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35 Incredibly Useful Life Hacks That Have Saved These Internet Users Tons Of Money And Time
There are literally thousands of small ways that you can improve your life right now, but dealing with so much information can be incredibly overwhelming. Instead, it’s best to focus on the best of the best.
That’s where one useful online thread, started up by redditor u/angelicasibs, comes in. The OP turned to the r/LifeProTips community, asking them to share their favorite life hacks that have improved their day-to-day by saving them time and money. We’ve collected the top ones that you might want to consider adding to your routine. Scroll down and don’t forget to upvote the tips that you think are the most important of the lot.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Five fast things.
Overwhelmed? Don't know where to begin? Depressed even?
Just do 5 things.
Pick up those socks, return that cup to the kitchen, water your plant, make the bed, respond to one message...
Half the time, you'll get on a roll, and it turns into 20 things. Get in a groove and play some music. Magic happens.
Just do 5 things. Doesn't matter what they are, don't write a list. Nothing major.
Live fast die old, no regrets.
Jeremy James 2 years ago
I think I read this story on here about someone who was struggling with depression. Even getting in the shower was a struggle. They told this to their therapist, who asked them, "What's the biggest thing weighing on you at the moment?" They were embarrassed to reply, "The dishes," because it seemed so small and mundane. They explained that their dishwasher wasn't very effective, and they just couldn't muster the energy to pre-wash the dishes. The therapist's answer: "Run the dishwasher twice." "What? No, you're not supposed to." "Screw 'supposed to.' Run it three times if you have to." After finally conquering the dishes, OP was able to get in the shower, lying down at first, but it was a turning point.
Iridian 2 years ago
Upon returning to the house at the end of the day, do three things before you sit down, because chances are, you won't be getting up as often as you would have thought. Also works if you do one quick-ish thing every time you get up to go to the bathroom. Also, you don't have to choose to just do chores, you can also do a few crunches or whatever, too.
Irishwoman abroad 2 years ago
I was told this by a psychologist and honestly, it's great advice. Forget overachievers like Matthew McConaughey saying you should have at least 20 things on your list each day. Good for him, but for a lot of people that's a complete blocker. Just write 3 things you can see yourself doing the next day, and write it before you go to bed. It could just be making a phone call, washing up, doing some laundry, sending an email, watering your plants or even remembering to do some calm breathing. Just crossing off those 3 things will make you feel so much better, and you might even do 4! But make sure they're doable, be realistic.
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Lama 2 years ago (edited)
Some people like doing it, so they have crossed one thing off their list even before leaving their bedroom. But practically, it's better to let your bed air out. So if you don't like making your bed (like me), comfort yourself with the fact you're making a clever choice!
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Elizabeth Williams 3 weeks ago
A big thanks to Priestess Cynthia, who brought back my Wife .Me and my wife were living happily, but i found my wife so strange and i didn't know what was going on, and she actually sought for a divorce, and she left. I was searching for a way to solve this problem but nothing seems to happen Until a very good friend of mine told me about a good spell caster called Priestess Cynthia. I thought it was not going to work but i just gave it a trial and i contacted her on her email and told him what the problem is. She told me not to worry that in 2 days time my wife will call me and will love me again but i was still in doubt but to my greatest surprise it happened just as the spell caster has said. My wife called me and started apologizing for what she has done that i should forgive her .Priestess Cynthia is a good spell caster and she has helped people all over the world and to you all that are faced with the same or similar problem.. You can contact her via email address:psychicpowerfu
Raelene Christie 2 years ago
I have EDS which effects many different systems in my body. The most painful is dislocation on a daily basis. It also causes problems with my heart bowel and bladder. When most women my age (55) have problems with leakage but not me on occasion it means having to catherterise. I'm a wheelchair users so no one can see if my clothing is too big so my trousers and skirts ect are all 2 sizes too big which means I can manage on my own in public bathrooms,without my husband having to come into a cramped disabled bathroom. Yes they are bigger but that's just to accommodate your wheelchair but what about a carer? As small as it seems that tiny bit of independence means the world to me.
Thomas Ewing 2 years ago
Don't loll in bed when you wake up; get the day started with purpose.
Sean Tobias Ambriz 2 years ago
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RELATED:
#2
Save massive amount of money and have free time with this one simple trick: Don't have kids
Marcos Valencia 2 years ago (edited)
Having children should be a very personal decision in life. Both, being childfree and "childblessed" are experiences that we shouldn't advocate for, and leave couples and/or individuals to make their own decisions. In one hand, you don't owe a grandchild to your mother; in the other hand, gathering tomatoes for a salad with your children is an image that will rest in your brain forever. Make your own path.
David 2 years ago
Yes. Mine cost a lot. And even if you want kids, consider waiting a few years until you are more stable financially.
Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
I had my first son at 40, and I would tell people to consider having children a few years earlier, when you are more energetic and have less fears...
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Momma Panda 2 years ago
There were always people who didn't want to have kids. I know some now in their 70's, some are 50, and some are 20. They aren't so vocal for people to recive their message, they just live their lives in peace. I will never understand why there is this giant movement of people shouting to others not to have kids. Not because I'm against anything (live your life the way you choose) but live and let others live.
Jared Robinson 2 years ago
This is wrong I don't have kids and I still don't have money or free time
Bill Kubeck 2 years ago
My wife and I never had kids, but it was not a choice. Something just didn't work. We have two cats now and that is quite enough to be a family.
Blondie23 2 years ago
Look... I love being a mom. For me it's the best. HOWEVER I can tell you that they suck time and money away from you. It's just a fact. So yeah, if you value money more than kids then for sure don't have kids. If you want kids... accept the fact that they take a lot of money and time to raise!
Milan 2 years ago
How do you know, how much money you saved on children, if you never had children? 🤦♂️ This is just a moo point, cow’s opinion 😁
#3
When my kids started school, I set an alarm in my phone for about 10 minutes before we had to leave. That way, it was only the clock/alarm telling them to hurry up, not their mother. They’re in their final years of schooling now, I still have the alarm and in those 13 years, I’ve only had to yell to get ready maybe 5 times and my kids have only been late for real reasons (car trouble etc). It really helped us.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
I gave my 5YO a watch and told her she needs to be dressed by the time the long hand is on the 7 and coat and shoes on ready to go by the time the long hand is on the 8. She always makes it because she knows the bus doesn't wait. I don't have to chivvy her along.
MurderMittens 2 years ago
As a teacher, I was trained to give the students a warning before we were about to change activities.
Sean Tobias Ambriz 2 years ago
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Kelly Lee 2 years ago
This is exactly what I do about feeding our pets. After years of them starting begging for their meal an hour in advance, I finally set the alarm. It's taken some time, but they've come to believe that the alarm tells them when to eat, not me. And they can't figure out how to beg from it yet.
Sundreamer 2 years ago
I have been an art teacher for many years. For those that don't know, art teachers tend to teach a wide range of age/grade levels each day. I happen to be K-12. Clean up has always been a thorn in my side. I have to watch the clock so I can give them a warning that we are getting close to clean up (about ten minutes before they need to be in line to go). And then another with about 7 minutes to go. And then at five minutes to go I tell them to stop so we can clean. Kids are often "almost finished", "just need a minute", and generally don't want to stop working. It's stressful because I get it, I don't want to stop when I am arting either. LOL Anyway, two or three years ago I set alarms on my phone to ring when there are five minutes to go for each class. I no longer have to constantly check the clock and can focus on the kiddos. When the alarm goes off, there is often a collective "Ugh", but typically my classes have been more cooperative when it comes to clean up. I highly recommend!
The OP’s thread made quite a splash on Reddit. At the time of writing, u/angelicasibs’ post got 10k upvotes and a couple of awards. But the real victory was the discussion that they sparked!
Members of the r/LifeProTips subreddit were happy to share their top hacks, in the hope that they’ll be useful to anyone reading the thread. There’s a lot of knowledge condensed here, whether you’re looking to save a bit of cash or want to improve the quality of your life a little bit. It’s also a ton of fun to consider which hacks are the most worth trying out when you’ve got a spare moment.
#4
When the butter is cold use a potato peeler to get a nice thin slice that spreads easier
Jeremy James 2 years ago
Finally! A useful "life hack!" Butter lives on my counter unless it's being frozen for pastry, but I'm sure someone will find this useful.
Kim Kermes 2 years ago
In the summer at my house, butter becomes a beverage unless refrigerated.
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I’mSoEmotional 2 years ago
You can actually make some beautiful designs with butter that’s “carved” if you are someone who likes artistry in their food!
#5
I keep a $2 Great Value feather duster in the glove box of my car. At the first sign of dust accumulation on my dash, *vvvt vvvt* my dashboard and vents are pristine again.
Learned this LPT from the most awful woman I've ever had the displeasure of dating, which just goes to show you can learn something from everyone, folks
Sue Bradley 2 years ago
I keep one of the new paper type ones in my car, also a pack of wet wipes - amazing what can be done in a couple of minutes!!!!
#6
Having saving accounts for expenses that are expected in the coming year like car registration and repairs, house repairs, and gifts. I pay into those accounts each month like they’re bills. And when I get a car repair bill, I move money over from that savings account for it because I’ve “prepaid” it.
