To ask for your easy life hacks?

[Polkapjs]

I need easy ways to make life easier and help me get my life in order in all areas

Tonight have have used a garlic press with an UNPEELED love of garlic as recommended by Jamie Oliver. Genius.
Give me yours that don’t involve needing stuff I don’t have but help make stuff a bit easier or cheaper?

Percheron- I did post earlier to say it was just spam- (sorry to disappoint! )

The subscribe and save on amazon looks like a great way to be organised and save money- what's not to live?! Thank you Time !

Thanks to the person who suggested a spray bottle with water and a squirt of washing up liquid. I've just made one out of an about to be recycled cleaner bottle. It works a treat on my hob and work surfaces. Spray, leave a minute or 2 and wipe. Perfect for me as I don't like to use strong chemicals or anti backs.Just done my gloss kitchen cupboard doors too. Thanks!

*anti bacs

Hang 5 sets of school uniform up on hangers. Ready to go in the morning. Include underwear!
Cook large batches of rice, run cold water though it until cooled. Freeze in single and/or family portions.
3-4 bags in bin under current liner. This way you have notice of when you are close to running out of bin liners.
Have a box for kids shoes in the hallway (esp school shoes) train them to put the shoes in there as soon as they take them off - on point of death if needs be).
Drawstring bags of different colours, hung on hallway wall, with label above each one saying what it's for. PE kit, Swim kit, dance class etc etc, easy to grab on the way out. Make sure they are refilled as soon as the kit is washed and dry.
Send text messages to yourself with short shopping lists on or reminders. Leave the text message unopened until you have time to do the task.
A coat peg/rack at child level as well as the adult one (they are now responsible for getting/putting away coats.
We are an untidy chaotic bunch. So these help, especially when I am at work on a 25 hour shift and DH has to remember stuff like kits!!

Place marking so I can read properly later, some fab ideas!

Restocked my frozen onions and noticed a wealth of frozen options but no freezer space as it’s full of shit I forget I have!

Polka- our freezer is the same. I'm rubbish at knowing how long I can keep stuff for, so I get scared and don't want to eat it but then don't feel like I can throw it away...... hence the freezer is completely stuffed.

Freeze leftover fruit eg berries/peaches/pineapple / melon them whizz in food processor with a small amount of condensed milk until it’s the consistency of soft serve ice cream- either eat like that or freeze for a more ice cream consistency. It’s surprisingly convincing!

Never leave the kitchen without topping your glass up with gin. Makes life so much more enjoyable

I'll drink to that Doris!

Totally utlised the extra dishwasher cutlery rack idea by @70isaLimitNotaTarget - we had a spare one in the cupboard already from when we replaced the dishwasher recently. DH has already commented that it’s a great idea! (I did give credit where it was due).

Haven't read through them all yet but haven't come across this one yet - use a steamer when cooking. I have a 2 tier that fits over the bottom pan. I can cook several things using just one pan of water and using one ring on the hob! I batch cook pasta then freeze and use the steamer to batch cook vegetables for freezing too. A massive money saver!

No more withered lemons in the back of the fridge. Cut a fresh lemon into 16 pieces. Put into ice cube tray, top with water.
Tra la! Always gin ready.

Mirrim, yes.
I'm buying all the kids a pan with dedicated steamer when they set up home. Ours has been a money saving, healthy eating , in-daily-use super investment!

Place marking

@mirrim can you link to a similar item so I can see what you mean please?

I now have a 4-week meal plan with shopping lists pre-constructed. Thanks for that tip, whoever it was.

My tip is that I've just used the Cozi app to store the recipes, allocate the meals and make the shopping lists. When DH asks "what are we doing for tea?" he can be directed to Cozi where he can find the recipe and start cooking.

Always have frozen crushed garlic, ginger and chilli.
Remove plug from iron, attach to juicer, blender, more pleasant thing.
Photograph receipts.
Fold clothes the 'Marie Kondo' way.
Don't keep stuff you do not need.
Grow your own food, or at least grow the fruit 'n' veg you like which is expensive in the shops.
Do not feel obliged to keep gifts you do not like or want.

Here's a tip, eat or throw away the stuff which is keeping your freezer full and replace it with stuff you'll use.

@Queenofthedrivensnow
https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod10701110001331002435497?brand=Home-Collection-Basics&cat1=Home&cat2=Kitchen-%26-cookware&cat3=Pots-%26-pans&CMP=SSHH77695057061332476140052804518949&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-eWRmp3j3AIVDpPtCh2NnQMeEAQYCCABEgIhTDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks @mirrim and Fish it's really reasonable too!

@FaithEverPresent - I’m on a phone and tried to search for the tip by @70isaLimitNotaTarget about dishwashers but couldn’t find it. Could you please share again?

@DomesticAnarchist - I searched for the cozi app and it said ‘not available in the uk’ :-(

70isaLimitNotaTarget

Dishwasher baskets for cutlery- I have two.
One in the dishwasher , the other one being filled for the next cycle..
Saves random cutlery in the sink .

It definitely helps.

Clever :-)

I assume you can buy just a cutlery basket?

@ThreeHousesNoHouse whaaaat? I just looked in the App Store and it's not there. But I've got it. How weird.

I think you can still use it online though.