Sometimes, life just comes at us unexpectedly. It’s only when you are without your parents that you suddenly realize that you don’t really know to live a life without them. How were your parents even managing all this? Laundry, cooking, and keeping up in life? This is a fun little list of things that will definitely help you out if you can’t seem to grasp the fleeting ideal of adulting. FYI: there is no information about how to handle taxes, business attire, or paying bills.
1. Pod Detergent
The first time I did laundry on my own, I added so much detergent that the suds didn’t rinse out in one wash cycle and flooded the washer. Even now, I am very particular about how much detergent goes into a load. I wish I knew about pod detergent when I first started doing laundry. Simply toss a pod in the washer. Easy peasy. No mess, no room for error. It’s probably invented just to cut back on the millions of people every year still trying to figure out laundry.
2.Ohuhu Clothes Folder
Let’s be honest, some of us still just wash clothes and live out of our laundry baskets until it’s time to wash again. We know we should fold our clothes and return them to their proper locations, but it’s seems pointless when they’ll be unfolded anyhow. I just came upon this nifty gadget that makes folding clothes a little bit easier and less time consuming. No longer shall you struggle over folding shirts evenly. An article of clothing only needs to be laid down on the clothes folder and in three simple steps, you will have even and neat squares of clothing. font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA”>
3. Fire Extinguisher
I’m not judging. Some of us can’t control our firebending talents just yet. Some of us like lighting things on fire just to see them burn. Some of us want to burn our cringe-worthy papers or creative writings. I get it. This one is for you. Voilà, fire command in a portable can. These cans of fire extinguisher usually run for about $20 or even less than that. Invest in something that can help you hone your fire powers. You can’t always wait for a solar eclipse to decide to make spaghetti.
4. Microwave Pasta Cooker
Along the lines of cooking, there are a lot of things that people who are new to cooking burn: toast, butter, pots, and pasta to name a few. Never burn pasta again with the simple microwave pasta cooker. Simply add water and follow the heating instructions. Then you will have terrific pasta for your dinner you can take pictures of and post on social media without any shame.
5. A Decent Cookbook
Some learn how to cook from their parents. Some teach themselves. Some need a little more guidance. Speaking for the many students at Regent, whom have full kitchens installed, but rarely use them to make anything that requires more than 10 minutes and a microwave. This cookbook has been recommended to me as one with strange, but oddly delicious meals that can be made without paying an arm and a leg. The More-with-Less cookbook is for the fine and frugal, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.
6. Iron
Look, I’m just going to be honest, wrinkled clothes look much messier than regular clothes. Everything looks worse when it’s wrinkled. If you ever want anyone to take you seriously, simply ironing can be a big help. Also folding your clothes straight out of the dryer can help with this problem (please refer to 2).
7. Online Banking
If you don’t have online banking, you’re seriously missing out. Being able to cash checks online and immediately view transactions, budgets, income, and- of course- the amount of money in the bank can help you make better spending choices. Never again worry about over spending on your card. As long as you check your account before a purchase, you can verify you can afford it. Along with this, online banking usually comes with an app that makes it even more convenient for smartphone users to stay up to date with their finances.
8. Calendar or Agenda Book
Woah, life can come fast. One minute it’s New Year’s Day and the next, you’re singing “wake me up when September ends” (yes, it’s Greenday). I’m putting this here for the people who don’t love planning, because those that do probably already have one planner, if not more. I am not the planning type either, but agenda books and calendars can help keep track of assignments, appointments, and To-Dos, making life a lot easier rather than just taking everything as they come. Everything can’t be done last minute. Sorry, fellow procrastinators.
9. Sticky Notes
This goes along with the planning, but needs a category of its own. How many times have you said, “I’ll remember that,” only to forget within the next few minutes? Keeping sticky notes on hand can be an easy way to track tasks, thoughts, or other information that requires notation. Plus, they come in cute designs and colors! Tip: Keep sticky notes at a few centralized places in the home so you can get to them easily whenever a thought dons on you.
10. Solar-Powered Backup Battery
Phones are fickle devices. Some days they’ll be charged the entire day. Other days, it gives up midway. That’s why portable chargers have become ever-more popular. However, solar-powered batteries are changing the game. If you forget to charge your phone, it doesn’t make sense to have a backup battery that you’ll also probably forget to charge. Solar-power offers a great alternative with batteries that are charged while exposed to sunlight and store the energy for dark hours.