Additionally, no matter how much money I make, I give myself a fixed weekly “allowance” that transfers to a debit card that I use for gas, haircuts, groceries, eating out and other discretionary spending. This helps me stay on a spending plan without over thinking it.
These disciplines have helped me save thousands of dollars in overspending or debt servicing because I wasn’t prepared for the expense. I’ve also been able to save more for my emergency fund and retirement as a result.
jjdubs W 2 years ago
This is a great idea for people who make more than their basic expenses cost.
Ace 2 years ago
Well duh! How to save money? Have enough money in the first place and take care of what you spend it on.
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Skye Ragsdale 2 years ago
And even if you have enough for current bills, if you're paycheck-to-paycheck there's nothing left for future problems 😑
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Tobias Reaper 2 years ago
easier said than done if you live paycheck to paycheck then probably not gonna be possible
Nano Iders 2 years ago
Or your country's economy is prone to experience violent and unpredictable inflation shifts.
Load More Replies... Verena 2 years ago
It is indeed a great help for those who earn enough, but never have money. It also prevents getting into trouble with unpaid bills piling up until the problem gets out of hand. However, having debt in Europe will block you from getting credits, even if you pay them off reliably. In the USA this seems to be different, the more debt, the better for your credit credibility. This might be part of the problem.
I’mSoEmotional 2 years ago
I pay off everything by the end of the month and it IS an issue in the U.S. You’d think that it would prove you are a good credit risk, but it actually lowers your credit score instead of increasing it. Credit card companies get money from both the seller and the purchaser every time you buy something, so every time I pay it off they lose money. It sucks.
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ROSESARERED 2 years ago
I've done this. Calculated the cost of each item per year, known expense, ie utilities, car basic on road costs, rent/mortgage, even gifts, family celebration meal like Christmas. I add 10 percent each year, divide it buy 52 and that amount goes in a account away from my everyday account. Utilities are in one, car, celebrations, emergency expenses, house all have one each too. Money goes out the day after I get paid, whatever is left by Friday is mine to spend on food, going out with friends, a new book etc. The money is there when the bills come in..not last minute anxiety about how will I pay this...a relief, lifesaver, and I feel more in control financially than I ever have. I only earn 40k a year...it can be done
Yepper OPinTex 2 years ago
This person has the money most don't. Got laid off few years back - first thing I did was stop all eating out. Helps quickly even if it's a small amount
Joy Myers 2 years ago
Whenever I have worked for companies which allow multiple direct deposit accounts, I do it directly into separate accounts for insurance, property taxes, car payments. The car payment gets pulled directly, and money is there for taxes and insurance premiums. Did it for the mortgage as well. The two previous paychecks sent up enough for the next payment.
One of the best things about the internet is that if you’ve got an open mind, you can learn a ton of useful hacks. It’s also a lot of fun to teach others what’s worked for you. And many of these tips aren’t ground-breaking: they’re common sense stuff that many of us know… but may need to be reminded of.
For instance, in our experience, our day goes smoother if when we have a couple of glasses of water first thing after getting up. We also delay our first cup of coffee until around an hour after waking up. This way, we’re more alert and feel like we’re less dependent on caffeine.
#7
''Just 10 minutes''. Put on a timer, and start doing what needs to be done in the house. Folding the laundry, washing dishes, putting away clutter, etc. When the timer goes off, you can stop. But far more often I'll just keep going untill everything is done.
Nick 2 years ago
That's my Saturday morning routine. I'll wake around 7. Get some coffee. Drink said coffee in shower (don't judge me!) Grab the laundry and head downstairs. Toss a load in, do the dishes, clean the counters, spruce up a bit, put the wash unto the dryer and then start 2nd load. By that time it's around 9 and I hang out till everyone else wakes up.
LK 2 years ago
I'm not judging you, I'm must trying to work out HOW you drink a coffee in the shower!
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Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
Me and my wife share all chores. But, since I work from home, I usually do some chores during my breaks (short breaks for walking around). Weekends with almost no chores are so... weekends.
BitchinintheBurgh' 2 years ago
Used this with my kids for years. Cleaning jobs can be hard for little ones to grasp but a 10 minute clean seems more attainable to them.
#8
Quit drinking alcohol.
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
Congrats! Hubby and I are 1 year as of March. Most everything has improved tremendously in that time.
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Proxima Centauri 2 years ago
Why? A moderate use is one of the things that makes a life good. But never touch low quality stuff. Less quantity, more quality.
Grey Beard 2 years ago
No don't. I did at the beginning of the year and I feel so much better, in so many ways, it is ridiculous. I sleep better, I'm more alert, I'm better at my job, I'm more productive around the house, my mood is better, I exercise more, my doc says all my health markers look great. Dammit, I liked drinking, I made craft beer in my garage, I was good at making cocktails, Friday beer o'clock was my favourite time of the week. But I feel too good to go back.
Donna Peluda 2 years ago
As long as you don't become one of those obnoxious quitters that spend their time at social gatherings annoying people who are enjoying a drink lecturing them on the evils of alcohol and how fantastic your life is now. Same goes for smokers. I gave up smoking years ago and don't mind if people smoke around me. I used to smoke around non smokers so have no right to ask people not to smoke.
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 2 years ago
Stop normalizing the constant need for chemical mediation to get through your whatever. Why is this such a horrible problem?
#9
20 pairs of the same socks. This is a lifetime saver!! Don't waste your time and searching or sort your socks. Just grab 2 piece 😀
David 2 years ago
However many 'same' pairs you have, rotate through all of them to help them keep their sameness. Once they start to fade / shrink / wear differently you are back to matching.
LK 2 years ago (edited)
Take socks from the front of the sock drawer, and put freshly laundered socks at the back. This way socks will wear at the same general rate.
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Sundreamer 2 years ago
I often get socks in sets that are varied but similar enough to mix and match. That way when one goes missing, it's not the end of the world. lol
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The Scout 2 years ago
I took the completely opposite approach: I started to wear colorful socks in lavish designs, and I only own one pair per design. So instead of painfully sorting black socks by the level of faded-ness, , I see the pairings immediately when I take them out of the washing machine.
Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
I just don't want to have always the same socks, are you crazy? My children would make the job for just one euro.
Amelia Jade 2 years ago (edited)
I just don't bother matching my socks. I stopped matching them over a decade ago. I just randimly grab two socks. It's not important. Most people won't see them and even if they did, who cares that they don't match.
Susan Bosse 2 years ago
Wearing matches socks is passè. They even sell socks in sets of three that are all different. My son has several pair. I'm not sure the last time I wore a pair of matching socks. I wore Christmas and Halloween together last week.
Something else that works wonders for us is walking more. Whether it’s a mid-morning stroll, doing a few laps around the office at lunch, or going for a longer hike out in nature after work, our mood is far better when we move more. These strolls also help reduce stress and anxiety and get you away from the computer, phone, and TV. We aim for getting at least 10k steps per day.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic physical activity per week. They can substitute this with 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity or aim for a combination of both. Meanwhile, kids and teens ought to be physically active for at least an hour each day. This way, everyone stays healthier, happier, and reduces their risks of contracting serious diseases.
#10
Learning to be helpful at my job. About 15 years ago I simply decided that I would be helpful. If someone asked for help I would always volunteer. If someone was struggling I would offer to help. If someone needed a technical email drafted I’d write it and ask for no credit. My goal was simple. I want to help those around me be the best they can be and I want us all to go home on time.
Since making that decision I’ve only benefitted. People look out for me, help me find work, and if I really need help I know someone will step up.
Auntriarch 2 years ago
Most of the time this works brilliantly, unfortunately once you have a reputation for being helpful, people will come to you with problems that are not in your remit, because they know you can find the answer from the person who should have dealt with it. But I still get the warm fuzzies
Goat express 2 years ago
Yes. I have definitely experienced that and have had to set boundaries. I will help people with computer problems at work, but they're on their own for the quizzes at the end of the HR videos we have to watch. I don't help people cheat, even if it seems silly.
Load More Replies... jjdubs W 2 years ago
Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life. On good days, this is true.
Monday 2 years ago
Absolutely. I love what I do....but I still don't necessarily love working. On good days I feel awesome, like the whole day was just a fun chat. On the meh or bad days it still feels like work. No job is ever going to be perfect.
Load More Replies... Skye Ragsdale 2 years ago
Yeah this backfired horribly for me. Turns out a lot of people won't actually return the favor 😕
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
I tried this, I was called a know it all and told to stop trying to be smarter than everyone ( I have a good memory and am tech savy). So I sat back and let them crash their computers, and did not lend a hand when they had to wait for a tech for 3 days ( happened more than once). When they had a question I told them to ask the boss " you know the answer - yes I do but I don't want to be called a know it all again - so go ask the boss"
Talitha Jansen 2 years ago
Until it bites you in the a*s because you're overworked from doing all the extra work. Saying no when your workload is full, is very important to last in your job.
