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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:
passionfruit11 · 08/09/2019 09:11

Getting two online grocery orders delivered a week. I pay for Tesco delivery saver (£7 per month) and used to do one big grocery order a week but would run out of fresh stuff by Thursday and usually make a few trips to the local supermarket which was actually really expensive. I realised that delivery saver was unlimited deliveries per month so started getting one on a Saturday and one on a Wednesday. Now we always have fresh food and actually spend a lot less money as all the small trips to the shops mid week were really costing a fortune

nearlynermal · 08/09/2019 09:25

The self timing watering system I built in my small garden (the only reason there's anything still alive out there).

Having 20 pairs of my favourite M&S knickers so I can take longer between washes.

The folding fitted sheets technique, which I know makes me a saddo but is so satisfying.

sueelleker · 08/09/2019 09:34

I have most of my clothing on shelves in the wardrobe, so I bought a load of shallow storage boxes from the Plastic Box Company; and I have them stored in colours. Eg; blue tops, peach tops etc. It saves so much time looking for/putting away stuff.

MrsCollinssettled · 08/09/2019 10:40

Love the Fortunately podcast but had to abandon the "Older & Wider" podcast. Good content but I couldn't stand Judith Holder's cackling which really got in the way.

FaerieKiss · 08/09/2019 11:46

Getting our cleaner to do a chore I hate (changing all the beds) instead of pointlessly cleaning the guest room every week. The room only gets used rarely so I can give it a spritz when necessary.

Having a tiny, but powerful, spotlight which clips onto the headboard making reading in bed so much easier. Having a little electronic fan which clips onto my dressing table mirror which stops me sweating my make up off faster than I can apply it on summer mornings.

MrsA2015 · 08/09/2019 12:00

Deepio multi use spray from Costco. ITS BRILLIANT , cleans everything so bloody well especially kitchen grime I just love it. Also have a “period” box in bathroom that has new spare knickers in, pads and nappy sacks for when I have friends over. YY to having extra hairbrushes one in each bedroom and extra in bathroom. I also love my cordless dyson, DH has asthma and is showing improvements now we can vacuum a lot more as Hetty was a pain to drag around our little flat. Fridge organisers! They save me lugging everything out to wipe spills or “bits” especially the dairy shelf. Same goes for drawer organisers along with Marie kondo folding ( which I did before even knowing about her Envy yes I’m smug lol). Also very much in love with multi use tray liners , no more scrubbing away and ruining my tins and pans thanks DH

MrsA2015 · 08/09/2019 12:03

@Mothership4two I LOVE the flask idea. My PIL have a tea/coffee machine in their bedroom , I much prefer the flask idea though

wheresmymojo · 08/09/2019 12:09

I only travel a couple of times a year but I have a washbag with all the essentials in.

Shampoo, conditioner, soap, spare razor, tampons, perfume, make up remover, etc. I also put any samples I get free in there.

Never have to think about packing toiletries when going on holiday. Just chuck the washbag in.

WobblyLondoner · 08/09/2019 13:25

@nearlynermal Oh yes to folding fitted sheets - made me ludicrously happy when I worked that out. I've tried to share this with various people (inc my DP) and they just look at me as though I'm mad and carry on scrumpling them up. But I like wrapping presents too - I think folding fitted sheets so they don't crease as much probably ticks a similar box.

Wolfcub · 08/09/2019 13:26

I’m another who has an always-packed washbag, so does ds. Makes work and scouting trips much easier but it’s also meant we’ve been able to have some last minute breaks this year with zero stress

Missushb · 08/09/2019 14:15

Love the flask idea too. Do you take milk up too? I love this thread!!

nearlynermal · 08/09/2019 16:07

@WobblyLondoner Ooh yes to wrapping--especially regular-shaped objects like books (with added satisfaction of tape dispenser, obvz) Grin

WellTidy · 08/09/2019 18:35

mothershipfortwo which flask do you use that keeps a cup of coffee hot until morning please?

