Latest news with #Cheri
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Parents Wanted Their Autistic Son To Be Independent—so They Got To Work
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a 14-second TikTok video capturing 21-year-old Bobby Smith crossing the backyard to pilfer a scoop of ice from his parents' kitchen went viral, it looked like any lighthearted family moment. But for his parents, Cheri and Bob Smith, from West Virginia, it symbolized something far deeper—peace, progress, and a path to independence. The video, shared to Instagram on May 13 under @bobbystinyhouseworld, has been liked more than 117,000 times. Viewers saw Bobby, who is "profoundly autistic," passing from his tiny home to his parents' home—a journey of just a few steps, but a monumental shift for a family once teetering on the edge of burnout. "He was diagnosed with autism at two," Bobby's parents told Newsweek. "He also has an intellectual disability, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and a seizure disorder." She described daily family life as "challenging but manageable" until the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown changed everything. With schools closed and routines upended, Bobby's increasingly intense rituals— driven by his OCD—engulfed the family. "We were not getting a break from each other," they said. "The stress in our household was palpable." Conversations with his primary doctors and caseworkers soon turned to the difficult possibility of residential treatment. "As the mom, I was really struggling with this decision," Cheri added. "It just didn't feel like the right move for him, for us." The couple also considered selling their home and building a larger property from scratch. It was not what they had ever wanted to do, with them both very happy in their home, but by that point they would have done anything to "save [their] family." A breakthrough leading to the idea of developing a tiny house came one day as the couple stood by a window that overlooks their back yard. "I asked Bob if we could put a tiny home or an RV in our yard," Cheri said. "He said yes." With spray paint in hand, they mapped the space in the backyard, and within weeks, after visits to multiple builders, they found one who matched their vision. "An hour after we started the design process, we had a house designed with only Bobby's needs in mind," the couple explained. Four weeks later, the structure arrived and by August 11, 2024, Bobby was sleeping in very his own place for the first time in his life. His parents, who acknowledge this may not be the right move for every family, say that for them the decision was incredibly positive, with the results immediately transformative. "Bobby began trying new foods," his parents said. "He went from a diet of mostly chicken nuggets and fries to eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and well-rounded variety of meats." More crucially, the behaviors tied to his conditions that had dominated the family's daily life—from emotional overwhelm to aggression—disappeared. From left: Cheri and Bob Smith stand outside of their son Bobby's tiny house; and Bobby walking from his tiny house to his parents' kitchen in an Instagram video. From left: Cheri and Bob Smith stand outside of their son Bobby's tiny house; and Bobby walking from his tiny house to his parents' kitchen in an Instagram video. @bobbystinyhouseworld "He's lived in his tiny house for nine months now with no meltdowns," his mom said. Buoyed by their son's progress, the Smiths began sharing their journey on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to connect with other people who are caregivers to children or adults with similar conditions. "I just knew that there were so many families out there that are struggling like ours," Cheri said. "The outpouring of love and support from viewers online has been incredible." The recent viral clip—a simple shot of Bobby walking to his parents' kitchen—resonated far beyond their expectations. "This 14-second video is so much more than it seems at face value," Cheri said. "It is just a glimpse into a family doing an everyday normal activity. For us, it was monumental." She added: "My husband and I kept saying to each other, can you believe that we are just able to sit here like this and enjoy the morning? It had been years since we had been able to have moments like this. So when Bobby came out and walked by, looking like we were annoying parents, we were beyond grateful and thrilled that this easy, uneventful moment was happening for us." Bobby's tiny home, once a solution born of necessity and later crafted with love, is now regularly shared with thousands of families online hoping to find similar solutions for their loved ones. "The fact that so many viewers online shared that moment with us is a privilege," the couple said.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
CHERI LYNNE STAPLE