Blondie23 2 years ago
THIS! I tell you what I am one of the few people at work that everyone helps! It makes my job so much easier. I mean people go out of their way to do things for me without me even asking because they know I do the same for them. You have no idea how much work this has saved me!!!
SirWriteALot 2 years ago
Same here. I don't just fix a problem or help out, I teach how to either avoid that problem or fix it yourself. (tech) What this does is it usually frees me of more of those "how do I ..." or "can you just quickly check ..." requests because people can get their numbers or data points easily and I'm not bogged down with lots of little things.
#11
When clothes shopping, I don't look at the price tag until I get to the dressing room. I try on the piece and then make up a price that I would feel comfortable paying for it. If it is below that price, I'll buy it. If it's above it, back on the rack it goes.
Also, if you don't absolutely love it, don't buy it. If you only *like* it, don't buy it.
David 2 years ago
Trying to remember the last time I "loved" an item of clothing I bought. Maybe the shoes I got to help my plantillas fascias go away. I'm a boring old man so it's wrangler jeans, shorts, colored t-shirts. And some picture shirts from themountain.
Alexej Dvorak 2 years ago (edited)
maybe "loved" is too strong of a word here, but doesn't everybody have some clothes they like to wear more than others. If you go "it's okay I guesss, let's buy it", it will be one of those items that are most of the time just taking up space in your wardrobe because you paid good money on it and therefore won't get rid of it, but you'll actually only wear it if there's absolutely none of your other more favorite clothes available.
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Two_rolling_black_eyes 2 years ago
This is not something poor people can do. I don't like this pair of pants but I can afford them and society demands I keep my naughty bits covered. You buy the $5 shirt at Walmart because the $8 one means you don't have $3 for the box of cereal you'll eat for the next 4 days for dinner.
YevvieART 2 years ago
I've been wearing $2.50 tanktops for 20 years and once I got a little better financially I bought 2 merch t-shirts on clearance that have my fav game on it. since then I do have 2 pieces of clothing I really love but man I'd never be able to pay full for these.
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Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost 2 years ago
The time you'll love a piece of clothing the most is at the store while trying it on. It goes downhill from there if you don't love it at the store, you won't wear it elsewhere
Sundreamer 2 years ago
I have to check price tags before I take something into the dressing room. If I try something on that is out of my price range but fits amazing, it's a major downer.
Lori w 2 years ago
My tip on clothing is ask yourself when you'll wear it. Today? Tomorrow? If you don't have an exact date, don't buy it. I can love a piece of clothing, but if I'm never going to actually wear it, it's a waste of money.
sturmwesen 2 years ago
This. I gave 1/3 of my wardrobe to charity because I loved the look but ended up not wearing it
Load More Replies... DrBronxx 2 years ago
Good advice, but being a bigger guy in a country that doesn't really cater to bigger guys, I have to settle for "it fits". Working on becoming less of a bigger guy right now, though.
Amy S 2 years ago
Totally agree, being petite the rule is if it i need an item and find one that fits and isn't awful I buy.
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#12
Before you throw a towel into the washing basket (to go into the washing machine later) - use that sucker to wipe down any and all dirt or grime you can find in the room it's from. THEN throw it in the laundry.
DrBronxx 2 years ago
Nah. That job is for the old towels that we don't use for ourselves anymore.
Raelene Christie 2 years ago
Our old towels become the dogs towels and there's always a towel by the front door and the back door, so no muddy paw prints😊
Load More Replies... Terra Cotta 2 years ago
Lol. I read the comment and thought it was a convenient way of getting rid of a few dust mites. Comments section tells me lots of people are living in crime scenes 😷
The Veil of Fire 2 years ago
Mom always bought new towels and the old ones became dog towels. Then after a while mom forgot which where dog towels and which where human towels so I took a good old sharpie perm marker and wrote Dog on both ends in large block lettering. That way we all knew when we were drying off with a dog towel. 😂. It really works but with seniors odd slip ups do happen. Gotta love them seniors.
Ace 2 years ago (edited)
And then you need to wash it on a much hotter setting rather than just throwing it in with the rest on a 40C cycle. (Actually, mainly 30C these days with better modern detergents).
RaroaRaroa 2 years ago
It's a bathtowel wiping surfaces in the bathroom (I'm sure they're not suggesting you use it to clean the toilet) so how is it any different from what it was all ready used for?
Load More Replies... Which of these tips did you find the most useful, Pandas? Were there any that you've tried before? What life hacks have made your own day-to-day grinds easier, whether saving you time, energy, or money? Scroll down to the bottom of the article to share your thoughts in the comment section. In the meantime, for some more life hacks, check out Bored Panda's earlier feature right over here.
#13
"Kill it before it grows," lol. Tackle all those little things that can turn into bigger problems before they have a chance to get worse. That annoying drip you just noticed in the kitchen? Go fix it before it turns into a $400 water bill. Loose piece of siding? Nail that sucker down before it blows off and hits your car. Random mint plant growing in the yard? Pull it up before it takes over.
Mia Black 2 years ago
That's nice of you have the energy and I would love if I could manage this... Beside the mint plant. Don't pull the mint plant. Cut some leaves for tea or jam and enjoy the smell
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Have you had mint growing? It is really invasive. I keep it in a pot now after learning the hard way: you don't want it taking over your garden and suffocating out everything else (and it will!).
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Mrs. Dearly Regret 2 years ago
I wish I knew that mint thing earlier, now I have mint everywhere. Once I loved it, but now I can't stand the smell of it.
#14
In the mornings don’t think, just get up. You’ll have plenty of time to think later in the day.
Jing Yi Xu 2 years ago
Sometimes when it's winter and the mornings are colder than a cheater's heart, your rather die than get out of bed :/
Jeremy James 2 years ago (edited)
I grew up with New England Winters and a bad heating system. Some mornings were an existential crisis. "Well, I could get out of bed, make a mad dash for the dresser, put on clothes and go to school. Or I could just lie here in my relative warmth and hope for death." And then there would be that cold draught that would pull the shower curtain into me as the hot steam escaped from the top and the colder air was sucked in from the floor. So there was the second crisis of the day about how and why to leave the nice, warm shower. All before breakfast.
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Sue Denham 2 years ago
Yeah, but I'm pretty sure humans were meant to hibernate in the winter.
ZombieMommy 2 years ago
Wait, people don't immediately start thinking once their eyes open? I can wake up after being asleep for 2 hours and my mind immediately starts going in 10 directions. I think I'm broken....
Norah Reilly 2 years ago
It pays to take a few moments to plan out your day rather than simply rush headlong into it.
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
Tell that to my brain. I’m a night owl, not a morning person.
Bill Kubeck 2 years ago
Same as the as the eternal advice I have heard: "Get up, make your bed, then get dressed. Everything else can wait."
#15
Mine is "Might as Well" when walking past laundry on the floor, might as well take it to the bin if I am heading that way. Walking past trash on the floor, I Might as well pick it up and put it in the bin. Going downstairs Might as Well take a cup and put it in the sink. Trying to compress multiple activities into one when it is convenient.
Jeremy James 2 years ago
In the restaurant industry, this is called, "full hands in, full hands out." When entering or leaving the kitchen, you should always be carrying something. It doesn't matter if it's not from or for your section. My partner has severe ADHD and I do this at home to keep from getting overwhelmed.
Todd Goodrich 2 years ago
or the old "If you got time to lean, you got time to clean"!
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Anna Drever 2 years ago
I read something similar once that’s called ABC. ‘Always Be Carrying’. The idea being if you’re moving from one room to the next you should grab something that needs to be put back in its place as you go. I don’t always do it but I try.
Kelly Lee 2 years ago
I do this, too. Gotta go potty? Clean off the kitchen counter (again). Need to refill a drink? Make a quick detour and take that book to your room - just "to", throw it on the bed - don't start looking for the best place to put it - don't actually go into the room - because an hour later you will look up, wondering why you are super-thirsty and when you leave your room to go to the kitchen, you'll remember.
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
And this is why nobody else does anything else in the house. What's the point, when that one person will do it.
Lady Vader 2 years ago
I read this here on a different post a couple of weeks ago and started doing it. It works, I find myself saying out loud "might as well do this while I wait for that." So thank you to the person who put it in my brain. 😊
ROSESARERED 2 years ago
Or never leave a room empty handed. Or if it will only take 5 minutes, do it
#16
Eat before going shopping for groceries. You'll be less likely to buy snacks and stuff. Also make a list and buy just what's on the list.
Mama Penguin 2 years ago (edited)
I make a shopping list every time and try to stick to it. But if I see something on sale that I use or eat regularly, I'll take an advantage of it and make the extra purchase.
LK 2 years ago
We have a note book in the kitchen. Some things are added to the list when we start the last one, and other less used items are added when we finish the item. Either way, this becomes the core of the shopping list. We also write a menu for the week, and buy according to the meals we are planning.
Load More Replies... jjdubs W 2 years ago
I've found that if you are too full you don't buy enough, as well. I typically order online and do pickup, which has consistently saved me the most in groceries. You can see the total and decide if you are really up for that amount. It's much easier to put things back, too.
Marla Singer 2 years ago
If I'm full when I go grocery shopping, I don't buy enough and regret it later when I just have to go again.