This is a brilliant idea

When DS2 was feeding through the night, I kept a small fridge and a microwave in his bedroom (he was in our room). It meant that I could warm his night time milk when he woke without going downstairs. It’s not like our house is a mansion, but I wanted to keep things quiet so that DS1 didn’t wake with DS2 crying for milk and it saves time and effort.

glittertissues · 08/09/2019 19:41

Collapsible laundry basket. When it’s not in use it flattens right down and can fit behind the sofa or any other small space.

Wehttam · 08/09/2019 20:42

Buying in bulk the things I use most when on offer so I always have stock, toothpaste, mouthwash, shower gel, Oat Milk (UHT) etc.

Having a Nivea lip balm in work bag, bathroom, gym bag and work locker.

OhioOhioOhio · 08/09/2019 21:02

I love this thread too.

Bulk buying strimmer wire from amazon. I used to hate shopping for it. Reading the tiny small print to search for the right one. Get enough for the summer in one go now.

JustOneSquareofDarkChocolate · 08/09/2019 21:12

Frozen sofrito (chopped onion, carrot and celery) something like 86p a bag on Ocado.

Three laundry baskets!

ChangeItChild · 08/09/2019 21:14

Fantastic thread!

Lowlandlucky · 08/09/2019 21:30

Rosegoldwatcher what a bloody fab idea, i am so making a pouffe for each spare duvet, thank you

StrumpersPlunkett · 08/09/2019 21:31

internet banking

amazon prime

repeat prescription on line

meal planning from laminated meal choices (35-40) we agreed as a family

sainsburys on line

having a hairbrush in bedroom, downstairs loo, handbag, car and filing cabinet at work

boys having 5 days of uniform, washing on Friday after school

having a cleaner each week who takes ironing every other week

having bluetooth earbuds so I can charge my phone at night whilst I am listening to ASMR sleep videos

having a family where we are all equally able to do the washing ironing cooking (sadly not cleaning but they aren't too bad)

I find it hard to sleep a lot of the time so things I can crack on with in the middle of the night are always helpful

poshme · 08/09/2019 21:33

My library has magazines through an app called rb digital.

Worth checking if you're one o the people who couldn't use the other one.
They also have borrow box for audiobooks.

SciFiScream · 08/09/2019 22:51

I use Ikea bags (the large ones) as my laundry basket! I have ended up with about five.

BitOfFun · 09/09/2019 00:33

This in-pan egg timer. Best four quid I ever spent. PERFECT boiled eggs every time, exactly how I like them.

Simple things that make your life so much edit?
ChangeItChild · 09/09/2019 07:34

Libraries often update their licenses (or have to change supplier due to cost) so the online system (for digital books, audio books & magazines) may have changed since the last time you logged on.

Phone or pop into your local library to check your account & password and that you are using the most up to date app. The staff will help you get it working.

I listen to audio books on my long commute every day, the time just melts away it been a life changer.

katkit · 09/09/2019 11:42

This is making my morning at work…

Ice scraper, hanging on a string, round the car gearstic. It’s never lost any more. I used to be late for school, clawing at the ice with my bare hands whilst muttering expletives.
Other things on gearstick/ handbrake: Sellotape, Silver pound coin token thingy (for supermarket trolleys), hairbands
Living in car boot: Wellies, old mac, pocket kite, balls and bubbles.
Living in car door: Notebook and pen, Spare tangle teaser, for when we are late for school, or somewhere smart.

Camping: Having a ready packed plastic box, so I’m less likely to forget stuff. includes picnic plates, a pan and sharp knife, which aren’t used much at home, a travel size bottle or fairy liquid, sponge and tea towel.
Also big bag full of all the sleeping bags, camping mats etc.- easier to pack in a panic.

Infacol: having an upstairs and downstairs one, although those days are over now.

Laundry baskets: looping ribbon through them, so you can hang them on the back of a door, or whatever.

Timers on phone, for when I am to stop reading the internet and put children to bed. Oh god. This has helped so much.

OneNote as a dumping ground for things, eg addresses, book lists, xmas lists etc.

Those clothes labels you get printed: getting a phone number, as well as name, printed on them

Writing my mobile number on the label of my daughter’s favourite soft toy, so that if (when) we lost it, the finder could call us.

Frozen veg; broccoli, spinach, cauliflower

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