Everyone struggles with the fundamentals of daily life at some point or another, whether it be with time management, concentration, finances, health, children, getting up, being organized, getting enough exercise, or even just remembering where they put their vehicle keys.
While some of us are more skilled than others, we should all be able to contribute in some way. The bright side is that we have one another to lean on. The internet’s greatness lies in our ability to pool our resources and gain useful tips from strangers on how to deal with life’s challenges. Now think about how much better our lives would be if we did these things.
A user named angelica sibs on Reddit recently submitted a post to the LifeProTips thread, asking for people to share their “favorite” life hacks that have “saved you money, time, or made your day-to-day activities easier.” Over 3,300 responses were sent, many of which were useful but not immediately obvious life hacks.
A lot of the tips are meant to help you train your brain to be more attentive and committed, so you can take care of minor problems before they snowball into major ones. Often, it’s not the major events in our lives that cause us stress, but rather a collection of minor ones that build up over time.
People also discussed how to cut costs, keep children focused, and remain hydrated. Here are 19 of the most useful “life hacks” that will save you time and money or simplify your daily routine.
1. When I dropped my kids off at school for the first time, I set an alarm for ten minutes beforehand. In this approach, it would be the clock or alarm, and not Mom, urging them to get moving. After 13 years of schooling, my kids have only been late for legitimate reasons (vehicle issues, etc.) and they are now in their last years. I still use the same alarm. It was a big benefit for us.
2. My car’s glove compartment always has a $2 Great Value feather duster. My dashboard and air vents are kept spotless by my vigilant removal of dust as soon as it appears. This LPT was taught to me by the worst girl I’ve ever dated, which goes to show that even the worst people have something to teach you.
3. If you want thin slices of cold butter that are simpler to spread, try using a potato peeler.
4. Set a timer for 10 minutes and go to work on those household chores. Cleaning up the house, doing the dishes, folding the laundry, putting things away, etc. When the alarm sounds, you should cease working. However, the vast majority of the time I will simply work without stopping.
5. My own is “Might as Well”; if I am going to the trash can anyway, I might as well pick up the dirty clothes off the floor and toss them in. I might as well pick up the rubbish on the floor as I walk by and throw it away. If you’re going downstairs, you might as well wash that cup in the sink. Consolidating time-consuming tasks into a single, more manageable one.
6. Prepare lunches in bulk. You’ll save money and avoid eating fast food since it’s convenient, but it will take an hour out of your Sunday.
7. Give up worrying about the outcome. Changed the way I look at the world and live my life, literally. Being constantly annoyed by external factors is a surefire way to lose your mind. And if you take a good look around, you’ll notice that almost everything is beyond your command. It seems like nothing but bad luck is coming your way.
8. The Four Fs are: “Finish it (read and reply), forward it (forward), file it (file), and F… it (delete).”
9. I used to buy hamburger in bulk, pre-cook it, and then freeze the cooked burger crumbles in 1-2 cup freezer bags for later use when my three children were younger and we had frequent taco Tuesdays and spaghetti evenings. Quick and simple to thaw and re-heat.”
10. Caffeine-laden drinks are a bad idea. There are 130 calories in a 6-ounce glass of orange juice. It costs R 12 for a can of soda. Beer costs R 40 for a bottle. You may save yourself 430 calories each day by ditching these and replacing them with water, tea, or black coffee.
11. Meal planning and preparation for the week. My boyfriend and I plan our weekly dinner menu by going through our pantry and freezer. This way, we can go shopping once a week for the few things we need to complete the meals we’ve planned. When we cook those meals, we always double or triple the recipe so that we have leftovers for lunch the next day or store them in the freezer for another time.
12. Putting on muscle. It improves my life in every way imaginable.
13. “I always use whatever area code I’m in, someone usually has it set up to that number and you get the discount,” says one shopper.
14. “Floss. After each meal, use floss picks to clean between your teeth. It need not be an insanity-inducing procedure. I’m in my late 40s and still have all of my teeth thanks to “whatever you’re doing,” the advice of my dentists. Numerous studies have linked gum disease to cardiovascular problems. An easy solution is to use a floss pick after each meal.
15. To practice frugality and minimalism. The time and effort spent on household management and cleaning are reduced significantly thanks to minimalism. It’s a squirrel’s life.
16. Always return to the same spot to put away your keys, wallet, phone, and other items of daily use. You must only set it down in the approved area. You’ll no longer have to spend the usual 5-10 minutes looking for any of these things. Putting aside even a little bit of time like this can help you avoid running late. It could prevent you from being fired from your work.
17. Abolished my social media accounts. Do not feel any remorse. I’m happier and healthier now; I have so much more free time, and my ability to focus and think has increased greatly.
18. “I will be investing in home automation, such as a robot vacuum and automatic air conditioning.”
19. Faster completion means less time spent doing it. Putting things off won’t make it go away, but at least you won’t have to sit there dreading the task because it’s already been completed. One such activity is exercising. If you do it first thing in the morning, you won’t have to dwell on how much you don’t want to all day long.
About the Author:
Edmore Nkosi is a riveting South African journalist, specialising in entertainment and current affairs. With his unique ability to blend pop culture with real-world events, Edmore has carved a niche in providing captivating narratives that resonate with a diverse readership.
