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Finding random tools that make our lives easier is one of my husband\u2019s love languages. There are the rechargeable motion sensor lights<\/a> inside our kids\u2019 closets. He attached cord clips<\/a> to our nightstands to keep our chargers tidy. And I\u2019m forever indebted to him for introducing me to this electric pepper grinder<\/a>.<\/p>\n What random items make your<\/em> life easier? Here are seven answers from our CoJ team, and I would love to hear yours\u2026<\/p>\n Joanna<\/a>, founder\/editor<\/strong> \u201cWe have a few places in our apartment<\/a> \u2014 a chair in my bedroom, our guest bed \u2014 where we need small surfaces for setting down a book or glass or phone. I didn\u2019t want to buy pricey side tables, so instead I got a couple small stools<\/a>. They\u2019re small enough to squeeze anywhere, less than $40, and easy on the eyes. My glass of water is happily resting on one as I type this very blurb!\u201d<\/p>\n Joanna<\/a>, founder\/editor<\/strong> \u201cI love listening to audiobooks on long drives (especially now that I drive an hour to Freddie\u2019s house<\/a> pretty regularly) and the Libby App lets you borrow audiobooks from libraries. I especially like listening to comedians\u2019 memoirs \u2014 I enjoyed the ones by Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling, and I\u2019m currently queuing up the new one by Jeffrey Hiller<\/a> (of Somebody Somewhere<\/a> fame).\u201d<\/p>\n Christina Chaey<\/a>, food writer<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m obsessed with this timer<\/a> for cooking. The colorful display allows me to immediately discern how much time is left, even from across the room. And I love that it lets me stay phone-free so my phone doesn\u2019t get covered in crumbs and juices. My absolute favorite use for it, though, is to set a 10-minute timer for when I wash the dishes or clean around the stove, my two least favorite kitchen tasks. It motivates me to get as much done in those 10 minutes as possible, and also reminds me that you can do anything<\/em> for 10 minutes \u2014 even scrubbing a baking dish with stuck-on bits of hardened cheese.\u201d<\/p>\n Maureen<\/a>, marketing director<\/strong> \u201cI had been searching forever for a small, dimmable light for my kids\u2019 rooms and finally found this $12 one<\/a> from Ikea! It\u2019s the ideal size, indestructible (has already been knocked over many times) and has an easy on\/off button. Bonus: My daughter\u2019s favorite color is yellow, so she was stoked.\u201d<\/p>\n Kaitlyn Teer<\/a>, newsletter<\/a> editor<\/strong> \u201cThese reusable bags<\/a> are perfect for taking sandwiches and sliced fruit to the beach or storing leftovers, especially random things, like when a recipe calls for just a half onion. We also filled them with snacks for our recent road trip. They\u2019re super sturdy and clean up easily in the dishwasher. I even gave them to my sisters-in-law as stocking stuffers.\u201d<\/p>\n Jannelle<\/a>, editor<\/strong> \u201cDuring the week, our home is full of beautiful and loving family members who help take care of my children while I work and<\/em> also spoil me by helping out around the house with things like unloading the dishwasher. To help us all communicate more easily, my husband ordered this \u2018Clean\/Dirty\u2019 magnet<\/a>, and it has brought such a small but amazing sense of orderliness to our home.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Beggs<\/a>, food writer<\/strong> \u201cI got this water bottle holder for hikes\/long walks. I love the throwback color palette \u2014 it makes me want to drink Pepsi and watch E.R. Sometimes I don\u2019t use it to carry a water bottle at all, but my sunglasses, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and a few Andes mints. It turns out it\u2019s the perfect size to take to baseball games and concerts,\u00a0where they have strict rules about the size of your bag.\u201d<\/p>\n Now it\u2019s your turn! Please share your helpful finds below\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n P.S. Five more inexpensive things that make life easier<\/a> and the best sneakers for long walks<\/a>. Plus, what are your hyper-specific love languages<\/a>?<\/p>\n (Photo by Kayla Johnson\/Stocksy.)<\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Zara Home stool<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Libby app<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Timer Timer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Dimmable light<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Silicone bags<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Dishwasher sign<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Lifesaver: Water bottle holder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n