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These 32 Products Are Perfect For Anyone Who Wants Amazing Results With Minimal Effort

These 32 Products Are Perfect For Anyone Who Wants Amazing Results With Minimal Effort

Buzz Feed04-05-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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Why work harder than you have to?
1. A bio-enzymatic odor and stain spray to help with the...unfortunate accidents that happen sometimes. The formula creates a nice, deep-cleaning lather, so pee spots, vomit, and stubborn stains can be easily and thoroughly erased.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This pet odor eliminator is a game-changer! It effectively neutralizes unpleasant smells, leaving the room smelling fresh without a harsh chemical scent. Easy to use, it works on everything from furniture to carpets, tackling both surface odors and deep-set smells." — Dan
Get it from Amazon for $15.96.
2. An undetectable mouse jiggler for anyone who needs a break but doesn't want to ruin their perfect work attendance. This will make it seem like you're active while you work on a little self-care.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Like everyone else, I stumbled upon this product because of a TikTok I saw. Setup was extremely easy and I'm pleased to say that my Teams green light is on all the time now. Workers of the world, unite." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four styles).
3. A standing weeder with three steel prongs that grip unwanted lawn invaders by the roots so your least favorite backyard chore will feel more like a claw game. Your yard can still be dandelion free even if you don't put your back into it.
Amazon
This is made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel. Grampa's Weeder is a family-owned small biz that sells tools to make weeding easier.
Promising review:"Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." — JG
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
4. A rapid egg cooker so you can stop settling for overcooked hardboiled eggs with gross gray yolks. You deserve better. Along with hardboiled eggs, this thing can make omelets and poached and scrambled eggs, all without close supervision.
Promising review:"I was skeptical when I ordered it but use it constantly. I live in barracks and do not have a stove. I bought it for boiled eggs but use it much more for breakfast burritos. Super easy. Butter tray, put in egg and water, press the button, and walk away. By time I'm dressed for work it's ready. Throw it in a tortilla and walk out with it. More nutritious than Pop-Tarts. It does hard-boiled eggs well but don't assume thats all its good for. Great for college kids, military people, traveling workers, or anyone without access to a full kitchen." — a.l.s
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
Check out our Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review for more deets!
5. A Revlon hot air brush for when you wanna look like you have an in-home stylist at your beck and call. Glossy, effortless waves are just a few brushes away!
Promising review:"I am a licensed cosmetologist of 30+ years and I couldn't be more pleased! Salon-perfect, shiny, bouncy blow outs! Dries and styles in one or two easy passes ( on damp hair) and provides maximum lift if I style it that way. Easily dries and styles large sections of hair making this THE BEST hairstyling tool! Highly recommend! I use the low setting and cool blast. Surprised and very happy that I don't need med/high settings. Only caveat I have come across so far: the temp/speed setting is in an awkward place to be able to change it while using. Learning curve, I suppose. Otherwise, another GREAT styling tool from Revlon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️" — ERJ
Get it from Amazon for $32.43+ (available in three styles and four colors).
6. Or a RobeCurls heatless hair curler that will give straight and wavy hair effortless waves while you sleep. Just wrap your locks around the satin band, get some beauty sleep, and wake up feeling like elves snuck in to curl your hair.
Amazon
Emikeni is a woman-founded small business that specializes in heatless hair curling tools.
Promising review: "I don't usually leave reviews, but this exceeded my expectations. I've tried heatless curlers like this before that didn't sit flat on the top of my head and weren't bendable, so they were hard to sleep in. I love that it has a wire all the way through it so you can bend it and pull it to the back of your head (I'm a stomach and side sleeper, so I want it away from my face). If you mist your hair with a little water until it's slightly damp and wear it overnight, the curls last all day." — Jane Doe
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in nine colors).
7. A grape and tomato zip slicer to put an end to the agonizing task of slicing tiny fruit. Enough is enough! This dishwasher-safe device will give you perfectly halved bites with just a swipe of the wrist.
www.youtube.com
Promising review: "Saw this on TikTok. Had to try it. LOVE IT. So fast and easy. Washes easily and we just lay it out to dry. But we have also put it in the dishwasher too. Saves us so much time and no more almost slicing fingers cutting tiny tomatoes. Wish I'd had this when the kids were tiny and I needed to cut their grapes. Would've saved me time." – Mermaid
