I was thrilled when I had the chance to write something different for this tech-oriented feature column. My passion for gadgets—high-tech, low-tech, or even no-tech—is boundless. Some of these marvels represent the pinnacle of modern innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Others are at the opposite end of the spectrum: delightfully simple, with no need for batteries, Wi-Fi, or an app, yet still ingeniously effective in their own right.
My older son shared a clever life hack with me a while ago: using a staple remover to add a new key to a key ring. The teeth of the remover can easily squeeze between the rings to spread the spirals, allowing you to slide the key onto one of the opened ends. It’s so simple that it got me thinking about other ways to use standard office supplies scattered across my desk. Here’s what I’ve discovered so far.
Please be aware that I have not personally tested all these newly discovered daily hacks—
Black binder clips
- Organize charger cords and tech cables.
- Clip and close your chip, candy, and cereal bags.
- Fasten garbage bags in place in the trash can.
- Clamp materials as you are gluing them together.
- Roll up the squished end of a toothpaste tube and fasten it with the clip.
- Hang postcards, business cards, greeting cards, or photos off pushpins or from a string display.
Paper clip
- Tiny screwdriver.
- Fishing hook.Use as a bookmark; decoration is optional.
- Snag and remove hair or gunk stuck in a brush or comb.
- Emergency zipper handle when the original pull tab breaks.
- Secure flower stems in an arrangement.
- Clear the dust and debris from small holes in nozzles, screens, or straws.
Staple remover
- Pry up small nails.
- Detangle your jewelry chains, pull chains, or clasps.
- Pry under a stubborn or damaged pull tab on a can.
- Carefully nudge zipper teeth when off track or stuck in material.
- Hold a nail in place when hammering in a challenging spot.
Gray kneadable eraser
- “Knead it” to relieve stress.
- Pick up light dust from various surfaces.
- Mold around objects to improve your grip.
- Stuff into small cracks or gaps around windows.
- Place under furniture legs to prevent scratches or slipping.
- Fashion a holder for a nail when hammering to protect your fingers.
- Push a piece between stuff that rattles or squeaks to dampen the noise.
Pencils
- Make holes in a piece of paper.
- Roll your toothpaste tube for that last bit of toothpaste.
- Secure loose items like wires, string, or twine.
- Support a small plant in a pot or the garden
- The eraser tip is a perfect pin cushion.
- Rub the lead on a nail or screw to lubricate.
Pens
- Secure your hair in a bun.
- Make holes in a piece of paper.
- Temporarily clip together papers or note cards.
- Press the reset button on electronic devices, like the tiny buttons on the side of your mobile phone.
Address book
Note birthdates, favorite foods, restaurants, kid and pet names, songs, etc. It also holds phone numbers, which is handy when your smartphone crashes.
I still have rubber bands, glue sticks, manila folders, and other stuff scattered across my desk. I challenge you to search the internet for life hacks using these items and more. You never know what you might discover—like using glue sticks to steady wobbly buttons, keep shoelaces from unraveling, and more!