Adjust Text Size: A+ A- CHERI LYNNE STAPLE Cheri passed away peacefully Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Riverview Care Centre, with her parents and brother by her was born on May 31, 1977, to Rosiland and Morris Michalishyn. Morris passed away in 1978. Roz met Brian Staple in 1980 and in 1981 they married and Brian adopted Cheri and they became a family. In 1982 Cheri was blessed with a baby brother grew up in Charleswood and attended Oak Park High School, graduating with honours in both French and English. Cheri started working for Hillary Production Machining and was there for almost 25 years. They became her family. Cheri loved her job and co-workers and always thought she would be able to go back to work one hobbies included, cooking, baking and crafts. There were many family, friends and co-workers who benefited from this. She loved to spoil everyone, especially her nephews, Caden and Brycen, who were her pride and was a generous, loving and giving young woman with many talents. She donated to many charities and also sponsored children from other countries. She wanted to help out wherever she could. Her final wish was for anyone was to donate to the Cancer Society or a charity of their choice in lieu of family would like to thank all those who phoned, texted and visited until her passing. This gave her peace and happiness. Thank you, Donna, Linda, and Heather. Your Bible studies and prayers with her meant a lot. Thank you to my sister Robie and brother-in-law Marcel for your love and support. You were a special Aunt and Uncle to her and she enjoyed your constant visits and the goodies you would bring behalf of the family, we would like to thank the Riverview Health Care for their constant love and dedication that you gave Cheri. You gave Cheri comfort in her final is survived by her mother Rosiland, father Brian, brother Wayne, sister-in-law Angela, and loving nephews, Caden and Brycen.A private interment for immediate family to follow at a later date. The Celebration of Life for Cheri Lynn Staple will be held on May 24, Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. at Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Blvd. A luncheon will follow at the church. As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2025 Offer Condolences or Memory Share your memories and/or express your condolences below. Fields marked with a * are required. All others are optional. Unfortunately with the need to moderate tributes for inappropriate content, your comments may take up to 48 hours to appear. Thank you for your understanding.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Below Deck' cameraman who saved cast member's life was comatose after 2 strokes
NEW YORK — Heroic 'Below Deck' cameraman Brent Freeburg, who previously saved the life of cast member Ashton Pienaar, was comatose earlier this month after suffering two strokes earlier this month and remains hospitalized. Freeburg's family shared this week in a GoFundMe, which has thus far raised nearly $59,000 of a $500,000 goal, that they are '12 days through a nightmare' after he suffered two strokes and a subdural hematoma on Feb. 15. The New York state native, who grew up in the Adirondacks, experienced the medical emergency while outside of Los Angeles. His family is trying to raise funds to transport him to a hospital near them on the East Coast. Freeburg's family highlighted the moment he saved deckhand Ashton Pienaar's life in 2018, during the sixth season of the Bravo hit. 'Brent had no passion to be on camera, but quickly found his way to the forefront during one pivotal and life changing moment. Ashton was quickly whisked away to sea trapped, and drowning,' reads the GoFundMe. 'Brent made the decision to break the dreaded fourth wall and quickly went from spectator to hero. Brentrick, as we lovingly call him, however, was always our hero.' 'It's a tough thing to process when someone who's given you so much is now facing their own battle,' Pienaar wrote on Instagram earlier this week. 'If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts. Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery.' As of Thursday, though still on antibiotics, a sedative and pain medication, Freeburg is experiencing a fluctuating fever but managed to 'move his toes and squeeze his hand on command. … And yesterday's CAT scan showed no changes… which is good news too. Small steps,' his mom, Cheri, said in an update shared by a cousin via Instagram. Though Freeburg is no longer comatose and has been able to breathe on his own in recent days, doctors previously kept him on a breathing tube 'as a precaution,' according to hospitalization updates Cheri previously shared on GoFundMe. Last Friday, Freeburg underwent a middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization, meant to reduce the source of the brain's bleeding. Cheri wrote that he was 'stable, and vitals are all good' the following day, though he was back on the breathing tube and 'still asleep.' Freeburg had a fever for much of Tuesday — the last day his mom shared updates — prompting doctors to run multiple tests to determine whether he has an infection. He will subsequently move to a rehab facility.
Buzz Feed
10-02-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
40 Products For People Who Live Solo That Just Make Sense
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. Shopping · Because you could but don't need to eat a family's worth of homemade soup. Let's freeze some soup instead. 1. A mini air fryer in case you've put off the investment, or given up a too-big version a while back because it hogged all your counter space. (I actually gave a family-size one to my mom!) Promising review: "I bought this tiny air fryer to use while camping, but now it has a permanent space in my kitchen, too. I find myself throwing food into it instead of my expensive, gigantic one. So many times, I don't need the whistles and bells overkill of the big one. If you live alone or have a household of 1–2, and don't expect to cook a 5-pound anything in it, it's perfect and packed with the quality I expected from Cosori. (It also blew my camping buddies away when hot rolls hit the table on my night to make — Cheri Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in five colors). 2. A double step stool with a safety lock and a weight limit of 330 pounds so you can reach stuff in the tippy-top of your kitchen cabinets without climbing on the counter. Trust me, you need one of these. (I live solo and use mine all the time in the kitchen, despite being 5-foot-9.) Promising review: "I recently moved into my first solo apartment and I knew I needed a step ladder to reach things because your girl is 5'2. This ladder is very sturdy, and I love that it folds up easily so I can hide it in my storage room. Would definitely recommend." — kmill Get it from Amazon for $36.99. 3. Plus, a flexible grabber that's made for people with limited mobility but can come in handy for everyone while trying to grab stuff that's JUST out of reach. Also, you can fold it for easier storage and its sensitive grip means you get a better feel of what you're grabbing. Amazon Promising review: "Bought the 2-pack. Wanted my mother to be able to reach rarely used items in the topmost cupboard without getting on a step stool if my sisters and I weren't available. I'm using the other one to pick up trash when out mudlarking. Sturdy and convenient that it folds up." — Kristen Get it from Amazon for $23.95. 4. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint for those nights when you REAAAALLY want a foot massage but no one but your precious cat is around to help. Your kitty is busy making biscuits overtime. He knows the rent is due! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. My colleague Emma Lord loves these: "I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!" Promising review:"Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $10.47. 5. A universal remote attachment so you don't have to hunt down the TV remote and then the Fire TV remote because you misplaced them once again. This'll help you control it all with just your Fire TV remote. Promising review: "Before: three remotes, one for the screen (on/off), a separate one for the sound system (volume) and of course the fire stick remote. After: just the one convenient integrated unit. No more scrambling to find the which remote to do what I want, cause it's all right there in the one unit. I wish I'd have bought one years ago cause the multi-remote tango got old real fast." — Chapman B. Get it from Amazon for $29.99. 6. An organizing couch pillow with a sturdy spot for everything you require as you catch up on the Interview with the Vampire TV series, lest you forget your third beverage you need to watch as you thirst after Lestat. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small biz as seen on TV specializing in cleverly designed cup holders. Promising review: "I liked that it worked with cups and mugs, perfect for clumsy friends." — YAZ "This thing is great! I'm home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with crazy dogs running around. It's a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in more colors). 7. A pack of zombie plant seeds that'll produce a gorgeous plant that'll "play dead" when you touch it for a few minutes. Then it goes back to normal. Sooooo melodramatic! But still better than a roommate. (Perhaps it's more preferable than touching *actual* grass.) Promising review:"This was a fun plant. My kids enjoyed watching the leaves pull up and then spread back out. I even mailed one to a family member so they could try it out. I would buy this again!" — Nene582 Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.95. 