Get it from Amazon for $19.01.
8. An automatic toilet cleaning system that shoots a bleach cleanser in your bowl with every flush, keeping things fresh between scrubbing sessions. I don't know why, but the toilet stamps kind of embarrass me — I don't want people to know I'm off-loading my toilet cleaning duties — so this is the perfect solution. 🤓
It's super quick to install, and one cartridge can last up to three months!
Promising review:"I used to use those deodorizer tablets for all my toilets in my home, and they worked. However, the chemicals from the tablets would harden the plastic/rubber flap valves in the toilet and cause them to slowly leak overnight. My water bill would be high every month. Once I switched to the Fluidmaster 8300 dispenser, keeping my toilets clean and odorless became easy. Plus, maintenance on my toilets decreased! The cartridges last three months, and replacing them requires no tools. Highly recommend." — Mikiloti
Get it from Amazon for $10.49.
9. A rust-removing gel spray – you may be tempted to say "abracadabra" as you use it. It's that magical! The powerful gel clings to rust on contact, so you can watch stains start melting off your tiles immediately; no scrubbing needed.
www.amazon.com
Use this for cleaning bathtubs, showers, toilets, colorfast fabrics, vertical surfaces, and hard-to-reach spots. It's nonabrasive and made with a nonhydrofluoric acid-based formula.
Promising review:"Holy wizardry! Seriously, it was more work to clean the mirror over the vanity than to use this product. With almost no effort, this made my dark orange, iron-water shower stall white again. I definitely suggest wearing a mask or bandana and running the ventilation fan if spraying in an enclosed area. Great product!" — Jessica B
Get it from Amazon for $11.35.
10. A set of paint touch-up pens for when you start to notice scuffs on your walls but don't want to commit to a full paint job. Just fill the pens up with paint, and you can forgo the whole roller brush entirely. This is also ideal for hiding any oopsies from your landlord when they do a walkthrough, looking for excuses to keep your security deposit.
Amazon, Slobproof
Slobproof is a small business that specializes in home improvement products.
Some reviewers use these for detail work on designs and murals. As an added bonus, these are totally airtight, so the paint in them won't dry out if you don't finish up the paint in the pen all at once.
Promising review:"These are genius! They work so well and make it no hassle to quickly retouch small areas that get scratched up. Never knew something like this existed, and now am in love with them!" — Jeff
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in packs of five).
11. A Roomba robot vacuum because if robots are going to take our jobs, it might as well be the worst ones. It'll clean your floors *and* it even works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice control! You might as well call this device Rosey because this is Jetsons -level tech.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It runs for up to 90 minutes before automatically heading to the dock to recharge.
Promising review:"So far, it is amazing! It picks up SO much dirt and hair. We have three dogs and a cat, and my floors are spotless. We decided to get this cheaper one to see if it was something that would work for us and I am amazed! For the first week, we let it run every day. We made sure we picked everything up, and it only got stuck one time. We use it every other day and have it scheduled to run just before we get home. This thing even picks up cat litter! If you are on the fence, try it. Has made my life so much easier not having to sweep every day!" — Kathryn P.
Get it from Amazon for $219.99+ (available in two models).
12. And a self-cleaning litter box you can even control from your smartphone — sitting on the couch has never been so productive. It scoops the unmentionables into a separate compartment that you can throw away at your leisure.
The hands-free cleaning cycle runs 20 minutes after your cat leaves the litter box, moving their waste to a leak-proof, odor-controlled, and disposable tray underneath. Also grab a bag of scoop-free crystal litter and tray refills, too.
Promising reviews:"This litter box is a must for any busy family that struggles to keep up with the daily maintenance of having a cat and a litter box! It works well, and my cat is so happy always having a clean litter box." — Kelsey Decker
"I rarely write product reviews but this litter box actually made a huge difference for my house! I have had a cat for about 10 years who decides to do the number 2 about two feet outside the litter box. He has ALWAYS done this, no matter what type of litter or box. I even asked my vet about it, and his response was, "Some cats are just jerks"😂. Then I got this litter box. For the first time EVER, he does ALL of his business in the box! And there is no odor at all!! I love it so much I have two. Would highly recommend!!" — Emily Stokes
Get it from Amazon for $199.95+ (available in three styles).
13. Slow cooker liners so you don't have to yank the heavy pot out of the cooker to clean it. You can also use the heat-resistant liners to make two stews at once. Bags! Gotta love 'em.
