Organization

Get rid of clothing that is tatty, doesn't fit, or is kept only on the hope of wearing it someday, as you probably won't wear it and won't miss it.

You probably won't wear it and won't miss it.

one person who lived it

Bring salt or powdered electrolyte drinks to prevent muscle cramps during long physical exertion.

Going without salt/salty foods can lead to severe cramps that might have killed us.

one person who lived it

To locate small dropped objects on the floor, get on your hands and knees and look parallel to the floor surface.

Viewing the object from this angle makes it appear as a distinct shape or hill rather than a dot against an infinite plane.

2 people, independently

Catch falling items by grabbing where they are going to be from the bottom, rather than trying to grasp them from above.

Prevents hitting the item more downward away from your hand if you cannot firmly grasp it.

one person who lived it

Keep a fixed set of essential items in your pockets and physically count or tap each one every time you stand up or leave a building.

One person reported never having a catastrophic pocket loss in a decade using this method.

2 people, independently

Avoid putting things away while talking on the phone.

You will never remember.

one person who lived it

Check the front desk for lost items in theaters.

Cleaners often turn items in there, and theaters usually do not answer phones to notify you.

one person who lived it

If you experience audio feedback from a microphone, move closer to it rather than backing away.

Feedback often occurs because the sound engineer has increased the gain to compensate for your distance from the mic.

one person who lived it

Place a towel between the plastic frame of a wheeled backpack and books to prevent damage.

One person reported this helped stop the frame from damaging books.

one person who lived it

Put hands in pockets when putting on pants to flatten them out for better comfort.

It will feel better.

one person who lived it

Do not hold your phone or other valuables over hazards like water, fire, or deep drops.

To prevent loss or damage if you drop them.

one person who lived it

Never take off your wristwatch to ensure you never leave it behind.

It is hard to leave a watch behind if it is attached to you.

one person who lived it

Use a non-black phone case to make it easier to find if lost.

We are more likely to find a non-black case.

one person who lived it

Check laundry hampers, bedsheets, and places where you store clothes for small lost items.

Items can get trapped in folds or mixed in with wash loads.

one person who lived it

Keep only your phone in its designated pocket to prevent other items from falling out when you retrieve it.

Items often fall out of pockets when the phone is removed.

one person who lived it

Sweep a flashlight beam parallel to the ground to project elongated shadows that expose tiny items.

Objects resting on the surface create shadows, improving visibility.

6 people, independently

Put loose change in the same pocket as a valuable item so the jingling reminds you the item is there.

The sound serves as a reminder that the item is in the pocket.

one person who lived it

Swap heavy boots for lighter shoes on the return journey to save space and weight.

Reduces pack bulk and weight when heavy footwear is no longer needed.

one person who lived it

Keep a checklist of packed items to help with repacking for the return trip.

so it's easier to pack when leaving

3 people, independently

Transport inflated balloons by pulling a fitted sheet over them.

It allows you to carry a few dozen balloons easily at once.

• Balloons are harmful to the environment because they kill animals when littered and waste helium needed for science and medicine.

one person who lived it

Avoid throwing textbooks into lockers, beds, or tables to prevent edge fraying and damage.

Throwing them causes nearly all the damage.

one person who lived it

If you lose sight of a dropped small item, intentionally drop another identical one and watch its trajectory to estimate the search radius.

The second item will likely follow similar roll behavior and find its mate.

3 people, independently

Sweep the floor clean before working on tasks involving small parts to make dropped items easier to find.

A clean background helps tiny pieces stand out visually.

2 people, independently

Toss objects upward in a curved trajectory rather than throwing them directly at the recipient to reduce force and allow reaction time.

It is less forceful and gives the person more time to react.

• A parabolic arc can be harder to anticipate than a straight line.
• Do not throw breakable items at people.

one person who lived it

Fold headphones using a tying method instead of a rubber band for a cleaner look.

It avoids having a dangling rubber band.

one person who lived it

Pack two pairs of underwear per day during summer vacations to avoid sweat issues at night.

to avoid having sweaty underwear when going out at night

one person who lived it

Hold tightly to large belongings such as umbrellas or grocery bags when approaching your stop on public transport.