8. A photo pillow custom-made with your fave meme because you're the only person living here and if guests complain, you can channel Meredith Marks and say, "YOU CAN LEAVE." As a horror girlie who salivates over 1) Skeet Ulrich in Scream and 2) Flamin' Hot Cheetos, I made this pillow on my own and it's my favorite thing in my apartment. I indeed found this meme on IG and knew it had to be mine in one physical form or another. So I created a Shutterfly pillow with it! It sits on my couch and often freaks out people I'm video chatting with because it looks like he's always staring at you. It also makes me want some Flamin' Hot Cheetos! Get it from Shutterfly for $43.98+ (available in various sizes and photo configurations). 9. Or a dino nugget pillow that'll play twinsies with your fave movie-night snack. Pass the honey mustard, please. Promising review:"This dino chicken nugget pillow is a real Jurassic dream come true! It's the perfect cuddle companion for all the paleontologists-in-training or anyone with an insatiable appetite for comfort. Just be careful not to accidentally take a bite while you're napping, because it looks deliciously deceiving!" — LadyTee Get it from Amazon for $7.79+ (available in three styles, two sizes, and in multipacks). 10. A powerful dishwashing spray that, honestly, if you buy anything from this list, this should be it — especially if your old house *doesn't* include a dishwasher. You can spray down that casserole dish caked with enchilada sauce, let it sit, and you simply wipe and rinse away that saucy mess in a few minutes after you've conquered your meal. (Can you sense an enchilada theme here?) I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well. Get the starter pack from Amazon for $16.88. 11. A timed safety shut-off plug in case your holy grail hair straightener doesn't have an auto-shutoff and you're a tad forgetful. Amazon Promising review:"Exactly what I needed! I kept leaving my flat iron on. I turn this on, and then my flat iron. If I forget to turn off my flat iron, it is automatically turned off after 30 minutes of being on. Perfect!" — Pamela Hitz Get it from Amazon for $11.59+ (available in three timer types). 12. A SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher you can program so the coffee machine cuts on each before you can zombie-walk to the kitchen. It also works with Alexa and Google Home! Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. Promising review:"This is exactly what I was looking for and had no idea it existed until I saw someone mention it on TikTok! Our front walkway gets pretty dark at night, and I was frustrated with trying to remember to turn on the light every evening and off every morning. I looked into those light sensors you can plug in, but our front porch light is under an awning with enough shade that it would have kept the light on 24/7. This little Switchbot solved the problem. I applied it to the indoor light switch and set the time on my phone. It has worked perfectly ever since." — Alecia McLochlin Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in white and black). 13. A Just Spices starter set with eight blends you'll actually use up before they expire — unlike those dozen or so spices that Past You bought for a recipe and you eventually find lurking in the back of your cabinet when you get the gumption to do some decluttering. The set comes with the following spice blends: Chicken Allrounder; BBQ Allrounder; Vegetable Allrounder; Italian Allrounder; Avocado Topping; Casserole Allrounder; Stir Fry; Mexican Allrounder. I currently have this set and am nearly done with it! I live solo and am trying my best to cook more at home (the takeout food options in NYC where I live are obscene, as you can imagine, so homemade food has to taste good too). Get it from Just Spices for $59.99. 14. A pair of blackout, noise-canceling, AND thermal insulating curtains to help solve a plethora of problems — even if you've brought them on yourself by staying up all night marathon-ing Interview with the Vampire series. Ya gotta watch! I'm telling ya! Promising review: "Truly life changing sound barrier curtains!!! They definitely help with the quality of sleep, quietness, and solace for me and my whole family. The sound isolation is incredible! There was so much noise pollution around with constant main road traffic, pool/deck construction, chainsaws next door, water main construction on the main road with giant trucks/bulldozers and jackhammers, several lawnmowers, outdoor concert noise, birds constantly chirping, weekly Brazilian parties. Especially with people coming out of the woodwork after the pandemic with the noisiest, most annoying things on the planet all at once. These curtains truly dampened ALL that noise to a distance or to completely nothing. Almost all of it gone. Our sleep at night has dramatically improved and deepened. Best in our lives and finally feeling fully rested." — Heather Lascano Get two panels from Amazon for $59.09+ (available in 12 sizes and 15 colors). 