It’s a normal day, everything is going fine. Then one of your lightbulbs burns out. It’s not a big deal until the outdoor light won’t turn on or you’re showering in the dark. Both have happened to me recently. Or, a lightbulb begins to flicker in the kitchen and it feels like cooking in a haunted house.

One very easy way to stock up on your bulbs and always have a few spares on hand is to write down all the lightbulbs you currently use in your notes app, or something similar, so it’s always with you.

I promise, you say you’re going to be able to identify that bulb from the shower that you looked at 3 weeks ago and now staring at a wall of 549 options which are all stupidly expensive, you’re completely lost.

Start by making a list of rooms and types of light in each room. This can be simple.

Living room:

• Overhead light
• Lamps on side table

Kitchen:

• can lights
• microwave under light

Not only is this helpful for you to always have the right bulbs on hand, if you do sell your house it’s a handy bit of information to pass on to the next buyers.

If you’re feeling extra organized, you can also list the general price for each bulb for those unusual ones. It’s how I know that a 2 pack of light bulbs for an outdoor motion sensor light are $6 cheaper from Amazon than Lowe’s and if I find my can light bulbs in a pack 2 for $10 I should buy a few boxes because that’s a great deal.

Yes, this little step might make you feel like your parents but you’ll thank me when you have the light bulbs you need for your home and avoid that return trip to get the right size because, at the end of the day, all light bulbs kinda look alike.