Organization

If you are forced to flee your home and cannot return, take physical photo albums with you.

Memories and photos make it easier sometimes; not taking them is a regret as precious memories are lost.

one person who lived it

Digitize physical photos, negatives, and slides to create backups.

This protects against loss, destruction, theft, fading ink, degrading paper, and diminishing recollection of details.

7 people, independently

• Keep physical photos as a backup in case digital copies are deleted or lost.1

Take random photos of friends and moments, not just selfies, to preserve memories.

One person regretted having only one photo after losing a friend, wishing they had taken more.

one person who lived it

Consider buying your own scanner if you have large volumes of photos, as ship-it-off services can be costly per scan.

Ship-it-off services charge approximately 20-30 cents per scan, which may be less economical than owning a scanner.

one person who lived it

Leave copies of your travel documents and passport with trusted family or friends.

To have them available just in case.

one person who lived it

Inscribe names, dates, places, ages, and context on the reverse side of old physical photographs.

This helps future generations identify who is pictured and preserves family narratives that could otherwise be forgotten.

3 people, independently

Memorize important phone numbers and personal details such as your SSN and emergency contacts.

You may need this information when your phone is unavailable or not working.

one person who lived it

Keep landscape and object photos even if they seem insignificant.

They reveal the photographer's interests, personality, and what delighted them.

2 people, independently

Remove color photos from old sticky albums immediately to prevent glue and paper from reacting with and damaging the photo paper.

The glue and paper in these albums react with photo paper, causing pictures to become fuzzy.

one person who lived it

Scan vehicle registration documents and store copies on a computer or in the cloud.

To have a backup in case you lose the original document.

one person who lived it

Digitize BetaMax tapes, which may hold up surprisingly well compared to other formats.

One person digitized family videos from BetaMax tapes that held up quite nicely.

one person who lived it

Store digital photos in formats that do not require specific proprietary software to read in the future.

This avoids issues where required software is no longer available later.

one person who lived it

Print photos on functional items like coffee mugs using an online service.

You will interact with the item regularly.

one person who lived it

Label physical photos with names and dates so survivors can identify people and contexts.

Survivors may be unable to identify people due to poor vision or fading memory.

one person who lived it

Take a photo of your car's VIN and store it digitally.

Having this information on your phone makes future administrative tasks easier.

one person who lived it

Email yourself a list of vehicle details instead of relying solely on photos.

It is more efficient, searchable, and accessible when switching phones.

one person who lived it

If you cannot scan photos properly right away, record a video while flipping through photo books as a temporary measure.

You can rely on future technology to extract data from the videos.

one person who lived it

Consider that cropping in old prints may have removed important details present in the negative.

Cropping can obscure significant elements, such as other people in the scene.

one person who lived it

Secure your phone with a passcode if storing sensitive documents digitally.

If the phone gets stolen, unsecured data is compromised.

one person who lived it

Tag and categorize scanned images by event, year, or family member during digitization.

It creates a searchable digital archive.

• This process requires more work.

one person who lived it

Avoid factory resetting phones without backing up data first.

This permanently deletes photos and videos.

one person who lived it

Print out cherished digital images to keep physical copies of memories that can be handled directly.

Holding a permanent print offers a superior experience compared to scrolling through countless other images on a screen.

3 people, independently

Invite extended family to have viewing privileges of a shared digital photo archive.

They are so happy.

one person who lived it

Automate photo organization and backup processes as much as possible.

It makes the process easier and more consistent.

one person who lived it

Reorganize photos into new albums after scanning them.

One person noted their mother loved receiving reorganized photo albums for Mother's Day.

one person who lived it

Keep current and past phone photos online for convenience and accessibility across devices.

It allows access to all pictures from any device anywhere.

one person who lived it

Organize digitized photos by era or format, such as grouping 50s/60s photos separately from 70s Polaroids.

This approach makes the collection interesting by highlighting the popular formats of each era.

one person who lived it

Schedule an extra day off after returning from vacation to decompress or handle errands.

It helps recover from travel, handles unforeseen events like flight delays, and allows time to relax before work.

6 people, independently

• Plan something exciting or rewarding for when you return from vacation.1

Borrow books from the library instead of buying them to avoid clutter.