15. A Shark Tank -featured Click & Carry Grocery Bag Carrier that'll help you take way fewer trips from the car to the house. It allows you to hook on your bags (up to 80 pounds!) and *comfortably* rest the carrier on your shoulder. Click & Carry is a Shark Tank and QVC-featured small business that specializes in easy carry accessories. Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it. This is great when you have a few bags and a box — for example, if you balance the bags, you can throw it over your shoulder and walk inside and have two free hands to carry the box, which is great. Product seems well built, and is comfortable on your shoulder or hand because of the padding." — Hung Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in seven colors). 16. Or perhaps a stair-climbing trolly dolly because I don't know about you, but the only time I hate living solo in a walkable city is when I have to grocery shop and then carry said groceries up my stairs. (Ugh, I think I need this.) Even if you have just a few stairs at your home, this'll come in handy for trips from your car to inside the house post-shopping trip. It can carry up to 150 pounds and the wheels LITERALLY climb stairs. (As you can see here.) Amazon, Check out a TikTok of the dolly trolley in action. Promising review: "I was getting so tired of making several trips to my car to retrieve my groceries after each shopping trip. I saw this trolley on Amazon and decided to buy it. Best purchase ever. I now can bring all my groceries in with one trip to the ca r. I also love that its wheel design allows the trolley to climb my front steps, making it so easy for me. I have used it in the house to help me carry things upstairs, and the climbing feature makes it safe and easy." — m Robinson Get it from Amazon for $87.59 (available in three styles). 17. A rapid defrosting tray so you won't have to put off cooking because your meat is still frozen. You can't go back in time to put out your main dinner ingredient to thaw, but you CAN use this instead of using the excuse to order Domino's. Promising review:"I was a little concerned this was going to be one of those gifts that were hyped up but it's not. It's not going to thaw a huge chunk of meat in an hour but I have thawed a chunk of chicken in a few hours. The product itself isn't very thick which I like as it doesn't take up a lot of space for storage. It doesn't warm up, but pulls the cold from the meat, which makes the product thaw (like putting meat in cold water to thaw it faster and not cook it)." — Savannah A. Get it from Amazon for $19.89. 18. A dishwasher-safe silicone soup cube tray that'll hold one cup (or a serving) of delicious hot entrees like soup/chili/stew/sauce per cube so you can freeze and then reheat it later. Heck. Have it for breakfast! You live alone and no one can tell you differently. Amazon It also comes with a lid so you can easily stack them and four fill lines (½ cup, 1 cup, 125 mL, 250 mL). Souper Cubes is a small business seen on Shark Tank that specializes in bake-and-freeze storage products. Promising review:"I'm extremely happy with my Souper Cubes! I cook chili and soup and always make too much, having the ability to freeze serving-size portions is perfect. Saves time and food quality by not having to thaw it all each time I want another serving. High quality and since it's silicone and not rigid plastic it won't crack in the freezer. Highly recommend!" — Alexander S. Waterman Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four colors and packs of two). 19. Plus, a reviewer-beloved veggie chopper can make quick work of the ingredient-chopping portion of a recipe because, well, you have to designate it to yourself! Amazon Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Promising review:"Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper, which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.97. 20. A ~streamlined~ door draft stopper to help keep whatever temp air you prefer within the room you're currently in, rather than the rest of your home where you're not. Promising review:"So easy to set up! All you do is peel tape and adhere to a CLEAN and DRY door. Also looks great, I don't even notice it. I had a huge gap under my door. I could smell and hear everything from the hallway. Smells, drafts, and sound all are less of an issue now." — Brit B. Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors). 