Commuters often leave these items behind because they are not part of their regular routine.

one person who lived it

Wear the same clothes for multiple days if they aren't filthy, changing only socks and underwear, to reduce pack weight.

Every ounce matters.

one person who lived it

Fold headphones loosely into a pocket instead of tying them in loops to prevent cable warping and tangling.

Twisting cables into loops causes them to warp and tangle.

one person who lived it

Use longer straps that aren't as tall on a messenger bag so they cannot physically twist.

It cannot physically twist like that.

one person who lived it

Avoid holding or passing items over your laptop.

To avoid spilling liquids on it.

one person who lived it

Use proximity-based Bluetooth door locks to eliminate worry about whether the house is locked.

You never have to wonder if you locked your house.

one person who lived it

Load dishwasher cutlery by type (e.g., forks together) to make unloading easier.

You can unload easily by grabbing groups and putting them directly into drawers.

one person who lived it

Place all unpacked items back into the garbage bag used for packing luggage to keep them in one spot.

It prevents forgetting items by keeping everything in a single location.

one person who lived it

Start packing from your feet and move up your body to ensure you do not forget any clothing items.

prevents forgetting articles of clothing

one person who lived it

Vacuum the floor thoroughly before using a stocking-covered hose to find lost items.

To reduce debris collection.

one person who lived it

Open the dishwasher immediately after it finishes to let hot air escape.

This prevents condensation from forming on the dishes.

one person who lived it

Buy wardrobe boxes specifically designed for hanging clothes when moving.

They are designed for this purpose.

one person who lived it

Avoid touching other people's vinyl records, shaking turntables, or pushing speakers.

These actions can damage equipment or annoy the operator.

one person who lived it

Check under and around nearby empty tables and chairs when leaving with children, in case items rolled away or were placed there absentmindedly.

one person who lived it

If pets can access lower doorknobs, store hair elastics on upper kitchen cabinets instead.

one person who lived it

Add 'five hours' to your time-perspective check to dismiss annoyances that won't matter by the end of the workday.

Some issues do not matter even at the end of the workday.

one person who lived it

Leave earlier than necessary to reduce stress.

Leaving late is a source of stress.

one person who lived it

Write tasks on an erasable marker board in a high-traffic area like the fridge to keep them visible and prioritized.

Constant visibility helps focus on items that need checking.

• The board may blend into the background after a week; a movable whiteboard might work better.

one person who lived it

Check for physical signs of stress, such as a locked jaw, and consciously relax them.

Stress is often felt most intensely in the jaw.

one person who lived it

Time-track your tasks and automatically transfer them to your calendar.

This allows you to see how well you did and if you need to improve your planning.

one person who lived it

To motivate cleaning, visualize that a guest who does not know you well is visiting in 30 minutes and judge how the space looks.

This perspective shift helps you suddenly see all the mess.

one person who lived it

Write down everything you need to think about in key points to make problems tangible and sortable.

It makes problems tangible and sortable when you have too much to think about.

one person who lived it

Write tasks by hand to help them stick in your memory better than typing does.

Typing does not commit tasks to memory as well and may not remove them from your worrying mind like physical writing does.

one person who lived it

Accept that you will not understand what you are doing from the start when learning something new.

Much of what you do will seem confusing initially.

one person who lived it

Use a simple physical notebook for your to-do list instead of complex tools.

Beautiful tools can be used to avoid doing the actual work.

one person who lived it

Order your grocery shopping list by store aisle layout to save time and curb unnecessary spending.

It helps ensure you get everything while reducing impulse buys.

• Store layouts may change frequently, making the order inaccurate.

one person who lived it

Set your class schedule as your phone's lock screen background at the start of each term for quick reference.

allows you to see course information at a glance without unlocking the phone

• maps on lock screens may be too small to be useful
• some schools do not allow phone use

4 people, independently

Review household finances weekly rather than monthly.

It is easier than doing it once a month.

one person who lived it

Spin a pen as a fidget tool.

You can do it without looking.

one person who lived it

Use the note-taking app on your phone for grocery lists instead of paper.

It helps save trees.

one person who lived it

Keep a stack of sticky notes by your desk to capture immediate thoughts or tasks, which can help you feel calmer.

It makes you feel calmer.

one person who lived it

Add any forgotten items to your master packing list immediately after realizing they are missing.