It costs nothing and prevents clutter.

one person who lived it

Donate surplus or functional items to local Buy Nothing communities rather than discarding them.

Passing items to those who will use them more feels rewarding.

3 people, independently

Remove perishable food items from the refrigerator before a long trip.

Prevents spoilage and rotting smells.

3 people, independently

Clean out your closets every season to realize how little you need and inspire yourself to purchase less.

It makes one person realize how little they need and inspires them to purchase less.

one person who lived it

Consider getting rid of all possessions to experience liberation, but ensure you keep items that serve a purpose.

One person reported feeling liberated when they could fit all their possessions in their car; another found losing everything in a wildfire oddly freeing.

• Do not get rid of things that serve a purpose and would need to be replaced.

one person who lived it

Follow the rule of bringing one thing in only if you remove one or more things out.

It works well over time.

one person who lived it

Do all laundry and empty laundry baskets before leaving for vacation.

Ensures you have clean clothes and space when you return.

5 people, independently

Recognize that keeping clutter drains your energy and attention.

Clutter creates chaos and entropy, which is a cost higher than the money saved by retaining items.

one person who lived it

If affluent enough, live a minimalist existence by acquiring things only as needed and letting them go afterwards.

Not owning things is true luxury.

one person who lived it

Keep only items that bring you joy, regardless of minimalism trends.

Minimalism is not about having few things, but ensuring what you have brings joy.

one person who lived it

Ask yourself if you really need an item before buying it to prevent future clutter from impulse purchases.

Gimmicks often break and become another thing you have to throw away.

one person who lived it

Prepare easy-to-eat meals or snacks in advance and store them in the freezer or fridge for when you return.

Provides convenient food options after travel, avoiding an empty fridge.

3 people, independently

Focus time and effort on maintaining existing possessions rather than fantasizing about new ones.

It allows you to take care of what you have instead of replacing it just because it is shiny and new.

2 people, independently

Create an emergency fund from proceeds of selling items.

You won't have to worry about being unable to buy replacements later.

one person who lived it

Keep items that provide utility or enjoyment, even if they are not technically productive.

They are useful to you.

one person who lived it

Use consignment shops to sell unwanted items.

Getting money back and knowing items go to good homes makes parting easier.

one person who lived it

Judge whether an item provided its worth in enjoyment; if it did, consider donating it since you have already received your money's worth.

Understanding that you have gained enough value from the item helps justify letting it go.

2 people, independently

Reframe 'just in case' items as an annoying ex who comes and goes to help decide whether to keep them.

one person who lived it

Donate accumulated junk to Goodwill or throw it out if you have collected it 'just in case'.

One person reported it felt great.

one person who lived it

Return from vacation a day early to rest and decompress before resuming work.

to get a breather from travelling and relax yourself

one person who lived it

Donate seasonal clothing immediately after the season ends if you did not wear it during that period.

This approach has worked for some people to manage clutter.

one person who lived it

Move to a new apartment to force a re-evaluation of useless junk during packing and unpacking.

Packing and unpacking provides a new opinion of useless junk.

one person who lived it

Replace energy-inefficient old appliances with modern ones.

Modern devices use less power, making replacement the frugal option.

one person who lived it

Accept that some modern items are designed to be discarded rather than repaired.

Repair costs for items like shoes and electronics often exceed the price of new ones.

one person who lived it

Dispose of random items kept only because you might use them someday.

Keeping such items leads to accumulating boxes of literal junk.

one person who lived it

Discard stained, broken, or unusable items instead of donating them.

Charities often landfill donations they cannot resell.

one person who lived it

Read online comments about decluttering to motivate yourself to clean out cupboards, which one person found as effective as watching 'Hoarders'.

one person who lived it

Let the server place drinks on the table rather than taking them from the tray yourself to prevent imbalance and spills.

Taking drinks yourself can get the tray off balance and cause it to fall.

one person who lived it

Replace the cap on a liquid container immediately when setting it down, even if you are still using it.

This prevents frustrating spills that can damage electronics.

• Leave room for expansion if the liquid is liquid nitrogen.

one person who lived it

Submerge an empty glass in murky water and look through it to see the bottom clearly.

Looking through the glass makes the water appear as if it is not there.

one person who lived it

Stare at your destination rather than the container when carrying filled cups to help your body naturally balance.

Looking at the item you are carrying can throw you off balance.

• Some people report this does not work for them or they spill regardless.

2 people, independently

Pour creamer or milk into the mug before adding hot coffee so it mixes without stirring.

you don't need to stir it

2 people, independently

Look across a flat surface rather than directly down at it to spot camouflaged items.

Viewing from an angle makes camouflaged items much easier to find than looking straight down.

one person who lived it

Pour water into sink drains before leaving for a trip.

It prevents smells by maintaining the waterlocks.

one person who lived it

Remove jewelry before washing dishes to prevent dirt buildup and avoid injury if rings fall off while handling knives.

It prevents muck from getting stuck in jewelry and reduces the risk of cutting fingers when rooting around for lost rings near sharp objects.

one person who lived it

Pour liquids quickly and confidently without hesitation to prevent dripping down the side.

If you don't commit to the pour, you'll get runners; pouring faster keeps the water together so it will not spill.

2 people, independently

Absorb remaining water droplets from lenses by touching the edge of a paper towel to the drop without rubbing the lens.

This avoids touching the lens surface directly.

one person who lived it

Slightly alter your walking speed or use an interrupted gait to avoid creating a resonant wave pattern in the cup.

Walking rhythmically creates a wave pattern that compounds; altering stride prevents this resonance.

one person who lived it

Look at images of clean and simple decor in magazines or on Instagram for inspiration.

It is zen and relaxing.

one person who lived it

Open the keg nozzle fully rather than partially to prevent turbulence and excess foam when pouring beer.

Partially opening the nozzle creates a barrier and turbulence that encourages bubble formation.

one person who lived it

Use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove gunk from fine ridges and nose pieces where manual cleaning is difficult.

It reaches places specialized tools or hands cannot.

one person who lived it

Rinse beer glasses with water before pouring to reduce excessive foaming.

Water fills nucleation sites—microscopic imperfections where bubbles form—resulting in a cleaner pour.

one person who lived it

Keep a water bottle instead of an open cup on your bedside table to eliminate accidental spills.

To eliminate accidental spills.

one person who lived it

Do not stack plates at restaurants unless you have experience balancing them properly.

Improper stacking ignores balance and weight, making cleanup harder for staff.

one person who lived it

Keep some paint in the brush reservoir of a paint cup when storing temporarily.

A contractor tip: it prevents bristles from skinning over during short breaks.

one person who lived it

Convert a faux drawer under a sink into a paper towel holder by caulking every crack well to prevent moisture damage.

To make the space useful.

• Check what is behind the faux drawer; you may need to build a housing if there are obstructions.

one person who lived it

Use oven wire racks as a low-effort alternative for drying pasta or cooling bread.

It involves much less effort.

one person who lived it

Move hot pots to an unheated stove element to cool down instead of placing them directly on countertops.

prevents damage to kitchen benches and table tops

one person who lived it

Consider the chemical content of treated or painted wood before using it as a planter for food crops.

Chemicals decomposing into the soil seems legit dangerous.

one person who lived it

Use slap bracelets to hold baking mats together in a drawer.

Makes the kitchen drawer more manageable.

one person who lived it

Store silver Sharpies tip-down to keep the metallic pigment suspended.

to keep them metallic

one person who lived it

Dip the tip of a dried alcohol-based marker in rubbing alcohol to restore it.

• The fix may only last for a short time before needing repetition.

3 people, independently

Mix edible metallic dust with alcohol, such as vodka, for painting cakes.

Alcohol evaporates quickly enough so the sugar doesn't dissolve.

one person who lived it

Use baking soda on carpets and vacuum, followed by fabric refresher spray and air cleanser, to refresh the home environment before leaving.

Refreshes the home environment.

one person who lived it

Remove hardware from repurposed drawers before using them as planters.

Hardware will rust easily under the elements.

one person who lived it

Duct tape leftover paint cans together to serve as legs for a makeshift table, using a door as the tabletop.

one person who lived it

Zip-tie the backs of milk crates together to create makeshift bookshelves.

one person who lived it

Repurpose an extra shower caddy as a spice rack or storage shelf.

It utilizes unused vertical space and is practical and decorative.

one person who lived it

Cover the vacuum cleaner nozzle with tights or pantyhose to catch small items while vacuuming.

