Home Lifestyle 30 Secret Hacks That Upgrade Everyday Life In An Instant

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30 Secret Hacks That Upgrade Everyday Life In An Instant

Trista Smith October 19, 2024

As you know, life is often hard, but you can do more than just get a helmet and brace for impact. The hacks below will help you work smarter, not harder. That way, you can get the most out of your time.

Did you know that a bread tie can save a broken flip flop? Maybe you have an everyday habit of setting something down and forgetting where you put it. We all can use a tip for finding lost items once in a while. From living a happier life to getting chores done, follow these everyday life hacks to enjoy living a little bit more.

30. Stop Losing Things

How many times each day are you unable to find something that you left in the most obvious places? Next time you set something down, say out loud what you are doing (via Buzzfeed). This could be, “I am setting the scissors in the drawer by the sink,” or, “Here is my hairbrush on the top shelf of the bathroom cabinet.”

It may be “I am putting my book inside my bag.” You’ll be using more parts of your brain so that your memory will be more easily triggered, and you will stop forgetting so often (via Mayo Clinic) where you put your belongings.

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29. Talk To Your Pets

Do you have a pet? Odds are, your pet is your baby but you do not spend nearly enough time with it. Dogs, in particular, need a lot of interaction to build trust with their owners. Do you not think you have the time to build trust with your four-legged friend? When you get home from work, talk to your dog for a minute or two. The sound of your voice will be calming and help your dog interact with you better (via Buzzfeed).

Moreover, many people swear that their dogs are the best therapists. Just make sure that you are calm when engaging with your dog so that they do not become reactive. Remember, you have your whole life — your family, job, friends, hobbies, and entertainment. Your dog has… you. Make sure you have plenty of meaningful interactions with your dog to help generate and maintain that relationship.

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28. Exercise The Easy Way

Many people who experience chronic back pain and other physical ailments sit for long periods of the day (via Buzzfeed). Do you work in an office where you are behind a screen for hours and hours at a time? