The next big step after installing solar panels on your roof is to install big batteries in your garage. That way you can manage your power better and have plenty on hand during power outages. The slickest off-the-shelf solution is a Tesla Powerwall. The non-Tesla alternative we went with is about the same price ($12,000 per 13 kwh) and capacity, but with a slightly longer warranty. We installed two Franklin lithium iron phosphate batteries, the standard composition for homes. Instead of feeding our electrons back into the grid at a low price, we get to use all the energy we produce during evenings and nights, and for charging our electric car. And during storms, we keep the lights and refrigerators on. Franklin is a complicated system installed by pros. For the true do-it-yourselfer who wants the cheapest possible home battery system, go to BigBattery.com to get your gear. — KK

I have an old ugly couch in the basement that I've covered with a throw blanket. To prevent it from shifting or being pulled off, I used Velcro Brand Heavy-Duty Fasteners. It’s not a permanent fix, but it spares me from unnecessary fussing with it. — CD 

Amazon Basics 16-Inch 12-Speed Pedestal Floor Fan uses a DC motor to move lots of air with less power consumption than a comparable AC fan. It's impressively quiet, even at high speeds. The included remote means no more getting up to adjust settings (though I could do without the loud beep it makes when I press a button). While it's not a brand name, at under $70 it's a steal for the features. — MF 

The only active ingredient in this bottle of Mighty Mint spider repellent spray is peppermint oil. I spray it around the windows on the outside of our house, outdoor furniture, and potted plants, and it keeps them from building webs. The label says for best results use twice a week, but in my experience, once every couple of weeks seems to be frequent enough. — MF

After moving into my new place, I realized I didn't like where some of the heavier furniture pieces were situated. Instead of struggling to move them myself, I decided to use Lugg (“Uber for movers.”) Within an hour of booking through their app, two friendly and efficient movers arrived. They carefully relocated the pieces upstairs exactly where I wanted. The movers were total pros — quick yet meticulous about protecting my belongings and home. — MF

Diversion safes look like everyday items, ranging from clocks to hairbrushes. They come with hidden compartments that are perfect for stashing money, USB drives, and other small valuables. The variety available on Amazon means there's a style to blend into any room seamlessly. Here’s one built into a soap dispenser. — MF

For wrapping presents, I have found this simple gadget helpful. The Elf Gift Wrap Cutter is a short plastic tube that slides onto a standard roll of wrapping paper. I slide it up and it cuts the paper precisely square. Trivial, but simple, cheap, and forever. It lives with the wrapping paper. — KK

The Viewtainer is a cleverly designed storage container made from clear plastic. It lets you easily see the contents, while the squeeze-to-open top makes accessing the contents convenient. Just apply light pressure to the tube's sides and the slitted rubber top pops open, allowing you to easily insert or remove small items. It's perfect for organizing craft supplies, dog treats, and hardware like screws or nails. I use one to collect sea glass when we go to the beach. — MF

I’m fighting a war against mosquitoes. So far, the best weapon in my arsenal is the Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller. It looks like an insulated beverage bottle. It uses butane cartridges to heat a small paper mat treated with an odorless repellent. It’s advertised to keep mosquitoes away from a 15-foot radius, and I’ve found that to be true. I’ve seen zero mosquitoes since I started using it. The downside is that the butane bottles and pads are expensive — a 300-hour supply is about $100. But it’s worth it, because now I can sit in my backyard without being attacked. — MF

We recently moved and needed to mount a couple of dozen pieces of wall art. I bought a picture hanging kit called the Go Hang It! that simplified and sped up the process. The plastic gadget makes it easy to position a picture precisely where you want it and mark the wall for mounting hardware. — MF

These powerful little Poffattr magnets are useful for attaching notes to the refrigerator, but they are equally good for keeping my car cover from blowing off in the wind. The handles that make them easy to pull off are a superior feature. — MF

The Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit was just what we needed to store kitchen appliances. It’s made from stainless steel, and plated with chrome, and is very sturdy. We just bought another one for our closet. Best of all, it was easy to assemble. — MF

Ridwell is a Seattle-based startup that collects hard-to-dispose-of items for reuse, like clothing, batteries, and multi-layer plastics. If you sign up for a subscription service ($18 a month), every two weeks Ridwell will pick up your filled bags and replace them with empty ones. Right now, they service a handful of major cities (listed here). They haven’t yet it made it to San Jose, California but I signed up for their waitlist and was alerted to a free craft supply pickup. I happily donated yarn, papers and ribbons to support our local teachers. I recommend signing up if you’re interested in bringing this service to your neighborhood. — CD

I had neglected my one-speed bicycle for years, resulting in a badly cracked saddle. Instead of immediately buying a replacement, I opted to give an 8-inch by 11-inch Leather Repair Patch a try since it was only four bucks. Although I suspect it isn't genuine leather, it doesn't matter much because my bike saddle isn't either. After cleaning the cracked saddle with rubbing alcohol, I removed the adhesive backing from the patch and securely applied it to the seat, neatly trimming off any excess with scissors. The outcome is significantly improved—it looks much better now. — MF

I ordered this honeycomb packing paper to wrap fragile dishware. When the roll arrived in the mail I was disappointed. It looks like regular kraft paper. But then I read the instructions. When you pull the paper, the cut pattern unfolds and turns it into 3D packing material. Here’s a video that shows how it works. It’s a lot cheaper than plastic bubble wrap and fun to use!  — MF

A really cool and clean way to hang pictures, mirrors, hooks, frames, devices, almost anything, onto a wall without damaging the wall (no holes, or torn paint) is with 3M Command Hanging Strips. It’s hard to explain how they work, but I’ve been using them for a decade and they really do work miraculously. The strips will adhere securely to the wall forever (even with weight), but when it comes time to move or remove them, they instantly let go with zero wall damage. They come in all sizes for different weights you are hanging. Super ideal for renters. — KK

I had no idea how useful this small and extendable LED flashlight by Vibelite would be when I bought it. We keep it out on a side table in the living room, which is a perfect place for it because we often need to fix something behind our TV or Wifi setup and I’m always searching underneath our recliner to find my dog’s runaway toys. I'm going to buy one more to keep in my basement. — CD

If you have high-speed internet service and want a cheap landline, try Voiply. We’re paying $9 a month for service. They’ll send you an adapter in the mail. It connects to your cable modem’s ethernet port. You connect your phone line to the adapter. It required no other setup or configuration. — MF

I have some legacy devices (like hefty flashlights) that use the old large D and C size batteries. I am done buying batteries. But I wondered if I could get one last round in rechargeable big batteries? Yes, indeed! They make rechargeable Ds and Cs! But you’ll also need a versatile charger. While I was at it, I also upgraded my Maglite flashlights to 10 times brighter LED bulbs. Brilliant! — KK

The price of natural gas has skyrocketed in California. Los Angeles has been experiencing relative bone-chilling temperatures at night. To combat this we are keeping our thermostat down, but our feet are warm, thanks to this electric heated foot warmer. You simply stick your feet into the plush sack and select one of three temperature settings. It has an automatic shut-off feature after 2 hours. — MF