They will be on the list next year so you won't forget them.

2 people, independently

• Keep a generic master packing list updated after each trip, and customize a copy for each specific trip about a week in advance.1
• Add blank bullet points to your packing checklist to record forgotten items for future reference.1

Make a packing list even when staying with family, as you may still forget items.

One person found they forgot things even when staying with parents.

one person who lived it

Avoid planning out every hour of your day.

It is an unpleasant experience.

one person who lived it

Maintain separate lists for different life areas (e.g., to-dos, long-term, short-term, favorites, ideas, books, recipes) because one list cannot serve all different topics.

One list cannot work for all different topics.

one person who lived it

Figure out what you truly want, rather than just what you want to get, then go from there.

one person who lived it

Centralize appointments, tasks, and reminders in one place, preferably by writing them down by hand.

It allows for slow thinking.

one person who lived it

Visualize what a successfully completed project looks like to guide planning.

A clearly defined vision allows your brain to fill in the gaps.

one person who lived it

Tell stakeholders a task will take longer than expected, put that extended time on your calendar, and submit the work early once done.

This allows you to under-promise and over-deliver.

one person who lived it

Write down 20 life accomplishments you hope to get before you die to clarify priorities.

one person who lived it

Plan tasks using time windows instead of rigid minute-by-minute schedules.

Rigid planning risks the entire schedule being thrown off by minor disturbances.

one person who lived it

Try crocheting as a fidget activity if you have a limited attention span.

It relies on muscle memory and allows you to drop the work without losing stitches, unlike knitting.

one person who lived it

Use color-coded post-it notes for different task types, such as blue for daily checklists and red for work assignments.

Physically labeling duties helps order them when overwhelmed.

one person who lived it

Consider using a basic phone to focus on family time over online posting.

Reflecting on life at the end suggests focusing on family rather than social media posts.

one person who lived it

Limit your 'research later' list to quick, skimmable topics rather than broad life goals.

Keeping it to quick Wikipedia skims prevents it from becoming an unmanageable list of everything you want to learn.

one person who lived it

Send text messages to yourself as reminders for tasks, leveraging the habit of frequently checking your phone.

You are likely to see the reminder because you check your texts often.

one person who lived it

Use a packing list from a previous relevant trip as a starting point to avoid overpacking and forgetting items.

It helps prevent overpacking and reduces the likelihood of forgetting things.

one person who lived it

Jot scattered thoughts down in a notebook to make them visible, reducing overwhelm and making tracking easier.

Keeping everything in your head can make life feel scattered.

one person who lived it

Clarify project goals before complying with pilots to avoid implementing mere workarounds that fail to solve underlying problems.

Blind compliance often leads to solutions that do not address the core issue.

one person who lived it

Watch video tutorials for tying neckties instead of relying on confusing text instructions.

Text directions can be confusing, while videos are much better.

one person who lived it

Keep a handwritten packing checklist in a notebook for reference.

It has helped with packing when traveling more frequently.

one person who lived it

Define the project's purpose and vision before organizing tasks or schedules.

Agreeing on what is important first avoids potential dysfunction.

one person who lived it

Only lend money that you are comfortable considering a gift.

one person who lived it

Return to basic journaling if complex apps become overwhelming.

complex tools ended up overwhelming me

one person who lived it

Perform tasks immediately when motivation strikes.

motivation is fleeting and will disappear

one person who lived it

Reduce the number of productivity apps you use to increase your productivity.

one person who lived it

Document the condition of hardware or property with photos before handing it off to repair shops or contractors.

To have proof of the condition in case of cracks, dents, or careless handling like chipped paint.

2 people, independently

Disassemble items on a large work surface, placing parts in the order they are removed to help with reassembly in reverse order.

This allows you to reassemble in reverse order.

one person who lived it

Attach a camera to your hood or hat to record the disassembly process hands-free.

It allows for easy review if you forget something when tearing apart cars.

one person who lived it

If you struggle with keeping track of bolt locations during disassembly, trace the hole pattern onto cardboard and push the bolts through to mark their positions.

One person adopted this method after breaking an engine block by tightening the wrong bolt.

one person who lived it

Refer to exploded parts diagrams when working on complex machinery like dirt bikes.

They help you remember how the machine came apart.

one person who lived it

If you play disc golf, take photos of course layouts or holes that are not visible from the tee to help with navigation.

Holes and subsequent tees are sometimes out of view or difficult to locate.

one person who lived it

Film yourself performing unfamiliar tasks so you can review the footage later to identify errors or repeat the process.

It acts as a real-life undo function for identifying where you went wrong.

one person who lived it

Take a picture of a postcard or letter before mailing it to remember what you wrote.

keeps a record for yourself

one person who lived it

Print copies of appliance photos and attach them to sales receipts and warranty documents stored in an off-site vault.

for insurance proof

one person who lived it

Take photos before disconnecting wires to guide soldering when manufacturer information is missing.

It ensures wires are placed in the correct spots when you have no other reference.

one person who lived it

• Take pictures of electrical connections before disconnecting them to avoid errors during reassembly.2
• Document complex wiring specifically with photographs before taking anything apart.2

Take photos of receipts for expensive items and email them to yourself to preserve warranty information.

Receipt ink fades, and having the photo helps prove purchase dates required by manufacturers for warranty issues.

• Some places require the original physical receipt.

one person who lived it

Write identifying marks on internal components and photograph them before sending items for repair.

To prevent shops from claiming they replaced something when they didn't, or from removing working parts.

one person who lived it

Take a photo of your air filter's measurements to remember the size when replacement is needed.

It is easy to forget the specific dimensions between three-month replacement intervals.

one person who lived it

Document assembly steps rather than relying on memory, as it is easy to forget how parts fit together.

People often forget reassembly details, leading to frustration or inability to finish the repair.

2 people, independently

Lay removed screws and parts on a surface in the exact spatial arrangement they occupied on the original object, similar to an exploded view diagram.

to maintain spatial context for reassembly

• requires room to lay pieces out

3 people, independently

Take photos of engines, firearms, and electronics before disassembly to save time and frustration during reassembly.

Looking at the camera roll saves hours of frustration when you forget how items go together.

one person who lived it

Record a video while disassembling, panning slowly from all angles to ensure critical details are captured.

Photos often capture the wrong angle or miss parts that need to be seen; video allows review from multiple perspectives.

one person who lived it

• Record a video of the disassembly process to capture directionality and pressure requirements that photos miss.1

Photograph serial and model numbers of appliances and electronics, then store the images digitally alongside any available online manuals.

It is handy when looking for parts or information at a hardware store.

one person who lived it

Take photos of manufacturer labels and rear ports before installing large electronics.

for future manual lookups and part shopping

one person who lived it

Check the driver-side door frame sticker for vehicle identification numbers and other factory details.

The sticker contains this information physically on the vehicle.

one person who lived it

Consider creating a shared family email address for bills, medical accounts, and smart home setups to ensure all adults can access critical information.

It eliminates arguments about who saw which bill, simplifies setting up shared devices under one account, and keeps everyone updated by providers.

• Do not use joint accounts during divorce proceedings as people may become vindictive and lock others out
• Some prefer individual accounts per device

4 people, independently

Obtain a personal domain name for your email address.

You will retain your domain address if you switch email providers in the future.

one person who lived it

Avoid using ISP-provided email addresses as your primary contact method.

Accounts may be lost if you move or change providers, causing missed communications.

3 people, independently

Delete contacts from old, unused email accounts to prevent spammers from harvesting your friends' addresses if the account is compromised.

Spam bots can pull contacts from archived emails, poisoning your network with junk mail or scams.

2 people, independently

Create a dedicated email account for smart home devices to simplify transferring access when selling or moving from a property.

It allows you to hand over the account to new owners rather than removing built-in hardware.

2 people, independently

Create a dedicated email account for major life events like buying a house, getting married, or shopping for a car to keep related paperwork separate from personal inboxes.

It prevents missing important messages amidst high-volume business or personal mail, makes tracking vendors and receipts easier, and avoids constant reminders of past mistakes if relationships end poorly.

4 people, independently

• Open a dedicated email address exclusively for recording important memories.1

Email yourself immediately after a significant life event occurs.

You can later search your email for the exact date and details of the event.

• Some users suggest using Google Docs or similar tools instead of email for notes.

one person who lived it

Register for websites and apps using a personal email address rather than a student one.