21. A folding sink topper that'll give you an ample surface when there's seemingly no room for all your getting-ready essentials. Now that you're done with the sink and don't have to wait for someone else to brush their teeth, you can make the sink pull double-duty! Sink Topper is a small biz that specializes in this product. Promising review: "Great for messy teenagers. Cool item for my teenager's bathroom. She likes to lay her hair/makeup stuff on it so she can keep her other bathroom decor on the sides. When she's done she puts what she was using under the sink and folds up the sink tray so it can slide under the sink as well." — Melina Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two sizes and seven colors). 22. An under-cabinet lid opener to help pop open that jar of pasta sauce in a jiffy. Everyone can use this, but reviewers with limited dexterity especially find it helpful! Promising review:"Works exactly as it says it does. I have small hands and trouble gripping things. This makes opening jars extremely easy and it opens in seconds just by twisting the jar counterclockwise. I'm so glad I ordered two so I can give one to a family member who has trouble with opening jars as well. I would definitely buy this again!" — H.T. Get it from Amazon for $15.99. 23. A UV black-light flashlight that'll track down all sorts of messes that've been avoiding you. Now, you can figure out the source of that weird smell without recruiting someone else's nostrils. Good luck figuring out who's to blame, though! (Maybe this is how you find out you've got a messy ghostly roomie.) Promising review:"OMG this is disgusting!!! I hope this isn't all just cat pee that shows up cause there is a lot! I bought this because I thought my cat was peeing in one room and couldn't find the exact spot so I bought this. Found the spot and more. Would recommend." — Momof3boys Get it from Amazon for $12.99. 24. A no-scrub weekly shower cleaner you can simply just spray on after you shower, wait 8–12 hours while it tackles mold and mildew stains, soap scum, and just about any gross grime without YOU having to scrub. Talk about practical to the max. Promising review:"This product is so easy to use. As you can see from the pictures, my bathtub was staying pretty good. The guy that owned the house before me used Ajax to clean it so it has almost no enamel left on it and it's probably the staining and nothing could get it out until I bought this. After 4 8-hour applications you can see the difference. I highly recommend this to everybody and once it's completely clean I'm gonna go on the once a week application. I actually bought another bottle for my dad and mom." — Domenick R. Stamegna Get it from Amazon for $19.39. 25. A reusable pet fur remover might just have you tossing your old sticky roller after you see how much fur this reusable one (it has a sturdy brush system) picks up off your beloved couch. You don't wanna walk out the door with fur all over your behind, only to learn from your work nemesis. Promising review:"I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel Get it from Amazon for $23.99+. 26. A three-pack of Velveeta cheese sauce you can simply pour in a bowl, microwave, and then dump over pasta or just use as a dip for some good old tortillas. These'll come in handy when it's a Wednesday night and you barely want to lift a finger to feed yourself. No one is watching. Eat what you want!! Amazon Promising review: "These have been great to use. Cooking for just one person isn't the easiest thing for me, but these portions have been great when I want mac 'n' cheese, nachos, or a small smothered burrito for one. I'm sure when it's camping time these will make it into my camping stash." — M. Cheatham Get them from Amazon for $3.28. 27. A drill brush cleaning kit that'll attach to your drill/driver for an informercial-like cleaning sesh at the flip of a switch that'll have you seeking out all the dirty surfaces you've been ignoring. Includes three brushes that'll attached to a standard handheld drill. The white is a soft bristle, best for wheels, carpet, upholstery, glass, and leather; the yellow is a medium bristle, best for bathroom, bathtub, shower, tile, and porcelain; the green is a medium bristle, best for kitchen, stoves, cabinets, countertops, and linoleum; the blue is a medium bristle, best for boats, pools, canoe/kayaks, hot tubs, and plastics; the red is a stiff bristle, best for outdoors, siding, brick, garage, and gutter; and the black is a hard bristle, best for grills, loose paint, furnaces, ovens, and industrial use. Drill Brush is a small business based in New York! Promising review:"I'm in love with this. I manage many apartment properties and finding people to do the cleaning has been tricky business, so I end up having to get in and clean these horrendous filth pods tenants lived in and left me to deal with when they move out. The ovens and stove tops are usually the worst, and I absolutely hate cleaning. I came across this drill attachment set, and let me tell you, it helped me tremendously! I still had to get in with a putty knife on some of them but it really cut down my elbow-grease time. If it wasn't for this drill attachment, I think my arms would have just fallen off trying to clean it as good as I did! My only con would be that it doesn't have any extension of any sort, so I really had my drill all up in that oven, but well worth it." — alicia haats Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six bristle types). 