“I love the iPad. It has helped me to stay informed and organized. The various apps that are available open up all information at my fingertips.” 

— LaVette L. Ford, 42, Greenville

 

“I can’t live without the calendar app on my phone! Not only does it keep me organized, but it has a reminder function on it. I can set the reminder when I add an appointment or 'to do’ on my phone. I set the reminder for a few days ahead for a birthday, so I have time to shop, or I’ll set it for 20 minutes before a meeting, to remind me that I have to attend. I don’t know how many times it has saved me from forgetting something or being late!” 

— Terri Joyner, 44, Ayden

 

“I have two large dogs who have full reign of the house. And boy do they know how to dirty things up. My couches take the brunt of their mess!  My little green machine by Bissell makes my life much easier. Its like a portable steam cleaner! The couches are clean in no time! I really don’t know what I would do without it!” 

— Erica Swain, 30, Greenville

 

“Harris Teeter Express Lane! For a small fee that pales in comparison to its convenience, you can place your grocery order online and pick it up the next day without ever going into the store! It’s a super time-saver!” 

— Rachael Tyre, 32, Greenville

 

“My 18-month planner from PlanAhead I get each year from Walmart. It helps me plan on a daily or monthly basis, which is so needed for me!” 

— Zulena Staton, 28, Greenville

 

“My Caboodle makeup box. It helps keep all of my makeup, toothbrush, toothpaste, small scissors, floss, deodorant, any toiletries together in one place. I travel a lot, so I just grab my 'tackle box’ and go. You can purchase it at the Ulta store or Walgreens.” 

— Kim Adams, 35, Greenville

 

 “My go-to fashion item is Target’s Massimo soft tees. They come in lots of colors and are so very sooooooft. My Massimo shirts, a pair of jeans and some chandelier earrings, and I am ready to go just about anywhere.” 

— Nanette Ryan, 56, Winterville

 

“My favorite pants are stretch velvet from Gorsuch in Vail, Colo. They do double duty for day and night. Stretch velvet may sound tacky but these are elegant.” 

— Barbara Southerland, 60, Greenville

 

“The one thing I cannot live without is my favorite Estee Lauder lipstick with built-in moisturizer. It keeps my lips smooth, moist and shimmering pink!” 

— Lien Hou, 39, Greenville

 

 “I love the free cloud-based program called DropBox. It is an online program to store all your digital files. You can access it anywhere that you can get to the Internet. You can even download the free app for your smartphone or other electronic device! You can both store and share files between all of your devices and friends! It has freed me from thumb drives and emailing files back and forth!” 

— Paula Elks, 42, Winterville

 

“There are two things that I simply cannot do without ... Oil of Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream (it works wonders!) and my Sanuk flip flops. They are made out of yoga mats and are the most comfortable shoes of all time!”  

— Amanda Goodman, 34, Greenville

 

“Without a doubt my favorite gadget that makes my life easier is the Swiffer 360 duster. It comes in a yellow box in any store that sells cleaning supplies. It is the easiest and quickest I’ve ever dusted my house, and it gets into all kinds of tight spots like that small wooden area on the staircase between the spindles and next to the carpet! I love it!”  

— Dawn Grant, 41, Winterville

 

“The PERFECT app for your Android is www.sitorsquat.com. I think ALL women should have this app, which finds the nearest public toilet on their phones ...  Why? Because if I CANNOT find a bathroom I WILL RESORT to the squat!”  

— Donna Lewis-Mayo, 52, Walstonburg

 

“My Mary Kay moisturizer. My skin stays dry and regardless if I wear makeup, I’ve got to wear my MK moisturizer for dry skin.” 

— Michelle Ellis, 43, Ayden

 

“Cream of Chicken soup is a life saver! No matter what meal you need a fast dish for ... reach for cream of chicken and the family will love it!” 

— Sarah Forehand, 29, Greenville

 

“My iPad2. I have problems with my back, so I can take notes, check emails and get on the Internet with something lighter than my purse. It has made my life so much easier. I’m able to prepay for 3G wireless service that is only $20 a month and I don’t even use all of that being that free Wi-Fi is available in many areas.  

— Bernnadette Yarbrough, 37, Greenville 

 

“I love Croc shoes (not the boat looking style). They are the best wearing shoes I have ever worn. I have arch pain a lot, and I can wear my Crocs and never have a problem with my feet. They are not sexy or pretty on your feet, but when it comes to comfort, they are the best one item I have ever purchased that really help my day be easier and more comfortable.”

— Jeannie Cleaton, 62, Ayden

 

“The Petshedder is a great grooming product. Not only does it really pull the loose fur to the top but it will 'vacuum’ it in to an attached suction cup. No loose fur flying around while you are grooming your pet. It took a little while for my cats to get used to the low noise, but now they don’t mind since they enjoy the brushing and attention.” 

— Susan May, 39, Washington, N.C.

 

“As far as making my life better in the COMFORT department — Merrell shoes! No more feet that hurt, even when I am on my feet for the better part of the day ... well worth the cost!”

— Jeri Jackson, 67, Greenville 

 

“Caress Daily Silk Silkening Body Wash, available for less than $5 at Walmart, leaves my skin silky smooth and smelling delightful. I love this product so much. It feels absolutely luxurious. I have also used it as a bubble bath.”

— Sandy Yannarella, 48, Grifton

 

“Whenever I’m invited to a party and have to bring an appetizer, my go-to item is a Tastefully Simple dip mix. They are sooooo easy to make, they always taste great and I always get compliments on them. Some of my personal favorites are Garlic Garlic, Spinach and Herb, Buffalo Blue Cheese, and Fiesta Party dips. Add some chips or crackers to be served with any of them and I am good to go. And, when I run out of my mixes, I call my ever friendly consultant Elizabeth Oliveira and she makes sure I can order some more!”

— Elaine Hughes, 49, Greenville