Amazon
Bonus! These are also great for cooking cheesecakes. Just wrap the pan in one before dipping it in the water bath to keep it nice and dry.
Promising review:"This is a great deal on the multi-pack!!! Since trying these, I always use them when cooking in my Crockpot!! Cleanup is so, so easy. No mess, guaranteed!!!" — Sue
Get six liners from Amazon for $5.79.
14. Or oil-proof paper air fryer liners because I know you've been ignoring those burnt crumbs and french fry grease, hoping some enterprising elves might take care of it. Sadly, they're all busy baking cookies and mending shoes, but you can at least avoid future cleaning with the magic of disposable liners.
If you'd prefer a reusable option, check out these silicone air fryer liners.
Promising review:"These are lifesavers! Makes clean up seem unnecessary. For real. I use the air fryer a lot. I love cooking salmon brushed with olive oil. These liners keep a good 97% of anything from being in the bottom. Maybe more. When you think about how many liners you get, it's really not a bad deal for how much it helps." — Kim Kelly
Get 120 liners from Amazon for $12.29+ (available in eight sizes/shapes).
15. A magnetic eyelash set so easy to use, you'll wonder how you were ever intimidated by applying falsies. The kit comes with a magnetic liquid eyeliner that you run across the upper lash line. Then you can just pop the lashes on without having to worry about messy glue or accidentally pasting lashes to your cheek.
The kit comes with false eyelashes, magnetic eyeliner, and an applicator.
Promising reviews: "With traditional faux lashes, you put the glue on the lash then you have to put it evenly right above your own eye lash. But if your eye tends to twitch or your hand shakes, you end up spending an hour trying to put the lashes on. You just give up. I know I tried and failed plenty of times. I paid big money to let a professional do it. But NOW I DO IT MYSELF!!" — Alfrita Fox
"I've tried several different types of false eyelashes...both glued and magnetic. These are the EASIEST to apply, most COMFORTABLE to wear, and they stay FIRMLY put until I remove them! I have used the same pair for seven days with no issues whatsoever. I highly recommend this brand of magnetic eyelashes!" — tbear
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six pack sizes).
16. A dog paw-cleaning device to keep Spot's feet squeaky clean, because you can't exactly put hand sanitizer on a dog. (Seriously, do not do that.) Fill the tube up with soapy water and let the soft bristles scrub away the day's walk.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Best. Thing. Ever. This product works like a charm. It gets the sand from between their pads and is gentle enough that even my most stubborn pup tolerates it! I have a terrier/schnauzer who likes to dig, a mini golden doodle who is prissy about her paws, and a standard Labradoodle puppy who is still very fuzzy. We have a farm where it is extremely sandy and we stay in a travel trailer. The amount of sand they were tracking into the camper was ridiculous. It takes me three minutes to clean and dry off all of their paws. Seriously, the best purchase I have made!" — Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes and eight colors).
17. Fanola purple shampoo that'll transform your brassy blonde into ice queen blonde in no time. The purple toner counteracts the yellow tones in your highlights and can save you frequent trips to the salon. And since it's just a shampoo, you don't have to add any extra steps to your routine.
Promising review:"Thank goodness I found this stuff!!! I'm pretty religious in getting my hair done every 10–12 weeks, mainly because my hair always goes warm and it bugs me. I'm not sure if there were new products used this last time I went to the salon, but my hair turned brassy within four weeks instead of the usual 10. Instead of taking the 40-mile drive to the salon and paying all that money again, I got this shampoo. I used it like shampoo the first night, leaving it in for two minutes. The second night, I used it like a mask, leaving it on for five minutes. Seriously, where has this shampoo been all my hair-coloring life?!" — S. Elison
Get it from Amazon for $14.23.
18. A batter dispenser you can use to make perfect pancakes and cupcakes every 👏 single 👏 time 👏. Gone are the days of using a measuring cup and dripping batter all over your stovetop. Now you can focus on the fun part: decorating! Who wants a lopsided Mickey Mouse?
You can also use it for cupcakes, too!
Promising review:"I'm an old school cook so I was skeptical about purchasing this product. However, I have arthritis and now that I am retired, I am always on the lookout for products to make meal prep easier for me. My husband and I have a big breakfast every morning and we enjoy pancakes. This dispenser made pancake making much easier. I love it. What I was very impressed with was that the batter flows so easy through the container. The dispenser makes the size of the pancakes uniform and even. Cleaning it was very easy. I'm not sure if it is dishwasher safe, but I chose to hand wash it. Nothing to it! I appreciate that this product is brightly colored, as I have a bright kitchen with Fiestaware. This dispenser matches my kitchen decor too. Yay." — Kevin and Mari Cornish
