Tips that really make your life easier

Primrose

I use a revolving computer diary (Lotus Organiser) which automatically flags up birthdays, anniversaries, insurance policy renewal dates, MOT & car service dates due, etc. I can also enter in an automatic reminder for myself a week beforehand so that I am not caught short. When you're busy, these memory aids are really helpful to ensure that key dates are not overlooked.

Tish_P

Yes, Google Calendar has changed my life. OH and I both keep one and let each other see ours, so if we're invited somewhere I can see immediately if either of us is busy and respond straight away.
It also gives me 3 day reminders for people's birthdays - for kids, including the birth year so I can buy an "I am 5!" card without the creeping fear that the kid's actually 6 this year - and 10 minute reminders for work appointments so I can grab the appropriate papers and race out of the office!

The downside is I am now completely incapable of remembering an appointment without electronic help...

Primrose

At the beginning of each year I also buy a stack of decorative blank cards which are suitable for birthdays, Thank You, Get Well, New Home or whatever. It saves me being caught by surprise when somebody comes up with an event I hadn't bargained for.

Tish_P

Oh yes, a card stash is an essential. I have two - one at work and one at home. There's also a book of stamps and some multipurpose wrapping paper - gold or silver paper is good for everything (except silver or gold wedding anniversaries respectively)!

SuzieSue

I still prefer an old fashioned calendar hanging on the wall, but I just started using a 17 month calendar (starting in August) rather than a 12/13 month one and it makes life so much easier.

thehappybutterfly

To speed up egg peeling (don't try and tell me you don't peel your eggs!) - crack the shells after boiling and leave them in cold water for 10 minutes. The cold water gets between the egg and the shell making it a doddle to peel.

Dicing a pineapple? Cut the top and bottom off, cut into quarters lengthways, cut the core off each quarter, slice down to the skin lengthways, then cut several slices across the way, then slide your knife between the flesh and the skin. Voila! Pinepple chunks and no footering about digging out 'eyes'.

Doesn't work for slices but for that I buy the tinned stuff!

Marauder999

Changing a duvet cover:
Turn the duvet cover inside out.
Put your hands inside the duvet cover and grab hold of the 2 bottom corners and then grab hold of two of the corners of the duvet.
Shake the duvet and duvet cover a bit until the duvet cover is over the duvet cover - Sometimes you need to pull the cover over if it gets stuck.

SuzieSue

Marauder999 wrote: »

Changing a duvet cover:
Turn the duvet cover inside out.
Put your hands inside the duvet cover and grab hold of the 2 bottom corners and then grab hold of two of the corners of the duvet.
Shake the duvet and duvet cover a bit until the duvet cover is over the duvet cover - Sometimes you need to pull the cover over if it gets stuck.

If it's a large duvet then use clothes pegs to hold the corners of the cover to the corner of the duvet (as other people have said below).

System

Frozen veg. I live alone so its handy to just grab it as and when i need it.

Always put your keys in the same place. I was forever losing mine until my flatmate told me his secret to not losing them was put them in the same place. Which i do religiously now (coat pocket), haven't lost them since and after a few weeks it just became habit.

Tupperware_Queen

Tish_P wrote: »

My friend bought me a keyring with a waterproof capsule on it that holds a tightly rolled and folded £20 note. So you always have emergency taxi money. For a small present it's been astoundingly useful - and given me a good idea for a stocking filler for almost anyone.

I have a tenner folded up and slipped inside the cover of my phone - I NEVER go out without my phone, so always have some cash - obviously if I lose the phone its no good, but it has come in useful a few times. If the cover is a bit see through, just fold it inside a slip of paper. Much more moneysaving than those capsule things!! (though they do look good!)