Managing accounts with a deleted student email will be a pain.

one person who lived it

Ensure you do not lose the password for a dedicated administrative email account.

Resetting the password can be quite difficult if lost.

one person who lived it

Create a temporary email account with forwarding enabled for events like weddings, then delete it afterward.

You retain all information in your original account while isolating event-specific mail.

one person who lived it

Assume school and work emails are not strictly private because they go through institutional servers.

Institutional servers process the traffic differently than personal providers.

• Most personal email providers (Google, Yahoo, etc.) are also not really private.

one person who lived it

Be aware that some schools may delete old accounts to reduce costs associated with service providers that charge per existing account.

Service providers may charge fees based on the number of active accounts.

one person who lived it

Store WiFi passwords and router logins in a shared password manager.

This allows you to share specific passwords with family members, such as children.

one person who lived it

Keep a separate email address exclusively for emailing yourself items you want to remember or save.

This keeps your memory aids free from spam and other people's messages.

one person who lived it

Set up a joint email account to forward incoming messages to both partners' personal inboxes to avoid logging into a separate account.

It saves you from having to check an extra email address.

one person who lived it

• Create auto-forwarding rules or filters to route messages sent to shared aliases into designated folders or directly to partners' personal inboxes.5

Email photos of hidden valuable items to yourself with cryptic subject lines to store location information off-device securely.

Emails are stored elsewhere and accessible via internet connection, protecting the data if your phone is lost; cryptic subjects prevent others from easily finding the info.

one person who lived it

Keep physical copies of important documents archived separately from email providers, as there is no guarantee providers won't delete your account for inactivity.

Email service providers may decide to delete your account if you don't log in often enough.

one person who lived it

Use a shared email account for financial matters to ensure transparency and reduce disagreements arising from money disputes.

Many disagreements stem from money disputes, and this system allows for transparency.

one person who lived it

Update your email address with energy suppliers and other utilities immediately after switching internet service providers to avoid missing important notices.

Failing to update contact info after an ISP switch often leads to missing critical emails.

one person who lived it

Set up email filters to automatically sort non-urgent messages into folders for later review.

It increases the likelihood that notifications require immediate attention.

one person who lived it

• Set up email filters to automatically move messages from specific senders or containing certain keywords into designated folders or trash.10

Use a separate email address with a professional name solely for work applications and formal correspondence.

3 people, independently

Configure shared household email accounts to BCC themselves on outgoing messages.

This ensures all communication remains transparent between users.

one person who lived it

Use brackets and numbers (e.g., [1]) at the start of filenames to force them to the top of lists.

Symbols come before alphanumerics.

one person who lived it

Arrange important physical documents in school folders labeled by category (e.g., personal documents, contracts, receipts) and store them in a single drawer or box.

It will be easier to find documents, especially if you are in a hurry.

• One person noted they have gone paperless and arrange everything on their computer instead.

one person who lived it

Use the 'workplace' field in contacts to record where you met the person.

This information works with search.

one person who lived it

Send an end-of-day summary email of all important items discussed and agreed upon.

It avoids 'he said/she said' arguments later.

one person who lived it

• Send a quick recap email after every client call or important conversation listing what was discussed, next steps, and deadlines.1

Append '.old' or '.obsolete' to unused file extensions to mark them as outdated without changing the base filename.

Prevents confusion, especially in CAD work with similar filenames.

• Some prefer using Git or SVN for binary files instead.

one person who lived it

Send digital copies of receipts to remote storage like Google Drive.

You will have the records forever.

one person who lived it

Never include the word 'New' in a filename; use dates instead.

Files named with 'New' become useless over time because they lack temporal context.

one person who lived it

Do not rely solely on file metadata for sorting, as it can change during transfers or cloud syncs.

Windows and cloud operations can alter this data, making it unreliable when copying or moving files.

one person who lived it

Use full names and surnames for contacts instead of nicknames to ensure long-term recognizability.

Nicknames may lose meaning after several years.

• One user noted keeping a nickname because it never changes for that specific person.

one person who lived it

Use your desktop only as temporary storage for current work, then file items into proper directories when finished.

It keeps the desktop neat and relevant.

one person who lived it

Use delimiters like hyphens in dates (e.g., 2021-11-01) rather than continuous numbers for better readability.

