Simply follow the example pictured and save yourself thousands of keystrokes in no time. Google is pretty inconsistent with how they label this from one service to another; some say email address, others say username, while all mobile services ask for an email address. This inconsistency has lead myself and others to default to their full address, but regardless of what the prompt asks for, the shortened username trick works for all the services I’ve tried.

This is particularly useful on the iPhone and other mobile devices where inputting characters like the @ or period often require multiple keystrokes.

Sick of googling for that page and then copying and pasting the URL and username every time I wanted to create a new feed, I’ve hacked together some bookmarklets to make things easier. Just think of them as miniature applications for the web that live inside your web browser.

To install them, just drag these links to your bookmarks bar in Firefox or Safari:
YouTubeUserRSS and YouTubeTagRSS

When you want to create a feed, just click on the proper bookmark and enter the username or tag in the resulting box (spaces are acceptable for tags ie: Alanis Morissette). Depending on your feed reader, you may need to copy and paste the resulting URL from the address bar into your reader.

Don’t know what RSS is or how it can make your life easier? Check out the Common Craft Show episode entitled RSS in Plain English.

(See this video for instructions for Internet Explorer)

I only want to go once, so beforehand I always print off a list of upcoming birthdays, anniversaries and the like from my calendar to ensure I’m as comprehensive as possible.

Keep all your cards in one folder/envelope/box at home depending on how many you have, or if you’re using a tickler file you could just stick it in there. I usually attach a post-it with the person’s name and the occasion (if it’s not obvious) to make things easier later on.

I still have to hoof-it back to Hallmark or the drugstore for the occasional person I forgot or for cards that are only available seasonally (like Father’s Day), but for the most part I’ve got this down to a science.

Ever put a piece of paper or book in your bag thinking it’ll be alright, as it’s only going to be in there for a little while? I couldn’t tell you how many papers, books and file folders have gone into my messenger bag this way and come out looking like they’ve been eaten.

Vinyl document envelopes (the byzantine, but most commonly used name for them) have been the answer to this problem for me. I first used one about a year and half ago to keep itineraries and travel plans safe while I was traveling through Europe. I’m glad I did, because otherwise my constant rummaging for my camera and jacket would’ve had disastrous effects.

I didn’t immediately make the jump to using one of these in my day-to-day life, but last fall after weeks of jostling around in my bag permanently disfigured my paperback copy of David Allen’s Getting Things Done, I decided to keep one in my bag at all times.

I found the envelope pictured above at Office Max for about $5. It’s nicer than most because it’s made of a thicker vinyl and has nylon fabric edges that allow it to expand out to three inches. You can buy smaller, cheaper, flimsier ones for $1-2. Make sure to get one with a flap that folds over to keep your stuff safe and sound inside.

They come in a variety of colors, but I suggest clear or opaque; that way maps, itineraries, to do lists and other frequently referenced materials can be kept in the front or back and seen quickly without having to open the envelope and pull things out.

Keeping water around and readily available, instead of a diet soda or latté, has really helped me stay hydrated. A couple years ago I was buying flats of bottled water, but in my quest to live a more environmentally friendly life, I found a better alternative.

A reusable plastic Nalgene bottle, like my older model pictured here, are an easy way to get yourself to drink more water. They have a 32 ounce marker at the top, so to meet your quota, just fill it up once in the morning and again in the afternoon or evening.

If you’re concerned about the toxicity of plastic containers, or just want something more stylish, Sigg makes similar bottles that are cast in aluminum and have a ceramic coating on the inside. Their website has many different colors and styles available.

About six months ago, I realized I needed a way to incorporate vitamins into my morning routine by putting them where I’d actually see them: right alongside my hair product and toothbrush. Doing this, I recently finished my first-ever 180-pill bottle of multi-vitamins before they expired.

I used to see pill organizers, like the one pictured, and thought they were meant only for my grandma and her forgetful bridge buddies. It turns out they’re quite the useful little system and fit in my toiletries drawer much better than a giant bottle does. If I miss a day, the leftover pills are sitting there shaming me for it when I refill the organizer at the end of the week. They can be found for just $1-2 at most drugstores.

I keep things simple and just take one premium quality multi-vitamin a day. That way I know I have most of my bases covered, without having to swallow a handful of pills or pay attention to ever-changing supplement trends. You should consult with a doctor if you have any health concerns or questions about what vitamins you should be taking.

