More on small tricks that work

Tape dog ID tags together with electrical tape to stop them from jingling.

It prevents the noise that causes dogs to shake their heads at night.

one person who lived it

Get down to floor level with a flashlight and look closely at the ground to locate small items.

Items stand out more when viewed from their own level.

one person who lived it

Use a rotating system with two mesh bags: one for collecting dirty socks and one for storing clean ones.

One person reported never losing a sock using this method.

one person who lived it

Use corkscrew dog anchors to secure tarps in windy conditions.

They advanced tarping by allowing you to screw them into the ground with an attachment point.

one person who lived it

Photograph an older relative's remote to use as a visual aid when helping them troubleshoot via phone.

It lets you identify specific buttons quickly, which is helpful if they have poor vision and need guidance by counting positions.

7 people, independently

Point your phone camera at fine print and zoom in to read it if you are farsighted or have forgotten your reading glasses.

• Helpful if you are farsighted or forgot reading glasses.

4 people, independently

Cover car windows with black plastic or sun covers for privacy and to block light.

It makes it easier to sleep at night without light coming in.

one person who lived it

Use JB Weld SteelStik to reattach a broken metal key blade to a plastic key fob housing.

Other glues or caulk cannot handle the turning pressure.

one person who lived it

Use neoprene bar mitts for cycling in winter to keep digits warm.

One user described this as their best investment.

one person who lived it

Access your router via a PC or phone to reset it remotely instead of physically pressing the button.

It allows you to reset the device without leaving your seat.

• This method does not work if the EEPROM is bricked and requires re-flashing from the ROM chip.

one person who lived it

Park your car inside a garage to eliminate the need to scrape frost or ice and to reduce emissions from warming up the engine.

Indoor parking prevents frost/ice buildup and removes the need to idle the car for warmth.

one person who lived it

Wrap shoelaces twice around the post before pulling tight to prevent untying.

This eliminates the need for a double knot.

one person who lived it

Keep a phone charger and an aux cord in your car.

An aux cord provides better sound quality and does not drain the battery.

one person who lived it

Wear mismatched socks by pairing orphaned or single socks together to save time and reduce waste.

It saves time spent folding and matching, and prevents throwing away good socks just because their pair is lost or damaged.

• Some people find the different textures or thicknesses physically uncomfortable or distracting.
• In corporate environments, mismatched socks may undermine an air of competence.

one person who lived it

Keep an air pressure gauge, extra fuses, adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, pliers, and a pocket knife in your car.

Ensure the tools you keep are actually useful.

one person who lived it

Apply Rain-X, wax, or sealant to glass and headlight surfaces to help repel grime.

This allows for easier rinsing of dirt and salt.

one person who lived it

Clean salt buildup from headlights and taillights to restore light effectiveness.

Salt buildup decreases light output.

• Avoid glass cleaners with ammonia as they damage protective films on headlights.

one person who lived it

Use a bright-colored phone case that is not white when visiting snowy mountains.

It makes the phone easier to find if dropped.

one person who lived it

• Keep your phone in your backpack while enjoying nature in snowy areas.1

Keep a spare pair of glasses in a consistent, memorable location to use when you cannot find your primary pair.

• Only use the spare for finding your main glasses; return them to their permanent place afterward.

3 people, independently

• Bring a spare set of glasses when traveling.1

Cover windshield wipers with socks to prevent ice buildup.

To prevent ice.

one person who lived it

Wrap a rubber band around a jar lid to improve grip when twisting.

The rubber band provides a significant boost in grip.

one person who lived it

If a pen stops working due to skin oils clogging the ball, rub it on the rubber sole of your shoe instead of paper.

Rubber grips the ball better and avoids the danger of skin oils found on paper surfaces, making it more successful than rubbing on paper.

one person who lived it

Learn basic sewing skills to repair zippers and buttons on your coats.

It makes maintenance easier and extends the garment's life.

one person who lived it

Store restaurant phone numbers in a notes app rather than your contacts list for easier searching when hungry.

It is easier to search when you cannot remember exact names.

one person who lived it

Use commercial drain cleaning tools like 'Zip-Its' or drain snakes to remove clogs.

one person who lived it

If your mouse sticks on low-friction surfaces, apply tape with a non-catching backing over the bottom pads.

