What's one small thing you've done to make your life easier?
For example, I 3d printed a box over my outlet to protect my cables from my bed pushing against it. In addition, my cables never fall to the floor so they’re much easier to grab.
I automate all of my bill payments. Otherwise, I might forget to pay one or two and end up paying late fees, having service cut off, etc.
My parents were terrible about paying bills on time, and we got evicted at least once before they simply forgot to pay the fucking rent on time.
Before this was possible, I'd sit down on the last day of every month with a stack of envelopes and stamps, and I'd cut the month's checks so I could drop them in the mail a week ahead of time. Luckily I didn't actually have to mail the rent check; the landlord lived downstairs.
Whenever there is a small task that will take less than a few minutes, I ask myself “When else are you going to have 80 seconds?” and usually that makes me realize I should just get it done now. Sometimes I still say “tomorrow” and reminds me to pick a specific time to do the task.
My rule of thumb for this is once I’ve begun cleaning in preparation for the other 4 ideas I have buzzing around, I write those down, finish one task and call it from there (this is usually after 2 to 5 mini-tasks that ends up with cleaning)
Set calendar alerts for routine tasks that need to be done less frequently than once a week.
Things like washing the vacuum cleaner filters, descaling the kettle, replacing the water filter (I’m in a hard-water area), servicing various appliances, cleaning all the things that need cleaning but don’t need cleaning every week. All small things. It removes a lot of cognitive effort and makes sure those things actually get done.
This is a big one. I try to tell my ADHD teen he needs to do this because he is constantly forgetting to do things (feed his cat, pickup around his room, go out to the school bus in the morning). He’s very oppositional to change and doesn’t think it’ll help, even though he’s either on his phone or PC all day long.
During Covid (I’m a key worker so had to keep going to work) I started to take a small flask of coffee to work each morning and supplies to make more. I’ll make a further couple during the day…the coffee is to my taste and saves time and money during the day ☕
I carry a Leatherman Squirt PS4 in my pocket every day. It’s tiny and doesn’t add bulk to my pocket but is super handy and I use it all the time. Has spring loaded pliers and tiny scissors, a small straight blade and file, and both a flat Phillips head and broader flat screwdriver.
I bought a $3 mini hook knife for my keychain off Aliexpress. I was tired of getting my pocket knife or Leatherman confiscated or stolen “for security reasons” at ever increasing (and surprising, like libraries, bars) venues. The majority of my needs was to cut open boxes and plastic packaging anyway. It’s the size of half a stick of gum, pops open with a button, and only the inside of the hook is sharp, making it pretty safe for wet hands. The handle is part carabiner clip. Not sure how long they last, since they get confiscated, but at $3 each, I don’t care. Keep it on my keys. The clip makes it easy to take off my keys if I need to leave it behind, but if I end up getting it stolen, meh.
It cuts through cardboard really well, and also opens that hard plastic packaging, burlap sacks, plastic strapping, and that weird material large dry dog food comes in.
I have never been to a bar with any kind of security search beyond checking my ID. If it is a ticketed event, sometimes there’s a cursory patdown. In those cases you have time while waiting in line to put your knife somewhere they won’t pat down, or go hide it in a bush.
I bought a $3 mini hook knife… The majority of my needs was to cut open boxes and plastic packaging anyway.
That’s a good tip! I have a Gerber Dime on my keychain, and I’ve found that the “retail package opener” is the tool I use by far most often. Luckily, mine hasn’t been confiscated yet.
Glow in the dark tape on the front and back of my phone and on the tips of the chargers to make them easier to find in the dark.
For the same reason my phone case is the brightest colored one I could find.
I had to get some clear heat shrink tubing to put over the charging cable ends to hold the tape in place otherwise it unravels after a few days use.
Sure they make lit USB cables but not in 20ft+
I’d really have preferred to have a bright solid glow in the dark phone case but for whatever reason barring I have one 3d printed (which will then not have the same protection of a normal cheap rubberized case) there isn’t anything like that available.
Where I grew up there was a program where you’d sign up for a waiting list. Then when the county police encountered a deer that’d been injured but not badly mangled by a car, they’d put it out of its misery and send it to a local butcher. You’d pay $50 to the butcher and end up with a huge amount of packaged venison.
We kept a freezer in the basement just for that. It would fill the freezer.
Ooh that sounds nice. I’ve considered doing something similar, but I’m worried about being able to find stuff if I’m not the one who puts it away. Have you had any trouble with that?
Most cleaners only clean, dont really change stuff. The secret is to kind of tidy up your house before they arrive. And yes, definitely get one. It’s a life changer, and good for your personal relationships.
My cleaner just moves stuff to the side, cleans that area and slides them back. So at most it’s like a few inches from where it was before or in the same general area. We have a really sweet lady come once a month and it’s so nice to not worry about doing deep cleans. I do basic cleaning in between if stuff gets really dirty.
I got a bag of marbles in a drawstring pouch as a kid and now I keep my coinage in it, have done for at least five years. Sometimes people laugh at my coinpurse, but I’m the one with all my coins in a neat little bag.
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