Personal Productivity Websites

[Bender]

While browsing the web, I came across a couple of sites that were interesting. The first is Unclutterer. All about keeping your home/workspace organised. Interesting stuff, agree with some of it although although sometimes it gets a bit anal. One of the items was about the use of a labelmaker for labelling things in storage, file folders and all sorts of other things.

I love my labelmaker and use it for something that wasn't mentioned on the site - we buy stuff for the freezer in bulk when it's on sale, and when we cook we often cook double or larger quantities and freeze the extra so that after work on weekdays we can grab something from the freezer and throw it in the microwave while cooking rice and other stuff. The problem we had was that we'd lose track of what was in the freezer and how long it had been in there, so sometimes ended up throwing stuff out because we couldn't remember how long ago we'd frozen it. The other problem was in identifying what was in the containers of frozen meals - the classic case being when we'd take out a container of what we thought was frozen pasta sauce, cook the pasta to go with it, then find out that we were having beef vindaloo with pasta and parmesan cheese! The labelmaker has fixed all that, and has probably paid for itself: everything that goes into the freezer gets labelled with a description and date (the labelmaker has a built in date function). Makes it so much easier to manage the freezer and has saved us heaps. I do sometimes miss the old answer to the question "what's for dinner?" - "Freezer surprise".

Another site that's been interesting is Lifehacker - also found some good stuff there. Both websites have been worth having a look at, and occasionally there's been some good stuff which I've used.

For those who like Ikea, Ikea Hacker has some good ideas on customising or adapting Ikea stuff - I've built the Stolmen Bike Rack and it looks great!

Anyone else found websites that they would recommend for a look?

[Kooky]

I don't have time now to check them all out but I'm totally anal so I will be doing so later.

I want a labelmaker. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only saddo on here.

[Bender]

I want a labelmaker.

You'll be pleased to know they come in pink.

Although I'd recommend this one, which doesn't come in pink (silver or blue only) but has a good keyboard.

[Spike]

I don't have time now to check them all out but I'm totally anal so I will be doing so later.

I want a labelmaker. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only saddo on here.

I have one

Try http://www.simpleology.com for getting organised.

[azzam]

I'm sure I must have one somewhere....

[Aliya]

I used to have one but now I cant find it... I know its somewhere...

[Burbage]

Try the box that has the label-maker label on it.

[Aliya]

Box?? people keep the box things came in????

[Kooky]

Box?? people keep the box things came in????

Erm, yes. I think it's freaking the removal man, just how many original boxes we have. For some of them we don't even have the contents any more.


I don't do pink.

[Bender]

We were burgled big time once. The insurance assessor said it was a good thing we'd kept the original boxes for so many high-value items (>$25k in photo gear alone). Along with the receipts, it was great positive proof of ownership. Since then, we've kept the boxes for nearly everything - the roof space is full of them. Handy too when the time comes to move or sell stuff on ebay.

Speaking of personal productivity, I'm at home today and had grand plans of doing heaps of stuff around the house, but it's been really easy to get sidetracked. Productivity hint #1 relates to stainless steel appliances: they look great, but are a bitch to keep clean. Avoid stainless if you're not willing to keep cleaning it coz it shows every fingermark.

The fridge (huge steel box) took ages, and I haven't got to the inside of it yet. Going to work would have been easier.

[Kooky]

Avoid stainless steel appliances if you live in Steamy Singapore 'cos, in my experience, they are not.

[Bender]

Avoid stainless steel appliances if you live in Steamy Singapore 'cos, in my experience, they are not.

Agreed. We found out that it rusts too.

[sluggo]

You know you could just write on the freezer bag with a sharpee

[Bender]

You know you could just write on the freezer bag with a sharpee

Yeah, that works to some extent, until it all gets frosted over. We used to do that using one of these.

We use lots of 'chinese tupperware' (takeout/takeaway food containers) in the freezer, and labels are removable.

Besides, labels are neater. I like neat.

[canuck]

I think you all need to get outdoors more often label makers? Freezer markers? oh my

[Bender]

What is an 'outdoors'' ? Where can I buy one?

Still cleaning.

[BFG]

One way to become more productive is to avoid addictive sites like this one....

[Bender]

Speaking from experience, BFG?

[BFG]

Mmm hummm! Absolutely...

[Kooky]

Sorry, can't chat now - too busy making a cat lit box out of two Ikea magazine racks.

[Burbage]

If you buy cheap Chinese stainless steel it will rust. If you buy good quality stuff it won't.

[Bender]

busy making a cat lit box out of two Ikea magazine racks.

Seriously? Post photos please.

[Fuzz]

I will have a look at the sites as well as I need to declutter my house as well *one of these days*. I get a mad spur of organising and cleaning and then get laaaaazy again on regular intervals.

This page is definitely good for archiving in Sporum, eh?

[Kooky]

If you buy cheap Chinese stainless steel it will rust. If you buy good quality stuff it won't.

Could you have a word with Panasonic for me then? My microwave/oven was far from cheap.

[Burbage]

If you buy cheap Chinese stainless steel it will rust. If you buy good quality stuff it won't.

Could you have a word with Panasonic for me then? My microwave/oven was far from cheap.

That's brand names for you. You pay the earth and they use cheap Chinese stainless steel.