10 time-saving gems that will take your routine to the next level

Feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day? If it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone in the battle against the clock! We’ve got a secret stash of time-saving gems that’ll make you feel like you got your hands on Hermione Granger’s Time-Turner.

1. Make a bunch of perfectly shaped meatballs in seconds with this manual kitchen tool. You don’t need to get your hands dirty or make any mess. Put the meat mixture inside the container and press down. Enjoy the result!

Pros:

  • This product is a huge time-saver. You can make up to 5 meatballs at once.
  • The device is easy to use and clean.
  • The bowl is made of clear plastic so you can see what’s inside while cooking — handy.

2. Don’t waste time looking for your keys, use this magnetic key holder instead. This fluffy white cloud is pretty versatile: you can also use it in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and even bathroom. It is easy to install and holds well on a wooden, ceramic, plastic, or metal texture. The surface has to be flat and smooth for the product to have better bearing capacity.

Pros:

  • The product is versatile.
  • It fits nicely into any interior.
  • Does its job quite well and keeps keys securely in place.

Cons:

  • You need to make sure you properly stick the device to the surface to prevent it from falling off.

Promising review:

  • Love the easy installation. Clean the wall, peel off the sticker, and place it where you like. The magnet is strong and holds my heavy car key. Recommend! — Jamie P.

Buy this item on AMAZON here

3. Get your glasses squeaky clean in the blink of an eye with this efficient lens-cleaning cloth. The power of Japanese microfiber is real! The product represents itself as ultra-fine, super-dense, and completely lint-free cloth. Its texture is extremely soft yet very durable.

Pros:

  • Works like a charm.
  • The packaging is handy.

Cons:

  • Gets dirty quicker than one may have hoped.

Promising review:

  • They came neatly packed in a sealed box. Each cloth is in its own slipcover. I was able to easily refold the cloth and put it back in the cover for future protection. It seemed to easily clean my lenses without a cleaning solution. — MS

Buy this item on AMAZON here

4. Prepare a batch of eggs for a big company or a big breakfast just for you using this stainless steel poached egg cooker. The pan will cook perfect eggs every time. The stainless steel device is sturdy and heavy. It goes well with all stove types (including induction).

Pros:

  • This product will save you a lot of time. It is perfect for a big family.
  • The device is sturdy and efficient.

Cons:

  • You’re going to need a mitt for the metal handles (to remove the egg trays safely).

Promising review:

  • I was hesitant to order this but figured I’d give it a shot. And you want to talk about perfect, commercial, beautiful eggs?? You’ll find it with this product. Easy to use, easy to clean.
    And I ask myself, «How did I live without this tool in my kitchen!?» You want those perfect eggs? Get this! — Amy

5. Use this strainer lid to drain unwanted liquid from a can—fast and mess-free. This item is efficient, flexible, and durable. The product has a bit of stretch, so it can fit slightly wider cans.

Pros:

  • The product is adjustable.
  • It is also portable; It’s small, light, and easy to carry. You can take these lids on a camping trip.

Cons:

  • The lids might not be suitable for a particular can size. Don’t forget to check the size beforehand.

Promising reviews:

  • I like the idea of not having to get a big colander out when draining cans. — Ruthy
  • I picked these because of the size. They are perfect. — Karen Walton

6. Here is the fastest way to make dessert for a big company. This silicone popsicle mold is non-stick, hygienic, and easy to use. The popsicles slide out super easily. To top that off, you can fill the product with fruit juice, purée, yogurt, jello, berries, fruits, or jam. Yum!

Pros:

  • Super easy to use and clean.
  • The product is also a great space-saver.
  • Comes with a funnel and a cleaning brush.
  • Versatile

Cons:

  • A little on the small side.

Promising reviews:

  • I liked that it was very easy to use. You can remove the popsicle very fast and have good-looking popsicles. — Marsela Ballabani
  • It’s convenient that it comes with a funnel and cleaning brush! Great buy! — Quality!

7. Speed up your cooking process with these 2 pairs of kitchen scissors and a pair of 5-ply herb scissors. And you don’t need to look for a cutting board. They are suitable for cutting different food items: herbs, veggies, meat, dough, and more.