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
19. A WD-40 pen that provides all the same benefits as the spray can (quieting squeaks, lubricating hinges, preventing rust, etc.) but now with an easy-to-maneuver, precise pen tip. You could just walk around your home, touching up every hinge you see!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." — BBP623
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available with a trucker hat for some reason).
20. A set of drill brushes so effective, you'll be shocked how clean your bathroom used to be. Why spend the energy scrubbing when pressing a drill button will do the trick? It's so important to delegate.
www.amazon.com
The set comes with a 2-inch flat brush, a 4-inch flat brush, and a round brush. The drill isn't included, but you can grab a basic Black and Decker one ($29 on Amazon) that'll do the trick.
Promising review:"I thought my hard water stains would never come off my shower doors, but I bought this awesome brush set, and it's amazing! I've tried all the hacks — drier sheets, clean erasers, lemon, vinegar — nothing works like this brush! I used Zep shower cleaner with it! In the picture, the side on the right is the part of the door I cleaned, and I still have to clean the left side." — Traci D.
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors and stiffness levels).
21. Ohora semi-cured nail strips offering a professional-looking manicure, even if your past at-home attempts yielded less-than-stellar results. Apply them like stickers, seal them under a UV lamp, and you're done! These waterproof strips will look and feel like a gel manicure and last up to two weeks.
Promising review: "Love these nails! The picture is them after a week (still going strong)! I put them on for my honeymoon. I've been in the ocean for hours, and they are not showing any wear. They took maybe 15 minutes to apply — I did use a gel top coat and I think that helped keep them from chipping this long. Will be buying more!" — Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $13.50 (available in 21 colors).
22. A pack of disposable shower hair catchers for people who often forget to clean the drain after a shower and too squeamish to maintain a device like the TubShroom. You can just close your eyes and throw these away when they're too hair-infested.
Amazon
Promising review:"For anyone with long hair, drainage clogging in the shower is a pain. So THANKS to whoever thought of such a simple but clever solution. They stick perfectly and the glue lasts like three weeks. It literally does not let a hair pass, and it's just so easy to place and remove. I wish I had known about this product before! A must-buy." — MER
Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a 50-pack and 100-pack).
23. An eyeliner with a wing-shaped stamp so you can just stamp on your cat-eye liner and feel like you hired Adele's makeup artist. No more erasing and retrying one million times!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Lovoir Beauty is a small biz based in New Zealand that sells this genius winged eyeliner stamp known as The Flick Stick.
Promising review:"I just want to make my morning routine as easy as possible. I love winged liner, but I don't have the steady hand for it without mistakes. This makes the perfect and consistent wing every time. Love it!" — Julie B
Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in three sizes or a combo style).
24. A breakfast sandwich maker that cooks every part of the sandwich at once and then neatly stacks them together so you can skip the line at your local deli. Those $8 charges are starting to add up, after all.
All the removable, nonstick parts on this sandwich maker are dishwasher safe.
Promising review:"My college daughter loves this sandwich maker! It's quick and simple and requires no more than an outlet, although I do recommend spraying non-stick on the plates once in a while or at least wiping with a touch of Crisco. This makes cleaning it easier, too. Makes sandwiches just like the fast food joint but at far less cost, and you can do it in your jammies!" — AZDonnamae
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in five colors).
25. A box of Color Catcher sheets to prevent the dreaded "all my clothes are now pink from this one stray red sock" debacle. These handy sheets are designed to grab any dye that leaks or bleeds so you can keep enjoying your white tees even if you're not sorting clothes into lights and darks.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These Color Catcher sheets really protect colors from bleeding. It makes all clothes/laundry brighter and looking like new — not that old washed color after just one wash without these sheets. I give this product 5+ stars. Highly recommend. A few pennies spent additionally on your laundry makes one look like wearing new clothes all the time." — Nikita
Get 72 sheets from Amazon for $10.95 (also available in multipacks).
26. A game-changing veggie chopper that will make quick work of your prep work. Just add your veggies, slam down the lid, enjoy freshly chopped produce, and then throw the device in the dishwasher when you're done. Now you'll be crying tears of joy instead of tears from onion cutting.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action.