28. A Dash mini rice cooker can easily make a hearty and filling side to go with that last piece of salmon or chicken you have in the fridge. But! It can also whip up oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, rice, and pasta. So that opens up all sorts of easy meal possibilities. Plus, it's small enough that you'll definitely find room for it on your one-bedroom apartment's kitchen counter. Promising review:"I bought this for my daughter for her dorm at college. She loves making flavored rice and warming up soups and things. She likes it so well that she brings it home from college with her on breaks. It is especially nice that it has a removable pot, which makes it so much easier to clean or keep leftovers in. Would definitely buy again, don't waste your money on a slightly cheaper one that does not have a removable pot." — midohtree Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in eight colors). 29. A rectangular lazy Susan made to hold more than the traditional round ones and to help you use every last bit of your apartment-sized fridge's space. Yep, it's time to really make the most of your legendary condiment collection before that fancy jar of preserves goes bad. Amazon Check out a TikTok of the rectangular lazy Susan in action. Promising review: "This is perfect for short people with big refrigerators! I could never reach anything on the top shelf and had to grab a step stool, now everything fits perfectly on this, and I can reach them all! It glides great and is very sturdy." — Tara Mann Get it from Amazon for $25.99. 30. Some sheet fasteners if that fitted sheet won't stay put on your mattress, and you end up in a sheet burrito. These are exactly how they sound, so no matter how much you toss and turn, your fitted sheet won't come loose in the middle of the night and require an extra pair of hands to put back in place. See them on TikTok here. Promising review:"I love these! Since I started using them my sheets haven't popped off once and that used to be a several-times-a-night problem because I toss and turn when I sleep. Thank you, TikTok!" — Gabby Get a set of four from Amazon for $8.96 (available in three colors). 31. A set of safe-locking magnetic duvet clips to keep your duvet in its proper place, instead of loose and saggy inside the cover you couldn't resist form Urban Outfitters. These work for duvets up to 10 pounds and then use a magnetic key to remove the clips on laundry day. Amazon Checkout a TikTok of the duvet clips in action. Pinion Pins is a small business specializing in home improvement products. Promising review:"I was super worried about if I would have enough of the Pinions, and I totally do! My duvet is kinda thick and the Pinions pierced through with no problems! Plus with a little extra room if I had some extra layers. I REALLY like how you have to have the magnet tool to pull them apart. Absolutely no moving! Don't walk, RUN TO BUY THIS. I also like how unnoticeable they are." — Abigayle Mishler Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $17.95. 32. A small compost bin/trash can will easily hang on a cabinet door for easy hiding and use. The lid lifts up *or* flips over for easily dumping as you food prep. Living solo means you likely create a LOT less waste and don't need a giant kitchen trash can to contain the mess! Promising review: "So I saw this tiny trash can on TikTok, and I was moving into a tiny studio apartment and thought this would be perfect. Turns out it's one of the best things I've ever bought. I installed mine with the over-the-cabinet hooks (also comes with adhesive stickers) on my kitchen island, and it is so convenient I can't even express with words. The lid is on this nifty hinge so you can open it by flipping the lid up, or by sliding it forward and it folds down out of the way. I usually keep it open while I'm cooking but I can close it super quickly if I see the dog coming. There is a little pull tab for easy opening. It is so easy to use and easy to clean. It's also so cute! I use my plastic grocery bags as trash can liners for this and they fit perfectly. It comes with a roll of bags as well. The lid lifts off easily to change bags out. Clicks back on easily over the new liner. Can't recommend this enough!! This is going on my list of 'best things I've ever spent my money on.'" — Ginger Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in three colors). 