One user found this improved movement on such surfaces.

one person who lived it

Avoid using vacuum cleaners on electronic devices; use compressed air and a damp rag instead.

Vacuum motors create static electricity that can short-circuit components.

one person who lived it

Strip metadata from photos before posting them online.

Prevents strangers from using old photos to locate your position.

one person who lived it

Use epoxy instead of hot glue for attaching items to glass for better durability.

Hot glue is unlikely to last, whereas epoxy works better.

one person who lived it

Use BCC to include observers in email conversations without the sender knowing.

The other party is unaware they can see the conversation.

one person who lived it

Rub sandpaper on a shiny table surface to make it non-shiny and improve optical sensor focus.

Optical sensors may struggle to focus on flat, shiny textures; sanding increases surface texture variations.

• This damages the table surface.

one person who lived it

Place a few necklaces each into separate ziplock bags during travel to avoid tangling.

To avoid more tangling.

one person who lived it

Avoid braking while turning on slippery surfaces.

Cars cannot change direction and brake simultaneously on slippery surfaces.

one person who lived it

Declutter and organize your living space.

Design trends show spaces without clutter look better.

one person who lived it

Buy a whiteboard to help stay organized and motivated.

It helps keep you productive.

one person who lived it

Wait for super glue to dry completely before touching guitar strings.

to avoid sticking

one person who lived it

Note that avoiding morning sun glare is irrelevant if you work night shifts and commute before dawn and after sunset.

3 people, independently

Download the Deepstash app to build a reading habit digitally before transitioning to books.

It is condensed, easy to read, and helps develop the habit.

one person who lived it

Create a visual manual using pictures and arrows to instruct on common tasks and troubleshooting steps.

Following visual instructions allowed one user to operate their TV correctly without calling for help.

one person who lived it

Use old plastic cards, like credit cards or hotel keys, as squeegees to wipe sweat from the sides of your head, neck, and arms.

one person who lived it

Keep your SIM ejector tool in your wallet with your coins so it is never lost and always available for unexpected needs.

It prevents loss and ensures availability when suddenly needed.

one person who lived it

Scan and store all documentation on a continuously backed-up drive using keyword-rich filenames.

Events without documentation may be considered as never having happened.

one person who lived it

Freeze your credit reports to protect against identity theft after data breaches.

one person who lived it

Place folded toilet paper over the sensor of automatic-flush public toilets to prevent unexpected spraying.

This prevents the toilet from activating unexpectedly.

one person who lived it

Anticipate that snow reflection can worsen sun glare during winter commutes.

Sunlight reflecting off snow-covered roads can create severe visibility issues, potentially worse than direct sunlight alone.

one person who lived it

Set a loud, annoying song (such as Daler Mehndi) as your alarm tone and keep your phone at a distance.

The noise jolts you awake.

one person who lived it

Assign a unique sound to the final alarm in a series of morning alarms.

This signals that it is the last chance without needing to look at the phone.

one person who lived it

If you consistently sleep through phone alarms, do not rely on them and consider alternative methods.

Some people sleep through multiple alarms regardless of how many are set.

one person who lived it

Ensure any container used to hold your phone for an alarm has airholes.

Failing to do so can result in losing the phone.

one person who lived it

Use engaging audio content, such as a favorite radio show, as your alarm.

Interest in the content can motivate you to wake up.

one person who lived it

Mute self-checkout kiosks by tapping the volume control button on the screen, often located at the bottom row or near signal icons.

• Settings reset between transactions.
• Some locations disable the mute button or require full volume for theft prevention.

6 people, independently

Use blackout curtains, a noise machine, and earplugs to improve apartment living conditions.

They are described as lifechangers for apartment living.

one person who lived it

Do not charge your phone plugged into external speakers overnight.

The alarm volume can be unexpectedly deafening.

one person who lived it

If an electronic device lacks a power button or removable battery, unplug it overnight to allow capacitors to discharge.

It provides the same effect as powering down.

one person who lived it

Use Photo Mechanic software for efficient photo culling.

It is described as worth the cost despite not being free.

