It's All Good: 10 Stress-Less Tips from Men

Caleb, 37, furniture designer: My philosophy is that if you find an item you like, then buy at least two of them. I always try to buy several pairs of my favorite pair of jeans, and a number of shirts in the same style (short-sleeve button-downs for summer and gray T-shirts with cardigans for fall). Then, when I wake up in the morning, I spend almost no time deciding what to wear. It's like a uniform dictated by my own taste.

Rikard, 34, photographer: One of my fundamnetal rules is that no home should be without basic ingredients to make a gin and tonic. That way, no matter who stops by, you're always ready to entertain. And for special occasions, I keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge. You never know when you'll need to celebrate, and having it on hand is the best way to class up an evening.

Jordan, 31, lawyer: I keep pomade in my glove compartment because my hair seems to have a mind of its own. I also have a few other essentials in there: floss, ChapStick and deodorant. Because you never know.

Anton, 34, video specialist: Some of my friends have kids, and finding a sitter is usually a problem for them. So when I have a party, I dig out an old video game console. Nothing fancy, and nothing too expensive or breakable. I set it up in a room that's far enough from the rest of the party that we don't have to hear it all night, but close enough that someone can check on the kids occasionally. That way, the children have some games to keep them entertained (nothing too violent, of course) and their parents can enjoy the party.

Tony, 29, television producer: Even a profoundly mediocre cook can host an excellent dinner party if he has at least half a case of good wine in his apartment. And don't underestimate the power of a few baguettes and a variety of cheeses. If your food turns out less than perfect, no one will notice.

James, 27, blogger: Buy the compact fluorescent bulbs for your home. You'll save money because you only have to replace them once every five years. Plus, you can brag to others that you're helping to save the Earth.

Chris, 31, music lobbyist: Rotating through three or four different shampoos by the same brand keeps my hair from getting greasy. When I run out of all types, I go on a toiletry run, and then I don't have to worry about it for about a year.

Matt, 30, lawyer: Get a subscription to BlackSocks.com so that you never have to think about sock gnomes stealing your socks from the laundry again. Basically, every few months, just as you're having trouble finding matches for the only pairs you have left without holes, you'll get a shipment of new ones in the mail.

Mike, 24, assistant: Some people say that location is the most important factor when choosing an apartment; others recommend hardwood floors or pre-war molding. But nothing trumps good air conditioning.