Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

littlemissmartypants

(25,116 posts)
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:15 AM Dec 2021

21 Products Anyone Who Lives Alone Will Probably Want To Buy ...

(Some of these may be corny but some people might find them helpful, too.)

Snip..

1. A foldable step stool that'll come in handy when you finally decide to use that pasta sauce at the very top of the cabinet shelf. It'll also slide between or behind furniture to make for easy storing.

Snip...

2. A rock with a hidden compartment for when you accidentally lock yourself out of the house.

Snip

3. A jar-opening gadget to help you crack open that jar of pickles with little to no effort. You can affix it under your cabinets, so it's perfect for small kitchens where storage space is limited.

(I know a trick for opening jars that doesn't require a gadget. Let me know if you want to know it. )

Snip...

4. A 39-piece toolbox for when you get a sudden urge to remix your bedroom after watching five hours of HGTV. Tools? Check ✅.



Snip...

5. A 500-piece puzzle so you can enjoy hours of solo entertainment.


More...

https://www.buzzfeed.com/bykitstone/products-anyone-who-lives-alone-will-want

❤ pants

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
21 Products Anyone Who Lives Alone Will Probably Want To Buy ... (Original Post) littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 OP
I'm not a loner since I live with my sister brer cat Dec 2021 #1
I'll bet NJCher Dec 2021 #3
The main thing is to warm the lid rather than the glass, so the metal expands and grips less tightly Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #5
I bang the side of the lid on my counter. It causes a small dent on the lid and opens easily mucifer Dec 2021 #7
LOL BumRushDaShow Dec 2021 #9
Large vise grips or pipe wrenches can work. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 2021 #11
A good list of things to have around the house Sherman A1 Dec 2021 #2
I have #3 because my hands don't work right. Lady Freedom Returns Dec 2021 #4
I already have all but one of those... Archae Dec 2021 #6
Thanks for posting BumRushDaShow Dec 2021 #8
Grabbers are now indispensable NJCher Dec 2021 #10
Exactly! BumRushDaShow Dec 2021 #12
"a good grabber -" I remember an item similar to those being used in old grocery stores in mitch96 Dec 2021 #14
LOL BumRushDaShow Dec 2021 #16
Ahhh the old Samurai Champagne trick!! Love it!! mitch96 Dec 2021 #17
I suppose that mainly works with a cork that had a nice wide part at the top BumRushDaShow Dec 2021 #18
Seems more like free advertising for Amazon. Only one out of sinkingfeeling Dec 2021 #13
Good suggestions, thanks. lark Dec 2021 #15
Swing A Way Extra Easy Stainless Steel Can Opener in Black Handle Goonch Dec 2021 #19
WHAT? No back scratcher??? Totally Tunsie Dec 2021 #20
Excellent point. ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #21

brer cat

(26,115 posts)
1. I'm not a loner since I live with my sister
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 04:04 AM
Dec 2021

but we have many of the issues addressed here. There were some good sounding products we can use. Thanks for posting, pants.

Please share your tip for opening jars. We both have weak hands and that is a dreaded chore!

NJCher

(37,682 posts)
3. I'll bet
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 04:58 AM
Dec 2021

It’s heating some water and soaking the jar in it. I soak my jars upside down to avoid heating more than an inch or two of water.

Bernardo de La Paz

(50,824 posts)
5. The main thing is to warm the lid rather than the glass, so the metal expands and grips less tightly
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 06:12 AM
Dec 2021

Metal does absorb heat faster than glass, but concentrating the application of heat/warmth more directly to the metal than the glass is more effective.

You can cool the jar in the fridge first. Then the differential in temperature gets bigger faster when the heat is applied.


If you have concerns about saving even small amounts of energy by conserving hot water, you can do things like pour the tea kettle excess water over the jar lid rather than down the sink.

Or use the water that is hot from washing up or washing face in the morning or getting ready for a shower.

Or put it upside down for a few seconds on a hot element or a few seconds longer on a warm element, as it is warming up or cooling down before or after cooking.



