This $12 Hardware Store Gem Is My Home Projects Superhero

I’ll never forget the Labor Day weekend I was stranded with my kiddo and husband 45 miles from home with a nail in my tire. (The spare donut tire the AAA mechanic put on my car was not giving me confidence). A flat tire might seem a bit off-topic for Apartment Therapy, but the nail was actually the result of a DIY project I had done in my garage.

Because sawdust is too messy for my basement, my garage has become the ideal place to work. It’s also a bit more temperature-regulated than working outside in the hot or the cold, plus I don’t run the risk of leaves or dirt blowing into my paint. All that is to say, I love working in my garage — or I did, until a rogue nail left me with a flat tire.

Thankfully, a clever $12 find has saved me from having to make (another) pricey tire replacement. After hearing about my tire debacle, my mother in-law had gifte me this magnetic wristband for screws and small pieces for Christmas. I now swear by it, and I’d highly recommend it to any serial DIYer like myself.

Beyond helping me keep track of nails, screws, and washers, the wristband is also my go-to for any projects that require a ladder, like hanging curtains and hooks. You don’t have to worry about dropping any tiny parts or making trips up and down to get more supplies.

When tackling a DIY project, I typically add about four to six screws or small pieces at a time to the wristband, which ensures I don’t miss any assembly steps and helps me keep track of what’s what. I recently used the wristband in my mini garage workshop, where I built French cleat wall storage and installed moveable hooks. I was even able to easily use the drill on the ladder without dropping any screws or hooks.

I’m proud to say I have not had a nail in my tire since — and it’s made my projects quicker and more efficient, to boot.