Continuous numbers are harder to read.

one person who lived it

• Use hyphens as separators in date-based filenames (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD) rather than omitting them, as some software parsers do not support hyphen-less versions.1

Create separate virtual document folders for each year to reduce the effort of typing the year into every filename.

Making one new folder per year requires less effort than typing the year into every document.

one person who lived it

Use a different text color when replying to bulleted lists to make corrections legible.

It is easier to read than comparing and contrasting two emails.

one person who lived it

Record interactions when being sold something.

to maintain proof of verbal agreements or sales terms, as one user had no proof in a dispute due to lack of recording or written receipt

one person who lived it

Consider version numbers obsolete if you consistently use dates in file names, as the most recent date indicates the latest version; however, some users keep versions to revert to old files if corruption occurs or changes are disliked.

It doesn't matter how many versions exist as long as it is the most recent one.

• Some users keep versions to revert back if a file gets corrupted or they dislike changes made.

one person who lived it

Include your name in submitted assignment filenames (e.g., YOUR-NAME-ShakespearePaper.docx) to help teachers manage folders.

Some institutions require specific naming conventions including name, module code, and title, or the assignment will not be marked.

one person who lived it

Use Telegram's 'Saved Messages' feature to send files, documents, and notes to yourself for easy cross-device access.

It is easily available on PC, phone, and web, and one user found it much easier than WhatsApp.

one person who lived it

Create a dedicated 'installation files' folder inside your downloads directory to store installers.

This keeps the downloads folder neat and ensures install files are ready if you need to restore or refresh your computer.

one person who lived it

Ask relatives to identify people in old family photos and write their names on the back.

Relatives such as uncles, aunts, or cousins might recognize people in the images.

one person who lived it

Keep a digital log of daily activities on your computer to enable searching for specific events later.

It allows you to search for keywords, like 'tire', to find out when specific events occurred.

one person who lived it

Document and maintain automations for significant tasks to prevent knowledge loss when personnel change.

One person found that nothing was documented after a colleague got a new job.

one person who lived it

Be cautious that colleagues may save old files without changes, updating the timestamp and misleading sorting by 'Date Modified'.

A colleague might open and save an old file years later, causing the newest timestamp to not represent the latest version.

one person who lived it

Rename unwanted contacts with a prefix like 'DNA' or 'DO NOT ANSWER' to signal that you will not answer their calls.

3 people, independently

Use the Downloads folder as a temporary holding area and create a desktop shortcut to it, rather than maintaining a separate Temp folder.

Managing a separate Temp folder is unnecessary extra work.

one person who lived it

Move old or infrequently accessed files into 'Archive' folders to keep active directories uncluttered.

Keeps old stuff accessible but prevents it from clogging up active folders.

one person who lived it

After a vacation, create a separate photo album on your phone for those pictures to show others in person.

prevents viewers from scrolling through unrelated personal photos or bad memes

one person who lived it

Restore files from the Recycle Bin if accidentally deleted.

The recycle bin serves as a safeguard against permanent deletion.

one person who lived it

Include specific times and detailed descriptions of actions in self-emails about significant events.

This provides context for future consideration.

one person who lived it

Draw an outline of the device on thin cardboard or paper, poke holes where screws go, and stick the screws through the holes.

to preserve order and allow moving or storing the layout without messing it up

4 people, independently

Refill the stapler during downtime if you know supplies are low.

It avoids leaving clients waiting while you search for a stapler.

one person who lived it

Line textbook edges with gaffer's tape, which can be removed at the end of the year without leaving glue residue.

It does not leave glue residue when removed.

one person who lived it

If you want to distinguish your pens from office supplies, buy identical nice-looking ones with your name on them.

Coworkers will recognize them as yours, and you can tell them apart from cheap generic pens.

one person who lived it

Organize small parts and screws by placing them in individual cups of an egg carton or ice cube tray.

Grouping screws for each part in its own cup allows you to rebuild by going backwards through the carton.

2 people, independently

• Use egg cartons to organize hardware bits from furniture assembly, grouping them with their corresponding parts.1

Stick the end of the tape to the plastic hole in the center of the roll.

That is what the hole is there for.

one person who lived it

Cut a strip of buttonholes from an old shirt and use it to secure your tie.