BumRushDaShow

(141,356 posts)
9. LOL
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 07:05 AM
Dec 2021

that is what I have almost always done. It breaks the vacuum. Sometimes I'll do the hot water on the lid thing (especially if whatever is in the jar is syrupy like molasses, or has a high sugar content like vanilla, particularly after it had been opened previously and sealed itself shut again). But tapping the jar with its lid on the edge of a counter will generally do it. I do have one of these in case none of the options work -



It is configured as adjustable to do the larger diameter lids down to many of the smaller ones.

For some of the smallest ones (mostly bottles with small lids like flavorings), my go-to is a nutcracker!

Archae

(46,757 posts)
6. I already have all but one of those...
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 06:16 AM
Dec 2021

The fake rock for an extra key.

And I don't live alone.
I have 2 cats.

But if I lost a house key, my landlord has his shop right next door.
(He repairs and sells lawn mowers and snow blowers.)

BumRushDaShow

(141,356 posts)
8. Thanks for posting
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 06:47 AM
Dec 2021


I have several (1-, 2-, and 3-step styles of step stools).

I think what should be added to the list is a good grabber -



Some of the cheap ones are wonky but the RMS ones are decent and come in multiple sizes (plus they have a 2-pack of a short one and a longer one that I got). I have grabbers all around the house now.

And in addition to the toolkit, they should have gone further with recommending a cordless reversible drill that can be used with either drill bits or screw bits. Just the screw driver function alone (with a slow speed that can go forward or reverse) can save the wrist! E.g., something like this -



(of course I know sites like that have affiliate programs so they will suggest things that they will get a kickback on for the advertising/links)

NJCher

(37,682 posts)
10. Grabbers are now indispensable
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 07:50 AM
Dec 2021

At my house. Someone gave me one when I had an injury. In no time at all I could see they were helpful, injury or no injury, and I bought one for just about every room in the house. Getting items from high up spaces, picking up things off the floor… there is no limit to their usefulness.

BumRushDaShow

(141,356 posts)
12. Exactly!
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 08:01 AM
Dec 2021

I have amassed quite a collection now - a couple in the living room, one in the kitchen, and one in each of my bedrooms. For things that might roll under the sofa or an easy chair, they are a godsend. Mouse in a mouse trap? Grabber! Something rolls under one of the car's front seats? Grabber!

mitch96

(14,607 posts)
14. "a good grabber -" I remember an item similar to those being used in old grocery stores in
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 10:14 AM
Dec 2021

Vermont...About 5' long, built of hard wood and nice metal work on the levers.

As for the tight jar lid I just use a 15th century samurai sword to dispatch the lid in one swelled f00p... or use the old tap the rim method...works for me!
m

BumRushDaShow

(141,356 posts)
16. LOL
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 10:29 AM
Dec 2021

What is nice to have on the "claw" is grippy material. Some of the wonky models are just some light metal that have suction cup thingys on the ends that fall off.

And you won't need the if you had a bottle with a cork!



mitch96

(14,607 posts)
17. Ahhh the old Samurai Champagne trick!! Love it!!
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 10:36 AM
Dec 2021

I've seen it done with a Calvary saber in an old Errol Flynn/Douglas Fairbanks flick. Neat stuff
m

BumRushDaShow

(141,356 posts)
18. I suppose that mainly works with a cork that had a nice wide part at the top
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 10:38 AM
Dec 2021

otherwise the narrow ones....? Forgeddabouddit (unless you just crack the top of the bottle off ).

sinkingfeeling

(52,962 posts)
13. Seems more like free advertising for Amazon. Only one out of
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 09:56 AM
Dec 2021

21 was sold elsewhere. First 5 are useful. Use reusable grocery bags instead of handles for more plastic bags.

Lived alone (except for pets) since 1988.

lark

(24,089 posts)
15. Good suggestions, thanks.
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 10:17 AM
Dec 2021

Puzzles are great for these germ ridden times, challenge your brain and give you something fun to do by yourself. My husband and I work on them together sometimes but most of the time by ourselves so this can work either way.

The step stool, jar opener and tool box set also are very useful ideas. I will bookmark the article and read it in depth later for more
good suggestions.

Goonch

(3,807 posts)
19. Swing A Way Extra Easy Stainless Steel Can Opener in Black Handle
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 01:05 PM
Dec 2021

EASY TO USE WITH COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The Swing-A-Way Can Opener features an extra-long crank handle for a better grip; helping take the strain and pain from your hands when in use.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Loners»21 Products Anyone Who Li...