Odd/useful household or auto gadgets for the guy who has everything
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (31)
8 years ago
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Reducing household waste?
Comments (40)We have what must be one of the first automatic washing machines made. Obviously it has no energy rating, it's from the late 70's I think, but I have to argue that it is particularly energy wasting. One of these days I will have to turn everything else off and run the machine on our normal cycle, which is just 30 degrees and lasts about 40 minutes to see how much the electric meter advances. I would doubt it consumes a large amount of energy however, and we only ever wash when it's full. I don't have the exact maths, but I'm planning on keeping the old machine, it cleans perfectly and doesn't seem to be consuming that much energy. I also fear that a new machine won't be as reliable or easily repaired, so we may end up getting on the replacement after replacement train that so many people are on these days. Making new things consumes a lot of energy, and so does throwing them away, not to mention the landfill space. When I visit the local dump I see huge piles of broken appliances, and over 90% of it is much newer than the stuff I use daily at home. I honestly can't remember the last time I threw anything big away. The only appliance in here that is much newer than the early 90's is my computer, and even that has been upgraded rather than totally replaced over the years. I'm still typing on my first keyboard from 1993, and using my monitor from 2001 (but it's a 19" CRT, so not low energy). However, throwing things away is a bigger threat to our environment and personal finances than keeping things we've already invested money and resources in....See MoreWhat is your favorite kitchen gadget under $25?
Comments (54)I print out recipes from on line all the time, but any drop of water will make the ink from the inkjet run and make a total mess of the recipe. So then it dawned on me. I have a clear plastic clipboard from staples. I clip the recipe wrong side down on the clipboard. Then I flip it over. I can read the recipe through the clear plastic, the plastic protects the paper and is easy to clean, and the clipper part holds the recipe up at an angle so it's easier to read. I love it when things work out like that!...See MoreExcellent Home Office and Household Paper Management Advice, Link
Comments (10)Interesting thoughts -- we could all improve on paperwork storage in our homes. Two things I think I'm doing well that differ from the above mentioned Script, and someone else might find some ideas in my methods: Taxes. Yes, like Script, I am scrupulous about maintaining records for my taxes. About a dozen years ago I went to the office supply and bought two big boxes of BRIGHT GREEN folders (green like money). I labeled them Taxes 2000 ... Taxes 2001 ... Taxes 2002 ... Taxes 2003 ... and so on. Given my family's typical lifespan, I made enough green folders to take me to age 110 -- probably more than I'll need, but I'm ready! They're all stored in my file cabinet, taking up very little space. Now when I receive anything tax-related -- a charitable receipt, an end-of-the-year bank statement, whatever -- I have a place to file it. In April, I have a place to file a copy of my taxes, and I can go back and see previous tax years. For the rest of my life, this system is in place. Death folder. Ours is a notebook. Two identical notebooks, actually, since we have two children. Our girls are young adults now, but they've never dealt with an estate -- even if they don't open it 'til they're old, it'll be useful to them. It contains a lot of stuff: - A personal letter to the two of them - A list of our wishes about funeral and items we'd like donated to various family members or charities - A list of things they must do immediately; it starts with going to our house and taking possession of the dog, but it also includes small details like canceling our voting registration and destroying any medicines in the house. At every turn this list includes addresses and phone numbers, including the lawyer we suggest for probate, the funeral home our family's always used, and family members who should be contacted. - A copy our will; they know what's in it -- everything split between the two of them - A list of our financial assets -- bank accounts, investments, insurance, deeds/maps of real estate ... when our youngest became a legal adult, we made the two girls co-beneficiaries of every account; note that this was done before either was married, so our two kids -- not future son-in-laws -- will own these items. - A list of the bills we pay each month -- electricity, phone, even the guy who cuts our grass. - Official copies of our birth certificates, our marriage certificates, and the girls' birth certificates -- they might not be needed, but the girls won't have to scramble to find them - A flashdrive with all of the above in digital format plus photographs that might be useful in putting together the funeral Our rule: We keep two years of tax returns in the notebooks ... the reason being that someday an accountant will file our final estate tax return, and he or she will want our last two years of returns -- so every April we pull out the notebook, discard one old return and insert the newest ... so our rule is that every April we look over the notebook and update anything that's changed. For example, last year we changed bank accounts, and someday we hope to add items concerning grandchildren to the book. Our girls know that the notebooks are stored in the safe, and they know where the key to the safe is hidden, and they know it's labeled with a misleading name so that a thief wouldn't look at it twice. Last thought on this notebook: Though this project took us the better part of a year --- we kept remembering one more thing, one more thing that really should be included -- we didn't find it difficult emotionally. I suspect that if we were older and/or one of us were in poor health, it might've been different....See MoreMADE in America household goods?