• Not free

one person who lived it

Shop dollar stores for household basics that typically cost five to ten dollars elsewhere.

You can find these items for one dollar at the dollar store.

one person who lived it

Shave your head to save money on shampoo and haircuts, and time on styling.

It eliminates bad hair days.

one person who lived it

Buy range items individually rather than as a full set.

It is a better idea long-term.

one person who lived it

Have each family member wash, dry, and fold their own clothes.

It is liberating.

one person who lived it

Hand-make birthday cards for close friends.

The extra effort is noticed and remembered, and it is cheaper.

one person who lived it

Perform car repair and maintenance tasks such as changing oil, headlights, and windshield wipers to save money.

Doing these tasks yourself saves a bunch of money.

one person who lived it

Continue sending holiday cards even if recipients do not reciprocate.

It shows the recipient they are not forgotten, which means a lot to them.

one person who lived it

Be wary of dealership 'yo-yo scams' when trying to buy a car.

one person who lived it

Use family laundry facilities if available to avoid laundromat costs.

It removes the burden of paying per load.

one person who lived it

Buy small morale items like candy or movie tickets to make living bearable while remembering your goal.

You can't continue living if living is miserable.

one person who lived it

Work out advice based on its utility rather than the presenter's style.

Long-winded presentations can still contain great, useful advice.

one person who lived it

Customize free solicitation cards using white-out to alter the text for personal use.

They are memorable to the recipient despite looking imperfect.

• The result may look awful.

one person who lived it

Print images from the internet or paint your own art to decorate walls cheaply.

It adds character to the space using inexpensive frames and self-created content.

one person who lived it

Give children an allowance so they can make informed decisions about spending their own money on small temptations.

It removes the parent from being responsible for purchasing items like sodas, candy, comics, and movies.

one person who lived it

Make your own greeting cards using scrap paper or recycled junk mail inserts.

It saves money and can spark more interesting conversation.

one person who lived it

Seek employment early to gain financial freedom and reduce dependence on others.

Money is freedom; getting it earlier reduces dependency on other people.

one person who lived it

Focus on spending on safe sleep, feeding, hygiene, travel, and appropriate clothing; treat all other items as extras.

one person who lived it

Ignore verbal explanations from salespeople as they may be misleading; read the contract yourself carefully.

Verbal statements can be useless and potentially misleading.

one person who lived it

Plan a personal celebration with family and buy an inexpensive mortarboard for photos instead of attending the formal ceremony.

Spending less on a personal celebration creates lasting memories.

one person who lived it

If you make homemade cards, wait for holidays like Christmas or your birthday to receive supplies as gifts rather than buying them.

one person who lived it

Consider living without video entertainment to free up time and avoid advertising temptation.

one person who lived it

Inspect ice maker lines for leaks along their entire length.

They tend to leak heavily over time.

• Pay special attention to crawl spaces.

one person who lived it

Pour maple syrup over tofu, which can taste like flan or caramel pudding.

It is described as yummy whether served warm or cold.

one person who lived it

Keep a coffee mug in the freezer to cool hot coffee immediately without adding ice.

A frozen mug lowers the drink's temperature rapidly.

• Thermal stress from pouring hot liquid into a cold mug can cause it to crack or break.

3 people, independently

Squeeze small drops of yogurt from a bag onto a tray and freeze them to use as homemade baby food or smoothie additives.

Avoid buying expensive commercial yogurt drops.

one person who lived it

Freeze leftover pesto, ricotta, coconut milk, broth, or oat milk in ice cube trays for later use.

Save time and money

one person who lived it

Microwave citrus fruit for about 20 seconds before juicing to increase yield.

It achieves the same result as other methods but is quicker.

2 people, independently

Use maple syrup when making your own granola.

It is considered a great use for the syrup.

one person who lived it

Skip peeling ginger before freezing or grating.

The peel is edible and saves time.

one person who lived it

Buy bananas, wait for them to get brown, and then freeze them in ziplocs for smoothies.

Using a frozen banana takes the consistency up a notch.

one person who lived it

Refrigerate pure maple syrup after opening.

