The Brilliant $30 Label Maker That Nobody Should Live Without
When I was a kid, I lost things everywhere I went. Toys, bags, socks, my notebook filled with my homework, you name it: I left them all behind. My mother even used to say I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached - and she was probably right.
This continued into adulthood, and for years I’d constantly misplace everyday items (like my keys and sunglasses) and important documents, despite working at a women’s magazine that trumpeted easy (very doable!) organizing ideas, inspiring ways to declutter, and fun tricks to streamline your life. Nothing stuck - until several years ago, when our editor-in-chief, Jane Francisco wrote about a small, lifesaving tool in one of her monthly letters to readers: her label maker. I was blown away by this simple, yet genius idea. Just label it. I can do that, I thought.
So I bought my first label maker, the Brother P-touch PTD210. It cost me about $35, and I chose it because I liked its square shape, sizable keyboard, and high number of clearly labeled buttons. (More buttons must mean more organized, right?)
As I started using it, I discovered it had other features I really liked, such as one-touch keys, a wide assortment of fonts and types sizes, over 20 templates, and a memory function that allows you to store up to 30 labels for quick reprinting.
I started punching out labels for everything, including the shelves in my linen closet: queen bedding, twin bedding, beach towels, bath towels, shopping bags, and so on. Then I attacked the bathroom: First Aid, medicine, oral care, makeup, soap, shampoo. From there I moved onto the cabinets in our kitchen and front entryway, my kid's room, laundry room, garage, and beyond. My life was forever transformed.
I’m such a fan of the entire Brother P-touch line that I recently upgraded to the Brother P-touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT in black. It’s sleek-looking (and also comes in white FYI), and is much smaller than my old one. It doesn’t even have a keyboard because it works off an app and connects wirelessly to your phone via Bluetooth. Apart from integrating with your cellphone, it can print emojis and it comes with a starter size of new gold glitter tape. And if glitter tape doesn’t make organizing more fun, I don’t know what does!
Now, I have label makers at work and at home, and I’ve bought them for my parents, sister, and in-laws. They’ve all said it was the best gift they never knew they needed. As for me, I haven’t lost a pair of sunglasses in over five years.
For more genius organizing advice, check out Good Housekeeping's new book Simple Organizing Wisdom.
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