Do you avoid certain household staples? We do—and it turns out many others are doing the same. Experts even suggest some of these items could fade away entirely. This week we explore how the modern home and its contents are evolving, which comforts we’ve dropped (one is surprisingly odd), and what’s become unnecessary in our house. We also share how we found the best spring break rental we’ve ever used and how we managed the logistics of traveling with kids, car seats, a dog and a crate—basically all the things. Plus, we realized we’ve been storing items in our garage that maybe don’t belong there.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify—or listen below. Use this page to find the links, notes, and photos we mentioned. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- We rented a HomeAway property for spring break in Pompano Beach, Florida (just north of Fort Lauderdale). The listing claimed a 5-minute walk to the beach, which wasn’t accurate, but we still highly recommend the place. We drove and found parking to be easy and affordable.
- We’ll publish a post with more details, but one standout meal was at Cap’s Place—an iconic restaurant accessible by boat with a long list of notable past diners. The boat ride was a highlight of the experience.
- For comparison, our previous spring break in Cape Canaveral, FL, is covered in Episode #45. That Airbnb was a shared property with two other rental units, so it wasn’t as private as the Pompano Beach place.
- We didn’t get a photo of the whole family juggling luggage through the airport, but here’s Sherry on the plane with what she jokingly calls her “signature crazy hair and nervous-mom travel face.” You can also spot Burger, our dog, safely tucked into his carrier under the seat—one of our favorite travel companions.
- Special thanks to Jordan Ferney from Oh Happy Day for boosting our travel confidence right before the trip.
What’s Not
- We found helpful lists of items you shouldn’t store in your garage, including potentially hazardous or deteriorating goods. Clearing out those things improves safety and frees up usable space.
- We own a cordless electric lawn mower that’s safe to store in the garage, and it’s made yard work easier for us.
- Also, if you don’t already have one, keep a fire extinguisher in the garage for safety.
What Millennials Are “Killing”
Examples often discussed include upholstered beds, night stands, novelty pillows and favorite sheets—items reflecting changing tastes and priorities.
- Business Insider compiled a broad list of items said to be “dying” as preferences shift across generations.
- The Washington Post examined smaller household shifts—like using paper towels more often in place of paper napkins—highlighting how everyday habits evolve.
- The conversation about the top sheet’s decline has popped up in multiple outlets. Some people quietly prefer to skip the top sheet and use just a fitted sheet and a washable quilt or duvet for convenience and easier morning routines.
- Episode #48 features Becky from Clean Mama recommending ditching the top sheet on kids’ beds to simplify mornings. We tried it and appreciate being able to toss quilts and fitted sheets into the wash without wrestling with duvet inserts.
We’re Digging
- We finally tried MarvelBeads a friend gifted us. They were less messy than expected and expand into marble-sized beads—one bag goes a long way, and we ended up buying more as gifts.
- We’re curious about novelty items like the Orbeez foot spa and whether it lives up to the hype—or the gross factor.
- For dark, engaging reads on our trip, we enjoyed The Couple Next Door, Final Girls and The Girl Before. Sherry appreciated The Girl Before for its design and minimalism themes wrapped in a tense story; she’s also enjoying Final Girls.
If you want to revisit items we’ve highlighted in past episodes, check our master list of things we’ve been digging from previous shows.
Thanks to HANDy Paint Products for sponsoring this episode. We like the HANDy Paint Cup with its magnetic brush holder and the HANDy Paint Tray, which makes rolling paint easier. HANDy Paint Products are available where paint supplies are sold.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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