Promising review:"This is one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools! This is right up there with my stand mixer. I save hours a week using this for dinner prep. I HATE cutting up veggies for dinner, and this makes it fast and fun! I can't believe I didn't buy one years ago. This is worth every penny. Easy to use, and I can just throw it in my dishwasher for clean up. I'm obsessed. I will be buying these as gifts. This is an absolute must-have for everyone." — Reviewer
27. A pack of Spin Pins you can use to keep your hair firmly in place, saving you from constantly readjusting or fighting flyaways.
One of these coils is as strong as ~20 standard hairpins. Some reviewers note that these are a little too short for super-thick hair.
Promising review:"I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spend way too much time on getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke so I did it again, and then again. I have hair to my mid back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in a bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." — Tina
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a two pack).
28. A closet organizer *and* shirt folder that will finally address your — quite frankly — alarming dresser. Instead of balled-up tees crammed into drawers, you can enjoy neatly folded T-shirts that are easy to flip through.
ThreadStax, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Love this. I bought the 20-pack. I love clothes, and I'm a neat freak without a lot of closet space. Now, I can store my shirts and camis on my closet shelves and can see and access each one individually. Wish they were more affordable, or I'd buy even more!" — Wendy I. Smith
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and five multipacks).
29. Silver cleaning wipes because the last thing you need is a set of dirty silverware ~tarnishing~ your reputation. These ammonia-free wipes offer long-lasting shine, protect items from scratching, and are soooo much easier to use than polishing pastes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I've used these and can confirm they work super fast!
Promising review:"It is very uncommon for me to write a review but this product is amazing. My family's silverware had not been polished in the 15 years since I married my husband. The only time I ever polished anything before it was messy and smelly and took forever. Therefore I didn't have any interest in polishing something that we weren't using. I decided to try these wipes because the price was reasonable. They are easy to use and do a wonderful job! The silverware looks silver! I used four wipes to polish a service of eight, and it took me about 20 minutes. I highly recommend this product!" — Kehrli
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $9.55.
30. A jewelry cleaning pen you can count on to add new shine to your gems; no costly trip to the jeweler required. As someone who refuses to take off rings before washing dishes, showering, etc., I need this!
www.amazon.com
The pen is filled with a jewelry-cleaning formula that removes dirt and oil and reduces the appearance of scratches, allowing your gems to really shine. Just remove the cap, brush the solution on your jewelry, and wait for it to dry.
Promising review:"I have a 2.5-carat wedding ring and have a hard time really finding anything that gets that 'first-day' sparkle back. With the Dazzle Stick, it shines again. Thank you so much!" — C.Skinner
Get it from Amazon for $9.28.
31. A Conair handheld steamer that I personally swear by for turning wrinkly balls of fabric back into the pristine garments they were before you left them in the bottom of your closet. It heats up quickly and removes wrinkles in minutes. And you really can't beat the price for how effective it is.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I originally bought this steamer for my wedding three years ago, and it's still going strong! It heats up in about a minute and does a great job working through tough wrinkles. It's super small, so it's perfect for one or two garments. Just be careful not to overfill it — it seriously only needs like a splash of water.
Promising review: "This steamer was a lifesaver. It can fix any wrinkled clothes or bent fabric props and make a tough wig a breeze to work with and style. I highly recommend. It does have a small water capacity, but you can work with it for a decent amount of time. Definitely good for the price point." — Alexa
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors and also a "travel smart" version).
32. Or if you wanna be really speedy, a bottle of Downy wrinkle release spray you can just spray on and watch the wrinkles magically vamoose.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is the bomb dot com. You just spray it on your clothes, smooth out the clothes with your hands quickly, wait a few minutes and the clothes are wrinkle-free! I hate ironing, so this is magic. Obviously, it won't work on hard creases but wrinkles from the dryer, for example, it will get rid of." — J. Larsen
Get two bottles and a mini from Amazon for $16.99.
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)
Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)