Pros:

  • The devices come with protective covers and a cleaning brush.
  • They are sharp and work well.
  • The kitchen scissors have additional features: built-in nutcrackers, bottle openers, or fish scalers.

Cons:

  • The devices do not come apart for easy cleaning.

Promising review:

  • Very nice scissors. Each pair has a sheath to protect you or others from getting hurt and the scissors from getting damaged. I am very pleased with this set. — Bob M

8. You don’t wanna waste another minute when you are seriously hungry. Cut your tasty pizza the fastest with this no-effort pizza cutter. It fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and lets you fully control the cutting process. The large cutting wheel makes it extremely easy and fast.

Pros:

  • The product is high-quality and sharp; now you can slice and dice your food rather efficiently.
  • It comes with a protective blade guard and is easy and safe to store.
  • Disassembles in seconds to be washed.

Cons:

  • The cleaning is tricky because keeping the blade still might not be easy.

Promising review:

  • I bought this as a replacement for a really cheap one. I loved the idea of not needing a handle, and the blade cover was a plus. I liked how big this one was, so I bought it. I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of cleaning. You can completely take it apart and wash every part of it. It took me a minute to figure out how to take it apart, but once you get it, it’s easy. — Annika R

9. You’ll not have to waste your time looking for stuff if you have it neatly arranged with this under-sink organizer. This item maximizes under-sink space nicely. The item is easy to set up. It also has an adjustable height for the top shelf, which can be very handy.

Pros:

  • The product will save a ton of space in your kitchen.
  • The construction is pretty spacey.

Cons:

  • A little pricey.

Promising review:

  • I was skeptical at first. Especially when I was putting this together, I didn’t think it was going to be large enough. But to my surprise, it was! It was easy to put together, too! — Meg

10. This «meatball master» will be handy for cooking a fast dinner and storing meals in the freezer for later. You can use it for making meatballs, cookies, sushi, and more. The design allows you to remove the portions effortlessly (even when frozen). After using it, you can throw it in the dishwasher with no fuss.

Pros:

  • The product is versatile.
  • You can prepare a lot in a short amount of time; for instance, you can make 32 meatballs at once.
  • Easy to use and clean.

Cons:

  • The size of the meatballs could be too small for some people’s taste.
  • The results may vary if you overfill the product.

Promising review:

  • Where has this been—all of my cookie-baking life?? It is so much easier to use than a scoop. I bought 3 of them.
    I made a double batch of cookie dough, and I am pleased that you got 96 cookies. You do not get that many using a scoop. I like that all the cookies are baked evenly and are all the same size. I soak the containers to get them clean. — Chris Boor

We hope that these products will find their way to your heart. They can make your routine considerably simpler, so you can spend your spare time on something truly important.

Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. Reviews could have been edited for length and clarity.

Preview photo credit Amazon

My Mother Kicked Me Out of the Church for Getting Pregnant Out of Wedlock

The day I revealed my pregnancy in church started with morning sickness and ended with my mother disowning me. But what happened next made my mother change her decision.

I’m a sophomore in college studying psychology, and that’s where I met Glenn last fall. We started out as study buddies in our Intro to Research Methods class, but there was something special about him from day one.

He had this gentle way of explaining complex topics that made everything click, and his smile? It could light up the whole lecture hall.

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

“Faith, you’re starin’ again,” he’d tease me during our study sessions, and I’d feel my cheeks burn red every single time.

“Can’t help it if you’re distracting,” I’d shoot back, and we’d both laugh like we had the best secret in the world.

We went from sharing coffee after class to spending hours at the campus diner. We’d pick at endless plates of waffle fries while sharing our life stories.

A girl sitting in a cafeteria | Source: Midjourney

A girl sitting in a cafeteria | Source: Midjourney

Glenn told me a bit about his family and how he enjoyed playing in the fields as a kid. Meanwhile, I opened up about losing my dad when I was five. That’s when things started shifting from friendship to something more.

“Your dad would be so proud of you,” Glenn said one evening, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “Following your dreams, helping people through psychology…”

A boy talking to his girlfriend | Source: Midjourney

A boy talking to his girlfriend | Source: Midjourney

The first time he kissed me on the porch swing outside my mama’s house, I swear I saw stars. But when I told Mama about Glenn, she just pressed her lips together and said, “That’s nice, sugar. Don’t forget you’ve got that big exam coming up.”