Unlike processed syrups, pure maple syrup requires refrigeration to prevent mold, though some have stored it improperly without issue by luck.

• Some users stored it sealed but not refrigerated without mold forming, attributing it to luck.

one person who lived it

Check cheese rind packaging for antimycotics before freezing them for stock.

Many rinds are treated with antimycotics.

one person who lived it

Bag paint brushes or rollers and store them in the refrigerator so they do not harden.

so you can resume painting immediately after taking them out

one person who lived it

Be aware that leaving milk in a sealed syrup bottle for days or weeks can cause fermentation and explosion.

one person who lived it

When making chocolate milk, pour half a glass of milk first, mix in the chocolate syrup, then fill the rest of the glass and mix again.

This allows you to mix with conviction before filling the glass.

one person who lived it

Clean reusable water bottles by adding baking soda and water, sealing, sloshing, draining, rinsing, and drying.

The water always tastes clean and fresh.

one person who lived it

Dilute dish soap with water in a foaming dispenser to extend its usage.

Saves more soap than expected.

one person who lived it

Save unused Mio flavors for guests to try, hoping they will consume them.

This helps use up flavors you do not like.

one person who lived it

Use a stainless steel tea infuser basket for loose leaf tea as it is durable and easy to clean.

It works well, is deep, and tea tips right out.

one person who lived it

Use a mini whisk for making matcha tea or other drinks.

They are dirt cheap and effective.

one person who lived it

Clip nails after showering or bathing.

The nails are less rigid and easier to cut, and clippings can be washed down the drain.

one person who lived it

Accept that socks may be lost inside the washer or dryer mechanism.

The machine spins them to the edge where they get sucked inside.

one person who lived it

Spread condiments on the sides of a child's hot dog bun with a knife instead of squeezing them from the bottle.

No muss no fuss.

one person who lived it

Leave bathwater in the tub to let its heat dissipate into the room and add humidity.

The heat from the water warms the air and increases humidity.

• Increased humidity may encourage mold growth.
• One person reported a centipede emerging after trying this.

one person who lived it

Lower a closet rod for children using tension rods and rope.

It promotes independence and happiness in dressing.

one person who lived it

Wash clothes before returning from vacation so you have clean clothes to put away immediately.

It allows you to just put them up and chill.

one person who lived it

Place a dedicated towel in each laundry load to distract cats before folding.

It acts as bait for stationary objects.

• May not work if your cat prefers moving objects in your hands.
• Cat fur may transfer to clean clothes.

one person who lived it

Shake an almost empty toothpaste tube to inflate it.

This allows the remaining paste to move freely toward the nozzle.

one person who lived it

Empty your stainless steel kettle completely after use and leave the cap open to allow it to dry thoroughly.

Stainless steel can rust if water is left inside; leaving the cap open allows vapor to escape and the remaining trickle to evaporate via residual heat.

• Some users report never experiencing rust even with water left in the kettle.
• High-grade stainless steel (e.g., 316) is more resistant to rust than cheaper alloys (e.g., 300 series).

2 people, independently

Use a window sleeve or bug net on rear windows to allow ventilation while keeping bugs out.

It reduces transparency and allows you to open windows slightly for air without letting bugs in.

one person who lived it

Swirl boiled water around inside the mug and discard it to preheat.

This method is easier and safer than holding the mug over steam.

one person who lived it

Simmer citrus peels in a pot with water, cloves, cinnamon, lavender, or other herbs.

It scents the house.

one person who lived it

Plug the lotion pump nozzle with a paperclip, Q-tip, or crunched toilet paper to stop air from entering and drying out the product.

Stopping air from getting inside prevents the lotion from drying out.

one person who lived it

Wash dishes by wiping scraps, lathering with soap and water, and rinsing with a squirt bottle to conserve water.

Using a squirt bottle directs water and conserves it.

one person who lived it

Use a handheld bidet sprayer or a high-quality bidet seat to reduce toilet paper consumption.

It is more frugal than using multiple rolls of toilet paper and reduces usage.

one person who lived it

Insert and empty your menstrual cup in the shower to make the process easier and less messy.

Hot water relaxes muscles for comfort, and any mess washes away easily.

