--- title: 6 Home Items to Simplify Your Life description: From boxes that keep your bread fresh to UV-reflecting umbrellas, these six items will help make your life a lot simpler. canonical: https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/ author: Real Simple article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-03-15T20:07:50.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:59:00.170Z og:title: 6 Gadgets to Help Simplify Your Life og:description: Including a UV-reflecting umbrella og:url: https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc03f6829d9ccfce6/6988be83a988ca60eb6bb5c2/sunbrella.jpg?branch=production&width=300&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 300 og:image:height: 169 og:image:alt: sunbrella og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 6 Gadgets to Help Simplify Your Life twitter:description: Including a UV-reflecting umbrella twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc03f6829d9ccfce6/6988be83a988ca60eb6bb5c2/sunbrella.jpg?branch=production&width=300&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 6 Gadgets to Help Simplify Your Life > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=db17be66-1c06-485c-a46a-85fef4844e1e&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% | Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 | | Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=db17be66-1c06-485c-a46a-85fef4844e1e&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=db17be66-1c06-485c-a46a-85fef4844e1e&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. by [Liz Steelman / Real Simple](https://time.com/author/real-simple/) ## Liz Steelman / Real Simple Mar 15, 2017 8:07 PM UTC by [Liz Steelman / Real Simple](https://time.com/author/real-simple/) ## Liz Steelman / Real Simple Mar 15, 2017 8:07 PM UTC **1\.** [**Think Board**](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNKM56M/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B06XNKM56M&linkId=0ae0e01512df16b4fbc983ea7b0cdff3)  amazon.com Turn any empty surface into a workspace with this peel-and-stick dry erase board. Not only does its clear film blend in with any color or patterned surface, but it also peels off without any residue or damage. **To buy:** [amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNKM56M/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B06XNKM56M&linkId=0ae0e01512df16b4fbc983ea7b0cdff3) **2\.** [**Sunbrella**](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=93xLBvPhAeE&subid=0&offerid=399947.1&type=10&tmpid=319&RD%5FPARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.uncommongoods.com%252Fproduct%252Fuv-sunbrella-with-personal-fan&u1=TMsyndrs)  uncommongoods.com This umbrella might look ordinary, but it holds the key to summer fun. Its UV-reflecting outer shell and battery-operated inner fan keeps you cool at outdoor events, even on the most sweltering days. **To buy:** [uncommongoods.com](https://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=93xLBvPhAeE&subid=0&offerid=399947.1&type=10&tmpid=319&RD%5FPARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.uncommongoods.com%252Fproduct%252Fuv-sunbrella-with-personal-fan&u1=TMsyndrs) **3\.** [**Prokeeper Bread Keeper**](http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7885613/type/dlg/sid/timesyndrs/https://www.crateandbarrel.com/progressive-prokeeper-bread-keeper/s666787?SID=RSLIFEL1ProblemSolversES031017&si=4522830&aff=cj)  crateandbarrel.com This innovative box keeps bread fresh for longer. The container adjusts based on the size of your loaf size, keeping extra air out. When open, use the lid as a sturdy cutting board. **To buy:** [crateandbarrel.com](http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7885613/type/dlg/sid/timesyndrs/https://www.crateandbarrel.com/progressive-prokeeper-bread-keeper/s666787?SID=RSLIFEL1ProblemSolversES031017&si=4522830&aff=cj) **4\.** [**Click n Curl Brush Set**](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F9EC2Y8/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01F9EC2Y8&linkId=bd0f4fb6bb82af7db8977728e7eba919)  amazon.com Get a quick salon-quality blowout at home with this brush set. It comes with five detachable barrels, so you can continue drying while your curl sets. Comes in four different sizes suited for different lengths. **To buy:** [amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F9EC2Y8/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01F9EC2Y8&linkId=bd0f4fb6bb82af7db8977728e7eba919) **5\.** [**Vertical Ergonomic Mouse**](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIFNTMC/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00BIFNTMC&linkId=59d7117dee4c738b0524e9398c7c58a3)  amazon.com Swap out your standard mouse for this ergonomically designed one. It keeps your hand in a neutral position, lessening the strain on your wrist and fingers. **To buy:** [amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIFNTMC/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=timesyndrs-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00BIFNTMC&linkId=59d7117dee4c738b0524e9398c7c58a3) **6\. BusyKid**  busykid.com Give your kids an early lesson in personal finance with [BusyKid](http://busykid.com/). This chore chart app allows parents to track their children’s weekly tasks and assign monetary value to each. At the end of each week, parents can transfer earned allowances into their child’s account, where kids can then choose to spend, share, save, donate, or even invest their allowance. [(_Read TIME’s affiliate link policy_.)](http://time.com/4605406/time-affiliate-link-policy/) _This_ [_article_](https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/problem-solvers-031017/?xid=time-rs) _originally appeared on_ [_RealSimple.com_](http://www.realsimple.com) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/"},"headline":"6 Gadgets to Help Simplify Your Life","datePublished":"2017-03-15T20:07:50.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:59:00.170Z","description":"From boxes that keep your bread fresh to UV-reflecting umbrellas, these six items will help make your life a lot simpler.","url":"https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/","keywords":["Gadgets","timeshop"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc03f6829d9ccfce6/6988be83a988ca60eb6bb5c2/sunbrella.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Liz Steelman / Real Simple"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc03f6829d9ccfce6/6988be83a988ca60eb6bb5c2/sunbrella.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"sunbrella","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/gadgets/","name":"Gadgets"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4702765/6-gadgets-simplify-life/","name":"6 Gadgets to Help Simplify Your Life"}}]}] ```