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As every one of you goes through life, you pick up a bunch of little pearls of wisdom that make your day-to-day routines a bit easier. However, not many people besides you might be aware of these things. What sounds intuitive and common sense to you may be mind-blowing to someone else.
We’re featuring some interesting life hacks that some creative people shared in an online thread that they believe everyone should at least be aware of. From hacks at home and tips for parents to thoughts on IT and safety, there’s something for everyone. Scroll down to check out some of the best bits of advice.
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#1
Once I found a pair of socks that are comfortable and don’t get holes, I bought 20 pairs of the same color. No matching on laundry day, if the dryer eats one I’ll never notice.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 2 days ago
I've done this for years! I've bought the same socks for probably 25 years, all white. They match everything & I can bleach them. Did the same for my kids until they hit 10 or so.
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#2
I keep a list of joyful moments every year. I track the date and the moment. These can be big and small: a great holiday, or the way a friend looks when they tell you something and they're vulnerable but trust you. I used to think I could just remember everything, but I'm 41 now and rereading these lists always cheers me up.
#3
Sit to pee (at home) as a man. It keeps our bathrooms clean and odor-free for longer. Our two sons sit too.
As a bonus, it makes my wife very happy.
Anonymouse 2 days ago
Agree! Such a simple choice to make more people happy! In Summary: Surprising Life Hack #1 - make simple choices that take little effort but make others happy!
Life hacks can be very useful, not to mention fun just to learn about. However, a bunch of nifty pieces of advice won’t do you much good if the core parts of your life are out of balance. In other words, don’t forget to focus on the basics while you’re also testing out which hacks actually fit your life well.
The most fundamental habits are nothing new, but they’re very important. If you get them right, you then have a much stronger position from which you can do, well, anything you want in life, really. There’s a huge difference in quality of life between being well-rested, energetic, and confident and exhausted, burned out, and out of shape.
If you want to live a happy and healthy life, you should prioritize having a vibrant social life with positive people, getting plenty of movement throughout the day, eating nutritious food, sleeping lots, and generally doing things that make you feel like you have a purpose. And—obviously—avoid unhealthy habits like eating junk food (e.g., processed foods with high sugar or salt content), substance abuse, or a sedentary lifestyle. That’s the general gist of things.
#4
I have a Google account for the house. I email things that I need to remember. Have photos of various things around the property (including plants because I always forget what is a weed and what is a plant). In Drive I have saved all the paint colours, documents related to renovations and house plans etc. If we ever sell the house I can change the Password to the new owners and they will effectively have a house manual.
Bat cat in a hat 2 days ago
Oh, good idea! I have this but it's all scattered between phone, pc and google docs
#5
My spouse and I each have our own blankets in bed. Other people find this weird….
#6
Clean a pan/pot/cutting board etc. while my other stuff is cooking. By the end of cooking, the only other thing I need to clean is the dish that holds the final product. Makes it so I don't have a whole bunch of stuff to clean after I've eaten.
Also cook a large amount so I have dinner for most of the week.
Edit: so randomly this blew up I'll add an extra. Save your eggshells and grind them and save them. Use them with soap to get rid of tough grime on your pots.
One of the most engaging books we’ve read over the past couple of decades is Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. The book is quite short, very to the point, and sets out what living a meaningful life entails.
In brief, your Ikigai is your reason for living. It’s found at the intersection of four areas of your life: what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at. Your Ikigai is something more than just your job, passion, or vocation.
According to the authors, you should stay active throughout your life and avoid retiring. That being said, you also should do things in a rush. Do things slowly, take your time. Meanwhile, avoid overeating, surround yourself with good friends, and exercise daily. Furthermore, try to be grateful for what you already have and also spend time in nature. And, of course, follow your Ikigai, whatever it may be.
#7
I keep an emergency $20 in my phone (in between the phone and its case). It's come in handy so many times when I've forgotten my wallet or been to a cash only place.
#8
Mow the leaves. Still see people raking and bagging... Why?
Warren Peece 2 days ago
Because they like to do extra work and waste organic material instead of letting it build up the soil on their property.
#9
*Placing a common item in its assigned place;* car keys, cell, purse, wallet ... whatever. The moment I come home car keys go *there,* cell beside my chair, purse hung on the coat rack, sunglasses in the car pocket. Never again will you ask, "Anyone seen my car keys?!" ;-)
I haven't misplaced anything like that in literal decades. I don't hunt for *"it"* I go to its "place."
