One of the best parts of working at Reading Horizons is that our teammates are natural problem-solvers—not just at work, but at home, too.
Whether we’re helping educators simplify literacy instruction or figuring out how to make everyday life run a little smoother, there’s a shared curiosity that drives us to ask, “Is there a better way?”
This week’s Reading Horizons team player Wednesday Watercooler Challenge, inspired by Simplify Your Life Week, invited everyone to share the “tiny life upgrades”,purchases, habits, shortcuts, and life hacks that make everyday life easier. The result? A collection of clever ideas, practical tips, and more than a few moments that had us saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
The “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” Category
Sometimes the best life hacks are the simplest.
- Sort your silverware while loading the dishwasher. When it’s time to unload, each section goes straight into the drawer. Future you will be grateful.
- Use a bread knife to cut tomatoes. One teammate’s husband learned this trick during a middle school cooking class, and now we’re all wondering why we’ve spent years squishing tomatoes with the wrong knife.
- Hand sanitizer removes sticker residue and permanent marker. It’s not just for clean hands anymore.
Proof that sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
Alexa May Have Stolen the Show
If there was an unexpected theme this week, it was this:
Alexa has a fan club.
Several teammates shared how Alexa and Amazon Echo routines have become honorary members of the household.
One teammate relies on Alexa for weekly trash reminders, monthly dog medication, controlling lights, playing music, and keeping everyday routines on track.
Another teammate shared how smart home routines have transformed family life. With a simple voice command, Alexa announces dinner time throughout the house, reminds everyone to wash their hands, or gives the family a five-minute countdown before leaving—complete with reminders to use the bathroom, fill water bottles, and even the current weather.
No more shouting upstairs. Technology (and teamwork) wins again.
In fact, one teammate summed up what many of us were thinking:
“I learned today that I need to learn all of the Alexa things.”
Household MVPS
Some tools earned a spot on this week’s unofficial “worth every penny” list.
- 🤖 Robot vacuum for keeping up with endless pet hair.
- 🚽 Self-cleaning toilet because some chores deserve retirement.
- 📚 Beautifully Organized, a 52-week guide filled with simple organization ideas and habits that help make life feel a little less chaotic.
While everyone’s favorite solution looked a little different, they all had one thing in common: making everyday life just a little easier.
More Than Life Hacks
One of the things we love most about challenges like this is what they reveal about our culture.
At Reading Horizons, we believe learning doesn’t stop when the workday ends. The same curiosity that helps us support educators and students also shows up in the little things—finding a smarter way to organize the dishwasher, discovering a better kitchen trick, or using technology to make busy family routines run more smoothly.
Great teaching is often about making complex things simpler. Maybe that’s why so many of us naturally look for those small improvements that save time, reduce frustration, and help us focus on what matters most.
Whether we’re sharing literacy strategies, productivity tips, or life hacks, we’re building a culture where learning from one another is simply what we do.
And who knows? This week’s Watercooler Challenge may have just introduced your next favorite time-saving trick.
Have a favorite “tiny life upgrade” we should all know about? Keep the conversation going—we’re always looking for the next “How did I ever live without this?” idea.
Life Hack Links and Resources
- 📚 Beautifully Organized: A 52-Week Guide
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1958803073 - 🤖 Roborock Robot Vacuum
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWX69JVG - 🚽 Self-Cleaning Toilet
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7KVMKQK