ROSESARERED 2 years ago
I do my groceries by click and collect, saved my most purchased items a favourites, order it online, pick up at the curb. I can add extras of things is required or on special, and know the total cost before purchasing, and can delete things from my trolley if I'm over budget. I don't go in to the shop unless I really need to. And as I use something at home I add another to my 'trolley' for my weekly shop. Has really help to stop impulse buying.
#17
Batch cook lunches. It takes an hour out of your Sunday but is so much cheaper and ensures you don't just eat junk food because it's easier.
LK 2 years ago
In a similar vein, when making dinner, make extra portions. These can be put in the fridge or freezer for lunches or dinners.
Lis Daglish 2 years ago
Also useful for singles / living alone, in my weekly shop I try and budget for and cook something like a large lasagne / beef enchiladas / prawn curry - gives me 12 single portions I can freeze for later. And as it’s more economical to buy fresh meat and fish in larger portions your overall meal costs are lower too.
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Marcos Valencia 2 years ago
An hour for batch cooking for one week? This is not the voice of experience that is talking to us.
Irishwoman abroad 2 years ago
Yes, I was just thinking that an hour is not a whole lot of time!
Load More Replies... Monday 2 years ago
This just makes me sad. I've never slid quite as deep into depressive episodes as when we were batch cooking. Something about reheating food I made 3 days ago just makes me feel low. This is entirely a me problem though, this advice makes a lot of sense.
Erin Ward 2 years ago
I'm with you I can't keep eating the same thing over and over. Also I never know what I'm going to want to eat
Load More Replies... Blondie23 2 years ago
People don't do this out of laziness. I say this as someone that was guilty of that. So now on Sunday's I put on some music or my hubby and I talk while I do it. But getting your lunches sorted on Sunday for the week is huge. Not just from a money perspective but for your health and time management in the morning. One hour out of your day on Sunday is totally worth it.
#18
You guys are all about the self improvement. I am lazy-girling it over here but: Automatic bill pay.
Every bill. Automatic. Set credit cards to pay off in full every month if you're a points ranger.It's how I have an 820 FICO. I thought that would never happen.
Also, try to get enough sleep but if you can't, get as far away from your sleep space as possible in the morning and don't go back until you are 100 % awake. I put my clothes for the next day in the front bathroom, don't even shower in the master bath because the temptation to slither back into that bed like some kind of homing flounder is so strong.
Jeremy James 2 years ago
Once, I woke up, fed my cat, watered my sprouts, got in the shower to get ready for work and then... opened my eyes and was dumbfounded about how I got back in bed, undressed, and under the covers. It turned out, I'd just had a very realistic and mundane dream about my usual morning routine. It was disorienting and it took me a minute to figure out what had happened.
Beck 2 years ago
About once a year I dream that I have gotten up and done my daily routine just to realize it was a dream. Every time it's like I have done this already today! When I was in high school it happened way more often.
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Rachel Parker 2 years ago
Yeah, I find I have to be careful in the morning choosing among my many bathrooms. It's such a drag. Also remembering which dressing room my clothes are in. One time I was looking for a particular blouse and then I remembered I left it in my castle in Switzerland! Ha ha, silly me!
Justin Thyme 2 years ago
Just monitor those accounts CAREFULLY-- lotsa overcharges can slip by if not checked frequently
Zophra 2 years ago
The auto bill pay work keep me from actually looking at the bill, - double checking we made those purchases and keeping an eye on where most of our spending is going.
Monday 2 years ago
It also runs the risk of you going over. I'd rather risk forgetting a bill than risk overdrafting my account, since forgetting is far less likely.
Load More Replies... Lene 2 years ago
In my country it's pretty normal to have bills on automatic pay. So, for my household, my bf and I sit down once per year and see what bills we paid each month and what the amount was and then we calculate what the average monthly pay was and we have this account where we put in the average amount of money we paid the past year (plus a little) and all the bills are paid automatically each month. Super easy, though it sounds complicated. Lol.
sturmwesen 2 years ago
I can't imagine live without automatic payment. I've been doing it my whole adult life when possible.
#19
Marry someone with similar values and priorities to you, those become important later in life as you begin to have to make tradeoffs with time and money
Celena Camps 2 years ago
Also values are more imp then similar interests. Been with my partner for over 26 years .. our interests change but not our values.
Kiss Army 2 years ago
Couldn't agree more! My husband and I have been married for 30 years and we have always shared the same morals, values and atheist views of religion. We do not always have the same interests... there have been times when we have come around and started to enjoy things the other enjoys (he turned me into a Sci-Fi nerd and I taught him the love of Rock-N-Roll) sometimes were never come to like the same things (I still LOVE attending said Rock-N-Roll concerts, he prefers to listen home and I will never be into behind the scenes movie "magic") but we are stronger than ever because of the solid moral/value base we share.
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Bill Kubeck 2 years ago
Feh. My wife and I are VERY different. The struggle to deal with that is the reason we are both far better people now.
The Veil of Fire 2 years ago
Know what you are before you marry. Be secure with yourself being alone. Never be afraid of being alone because there will be a time when all you will have is yourself. Once you are ok with that prospect of life get married (or not) and enjoy the heck out of life. If you end up old and alone its not so scary.
Randy Mertl 2 years ago
What? Omg what a concept. I thought you just marry a one for no reason. . These lists degrade so fast.
Anony Mouse 2 years ago
We're playing pretty fast and loose with the term "hack" here. Like, buzzfeed levels of fast and loose.
#20
A high quality and sharp cutting knife makes life in the kitchen so much easier.
Katie Fink 2 years ago
And safer. It's the full knife, that you need to force, slips and nicks your finger.
Skye Ragsdale 2 years ago
And if you do cut yourself with the sharper knife it will at least be a cleaner cut!
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Carl 2 years ago
...And those sharp knife wounds leave smaller scars than the dull ones do.
Load More Replies... Raelene Christie 2 years ago
I have a favourite sharp cutting knife that lives in the same draw as my knife sharpener and everyone knows not to touch Mum's knife lol.
Bill Kubeck 2 years ago
Amen to that. Best Christmas gift I ever got was a pair of good knives..
The Veil of Fire 2 years ago
If you can have a pro sharpen your knives it makes a huge difference. Many of those self sharpenering tools are just straightening the blade, which does need to be done but proper edging sharing need to be properly done by stone. Get someone who knows how and you will see a big difference.
#21
I wash as I cook. A lot of cooking is standing waiting for something to heat up or mix. I rinse off the stir spoon or scraper right away and put it back. Use a measuring cup, same thing. My wife doesn't and she has a whole dishwasher full of cooking bowls, cups, and utensils at the end that take way more time to take care of. If you rinse off everything right away it doesn't dry on and you can quickly dry it and put it back.
Jan Rosier 2 years ago
Not true. This is a massive waste of water. If you have a dishwasher, do it as the described wife does. That's what dishwashers are for, and they use way less water and energy. (also worth mentioning : prerinsing in the sink before putting in dishwasher is unnecessary and again, a waste of water)
Ace 2 years ago
It depends. How much water you use can be minimised, you don't need to run the tap on full for two minutes to rinse a spoon or a measuring cup. More importantly this is a time-saving tip, not about saving money (or being green).
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Spencer's slave 2 years ago
I fill the washing up bowl with hot soapy water and wash the dishes as I cook, they air dry on the rack and the plates, cutlery etc are washed after the meal. My water bill averages about $400 a year.
Talitha Jansen 2 years ago
Say hello to a high waterbill if you do this. A dishwasher uses less.
LittleWombat 2 years ago
It makes me crazy when someone "helps" me by doing this - I like things left out until I'm sure I'm done using them. That way nothing needs to be washed twice, no extra steps in the kitchen.
Mary Kelly 2 years ago (edited)
great rule for things that can't go in the dishwasher, e.g.., good pans, the kitchenaid mixing bowl, wooden handles, things with wooden spoons...you have more room to work and you can just relax after the job/meal is done
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
If you don’t have a dishwasher, definitely do this. It’s so much easier to hand wash dishes when the food isn’t dried on. But even better than doing that would be to buy a dishwasher.
Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
It's true that some people find this helpful, but as much as I've tried it, I just can't keep an eye on the food cooking in the pan while I'm washing dishes. Also, yes--it is a huge waste of water, doing one piece at a time. Imagine if you took a shower by washing yourself in parts, as they get dirty.
#22
Setting out a full outfit the night before, for whatever activity I have planned for tomorrow. I don't have to go searching for socks and appropriate undergarments, it dumps a mental load, and when I'm running behind schedule I know it's the last thing I have to do before I bolt out.
Jing Yi Xu 2 years ago
I do this sometimes only for me to put it on the next day, feel like it's not right, and then change my entire outfit:/
Brocken Blue 2 years ago
Lol yes. I have my work wear picked out for the week: whichever pajama pants are at the top of the clean stack!
Load More Replies... VioletHunter 2 years ago (edited)
Brave person in the pic, going out in just shoes and shorts.
Sally Signup 2 years ago
I always do this when I have work the next day. I'm so groggy in the mornings that half the time I feel drugged (coffee doesn't work for me), so it's helpful.
