At The Chive, we came across a list of 16 simple solutions to some everyday dilemmas: a virtual, visual Hints from Heloise. We’ve found some incredibly useful, like using bread bag tags as cord labels (of course, with our obsessive minds, we’d go looking for stylish tag in a color we like: white! – and might trim it to a cooler shape).
David Saltman reports that he’s been using the strategy for getting an elevator to go directly to the floor you want, useful for emergencies (Note: We recommend reading Mary Reynolds thoughtful comment below.)
…and securing a sock or stocking over a vacuum hose when looking for small items is a bit of brilliance we never thought of:
…We’re still testing out using a walnut to cover furniture scratches. So far the success rate is about 50/50, but we’re not sure we’ve gotten the hang of it.
These are actually urawaza, which is a big thing in Japan: improvised tips and tricks for making life better. There’s a wonderful little book of them: Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan
What’s your simple solution?
Thanks David!!
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I love your blog and look forward to the daily digest. The creative and generous spirit of the ideas, art and projects rarely fails to bring a smile or spark some complementary idea.
Because of this, I could not let pass your elevator tip. While this is a “secret” most of us will probably be intrigued to know and can’t resist trying, it embodies a “me first” attitude which seems entirely at odds with the rest of your blog. There may be circumstances when this “express code” makes sense, but more often than not, it is unnecessary. Do you really want to regularly leave co-workers, neighbors and others waiting, wondering why the elevator has passed them by so that you can ride to your floor without stopping? And courtesy aside, one would miss the opportunity a chance encounter brings – news, gossip, a shared chuckle or private observation, even a flirtation. Please rethink this “tip” – it costs more than it saves.
All really good points that we hadn’t stopped to consider. We take your words to heart and keep this technique in our pocket for emergencies, which DO come up on occasion, for when every second truly counts.