Do you have a dog? I don’t, at least I haven’t had one for quite a few years. Pets can be a lot of fun, dogs in particular because they’re so lovable in an incredibly interactive kind of ways that cats are not. The downside to owning a dog is the cleanup. Sure, with cats you have to deal with a litterbox which isn’t any picnic either, but with dogs you actually have to stand around waiting for them to poop so you can pick it up. It’s just a touch humbling, isn’t it?
Unless you’re one of those law-breaking jerks who doesn’t pick up after your dog, you probably make sure you have a nice stash of plastic bags before you and your dog take a stroll around the block. What if, instead of slowing killing the environment with your ever-abundant plastic bag stockpile, you used a biodegradable bag like the Flushable Doodie Bags (ThinkGeek, $8.99) to pick up your dog’s business? These bags are made strong enough to withstand a stroll with your pup, yet fragile enough to dissolve in water. Safe for most septic and sewer systems, you can flush your dog’s fecal matter in the toilet – bag and all! The bags themselves are made of Polyvinyl Alcohol film that melts away when flushed, so they’re as safe to flush as wet wipes. If you’re not cool with flushing your dog’s deposits every time they go for a walk, these bags will also dissipate quickly in landfills (much faster than a standard plastic bag).
These bags probably won’t help you feel less ridiculous picking up your dog’s doodie, but at least you know you’ll be helping the environment. Isn’t that all that matters?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Biodegradable dog doo bags
-Includes 3 pocket sized packs of 20 bags each (60 bags total)
-Bags dissolve in water
-Safe for most septic and sewer systems
-Works even with low flow toilets and older plumbing
-Bags also dissolve quickly in landfills
There’s almost nothing in this world better than convenience – well, winning the lottery is up there too (unless it’s Shirley Jackson’s lottery), but I’m being realistic here. I hate it when I need an item and I can’t find it, and then I end up tripping over it when I don’t need it anymore. The worst offender of this notion is the flashlight. I can’t ever find it when I need it and then if I do, the batteries are dead or the damn thing just doesn’t work.
Making it the easiest flashlight you’ll ever use (and it’s not like the original model is all that hard) Battery Snaps (Perpetual Kid, $4.99) are ultra-portable and super convenient. All you need to let there be light is the snap top and a 9 volt battery, then press the top button and you’ve got a hand held light that can fit in your pocket. You’ll never forget what type of battery this flashlight takes (it’s pretty obvious) and the product itself is basically idiot-proof.
Snap to it!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 1.25″ x .75″ x 3″
-Includes battery snap and one 9 volt battery
-Press button on top to turn on light
-Available in white or pink
As convenient as taxis are, they’re not always the best option. There are a lot of reasons why it might be easier to crash at a friend’s place rather than calling cab. For example, you probably spent all your cash at the bar so you’re unlikely to even be able to afford chauffeured transportation. Also, like my friends who live in the boonies keep telling me, not everywhere is cab friendly. Did you know some towns even stop cab service at midnight? I’m just going out to the bars at that time! Lastly, just because you called for a cab doesn’t mean it’s actually coming. I once waited over an hour for a cab that never came and ended up hitchhiking home. True story.
Instead of laying your money (and possibly life) on the line, wouldn’t the Crash Pad (Taylor Gifts, $99.98) be the better option? This portable bed fits easily in the trunk of your car when you need to transport it to a friend’s house for the night or underneath your bed when you get back home. Portable and lightweight, you can cart this thing pretty much anywhere and you’ll always be guaranteed a place to sleep that night. Whether you’re camping out in the woods or on your friend’s kitchen floor, you’ll be sleeping comfortably because this sleeping solution features all over padding and a built-in pillow. Sure beats sleeping in the bathtub, doesn’t it?
I wish I had one of these when I was staying the night at a friend’s dorm in college. Have you ever slept on a concrete floor? It’s about as comfortable as sleeping on a concrete floor.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 75″ x 35″ x 3″
-Includes storage case, carry strap, and attached pillow
-Padded all purpose bed solution
-Ideal for homes, dorms, RVs, etc
-Fits easily in closet, car trunk, or under bed
-Portable and lightweight
Are you ready to ROCK?! No really, are you ready? Chances are, you’re not. It’s not your fault, these things happen. You think you’ve got your setlist packed, but then you get to the gig and it’s nowhere to be found. That one’s a pretty easy fix. Forget your amp? Good luck with that.
Sure, you don’t need a guitar pick to properly shred your axe, but it certainly helps. The problem with guitar picks is that they’re so small, they’re easily lost. The PickMaster Plectrum Punch (Gizoo, £19.95) means you’ll never have to buy another guitar pick again! I mean, why waste your money on something when you could just as easily make it yourself? This handy gadget works just a like a hole punch to cut plectrums out of any plastic or stiff cardboard. Were you going to cut up your old credit card? Why not make it into a guitar pick meant specifically for you! Not only will your plectrums be the most unique out there, but you’ll also save the environment by recycling your old plastic.
What are you waiting for? Get out there any start making thousands of recycled guitar picks! Just make sure the credit card you’re destroying is the expired one, not the new one you got in the mail today.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Cut plectrums from old card or plastic
-Works like a hole punch
-Easy to use
I’m pretty bad when it comes to procrastination, in the sense that I’m too good at it. One of the ways I make up for my inability to get started on anything is that I eat lunch at my desk. That way, I can get multi-task and hopefully get enough work done to justify the amount of food I’ve managed to drop between the keys on my keyboard (it’s a lot). Plus, it makes the boss think that I’m really dedicated, like I can’t tear myself away from my desk for even a few minutes to grab a bite to eat. Pretty clever, right?
Unfortunately, I can never seem to remember to bring utensils. Have you tried eating soup without a spoon? It’s impossible, which is why the Dine Ink Utensil Set (Perpetual Kid, $8.99) is a must for any desk jockey. A simple set of cutlery (fork, spoon, knife) is attached to the top of three pens via a converted pen cap. So not only do you always have a way to eat your lunch, but you can further impress the boss by stopping mid bite, grabbing the top off your pen/fork, and jotting down some notes.
This product was a just a concept for quite some time, so I’m super excited that someone finally saw the genius of combing food and writing utensils. Workaholics need to eat, too!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of 3
-Includes fork, spoon, and knife
-Utensils double as functional pens