4 people, independently

Use hot milk instead of cold creamer or fridge-cold half & half to maintain the temperature of your coffee.

Cold additions will obviously lower the temperature.

2 people, independently

Only screw the thermos lid tight when actively using it to extend seal life.

Leaving the lid loose prevents significant wear on the seals.

one person who lived it

Use bubble wrap for insulation.

It can be obtained cheaply.

one person who lived it

Let cooked meat rest before placing it on the bun.

This reduces greasiness and prevents the bun from becoming soggy.

one person who lived it

Vacuum the outside of laptop vents to remove dust.

Dust buildup forces fans to work harder and reduces effectiveness; external vacuuming is often strong enough to remove most or all dust.

one person who lived it

Place one disposable hand warmer in each steel-toed boot to keep toes warm in negative temperatures, wearing wool socks to prevent burns.

One person's husband used this method to keep his toes from freezing while working outside in negative Fahrenheit temperatures.

one person who lived it

Rest your cup atop the machine during brewing to warm it up, preventing the hot liquid from losing heat.

• One person reported getting coffee all over their counter using this method.

3 people, independently

Pour hot coffee or tea back and forth between two cups a few times to rapidly lower the temperature.

This maximizes the amount of liquid exposed to the air.

3 people, independently

Run appliances on their next-highest setting rather than the top setting to extend their life.

top settings operate above 100% of design capacity, reducing lifespan, while the next highest setting is closer to operating max

one person who lived it

Spread towels over car seats to protect upholstery from sweat or dirt.

This helps keep seats pristine after activities like mountain biking in heat where everything gets sweaty.

one person who lived it

Run fans to circulate air and maintain comfortable temperatures, delaying the HVAC system from turning back on.

This reduces furnace or air conditioner usage and saves on utility bills.

one person who lived it

Be aware that wireless earbuds may become uncomfortably warm during use.

They get warm fairly quickly, not unlike cellphones.

one person who lived it

Add water to a nearly empty shampoo or liquid soap bottle and shake it to retrieve the remaining product.

4 people, independently

Change filters on furnaces and humidifiers regularly.

It improves air quality and extends the lifespan of the appliances.

one person who lived it

Twirl condiments around the hot dog for even distribution.

It ensures an even distribution of toppings.

one person who lived it

Live near bus routes, major roads leading to hospitals, or plow storage facilities in cities with heavy snow.

These areas often get plowed first.

• City plowing operations may push icy slush into driveways and sidewalks.

one person who lived it

Work for a gym to receive a free membership as part of your compensation.

• The pay may be minimum wage.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying high school class rings.

They are considered a scam and look tacky if worn past high school.

one person who lived it

Learn basic programming to automate small tasks like data conversion or calculation in your workflow.

Programming is prevalent across many fields and can improve daily life through quick scripts.

• Only go deeper than the basics if you need more.

one person who lived it

Consider joining the military to receive housing, food, healthcare, education benefits, and a paycheck.

It provides structure and keeps you busy during years prone to mistakes.

6 people, independently

Offer to take the cart for elderly people or those with children who are unloading groceries.

It makes their day.

one person who lived it

• Offer to return the shopping cart for elderly shoppers who are finishing loading their groceries.1

If a work request feels unprofessional or uncomfortable, ask the requester to provide it in writing.

Employers are less likely to make shady requests if they know they will be held accountable for them.

one person who lived it

Ask local trade unions or veterans halls for advice on paid apprenticeships in trades like HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work.

These trades pay well.

one person who lived it

Use a TS100 soldering iron for electronics repairs.

It is considered a high-quality tool available at a low cost.

one person who lived it

Provide your location when seeking help online so others can offer specific assistance.

It enables people to help if they are nearby or relevant to your area.

one person who lived it

Accept an initial investment of time ('minute debt') to master a faster knotting method before breaking even on time saved.

You must spend time mastering the knot and using it for years to catch up.

one person who lived it

Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

You can learn valuable carpentry and home repair skills.

one person who lived it

Accept that some tasks may require practice and patience to master, as they are not intuitive for everyone.

Some people find certain techniques difficult to understand or learn properly.

2 people, independently

Check local bulletin boards and office building doors for hiring signs, as some jobs are not advertised online.

