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People Share “Uncomplicated Yet Highly Efficient” Life Hacks, Here Are The 30 Best Posts
Sometimes you stumble across a life hack that is so brilliant, that you have to almost kick yourself for not figuring it out earlier. But better late than never, and the internet is a fantastic place to start.
Someone asked “Which uncomplicated yet highly efficient life hack surprises you that it isn't more widely known?” and people shared their best secrets. So make sure you are ready to take notes, get as comfortable as you can, scroll through, and be sure to upvote your favorites. If you have some ideas of your own to share, feel free to go into details below, in the comments section.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
You don’t have to get married. You don’t have to have kids. It’s a choice, and it’s your choice.
Too many people get pressured to conform and do what others do without questioning the rationale.
DarkViolet 9 months ago
Never married, no kids. I never felt the need to run at breakneck speed down the aisle.
#2
You don't have to answer the door just because someone rings the bell.
#3
Old toothbrushes are the best tools for cleaning small and difficult to access areas
While most of us are probably familiar with the idea of “hacking,” as in cutting something with, say, a machete or hatchet, the idea of a “life hack” is considerably more modern and is probably closer to the concept of a trench-coat wearing fellow in a dark room, breaking into “the mainframe.”
It was most likely coined by Danny O'Brien, who is still sometimes called the “father of lifehacks.” The idea really did catch on, as people very quickly came to appreciate the concept. Indeed, in the mid-2000s, there were entire conferences dedicated to “life hacks,” although it had a focus on technology and coding. Nevertheless, the idea has expanded and is likely here to stay.
#4
Make a copy of your passport, visa and any other important documents and email them to yourself. If something happens to the originals, you have enough information to apply for replacements.
Warrior Mama 9 months ago
If you use one of the free email services, this could make you very vulnerable to identity theft
#5
If you’re ever learning something, whether at a work meeting or class or from a YouTube video, have a notebook where you take 30-60 seconds to jot down a summary, in your own words, RIGHT when you finish. Not detailed notes (which you can take while the class/meeting is going if you need to), but the equivalent of a TV Guide blurb summarizing what you learned.
Not only will rewording/summarizing help you retain whatever you learned, but over the years you’ll have your own personal book of knowledge to reference as a jumping off point for learning more.
#6
Clean as you go when cooking.
Wipe down surfaces, clean a dish or pot or pan when something needs to simmer for a bit, wipe down your knives after use and dry them with a towel and put them back in the knife block.
I learned it from sister’s husband who is a chef.
It makes cooking so much more pleasant.
Also mise en place. Prep all your ingredients before hand and have them ready. Again, it makes cooking more fun and less arduous and the dishes turn out better.
DarkViolet 9 months ago
I've taught myself "organizational baking." Start with a clean, uncluttered kitchen. Fill a sink with hot, soapy water. Rinse off used utensils and place them in the dishwater. Put away each ingredient as you finish with it. While goodies are baking, wash up dishes, clean countertops, sweep the floor, and take out the trash. Set up cooling racks and wash used pans. Works every time.
#7
You don't have to answer your phone if you don't want to. Neither calls nor messages. It can wait. Playing with your kid, taking that bath, finishing the chapter or whatever it is you don't want to interrupt is way more important. If it's a life-and-death matter they'll call again. And again. And again, trust me, you won't miss it. I have a rule with my family in fact, when I don't answer the phone, but it's really REALLY important, they should call immediately a second time, then I'll know and answer. BTW, your phone has a silent mode too.
Daniela Lavanza 9 months ago
We do the same in my family, it's so convenient especially with the older folks. Thus they won't run to their phone and take the risk of a fall. My father always react to a phone call thinking "it could be an emergency, I should hurry to answer!"
#8
White vinegar in the laundry-so much cheaper than fabric softeners and the clothes are cleaner and softer.
#9
If you can’t get yourself to do something, get yourself to do just five minutes of the thing. Nine times out of 10, you will finish the thing immediately. Doing it is a hard, it’s just starting that’s hard.
#10
If you have adhd, create a folder on your phone called Safe Places. When you put an item in a "Safe Place" so you wont lose it or so you can remember where it is for later, take a picture of it in its safe place and put it in that folder. Good luck remembering to do any of this.
