I bought a lift-top coffee table from a big box store almost a decade ago. It’s entirely particle board and has seen better days cosmetically, but it’s probably my single favorite piece of furniture. It’s immensely practical for meals, using a laptop, or just bringing your remote/drink/whatever closer to your hand when laying down on the couch. I instinctively try to lift other people’s coffee tables when I visit, and am mildly annoyed when it doesn’t work…

  • wjrii@kbin.social
    7·
    1 year ago

    Several years ago I was in a dollar store and bought a reel of twist-tie wire with a little integrated cutter. It has come in handy so many times, and I’m still only about 2/3 through it.

    Dropped the bread’s twist tie somewhere? I’m not looking around for that piece of garbage. I have new, BETTER garbage.

    Cheap lightweight picture frame came with the type of hardware that benefits from hanging wire? Done.

    Need to tie off a takeout bag that’s now full of trash? I got this.

    Kiddo made a Christmas ornament out of construction paper? No retrieving the ornament box from the attic for me.

    • Astronomik@kbin.socialOP
      3·
      1 year ago

      Tangentially related: I also hate the twist ties or little bits of plastic that they use on bread bags, so instead I use a set of bag sealing clips from Ikea. It was a set of 30 for just a few bucks and they’re such an improvement.

      • Flaky_Fish69@kbin.social
        1·
        1 year ago

        for bread bags and similar, just twist it tightly closed and fold under to keep it from untwisting.
        Twist ties don’t really seal it, they just keep it from untwisting (which is what seals it.)

        • wjrii@kbin.social
          1·
          1 year ago

          I see you’ve met my wife!

          I find that mostly works fine, but is a little precarious in a busy kitchen, and I also like to compress a softer bread just a little bit when I tie it up. Probably placebo, but it feels like I’m helping it stay fresh longer.

          • Flaky_Fish69@kbin.social
            1·
            1 year ago

            I mean how long does a loaf of sliced bread actually last? 20 slices, give or take? two people making lunch sandwiches, that’s five days per loaf. there’s usually enough oil and preservatives to last a couple of weeks. (if you’re wanting to bake your own sandwich bread, I highly recommend adding a some olive oil to the dough. it helps it last longer and helps produce a tighter crumb.)

            I only really had a problem with sliced bread going stale when I lived alone.