You might miss the perfect opportunity if you only look online.

one person who lived it

Do not drop out of school; instead, work casual hours at places like grocery stores to earn money while continuing your studies.

one person who lived it

Ask a high school counselor about state programs for low-income students with good grades that may cover tuition and textbooks.

one person who lived it

Have a trusted person skilled in grammar and spelling proofread your resume for errors and formatting issues.

Bosses often reject resumes with big errors or illogical, poorly done formatting.

one person who lived it

Tag posts with your jurisdiction (e.g., [US]) when giving advice that only applies to specific countries.

It clarifies that the information is region-specific and prevents confusion.

one person who lived it

Contact Social Services to enter an Independent Living Program, which may provide housing in an apartment until you are 21 years old.

one person who lived it

Hire a licensed electrician to ensure the work meets state and local regulations.

They possess the necessary skillset and knowledge of regulations.

one person who lived it

Look for insulated outlets as an indicator of thorough construction.

It suggests the builder was careful with details.

one person who lived it

Host clothing swaps where participants shop for free with donated items, then donate surplus clothing to those in need.

one person who lived it

Avoid defaulting on federal student loans, as doing so prevents employment in fields that accept federal funding such as Medicare and Medicaid.

one person who lived it

Leave lights on or use other methods to make your house look lived in while away.

It acts as a deterrent.

one person who lived it

Do not put your home address on the key-ring tag.

A thief could use your name and phone number to find your address and copy your keys before returning them.

one person who lived it

If you are older, sell your collectibles or tell your heirs their value and how to sell them.

Heirs may not appreciate the items or want them at all.

one person who lived it

If buying a home with a septic system, require recent pump and inspection records; if unavailable, request they be done before purchase.

Serious issues may be found during inspection that could cause you to decide not to buy the house.

one person who lived it

If you have small children, park next to the cart return so you can secure them in the car before returning the cart.

This prevents concerns about leaving children unattended in a hot vehicle while you handle the cart.

2 people, independently

Send an email immediately after verbal instructions confirming the date, time, and task.

Prevents the other party from pretending they did not give the instruction.

3 people, independently

Inspect the undercarriage for excessive welding or mismatched parts to detect major accident repairs.

Poorly done smash repairs can make the car a death trap.

one person who lived it

Check how long previous owners held the property to avoid homes flipped with poor quality.

Some flippers produce results that are less than good.

one person who lived it

Change the toilet seat to avoid feeling like you are in a public bathroom.

It is super easy.

one person who lived it

Push slightly on the handle before committing to a full push or pull to test the door's direction.

If it doesn't move when pushed, you can then pull on it.

one person who lived it

Tackle home projects one at a time after moving in.

It will take longer than you think, which is normal.

one person who lived it

Learn how to pick or open combination locks using old locks you no longer need.

It is rewarding and not too hard with some spare time.

one person who lived it

Keep matching tiles or building materials and convey them with the house sale.

Replacements may not match due to batch variations.

one person who lived it

Put price tags on specialized items along with contact information for relevant clubs or groups.

This helps heirs find buyers or donors if they do not want to keep the items.

one person who lived it

Do not lock furniture drawers or doors at home to prevent damage during a break-in.

If locked, burglars may smash the furniture to access contents, potentially destroying valuable items whose worth exceeds what was stored inside.

one person who lived it

Ask hotel reception desks if they have unclaimed cell phone chargers available for guests to take.

Hotels often keep a box of left-behind chargers that fit various phones.

one person who lived it

Inform your landlord or letting agent before changing locks in a rental, and agree to provide them with a replacement key.

They generally do not mind if you provide a key.

one person who lived it

Be cautious about parking at hospitals to hang out late at night, as security actively patrols for drug use and loitering.

Security makes rounds through parking garages day and night to ensure people aren't breaking into cars or smoking meth, and will ask what you are up to if they see you chilling in your car.

one person who lived it

Read your lease and local rental laws to understand your rights and responsibilities.

It prevents headaches.

one person who lived it

Bring a comfortable backup outfit to your wedding reception in case of spills or discomfort.