#11
Wear sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
Catherine Burgin 9 months ago
Don't worry about the future Or worry, but know that worrying Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum
#12
When you take apart a piece of furniture, put the screws and hardware in a sandwich bag. Then write the name of the furniture and use of the screws on a notecard, and put that in the bag.
This keeps screws from a single item in one place, easily visible, and easily referenced for future use (instead of sitting in a large pile of similar, nondescript hardware).
RapidUnscheduledDisassembly 9 months ago
Depending on the furniture item and its placement, you can also tape the bag to the back, or place it in a drawer, and it's right there for later.
#13
1. Be kind
2. Sharpen your kitchen knives.
#14
Paint the back of the switch plate when you are painting a room, that way you have an easy to carry, protected from fading swatch to color match later, if you need to.
censorshipsucks 9 months ago
I store the paper swatch from the hardware store somewhere in a cupboard in said room. That way not only do you have the original swatch, but its name, brand, and serial number.
#15
This is really stupid, but put your socks on BEFORE your pants not only is it easier to put the socks on without your pants being in the way, but your foot slides through the pant legs much easier.
Firstname Lastname 9 months ago
As a skinny jeans wearer, can confirm. Beats wearing socks over my pants.
Buzz Covington 9 months ago
An even better life hack: Don’t ever wear skinny jeans.
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shanila.pheonix_ 9 months ago
i wear leggings everyday and this hack works fine for me. i think it may be material or something tho
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Me. Just Me. 9 months ago
This never works for me. If I put my socks on first, they create a lot more friction and my pants are harder to put on. Tried once and never again.
Patricia Steward 9 months ago
It depends on the socks and the pants -- cotton socks and jeans, for instance, don't work.
CharliAnn Olney 9 months ago
Ladies, this does not work with soft knit pants. Leggings, yes. Soft knits, no. Your feet in socks will hang up in soft knits.
Laurie Ostergaard-Overbey 9 months ago
wow! i find that to be the exact opposite!! if i have my socks ON, i simply cannot get my foot through the pants leg!!
Sara Harvilla 9 months ago
No! If the socks are cotton/wool and the pants are cotton, like jeans, it's easier to put on your pants before your socks--too much friction. This assumes your feet are not covered with horribly dry cracked skin.
Caliban Taylor 9 months ago
If you dress up in “masculine” apparel, put your shoes on before your shirt. No wrinkles!
Maggie Fulton 9 months ago
People put their socks on after putting on their pants? What madness is this?
SeaJaySea 9 months ago
out of interest, what's the flag in your pfp? is it aromantic or a different one?
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Marlowe Fitzpatrik 9 months ago
If your feet can't slip through your pants, maybe you should use some moisturizing cream. Or, if the problem is the opposite, in which case try dryin them off
#16
Ice cube trays are good for more than water. I freeze cubes of tomato paste, coconut and goat milk, and pumpkin puree for the cat. Working on cilantro "pesto" cubes now. It's so handy!
#17
Put your keys on top of the thing you need to remember to bring with you in the morning.
Leopoldo Pisanello 9 months ago
I'm actually doing that in reverse order - I am putting the things that I need to remember taking on top of my keys so I need to lift them to get to my keys.
#18
The public library lets you stream movies and music for free. You just need a library card, which is free too.
censorshipsucks 9 months ago
depends on country. Our public libraries are derelict places stuck in the 1980s with card catalogs.
#19
When navigating a crowded place with people going every which way, focus your gaze upon the spot you're walking towards.
We look at each other's eyes when trying to avoid bumping into each other and maintaining your gaze on the spot you're headed allows people to subconsciously see how to avoid you and will adjust their path accordingly. You won't have any more of those awkward encounters where you're looking at another person and you both keep trying to turn the same direction.
I read this trick on here years ago and use it all the time in stores, the mall, etc, and it really does work. Maybe it's because I look like a psychopath and people are trying to avoid me altogether, but either way it works.
#20
The origin of the word "prestige" is "illusion." Don't waste excess time, energy, or money trying to impress other people. Focus on developing genuine strengths instead.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 9 months ago
Oh! That makes the title of the movie just so much cooler, considering it's about illusionists! (I never watched it, it's probably explained in the movie? Still cool)
#21
Using an hairdryer to remove stubborn stickers and labels
#22
Different colored nail polish on various keys that look the same. Saves SO much time.
