I received so many notes from GON Readers who loved my January 10 newsletter issue featuring a bunch of life
hacks...and these same readers shared some of their own. Here are seven of them...more will be shared in a future issue: Reader Letter #1
Great luggage identification idea!
Maria, I loved your life hack about distinguishing black
luggage with a colorful ribbon.
Years ago, our group of friends went on a Mexico Cruise. My friend, the instigator and organizer of the trip, had done cruises in the past and she knew what a problem it was to try to find your bag in a sea of luggage that the crew puts out in a huge hangar for you
to "sift" through upon arrival.
She assigned me, the arts and crafts person, the task of making bright yellow yarn pom-poms for everyone's luggage. I made two for each participant, and it
was very easy to look out over the sea of luggage to find each person's bags.
--Mary G., California
Reader Letter #2
Have a spare, make life easier, and reuse when you can
This is in regards to your life hacks issue:
1. Have a spare when you can. We live in an older home with two sump pumps in the
basement. The first time one sump pump quit working was over a holiday weekend when stores were closed. We bought a replacement and fixed the problem.
Then, I decided to buy a second sump
pump to have on hand. Sometimes things break at inconvenient times when the stores are closed.
2. Make life easier and reuse when you can. Our home is 2 stories, and we have trash bins placed in a few areas. I always have 4 to 5 extra bags inside the bottom of the trash
bin. When I go to replace the bag, there are some already sitting in the bottom.
In addition, I usually have one larger bag that goes out to the garbage once a week. I try to empty the
contents of the smaller bags into the large bag, and reuse the small bags. My supply of trash bags lasts longer and its less plastic in the landfill.
-- Toni B.
Reader Letter #3
Use your keys and you won't leave stuff
behind
Possibly my favorite "life hack" is placing my car keys on the refrigerator when I need to take something from there with me. I cannot tell you how many times this has saved me from leaving without my lunch, or the salad that I was bringing to the potluck!
-- Barbara Grace
Reader Letter #4
Keep cookies soft and freeze leftover coffee
I loved reading your life hacks, especially the one on opening pistachios! I have two life hacks that may be useful.
1. To keep cookies
soft, put a slice of bread in the container. It doesn't change the flavor of the cookies.
2. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays. When I want to cool my coffee down, it doesn't dilute it.
Have a great day!
-- Nancy J., Northern Illinois
Reader Letter #5
Don't travel without doing this
To your comment about little life hacks, we were a part of the December flight/luggage fiasco. I realized it could've gone MUCH worse for us! Our 4 piece luggage (that included 2 golf bags) was delayed by 2 days and we needed to file a claim at the airport.
As I was standing in line to file, I realized I couldn't accurately list what was in my new suitcase! I simply couldn't remember the color, let alone every little thing inside of it!
Next time I travel, I vow to take a pic of what is packed, before I zip it up...and keep the photo in my phone just in case.
I will also add my name and address to a card/paper inside, in case it gets lost again
-- Jennifer S.
Reader Letter #6
Send an email reminder to
yourself and use your phone's cool functions for higher productivity
If I suddenly remember something I need to do later and do not have access to a pen and paper, I use my phone to email a reminder to myself...typing only in the subject line of the email.
I also taught myself how to type/text on my phone utilizing what I think is called the "swipe" function. It is basically typing cursive with your finger, stopping momentarily on each letter in a continuous manner for each word.
It is so much quicker than hitting each individual letter. I actually swiped this email to you.
-- Daneen G., Salinas, CA
Reader Letter #7
Identify your luggage...and your car
1.
Use colored tape on your luggage handle. I've been using colored tape on my luggage handle for decades. Not only does it make it easier to find yours, but it prevents other honest travelers from accidentally grabbing yours.
2. Locate your car quickly. Here's another simple
one: too many cars look the same, and my car easily gets lost in a parking lot. It's got one of those stubby 5" rubber duckie antennas on the back. I put a couple wraps of brightly colored duct tape on it to make it stand out in a parking lot. And always remember to unscrew and remove them before running the car through an automatic car wash.
-- Bob