Wedding clothes can be too warm, and switching clothes allows for comfort after photos are taken.

one person who lived it

Get a PO Box to receive important mail separately from your home address.

It prevents important mail from mysteriously disappearing.

2 people, independently

Keep only the ignition key on your car's keyring and remove other heavy items before driving to prevent damage to the ignition switch.

Heavy items will eventually destroy the switch, and having many keys on the ring may require extensive explanation if stopped by police.

one person who lived it

Only the registered owner can claim personal property from a repossessed vehicle; drivers who are not the owner cannot claim their items.

Straw purchases were common, so the person driving was often not the registered owner.

one person who lived it

Email school administration above the principal level if the school itself is not fixing an issue.

Issues suddenly became priority once the email was sent to higher administration.

one person who lived it

Use a dedicated or fake email address for recovery contacts instead of your primary one.

Giving out full contact information makes identity theft easier if the device is stolen.

one person who lived it

Add a co-owner, such as the power of attorney holder, to safety deposit boxes or accounts in addition to the owner's name.

Power of authority typically expires upon death, so joint ownership ensures access after the owner passes.

one person who lived it

Thoroughly search old books, magazines, clothing pockets, and between china plates for hidden cash or valuables when clearing out an older relative's home.

Older generations often hold onto cash and stash it in unexpected places.

3 people, independently

Replace remote batteries when the device behaves erratically, as low power can cause issues.

Low battery power can cause remotes to act wonky.

one person who lived it

Avoid converting drawers into shelves without backing, as children may climb them and fall.

Lack of backing allows children to climb and potentially fall several feet to the ground.

one person who lived it

Avoid using aluminum foil with acidic foods.

It can react with the food.

one person who lived it

Place a hard surface like a book or clipboard between your lap and the laptop.

Fabric surfaces plug the vents, whereas a hard surface allows them to function properly.

one person who lived it

Use nail clippers to cut plastic zip ties that are too strong for cheap scissors.

Cheap scissors may break on strong zip ties.

one person who lived it

Gently tap a jar lid if twisting fails to break the vacuum seal.

Tapping can break the vacuum.

one person who lived it

Tally every recycled can in a box at the top to count them more quickly later.

You can count the tallies up a lot quicker when you bring them back.

one person who lived it

Cut the grilled cheese in half and stand the pieces upright on their ends.

This allows steam to escape and prevents sogginess.

one person who lived it

Use a staple instead of a paperclip if paperclips are too thick for the SIM slot.

Most paper clips tried were too thick, but a staple worked perfectly.

one person who lived it

Open sealed snack bags immediately when setting them out at a party.

People may avoid the bag if they have to be the first to open it.

one person who lived it

Insert the ejector tool or substitute straight into the hole at a right angle, not at a slope.

To avoid damaging internal components.

one person who lived it

Check neighbors' trash for high-quality discarded items like Pelican cases.

They are expensive but may be discarded due to minor issues like bad seals.

one person who lived it

Use tin snips to cut through tough plastic packaging.

Compound metal snips provide higher mechanical advantage, allowing you to cut even with little hand strength.

one person who lived it

Use tall enough containers for cupcakes to ensure all icing stays on the cake.

Prevents icing from being lost to the container walls.

one person who lived it

Avoid turning bookcases sideways to use as benches, as particle board construction may collapse under weight.

Particle board does not hold much weight and can suffer structural collapse when stood upon.

one person who lived it

Cut off the stem of a menstrual cup if it causes discomfort.

• Some manufacturers advise against this.

2 people, independently

Shred cardboard boxes for composting after removing all tape.

Tape often contains plastic twine that will not break down.

one person who lived it

Use a smaller staple remover to prevent damage or fitting issues.

Larger removers may not fit or could damage the ring.

one person who lived it

Make cradled wood panels for painting so they look professional, hang easily, and do not bend at larger sizes.

Cradled panels look professional, are easier to hang, and prevent bending in larger sizes.

one person who lived it

Run a razor or utility knife along two adjacent sides of the package in an 'L' formation, avoiding the sealed edge.