• Avoid using this method for contact lenses due to dust and dirt accumulation on the fabric.
• The fabric may collect debris like food crumbs and hair.

8 people, independently

• Slide a stocking over the vacuum hose attachment to catch small items without letting them enter the vacuum bag.1

Place children's backpacks or items on a car seat rather than the truck bed cover to avoid forgetting them.

Leaving items on the truck bed cover has led to realizing midway through a trip that they were left behind, once resulting in being chased by another driver.

one person who lived it

Move your garage door opener to the trunk when transporting cargo on the roof.

Forcing yourself to exit the vehicle to open the garage reminds you to unload before entering.

• For those with Homelink, tie down cargo to the front bumper so the rope is visible from the driver's seat.

one person who lived it

Buy spices in bulk at warehouse clubs to save money.

To save money.

one person who lived it

Use the folded corner of a piece of paper to clean USB-like ports.

The folded angle becomes sharp and soft.

one person who lived it

Repurpose the clips from wire hangers to seal chip bags.

They are a better deal than dedicated chip clips that break in the freezer.

one person who lived it

Crawl or kneel to get down to a child's eye level when searching for misplaced items.

Children are shorter and can see spots that adults cannot; this perspective makes finding hidden items easier.

one person who lived it

Hang binder clips on hooks attached to the side of the pantry wall to save shelf space while storing open bags.

It saves significant shelf space.

one person who lived it

Think like a toddler when searching for items lost by children, checking unusual places such as toy cars, vents, or heaters.

Children may place items in locations they do not consider weird, such as the front seat of a toy car or inside a baseboard heater.

one person who lived it

Place a flashlight horizontally on the ground and rotate it gently until lost objects shine, shadow, or stand out from the surface.

• The light must be laid down, not held above the floor.

3 people, independently

• Dim the lights or turn them off completely when using a flashlight to search for items on the floor.2

Use larger plastic clothespins for sealing thick or heavy food packages.

Small wooden pins are too weak for larger packages; plastic pins also work well in the freezer without breaking.

one person who lived it

Immediately drop a second identical item from the same height to observe its trajectory and landing spot.

It helps estimate where the first item went by showing how far it bounces or rolls.

2 people, independently

Do not put batteries in the freezer to revive them.

it only makes them cold

one person who lived it

Place temporary items on the ground rather than on the car roof.

If forgotten, the item will be where left and not smashed; it also prevents items falling onto the road.

2 people, independently

Grab binder clips from your office supply room if you have one.

• Do not get greedy.

3 people, independently

Use thick paper clips (binder clips) to keep work gloves organized.

It helps prevent losing them.

one person who lived it

Avoid donating electronics to public donation bins.

There is a risk of theft and resale by others.

one person who lived it

Walk barefoot over the area where the item was dropped to feel for it with your feet.

• Do not do this if the item is fragile or sharp enough to break or injure your foot.

4 people, independently

Store off-season clothes like jackets and sweaters in vacuum-sealed bags.

One person reported their life improved when they discovered this method.

one person who lived it

Place children's toys in a box labeled for donation; they will likely play with them immediately to prevent the donation.

It encourages play and allows you to genuinely donate what remains untouched.

one person who lived it

Include a school ID or other identification in your coat pocket when attending events with coat check to verify ownership if the stub is lost.

It allows staff to verify the coat belongs to you even without the ticket number.

one person who lived it

Store old plastic shopping bags inside an empty tissue box for easy retrieval.

They're easy to retrieve and kept contained.

one person who lived it

Identify the significance of knickknacks, military decorations, pins, jewelry, and rings over 30 years old for your loved ones.

Items saved may mean volumes to loved ones if they know what they mean; checking values can prevent relatives from seeing only dollar signs.

one person who lived it

Store gloves inside your winter jacket pockets so they are ready to grab when needed.

It ensures you have gloves available immediately when it gets cold.

2 people, independently

Convert small souvenir trinkets into Christmas tree ornaments.

They don't clutter the whole house.

one person who lived it

Check the bottom of messenger bags carried to meetings to accumulate binder clips naturally.

They tend to collect there during day-to-day use.

one person who lived it

Use shower caddies to organize items over kitchen sinks or work stations.