33. A set of two rechargeable emergency LED bulbs can function like regular ole light bulbs and then when a big storm hits and your power goes out, they'll stay lit for 3–4 hours, which is enough time to help you figure out what you're going to do next without tripping on something and hurting yourself. Promising review: "These little guys are so bright!! Got these on a whim after seeing it on a TikTok. These are super bright and charge when the light is turned on. These are worth the price." — Reid524 Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors and a four-pack). 34. A self-sealing magnetic screen door to let dogs help themselves out or in the house — so you won't have to peel yourself up from the hammock and leave your Margaritaville day dreams during bouts of nice weather. Promising review: "I bought this so my puppies could traverse to/from their backyard pen keep flying insects out. It is AWESOME! The puppies figured out quickly that they could go through the screen — the screen snapped back into a closed state immediately after they got through the opening. If only all things in life could be solved this easily!" — Lynette S Quigley Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 35. Plus, an investment-worthy MicrowavaBowl you should absolutely make room for in your cabinet. After all, you have free reign of all the kitchen cabinet space! This bowl's elevated center distributes the appliance's heat evenly and quickly, so your leftovers are ready to go faster. Oh, and it's dishwasher-safe! Promising review: "These bowls are high quality and very convenient. They heat up food very quickly and evenly, saving you valuable time and energy. Its ability to heat the food and not the bowl itself is very valuable to me. Prior to this purchase, I would have to use a hot bowl holder to avoid burning my fingers. The size of the bowls are perfect for the dishwasher, making them easy to clean and use. I would highly recommend them to friends and family!" — Alana Get it from Amazon for $34.99. 36. A game-changing"bed wedge" pillow in a high-density foam and triangular shape to prevent stuff from falling into that gap between the mattress and the headboard. No need to scrounge down there for your phone or other stuff. Totally the stuff of nightmares! Bonus: There's a lil' side pocket for your phone, glasses, or other nighttime accessories. Promising review:"I did not realize that these were out there until I watched a TikTok about one. This has saved my pillows. I do have a headboard, but there was about a three-inch gap between it and my mattress. This has stopped my pillows from sliding down in between. I have had no issues at all with it. I did let it sit for almost 72 hours while it was getting its shape back from being in a shipping container, but after that it was perfect!!! I highly recommend." — Miss_Beck Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two colors and Twin–California King). 37. A clear magnetic refrigerator dry-erase board that sticks directly on your fridge. It's a little bit more aesthetic of a reminder than a series of sticky notes. Feel free to jot down reminders to eat the leftovers that are about to go bad! It also includes four dry-erase markers! Promising review:"Saw it on TikTok being used as a dinner menu for the week! It will help me be more organized and add little chores that needs to completed or important reminders. Love it, no complaints." — Clarince Thomas Get it from Amazon for $16.99. 38. A jumbo pack of toilet cleaning tabs you simply throw in the tank every two weeks to keep your bowl (and bathroom) fresher on the reg. Promising review: "Effective at keeping the toilet bowl clean and very easy to use." — Amazon Customer Get a 30-pack from Amazon for $22.99. 39. A handheld steam cleaner (perfect even if you're in a small space and that's who you can afford to live solo) with a nearly 10-foot-long cord to help you get at all sorts of greasy, stuck-on messes sans chemicals. Promising review: "Cleaned stove top and the hood vents. Then, I had to clean the sticky grease from the sink. Worked very easily and without chemicals. Easy to use and to refill. The attachments make various jobs easy to clean." — Lori Get it from Amazon for $55.89. 40. And a playful bath mat because you NEED one anyway. Might as well make your nonslip, machine-washable mat extra cute. It's your bathroom. Decorate how you want! Promising review:"I absolutely love this rug. I was not expecting it to be as cute and fluffy as it is! I've gotten so many compliments on it." — Amanda Fiji Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four sizes and three styles). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