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Dad Teaches How to Survive Natural Disasters, but Wanted to Do More. How Son's Stuffed Animal Inspired Him (Exclusive)

Anthony Finchum, the man behind the DisastrousHistory podcast and social media pages, has launched a new effort to support kids impacted by natural disasters Through "Operation Stuffie Strong," Anthony and his wife Kaitlin aim to deliver funds and stuffed animals to kids and families impacted by tornadoes, hurricanes, fires and more "I was not expecting the reaction," Anthony tells PEOPLE after receiving more than 40 stuffed animals and nearly $400 in donations on the first dayWhen disaster strikes, the recovery process can be both physically and mentally demanding. It can be an especially difficult time for kids, who sometimes lose everything they've ever known. Now, one content creator is using his platform to offer these kids emotional support through a new initiative. Anthony Finchum is best known online as the man behind the Disastrous History podcast and social media pages. For years, the 31 year old, who lives in Nebraska, has used his platform to teach his followers how to prepare for and survive disasters. Now, Anthony tells PEOPLE that he wants to use that same platform to help those impacted by these same catastrophes. He and his wife Kaitlin, 35, recently launched 'Operation Stuffie Strong,' which aims to bring children comfort following a disaster by providing them with a special stuffed animal. 'I think that it's important to do something like this to show that, especially kids, you're not forgotten,' Anthony explains. 'People care, people want to help, people want to give you comfort.' Originally from Indiana, Anthony has long been fascinated by natural disasters, having experienced his fair share as a child. At 18, Anthony joined his local fire department, where he helped investigate his very first house fire during a blizzard. Intrigued, Anthony eventually went to college and took a number of emergency management classes, eventually receiving a Bachelor's degrees in fire arson and explosion investigation. In his career, Anthony has done more than 700 fire investigations, and assisted with responses to both hurricanes and tornados. He has also helped run multiple migrant shelters in Washington, D.C., all of which offered him an inside look at the various facets of human suffering. Later in adulthood, Anthony says he fell into a nightly ritual of researching various natural disasters on Wikipedia. He would share his findings with his wife, who then proposed he start a podcast. Anthony agreed, and 'Disastrous History' was launched. He then created several social media accounts under the same name, where he now regularly shared detailed videos about both recent and historic disasters that have impacted the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people worldwide — from tornadoes and hurricanes to earthquakes, fires and more. Now, Anthony has amassed more than 300,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more. With such a large following, he was eager to use his platform to 'give back tangibly to disaster survivors.' On Monday, May 19, Anthony came up with the idea for 'Operation Stuffie Strong.' He tells PEOPLE he was driving home after picking up dinner from his family when the idea suddenly struck him. 'I was thinking about, 'How can I give back to people and who can I do the most good for?' And I was thinking about [how] my son has a stuffed animal that he absolutely loves,' Anthony explains. 'It's a stuffed animal rabbit. He named it Floppy, after Floppy from Bluey." 'And I realized that if we lost our home and he lost Floppy, he would be absolutely devastated,' the content creator adds. That's when Anthony concocted the idea for the iniative. The goal, he says, is to offer kids 'some kind of comfort after they have lost everything' during what may be one of the darkest moments in their lives. 'A lot of these times, these kids are anywhere from two to 10, and the only thing they've ever known is school and home. Or sometimes just home.' Upon returning home, Anthony ran the idea by his wife Kaitlin, who enthusiastically offered to help. She quickly whipped up a website and set up an Amazon wishlist, as well as other ways for people to donate to the cause. Then, it was time to launch. Anthony posted his first video about the iniative on Wednesday, May 21, and it wasn't long before donations poured in. On the first day alone, about 40 stuffed animals had been ordered on Amazon, and nearly $400 had been donated. 'I was not expecting the reaction,' Anthony tells PEOPLE, adding, 'I don't know what I was expecting.' Most of the initial donations come with heartfelt notes from their donors, who recall the impact they felt after receiving a stuffed animal after experiencing a disaster themselves. Some donors still have their special stuffed animals today, and wanted to pass along the kind gesture to another young person. "When we had our tornado back in the '80s, my grandfather found one of my stuffed animals in the rubble and he handed it to me,' one woman wrote, according to Anthony. 'And I still have it on my mantle." Now, they're looking for families to donate to. Those seeking assistance can visit to nominate a child for a stuffed animal. Meanwhile, those who are interested in donating can visit his website, where they can find the Amazon wishlist as well as the Venmo and PayPal accounts. Anthony says he and his wife Kaitlin plan to personally package all of the stuffed animals to families in need, and write personalized notes to the recipients. They also have a crayon drawing of their son's bunny Floppy, drawn by their son himself, that will be 'included on all of the notes.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Ultimately, Anthony hopes that 'Operation Stuffie Strong' can show kids impacted by these disasters that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 'There is always hope and there is always good,' he says. Meanwhile, Anthony continues to post educational content about disasters of all kinds. By doing so, he believes he can show people how to be better prepared for a disaster, and teach them that enduring such an event 'isn't the end of the world.' 'People can come back, people recover, areas recover,' Anthony tells PEOPLE. 'They may be different than they were before, but you can move on, you can live through it. There is hope on the other side.' Read the original article on People

