The book that sparked a cleanup craze

Start 2016 off right with a festive celebration and a head start on your self-improvement goals. Please keep in mind that featured items may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary.

No matter how often we tidy up, the clutter always seems to return. Cleaning consultant Marie Kondo’s best-selling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” (Ten Speed Press, $16.99) offers strategies for fulfilling your New Year’s resolution to keep things neat. Her anecdotes and humorous observations will connect with those seeking an empathetic sensei for a less-cluttered life.

Some takeaways: Our living areas affect us profoundly; and, keep only what sparks joy and discard the rest. I’m only halfway through the tidying-up process — Kondo says it takes her clients six months of concerted effort — but I’m looking forward to completing the job in 2016. — Christina Chun

Virtual piggy bank app helps track spending

Whenever the new year rolls around, it’s time to re-evaluate my finances. The free Simple bank app is helping me stay on track. To get started, I listed savings goals and monthly expenses and linked the app to my bank account. Whenever I buy something, the app lets me know exactly how much I have left to spend each month. Say I need to save $500 for a vacation. The app can set spending guidelines and help me put aside a small amount every day toward my trip. Think of it as a digital piggy bank. Visit simple.com or download it from the App Store or Google Play. — Jermel-Lynn Quillopo, Honolulu

The message is on the bottle

Who doesn’t like a little bling? Add alcohol and it’s something I love. I recently received a 750-milliliter bottle of Medea vodka with a scrolling LED band that read “Happy Birthday Michelle!” I saved it to ring in 2016, changing the message to “Happy New Year!” Messages scroll for 45 minutes before turning off automatically and the display has a lifetime of 20 hours. Find the Light Up A Room bottles at Costco for $29.99. — Michelle Ramos

Rejuvenate with fresh juices

Start fresh in 2016 with Lanikai Juice’s new line of bottled, cold-pressed juices, including Unbeetable Citrus, a mix of grapefruit, apple, beet, lemon, ginger and chia seed; and Glow n’ Green, with celery, romaine, parsley, kale, dandelion, cucumber and pineapple. The refreshing juices are made each morning with organic ingredients, and they taste delicious. A 14-ounce bottle is $8.95 (buy one, get the second for half off). Make sure your favorite is available by ordering 48 hours in advance at 855-262-2224 or lanikaijuice.com. Lanikai Juice has stores in Kailua, Kahala and Kakaako. — Nina Wu

A sturdy trowel with a lifetime guarantee

I keep resolving to dig up the weeds in our yard and replace them with drought-resistant native plants. But I’ve thrown in the towel when confronted with blunt, bent, rusted trowels. The solution: the DeWit Small X-treme Trowel, made in Holland with a sturdy, rust-proof boron steel blade and ergonomic ashwood handle. It’s on sale at Paiko Hawaii for $15, half off the original price, until supplies run out. The Dutch are great diggers, and it’s guaranteed for a lifetime, so watch out weeds. Find Paiko Hawaii at 675 Auahi St. or Paikohawaii.com; call 988-2165. — Mindy Pennybacker