One person found this arrangement great for organization.

one person who lived it

Try contacting multiple rescues and shelters, as policies on accepting stuffed animals vary.

Just because one does not take them does not mean others won't.

one person who lived it

Use gallon-sized plastic zip-lock bags as an alternative to airline vomit bags for car emergencies.

They are easier to find at grocery stores, have a large opening, and feature a zipper seal.

one person who lived it

Fold plastic grocery bags into small triangles for compact storage.

Takes up less space and is easier to slip into a pocket

one person who lived it

Store plastic items away from direct sunlight.

Excessive UV exposure can cause plastics to become brittle.

one person who lived it

Use promotional novelty keychains as zipper pulls for better grip.

They provide more purchase.

one person who lived it

If you leave valuables with your parents, ask for a specific time limit, label the boxes clearly, and help clean the storage area when asked.

• Otherwise, they may decide what is junk.

one person who lived it

Designate a specific 'junk drawer' or container for miscellaneous items that do not belong elsewhere but should not be thrown away.

Without a designated place for these items, they will end up scattered all over the place.

one person who lived it

Punch a hole in a bottle cap and attach it as a zipper pull.

one person who lived it

Keep only a few samples of children's artwork in a file folder rather than storing everything.

A small selection provides enough emotional value without the burden of keeping all items.

one person who lived it

Keep original boxes for monitors and computers to simplify future transport and packing.

Original packaging fits better than other containers, reducing stress when moving.

one person who lived it

Write the installation date on packaging for long-life items like LED lights and store it nearby to verify warranty claims or lifespan claims.

one person who lived it

Donate comics to youth organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs after removing any valuable issues.

Organizations are often excited to receive them.

one person who lived it

Cover cardboard storage boxes with wrapping paper, contact paper, acrylic paint, or glued fabric to improve their appearance.

provides a cheap finished look

one person who lived it

Process inherited items in small batches, such as four boxes a week, photographing each item and offering it to siblings before listing leftovers online.

one person who lived it

Take a photo of the area with your phone's flash on, then zoom into the image to spot reflections from the glasses.

The flash reflects off the lenses, making them easy to see in the picture.

one person who lived it

Remove your glasses before resting your eyes to prevent crushing them if you fall asleep.

There is a good chance you will fall asleep and crush the frames.

2 people, independently

Store your glasses in a hard case when not wearing them to prevent damage from being stepped on or crushed.

Glasses can easily end up at the bottom of a backpack or get kicked.

2 people, independently

Fit masks tightly under the eyes and bend the upper edge to match your face shape to prevent glasses from fogging.

Proper mask placement seals air away from the eyes, eliminating fogging issues.

one person who lived it

Ask for anti-reflective coating on your lenses.

It creates a huge difference in quality of life.

one person who lived it

Practice wearing your backup glasses regularly, such as one day a week, so you are accustomed to them if you need to switch from contacts.

Switching from full-time contact lens wear to glasses can be disconcerting without practice.

one person who lived it

Ask the optician to tighten the glasses frame for a better fit.

This ensures they fit better.

one person who lived it

Choose flexible frames over rigid plastic ones to reduce the risk of breakage.

One person reported that their plastic glasses broke in two months, whereas super flexible glasses had no problem.

one person who lived it

Get your eye exam at Costco so you can obtain a prescription without being pressured to buy frames there.

Costco eye doctors do not sell frames and understand that patients prefer to buy glasses elsewhere.

one person who lived it

Select smaller, rounded frames that center your eye and have hinges set far back to cut down on lens thickness for strong prescriptions.

Lenses get thicker further from the center and at deep corners; setting hinges back prevents lenses from impeding the temples from folding.

one person who lived it

Open your phone's camera app and zoom in to locate lost glasses when your vision is blurry.

Focusing through the camera lens is easier than searching with uncorrected vision.

one person who lived it

Ignore minor scratches if they are not noticeable during normal wear.

Attempting to fix them may ruin the anti-scratch coatings.

one person who lived it

Carry lens cleaning wipes and offer to clean glasses for elderly patients or people with disabilities who cannot see their own dirty glasses.

They often don't realize their glasses are dirty because they can't see without them, and they express gratitude.

one person who lived it

Avoid placing glasses lens-down on hard surfaces to cut down on scratching.

