We love rice krispie treats in our house and have for decades, so a single-serving rice krispie treat is a total no-brainer! The fact that these sweet, crunchy, and slightly gooey treats are so quick and easy to make is the icing on the cake, as far as I’m concerned.

When I realized Melissa at No. 2 Pencil had posted about a single-serving rice krispie treat, I dropped everything to make it ASAP! It was everything I hoped it would be, and now I can enjoy a reasonably-sized rice krispie treat (or a chocolate chip cookie for one) any time I like!

And you can, too — just follow the simple recipe below!

Single-Serving Rice Krispie Treat (Recipe)

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp butter
• 4 large marshmallows
• 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal*

*Note: Rice Krispies are made with a barley syrup, so they’re not technically gluten free. To make them gluten free, use a crispy rice cereal that’s labeled gluten free, like Nature’s Path or Barbara’s.

Directions:

Add the butter to a small bowl and microwave it until the butter is melted, then add the marshmallows to the melted butter and return the bowl to the microwave. Microwave for approximately 15 seconds more, but keep an eye on the marshmallows — they will puff up quite a bit!

Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the melted butter and marshmallows until they’re well combined. Add the cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.

At this point, I like to pack it down a bit with my fingers and let it cool for a couple of minutes to get the full rice krispie treat effect. But if you’d rather grab a spoon and dig right in, that’s your prerogative!

I hope you enjoy this new twist on an old favorite as much as I do!

Do you have a favorite single-serving treat recipe?

Print

Single-Serving Rice Krispie Treat

Looking for a quick and easy treat to satisfy a sweet tooth? It doesn't get much quicker or easier than this rice krispie treat for one.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 6 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 267kcal

Author Jill Nystul

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons butter
• 4 marshmallows large
• 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions

• Put the butter in a small bowl and melt it in your microwave.
• Add the marshmallows to the melted butter and return the bowl to the microwave, and cook on high for about 15 seconds.
• Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the melted butter and marshmallows until well combined.
• Add the cereal and stir until the marshmallow mixture evenly coats the cereal, then press the mixture down with your fingers and let cool before eating.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 2112IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 9mg

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When used properly, a Magic Eraser can make cleaning faster and easier than almost any other cleaning tool could. But while I really like them and use them frequently while cleaning my own home, I also realize that a Magic Eraser is NOT the best tool for every cleaning job!

Magic Erasers are made from melamine foam, which acts like a very fine sandpaper. It’s great for cleaning stubborns marks and messes, but it can also scratch certain surfaces and remove protective finishes. And that’s what I’ll be helping you avoid in today’s post!

Today I’m sharing a list of five things you should avoid cleaning with a Magic Eraser. I’ve also included some general tips that will help you use Magic Erasers safely and minimize potential damage. With the help of the tips in today’s post, you’ll never have to wonder when you should or shouldn’t use this amazing cleaning sponge!

5 Things You Should Never Clean With a Magic Eraser

1. Stone Countertops

Abrasive materials like a Magic Eraser can remove the protective seal on your stone countertops. Without that protective seal, your stone could be vulnerable to scratches, stains, and other forms of permanent damage.

What To Use Instead: Use my easy-to-make homemade granite cleaner and a microfiber cloth to wipe down stone countertops. Microfiber cloths are gentle, yet effective, plus they’re easy to wash. This combo will keep your stone countertops clean, shiny, and protected!

2. Nonstick Cookware

Nonstick cookware requires special care, mainly because of how easily the nonstick coating can scratch, especially if you clean it with abrasive materials like a Magic Eraser. Once a nonstick pan is scratched, the chemicals from the nonstick coating can leach out into your food—no one wants that!

What To Use Instead: Hand wash your nonstick pans with a soft sponge and a bit of dish soap. If you have a really stubborn mess on your hands, use a bit of baking soda to help loosen it up.

Related: 11 Ways You’re Ruining Your Nonstick Pans

3. Stainless Steel

Even with as durable as stainless steel can be, using a Magic Eraser to clean it will likely end up leaving small scratches on the surface. While some people are fine with scratches and scuffs on their stainless steel, other people may want to protect that super shiny finish for as long as possible.

What To Use Instead: Clean stainless steel pots and pans with Bar Keepers Friend and a soft, wet sponge. (Learn more about the many amazing uses for Bar Keepers Friend here!)