The plastic is thinner slightly away from the hard seal; this method allows easier access and helps avoid cuts from the plastic's edge.

one person who lived it

• After cutting a line in the packaging, place your hands like pulling apart curtains and apply brute force to pull them apart in opposite directions.1

Fold a bill in half lengthwise and unfold it to add rigidity, or crumple it into a ball and smooth it out, before inserting it into a vending machine.

Adding a crease adds rigidity.

one person who lived it

Wear a glove when using paper as a mousepad to reduce friction and palm soreness.

Paper can dry out the skin and increase friction, leading to soreness.

one person who lived it

Use a cardboard or paper folder with contents inside as a mousepad substitute to prevent sliding.

The contents add weight to stop movement, and the texture reduces contact surface area for better tracking.

• Binders do not work because they are slanted.
• Shiny or laminated folders do not work well.

one person who lived it

Bend the end of a paperclip inside its loop after use to prevent accidental poking.

This ensures there is no stabbing or poking.

one person who lived it

Stack multiple sheets of regular printer paper to create a stable surface for your mouse.

Regular printer paper provides a better surface than a table, and stacking increases stability against being pushed around.

• If the table is very slippery, even stacked paper may slide under the hand or mouse.

one person who lived it

Learn to tip oil bottles properly using their designed shape to avoid spills, rather than cutting them.

Proper tipping hardly ever results in spills.

one person who lived it

Compost food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes, napkins, and tissues if your local service accepts them.

They cannot be recycled due to grease but can be composted.

one person who lived it

Clip a binder clip onto the rolled end of a tube, such as toothpaste or cream, to keep it closed and preserve contents.

5 people, independently

Consider that LAN cables may resist standard coiling methods due to internal twisting.

Twisted internal structures may cause cables to want their own shape.

one person who lived it

Avoid using phone books as pencil holders because they lack a bottom and absorb humidity.

They look horrible, work poorly due to having no bottom, and absorb humidity.

one person who lived it

Cut the tops off cosmetic bottles like moisturizers or sunblock when they appear empty to access remaining product trapped inside.

Manufacturers often design packaging that makes it difficult to use all the product, leading to waste.

one person who lived it

Prefer Target plastic bags for their durability.

They are thicker and generally do not tear as easily

one person who lived it

If you dislike low-cut or tight waistbands in women's pants, try buying the maternity version online for higher rises and comfort.

Maternity versions often have no extra noticeable fabric compared to regular versions.

• Some maternity jeans have high-rise stretchy bands that may not be suitable for regular non-pregnant wear.

one person who lived it

Gift socks to young adult friends or family members if you are unsure what to get them.

They may be appreciative, especially if they have not bought new ones recently.

one person who lived it

Check if your FSA account covers shoe cushioning products before purchasing them.

Many shoe cushioning products are eligible for purchase through an FSA account.

one person who lived it

After washing feet with soap, apply baby powder or talcum powder generously, including between the toes, to help cut down on stinky feet.

It helps cut down on stinky feet.

one person who lived it

Keep leather conditioner on hand to maintain the quality of leather items.

It works miracles on leather.

one person who lived it

Be open with children about financial limitations regarding treats to help them manage expectations.

Honesty about not being able to afford treats regularly helped one person manage their expectations.

one person who lived it

Wash and save Chinese takeout containers for lunches if you prefer their size over standard lunchboxes.

They are free and smaller than proper lunchboxes.

• You may need to discard them if they become dirty or damaged.

one person who lived it

Avoid using hot glue to attach handles to glass items, as it may not hold securely on smooth surfaces or withstand dishwashing.

Hot glue can separate from smooth glass, causing items to drop and shatter, and its durability in dishwashers is uncertain.

one person who lived it

Choose gear with stainless steel zippers to avoid corrosion issues.

Prevents galvanic corrosion caused by mixing different metals.

one person who lived it

Use mismatched utensils for packed lunches.

Losing one matters less.

one person who lived it

Accept mismatched dishes to add personality and avoid children fighting over specific items.

Matching plates primarily matter for efficient dishwasher loading; mismatched sets can have functional benefits like distinct favorites.

one person who lived it

If using multiple small containers for cooling, ensure they are interconnected to maintain efficiency.

Using multiple small containers reduces efficiency unless they are interconnected.

one person who lived it