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Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make your life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about!
And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks with you in the sixteenth edition of my ongoing series “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”
Missed the last installment, or want to revisit some of your old favorite tips? You’ll find links to every post in the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series at the bottom of this post!
1. Simple Butter Spreader
Don’t you hate it when you end up shredding a piece of toast while trying to spread cold butter on it? This special butter knife makes cold butter struggles a thing of the past!
It has holes along one edge that make perfect butter curls. Butter curls have more surface area than a pat of butter, meaning they’ll warm up in seconds and make spreading much easier!
2. Brilliant Grocery Bagging
A little foresight can go a long way at the grocery store! When you check out (either with a cashier or at a self-checkout stand), scan your items according to where they need to go once you get home.
For instance, anything that will go ini the fridge should be grouped together. The same goes for bathroom items, garage supplies, etc. This method will make putting away groceries quick and easy!
3. Perfect Nail Holder
You don’t have to risk your fingers every time you need to hammer a nail! Instead of holding the nail with your fingers, slide it between the teeth of a comb so that it stays snugly in place.
Then you can hold the comb in place on the wall while you hammer the nail, keeping your fingers safely out of the danger zone!
4. Bed Bumper
Making the switch from a crib to a “big kid bed” can be a big adjustment, and it can take a while for your little one to get the hang of it! Install a simple DIY “bed bumper” to help keep them from tumbling out of bed during the night.
Just cut a foam pool noodle to match the length of the bed, then place it on the mattress along the open edge of the bed. Then just put the fitted sheet back on the mattress to hold “bumper” in place!
5. Straw Holder
If you’re tired of the carbonation in your soda pushing the straw out of the can, here’s a quick tip to fix it! Just rotate the tab around so that the hole is positioned over the opening in the can.
Insert your straw through the hole in the tab, then rotate the tab slightly to one side until it holds the straw snugly in place. Problem solved!
6. Can Opener Fix
Manual can openers can be tricky to clean, but using wax paper makes it easy! Just fold a piece of wax paper a few times, then run the folded paper through your can opener.
More Ideas You'll Love
The waxy paper will help clear away any food bits that may be clinging to it. And as an added bonus, this treatment also leaves behind a waxy layer that will help the can opener work more smoothly!
7. Quicker Blender Cleaning
If you are a fan of breakfast smoothies, then you already know how annoying it can be to have to wash your blender cup every day. So instead of hand-washing it in the sink, let the blender do the work for you!
Add a cup or two of water to the blender cup, along with a couple of drops of dish soap. Secure the lid and pulse the blender a few times to thoroughly wash the inside of your blender cup.
This is not only a huge time-saver, but it also cleans gunk from under the blades better than most people can manage with a sponge!
Love The Tips In This Post?
Then you’re really going to love my new perpetual daily tips calendar — “Why Didn’t I Think of That? 365 Tips & Tricks to Solve Life’s Little Problems. It’s a bit like my blog in miniature because it features “one good thing” every day!
The daily tips in this calendar cover just about every aspect of life at home, from cleaning and laundry to beauty and organization. I’ve poured all my first-hand experience and research into these pages, so you can trust that every tip has received my OGT Seal of Approval!
But you might be wondering, “Why would I buy a calendar in April?” And that’s a great question! One of my favorite things about this calendar is that it’s perpetual. At the end of every year, you can flip the pages back over and start again! So it’s a calendar you can start using any time of year.
OGT readers are loving it so far:
I’ve had this calendar for a few weeks now, and I’ve learned or been reminded of something valuable each day. My rule is not to take sneak peeks ahead! It’s well-constructed on heavy stock, designed beautifully, and sits unobtrusively on my desk next to my computer. What a clever idea—thank you so much for coming up with yet another brilliant idea, Jillee!
Carol O.
I love my new perpetual calendar! Every day, I look forward to turning the page to read a new daily tip. Thanks for providing a new idea each day of the year. I’m looking forward to using it year after year.
KathyMore Ideas You'll Love
I just love this perpetual calendar. It’s so colorful and handy. I look forward to Jillee’s emails every day because she always has such helpful tips for things I never would have thought of. Now I can look at these different tips daily, and the calendar will never expire. Thank you for another great idea!
Kristin
The “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” Series
- For even more simple tips and tricks that will make your life easier, check out the other installments in this series, including ones you may have missed!
- Explore the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series archive.
What’s your favorite life hack tip?