That’s my mama, Claudia, for you. Since Daddy passed, she’s thrown herself into two things: raising me and adoring nature.

Never dated, and never seemed interested in finding love again.

A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

Sometimes I catch her looking at Daddy’s photo on the mantle with such longing that it breaks my heart. I wish she’d give herself permission to be happy again, but we don’t have the kind of relationship where I can say that.

“Mama,” I tried once, “don’t you ever get lonely?”

“I’ve got you,” she replied, smoothing down her skirt. “That’s all the company I need.”

Everything was sailing smoothly until that morning I woke up feeling too sick.

Sunlight passing through curtains | Source: Pexels

Sunlight passing through curtains | Source: Pexels

I swear I couldn’t even move, and the thought of having breakfast nearly made me puke.

Oh no… I thought. The nausea, the fatigue… Does it mean I’m pregnant?

That was the first thing that came to my mind because Glenn and I got intimate a few weeks earlier.

I was super scared, and my hands were trembling so bad I could barely open the drawer where I’d hidden the pregnancy tests.

“Please, please, please,” I whispered, watching that little window. “Please tell me I’m wrong!”

But two pink lines appeared clear as day, and my world tilted sideways.

A girl holding a pregnancy test | Source: Pexels

A girl holding a pregnancy test | Source: Pexels

I sank down onto my bathroom floor while my heart pounded inside my chest.

“This can’t be happening,” I muttered, staring at the test. “I’m only nineteen. I can’t have a baby. I can’t…”

A few minutes later, I found myself pacing the bedroom.

“How am I gonna hide this from Mama?” I asked myself. “She’ll never understand. A baby? Out of wedlock? In our family?”

I think I talked to myself for almost an hour while different scenarios played out in my mind. All of them resulted in my mother not speaking to me.

I was certain she’d never accept my baby.

A girl standing in her bedroom | Source: Midjourney

A girl standing in her bedroom | Source: Midjourney

I spent the next few days hiding in my room, coming up with every excuse I could think of to avoid facing Mama.

“Faith, honey! Dinner’s ready!” she called out one evening.

“Sorry, Mama, got this huge psychology paper due tomorrow,” I shouted back. “I’ll grab something later!”

The next morning, she knocked on my door. “Baby girl, I made your favorite pancakes.”

“Thanks, but I already ate a granola bar. Got an early study group meeting,” I lied, feeling guilty about the growing pile of excuses.

A girl talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

A girl talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

That evening, she tried again. “Faith? Mrs. Jones brought over her famous casserole…”

“Got finals coming up, Mama. Need to focus!” I called out.

By Thursday, Mama wasn’t having it anymore. She marched right up to my room and stood in the doorway.

“Now hold on just a minute,” she said, fixing me with that mom-stare that could melt steel. “Since when do you skip my pancake breakfasts? And don’t think I haven’t noticed you running to the bathroom every morning.”

A woman looking at her daughter | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking at her daughter | Source: Midjourney

“Just stressed about exams,” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly unconvinced. “And I suppose stress is also why you haven’t touched your coffee in days? The same coffee you swear you can’t live without?”

“My study group suggested cutting back on caffeine.”

“My dear Faith,” Mama said slowly, “in all your years of schooling, I’ve never seen you skip meals during finals. Something’s going on with you, and we both know it ain’t just studying.”

But before she could press further, I grabbed my backpack. “Sorry, Mama, I’m late for the library. Group project!”

A girl looking at her mother | Source: Midjourney

A girl looking at her mother | Source: Midjourney

I practically ran down the stairs, leaving her standing there with that worried look I’d been trying so hard to avoid.

The following Sunday, Mama called up to my room, “Faith, honey! We’re gonna be late for service!”

“Coming!” I called back, fighting another wave of nausea. “Maybe I should skip today…”

“Skip church? Are you feeling poorly?” Mama appeared in my doorway.

“Just a little tired,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Been studying real hard.”

A girl looking away while talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

A girl looking away while talking to her mother | Source: Midjourney

“You’ve been ‘tired’ all week,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Something you want to tell me?”

“No ma’am,” I said quickly. Too quickly. “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

The church was packed that morning, all our neighbors dressed in their Sunday best.