Edda Kamphues 2 years ago
I put out a full week of outfits every Sunday. Saves so much time during the week!
jdtimid123 2 years ago
Where I work we have to wear scrubs, so I just put the matching pants and top on the same hanger, cartoon style lol, sometimes I'll put undergarments in the pockets or hang them on the hanger too, then outfits are planned for the whole work week.
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
I just grab the first thing out of my closet. The only time I lay out my clothes is if I need to wear something specific. But I always wear black leggings 24/7, and I keep my T-shirts in the front of my closet. I just grab a pair of leggings, the first t-shirt in my closet, and use the same sock trick from earlier in the list. Makes changing clothes and doing laundry so much easier.
#23
If there’s something I want/need to do but don’t “feel like it” (run, chore, work project, etc), I’ll mentally say “OK. I’m not going to complete it, but I’ll just start and do a tiny bit, no pressure.” Most of the time I get into the flow after starting.
Shannon Hawks 2 years ago
definitely the hardest part is getting started, but once you do usually you finish and wonder why did i put it off so long
Beck 2 years ago
I am one of those people that loves to sleep but I can't relax TO sleep until all my stuff is done. So I tend to keep it clean or get it done first thing so I have my me time later. If I have to grocery shop on a Saturday, I go early so I have the day. If I didn't, I would have the grocery store taking up space in my brain all day til I went.
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The Short Lady 2 years ago
I used to tell my kids, if you wait till you feel like it you'll never get anything done.
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
Sometimes I stop, sometimes I keep going. Either way, it gets done eventually, or I just decide it’s not important and stop worrying about it.
Never Snarky 2 years ago
When needing to do large projects that are difficult and/or time consuming, I always do just a little bit more after I consider I'm finished for the day. I get a lot more done and finish more quickly. We can always do " just one more" of anything.
Randy Mertl 2 years ago
This is the 4th one about cleaning and how you just need to get it started. Panda running out of ideas?
ROSESARERED 2 years ago
Those are the things I try, through the depression I deal with daily, to do. If I can manage to get them done, a lot is taken off this already crushing world. Really hard things, I ask a friend or family member if they could help me for a hour or so one day, just to get it done, and save the mental stress. Someone called it the impossible task..lots of people have one, paperwork, doing the dishes, weeding...
Awesome Rob 2 years ago
At least if you come back to something you got started, then there will be less when you actually planned to do things.
#24
Stop caring if things go well or not. Literally revolutionized my life and how I enjoy the world. Being frustrated by circumstances out of your control will drive you insane. And if you look closely, basically everything in your life is out of your control. It’s just raining circumstances on you every day.
C Cat 2 years ago
This is essentially non-attachment. Don't be attached to any one particular outcome. Instead be flexible and accept what happens.
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
I am really working on it. My anxiety gets out of control when hiccups occur. Still looking for what works for me.
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Ben. Just Ben. 2 years ago (edited)
My friends and I call it a hula hoop of control. Imagine a hula hoop around you. What I can control is in that hula hoop. Out of the hula hoop? Out of my control.
#25
Ethnic market for cheaper meat and produce. At my Mexican market, produce is a bit less cosmetic, but a lot cheaper. Chicken is often on sale for $.69 a pound for leg/thigh quarters. Spices are super cheap.
Miss Revelle 2 years ago
Because with ethnic markets, it's not about pretty, it's about food! So what that melon looks like a butt? It's still a melon!
Anony Mouse 2 years ago
This shows up on most of these lists, and also the "food hack" lists. My city has one "ethnic" market. It is full of dusty expired cans and bottles, flies, and very very angry employees. There is no friendly butcher, fresh produce, or cheap bulk spices. Glad for the people who have them, but for a lot of us it's like the hack - "Don't have any ice? Easy hack - just freeze some water!"
Samantha Mannion 2 years ago
Very true I always try to go to the Indian bazaars for my produce and grains and stuff now
Joanne Hicks 2 years ago
Our local Asian market has the best produce and much cheaper than the big box grocercy stores.
Loren Pechtel 2 years ago
Depends. There's one ethnic market in town that's substantially cheaper on produce, but about the same on other things. The other ethnic markets are only worth visiting if you want something of that ethnicity--they'll be cheaper on their things, but are more expensive on the common stuff.
dan martyr 2 years ago
Yep, never buy spices in the supermarket, go to the Indian shop down the road and get a kilo of cumin for the same price as a little jar from Sainsbury’s
#26
When making any purchase, think of it as hours of your time you've had to give away. For example, if you earn $10 an hour for round figures and that BBQ you want to buy is $600 is it worth 60 hours of your time? Also if you find yourself making a lot of impulse purchases online, put the item in your online basket and wait a minimum of 24 hours, most of the time you'll forget about what you wanted.
Auntriarch 2 years ago
When I worked in the UAE I priced things in the hours I needed to work in order to buy them. Saved having to think in fluctuating exchange rates. Actually I still do
Danish Susanne 2 years ago
But sometimes after those 24 hours when you have decided you need it and can afford it too, the basket has been emptied and you have to use a lot of time finding it again and ordering it.
Marla Singer 2 years ago
Very importantly, also thing of the hours of your life that will be spent maintaining that object.
Slow Bicyclist 2 years ago
60 hours of my time.... I'm alive for 297.000 hours and counting... When I have the money and still be able to buy food to put on the BBQ I'll buy it.
Fabian Bernard 2 years ago
That's a very good top, I'm doing this also. For leisure for example: does spending those two hours of fun/experience are worth x hours of work ? Or explaining also this to my kids to learn them money value: ''those sneakers are worth a day of work''
#27
“Don’t put it down, put it away”
Zophra 2 years ago
This is all well and good - but when you live with others who don't do this or even have the same level of concern, this is an uphill battle.
Lene 2 years ago
I agree. I am struggling to get the kids to help with putting toys away and all that. I am TRYING to get them to understand that our family is a team and we must work together to have a nice house and nice things. It's an uphill battle but you gotta try to work something out so that you don't fall down again. :) (also, I renamed our family meetings/Sunday meetings. They are now our team meetings becuae they are supposed to keep us working together as a team).
Load More Replies... Never Snarky 2 years ago
I once read an "executive" book that said never handle a piece of paper twice. Deal with right away. Of course, this doesn't really work, but the concept can work. If a piece of paper needs to go into a file cabinet, don't put it on the top for later. File it immediately. When you take off your shoes, put them where they belong, etc., etc. You are avoiding doing the work twice.
Carl 2 years ago
For example, a box or handful of stuff might need to go into an attic or garage or somewhere out of the way. It's so much easier to set it down and get to it later. But later always takes longer than you intend. Then another box gets added. Then another. Now you have a whole new mess. Even things as small as paper add up into big projects with procrastination. So the post means that one should take the extra few minutes now to just finish the task. Not everyone has this problem.
Load More Replies... #28
At stores or anywhere that has a membership connected to a phone# I always use whatever area code I’m in + 867-5309, usually someone has it set up to that number and you get the discount
David 2 years ago
that's funny and yet not really a surprise. I wonder if the average checker is old enough to remember that song.
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
I've hung out with the singer of that song before. He was super sweet.
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CaptainDinosaur 2 years ago
Local plumber in my area had that number. Everybody who saw the commercial knew how to contact Benjamin Franklin plumbing.
#29
When buying something in the sale and thinking you are saving money because it has "x" amount off. You are not saving money, you are spending money.
DrBronxx 2 years ago
I don't think this is worded clearly enough. This is true if you are only buying something *because* or the discount. However That if it's something you actually need and will be spending money on no matter what, you are of course saving money when buying it in a sale.
Blarrg 2 years ago
Absolutely. I often stock up on items when they are on sale, but only items that I would eventually buy anyway. Another upside of that strategy: during the toilet paper crisis of 2020, I had 3 cases in my garage.
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Kelly Lee 2 years ago
I saved tons of money this year by not buying anything at Amazon's Prime Days deals.
Admiralu 2 years ago
I save a ton of money by being a Amazon Vine voice and getting my goodies for free.
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Michael Largey 2 years ago (edited)
As my father told my mother, who was contemplating several "bargains", "Honey, we can't afford to save that much money."
Thomas Ewing 2 years ago
I avoid commercial TV like it's Satan's throne. Most ads are exaggerations or lies. Some products are blatant BS and completely unnecessary. If a product isn't well-known, ignore it until it gets talked about, NOT because there are too many ads for it. Don't let ads barge into your lifestyle. One good way to get not purchased is to intrude on my favorite pastime, whatever that may be.
jdtimid123 2 years ago
If there's something I want, but don't necessarily need right away, I'll start keeping an eye out for one that's on sale/cheaper and in the design I like. For example, I needed a new desk, but it wasn't time sensitive, so just made sure to look for the right size of desk (very big for doing puzzles and crafts on). Eventually found on at goodwill for like 100$ solid wood, with pull out side tables. Just needed a little TLC. Turned into a fun bonus project and now I have a nice, table sized desk to do all my other stuff on. 🙂
Lene 2 years ago
For those who use a bullet journal or a planner.... there's a spread/page where you, over time, write down the groceries you use the most and what you spend on the items when and where. Over time, you are supposed to notice when your go-to groceries are on discount or sale and you can easier plan to buy in bulk then. I want to try this but I fear I'll be disappointed if I don't see a pattern. Lol. So I never got around to try it. Perhaps next year, though.
