Do you have a hint, tip or life hack to share with us?

Sam_Alumni

Have you discovered something simple that’s made a huge difference to your life?

Maybe you’ve modified an Ikea product into something that would have cost the earth from a specialist shop. Or you’ve discovered a really useful app that could help others.

We love the community’s creativity and ingenuity, and your lived experience is so valuable. It’s great when those ideas are shared – so tell us yours!

Richard_Scope

Not an earth-shaking tip. If you have difficulty with your hands as I do sometimes, cracking and cooking eggs can difficult and messy! I discovered if you crack the egg into a glass tumbler first and then pour into the frying pan, hey presto! Perfect fried eggs.

Adam_Alumni

Keep a chair in the bedroom to sit down while you dress and undress. This can help with any balance problems and makes it easier to put on socks and shoes. A chair with a firm seat and arms will be easier to manage than sitting on the side of the bed, and the arms will help you stand up afterwards.

(shared by a community member)

Adam_Alumni

Kitchen tips

If you cannot find or do not have a jar lid rubber opener but you have latex gloves wrap those round and twist instead. In some instances they work better.

Instead of a magnetic lock, use magnetic locks on your cupboards.

(shared by a community member)

Adam_Alumni

When you are planning a trip, try and take away the fear of the unknown by using symbols, books, even photos of every stage of the journey. Prepare as much as possible in advance by showing the photos, symbols every day, take away the unpredictability which is a big part of the fear. (shared by a community member)

Adam_Alumni

When preparing for travel always  phone ahead and ask for assistance. where possible try to allow for delays and unforeseen circumstances.. (shared by a community member)

Adam_Alumni

If you have a child that has difficulty sleeping, consider:

Installing black-out blinds.

Be mindful of bedroom colours -  Blues and greens are great colours for relaxation. Avoid bright colours that are stimulating to look at, such as red, yellow and orange in the bedroom.

Remove all screen from sight  including TV, iPad, mobile phones and any other device.

If sleeping away from home, take a familiar Item such as cuddly toy with you.

(shared by a community member)

Adam_Alumni

All posts from @Adam_Scope are tips originally shared by community members.

Antonia_Alumni

Household tip. Boil the kettle and pour the remainder into a flask. Use that for dishes, or washing hands to save on electricity or gas for doing dishes, or it could save reboiling for another cuppa. (shared by community member)

Antonia_Alumni

Magic whiteboard is great for all sorts of uses around the home - write-on, wipe-off sheets of static plastic. Creates a whiteboard from a roll - anywhere in seconds. I use it for visual timetables.

thespiceman

Hello @Sam_Scope Thanks for this and sharing, caring .

I always find easy ways to help myself.  As I am each day struggle some days good or bad.

Especially tips and tricks kitchen.

My kitchen equipment blender and food processors.  Simple and easy to do for instant sauces.  Especially slicer blades for onions and certain veggies.

Blender great for adding veggies to make a sauce as my recipes most of the time.

Zip bags for every day use or use clip bags. We have all done this buy frozen veg and fruit open a bag spillages every where.  Put in zip bag or clip bag label and use portion produce.

Use these zip bags and clip bags for wipes for the kitchen to store in.  Out of packet get dry so into zip or clip bag.  No dry wipes.

Use wipes on radiators so when they come on get scent of wipe no need for those air fresheners.

Envelopes and those DWP ones we all get keep them for instant jotter use the back.  To do lists or shopping.

Buy tin foil to wrap food like meat and fish to freeze. Plus portion bread always label.

If using bags too fiddly can not get air out. Tin foil easier.  Double wrap.  With my hands .  Have problems with jars. All jars have air inside of them.  Tap the lid releases the air.

Could not do with my stocklist every shop buy only for that fortnight.  All items plus house hold essentials.  All itemised go around before every shop.  Double check like the supermarkets do.

Also when itemised anything all together on the stock list. So like the stores all Italian food items and stores together same with spices all together then you double check at home before ordering.  

