It was the Eagles who first sang, “Take it easy, take it easy / Lighten up while you still can …,” but it was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who took “take it easy” to the next level with his boundless inventory of gadgets and gizmos and Prime shipping that’ll get it to your door almost before you press “proceed to checkout.” Say what you want about the world’s largest online retailer but they’ve made “take it easy” a mantra for millions of households all over the world.
I’m no Jeff Bezos (although I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night) but I like to make things easier, too. That’s why I’ve put together a list of practical buys that not only make my life easier but will make yours simpler also. You’ll find everything from a hands-free way to carry your daily coffee to easier ways to tote, juice, and clean to shopping, charging, and, ahem, odor-eliminating helpers. Ready to take it easy? Just a few clicks below.
Ice, Ice, Baby
The freezer is the repository for things you’re really not ready to throw out but need a place to land. These extra-large freezer trays aren’t really for ice; instead, they’re meant to portion leftovers so they’re grab-and-go later. Each compartment has fill lines up to one cup’s worth and matching lids to protect whatever you’re storing until you use it (or throw it away).
A Whole New Cup Holder
First-world problems: You just got a drink from Starbucks but don’t have enough hands to carry everything. Problem solved: This three-pack of coffee sleeves with straps lets you sling your drink over your shoulder while you wrangle your purse, backpack or laptop. These work for beverages in the 12- to 24-ounce range and are reusable for an infinite number of coffee shop runs.
Let’s Make A List
Humans are visual creatures, which makes a visual grocery list better for a lot of us. This pad of 50 tear-off sheets works by simply circling the items you need, with enough lists for nearly a full year. This would be a great solution for getting kids involved in household chores, too. A lined section on the right is perfect for adding items not represented on the list.
Get A Grip
Drawer liners are one of those things I never think of until it’s too late (read: the drawers are already full of junk). This roll of drawer and shelf liner material is non-adhesive but stays firmly in place, keeping everything above it where it belongs with no bunching or sliding. Choose from more than two dozen colors and multiple size options.
The Most Fashionable Boo-Boos
I’m old enough to remember a time when bandages were just one color and might come in a few sizes. Now, bandages are fun, a la this value pack from Welly. Made with bright colors that’ll appeal to children (and children at heart), this 100-count pack can handle a plethora of minor scrapes and cuts. This box has 14 patterns in three sizes.
Carted Off
Are you still carrying your stuff around like some kind of peasant? It’s time to upgrade and let a tool like this utlity cart do the heavy lifting. Equipped with dual wheels, these carts are super strong, holding up to 80 pounds, and collapse to a small size for out-of-the-way storage. There are medium and large sizes to choose from.
Stew In Your Own Juice
Juicing is all the rage (and has been for some time). This compact juicer takes up less space than typical juicers but delivers the same nutrient- and vitamin-dense juice from your favorite fruits and vegetables. A tall feed chute accommodates larger cuts of food and the high-torque motor makes quick work of them. My only question is, can you juice a doughnut?
Don’t Bug Me
Bugs aren’t usually that bad this time of year in most places but there’s no reason to wait until they become a pest again since you can grab this indoor insect trap for less than $25 right now. This non-zapping trap catches insects with suction, light and sticky glue so you can stop all that swatting around your fruit bowl once and for all.
As Cold As Ice
Big cubes, small cubes — there’s literally no end to the type of ice cubes you can come up with these days. These mini ice cub trays give you something akin to “that good ice” right from your existing freezer. Made from flexible silicone, these are also great for making hard candy, pet treats and even baby food. Each tray in this two-pack makes 160 cubes.
Get Into A Scrape
These look like ink pens and will save your fingernails. No-scratch plastic scraper tools are genius for a number of things like cleaning in tight grooves, removing adhesive stickers and labels and getting into the tracks of windows and sliding doors. Thankfully, these come in a pack of three so you can stash one in your car, with your cleaning supplies and in your junk drawer.