Danish Susanne 2 years ago
That is quite true, and sometimes you could find it cheaper somewhere else, so look at the acutal price, not the amount off.
#30
Do the hard things first. Tackle whatever tasks you least want to do early in the day.
Nicky 2 years ago
Life hack - read 15 pages of a trash novel then pick up 15 things. When you finish your book, your house will look great!
Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
Backwards: do, say, 5 hard tasks first thing, and then reward yourself with 15 pages.
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Michael Largey 2 years ago
Every day I wake up in bed, and the first thing I do is defy all common sense by getting out of it.
Never Snarky 2 years ago
Or, alternately, do all the quick and easy stuff first. You have a sense of accomplishment and then can settle into the big, hard job.
Jen 2 years ago
That's definitely my preference! I would rather get stuck into something complex when my task list is at 60 rather than 80 (in a job context)
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Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
Yes! Get unpleasant tasks done ASAP. Do the most unpleasant task first, such as scooping the litterbox. Then it's DONE. This is what I tell myself when I have unpleasant $#!+ to do - the sooner you do it, the sooner it will be done. And when my tasks are done, time for a few rounds of Crystal Collapse.
A.E.P. Face The muddy professor 2 years ago
If you gotta eat a s**t sandwich, you don't wanna take all day to do it
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
In my family we call that "Cold green beans". When I was a kid I hated green beans, so they would always be last on my plate. My Grandmother pointed out that if I ate them first I could enjoy the rest of my dinner without dreading the cold green beans.
pocwaddler 2 years ago
Disagree. Do the easy things while you're thinking about the easiest way to do the hard things. That way you at least get those easy things done.
#31
I’m an elementary teacher, and I wear pretty much the same thing to work every day. I have 5 North Face brand pants and 5 school shirts. This makes my life such much easier, and I don’t have to worry about what to wear to work.
Irishwoman abroad 2 years ago
It's also less distracting for students - there was a teacher in a place I worked years ago who had discovered this trick. She always wore black and white, and colours at weekends. She said it meant the teenage students would take one look at her and then get to work. That was her theory, anyway.
Blondie23 2 years ago
when my kids were in private and then later public schools that required uniforms they loved it. They never had to think. They knew what they had to wear and it was easy. Just before we homeschooled them they were going to go to a public school that had free dress and they were both stressed about that. Not the school work... the having to figure out what to wear each day!
jdtimid123 2 years ago
If you have the right outfit it shouldn't matter. Jeans and a t-shirt are a good outfit for an indoor job all year round. Just wear a jacket if it gets cold.
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Mila Preradović 2 years ago
To me this sounds like a nightmare. I have a lot of clothes and I wear every single piece. I love changing styles and colors every day.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I am now in a job where I have to wear a uniform and honestly I preferred it when I didn't have one. Now I have to do washing every 1-1.5 weeks to have clean uniform. Before, while I still wore the same pair (out of 3-4) of pants each day, I had enough tops to be able to do washing every 2-4 weeks.
#32
Turn all your clothes hangers around at the start of the year, if they’re still the wrong way around the following year, ditch the clothes, either sell them on vinted or donate
Anyone-for-tea? 2 years ago
Exactly! And how can I tell how much weight I’ve put on unless I try them on every now and again! It gives me something to aim for, and I’ve managed to lose half a stone so far. 2 more to go!
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Mia Black 2 years ago
I am a person who doesn't wear some clothes for years because I don't feel like it but then, maybe three years later this changes and I wear more of them instead of what I wore the last years. So this would be a waste of clothes or money for me. I like most of my clothes until they fall apart and keep them for decades.
Michael Largey 2 years ago
Some unused items of clothing are treasured reminders of places I no longer have to go and things I no longer have to do. Priceless!
LittleWombat 2 years ago
Definitely don't do this if your weight fluctuates a lot! Every year I'm either a size bigger or smaller it seems, and I definitely can't just replace things every time.
Jeremy James 2 years ago
Can we get a consensus on which direction clothes hangers are supposed to hang? Mine all face left, but I have no reason for doing so. It's just the direction I chose. It's not like toilet paper roll orientation, for which I have specific, well-thought reasons why it should be overhand as well as the original patent to back me up.
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
But then I would throw out all of my fancy clothes. I have like 5 fancy outfits and only wear two in a single year because I don’t have a lot of fancy events to go to, but I have worn all of them within the last 5 years and will undoubtedly need them within the next 5. I’m just gonna hang onto them instead of buying outfits every year and then throwing them out because I only wore them once in 5 years.
#33
Keep your place clean. A clean place leads to a clean mind that leads to more happiness, higher income, more time for fun things.
It takes effort to build that habit, after 2 months it will be a habit and you will never want to go back.
LK 2 years ago (edited)
The habit tip works best for neurological people. For those of us who are neuro-spicy, it can become easier to do things, but I know, for me, it never actually become habitual. It is a conscious choice each time. (Yup, my spellchecker decided 'neurological' should be substituted for 'neurotypical'. I don't know why, but I shall be having words with it!)
Lis Daglish 2 years ago
I love ‘“neuro-spicy”. I’m going to start using it. Thanks!!
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Amy S 2 years ago
I would like to see some research that supports the claim a clean home leads to more income? I know plenty of poor people who's homes are spotless.
Meghan Wood 2 years ago
Organization increases productivity, increased productivity usually equates to increased compensation.
Load More Replies... Undercover 2 years ago
I'm working to burn this "habit" into my brain my entire life. I'm still messy as hell 🙈
cerinamroth 2 years ago
I have never achieved this and don't think I ever will. My brain is too jazzy and unfocussed.
LillieMean 2 years ago
As a creative person, I have a slightly different opinion. My creativity thrives better in a slightly chaotic colorful maximalist environment than in a neat and uncluttered one. My mind is like my house is complicated and chaotic not organized and tidy. Through that, I have become more productive and creative.
LK 2 years ago
If that works for you, great. But for me a colourful, maximalist environment bring fatigue and reduces creativity. The secret is finding out what works for the individual.
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Nadine Debard 2 years ago
I know when I'm not well by looking at the mess in my house. I clean when I'm OK. I clean to get well, too.
Ristina Nielsen 2 years ago
Re-define "messy". It is more energising if a home looks like people actually live there! A few places (like kitchen sink, or bathroom) will benefit from a more strict order, but otherwise, save the frustration.
#34
Organise your rooms based on how you use them, not how you think they should be. Find out how you behave and go with the flow.
E.g. if your room is always messy because you leave your books on your bed, that’s because you read in bed. Put your shelf next to your bed or make your nightstand the designated book spot.
If you use a chair for clothes that are too clean to go in the hamper but too dirty to be in the closet, that’s because you don’t have a designated space for it. Have two hampers. One for dirty, one for not so dirty.
Ristina Nielsen 2 years ago
For the clothes: get a high-backed chair, or a pretty wooden ladder, instrad of that new hamper. Airy hanging heeps the clothes fresher.
CaptainDinosaur 2 years ago
Uh, that's what the $1200 elliptical machine is for, duh.
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Alexej Dvorak 2 years ago (edited)
Excuse me?! Everyone knows about THE CHAIR™ and so far I thought everyone HAD one for that very purpose. Why else would you have a chair in your bedroom. There's areason it's not called the chairroom.
Deborah Barron Brown 2 years ago
Yep I have learned this lesson. Plan for the life you have now not the one you think you are going to have.
Jane Hower 2 years ago
Use over the door hooks to hang the clothes on that you'll wear again before washing.
Danish Susanne 2 years ago
This sounds sensible exept I have around 600 books and there simply isn't room for them in the bedroom.
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
My husband & I each have a hook rack on our side of the bed. Pants/shirts I'll wear again tomorrow, bathrobe/jammies. Why would I put not so dirty/rewearable clothes in a hamper just to get all wrinkled?
#35
1. When moving from room to room, always take something that needs moving. There's always something!
2. The five minute rule - if something takes less than five minutes, just do it.
3. A water flosser (yes I know not as good as real floss but I have a fixed retainer and I realistically am never going to use that fiddly superfloss stuff twice a day).
4. Portable travel steamer in my bedroom (instead of taking something downstairs to be ironed). EDIT: I should have noted that I'm a woman so I'm usually steaming silk, light cottons, cashmere, etc. (The steamer is also great for refreshing fabrics such as wool, silk and cashmere which are naturally self-cleaning.) If you're trying to get the results of an iron on, for example, a smart shirt, you're going to be disappointed. :(
5. Set days of the week for changing sheets, washing towels etc.
David 2 years ago
3. I have both. the water pick and the string floss can each get some things the other can't. I'd like to brag that I'm great about using both but that would be a lie. More like if I need it (something stuck in my teeth and bugging me) and when I think about it when brushing my teeth.
