My sister gifted me the Battery Daddy (battery storage system) which I totally dissed until I started using it! Now I feel the love and highly recommend. You just don’t know how great it is until you start using it.
What are your favorite new finds you didn’t know you needed until you started using them?
Coffee grinder. I hate gadgets and I hate stuff on my countertops and I hate being part of “coffee culture” even though I drink a lot of coffee… but wow, if you hate spending money at an actual coffee shop but love coffee…. grinding your own beans is pretty transformative!!!
The other “new thing” is the digital front door lock. I told my H I was going to hate it but I love it so much. Want to take a quick walk around the block? Push a button and go. Want to go say hi to a neighbor but don’t want to look for keys, bag, a jacket with a pocket…. no. Just push and go. It’s so silly but it’s really convenient!
I need suggestions for both! Please tell what you decided on.
I’ve been thinking about digital front lock for a long time now.
Bought a cheap electric grinder from Costco which is fantastic (glad I didn’t spring for the fancy version at Williams Sonoma or Amazon- the cheap one works great). I’ll look up the door lock. Took my husband ten minutes to install and has saved me hours of “where are my keys?”
Jury still out, but I tried chia seeds today in hopes of trying them regularly. I hope they make a difference in a number of ways.
Heated seats in a car
A self emptying robot vac that also cleans the brush roll. Before that I spent as much time maintaining the vacuum after each session as I would have pulling out the big vacuum.
A cordless vacuum, a Shark in my case. Hardwoods and area rugs don’t need that huge, cumbersome Dyson. I can Swiffer and then do a quick vacuum and all is well. With just H and I, we’re not bringing in all the dirt and crumbs that the kids did.
I remember thinking these are the dumbest things to pay for, heated seats in Georgia - well, then I got my new Yukon in 2004 and it had heated seats…..haven’t had a car without them sense. Even when it’s warm out and you have a sore back, it’s great!
Also, Apple Car Play (or similar).
An electric kettle. We have a gas range so when you put a kettle or pot on to heat water you can feel all the heat that is going around it instead of into it. The kettle puts all the heat into the water and is impressively fast! I use it at least twice a day, heating water in the morning to make coffee or tea and then in the evening to bring water to a boil for pasta or steaming veggies.
A cooling comforter that actually works. I’ve been through every type of bed cover that said “cooling” or “temperature regulating” but none of them actually STAYED cool. Award-Winning Evercool® Cooling Comforter | Rest®
A matcha making kit with bowl, whisk and sifter. I still love a matcha latte out but how I can make my own.
Air fryer. The kids said “mom you ha e to get one you’ll love it!” - nope, I have a toaster oven.
Toaster oven died right around Prime Day. I bought an inexpensive air fryer to try. Haven’t looked back since.
Trader Joe Rose Water Facial Toner. I’m a very light makeup user. Very few skin products. My girls recommended a quick spritz of this toner after I apply just a tad of makeup. It’s the most pleasant spritz and is the last step before exiting the bathroom and starting my day. A refreshing moment!
Audible. They currently have a $0.99/month offer, which I am using. I prefer listening to audiobooks over my usual podcasts, and Audible has the titles that I want to hear. The $0.99 gives 1 book per month that is yours forever + unlimited access to plus books.
Related I discovered Dungeon Crawler Carl, which is usually the highest user rated title among the top 10 best sellers on Audible. I’ve listed to or read the existing 7 books and pre-ordered book 8, which will be released in a few months.
Mug warmer. I used to reheat coffee in the microwave or just toss when it got cold and make a new cup. Not anymore, no tossing, and I finish the whole cup. It was a game changer. I got one for DH this Christmas and he likes it, too. We’ve really reduced our coffee waste.
Milk foamer. Actually, I found this on an upper pantry shelf. DH got it with a Nespresso machine years ago and doesn’t use it. I wanted to start making cappuccinos at home. Another game changer. I haven’t gone into a coffee shop in a very long time.