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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Please hit me with your hacks and small purchases that have changed your life !

192 replies

beenaroundtheblox · 03/07/2022 13:56

AIBU here 😂. I've been given some birthday money for my 40th and really want to spend it on some house bits that are helpful to my everyday life. I really want to get my life and house into order. Was thinking about a robot vacuum etc. Any other ideas?

OP posts:
Eeksteek · 03/07/2022 19:20

FangsForTheMemory · 03/07/2022 17:32

The three non-standard gadgets that have most enhanced my life are my robot vacuum, dishwasher and steam generator iron.

Now all I need is an oven-cleaning house elf.

I’m pretty impressed with my self cleaning pyrolytic oven. (Uses a lot of power, though).

NotMeekNotObedient · 03/07/2022 19:46

Lakeland Sharpeel Peeler
Microplane grater
A good chefs knife (I like Global)

It's amazing how much more enjoyable and faster cooking is with sharp tools.

dementedma · 03/07/2022 19:52

Memory foam mattress topper
Memory foam cushion for office chair/wfh
Chopped frozen ginger and garlic
Heated clothes airer
Small greenhouse

stayingpositiveifpossible · 03/07/2022 19:56

coodawoodashooda · 03/07/2022 16:04

I'd like a robot vac but I have a very regular sized house. Would it still be worth it?

YES. I have a two bedroomed flat.

JennyForeigner · 03/07/2022 20:00

Thanks @coocoodawoodashooda

badlydrawncat · 03/07/2022 20:06

RoboVac

Multicooker with airfryer function

WiFi light switches
Mokka pot and a milk frothing jug

Aftershokz

Linen bedsheets and duvet cover (actual linen not cotton)

elQuintoConyo · 03/07/2022 20:11

Sewing machine. Saved me loads in clothes, housey stuff (pillow or cushion covers), wrapping paper, bits for camping, tote bags etc. 10+ years still going strong.

StrugglingPianist · 03/07/2022 20:29

A sodastream. If you like fizzy water or tonic/Pepsi/7up it’ll save you a fortune. And save so much plastic waste. I love mine.

And it makes me drink wine as spritzers so I feel like less of a dipso.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 03/07/2022 20:36

No matter how many times I read 'robovac', it still makes me feel like I'm living in a sci-fi novel written for primary age children. (But I still want one.)

For me - separate single beds for me and DH, pushed together. Still feels like sharing a bed, but impossible for him to disturb me.

jewishmum · 03/07/2022 20:39

A handheld immersion blender for easy soups.
A hand held mixer with a bread dough attachment (no hand kneading).
Hooks to go under your cabinets that you can hang your kitchen tools on, to save drawer space.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 03/07/2022 20:59

anybloodyname · 03/07/2022 17:01

@WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps .. how about a cat litter tray ? 🤭🤢

😂🐈😹😹

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 03/07/2022 21:01

saveforthat · 03/07/2022 18:12

Finally sorted my nail varnish storage.

That's so neat. Smile What is that though (that's holding them all?) Where did you get it?

Please hit me with your hacks and small purchases that have changed your life !
viques · 03/07/2022 21:08

GrimDamnFanjo · 03/07/2022 15:53

Heavy duty sellotape dispenser.

I have one that cuts the sellotape into small strips .

another useful thing I have been given is a hand magnifier that has a light array, it’s amazing how much easier it is to read tiny little instructions when magnified with a decent light.

OneFootintheRave · 03/07/2022 21:23

WonderingWanda · 03/07/2022 14:21

A drinks cabinet and suitable glasses for a variety of cocktails. I've given up the thankless task of keeping my house immaculate and started working on things that bring me joy!

😁 I like your style x

wallpoppy · 03/07/2022 21:32

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 03/07/2022 14:16

Smart pugs
Hive
Ring doorbell
In shower speaker
Apple Watch

Where do you get the smart ones? All the ones I know are extra stupid...

Nanananananana99 · 03/07/2022 21:34

AtomicBlondeRose · 03/07/2022 14:50

Small purchases: lots of pegs. Way more than you think you need. I always have loads and still run out on those sunny days when you wash everything in the house.

Bumper packs of: foil, clingfilm, plastic bags, greaseproof paper. Throw all your Tupperware out and buy new ones that all have lids.

12 teaspoons.

12 white flannels.

Do you have to hand - good scissors, plenty of sellotape, envelopes, all-purpose greetings cards, paracetamol/Calpol, plasters, micropore tape, spare toothbrushes, bobbles, a lint brush, decent coat hangers, bags that fit your bins, etc etc?

In short you could spend maybe £100 but sort out every tiny annoyance in the course of a day. I did this once and it was so worth it!

I agree with lots of teaspoons, lots of flannels, lots of pairs of scissors. And those 99 hair band’s balls.

Also, storage box for keeping half an avocado in the fridge.

tappitytaptap · 03/07/2022 21:37

Really tempted by an air fryer. Tell me what you all do with it?

User79865765 · 03/07/2022 21:39

In our house the sellotape dispenser is known as “the marriage saver”. It’s transformed stressful Christmas Eve wrapping sessions.

User79865765 · 03/07/2022 21:43

We have a mosquito net over our bed. It means we can sleep with the French doors open in summer without Dh getting bitten.

he’s also a useful hack as an insect repellent. They all go for him rather than me.

OneFootintheRave · 03/07/2022 21:47

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 03/07/2022 16:59

@AllHailKingLouis

A box of travel johns so you can piss next to sofa and save yourself a trip to the bathroom.

The OP wanted suggestions on things to make everyday life easier, that was my suggestion. Obviously they come into their own in winter when it’s too cold to head to the bathroom, especially if you live in a big cold house like mine. And as I’ve said above, you can use the same bag a few times before it falls apart (and you know when it’s had enough as you start to see urine seeping through). At that point, just Chuck it behind the sofa with the others and dispose of them all when you next leave the room. They don’t smell either if that’s what you’re bothered about.

Hmm, interesting. 🤔 Is there a shit equivalent? Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of Stranger Things or something as compelling, I CBA to get up and go to the bathroom for a shit. Would be handy to be able to squat and shit into a bag and pop it by the side of my armchair, and chuck it away later.

GrinGrin I have actually used those travel johns in camping and festival settings. They are brilliant. Even a lazy slattern like me can make it to the bathroom in at home in winter.

shedwithivy · 03/07/2022 21:53

Eaziglide oven trays
Period pants
Pre-prepped frozen soffrito

mrsjackrussell · 03/07/2022 21:59

Ooh and a label maker. Love mine.

SkankingWombat · 03/07/2022 22:02

Ooo yes, a PP has reminded me of my Kudd.ly. So good, DH now has one too and I have a second so I can survive washing #1 (they do take a couple of days to dry). They are longer and cheaper than an Oodie.

Gilead · 03/07/2022 22:15

Is there a shit equivalent?
I knew there had to be an upside to being fitted with a stoma last year!

BuddhaAtSea · 03/07/2022 22:16

Ok, which robo vac? For a 70 square meter flat? One dog (who doesn’t shed). Do I spend £500 for a decent one? I need all the help I can get.

My tip would be a dishwasher. I actually took out a cabinet (brand new fitted kitchen) to make space for one.

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