HistoryLover(she/her) 2 years ago
I got the waterflosser because my dentist told me to for a specific problem with my wisdom teeth. They are gone now, but I floss more than I did with my string floss and as a result have less cavities. Turns out, floss is useless if you never use it which can actually make waterflossers more effective. Know why? Because people are more likely to use it.
Doodles1983 2 years ago
4 hang those items in the bathroom before you shower/bath. Steam does the same job, isn’t an extra job, and saves time and electric.
#36
Don’t drink your calories. A small glass of orange juice is 130 calories. A can of soda is 140. A bottle of beer is 160. Swap those out for water/tea/black coffee and that’s 430 calories you didn’t consume each day.
DrBronxx 2 years ago
Yup. I drink beer once a week. Other than that, I do not drink any calories - barley tea or water.
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
I stopped drinking orange juice years ago, and now I eat a "Cutie" or "Halo" with my breakfast instead.
Eva Kašu 2 years ago (edited)
I ´m trying to cut my sugar consumtion, but never know what to order in pub/restaurant in these hot days? I don´t drink alcohol... At home I drink cold herbal tea or sparkling/still water, but they come only in small 2-3 dcl bottles at restaurants and I hate it...
#37
I’m not sure if this is handy or not but I put all my forks, knives, etc into their own cubby in the dishwasher so when it comes to unloading I don’t have to sort through anything. 🤷🏼♂️
David 2 years ago
I do the opposite - I mix them up intentionally so they don't 'nest' and thus the water jets can get all around them easier.
SirWriteALot 2 years ago
Mine has a little grid so all spoons can be next to each other but still be spaced enough to get clean.
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#38
I'm actually responding twice because my first post reminded me of to do lists. Option 1) Three tasks only: commit to only 3 important things rather than too much. Option 2) Run a To Do list and a Done list. Write down everything you accomplish even if it wasn't on the agenda.
Ace 2 years ago
No. Making a list showing me how many things I haven't done yet is _not_ going to make me feel any better about it. I already know what needs doing, I just haven't got round to doing it yet.
m .henry van nostrand 2 years ago
That is why the got-done list is SOOOO important. My job gets a LOT of interruptions, and I often need to do things for other people that were never on the "to do" list. At the end of the day, I wondered why my to-do wasn't finished, but I was exhausted. I started a got-done list as well and realized how much I WAS accomplishing, And then I realized how much I could actually drop off my to-do list. it definitely is a game-changer.
Load More Replies... #39
Lifting weights. It literally makes every aspect of my life better.
Mark D 2 years ago
I love the fact this is mentioned here! Too many people still associate lifting weights with bodybuilders and pretty girls in yoga pants. That is not what it's about... After a certain age (I think this is around 30 or so) your body loses muscle tissue. Moreover you lose flexibility, mobility, coordination, bone density etc etc. Lifting weights is a very good way to slow this process and to stay more healthy and happy while your body inevitably still deteriorates. Lifting weights is actually common sense. Lift weights.
Anony Mouse 2 years ago
The title is life hacks to save time and money. This is not a hack, nor does it save time or money.
#40
When cooking, time is your friend. It has the ability to make less expensive food delicious. Braising a cheap cut of meat in the oven or crockpot will make it amazing. Learn a half dozen recipes that use cheap ingredients, are delicious and healthy.
David 2 years ago
Speaking of cooking slow - If you do a lot of meat consider a sous vide. That's those hot water bath things and you can get the basic stick versions for not to much $$ these days. I got my $100 one for $10 at a garage sale. They can make a really cheap cut of beef be amazingly tender. I was also pleased with some salmon I tired but salmon is easy to steam in a pan because it cooks fast.
#41
Making my own lunch for work. I work downtown and there’s a ton of places to buy food but overall it’s expensive and feel my energy levels go down after eating out too much. A side perk is I also got good at cooking!
#42
Meat pucks. Take your favorite shredded meat recipe, whether it’s slow cooked, pressure cooked, whatever. Make a large batch, then put the remainder in a muffin tin and pop in the freezer. Once they’ve frozen put in a freezer bag. Now you have tasty, individually portioned meals for months. I’ve got half a dozen different varieties going most of the time if not more. Pulled pork, chicken, asian-styled beef or pork, carnitas, machaca beef, the list goes on. Easy to make, easy to store, easy to turn into a meal with a veggie or just defrost and put one on nachos. The best muffin tin for this I’ve found was one made of silicone with a support in it to make the tray rigid but the cups still flexible. That way it is easy to lay flat in the freezer but you can easily pop out the pucks.
#43
For the broke & hungry uni / college students: the admin staff on campus probably have catered training/etc events at least once a month. Find the room(s) where they do it. My uni would put up a poster for the staff with the time & dates of these events, so I would walk by the room when an event ended and eat the remaining food.
Xenia Harley 2 years ago
Yes! My community college would do this ALL the time! The food was good, too!
#44
Weekly menu planning combined with meal prep. Once a week, my fiance and I go through our pantry and freezer, and plan out a menu for our evening meal. This allows us to grocery shop once a week for only the items we need for said meals that we don't already have in the house. When we make those meals, we make enough to have a couple leftover containers for the next day's lunch, or put in the freezer for a future meal. (Lunches at work, or those nights where you're schedule gets busy) We also take a week to 2 weeks every few months where we only eat what's in the house. We especially concentrate on planning meals around things that are older in the freezer or pantry. (We will go buy basic things like milk or produce as needed)
Dark Side of the Loom 2 years ago
Been doing Weekly menu planning for years, it really saves time and money
Catherine Maven 2 years ago
I agree, except with 3 kids at home, I made MONTHLY plans, including the grocery list for each week. The kids never noticed that they were on Repeat, the meals were varied, and I basically had to plan all of this only ONCE. I had a small binder with the monthly plan as well as the shopping lists for each week. Simplified my life a LOT! :D
#45
Never leave a room empty handed. Heading downstairs to switch laundry over? Bring the drill that's been sitting in the kitchen. Heading to the kitchen? Grab the water bottle that's sitting on the side table. There is almost always something that's in the wrong place.
C Cat 2 years ago
This tip is on this list in various forms about 5 times... I do this unfailingly and it's not life changing.
Isaac Nemo 2 years ago
It may not be life changing for you because it's already part of your life, no...?
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 2 years ago
Never leave a place empty handed - the motto of the British Museum!
Pam Page 2 years ago
We had a nightly routine when the kids were young. 10 minutes before bedtime we had the "put it away scramble". Mom, Dad, and two kids scrambled through the house putting everything away so that we could have story time in a peaceful setting. Worked then and still works for my husband and we are in our 60's (story time is now Netflix).
#46
If you have an infant that attends childcare, remove their clothes as soon as they get home. Change their outfit. The viruses and bacteria linger on clothes and the longer the child is immersed in them, the more likely they are to get sick. My daughter was constantly getting sick - covid, flus, RSV, often more than once. It was putting enormous strain on us as we both work and had to use up all our time off caring for her. The moment we switched we went from every second week her being out sick, to maybe one week out of every two to three months.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
They only really get ill the first year and then they're immune to most stuff, in my experience. I really wouldn't bother with this one. Most germs are spread from skin-to-skin contact and from breathing in droplets. The rest are probably because your little darling has very little concept of hygiene, i.e. picking nose and wiping eyes = conjunctivitis, poking around in their nappy and then eating a snack = D&V.
SirWriteALot 2 years ago
That's because her immune system is getting stronger. Smear infection by way of clothes or shopping items is a lot less common than you think.
#47
For dealing with emails: The Four Fs - Finish it (read and reply), Forward it, File it, F… it (delete it)
#48
Use the reminder app in my iPhone. I set repeated reminders for credit card payment, bedclothes laundry, birthdays, even haircuts. Also very helpful for chores/random events. By doing this I can keep them from occupying my mind and focus on the things at hand.
jjdubs W 2 years ago
The days of just remembering stuff is long gone. Now I not only use my calendar but set an alarm for critical items.
Ace 2 years ago
Thankfully the days of needing to remember to make manual payments are also largely long gone thanks to .E-banking and easily-managed automatic payments.
Load More Replies... ROSESARERED 2 years ago
Some phones can also schedule a time a message will be sent, send a message to yourself. Also handy if you forget birthdays etc
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
When I am at a convention I put reminders on my phone for lectures I want to attend and for when I signed up to volunteer. Has saved me a lot of grief!
Dark Side of the Loom 2 years ago (edited)
Google Keep app is my best friend! I have different lists (to do, Shopping, Work, Weekly menus…) You can set reminders, save an interesting link for later… and it’s soooo satisfying to tick the finished task and see it disappear!
#49
When you book a hotel and it’s a “pay at hotel” reservation, keep checking the hotel rates for your same reserved dates. The price will fluctuate. When the price dips, contact the hotel and ask them to change the rate on your reservation to match. I saved a lot of money thanks do this with a reservation at Turtle Bay resort in Oahu, and now it’s the only way I operate. Same principle works for rental cars too, but many agencies suck so in those cases you just book a new reservation at the cheaper cost and then cancel the original one. Remember, this is only a good method for when you have paid nothing toward the reservation and you’re still in the cancellation period!
