Keep notes, I have one small notebook for each sewing machine. I record the size and type of needle and the date they were changed out. That's because I have a terrible time seeing the markings on the shaft, even with a magnifying glass. The other things are dates for oiling the bobbin case, the name and weight of the bobbin thread, all the stuff you need to know if you've been away from that machine for a while.
Another thing about the needles, I don't always throw them out. They're saved for sewing odd ball stuff with paper. I like making paper mockups to test block patterns, especially if I'm resizing a block. Also making multiple perforated paper bases for paper piecing.
Last one, storing bobbins with the thread spool. Take a hair band, thread it through the hole in the bobbin, pull one loop through the other, then stretch that loop over the thread spool.