It avoids snagging metal on the tie material.

one person who lived it

Number pages on both sides of loose leaf notes to maintain order.

It helps keep all pages in order.

one person who lived it

Number screw holes with a pencil as you remove them, then tape the corresponding screws to paper with matching numbers.

to keep track of many screws and ensure correct placement

one person who lived it

• Replace screws and bolts into their respective holes immediately after removal to prevent loss.1

Use Post-it notes to bookmark books instead of paperclips or dog-ears.

Prevents messing up your pages.

one person who lived it

Bind loose-leaf textbooks with aluminum post fasteners for a durable binding.

They are extremely durable and do not break like standard binders or rings.

one person who lived it

Use wood glue on furniture seams for permanent assemblies to increase rigidity and reduce stress on fasteners.

It makes pieces more rigid and reduces stress on fasteners.

• Do not plan on ever disassembling the item again.

one person who lived it

Slide a fingernail down the crease to tighten it, then fold the paper in the opposite direction and repeat.

It works well without licking.

one person who lived it

Request receipts printed on A4 paper instead of thermal paper.

A4 paper does not fade and is harder to misplace.

one person who lived it

Draw a numbered grid on paper and place small parts in cells corresponding to the order of removal.

You can put everything back by going backwards through the grid.

one person who lived it

Separate small fasteners into labeled bags or containers corresponding to their removal stage or location (e.g., outer case, mounts).

to save headache during reassembly and avoid having bonus nuts and bolts at the end

2 people, independently

Cover textbooks with brown paper bags for protection and doodling space.

One person found it worked well and allowed drawing on the covers.

one person who lived it

Re-insert screws into their original holes if possible.

Hot engines and transmissions can cause bolts to become custom-fitted over time.

one person who lived it

Make a photocopy of thermal printer receipts because they fade over time.

Thermal printer receipts fade over time.

2 people, independently

Replace standard rubber bands with colorful ones from an office supply store and customize them with a marker.

To add personal taste.

one person who lived it

Create binders for manuals organized by category (e.g., cars, kitchen) and include photos of the items inside.

Photos help identify specific items, such as different angles of a car.

one person who lived it

If no unsubscribe link is present, reply directly to the sender asking to be removed.

This works for legitimate sources.

one person who lived it

Use direct deposit for your tax refund to eliminate the risk of theft.

It permanently solves the problem of refund check theft.

one person who lived it

Let unknown numbers go to voicemail instead of answering.

They are almost always scams or political robocalls.

• Pick up if you are expecting a work call and the area code matches your colleagues.

one person who lived it

Add your own number to contacts as 'Note to self' and text yourself reminders, leaving them unread until completed.

The red unread message icon is unlikely to be ignored.

• On some devices, texts to self may auto-mark as read before you can exit the app.

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Avoid post office lines by pre-paying postage online and dropping off packages in designated bins.

Pre-paid packages do not need processing at the counter.

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Turn on airplane mode before deleting contacts to prevent accidentally calling the numbers you are removing.

It stops accidental calls during the deletion process.

3 people, independently

Click the unsubscribe link in promotional emails; if none exists, reply directly asking to be removed.

Unsubscribing signals that the email is valid and read, which makes it more valuable to sell.

one person who lived it

Add bank customer service numbers for lost or stolen cards to your phone contacts.

Searching for these numbers individually can be difficult, and online searches may lead to incorrect regional websites.

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Treat unsolicited texts claiming package delivery failure as scams; do not click links or provide information.

Clicking links confirms your phone number works to scammers. Legitimate carriers only text if you registered with them.

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Check cluster mailboxes daily during tax season to prevent theft of sensitive documents.

Cluster mailboxes are frequently broken into during this period, and police/USPS often cannot help due to high volume.

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Google tracking numbers directly instead of using third-party sites.

Avoids malware and phishing associated with third-party trackers.

one person who lived it

Block unwanted contacts and rename them to generic labels like 'spam' instead of deleting them.

This prevents accidentally dialing them or picking up if they call.

one person who lived it

Mail letters in bubble or padded envelopes to receive parcel post tracking at a lower cost than certified or priority mail.

Many people choose certified mail primarily for tracking rather than signature requirements.

one person who lived it

When sharing a contact, copy-paste only the necessary info to avoid sending embarrassing notes.

