The Do-It-All Multitool I Swear By Is Under $30 on Amazon Right Now for Memorial Day
Before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, keeping an emergency go bag in the house was not something I ever worried about. But now I live less than a mile from the fault that earthquake experts say is the region's most dangerous. And among the most frequently asked questions in my house is, "Did you feel that?"
I know the next big one will come without warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and at the ready, and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we've done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag.
One item I've included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters and a knife. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool, and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one of these -- since my kids could always use one too -- both price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool.
Normally priced about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether it's on sale or not. But for Memorial Day, you can save a few bucks and get the red one for $26, a 10% discount. If red isn't your style, there's a green version available that costs $31 and a cool-looking all-black one for $30. Below, I'll go through why I like this tool so much. For more go-bag mainstays, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans
In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit -- called a stay box -- weight isn't really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go-bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it's folded up.
Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs
Material: Stainless steel
Stainless steel Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches
5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches
5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.2 ounces
2.2 ounces Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring
Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift
This is also a great tool to have in your car or your desk drawer at work.
Gerber
Looking to save on more things to make your life easier? Here's our roundup of all the best early Memorial Day deals. And if you're looking for practical gifts, check out our list of the best gifts for grads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TSA to fliers: Stop trying to use Costco card for REAL ID
The Brief Bad news for travelers who don't have a REAL ID yet: You can't use your Costco membership card to get through TSA. TSA broke the news on its social media pages this week, about a month after the deadline to have a REAL ID to fly in the U.S. As travelers adjust to new identification requirements for flying in the U.S., TSA has some advice for fliers who may be confused: Your Costco membership card does not count as a REAL ID. TSA shared a comical reminder on its social media accounts this week, noting that while they "love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person, please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a REAL ID because it absolutely does not." As many social media users commented on the post, it's easy to see why they'd be confused: Most REAL IDs have a star on them, as do Costco membership cards. Big picture view REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. That's because getting a REAL ID requires more personal documentation than what's required to obtain a regular license. RELATED: Will REAL ID be required for other transportation after May 7? Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities. The backstory When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. "REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and identification cards," John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. "The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification." The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, "but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic," said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. "The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously." Dig deeper If you've gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant. "I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID," Ruggiero said. "Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it," so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a symbol ( in most states, a star ) in the top corner of the card. If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it's possible you could have an "enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word "enhanced" at the top of the card. What you can do If you need a REAL ID, visit the website of your state's driver's licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you'll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you'll need when you get there. You will likely still be able to fly without a REAL ID, but you may be diverted to a different line and have extra steps to board the plane. What they're saying "The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity," TSA states on its website. "If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening. "You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed." The Source This report includes information from TSA, The Associated Press and previous LiveNow from FOX reporting.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Best cheap family vacations revealed in 2025 rankings — and two of them are just a 4 hour drive from NYC
Amid the rising cost of living, cash-strapped American families are looking to save serious money on their getaways this summer. And the US News & World Report's rankings of the Best Cheap Family Vacations for 2025 prove there are still several domestic destinations where you can get bang for your buck. 'Rest assured, you won't have to break the bank to take the kids on a memorable trip this year,' the report's editors wrote.'Based on traveler feedback, editor analysis and factors like sights, value and accessibility, US News compiled this list of the best cheap family vacations.' Yellowstone National Park took out top spot, thanks to its 'reasonable' entrance fees. According to the National Parks Service website, a whole family can enter in a single vehicle for just $35. While accommodation can be pricey in peak season, the publication urged families to check out the park's 'highly-regarded campsites' to avoid 'paying a pretty penny for a room.' Coming in second place on the Best Cheap Family Vacations list was Yosemite National Park in California, thanks to the fact that its entrance passes are valid for seven days. That fact means it's easier to squeeze a whole week's worth of value out of a single payment. But if families fear that both Yellowstone and Yosemite may be too busy at this time of year, the US News & World Report ranked Gatlinburg third on its list of cheap family vacations. The lesser-known mountain town in Tennessee is 'the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,' and families can still engage in hiking, biking and sightseeing without the crowds. Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Teton National Park rounded out the top five in the rankings. For families who prefer beach getaways, North Carolina's Outer Banks (number 6 on the US News list) and South Carolina's Myrtle Beach (number 11) were among the best cheap vacation destinations for families. Meanwhile, if you're looking to travel to a city to soak up some art and culture, Washington DC was named the 7th best cheap family vacation spot thanks to its free museums, iconic monuments, outdoor spaces. For New York City residents looking to escape the city this summer, two places on US News & World Report are just a 4-hour drive from the Big Apple. The Adirondacks in upstate New York came in 12th spot, while Ocean City, Maryland, ranked at number 14.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Watch crews blow up huge boulder on Hwy. 120 near Yosemite to clear rocky road
The sound of springtime on Highway 120 near Yosemite National Park is boulders being blown to smithereens. 'Every spring in @caltransd9, our maintenance crews encounter large boulders on State Route 120 West near Yosemite that slid onto the road during winter,' Caltrans wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday. The video above shows road crews executing the detonations of RV-sized rocks from the roadway. 'This year we captured part of the extensive blasting process in what is just one of the many required steps to opening the roadway,' a caption with the video says. 'These state employees work tirelessly to ensure the roadway and entire canyon are clear of all unauthorized personnel and are a safe distance away before any detonation.' Tioga Road (Highway 120) reopened for the summer on May 26, according to and sierra mountain The route — which primarily connects the Sierra Nevada and Mono County to San Joaquin Valley and is known as a direct route to Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area — was closed for the winter on Nov. 25.
