Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Simple things that make your life so much edit?

327 replies

LeonoraFlorence · 02/09/2019 20:18

Every night my phone battery would be low and without fail I’d be sitting awkwardly at a funny angle on the couch trying to look through Mumsnet whilst it charged plugged in. DH ordered me a charger for about £10 with a cable over 1m long and it has changed my life! What other small things have made your life much more pleasant?

OP posts:
DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 06/09/2019 12:22

Kindle

Keep cup

Having a separate makeup bag/toiletries kept in downstairs bathroom when I’m getting ready on dayshift

Also Trinny London makeup which I’m obsessed with just now, compact, travel friendly, perfect for what I need

Having a mini bag in my handbag with all my most used bits that I just transfer bag to bag

Contactless/Apple Pay!

DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 06/09/2019 12:24

Oh also, podcasts on in the car when commuting, better than the shite on the radio

IDrinkAndISewThings · 06/09/2019 14:25

@Bunnylady53 where I am it's Ringo, not sure if it varies regionally, but next time you're parking at your local meter, have a look on the side for a brand and usually a 5 digit location number, you just download the app, save your reg plate and a debit card, and just pay via the app. Absolute game changer for me because I 1) never have change, ever, and 2) always, always have two small children with me that I would otherwise have to abandon in the car or drag out with me to find change and feed the meter. And of course, no fiddling around in the rain! Ringo for the win!

rosedream · 06/09/2019 14:38

Rattan effect box cheap from B&M to hold recycling bags by back door.

Oven liner also use it in the grill pan and bbq

Micro fibre cloths and mix up Zoflora and water in a spray bottle.

MarciaMarciaMarcia · 06/09/2019 14:51

Reading glasses in the lounge, bedroom, work and purse. Still slightly in denial I need then SmileSmile
Nail file in car....I can do nails while waiting for red lights to change.
My cleaner - I live overseas so very affordable ( she comes every day for 3 hours and my house is always spotless) . I am so grateful!

nononever · 06/09/2019 17:35

I'm with you on the reading glasses! I have umpteen pairs scattered about the house, car and handbags.

KnitFastDieWarm · 06/09/2019 18:44

Mooncup
Water bottle (wilko chillys knock off - I have three)
iPhone
Solid shampoo and conditioner bars - last forever and eco friendly
Cordless hoover
Set of mini drawers for organising DS’s Lego by colour

BillywigSting · 06/09/2019 18:56

@BobbyPuck I use a non branded generic spray mop from b&m, think it might even be an own brand of theirs (it's a rather violent shade of orange) and flash floor cleaner diluted to instructions so it doesn't need rinsing. Or even just a bit of zoflora and water

MitziK · 06/09/2019 19:47

Cheap carabiner from the camping shop to attach my security fob for work and my spare door key for home to whatever bag I am using.

2 spare front door keys.

A big drawer at work that holds a spare umbrella, work appropriate shoes and an A4 ziplock that has hairbrush, dry shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, concealer, lip gloss and a mascara. And a cheap blazer hung up behind the door.

Means it doesn't matter if I get into work soaking wet or I get caught with a last minute meeting with super important people, I can look relatively presentable/less bedraggled (they call it 'professional') and if my daily umbrella falls to bits or I forget it because it was soo sunny first thing, I'm not going to get completely soaked on the way home.

A now-old Bosch Easy Access fridge. Every shelf is a pull out drawer, rather than a rack. I love it.

The Miele cylinder vacuum. A hundred times better than any dyson. No bags. Steers with a flick. Built more like a tank than a papercup (three cheapish ones all packed up within a year each and were crap). And DP is happy to use it.

The Lumie sunrise clock. I wake up before the actual alarm goes off.

Google maps, train planners and the London bus countdown app - the latter makes it worth having a phone by itself, as I have many memories of being stuck in the rain, snow or middle of the night, wondering whether I was going to be able to get home. At least now I know if it's going to be a waste of time staying at the stop and can quickly reroute if there's yet another public transport fuck up.

A coffee maker that doesn't require pods. Chuck 3 spoons of coffee in the washable filter + a jug of water in the reservoir at night, stagger downstairs at stupid o'clock and hit a button - fresh coffee by the time I've got my concealer on.

Thermostatic bath mixer - no fannying around trying not to scald yourself - leave it at the right temperature, turn on, add 2 squirts of bubble bath, go and get undressed, return to a perfect temperature bath.

Bubble bath with a squirty nozzle. No putting too much in, no mess to clean up, no spillage.

Putting quilt covers into the matching pillowcase. Everything fits perfectly, stacks well and remains crease free in the linen cupboard.

Flat sheets. Easier to fold than fitted (which I can do, but that's 130 seconds on my life I won't get back), doddle to iron & stay on the bed properly, even if they get kicked around a bit.

A big basket of my socks, all rolled together in pairs, ruthlessly culled of any that were a bit tight, bit rough, bit too short, etc. Guaranteed to always pick up a comfortable pair even with eyes shut.

Insoles/heel supports. Anybody who has ever had plantar fasciitis should understand.

Avery Labels. Stuff bothering with formatting, typing and printing, bollocks to the blasted dyno label maker and it's fiddly backing strips, just write out your label and stick it on your shelf so you know what should be there.

An A4 exercise book for Things To Do - use it for messages, even things you think you will remember, even if you're about to do them. Gets it out of your head, keeps everything away over the weekend, you get to cross things off.

Graphista · 06/09/2019 20:53

"Podcasts are pretty much free, some make money by selling special episodes." See that's what worries me! I don't want to spend unknowingly do they make it clear if there's a cost?

"I also like to fall asleep listening to stuff, my favourite is In Our Time from the BBC because their boring, posh, droning on sends me off in seconds." That seems right up my street looking it up.