ADJ 9 months ago
Guess you never heard of colored silicon rings you can put on keys. 61CG40zkPP..._QL80_.jpg 
#23
The adage: “do what you must before you do what you may”.
As someone with serious ADHD, just saying this phrase before I or as I get distracted has saved me hours of lost productivity.
I apply it to everything. Getting on my phone at work? Not before I send that email. Finished dinner and want to go veg? Not before I clean everything up.
I repeat it to myself constantly throughout the day to keep me focused and taking care of the little things that otherwise would build up.
arthbach 9 months ago
I am very open to bribery. If I wash the dishes, then I can play on my computer for 30 minutes. If I send 3 emails, I can have a lovely mug of hot chocolate. Of course, I could play on my computer, and not wash the dishes. Of course, I could have the hot chocolate, and not send the emails, but if I do the task, then I get the reward, and a reward hot chocolate tastes better than an ordinary one.
#24
Learning to cook. Started way too late in life. You're paying a fraction of the cost to make something specifically tailored to your taste. And the process is fun, creative, and experimental in the way that the best hobbies are. I stopped drinking and learned to cook during the pandemic. I can not express the difference its made to my finances and health. I suddenly have so much more money for fun stuff, and never worry about a belly sticking out anymore. Start young and learn to love doing it. Your life will improve *dramatically*.
DarkViolet 9 months ago
Word! A little effort put towards shopping and cooking keeps money in your pocket. Money that would normally spent on takeout.
#25
Crumpling your parchment paper into a ball then smoothing it out before using it to line a pan makes it easier to fit it into your pan nicely.
Mgtow Smurf 9 months ago
Turn the pan upside down and form the paper or foil using the pan bottom as a mold.
#26
You can bypass a lot of paywalls on mobile websites by simply switching to reader mode before the page finishes loading.
#27
If you exchange holiday or birthday gifts with your loved ones, keep a list on your phone throughout the year of ideas of what to give and when the time comes to buy gifts you’ll have almost everything prepared
JayWantsACat 9 months ago (edited)
Isn't this pretty obvious? I hate that we call every mundane tip a "hack". Someone in a video said they had a "hack" for crossing the US/Mexico more quickly and it was literally just signing up for the equivalent of the TSA Precheck program. THAT'S NOT A HACK. A "hack" is literally in the name: it's literally hacking something aka "using it in a non-standard manner" or something along those lines. Sorry, this whole thing is just a pet peeve.
#28
If you use a computer for a majority of your work, get a second used monitor off Craigslist or a local sales site. Complete game changer having a work monitor and a reference one. It's never cost me more than $20, and most video cards have multiple outlets.
#29
You can get garlic and other smells off your hands or out of jars etc by covering the surface in water which is also in contact with a metal such as steel. That is, rinse your hands under the tap while rubbing a teaspoon against the skin or fill the jar with water and stand a fork in it.
#30
When putting screen wash in your car.
Turn the bottle sideways.
What do you think ?
Jake stenhouse 9 months ago
The one I live by is ‘Be good to your future self’ which is similar to some of the ones above. For example, cleaning up the dishes after dinner now so your future self will wake up to a clean kitchen
Sinister Murder 9 months ago
Or don't clean up the kitchen and your future self can remember the fun stuff you did instead.
Load More Replies... David Avegala 9 months ago
Which isn't common, hence the entire f*****g point of the article.
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MushroomHead22 9 months ago
yes and no. there are something here that make life more complicated, and somethings that are just not life hacks at all.
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Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
Practice lazy housework. Clean as you go that way you never have to do 'housework' just a quick once over with a vacuum
Jake stenhouse 9 months ago
The one I live by is ‘Be good to your future self’ which is similar to some of the ones above. For example, cleaning up the dishes after dinner now so your future self will wake up to a clean kitchen
Sinister Murder 9 months ago
Or don't clean up the kitchen and your future self can remember the fun stuff you did instead.
Load More Replies... David Avegala 9 months ago
Which isn't common, hence the entire f*****g point of the article.
Load More Replies... MushroomHead22 9 months ago
yes and no. there are something here that make life more complicated, and somethings that are just not life hacks at all.
Load More Replies... Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
Practice lazy housework. Clean as you go that way you never have to do 'housework' just a quick once over with a vacuum
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