Less glass rubbing against hard surfaces results in fewer scratches.

one person who lived it

Send photos of yourself trying on glasses to another person for their opinion on which frames suit you best.

Another person's opinion can help narrow down choices and confirm preferences.

one person who lived it

Choose safety glasses for activities like cycling or driving instead of designer sports sunglasses.

They are cheaper, more robust, and offer similar protection including shaded, polarized, impact-resistant lenses with full UV protection.

one person who lived it

Buy polycarbonate lenses if you have a strong prescription.

It reduces lens thickness and increases durability compared to standard options.

one person who lived it

Test polarization by pointing at the sky or reflections and tilting your head; significant changes in brightness indicate polarization.

If there is significant change in sky brightness or reflections when turning them around, they are polarized.

one person who lived it

Use a digital watch as a reference for testing sunglass polarization, as its display is also polarized and readily accessible.

Digital watches are possibly more readily accessible than LED or LCD monitors for this test.

one person who lived it

Stack or coil high-current cables in figure-8s.

This prevents the formation of large electromagnets and helps disperse heat.

2 people, independently

Avoid using duct tape on cables that cross hallways or doors.

It tends to get trampled and leaves gooey residue on the cables.

one person who lived it

Wrap an old sock around your hand to grease boots.

It functions like a rag but stays secured on your hand.

one person who lived it

Keep a set of cable ties together by looping one tie around the whole bunch and tightening it as you pull out the others.

This stops them from scattering and keeps the rest tidy without needing the original bag.

3 people, independently

Wrap a twist tie, rubber band, or tape around the metal arms of a binder clip to narrow the opening for thinner cables.

This prevents thin cords from falling through the clip.

one person who lived it

Avoid wrapping audio or signal-carrying cables too tightly or bending them at the connector end.

This can damage the cable over time, short out the wire, or degrade signal quality.

one person who lived it

Consider storing stray twist ties in a baggie instead of on a magnet, as some twist ties may not contain metal and magnets can be harder to manage.

A commenter noted that twist ties at their grocery store did not have metal pieces, making a magnet ineffective, and found a baggie more efficient.

• Some twist ties do not contain metal.

one person who lived it

Loosely coil earbuds around your fingers and store them in a small box to prevent tangles and nicks.

This method prevents tangles and nicks, extending the life of the earbuds.

one person who lived it

Secure coiled cables with Velcro tape, twist ties, or purpose-built organizers.

Makes it easy to store and transport.

2 people, independently

• Use zip ties to secure coiled cables after peeling off the desired length.1

Disconnect twisted cables at both ends and hang them over a railing or stretch them out to allow them to untwist naturally.

Gravity and stretching help work the twist out.

one person who lived it

Choose earbuds with flat cords instead of round ones to reduce tangling and make untangling easier.

Flat cords do not stop tangles completely but improve ease of undoing them.

one person who lived it

• Wrap earbud cords in embroidery thread to prevent tangling.1

Wrap headphones using the figure-8 method.

Keeps them from tangling.

one person who lived it

Keep hair ties in your glove compartment to manage long hair for passengers in open-topped vehicles.

It prevents annoyance from long hair whipping around.

one person who lived it

Avoid wrapping cables around your forearm or using the 'thumb elbow' power coil method.

These methods stretch and twist the cable, often resulting in figure-8 knots when released.

2 people, independently

Tie a brightly colored cord to a zipper pull and cut off the remaining pulley to avoid sharp edges.

Bright color makes it easy to see; cutting the pulley removes sharp parts.

one person who lived it

Pull or push on connectors rather than tugging on the cable to extend lifespan.

Tugging causes internal plastic to stretch out over time.

one person who lived it

Use the mnemonic 'Over worked and Under paid' to remember the over-under coiling sequence.

It helps ensure you never forget the method.

2 people, independently

Secure luggage zippers with zip ties during travel to prevent theft while allowing immigration officers to inspect bags without issue.

Officers can cut the ties easily without getting upset about locks.

one person who lived it

Remove tags and zip ties from dog presents before letting them unwrap to avoid chasing them down.

one person who lived it

Store off-season clothes separately and wait at least a year before discarding seasonal items.

Seasons change, and you might need summer clothes in May or later.

one person who lived it

Select dark grey socks instead of black.