4. Screens

The screens of your electronics (including your phone, tablet, TV, or computer) need to be cleaned super gently to avoid scratching them. That means that Magic Erasers are a big no-no for cleaning screens!

What To Use Instead: Clean the screens of your electronics with my homemade screen cleaner solution and a clean microfiber cloth.

5. Your Car

Your car’s paint job is covered in a protective coating or wax, which helps protect the paint and make your car easier to clean. But a Magic Eraser can rub right through that protective coating down to the paint easily!

You can use a Magic Eraser to remove particularly stubborn bugs from the front end of your car, but just make sure to be conscious of how much force you are using.

What To Use Instead: Washing your car by hand is usually the safest way to clean it, especially if you do it using microfiber cloths. But if that’s not your thing, you can always take it through a touchless or soft-touch car wash!

BONUS: 4 Tips for Using Magic Erasers Safely

1. Don’t use them dry. Wetting down a Magic Eraser softens the sponge and makes them less likely to scratch the surface you’re cleaning.
2. Do a spot test. When in doubt about whether you should use your Magic Eraser, do a spot test in an inconspicuous spot to see how it fares.
3. Wear gloves. The superfine abrasive material can aggravate your skin, especially if you already have sensitive skin to begin with. Wearing a pair of rubber gloves will keep your hands safe!
4. Be gentle. Always rub as gently as you can while still removing dirt and grime. Using too much pressure can not only scratch surfaces, but it can also take paint right off your walls.

What Should I Clean With a Magic Eraser?

Just because a Magic Eraser isn’t the best tool for the cleaning jobs above, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever use it! Magic Erasers are one of my go-to cleaning tools, and they make so many cleaning tasks so much faster and easier for me.

Check out the very best uses for Magic Erasers!

What’s your favorite way to use Magic Erasers?

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The subject of today’s post might seem a little strange at first, but I hope you’ll bear with me. :-) My goal with each blog post is to share at least one thing with you that helps make your life easier. Sometimes that thing takes the form of a useful tip or trick, instructions on how to make something, or a piece of advice. But every once in a while, I come across a product that is so useful, I feel compelled to share it with you.

And that’s exactly why today I’ll be telling you about my very favorite trash can! I didn’t know it was possible to love a trash can as much as I love this one, but here we are! I find myself appreciating its helpful features multiple times per day, so I wanted to tell you about it in case any of you could benefit from upgrading your trash can, too. :-)

Meet my fancy new kitchen helper, the 50L Touchless Stainless Steel Trash Can. This is definitely a splurge item, but I haven’t regretted it once! In fact, I find new things to appreciate about it every day. I’ll walk you through some of the things I love most about it!

5 Reasons Why I Love My Trash Can

1. Motion Sensor

Lifting the lid on your trash can gets tricky when your hands are either full or covered in food. That’s why I love the motion sensor on this trash can! All I have to do is move my hands over the sensor, and the lid will pop up on its own. It’s highly convenient, and more hygienic too!

2. Stay-Open Mode

While the motion sensor is perfect for a quick toss, there are times when you need the lid to stay up a bit longer. Whether I’m peeling veggies or scraping multiple dinner plates after family dinner, the stay-open mode is an absolute lifesaver! A simple tap on the sensor panel keeps the lid open for as long as I need, and another quick tap closes it when I’m all done. It completely eliminates the rush!

3. Standard Bag Compatibility

One of my absolute favorite things about this trash can is that it doesn’t require any expensive, custom-fitted bags! It works beautifully with standard 13-gallon kitchen trash bags that you can pick up at any grocery store or warehouse club. It saves so much money over time, and I love the convenience of not having to order specialty liners online just to empty my kitchen trash!

4. More Space For Trash

Unlike many traditional trash cans that have a bulky inner plastic bucket, this one uses a clever inner rim ring to secure the bag. Because there’s no thick plastic liner taking up valuable real estate inside the can, you get a whopping 25% more space for actual trash! That means fewer bag changes and fewer trips to the outdoor bin, which is a major win in my book.

5. Smudge-Proof Finish

Not only does the finish on this trash can look sleek, but it also stays that way, too! I’m not sure how it works, but the finish seems to repel fingerprints and smudges. And when it does get spilled on or splattered, all I have to do is wipe it clean with a wet microfiber cloth. I love having a garbage can that never looks “dirty.”