Comments (53)As an environmental studies major (along with art history and studio art) dd just secured an internship to help source American made and free trade products. Here is a snippet from her proposal: "As an independent small business owner, my mother is rightly concerned with the longevity of her business and price point is a huge aspect of that. She fears that from a financial standpoint, she is incapable of selling more sustainable goods: they won't turn a high enough profit... ....Through this internship, I hope to gain a better understanding of the impacts that Americans have as consumers on the rest of the world both socially and environmentally. Through this understanding, I hope to develop an efficient and effective model for locating, securing, and marketing products that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible by formulating a list of criteria that will be applicable to any sector of retail." I try to buy American home decor for the store when I can. As those of you in the South know, so many textile and furniture plants have closed in the last decade, it's time consuming and frustrating to buy responsibly. I am looking forward to her findings....See MoreRelated Professionals
Atlanta Furniture & Accessories · Peachtree City Furniture & Accessories · Crofton Furniture & Accessories · Highland Park Furniture & Accessories · Holliston Furniture & Accessories · Indian Creek Furniture & Accessories · Baton Rouge Architects & Building Designers · Aliso Viejo Home Builders · Katy Home Builders · Somersworth Home Builders · Walker Mill Home Builders · Lewisville Professional Organizers · Miami Professional Organizers · San Diego Professional Organizers · Temple Terrace Professional Organizers- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
8 years agoIt's a lot more expensive than most "stocking stuffers" but I've given this to a few younger guys, just for the unique factor. Not sure how practical it is, but it sure is cool comes in stainless, too.
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
8 years agoThis isn't a gadget, but it's a type of book I give to my son every Christmas, he who has everything too. These types of books are extremely informative/entertaining. He's a big reader so I don't even try to pick out a book for him, other than this type of book.
- 8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
I found these really nice lights at Container Store that you can stick in places that are hard to see. I put the one's I got in a cabinet that's dark even when the lights are on. I especially like them because not only are they bright enough but the battery lasts pretty long and is one that's easily replaced.
http://www.containerstore.com/s/drawer-locker-lights/d?productId=10033086&q=Led%20lights
They also have a multitool like the one above called a pocket monkey
- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
J Crew pocket tee's make a good useful gift. My grown sons (and husband) like the slim cuts. They are not skin tight slim but are not a regular boxier pocket tee. All men like a cozy tee for jeans. They have non-slim as well, and long sleeve or short.
Enter code - Presents -for a discount.
For $10 you can get their initials on the pocket.
8 years ago
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
8 years ago- 8 years ago
Related Stories
MOST POPULAR33 Magic Household Cleaning Tips
Houzzers from around the world share their tips for transforming housework into child’s play
Full Story
Common Household Cleansers for Leather Upholstery
Clean and condition your leather sofa, chairs, handbags and more with ingredients already in your cabinets
Full Story
HOME TECHTech to the Rescue: How to Get Stolen Gadgets Back
Catch any crook who dares steal devices from your home with recording and tracking technology that's easy to use
Full Story
EVENTSDon't Throw Away Another Household Item Before Reading This
Repair Cafe events around the world enlist savvy volunteers to fix broken lamps, bicycles, electronics, small appliances, clothing and more
Full Story
HOMES AROUND THE WORLDHousehold Habits and Customs to Borrow From Other Countries
Discover why salt may be the perfect house-warming gift, how to clean rugs in snow and why you should invest in a pair of ‘toilet slippers’
Full Story
KITCHEN APPLIANCESConsidering a New Kitchen Gadget? Read This First
Save money, time and space by learning to separate the helpers from the hassles
Full Story
FUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full Story
KITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: 27 Years in the Making for New Everything
A smarter floor plan and updated finishes help create an efficient and stylish kitchen for a couple with grown children
Full Story
FEEL-GOOD HOME12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers
These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable
Full Story
KITCHEN STORAGEKitchen Storage Hacks to Make Use of Every Space
Cupboards full? Try these kitchen ideas for working more valuable storage into your cooking space
Full StorySponsored
MtnRdRedux