Everyday, multiple times a day, I use my handy snap-blade utility box-cutter knife. It costs 2 dollars. It’s made of day-glo orange plastic. I use it like a pocket knife for opening and liberating all kinds of things, but it weighs almost nothing (no pocket wear), is easy to re-sharpen (snap off the end), instant to engage, and quick to put back. They are so cheap and featherweight I keep one in all my pants, coats, and bags. If I lose it I don’t care. I really miss having them when I travel by air (although I know from unintentional experience they are usually undetectable by the machines.) — KK

I have a large self-healing mat on my workbench, and I have smaller cutting mats I lay on a table if I am working. The non-skid surface keeps parts and pieces stationary, while the cushion prevents dings in the table top beneath. And of course, the self-healing mat is ideal for cutting fabrics, paper, etc. with razors and blades. It also protects from spills better than cardboard. It is easy to clean up: just tilt and wipe. It’s become my default surface for any work. Get the largest size you can. At the minimum, an 18 x 24 inch mat covers well and yet is portable and easy to store. — KK 

If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can buy a plastic dispenser bottle of 24 Goo Gone wipes for $9. It has a pleasant citrus smell and works like a charm to remove chewing gum jar labels, tree sap, sticker adhesive and more from most any surface. — MF 

Our friend Gareth Branwyn has a new book out, called Tips and Tales from the Workshop. It’s loaded with very useful tips, not only for makers, but for everyone, really. The majority of the tips are new to me (like using hot glue as an electronics insulator). I know what I’m giving friends for Christmas this year. – MF 

I derive great enjoyment and instruction from watching YouTube videos of Jimmy DiResta making stuff. All kinds of things from knives, to tables, to weird art. He is a master general-purpose craftsman, and with few words, he lets his actions speak. When he gives tips, he is awesome. For a great example, witness his Hot Glue Tips. – KK 

I like this guy’s YouTube channel, the $50 Workshop. He’s bootstrapping a woodworking workshop starting with $50 worth of store-bought tools, and then using them to build his own table saw, drill press, etc. He makes things from scrap wood with his current tools to buy parts to make better tools. It’s encouraged me to make my own tools. — KK 

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