Looking For Something Similar?

I wanted to offer an alternative option, so I did some digging on Amazon and found a trash can with similar features. It’s the iTouchless 13-Gallon Touchless Trash Can, and it’s listed for just $74! Here are some of the features it has:

• Motion sensor lid
• Carbon filter for odor control
• Works with any 13-gallon garbage bag
• One-year full-service warranty

Do you have a product at home that makes you happy every time you use it?

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Recently I’ve found myself going “back to basics” so to speak, and re-embracing the simple idea of color coding things. One of the advantages of color coding is that it makes it incredibly quick and easy to identify things. This saves me plenty of time throughout my day! So today I’ll be sharing 11 examples of things you can color code around the house to make your own life easier! :-)

I love it when my house is neat and organized, but I don’t love the act of organizing. It takes a certain amount of time and effort to do, and I usually find myself wondering which organizing system would be the most helpful in any given area.

Color coding can be quicker, easier, and cheaper than other organizing methods. You can use things you already have around the house to color code your stuff, like washi tape, permanent markers, rubber bands, and even nail polish! With simple supplies and just a few minutes of work, you can implement a color-coded system that will save you tons of time and energy down the road.

11 Things You Can Color Code to Make Your Life Easier

1. Keys

If you have a keyring full of similar-looking keys, it can be tricky to remember which key is which. To solve this problem, grab a few different shades of nail polish! Just paint the end of each of your keys with a different color of nail polish. You could use yellow for your front door key, red for your storage unit key, etc. Use whatever colors you’ll be most likely to remember, and you’ll never have to struggle to find the right key again!

2. Cords & Cables

In this day and age, many of us carry cables, cords, and other charging implements so we can charge our smartphones on the go. But since all those cables tend to look the same, it can get tricky to remember whose is whose! To solve this problem, use a distinct colored or patterned washi tape to mark your cords, cables, and plugs. You’ll know for sure which ones are yours, and you can skip the arguments and accusations. And since washi tape is easy to remove, you won’t have to worry about leaving behind sticky residues on your cords.

Another way to keep cords organized is by storing them in toilet paper tubes. Use color-coded washi tape to identify what kind of cord is in each tube.

Related: 12 Surprisingly Practical Ways You Can Use Cardboard Tubes

3. Medications

Wrap colored rubber bands around the lids of your medications to color code them. There are a few different systems that can be helpful depending on your situation. You could color code them according to when you’re supposed to take them (like a green rubber band might indicate once daily meds, while a blue band means twice daily.) Or if your family keeps medication in one central place, you could color code them based on who they’re prescribed to.

4. Bills

Use colored stickers or colored clothespins to group important papers and bills. For bills, you could use a green clothespin for bills that have been paid and a red clothespin for bills that still need paying.

5. Spices

Color code your cooking and baking spices by using colored rubber bands, stickers, or nail polish on the lids. You could use green to signify dried herbs, yellow for baking, red for the spicy ones, etc.

6. Recipes

You can use stickers or washi tape to color code your recipe cards, or just buy different colored index cards! This makes it easy to track down a particular recipe based on type (like baked goods, main courses, side dishes, etc.)

7. Holiday Storage

Color coding can be extremely helpful when it comes to holiday decorations! Your seasonal decor stays stored away for most of the year, which leaves plenty of time for you to forget where you put things. Use different colored storage bins to keep things organized, or mark your current storage bins with colored duct tape. Use an orange bin or tape for Halloween decorations, and a green bin or tape for Christmas decorations, etc.

8. Laundry Bags

Use laundry bags in different colors to pre-sort your dirty laundry. Then when laundry day comes around, you’ll know exactly how to wash the clothes in any particular bag without having to sort them again! You can even take it one step further sorting items based on the laundry symbols on the tag.  No ruining clothing because you forgot to look at the clothing tags.

9. Cutting Boards

Color coding can be a great way to ensure you’re using good food safety practices in the kitchen. Using a color-coded set of cutting boards can help reduce the chance of cross-contamination. One set I found has a red cutting board for red meat, a yellow one for poultry, a green one for veggies, and a blue one for fish. You could also color code your existing cutting boards by marking them with permanent markers.