Do the same with your cupboards all together easy to remember what you have forgetting.

Use TESCO Saver plan midweek costs not a lot.  

Use on line TESCO . Every time you order food items they go on your favourites. Click on to that every time saves a long time shopping.

Do shopping on line about a hour a time saver.

I have memory issues so need to plan ahead and do forget so reason why do the above tips and tricks.

Also others are PRIME Amazon bargains galore for the household and clothes. A set fee free delivery. Could not do with out that the others are WHICH and consumer advice worth a monthly fee.

Probably more some where.

Hope that helps every one.

@thespiceman

Sam_Alumni

These are great! Keep them coming

Adam_Alumni

If like me you find cutting difficult, buy sliced food where possible such as vegetables, cheese and chicken.

I use slip on shoes to avoid laces and always try to get drinks in a container when I am in public to avoid spillages. 

Kate_Scope

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4230429   my daughter has Cerebral palsy and finds lifting kettles hard. if we are out in the day at work and she is home from college, we fill this so she doesn't have to lift kettles her hand function is good and she can press buttons easily but her strength isn't enough to lift a kettle 

CockneyRebel

Instead of paper kitchen towel roll, we now use Bamboo towel roll which is washable (can be washed around 100 times ), reusable, softer and more absorbant

Twixer

Hi folks, I have trouble getting my socks on (I'm fat) but since I purchased a gadget called soxon (no affiliation)  getting my socks on is a complete breeze, if you can imagine an older type bicycle seat turned upside down with no gubbins inside, just the soft bit but a good bit longer , hold the seat upside down pull the sock onto the narrow section of the seat then place your foot into the wide part, the thing has long cloth straps to pull/push your foot in, easy peasy your sock is on, it's under 7quid on amazon, Google it. . 

happy91

Anyone who needs a bobble - cut the top off of an old sock. Hey presto, bobble. Saved me when not able to get out to the shops for one!

happy91

If you have trouble getting out to the shops, getting an ASDA delivery for food is a great idea. If you ask them they will bring it right to the kitchen for you. Totally affordable too. Amazon Prime is also amazing for ordering things you need ASDA may not have, techno bits or toiletries and you will get it the next day.

happy91

If you're feeling down and would like a pick me up, find Peep Show online and watch an episode to start your day

Kimberley01

Mobility scooter covers (pavement scooter size) can be expensive - around £30. I use a,garden bench cover - 2 actually to really make sure my scooter stays dry. They're waterproof and a fraction of the price.
Difficulty getting in or out of the car? Yup you can buy the turntable disc things OR if you just could use a little help I use a quality polythene carrier bag (10p supermarket ones or 5p fashion store/high st store ones) folded in half on the driver's seat. Makes it slippy enough to twist yourself easily in the seat when getting in or out of the car. And a fraction of the price

thespiceman

Hello @Sam_Scope When cooking meat especially like Chicken. Diced cuts like Beef and Pork.

Put them into a freezer bag or zip bag . Add seasonings like herbs salt, pepper touch of lemon juice any spices, olive oil. or rapeseed.

Seal up and shake, rub, for a few minutes even leave.  To marinate.

In the fridge, then when ready to cook.  Put pan on to heat up has oil in the marinade so no need.

Tip in carefully and already to seal.

No need for oils or spices, seasonings in the bag.

Just turn carefully use wooden utensils .

Got no oven cloths to use and handle pans . Especially knobs and handles have a tea towel handy.  These can get hot.. To use, buy thick ones double up.  Use old ones.  

Use food processors, blenders for sauces. Put into a bowl then ladle in saves wastage.

Use the right pans for the recipes.

I am single so use small pans to portion food. Have a Kurrai which is a Indian Wok.  With a lid, useful to portion food.

Small wok and saucepans. Sauté pans. Small pans can be bought on line.

More to follow.

Take care.

@thespiceman