Mrs. Jones was wearing her famous pink hat, and Mr. Rodriguez had his grandkids with him. Everything was fine until halfway through the sermon when that familiar nausea hit me.

I must’ve turned green because Mama grabbed my hand.

A woman sitting in a church | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in a church | Source: Midjourney

“Baby girl, what’s wrong?” she whispered, her eyes narrowing. “Come to think of it, you’ve been actin’ strange all week…”

Maybe it was the guilt, or maybe it was just those pregnancy hormones, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Mom, I have something to tell you,” I whispered back, tears welling up. “I’m pregnant.”

The silence that followed felt eternal. Mama’s face went through about fifty different emotions in three seconds flat.

“What?” she gasped, loud enough for several heads to turn. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

A woman sitting in a church, looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in a church, looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

“No, I’m not joking,” I managed, my voice trembling. “I’m pregnant, and it’s Glenn’s.”

That’s when Mama lost it. She stood up and started yelling at me.

“Get out of the church right now!” she hissed. “Go home, pack your things, and don’t come back to my house! How could you do this? Did you even think about what our family and friends would say? Do you not know the traditions and values we hold!? Get out of my sight!”

A woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

I quickly stood up and began walking away while my tears blurred my vision. I could see how Mrs. Jones was staring at me with wide eyes.

But before I could reach the door, a familiar voice called out.

“Stop right there, young lady.”

It was Pastor James, and he was looking at my mother with the kind of stern expression I’d seen him use during particularly passionate sermons.

A priest looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

A priest looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

“Claudia,” he said gently, walking down the aisle toward us, “would you abandon your daughter when she needs you the most? Isn’t this the time to show love and forgiveness?”

“But she’s having a child out of wedlock!” Mama protested. “I never—”

“That shouldn’t be an issue, Claudia,” Pastor James interrupted softly. “Sometimes the greatest blessings come in unexpected packages. Remember, Claudia, when your husband passed away, this congregation wrapped their arms around you and Faith. Shouldn’t we do the same now?”

A priest talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

A priest talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

Those words changed Mama’s thoughts. She looked at me and then burst into tears.

The next thing I knew, we were hugging right there in the middle of the church, both of us crying while the congregation pretended not to watch.

“I’m so sorry, baby girl,” she whispered into my hair. “I was just scared for you. I know how hard it is raising a child alone…”

“I’m not alone, Mama,” I said. “I have Glenn, and I have you… if you’ll still have me?”

But the story doesn’t end here.

A girl smiling | Source: Midjourney

A girl smiling | Source: Midjourney

A few days later, Mama insisted on meeting Glenn and his family.

“Time to do this properly,” she said, straightening my collar like I was still a little girl. “No more secrets.”

Glenn drove us to his place.

“You nervous?” I asked Glenn as we pulled up to his house.

“A little,” he admitted, squeezing my hand. “But it’s time our families met.”

You won’t believe what happened next. We pulled up to this beautiful house, and who opened the door? Pastor James.

The look on his face when Glenn called him “Dad” was priceless.

A man looking at his son | Source: Midjourney

A man looking at his son | Source: Midjourney

“Faith?” Pastor James said, looking between me and his son. “Glenn, son, is this your young lady?”

“Yes sir,” Glenn said, taking my hand. “Surprised?”

“Well, I’ll be…” Pastor James shook his head, then started laughing. “The Lord sure does work in mysterious ways.”

Looking back now, I can’t help but laugh at how everything unfolded. Sometimes the best blessings come wrapped in the scariest packages, and sometimes the people you think you barely know turn out to be your biggest supporters.

A girl looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

A girl looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

And Mama? Well, she’s already picking out baby names and knitting tiny booties.

And just yesterday, she said, “You know, sugar, maybe it’s time I started getting out more. Mrs. Jones’ brother just moved to town…”

Let’s see what happens next.

A woman standing near a window | Source: Pexels

A woman standing near a window | Source: Pexels

If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Emma’s world was upended when her father abruptly called her home from university, only to demand she vacate her room for her reckless stepbrother. Months later, another urgent call revealed their family home in ruins, igniting a journey of redemption and rebuilding for them all.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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