10. Planners & Calendars

Whether you prefer to use a paper planner or an online calendar, color-coding your appointments can help you stay on top of things. If you are keeping track of appointments and events for your whole family, try color-coding events by which family member they’re for. Or you could color code events by type, like social events, work events, etc.

11. Towels

Towels come in tons of different colors, which makes it easy to implement a color-coded system at home. You could designate different colored towels for different jobs, such as using blue towels for kitchen cleanup and yellow towels for bathroom jobs. You could also color-code the towels you already own! Just make a small slit in one corner of each towel, and tie a scrap of colored ribbon through the hole to mark it.

Related: This Is Why Microfiber Cloths Are the Ultimate Cleaning Tool

What’s your favorite way to color code things at home?

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If you’ve ever:

• Felt a slow, burning pressure in your chest after dinner, especially after something rich or heavy
• Laid down after a meal and suddenly tasted your food again (but not in a good way)
• Had that weird sensation like something’s stuck in your throat, even though you already swallowed it
• Woken up in the middle of the night with a sore throat or a cough that doesn’t seem to be from a cold
• Felt uncomfortably full for hours after eating, even when you didn’t overdo it

…there’s a good chance you’ve experienced acid reflux, and you know how uncomfortable (and disruptive) it can be.

I’ve dealt with it too. I kept getting this strange feeling like my food wasn’t going all the way down, just sitting there at the base of my throat. It wasn’t exactly painful…just uncomfortable and hard to describe. I didn’t realize at the time that acid reflux could feel like that, too.”

If you’re nodding your head right now, I have a gentle, natural solution that may help. It’s called Tum Ease, and I designed it specifically to help calm digestive discomfort like reflux, bloating, nausea, and that overly full feeling you get after meals.

But before we get into how Tum Ease works, let’s talk about what acid reflux actually is.

So What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus—the tube that connects your stomach to your throat. That backflow can cause burning in your chest (better known as heartburn), a sour taste, pressure, bloating, or that “stuck” feeling after eating.

It’s especially common after large meals or foods that are rich, spicy, acidic, or high in fat. Those foods can relax the valve between the stomach and esophagus, making it easier for stomach acid to creep upward—especially when you lie down too soon after eating.

It’s incredibly common, especially as we get older, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

A Note About Health And Safety

Occasional reflux is common, but if you’re experiencing symptoms more than twice a week—especially with pain or difficulty swallowing—it could be GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which is a more chronic condition. If that sounds familiar, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, as GERD can cause serious damage to your esophagus over time.

A Gentler Way To Calm Reflux

Understanding what reflux is can be helpful—but when you’re uncomfortable after a meal or awake in the middle of the night with heartburn, what you really want is relief.

For many people, that means reaching for antacids. And while they can absolutely help, they’re not always a perfect solution for everyone. Some people deal with side effects like bloating, constipation, nausea, or stomach discomfort, while others find that the relief doesn’t last as long as they’d hoped.

That’s exactly why I created Tum Ease—a ready-to-apply essential oil roll-on designed to help soothe digestive discomfort like reflux, bloating, indigestion, nausea, and that heavy, overly full feeling that can linger after meals.

I chose this specific combination of essential oils because they help address some of the digestive issues that often contribute to those uncomfortable symptoms in the first place. Ginger and cardamom are commonly used to help settle nausea and indigestion, while fennel and dill may help ease bloating, digestive pressure, and intestinal spasms.

To use, simply roll Tum Ease onto your lower abdomen, the soles of your feet, behind your ears, or on your wrists—it’s that easy!

But Does It Really Work?

One of my readers, Barbara, wasn’t totally sure about it at first. When she left her first review, she said:

“I ordered this because I have a lot of stomach problems. I will say I was surprised how well it helped. Of course, I had already taken several other things when I remembered about having the Tum Ease, but I believe it made the biggest difference. Will know for sure next time.”

But she came back with an update:

“Pleasantly surprised!  I wrote a review on this a while back and was not sure at the time if it really worked. Well, I will let you know it does work. I have GERD really badly if I eat a big meal. I will never be without Tum Ease ever again. It works, and it works fast. Thanks, Jillee, for sooooo many wonderful oils and products.”