15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags
15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags

Yahoo

time9 hours ago

  • Yahoo

15 'Ew...That Gave Me The Ick" Relationship Red Flags That Are Secretly Huge Green Flags

Red flag this, green flag that. When dating, people have so many characteristics they look for in a partner. Or more truthfully, traits they try to avoid. Sometimes, though, one person's red flag is another person's green flag. We asked the BuzzFeed Community for examples of things that, when dating, some might see as a reason for pause, but they see as a good thing. The responses were fascinating: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. 1."Not having social media. I have heard (and read on BuzzFeed) that 'not having any social media is a huge red flag for me.' WHY?! HOW?! So you're upset that you don't have to police their Instagram, Facebook/Messenger, TikTok, Snapchat, etc? My partner of six years only has Snapchat and literally has like 25 friends. They are 99% friends I have met, have mutual friends with, or are his family. It's a HUGE green flag that they don't give a crap about social media and what others think about his life/our life. It's OUR life, so why should anyone expect to see into it if you're not invited? I have social media only because it's how I communicate with family. He has full access, and I have full access to his phone, etc. Why? Because we trust each other. It's so nice having a partner who doesn't give a fuck about what others think of him as much as I don't give a fuck. If you think it's a red flag, you need to ask yourself why." —Anonymous, 36; Tennessee 2."Having a quirky or weird interest. That does not automatically make someone a weirdo or obsessive. For example, my husband has ADHD and tends to get very interested in a hobby or topic quickly and loves to geek out about it. Some of his interests are kind of out there. For example, he's 27 and LOVES Disney (especially the parks and movies), LOVES gardening, LOVES caring for our bearded dragon, LOVES working on his tank, and LOVES improving his life quality. A lot of other girls in college thought he was weird for his niche and intense interests, especially because he can be kind of shy and quiet. I was the only girl who gave him a chance. And I won the jackpot! He's caring, romantic, respects me, takes great care of me and our home, and he's wicked smart. Sure, he's quirky. Sure, he doesn't have typical 'masculine' hobbies. But he's a great guy, and I wish more people saw more for him than his quirks." —Anonymous, 25; Virginia 3."Not doing surprise gifts, dates, etc. Spontaneity and big gestures are highly romanticized, but they can often set both parties up for disappointment or unrealistic expectations. Communicating and involving your partner instead is a green flag for me. My partner and I like to discuss and plan fun ideas together. We go shopping for gifts together as well, so we get to pick out exactly what we like. It's so much more fun, and there is less pressure to like a gift or hope they like a gift. (And wastes less money)." —Anonymous, 30; Canada 4."Inserting himself into my college life. We currently go to different colleges, but he makes the effort to see me at my college because he wants to get to know my friends and new interests I've picked up. It's so, when I talk, he knows how to contribute to our conversations in a way that he understands what and who I'm talking about. Some people may see it as signs of insecurity or jealousy, but he truly wants to see the way I've been growing as a person now that I'm in college." —Anonymous, 18; New York 5."Online gaming. I've dated a couple of people I've met through online gaming. I know people tend to think that's a bad thing (to game a lot), but it requires communication and planning skills, especially when their gaming group includes people around the world." —Anonymous, 39; Phoenix, AZ 6."Not being close to their parents. It's great if your family is close. It's also absolutely okay if it's complicated, but sometimes it is better to cut ties with abusers or toxic people. I think it can be healthy to be no or low-contact, and it can protect partners and future children. It takes a lot of strength to break cycles." —Anonymous, 32; California 7."It's not toxic to have never dated someone before. Like, they're waiting for the truly right person to date." —Anonymous, 20; South Carolina 8."When people always respond with 'What do YOU want to do?' People find it weirdly annoying, but I think it just means they care about how you feel. I don't like it when people are like, 'What do you want to do?' 'Oh, I was thinking ice skating, then lunch at this restaurant, then a museum…' That just feels like they've been creepily putting this whole date together for months. No, thank you." —Anonymous 9."Not responding to texts quickly. My bf was sooooo slow to respond to texts when we first exchanged numbers. I thought he wasn't interested, but it turned out that he was not a very tech-savvy guy and had no interest in his phone. This makes dates great as we can converse for hours on end and away from screens. Our interactions are always genuine, and he's so thoughtful!" —Anonymous, 16; Oklahoma 10."Having girl friends as a man. It's not a red flag. It actually tells me women feel safe around you, and you can build a relationship with a woman other than a romantic one. So that means you don't see women only as objects for your pleasure. You actually see them as human beings you can interact with just like you do with other men." —Anonymous, 22; Romania 11."Not telling someone their WHOLE life story. The older I get, there are things people keep to themselves for a reason. Doesn't mean they don't trust you or you can't trust them. If it's significant enough, it will reveal itself. I am not going to force someone I am with to tell me everything if they're not comfortable doing so. That being said, if you don't communicate what is important to you for them to share about themselves, that is all on you." —witchysorcerer621 12."Not being a self-proclaimed nice guy. This might be specific to my relationship, but he straight up told me he was 'kind of an a**hole' on our first date and said he wasn't good with emotions. It was refreshing as hell, coming from seemingly endless dates with self-professed 'nice guys' who were anything but. Turns out he's not an asshole at all, and he's pretty damn good with emotions now. That first date was 15 years ago." —rakishrogue 13."A guy cooking, cleaning, and being able to do stereotypically 'female' stuff." —Anonymous, Maddi, USA 26 14."Being upfront about dating other people. It might seem like a red flag at first, but it's actually a green one. Honesty about where you stand shows emotional maturity and respect. It also sets the stage for clear communication when the time comes to discuss exclusivity — if and when both people are ready for that step." —Anonymous, 37; Mexico "On a blind or first date: I am totally OJ with small talk. People have all sorts of different levels and experiences when it comes to meeting with a person for the first time. Being nervous is OK, and not knowing what to say is OK." —sparklysalt40 Have examples of your own where a perceived red flag is actually a green flag? Let us know in the comments or through the anonymous form below!

15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags
15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags

Buzz Feed

time10 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

15 Relationship Red Flags That Are Huge Green Flags

Red flag this, green flag that. When dating, people have so many characteristics they look for in a partner. Or more truthfully, traits they try to avoid. Sometimes, though, one person's red flag is another person's green flag. We asked the BuzzFeed Community for examples of things that, when dating, some might see as a reason for pause, but they see as a good thing. The responses were fascinating: "Not having social media. I have heard (and read on BuzzFeed) that 'not having any social media is a huge red flag for me.' WHY?! HOW?! So you're upset that you don't have to police their Instagram, Facebook/Messenger, TikTok, Snapchat, etc? My partner of six years only has Snapchat and literally has like 25 friends. They are 99% friends I have met, have mutual friends with, or are his family. It's a HUGE green flag that they don't give a crap about social media and what others think about his life/our life. It's OUR life, so why should anyone expect to see into it if you're not invited? I have social media only because it's how I communicate with family. He has full access, and I have full access to his phone, etc. Why? Because we trust each other. It's so nice having a partner who doesn't give a fuck about what others think of him as much as I don't give a fuck. If you think it's a red flag, you need to ask yourself why." —Anonymous, 36; Tennessee "Having a quirky or weird interest. That does not automatically make someone a weirdo or obsessive. For example, my husband has ADHD and tends to get very interested in a hobby or topic quickly and loves to geek out about it. Some of his interests are kind of out there. For example, he's 27 and LOVES Disney (especially the parks and movies), LOVES gardening, LOVES caring for our bearded dragon, LOVES working on his tank, and LOVES improving his life quality. A lot of other girls in college thought he was weird for his niche and intense interests, especially because he can be kind of shy and quiet. I was the only girl who gave him a chance. And I won the jackpot! He's caring, romantic, respects me, takes great care of me and our home, and he's wicked smart. Sure, he's quirky. Sure, he doesn't have typical 'masculine' hobbies. But he's a great guy, and I wish more people saw more for him than his quirks." "Not doing surprise gifts, dates, etc. Spontaneity and big gestures are highly romanticized, but they can often set both parties up for disappointment or unrealistic expectations. Communicating and involving your partner instead is a green flag for me. My partner and I like to discuss and plan fun ideas together. We go shopping for gifts together as well, so we get to pick out exactly what we like. It's so much more fun, and there is less pressure to like a gift or hope they like a gift. (And wastes less money)." —Anonymous, 30; Canada "Inserting himself into my college life. We currently go to different colleges, but he makes the effort to see me at my college because he wants to get to know my friends and new interests I've picked up. It's so, when I talk, he knows how to contribute to our conversations in a way that he understands what and who I'm talking about. Some people may see it as signs of insecurity or jealousy, but he truly wants to see the way I've been growing as a person now that I'm in college." "Online gaming. I've dated a couple of people I've met through online gaming. I know people tend to think that's a bad thing (to game a lot), but it requires communication and planning skills, especially when their gaming group includes people around the world." —Anonymous, 39; Phoenix, AZ "Not being close to their parents. It's great if your family is close. It's also absolutely okay if it's complicated, but sometimes it is better to cut ties with abusers or toxic people. I think it can be healthy to be no or low-contact, and it can protect partners and future children. It takes a lot of strength to break cycles." "It's not toxic to have never dated someone before. Like, they're waiting for the truly right person to date." —Anonymous, 20; South Carolina "When people always respond with 'What do YOU want to do?' People find it weirdly annoying, but I think it just means they care about how you feel. I don't like it when people are like, 'What do you want to do?' 'Oh, I was thinking ice skating, then lunch at this restaurant, then a museum…' That just feels like they've been creepily putting this whole date together for months. No, thank you." "Not responding to texts quickly. My bf was sooooo slow to respond to texts when we first exchanged numbers. I thought he wasn't interested, but it turned out that he was not a very tech-savvy guy and had no interest in his phone. This makes dates great as we can converse for hours on end and away from screens. Our interactions are always genuine, and he's so thoughtful!" —Anonymous, 16; Oklahoma "Having girl friends as a man. It's not a red flag. It actually tells me women feel safe around you, and you can build a relationship with a woman other than a romantic one. So that means you don't see women only as objects for your pleasure. You actually see them as human beings you can interact with just like you do with other men." "Not telling someone their WHOLE life story. The older I get, there are things people keep to themselves for a reason. Doesn't mean they don't trust you or you can't trust them. If it's significant enough, it will reveal itself. I am not going to force someone I am with to tell me everything if they're not comfortable doing so. That being said, if you don't communicate what is important to you for them to share about themselves, that is all on you." —witchysorcerer621 "Not being a self-proclaimed nice guy. This might be specific to my relationship, but he straight up told me he was 'kind of an a**hole' on our first date and said he wasn't good with emotions. It was refreshing as hell, coming from seemingly endless dates with self-professed 'nice guys' who were anything but. Turns out he's not an asshole at all, and he's pretty damn good with emotions now. That first date was 15 years ago." "A guy cooking, cleaning, and being able to do stereotypically 'female' stuff." —Anonymous, Maddi, USA 26 "Being upfront about dating other people. It might seem like a red flag at first, but it's actually a green one. Honesty about where you stand shows emotional maturity and respect. It also sets the stage for clear communication when the time comes to discuss exclusivity — if and when both people are ready for that step." Finally, "On a blind or first date: I am totally OJ with small talk. People have all sorts of different levels and experiences when it comes to meeting with a person for the first time. Being nervous is OK, and not knowing what to say is OK." —sparklysalt40 Have examples of your own where a perceived red flag is actually a green flag? Let us know in the comments or through the anonymous form below!

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