C’mon, Baby, Light My Fire
It’s 2023, which means it’s time to ditch the checkout line lighters and grab one of these grown-up rechargeable electric lighters. The extended wand makes this ideal for candles, BBQs, fireworks and more, and the entire thing resists moisture. When it’s time to charge it again, it’ll only take an hour and lasts for days. Choose from black or silver options.
Pick-Up Tricks
Does everything in your house seem just out of reach? This telescoping magnetic pick-up tool easily finds and grabs lost items in hard-to-reach places both in your home and in your car. This set has other great benefits, too, like a super-bright flashlight, round and square inspection mirrors and anti-slip coating with an ergonomic design that’s comfortable in the palm of your hand.
Shine A Bright Light
If you have dark corners in your house or simply want an easier way to do crafts or read when the lights are dim, this LED neck reading light is for you. I’ve used one of these before for crocheting after dark when the only light from a lamp isn’t quite enough. These have three colors and three brightness settings and are rechargeable.
Trolley Time
If one of your goals in the new year is to make more eco-friendly decisions, you can start with these reusable grocery cart bags. These fit right in the cart in the grocery store and have dedicated slots for eggs, wine and frozen foods (the trinity of groceries, obviously). The trolley bags work in regular-sized shopping carts but aren’t meant for carts at places like Costco and Sam’s Club.
Romancing The Stone
I know plenty of people who struggle with getting a really clean toilet bowl. Whether it’s limescale or hard water stains, it can be a chore. This pumice stone toilet bowl cleaner is a new tool for combating stubborn stains quickly and easily, and — bonus — it’s completely eco-friendly. The plastic handle means you can keep your hand mostly out of the bowl.
All Charged Up
I can’t be the only person who has more things that need to be charged than places to plug them in. This charging station is a quick fix that’ll accommodate up to six devices — from smartphones to tablets — in a small, compact design. It even comes with six cords that are iOS compatible and dividers that can be adjusted.
Trust The Eliminati
When Pou-pourri just won’t do, you need Angry Orange’s odor-eliminating spray that comes with an aggressive name — “Eliminati.” Eliminati has a citrus orange spice fragrance and works both as an odor eliminator and air freshener so you can use it on stains, fabric, shoes, pet “presents” and more. Reviewers call the spray “strong” and say, “If you want those smells gone, buy this.”
A Good Egg
My dad is the greatest egg cook of all time. He has mastered every type of egg including poached. Clearly, the egg-cooking gene wasn’t hereditary because I rely on these microwaveable poached egg cups instead. Available in a set of four, these silicone molds deliver perfectly poached eggs in minutes — just like dad used to make. These are also great as jelly molds or baking small treats.
A Slip Of The Tongue
I was older than I care to admit when I realize that you’re supposed to clean your tongue while you’re brushing your teeth. These two-in-one tongue cleaners have a brush on one side and a scraper on the other for ultimate convenience. The non-slip, ergonomic shape of the handle makes it easy to hold while the flat shape minimizes gag reflex and discomfort. A pack of four means there’s enough for the whole family.
A Sign Of The Times
Put those “Did I run the dishwasher?” inquiries to rest with this magnetic clean/dirty sign that affixes right to the front of the cleaning device. One side says “Clean,” which means someone needs to empty it, and the other says “Dirty,” which means someone needs to run it. And, who am I kidding when I type “someone?” We both know it’s going to be you. This sign will just help you remember.
Basket Case
Why is it that you always need the jar or can all the way in the back of the cabinet? This pull-out sliding cabinet basket is great for deep cabinets and those hard-to-reach items. It even has a divider to keep things separated. One reviewer said, “Helps to organize my cabinet and utilize the dead space in the back! My makeup has never been so organized!”
No Filter
This water faucet filtration system is going to save you a ton of money in the new year because it means you can stop buying bottled water. For less than $30, attach this to your standard faucet and enjoy better-tasting water with less lead, chlorine, asbestos, particulates, Benzene and more. Simply replace the filter every 100 gallons (or four months) by checking the built-in filter indicator.