgZb_IOFn9cz_l0HJkkeAkikLVys4g6cA-3jhhO5SrT42O6RNDoU_TX4PIgHd3aqza3NycoiZ9iS6Dk1_yqHse4LbQW3eLbnfHl-d3wKgpxYYRRmqs9ALfstdcgKYfQIKaxkMD8sEYdQlBh3HezjcAZ5CMP_B1aS8hrfuZxQUJW9SguKQlIofHt6CaGYKWh0UOO6AZIox.PKpA2bAn6xEZaFtCZEX2Nd0hvt2fhT0fBp6ElBEm_L4&dib_tag=se&keywords=self%2Bhanging%2Bkitchen%2Btowels&qid=1739986876&sprefix=self%2Bhanging%2Bkitchen%2Btowel%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-23&th=1 3) Automatic cat feeder- worth every penny if you have cats! We have a double one for the 2 cats- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS92XR7F?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_8&th=1

oh man, so many! Mini circular metal magnets for the fridge – super strong, non-cluttered to the eye Glass straws – makes me feel like I splurged on a coffee out Dimmable lightbulbs – can turn them on/off with a phone app! Air dry clay – I have made so many really simple candle holders Food dye – use for a toilet leak test! taught to me by someone at the utilities company because my water bill was so high Tide-to go gel pens specifically for bathroom grout Detergent sheets – like a dryer sheet but it’s detergent. No more goop. Cinnamon essential oil – put it in a spray bottle dilated with water and spray baseboards to make sure you never see another ant again Glass tupperware – idk why but it helps with organization? sort of like how your dishes don’t get disorganized one good stainless steel pan and one good cast iron pan! No more microplastics but also I don’t even use the others now, way more storage room

Not gadgety but I did go through my house and try to find areas of annoyance and then solve for that (I’d probably just read the Happiness Project for the 10th time). I keep an extra pair of sunglasses and boots at my back door, and in the winter, my late husband’s ski jacket, toque and mitts as well. Makes it so much easier to go outside and shovel snow off the deck or just hang out with the dogs in the yard. Same for scissors by the recycling bin – ready to break down the box and put it in the bin. Piece of paper and pen by the freezer – quickly add what I’m putting in or cross out what I’m taking out. Work bag always ready to go with a set of chargers (including laptop charger), little toiletry bag of essentials, pen, highlighter, granola bar, ziploc bag of tea and coffee, etc.

After trying so many book lights, I finally found this one! It’s the best I’ve tried by far. Rechargeable, with three brightness levels. I’ve given them as gifts. Highly recommend! https://www.vekkia.com/collections/book-light/products/b0c6m4pw4s

Mine is a Brita water pitcher, not only do I feel like I am helping the planet a little, I no longer have to lug cases at the store to my car, but lug them in once I get home. Oh and a cherry pitter, yes it’s a one trick pony that I only use a few times a year, worth every penny!

Plastic toggles in bulk on Amazon or the retailer of your choice. They go on every pair of kids drawstring pants, shorts, swim shorts, etc. No more tying and untying knots.

Wow, this just reminded me of the 10 Little Things series I used to write: https://consciousbychloe.com/tag/10-little-things/ I need to start this again! I love remembering what once made me happy!

This little reading light, which I use to read and wish I’d had when I was waking in the night to nurse my baby. My toddler uses it easily and it doesn’t have a button battery. He cannot detach the cap on the usb charger though I suppose it could be a choking hazard. The charge lasts forever. I use to read, as a flashlight, at bedtime when he needs a little light to calm down, etc. https://www.amazon.com/Glocusent-Rechargeable-Portable-Brightness-Dimmable/dp/B09WQW13ZT/ref=sr_1_4_pp?crid=3O0S2INN5EK9U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x5htBwt9qoyoZz3A_0gOPDlC7daeRyBD-WY91ihJXQRii9JuGtLCqM7QpoUQ_Jwcy22sfglyKXqGsjfIvmHFQP-yswUQyFst8uxUgigLuZ1igJGhk9RCBKkI55DpCrzOWp0X1WFmTjyKQaic2JSw9GhNNB4wAt_SqgdE9yjyPWliES9jCdtNC4f2NfpJc7oFlL_x-a8KD0len-D1_nfjeHjlyIUbhdhWYcFpsgTxNEaOTnuYkpzcoxtEd0rgApzyNUNuphayqM4-_1Kg2F6zovZaT2BTFQE1QoGNW-SGKvQ.84FM1IhYVLRwb7eKYJyCovJOrGNSXxOObnUIKMnyWSE&dib_tag=se&keywords=reading%2Blight&qid=1753286802&s=hi&sprefix=reading%2Blight%2Ctools%2C97&sr=1-4&th=1

I have been influenced by the mini Hydroflask. I leave my bigger water bottle in my car and fill up my mini when I go out and only need a little bit of water to get through my errands. No leaks when rolling around my bag so far! Also the Golde superwhisk. It’s rechargeable and now that I’m making more drinks at home or at my parents’, I can froth my milk or whisk my matcha anywhere.

