What are some problems you've had with surprisingly simple solutions that it took you forever to think of?

I came very close to burning myself with hot oil from a fryer once, and I've been scared of fryers ever since. So I have been making fries by standing back, throwing the fires in, and stepping back even further to avoid getting burnt by the oil that flies out when I throw the fries in.

Yesterday it occurred to me that I can lift the basket, or take it out, then put the fries in so I don't have to worry about hot oil splash