Barbara’s experience isn’t unique, either. Over the years, I’ve heard from so many women who keep Tum Ease nearby for those moments when reflux or digestive discomfort suddenly strikes.

“I occasionally get an uncomfortable feeling in my throat and stomach after eating the wrong food. I apply Tum Ease, and within 30 seconds to a minute, I find very effective relief. This product is easy and convenient to use and, more importantly, eliminates the need to take harmful antacids.” – Jean H.

“My husband suffers from heartburn frequently, usually in the middle of the night. He’s tried over-the-counter antacids, prescription medication, and home remedies, but nothing helped until now. Tum Ease is amazing! He’s been applying a little on his stomach before bed for the past couple of months, and not once has he woken up in the middle of the night in search of relief.”  – Regina V.

“I absolutely love this product. I used to get occasional heartburn at night. Now I just roll it on before bed, and no heartburn!! AMAZING PRODUCT!!” – Sheree S.

Calm Reflux And Feel Comfortable Again

If you’re tired of dealing with reflux, heartburn, bloating, or that uncomfortable, overly full feeling after meals, Tum Ease might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Right now, all of my essential oils are 30% off, including Tum Ease! 

And remember, every product in my shop is backed by my money-back guarantee. If you try it and it doesn’t work for you, just contact us within 90 days, and we’ll refund you, no questions asked. 

Here’s to feeling comfortable and in control again.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP TUM EASE

I have been a loyal Costco member for many years now because the Costco membership benefits are worth it! Even when I was more or less broke while raising four growing kids, I still made room in our budget for a Costco membership. The money it saved us always exceeded the cost of the membership, making it worth paying that upfront cost.

I’m definitely not buying as much food these days as I did back then, but I still get a lot out of my membership. In fact, it seems as though the more I learn about the services that my Costco membership offers, the more I get out of it! I’ll be sharing 11 of those great lesser-known member benefits with you in this post.

Related: 7 Surprising Costco Tips You Need to Know About

Note: Just to clarify, this post is NOT sponsored by Costco, and I’m not associated with Costco in any way outside of the membership I pay for. The goal of this post is simply to provide information that can help Costco members get the most value from their membership!

11 Hidden Costco Benefits and Membership Perks

1. Travel Deals

One of the Costco membership perks is that they partner with hotel chains, car rental companies, and cruise lines to offer great deals on travel. They find great group discounts and bulk savings and pass the deals on to their members, and they even have travel experts who will work with you to plan your perfect trip. And when you’re quoted a price for a travel deal, they include taxes and fees, so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay.

I’ve had great experiences renting cars through Costco, including for a family vacation to Hawaii a couple of years back. After a friend recommended that I look into options for car rentals through Costco, I was delighted to see that Costco’s price was less than half of what I was being quoted elsewhere online.

2. Prescription Drugs

Costco members can take advantage of the Member Prescription Program to get discounts on prescription medications. This is a great option for people who are uninsured or don’t receive prescription benefits through their health insurance. For more information about their Member Prescription Program, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.

3. Hearing & Vision Exams

You can get an eye exam for a competitive price through Costco Optical. (The actual price varies by location, so call the Optical Department at your local Costco for current pricing information.) And, every Costco Hearing Aid Center offers hearing tests, follow-up appointments, and check-ups for free.

4. Discounted Gift Cards

Buying gift cards at Costco can save you quite a bit of money. It’s not unusual to see bulk deals on them, like two $50 gift cards for $79.99 or four $15 gift cards for $44.99. These deals make it affordable to stock up on gift cards to movie theaters, theme parks, performances, activities, and more to have on hand for quick Christmas or birthday gifts.

5. Insurance

Costco has partnered with CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, to offer discounted rates on home, auto, renters, and specialty insurance. These policies often offer additional benefits for Executive Members too, like roadside assistance, lockout assistance, and more. Get a free quote for CONNECT insurance policies through Costco at this link.

6. Gas & Tires

Many Costco locations have a Fuel Center where members can fill up their cars for a lower price than most gas stations. The fuel is rated as Top Tier, meaning it meets a high-quality standard and contains detergents that help keep your engine clean.

Costco members can also take advantage of the Tire Center. They frequently offer discounts and rebates on sets of four new tires, so if you ever need a complete set, make sure to check out what Costco has to offer. Their five-year Road Hazard Warranty is hard to beat, and it’s included on all tires they sell.

