I try to keep my makeup routine as low-maintenance as possible and this lay-flat drawstring toiletry bag was the missing piece. The bag opens and expands to lay flat so I can see and find exactly what I want without rummaging or dumping everything out. I’m usually rushed when I decide to put on makeup and this saves me time and keeps my things from spilling on the floor. — CD
Notarizing documents traditionally requires visiting a notary, but I've been utilizing online notary services for the past few years to avoid this hassle. All that's needed is a laptop with a webcam. There are numerous online notaries available; my recent choice was Notarize.com, which charges $25 to notarize a single document. — MF
I love making resolutions and am never the least bit shameful or embarrassed if I pivot or don’t accomplish them. If you need inspiration for new resolutions, NPR put together their Life Kit expert guides and created a resolution planner for all the aspects of your life that you might want to improve or change this year. I was intrigued by the “Embrace my perfectionism” resolution which let to their What Kind of Perfectionist Are You? quiz. I took it and tied between Classic Perfectionist and Messy Perfectionist, which means I’m highly organized and reliable, but sometimes struggle with follow-through when distracted by new passions — which is true! So I’m embracing it. — CD
To put on a clasp bracelet by yourself, use a bobby pin or unbent paper clip. Hook it through the bracelet's ring, pinch the pin's end between your fingers and palm, and attach the clasp to the ring. Here’s a video that shows how to do it. — MF
America finds it nearly impossible to build big projects now. The Big Dig is a brilliant 9-part podcast that uses the US’s most expensive infrastructure project to explain, blow-by-blow, how it overcame all the forces trying to prevent it from being completed over 30 years. This podcast is classic, dramatic, thrilling – one of the best podcast series I’ve ever heard – and perfect for anyone trying to make something big happen. — KK
About twice a year I will treat myself and buy Sampler Packs from JetPens (as previously mentioned). In 2023, I bought 4 Sampler Packs and my favorite pen to have discovered is the Pentel EnerGel RTX Gel Pen (0.7 mm). I can’t describe it better than the very talented JetPens copywriter does, so here is their very accurate description: Boasting buttery smooth writing, crisp lines, and intensely pigmented color, the Pentel EnerGel is a workhorse pen that even the choosiest pen enthusiasts enjoy. You can buy single pens from JetPens for $2.90 each, but the larger packs are cheaper on Amazon right now. — CD
The Hatch Rest Go, a tangerine-sized portable sound machine, offers high-quality white noise and soothing sounds for better sleep. It's USB-C rechargeable and provides a richer sound than smartphone apps. My nephew and his wife successfully use it for their infant. Impressed, I also purchased one and now use it nightly. — MF
Creative types who create a lot of content online may wonder what becomes of their work after they die. Keeping it going for more than one generation would be a challenge. It is not like books, which can continue without effort. How much would it cost to have your websites and archives guaranteed to remain online and running for 100 years? The folks at WordPress, the software behind half of todays’ websites, will keep your stuff going and hosted for 100 years for $38,000, which works out to $380 per year. As more and more of my work is digital, I am very tempted by their 100-Year Hosting Plan. — KK
When I’m using Instagram, I get served quite a few ads for electronic gadgets and kitchen tools. If I see something I’m interested in buying, I don’t buy it from the advertiser, because they are a dropshipper who marks up the price by a factor of five or more. Instead, I go to AliExpress and search for the product there. That’s where the dropshippers go to find products and the prices are much cheaper. — MF
This post by Julia Evans addresses the misconception that doing good work automatically gets recognized and rewarded, and instead encourages you to maintain a “brag document.” A brag document is your personal record of accomplishments, contributions and learning experiences at work. This can be helpful in promotions and raises when your yearly review rolls around — but more than that it’s a good practice for reflection and discovering possibilities for future development. Here’s the template. — CD
Japan is open to tourists again. Despite its reputation, Japan can be one of the cheaper developed places to travel in. Currently their exchange rate per dollar is the highest it has been in many decades. This 11-minute video by Abroad in Japan will give you all the concrete details on how to travel in Japan with minimal money. It was posted 6 years ago, but the info is still valid. — KK
I liked learning about the 9 types of intelligence based on a theory by Psychologist Howard Gardner. They are: Visual-spatial, Linguistic-verbal, Logical-mathematical, Body-kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, and recently added Existential. Here’s an info-graphic and another chart I found helpful. I know what comes easily to me, but this makes me want to develop the intelligences I struggle with: spatial, logical-mathematical and bodily-kinesthetic. My plan in 2024 is to draw more, build puzzles, and maybe try sculpting. — CD
Every year, Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, posts a photo of the things he carries in his travel bag, along with detailed descriptions. His 2023 photo includes 53 items plus a backpack that holds everything. The thing I want the most from his list is the Rolling Square inCharge XL 6-in-1 Multi Charging Cable. — MF
Morgan Housel compiled a list of ideas “that help explain how the world works.” Here are some examples:
Compassion Fade — People have more compassion for small groups of victims than larger groups because the smaller the group, the easier it is to identify individual victims.
Ringelmann Effect — Members of a group become lazier as the size of their group increases. Based on the assumption that “someone else is probably taking care of that.”
Cobra Effect — Attempting to solve a problem makes that problem worse. Comes from an Indian story about a city infested with snakes offering a bounty for every dead cobra, which caused entrepreneurs to start breeding cobras for slaughter.
—MF
The next time you have a big mess to clean up try “the pile method”. The pile method is when you collect all the stuff that needs to be put away in one giant pile, and then sort those things — like with like — into smaller piles, and put those piles away one by one. At first it felt counterintuitive to make one giant mess, but it really does speed up the process and it’s so satisfying to be efficient and tidy. — CD
This simple trick by Coach Mike Nitro shows you how to use your pants as a life preserver. It could save your life if you fall overboard into deep water with your clothes on. — KK
Camille Hartsell, my colleague and research librarian, put together this helpful guide titled "Tech stuff for Ten-yr-olds". Her detailed write-up includes the specific devices her kid uses, how they are used, apps allowed and settings put in place. It’s both thoughtful and thorough, and a useful resource for any parent seeking strategies for regulating their child's screen time. — CD
I bought these gloves for a relative who lives in New England. The forefinger and thumb have touchscreen-sensitive pads on them, so you can use your phone or tablet without removing the gloves. They look nice and are inexpensive. — MF
The US National Park Service offers various passes to all its parks, including a $80 lifetime pass for seniors over 62, and a $10 lifetime military/veteran pass. They also will issue a FREE pass for any current 4th grader and/or anyone with permanent disabilities. Subtle reminder that national parks are one of America’s best ideas. — KK