Sharing the full contact sends all information, which has led to embarrassing moments.

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Use USPS Informed Delivery to detect missing or stolen mail by comparing digital previews with physical deliveries.

It lets you know if mail disappears and helps identify theft.

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Ship directly via USPS instead of using hybrid services to avoid address transfer errors.

Apartment numbers sometimes do not transfer over when packages are handed off to USPS, resulting in returns.

one person who lived it

Check Informed Delivery daily to determine if physical mailbox inspection is necessary.

It allows you to skip checking the mailbox on days containing only junk mail or no mail at all.

one person who lived it

Avoid storing passwords or highly sensitive personally identifiable information in phone contacts.

Many non-malicious apps require access to contacts, potentially exposing sensitive data; it may also form a bad habit leading users to store inappropriate information.

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Contact both apartment management and the local post office if you experience frequent mail theft.

Apartment management should ensure secure mail receptacles are provided.

one person who lived it

Include your phone number in the secondary address field of shipping labels.

A phone number on the label helps ensure deliverability if digits get transposed.

one person who lived it

Select workplace delivery for packages if available.

It is free.

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Include a handwritten packing slip inside mailed packages listing contents, sender/receiver addresses, and package count.

It helps the receiver verify if items are missing and decide whether to wait for another package or search for lost items.

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Use padded envelopes for mailing seeds to prevent them from arriving smashed.

Many sellers use standard envelopes, resulting in damaged seeds.

one person who lived it

Check the Informed Delivery dashboard separately for package updates, as they may not appear in the daily email scan.

The dashboard allows you to select 'packages' specifically, which tells about packages.

one person who lived it

Avoid using spray cleaners on melamine or shower board whiteboards.

Once you start using sprays, the board will not erase without them.

one person who lived it

Use glass tables as whiteboards by writing on the top and bottom layers independently.

You can erase each layer independently.

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Use rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove stubborn marker stains or ghosting from whiteboards.

Acetone cuts through oil buildup on glass; alcohol helps remove marker left on for days.

3 people, independently

Place a printed calendar template inside a glass picture frame to create an erasable surface.

Writing on glass erases more easily and leaves no stains compared to standard whiteboards.

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Never use Magic Erasers on whiteboards.

They act like sandpaper and permanently ruin the surface.

one person who lived it

Use transparent page protectors with binder ring holes as a durable alternative to small whiteboards.

They are more durable and avoid the risk of damaging the surface when erasing.

one person who lived it

Cut leftover tiles from previous renovations into coasters to match your existing home decor.

The tiles already match your home, especially in the kitchen.

one person who lived it

Call home improvement stores before visiting to confirm availability of special buy whiteboard sheets.

Stock varies by location, and they probably don't have them at all stores.

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Cover desks or walls with adhesive whiteboard material rolls cut to fit specific flat surfaces.

3 people, independently

Call a UPS Store before visiting to confirm a notary is currently on staff.

Not all locations offer this service, and availability depends on the owner or current staffing.

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If store staff cannot provide detailed product information, read the online manual to verify features.

The manual may contain more detail than staff can provide.

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Verify oil change intervals in the car manual rather than relying on general assumptions.

The manual may specify longer intervals than commonly assumed.

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Read the entire user manual for complex technology while waiting for delivery to gain a head start on usage.

It saves time at the dealer or upon arrival by allowing you to learn features beforehand.

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Email scanned or photographed manuals to yourself as a backup in case manufacturers remove digital versions due to age.

Files are small enough to email and serve as a backup if the original source is deleted.

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Register warranties for new items and store the documentation in a dedicated folder alongside the manual.

It helps you locate information quickly to get items fixed or exchanged when they break.

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Download manuals to a tablet or smartphone to use search functions when information is hard to find in physical copies.

Searching makes it easier to find specific information.

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Save PDF manuals to your smartphone for immediate on-the-go access.

This provides immediate access to instructions without needing to navigate websites or carry paper.

2 people, independently

Keep both digital and paper copies of manuals and receipts.

Digital copies are easier to access, while paper copies provide a physical backup.

one person who lived it

Take photos or scans of receipts and warranty information and store them digitally.

Digital copies remain clear even if physical documents fade or get wet.

one person who lived it