7. Tech Support

Costco Concierge Services offers free technical support on any kind of gadget you can buy at Costco. This includes laptops, printers, monitors, home theater systems, tablets, TVs, and even major appliances. For more information on Costco’s tech support services, click here.

8. Quality Meat & Seafood

If I ever need to buy an expensive cut of meat, like our traditional Christmas prime rib for instance, I head to Costco to get it. I know that in terms of quality, I’m always going to get the most bang for my buck from their Meat & Seafood departments, and I’ve found that the associates are always willing to answer my questions or help me with any requests I have.

(And if you aren’t already aware, Costco’s $5.99 rotisserie chickens are consistently one of the best deals available in the entire store. It’s one of my go-to easy and affordable dinner shortcuts!)

Related: 19 Quick Recipes You Can Make With Rotisserie Chicken

9. Floral Delivery

You may have already bought flowers at Costco, but did you know you can get them delivered as well? Prices start at just $42.99, including delivery fees! Check out Costco’s floral offerings here.

10. Quality Clothing

In addition to clothes from its own Kirkland Signature line, Costco also offers items from notable brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Birkenstock, etc. for surprisingly great prices. Well-known brands like these will bring their unsold merchandise to Costco, which then sells them in stores and online at a more reasonable price point.

11. Global Access

Did you know your Costco membership is valid at any Costco around the world? This perk could be especially handy if you’re traveling and staying somewhere with a kitchen you can cook in. While shopping for groceries, you could also check out any discounted gift certificates they have for local restaurants or movie theaters!

BONUS: Do Member Benefits Differ by Membership Tier?

The basic membership option is a Gold Star Membership with a $65 annual fee, while the upgraded option, the Executive Membership, has a $130 annual fee. The main difference between these two tiers in terms of member benefits is that Executive Members earn an annual 2% Reward on qualifying Costco purchases, while Gold Star Members don’t. Otherwise, the benefits are largely the same!

What’s your favorite Costco service or product?

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This decluttering tip is super simple: donate or sell items that contribute to clutter, even if you worry you might need them in the future. Then if you do eventually need or want something you no longer have, you can buy one at a thrift store (or on Facebook Marketplace or wherever you buy secondhand items).

This strategy can save you serious space around the house, which is the goal of decluttering. (It’s not necessarily a money-saving tip, but occasionally spending a few dollars at the thrift store probably won’t break the bank!)

Jillee’s Take:

After a family reunion, I stacked the lawn games and large toys from the event in our garage, which ended up being a huge waste of space. I would have been much better off donating the games and toys to free up space for other things, then thrifting yard games down the line if necessary. But you live and learn!

6 Types of Clutter You Can Thrift Later

Think of your favorite secondhand store as a storage unit for items you don’t use frequently. Here are some examples of items you can thrift instead of storing:

1. Specialized Tools. Bought tools for a project and haven’t used them since? Donate or sell them. Should you need those specialized tools again in the future, consider renting them from a home improvement store like Home Depot or thrifting them (and then re-donating!)
2. Kitchen Appliances and Gadgets. If you tend to jump from hobby to hobby, buying a top-of-the-line bread machine so you can try making homemade bread may be a waste of money and space. You can make homemade bread in a used machine from the thrift store for a lot less money, and if you do want a fancy bread machine in the future, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for.
3. Games and Toys. If games and toys take up space in your home but never get used, donate them and use the space for a better purpose. If you have a game night in the future, you’ll have no problem finding used games at a thrift store.
4. Home Decor. As your decor preferences change, it’s easy to justify hanging onto old picture frames, candles, curtain rods, and throw pillows. But in reality, they’re just taking up space, so donate them and use that space for something else.
5. Exercise Gear. Most of us have probably bought exercise gear we only ever used a few times. If you have a set of weights (or, heaven forbid, a bulky treadmill) taking up space, donate it and move on. (Bonus Tip: Resistance bands offer a great workout without contributing to clutter!)
6. ‘Just In Case’ Items. Anything you may be holding onto “just in case” is probably something you can thrift down the road. In many cases, that theoretical eventuality never comes to pass.

What have you been holding onto “just in case?”

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