“I enjoyed the ones by Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling” Me too! Shameless plug for my tiny blog where I posted an article on top career lessons from exactly these three memoirs :) Amy’s “treat your career like a bad boyfriend” is my favourite. https://cecileblanc.com/2020/12/15/10-leadership-lessons-from-women-in-comedy/

These bags finally made me remember my grocery bags. I can fit 3 in my tiny purse. They are made of parachute fabric and stuff down super small but, seem really strong and have a long strap that make it a crossbody which helps in my effort to never make two trips in from the car. https://syzyuniverse.com/pages/shop?srsltid=AfmBOop1TFPi50lQyIP15LN3rBfFh670Tmr8c5TR8JGfGDN_Y59KnOLi This safety box cutter has also been a great addition. It is very small and I don’t worry about leaving it out because it is so much safer for the kids to use than other options. https://www.amazon.com/Klever-Kutter-10-Pack-Blue/dp/B01KYVJWOO I also a good pair of tweezers in my car because sometimes that car light highlights those stray hairs and waiting to get home can be painful.

I’m not exactly time-blind, but let’s say time-fuzzy. If I’m going to make a mistake in my work, 9/10 times it’s getting a date wrong, or showing up late to a zoom call, or something related to time. So two small things that help immensely: I have a large digital clock that is on the other side of the room, but visible just beyond my computer monitor. It helps me to keep track of where I am in a meeting, so I can speed things up if we’re running low on time, etc. The other is that I took the “year at a glance” page out of my engagement calendar (it shows just the little blocks of numbers for each month), folded it, and it sits on my desk right under my monitor. I’ve trained myself to use it, so that if I’m saying “ok, 3 weeks from thursday is…” I have to look at the calendar and not try to figure it out in my head. Now, you might say “but Suz, your computer has both of those functions!” Ah, but if I have to touch my computer for either of those things, I will see something else that will distract me, and it will take me a while to get back on task. So having those little helpers beside the computer makes all the difference.

I concur with the clip-on book light suggestions that others have offered. I love mine for reading in bed at night, and also have unclipped it from the book and used it like a flashlight to find stuff in the back of my closet. Other delights: A city pool swim pass is saving my life right now, worth every penny. Another treasure: following Jane Gindin’s European cycling adventure on Substack (inspiring huge travel daydreams for me- the Netherlands and Holland seem gloriously beautiful, with kind, good people). And Ora’s Amazing Herbal products, especially the calendula salve ($17, lasts forever) that soothes everything, including mosquito bites.

Pill organizers. At some point in life they will come in handy for nearly everyone. I consider trying to remember which pill to take when each day an unreliable system and a waste of my diminishing brain cells. I’ve been using the flimsy plastic trays from the drugstore (open to all nonplastic suggestions!) When I travel I use an organizer wallet that contains small pouches (again plastic, alas,) for each day of the week. A little pricey but it has come in handy on many an overseas trip: https://www.magellans.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=111,3629&T1=MFV690+BK

I play the drums and have musician’s earplugs on me at all times. They routinely come in handy outside of the studio – when I go to concerts, when it’s loud at a restaurant, and when my hike took me to a very echoey concrete bunker with a view. I’ve used these ones, which come in two sizes, for years: https://vicfirth.com/products/vic-ear-plugs?variant=44832535249196

I bought a pair of high quality hair cutting scissors years ago and now trim my own bangs (learned through a YouTube tutorial) and do my kids haircuts. The best investment!

Last night I made my first sushi roll with the Sushi Bazooka – so easy and it came out beautifully! It’s plastic, which I know many try to avoid, but for $14.95 I’m excited about adding easy veggie rolls to my menu planning.

I have a couple: -Ultimately Cloth, you just use water and cleans surfaces nicely. https://www.ultimatecloth.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorYnyAS5zxZNhFdHGM1_8e_uLAfCS-ultL782UghUBZfVcTHArD -Geometry towels. Cute patterns, dries quickly, and uses recycled materials -Crocheted kitchen scrubber. I usually get them in our stocking from my MIL but you can find them at craft fairs and Etsy. I just throw them in the washer and let the air dry.