I made a 30-second video that shows how to wrap cables so that they stay wrapped, don’t get tangled, and are very easy to unwrap. — MF 

Maker Update is a YouTube show where host Donald Bell presents his favorite maker projects, kits, and tools. Episodes are less than 10 minutes and are well-produced. — MF 

I’m a big fan of YouTube tutorials by folks who make things. One of the best YouTube channels for cool and unusual doable (by an average person) projects is Grant Thompson’s King of Random. He has a well-deserved following of 7.5 million subscribers. His detailed instructions are impeccably researched, his build details are clever yet totally reliable, and his project designs are extremely fun and even “dangerous” in a good way. His videos are blueprints for his projects but also teach me how to do my own. — KK

Daiso has folding bag hooks for $1.50 each which is the cheapest price I’ve ever come across. These are great for when you’re at a bar or restaurant and have no where to hang your bag. I bought a few to keep in different purses so I’m never without one. If you don’t have a Daiso in your city, you can order them in bulk on their website. I also recommend this giant clip that can hold up to 30 pounds which is better for backpacks. — CD 

I keep my makeup, charger, and other loose belongings in zippered pouches because it makes it easier to move from purse to purse without misplacing or leaving something behind. These mesh bags work well, because you can see what’s inside. — CD 

On our last trip my husband and I shared one large suitcase for a week. This 4-piece set of packing cubes by Amazon Basics (I bought two sets) kept it from getting out of hand. Everything stayed organized and folded. I like that they’re soft and not rigid, because they expand as you fill them up and saves space when you don’t. The long, slim cube was perfect for my hair styling tools. — CD 

I’m rough on my reading glasses. I roll on them in bed, snap them in carrying bags, and leave them at airports. So I buy them cheaply and in quantity. I like these retro horn rim readers, which are less than $10 for a six-pack. — MF 

If you happen to live in the Bay Area or in Southern California, I highly recommend getting your next pair of prescription glasses from JINS. At first I was overwhelmed by their huge selection, but lucky for me my best friend was there to help me pick out frames — and that was the most difficult part! Then I just showed them my prescription, checked out and came back in 30 minutes to pick them up. I was out the door with a new pair for just $80 including lenses. Faster than Warby Parker and much cheaper than LensCrafters. — CD 

I just got back from JoCo Cruise 2018, a week-long cruise around Baja Mexico. This was JoCo’s eighth annual cruise. It was started by musician Jonathan Coulton, who has a delightfully nerdy fan base of board-game loving, scifi reading, cosplaying, ukulele strumming folks of all ages. Over 1,600 “SeaMonkeys” took over Holland America’s ms Oosterdam and we had a terrific time playing games and music, and attending panels, workshops, concerts, readings, and performances. I bought a pair of kimono pajamas ($24) for the cruise (one day was pajama day, where everyone was encouraged to wear pajamas all day) and I got a lot of compliments on them. I like them enough that I’m going to start wearing them at home, too. — MF

My husband bought me an UGG robe for Christmas and it is so soft and comfortable that I actually sleep in it from time to time. It’s lined with lightweight fleece, so it’s very warming but not bulky. — CD 

One of my favorite pairs of sandals recently cut my heel open. These foot petals now prevent that from happening. They also keep my shoes in place and make them much more comfortable to wear. — CD 

My friend Cory Doctorow gave me a pair of Native Jefferson Slip-On Sneakers about 4 years ago, and I haven’t worn any other kind of shoe since. They are made from the same rubber as Crocs, but they look better. I don’t wear socks with them. They are very easy to slip on and off at airport security, too. — MF 

These elastic silicone shoelaces look like regular shoelaces and eliminate the tucked-in hidden knot, which is always uncomfortable. It turns my Keds into slip-ons. — CD 

I have replaced all my regular shoelaces with these no-tie elastic laces. Ultra thin bungee cords snap the shoe closed without having to tie or untie. Instant on and off. Easy to slip your foot out, yet snug when needed. Not too dorky even for dress shoes; in fact, they look cool. — KK 

I no longer use leather belts. I only use nylon web belts, sometimes called tactical or military belts, even for dress. They look like a belt but since they don’t have holes, they are infinitely adjustable. And they use hard plastic for the buckle so I don’t have to remove it in airports. There are many styles and colors, all can be trimmed for length. The one I use is this generic model. — KK 

I rarely iron anymore. I just throw a wet hand towel and whatever wrinkled top I want to wear into the dryer. Then I run it on high heat for a little less than 10 minutes, and go about my morning routine. Some people use ice cubes. — CD

All my dress shirts are now “Non-Iron” cotton material. I don’t know how this stuff works, but the ones I clumsily fold into my luggage, will unwrinkle shortly after I put them on. I use Non-Iron Oxford shirts from Land’s End and L.L. Bean, but most clothing brands seem to carry them. Eagle brand Non-Iron shirts are popular on Amazon. — KK 

My wife picked a small cubic zirconia synthetic diamond for her engagement ring. Because it is just one carat it looks like a diamond. Nobody can tell it is synthetic. Really. It cost $24. Real diamonds are a ripoff. — KK

I bought my husband a QALO ring to wear while he’s cycling/working out and he loves how it’s so well-made and comfortable. It’s made out of medical grade silicone and it doesn’t look like a cheap rubber ring. I like how it looks on him so much I want to start wearing one. — CD

I heard Kevin mention a meal delivery service called Sun Basket, so I checked it out and signed up. Once a week our family gets a box filled with fresh, organic, fruits, vegetables, and meats that have been washed and portioned (the ingredients are kept cool with recyclable ice packs). The box also includes a very nice, full-color recipe booklet for the ingredients. (We are on the Paleo plan — there are multiple styles to choose from). Next week we make Thai turkey salad with cabbage, basil, and mint; Italian sausage with spring vegetables; and Burmese salmon salad with lemongrass and bell pepper. Our at-home meals are now exciting and fun to make. We get three meals a week for our family of four for about $150. Use this link and we will both get $40 off of our order. — MF