This is a habit leftover as an AF medic. The supply closet was always strictly organized. If you have a patient in the midst of a crisis you have to find supplies quickly. Packing for a wound, run to the closet, grab it, back to the patient ... seconds. Critical meds in a cabinet, you have the key, need epinephrine, stat.
I continued that lifelong habit in my studio; untold supplies; brushes here, paint there, tools in their drawer, all organized by task and medium ... I've been doing this for 50 + yrs.
It's a wonderful time saving habit to develop.
Rahb in Oz 2 days ago
Agreed, it works for me! I always know where my phone, wallet and car keys are.
What are the most useful life hacks that you’ve ever found, dear Pandas? How have they improved your routines? If you had to pick just one piece of advice that you’d want everyone to follow next year, what would it be? What habits do you hope to develop in 2025?
We’d love to hear from you, so be sure to share your thoughts in the comments. And enjoy the start of a brand new year.
#10
Telling my toddler that tv show characters go on vacation so we can take a break from watching them.
#11
In my car, I always keep a lighter, canned/bottled water, a change of clothes, an old (but functional) pair of shoes, and a phone charging cord. Can't tell you how many times one of those items has saved my a*s.
#12
We have a load of spare toothbrushes, still in wrapping obviously, for when people come stay and they forget theirs. It's only been of use three maybe four times, but at a couple of quid for a brush, it's totally worth it.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 days ago
I keep extra toothbrushes, feminine products, shampoo, etc. I don't have a lot of overnight guests, but it's nice to have the few times I do.
#13
Bidet or bum hose. After spending time with these in Asia, it shocks me that this isn't the world wide standard.
RosenCranzLives 2 days ago
80% of toidy's in Japan, not because they're lovely, but because it reduces a lot of muck in the sewers. And the rest of the environment.
#14
The “no empty hands” method when cleaning up or organizing. Do not go from room to room with empty hands. Saves a lot of back and forth trips.
Sue Denham 2 days ago
Good idea. Might also help with the "What did I come in here for?" moments.
#15
When you find an article of clothing that you like better than all other items in that category. Buy a second item.
For me it was some blue Nathan's from Fluevog. Loved them so much I bought a second pair for when the first wear out in a decade.
Same goes for pants etc.
Khavrinen 2 days ago
Just don't get TOO carried away. Back in the '90s Jockey discontinued a style of underwear I really liked, so when 2Xist came out with a similar kind about 15 years ago, I started buying a few sets every time the price dropped on Amazon. I now have about 3 dozen unopened packages in my closet.
#16
I keep one of those dish cleaning wands you fill with soap in my shower. It’s filled with Dawn soap and vinegar. I scrub my shower walls and tub basically every other shower, just while I’m in there. It takes less than 2 minutes and I never have to clean my tub/shower otherwise. About 2x/yr I’ll do a Comet tub clean scrub, but I can’t even see/tell a difference, it’s mostly just for peace of mind.
The Panda society 2 days ago (edited)
Tried this in the UK with vinegar and Fairy (our leading washing up liquid) and is turned solid!!!
#17
My wife and I take out a certain amount of cash each week. Say it’s $125 each so $250 total. This is our personal spending money each week. Want lunch? Comes out of your cash. Same for online purchases, whatever the cost gets set aside.
Then at the end of the week, we put all our leftover cash in a jar and it becomes our communal fund. We use it for groceries, dinners out, vacations, etc. it’s helped us tremendously cut down our personal spending each week. .
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 2 days ago
I keep all my change in a jar, cleaning out my purse and room once a week. The jar is easily available, but I don't think about it. I just needed some money last week and payday wasn't until today. In silver alone, I had $65! Saved me many times
#18
I got tired of looking for my reading glasses so just got a pair for each room of the house (Kitchen, family, bedroom, bathroom, garage).
#19
You know those salad spinner things that you use to dry your lettuce etc. leaves after you wash them so you don't get a soggy mess, right? You know you can also use them to actually do the washing, right? Just fill the basket inside with the leaves you want to wash, fill the thing with water and gently swish the leaves inside both clockwise and counterclockwise until they're thoroughly washed. Then take the water out, THEN do the furiously spinning centrifuge thing that they're actually famous for.
The amount of sand and dirt that was floating around in the water the first time I did that to some baby spinach was a life-changing sight I'll never forget.
Auntriarch 2 days ago
I put the wet leaves in a clean tea towel and go into the garden and whirl it round like a mad windmill. It's rather fun
#20
I have a keyboard shortcut on all my devices where @@ automatically enters my email address.
#21
You can put a few band-aids in the note section of your purse or wallet. They take up no room, and are easy to find when you need them, no matter if it’s in a week or in 4 years time.
Edit: A “note”(short for bank note) is the British English term for paper money. Equivalent of an American English “bill” - $5 note = $5 bill.
#22
Use hand sanitizer to remove ink stains. .
joann fielding 2 days ago
Hand sanitizer also works very well for removing sticky residue from stickers and scotch tape.
#23
When you order Chinese food and get anything that has a fried component, i.e. General Tso's chicken or orange beef or anything like that, order the sauce on the side.
That way if you have it delivered or pick it up the fried part will still be crispy because it hasn't sat in the sauce for too long and gotten soggy.
George Costanza 2 days ago
No. General Tso's sauce on the side? No thank you. But then again I also lost my taste for all that sticky-sweet fake Chinese food.
#24
Freezing leftover coffee in an ice cube tray is a game-changer for iced coffee, no more watered-down drinks!
b4w6nqk5mh 2 days ago
I think they mean leftover coffee in the pot, not leftover coffee from their mug 😂
#25
Don’t throw away the veggie bits you peel or cut off. Put them in a bag and save it in the freezer. Keep adding to the bag, and use it for a broth when ready.
I learned this a couple months ago in a cooking sub and was surprised at how fast my first one filled up. We made a very flavorful broth from it and already have a second bag ready to go.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 2 days ago
I grew up saving the veggies for soup, and the peels/tops/etc for broth. When kids were small, I saved any and all juice from canned fruits, or the bottom of the bowl after cutting it up. Then,eventually, I'd thaw it, add some water, diced fresh fruit and make fruit Popsicles! Save the ends of bread and any stale bread (all kinds). Cut into 1 inch squares and freeze. When you have enough, thaw, add EVOO & seasoning, bake until crispy. Best croutons ever! Keep in fridge because of the EVOO. Store in air tight container.
#26
Something I still do even though technology has rendered it less effective is put groups of people in your phone's contact list starting with a less used letter.
All my employees first and last names have a small X before them, former employees have z's.
All my kids' friends had a small q before each name, and their parents.
When I was dating, women that I saved had a small V before their name and their city.
That way you can always sort by the letter when you can't remember a kid's friends mom's name, and look that way.
PhaseWitFact 2 days ago
You can create a custom field in the address book on your phone or use one of the predefined fields.
#27
I know everyone wants to go serious life hack mode here but
Eat muffins upside down because it won’t fall apart and you get that sweet muffin top last.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 2 days ago
Slice/break the cake part of a cupcake or muffin in half. Put the bottom section on the top. Enjoy less mess!
#28
Buy a bulk pack of nail trimmers and hide them everywhere you can think of possibly needing to trim a hang nail - every bathroom, car, work bag / purse, etc.
#29
Very simple but the amount of people don’t know that Control/Command + Shift + T brings back the tab you closed by accident on chrome or whatever is crazy. It’ll even bring back entire windows if you accidentally close everything.
#30
I buy my socks all at once, all identical. When I need socks I grab any 2 because they all match.
When one gets a hole, I throw one sock away, not a pair. When I start to run low I throw them all out, and start over.
The idea that people actually spend time sorting, pairing, and folding socks is insanity to me.
What do you think ?
Chich 2 days ago
If you are faced with a medical issue (cancer, surgery etc) get a notebook and carry it with you. A section for contacts, a section of brief notes on sessions, a section for meds/side effects/ concerns etc. Whatever you need. Like the old saying that the faintest ink is stronger than the best memory. Also, prior to a meeting with your Dr, write out a list of questions you have. It is far too easy to forget and remember later.
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
Today is December 31 so this is my one time a year to have a grammar issue with the current article title - "People Are Surprised Not Everybody Are Using These 68 Life Hacks." Should be "is." 431887781_...8c7154.jpg 
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
And I DON'T mean it should be "People Is" but "Everybody Is." 😝
Load More Replies... Chich 2 days ago
If you are faced with a medical issue (cancer, surgery etc) get a notebook and carry it with you. A section for contacts, a section of brief notes on sessions, a section for meds/side effects/ concerns etc. Whatever you need. Like the old saying that the faintest ink is stronger than the best memory. Also, prior to a meeting with your Dr, write out a list of questions you have. It is far too easy to forget and remember later.
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
Today is December 31 so this is my one time a year to have a grammar issue with the current article title - "People Are Surprised Not Everybody Are Using These 68 Life Hacks." Should be "is." 431887781_...8c7154.jpg
Multa Nocte 2 days ago
And I DON'T mean it should be "People Is" but "Everybody Is." 😝
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