"I bet the Shipping Forecast would be good to fall asleep to Graph." I get what you mean but unfortunately my stupid brain doesn't "switch off" it needs to be something I can concentrate on and is a distraction. I have tried SO MANY things over the years, music, white noise, meditation/mindfulness, "soothing" recitations of pi or nursery rhymes etc don't work as not distracting enough and my mind wanders...usually to something very anxiety inducing!

JoyfulLittleHippo - yea I get that, I was wondering if accessed from elsewhere are they always free? And where is good to access from apart from iPhone app? Eg if on kindle fire instead how would I access?

"Apple corer which sounds ridiculous" omg yes! Dd (18) loves apples but has eds and so "just biting in" can cause her jaw to go off kilter so she's better with them sliced, but of course she also struggled with that and it would be a pain me having to do it for her every time! Also great if making stewed apples for anything AND not just for apples but I've found useful at times to use on onions, potatoes (wedges), mozzarella balls, even (this will sound weird but trust me!) things like cookie dough.

Also (had forgotten about this) boiled egg slicer!

www.amazon.co.uk/Starchef-Stainless-Preserved-Cutter-Effectively(Silver)/dp/B07HCWWCNT/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=53605168459&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo8HG2Pm85AIVjLTtCh3DawkIEAAYASAAEgIDBvD_BwE&hvadid=259059398091&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9046992&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15734096898465924071&hvtargid=kwd-299472429315&hydadcr=26199_1767389&keywords=egg+slicer&qid=1567798830&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Wow! Long link!

Anyway - again not just for eggs! Loads of other things - tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, strawberries, butter (baking) and...avocado!

BelindasGleeTeam · 06/09/2019 21:00

Yes to Apple slicers!! I have wobbly toothed kids who struggle with whole apples but happily eat slices.

Frozen simple sandwiches. Easy morning time saver. Sliced ham, chicken or grated cheese. Label bag, freeze and ready to go for the week.

Frozen onions. Game changer. No more crying!!

Graphista · 06/09/2019 23:07

I'm stupidly excited to see there's an in our time podcast on Mary queen of scots (though acknowledge there's likely to be inaccuracies if it's been produced by English producers/writers)

How do I play podcasts on fire tablet?

smileannie · 06/09/2019 23:12

Clip on light for my kindle so I can read without having main lights on.

partysong · 06/09/2019 23:17

@LiveandBreathe what hairdryer is it?

opinionminion · 06/09/2019 23:22

Two hoovers, one upstairs and one down.

baublegirl454 · 06/09/2019 23:27

Thanks @Daftapath that's brilliant!

TheLidoOfThighs · 07/09/2019 01:00

Graph the only podcast I’ve ever paid for has been directly from a website and it involved signing up and putting in card details etc. I’ve never come across one that required payment via a podcast app and there’s no way you could pay for them by accident, there’s no function for in app purchases, at least not purchase of podcast content, you might be able to buy extra functionality for some podcast apps I suppose.

I’ve never looked at a fire but I assume there is some kind of store you go to for apps? Go there and search for podcast. Once you have a podcast app then you will be able to search for podcasts within the app.

TheLidoOfThighs · 07/09/2019 01:09

Graph this one keeps coming up if I search www.amazon.co.uk/APPDICTIVE-STUDIO-LLC-Podcast-Addict/dp/B00CNGA1PS?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

joyfullittlehippo · 07/09/2019 03:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mothership4two · 07/09/2019 03:44

Sat nav
Kindle
Coffee machine

I now take a flask of boiling water to bed with me and make myself a cup of tea first thing so can have it in bed. I know it sounds daft but it has made a big difference to my mornings!

Mothership4two · 07/09/2019 03:45

And two hoovers like @opinionminion

historysock · 07/09/2019 06:36

Storing bedding sets by putting sheet and pillow cases inside the duvet cover they go with after they've come back from the wash.
I used to spend ages trying to find the right pillow cases etc-now all together and so much less annoying.

nononever · 07/09/2019 08:00

I used to spend ages trying to find the right pillow cases etc-now all together and so much less annoying.

When I iron and fold my duvet cover I put the pillow cases in the last fold, it keeps them together.

I also have a notebook that I use for all sorts of things. Another thing we love is the Numbers App on the Mac/IOS. We have spreadsheets for practically everything, usually my husband creates them, spreadsheets are his thing! Easy to share them, edit/add items. I do rib him about them sometimes but they are invaluable. He created one for a shopping list and it's brilliant.

Wehttam · 07/09/2019 08:07

I have enough socks and underwear to last a month without have to do the fucking dreaded cunty underwear wash. I swear I could easily lose my shit when I have to fucking hang up every fucker to dry on the maiden. Before anyone chimes in, I can’t tumble dry because it makes me itch.

Dettol laundry cleanser is fabulous too. As are the Lenor Unstoppables or washer seeds as I call them. It makes my detergent bill sky high and putting a wash on takes longer that baking a fucking cake but the smell at the end is worth it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/09/2019 08:41

Still loving this thread.

Benefit minis - I use a combination of these (Porefessional, Rollerlash, Dandelion, Posytint) plus a few other things to keep a make up bag stocked and ready to grab to travel with.

Yes to keeping a spare blazer at work. I also keep a pair of shoes and will now also add a spare umbrella as mentioned below. Very good idea!

I used old boxes to make dividers in my drawers so that I can separate different kinds of socks. Sounds ridiculous but it's now so much easier to grab trainee socks, thick socks, popsocks, footsies et c instead of a manic search.

I have a box full of birthday and Christmas cards plus ribbons, plain wrapping paper, tissue paper etc.

Whisky bottle to fill with loose change. Usually ends up paying for wine for Christmas day and a bottle of Bailey s.