#50
minimalism and going low waste. Both saves a ton of money, minimalism saves a lot of time as well (managing and cleaning a household becomes way easier and faster)
#51
Mapping the two buttons on the left side of my mouse to be copy and paste
Catherine Maven 2 years ago
I'm such a Dinosaur that I use Keyboard Shortcuts ONLY - CTRL C for copy & CTRL V for paste
#52
Hopping in the shower immediately after my partner. Saves time and money by not waiting on the water to warm up.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Unless you end up having a shower shag and leaving the water running so you don't get cold...
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#53
Always schedule your next appointment at the end of an appointment. Even if you've never had a problem getting an appointment on short notice, or it's a year away, or your schedule might change, etc. At most you might have to change it closer to the date, but I've found places are more likely to work with you if it's a reschedule rather than a new appointment.
#54
When my 3 kids were little, and there were lots of taco Tuesdays and spaghetti dinners, I would buy hamburger meat in bulk and go ahead and cook it and then freeze the cooked burger crumbles in 1-2 cups freezer bags. Easy to pull out, defrost and reheat.
KR Garland 2 years ago
I spilt up my hamburger into 2/3 cup & put these in sandwich bags, use a press to form patties & freeze them. Easy to draw out just what you need when you need it. Rigatoni & meatballs, 6 bags. Hamburger, 1 bag, etc.
#55
"Put your shoes on before you get high" - my dad
#56
I learned how to put a duvet cover on in aabout 1 minute. Step 1)flip duvet or comforter inside out Step 2) put your hands inside the now inside out duvet and pinch the far corners. The duvet is sort of draped over your arms and upper body. Step 3) with your hands inside the duvet sheets, grasp the actual comforter at the corner Step 4) roll let the sheets naturally roll down your arms and cover the comforter.
#57
Get a poop stool 😅 Lifting your legs up while s******g makes it easier and greatly diminishes your chance of getting hemorrhoid later on.
Fizzer 2 years ago
Mine has 2 handles, so that wouldn't work for me (and other ppl)
Load More Replies... cerinamroth 2 years ago
If you have kids, the little steps they use to get up to wash their hands are good
#58
Alarms for everything. It annoys my spouse, but it's how I do things.
#59
This will get buried but we put the silverware in the dishwasher silverware holder thing grouped by type. So all the forks go on one side, and the spoons all go together and the knives all go together on the other side. Makes putting them away a smidge easier. Also have a squeezey bottle for laundry detergent instead of the little cup thing that makes a damn mess. Let's see what else... Cat food bowls are all ceramic now so they can be sanitized in the dishwasher vs those stupid plastic ones that fell apart.
David 2 years ago
Second post like this. I mix them all up so they are different shapes next to each other and don't nest together. But I also just dump the whole tray into the silverware drawer so that's a time saver. I used to have a neatly arranged silverware drawer but the grandkids kept messing it so I gave up. And not it's just me but - it's just me - so who cares.
What do you think ?
ThisIsMe 2 years ago
1) Never go up/down our stairs without taking something: that empty cup for the kitchen, towels for the bathroom, even a magazine I might like to read in bed. Never waste a trip. 2) I know this won't work for everyone, but I never thought it would work for us. I think it is based on some money strategy, but I tweaked I think: First week I put a dollar in savings. Second week $2. At the end of the year (52 weeks) I put $53 dollars in that week. I kept going for three years. If I missed a week for any reason, I made it up the following. I could take out money for emergencies, but if not an emergency I had to pay it back. Created a great safety net for when my husband was unemployed. When he went back to work, I started again and I'm excite to see it grow!
Aisling Raye 2 years ago
I have one that won't work for everybody, but works pretty well. Own cats lol. Mine wake me up at 5 every morning. Once I'm up and they're fed, I don't let myself go back to my bed. They're perfect (purrfect?) alarms. Other than that, keep gym shoes by my bed. I grab them when I get up and once I put them on, I can't take them off until I've finished my exercise routine. (Those shoes are dedicated to just work outs at home, they don't ever go outside so they're not making the house gross. If I go for a run, I have running shoes for that)
Eve Forbes 2 years ago
i wish more of this accounted for people who have to pace due to disability and can't just 'get on a roll' this article was just depressing.
Lene 2 years ago
I would like a list like this but for parents and one for uhm... was it neuro-spicey? People. Because many life hacks and self care tips are just not gonna work for me. I can't just sleep longer at night because of the kids. I try my best but it's just not happening. And the neuro-spicey me can't just go and do stuff/get stuff done. I don't know exactly why because I still need to see a therapist who may/may not diagnose me with more than what I already have.
Elizabeth Williams 3 weeks ago
I saw a testimony online about this spell caster how she restores relationship. as you can see everyone l'm happy in my relationship today. Like I was never happy before. visit her page to get in touch with her now for any kind of problem you have. And be rest assure the problem will be solved. visit her Facebook page now 👇👇 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLhZ4qArg/ Or email address:psychicpowerfulspellcaster@gmail.com 0r message her on WhatsApp +44 7488 879094.
IamMe 2 years ago
As a neuro-spicy person myself, with kids, I struggled for years over not being able to get in the habit of certain things, no matter how many times I was told how "easy" it was to "just do it". I will never be an early bird, no matter how often I need to wake up early. For things I do have control over, but know I struggle with, I take the "good enough" approach, to keep my sanity. Like, I only have enough dishes and silverware for the people in the house. No extra at all. This way, I know the dishes will be done at least once a day, when they run out. Same for things like towels, and we have enough clothes to last about a week.I know myself. If I have extra they'll just pile up and up, until I am completely overwhelmed. So, I just avoid that possibility all together. If I only had that self control when it came to things like books and cool looking rocks, my house would be spotless.
Susan Bell 2 years ago
I give mg kids 3 laundry baskets: one for clean, one for not-so-clean but can be worn until laundry day, and one for dirty. The baskets go in the floor of their closets or under their beds. They can fold and put away if they want, but they don't have to. At age 13, they start doing their own laundry.
ThisIsMe 2 years ago
1) Never go up/down our stairs without taking something: that empty cup for the kitchen, towels for the bathroom, even a magazine I might like to read in bed. Never waste a trip. 2) I know this won't work for everyone, but I never thought it would work for us. I think it is based on some money strategy, but I tweaked I think: First week I put a dollar in savings. Second week $2. At the end of the year (52 weeks) I put $53 dollars in that week. I kept going for three years. If I missed a week for any reason, I made it up the following. I could take out money for emergencies, but if not an emergency I had to pay it back. Created a great safety net for when my husband was unemployed. When he went back to work, I started again and I'm excite to see it grow!
Aisling Raye 2 years ago
I have one that won't work for everybody, but works pretty well. Own cats lol. Mine wake me up at 5 every morning. Once I'm up and they're fed, I don't let myself go back to my bed. They're perfect (purrfect?) alarms. Other than that, keep gym shoes by my bed. I grab them when I get up and once I put them on, I can't take them off until I've finished my exercise routine. (Those shoes are dedicated to just work outs at home, they don't ever go outside so they're not making the house gross. If I go for a run, I have running shoes for that)
Eve Forbes 2 years ago
i wish more of this accounted for people who have to pace due to disability and can't just 'get on a roll' this article was just depressing.
Lene 2 years ago
I would like a list like this but for parents and one for uhm... was it neuro-spicey? People. Because many life hacks and self care tips are just not gonna work for me. I can't just sleep longer at night because of the kids. I try my best but it's just not happening. And the neuro-spicey me can't just go and do stuff/get stuff done. I don't know exactly why because I still need to see a therapist who may/may not diagnose me with more than what I already have.
Elizabeth Williams 3 weeks ago
I saw a testimony online about this spell caster how she restores relationship. as you can see everyone l'm happy in my relationship today. Like I was never happy before. visit her page to get in touch with her now for any kind of problem you have. And be rest assure the problem will be solved. visit her Facebook page now 👇👇 https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLhZ4qArg/ Or email address:psychicpowerfulspellcaster@gmail.com 0r message her on WhatsApp +44 7488 879094.
IamMe 2 years ago
As a neuro-spicy person myself, with kids, I struggled for years over not being able to get in the habit of certain things, no matter how many times I was told how "easy" it was to "just do it". I will never be an early bird, no matter how often I need to wake up early. For things I do have control over, but know I struggle with, I take the "good enough" approach, to keep my sanity. Like, I only have enough dishes and silverware for the people in the house. No extra at all. This way, I know the dishes will be done at least once a day, when they run out. Same for things like towels, and we have enough clothes to last about a week.I know myself. If I have extra they'll just pile up and up, until I am completely overwhelmed. So, I just avoid that possibility all together. If I only had that self control when it came to things like books and cool looking rocks, my house would be spotless.
Susan Bell 2 years ago
I give mg kids 3 laundry baskets: one for clean, one for not-so-clean but can be worn until laundry day, and one for dirty. The baskets go in the floor of their closets or under their beds. They can fold and put away if they want, but they don't have to. At age 13, they start doing their own laundry.
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