They go with everything slightly better.

one person who lived it

Stack socks loosely in a drawer without pairing them and pick any two at random.

Clothes are about function, not image; life is too short to match socks.

3 people, independently

Put socks on toddlers before trousers to prevent sticky feet from adhering to the fabric.

Toddler feet are often covered in jam, glue, or toffee sweets.

one person who lived it

Roll socks and underwear using the 'ranger roll' technique to keep them compact.

The rolls will not come undone.

one person who lived it

Donate or sell clothes you no longer need rather than throwing them away, so others who could use them can have them.

It is a win-win situation.

one person who lived it

Store earbuds in free nylon shoe store socks.

Prevents tangling.

one person who lived it

File toenails to remove sharp points and hangnails to reduce wear and tear on socks.

You'll have less holes in your socks.

one person who lived it

Implement a first-in, first-out system by adding new garments to one end (like the right) and removing them from the opposite end (like the left), causing unused items to pile up visibly at the back.

This prevents repetitive outfit choices and reveals which pieces were used throughout the week.

5 people, independently

Buy black socks to hide stains and deter roommates from stealing them.

Black hides stains better, and because few people buy black socks, it is obvious if someone takes them.

one person who lived it

Buy boys' or men's socks instead of girls' or women's socks for better value.

They typically offer more pairs per pack at a lower cost per sock for similar quality.

2 people, independently

Fold shirts using the Marie Kondo method (folding in thirds, forcing sleeves to work) to store them vertically in drawers for visibility.

It allows you to see all shirts at once without piles.

one person who lived it

• File shirts vertically in drawers instead of folding them flat.1

Gradually replace your sock drawer with identical pairs over time rather than all at once.

It is not hard, inconvenient, or expensive if done gradually.

one person who lived it

Keep old towels that remain thick and soft instead of discarding them.

New towels are often thin, scratchy, or expensive.

one person who lived it

Leave socks near the bed when taking them off to maintain awareness of their location.

You know where they are.

one person who lived it

Discard individual socks when they get holes; rely on a large stock of identical socks so having an odd number does not matter.

Having many identical socks means it does not matter if you have an odd number after discarding damaged ones.

one person who lived it

• When a single sock from an identical pair develops a hole, discard only the damaged sock and keep the good one to pair with another stray.4

Use metal clothespins for hanging clothes as they are sturdier, leave minimal dents, and allow custom fit on hangers.

They make the closet look gorgeous.

one person who lived it

Dry clean winter coats before storing them so they smell fresh, feel formed, and look new.

One person reported it makes a huge difference; another noted that storing unwashed clothes is gross.

one person who lived it

Place wool yarn in the dryer to reduce static and prevent garments from sticking together.

It achieves the same result as dryer sheets and can be reused indefinitely.

one person who lived it

Repurpose old, worn-out socks as dusting cloths or cleaning rags instead of throwing them away.

9 people, independently

Buy only distinctively different socks so no two pairs look alike, ensuring each sock has only one possible match.

This prevents washing socks without their partner.

one person who lived it

Roll matching pairs of socks together immediately after removing them from the dryer to keep them paired.

It prevents socks from getting separated.

2 people, independently

Retain formal attire, funeral suits, and interview outfits no matter how long they have gone unworn.

Since these garments are rarely used, discarding them solely because they sat unused for several months is unwise.

3 people, independently

• Keep only formal wear pieces you absolutely love, since you are likely to buy new outfits for rare formal occasions anyway.1

Move hangers to one side of the closet when removing clothes, and place clean laundry on that same side, so all free hangers are grouped together for easy access.

you won't have to go hanger hunting

one person who lived it

Hang shirts and blouses inside out to recognize items by brand labels, saving time when identifying specific pieces.

It helps avoid taking items out just to identify them.

one person who lived it

Use shoeboxes in dressers to organize and separate socks and underwear.

It provides easy organizing.

one person who lived it

Keep the original packaging of your preferred socks to help identify the exact product when repurchasing.

one person who lived it

Slip a wedding ring onto the leather band of a watch and latch the band to keep it secure.

One person reported never having an issue finding their ring using this method for over 20 years.

one person who lived it

Keep padlocks and combination locks in the locked state when not being used.

This requires you to verify you can open them before securing something, avoiding situations where you lock yourself out without the key or code.

3 people, independently

• Store combination locks in the locked position to verify they can be unlocked before attaching them to items.1

Clip your keys to a belt loop using a carabiner instead of carrying them in your pocket.

You will not lose your keys unless you lose your pants.

2 people, independently

• Fasten your keys to your pants with a carabiner for immediate access.1
• Clip house and car keys to a bra using a carabiner.1

Hide keys inside a locked trailer hitch receiver cover and safety pin the hitch lock key to your swimsuit for waterproof storage at the beach.

This keeps keys dry and secure while allowing you to swim or play at the beach or lake.

one person who lived it

Do not lock a combination lock around a railing, strap, or other protrusion during storage.

You may come back months or years later and be unable to remove it.

one person who lived it

Attach a lanyard to your keys without looping it around your neck.

Hands find the lanyard easier than searching for keys in a purse.

one person who lived it

Attach a small carabiner to your key ring instead of using a safety pin to secure keys to clothing.

Safety pins can stab you or tear pocket linings due to motion and friction.

one person who lived it

Attach a USB drive with contact information to your keychain, but exclude your home address.

It helps if you lose your keys, while excluding the address prevents thieves from stealing your belongings.

one person who lived it

Practice memorizing the license plates of vehicles as they leave to improve short-term recall.

It serves as a brain exercise and may pay off in an emergency.

one person who lived it

Store locks you won't use soon in the locked position.

This ensures you cannot lock something without getting the key first.

one person who lived it

Periodically check your license plate to ensure it has not been stolen or switched.

People have had plates stolen without knowing until stopped by police.

one person who lived it

Immediately take photos of the other driver's license plate, registration, and damage after an accident.

To eliminate human error and handle situations where you may be injured or in shock.

• Make sure it is safe.
• Be damn obvious you're taking the shot.

one person who lived it

Switch from cartridge razors to a safety razor to save money on blades.

cartridge razors are overpriced and safety razor blades cost pennies each

one person who lived it

Avoid putting WD-40 in locks, especially if the car has an immobilizer.

It sprays straight into electronic parts.

one person who lived it

Attach a rubber keycap to your most important key to distinguish it by touch.

The rubber texture provides immediate tactile feedback to identify the key.

• Rubber caps add weight and bulk.

one person who lived it

Note that dealer plates can be switched between cars, making identification difficult for police.

Police indicated they would not try to look because dealers switch plates to other cars.

one person who lived it

Use inexpensive split ring pliers, commonly used by jewelry makers, to open keychain rings if you frequently change keys.

They are designed specifically for that job.

2 people, independently

Take photos of the information labels located on the driver's side door hinge or jamb.

These stickers contain important vehicle information that is useful to have recorded.

2 people, independently

Keep rugged old stand mixers, Pyrex cookware, Rockwell shop tools, and Craftsman hand tools, as they are well-made and no longer produced.

They aren't making it like ever again.

one person who lived it

Leave a needle inside the super glue tube opening to block it, pulling it out only when needed.

It's hard to bond the metal

one person who lived it

Use two-part epoxy for repairs when standard superglues fail to hold.

Two-part epoxies are more reliable than typical superglue.

one person who lived it

Store greeting cards in a designated file to read when you are feeling down.

The memories of receiving the cards can help overcome current difficulties and improve your mood.

one person who lived it

Keep a supply of blank thank-you cards and stamps on hand to handle unexpected gifts easily.

It helps when getting out is difficult, such as after having a baby.

one person who lived it

Buy a second greeting card when purchasing one to keep as a spare for last-minute surprises or forgotten occasions.

Having a spare 'Thinking of You' card handy can help relationships at random times.

• You may forget where you stored the extra cards.

one person who lived it

Spend the entire balance of a gift card in a single transaction unless the amount is huge.

This eliminates the need to track small remaining balances and prevents forgetting about them.

• This applies unless the amount is huge.

one person who lived it

Send mailed greeting cards to sick friends instead of relying solely on texts or emails.

Mailed cards require more effort and are often appreciated recipients find them more cheering than digital messages or phone calls.

one person who lived it

Store blank, neutral-design cards and handwrite personalized messages for a more personal touch.

A personal message means more than default messages and allows for unique situations.

3 people, independently