For as long as I can remember I’ve spent most of the winter with a miserable, never-ending cold. It could be psychosomatic, but this year I was cold and flu free, despite living with a medical student who spends his days getting coughed on by sick children. Coincidentally, or not, that medical student stopped taking vitamins during this same time period and spent most of the winter miserably ill.

Pillows should be replaced every two years as they lose their firmness and ability to support your neck. I’d heard this before, but hadn’t been tracking how long it’d been since I’d replaced mine. So, I went out and bought a new pillow as soon as possible.

To keep pillows fluffy and free from dust mites (and drool) they should be cleaned once every six months, a protective cover can also be used under your regular pillow case. Check your labels to be sure, but most down and synthetic pillows can be washed in a gentle cycle, then machine dried completely to prevent mold and mildew growth. For more detailed information on cleaning a variety of pillow types, check out this guide from Back Designs Inc.

I set up repeating items on my calendar to remind myself to clean them every six months and to replace them again in a couple years.

My new pillow has taken some adjusting to, but last night I finally slept like a baby. I put another case on my old pillow and gave it to my pug Ralph, he seems to be enjoying it more than I was.

In most kitchens I’ve cooked in, the spice rack or sundry cupboard are a disaster. Sorting through a hodge-podge of containers for the basil only to find it shriveled, brown and flavorless can really damper your desire to cook.

I’m admittedly just as guilty as everyone else. My boyfriend gave me the rotating rack and jars pictured here which came pre-filled and labeled a couple years ago. I thought they looked nice, so I’d left them untouched on my kitchen counter ever since and kept all the herbs and spices I actually used in a nearby cupboard. Recently realizing how ridiculous this was, I decided to do something about it.

I’m quite pleased with the makeover. Rather than the dull, withered bits that filled the jars before, I now have vibrantly fresher parsley, basil, cumin, whole nutmegs and chili flakes. Also, when I’m cooking I rarely have to rummage through the cupboard in search of ingredients.

In doing a little research, I found out most dried spices loose their potency after about a year. If you open the jar and can’t smell anything, it’s likely not going to taste like much either.

I’d avoid those industrial-sized containers, unless you’re cooking for a large family; you’ll never finish them before they go stale. It’s more economical and practical to buy the smaller discount bags from your supermarket; most are under $1 per ounce, as opposed to $4-6 for brand names and at least in most stores I’ve been in, are usually be found in the ethnic food aisle. Most of these easily fill up a small jar, sometimes with some to spare. I was able to replace all my outdated spices for under $10.

Spice up your life in these easy steps:

1. If you don’t already have some, buy a simple set of jars or a new rack that includes a set of jars, as it’s best if they all match. Some nice sets with jars can be found here and here.
2. Remove any pre-printed labels on your jars, soaking them in hot, soapy water to clean them inside and out and using some Goo Gone if necessary. Use either a labelmaker or handwritten labels to create a unified look and make adding new jars as painless as possible.
3. Pour spices carefully into their new containers over the sink. Use a rolled-up index card from your hipster PDA as a makeshift funnel.
4. Keep the items you use regularly on the counter. Store the mustard seeds and other infrequently used things in the cupboard. Toss anything over a year old or you know you’ll never use.
5. Add any herbs or spices you need replacements for to your grocery list.
6. Remind yourself to keep things up to date. If you’re doing this all at once, just set a yearly calendar or tickler file item. Otherwise, label each jar with the date they should be replaced.

Something pretty that’s in your way and not used in a practical manner, is useless. A functional item in the wrong place is dysfunctional. A beautiful, useful object in the right place is a small taste of bliss.

The chaos in our lives isn’t just relegated to the physical world around us. In today’s high-paced, information-overload world it seems like we’re all swimming (or drowning) in the middle of an ocean of ideas composed largely of audio, video and textual information.

Chaos theory doesn’t necessarily explain the mess on your desk or in your head, but there is a parallel to productivity and organization; small changes in a larger complex system, over time, can lead to significant results.

You have the power to change your life through your perception of the world and through the systems you interact with it through.

My name is Ryan P. Mack. I am a lifehacker, an artist and a homemaker. The writing and photography here is where I’ll share the systems, strategies, philosophies, tools and other information I’ve found to help me command the chaos in my life.

I’m considering this my life’s work. Not that it’s all I plan to do with my time here, but rather it’s me sharing the practical, day-to-day business of living my life.