10 Essential Tools

[goldensmom]

Okay, I’ve been thinking about this. Limiting my answer to small tools used in and around the house so far I have 5:

1. Small Channellock pliers
2. Black and Decker Lithium ion cordless screwdriver with bits
3. Irwin utility knife
4. 12 oz. Estwing hammer
5. Kershaw kitchen shears/scissors

[melissalw]

Wow, fantastic responses! A sharp knife solves so many problems...

[reader99]

Computer
Cell Phone
Stove
Refrigerator
Sharp knife
Fork
Hammer
Screwdriver
Nail-clippers
Can opener

[kib]

1 ...3 - Vice Grips - "The Wrong Tool For Every Job"

Oh Indeed!!! I would never be without a pair of vice grips.

I'm not limiting myself to ten, I'm going to take a lot of what other people have said, and add these:

Buckets. I have about 10 buckets, I find them indispensable for water transport, flushing the toilet, saving the shower water, carrying a group of tools or cleaning supplies around, doing the actual cleaning. I even use them for hand washing dishes, collecting rain water off the porch roof, recycling storage, sieving compost, helping to straighten up the house, to put my reusable shopping bags of food in so they don't fall over in the car, as a carry basket at camp showers ...

A good thick feather quilt. My gas bill last month was, wait for it, ... $15. Even with temps down to the high 40s In My Bedroom, I was perfectly comfy warm overnight.

My "Life Index". I love my laptop but I could and often do get by with a 4*6 spiral index pad that pretty much serves as a second brain.

The clothesline.

A very simple set of gardening tools - a trowel, a screen for the compost, a baskety thing that serves as a wheelbarrow, and a great set of gardening gloves.