After a meeting I attended this week, an acquaintance misplaced her office key. From there, it seemed to be a downward spiral of things going wrong.
Complicating the situation was the fact that she lives alone and was trying to troubleshoot solutions on her own.
It got me thinking.
We can’t anticipate every problem life might throw our way. But there are a few useful gadgets I’ve found, used, or heard about that can help prevent situations ranging from minor inconveniences to major headaches.
On the other hand….
I have seen many so-called influencers hawking gadgets that are “life changing!” and are seldom as good as advertised. Just one more thing going into landfill.
But today, I want to share a few things that really do make my mind a little easier for having them.
AirTags
I recently shared here that I purchased a pair of trackers for our sets of keys.
They aren’t a solution to every problem you can encounter with keys, of course. But if we misplace them, at least we have a way to track them using our phones.
It’s a small investment that could save a lot of frustration.
Motion Detector Lights
We seriously have motion-detector lights in almost every conceivable cranny in our home.
And while it’s nice to have my coffee bar well-lit in the pre-dawn morning, the real benefit is the path to the toilet lighted in the middle of the night.
Now that night is falling earlier and lasting longer, it is reminding me how valuable this simple solution is.
Insect Bite Relief
We have been blessed this year with so much fall rain, that the desert looks more like spring – beautiful.
And guess what? The mosquitoes are loving it too! We are swarmed every time we spend a little time outside.
There are so many gadgets that make outlandish promises but end up being a waste of money and storage space.
Not so the Beurer Insect Bite Healer! For hub and me, it can stop the pain, swelling and itching of bites pronto.
We have two and have suggested it to many of our friends who are prone to bites.
Pro Tip: I am not sure how it works exactly, but it burns like crazy for three seconds and then it is over – consider yourself warned.
Under-Counter Jar Opener
I am usually in the kitchen alone and my hands are not strong. Opening any jar can be almost impossible.
The jar opener from Pampered Chef works like a dream and I no longer struggle or look for a stronger hand to help.
Since it is mounted under the cabinet, it is secure and only needs a tiny bit of strength to open any stubborn jar.
Seasonal Books and Magazines
It is no secret that I’m a big lover of the public library. In fact, I use the online library more often than I visit the brick-and-mortar building.
This time of year, when you might want to get cozy with a holiday story and a cup o’ somethin’, it’s easy to download a book to your device and settle in.
But don’t overlook the magazine selection!
Popular magazines featuring holiday recipes, decorating ideas, and seasonal inspiration are available in living color, often through your library’s digital collection, at zero expense.
You can enjoy all that inspiration without purchasing magazines you’ll read once and then have to store or recycle.
Wrap Up
I in no way want to add any more junk to my house. But useful or clever gadgets certainly become more important every day – especially as I am not getting any younger.
I love sharing these ideas with you, but I would love to hear from you too. Do you have life-changing additions to your home or life?
Thank you for sharing the weekend with me. May God bless you and yours.
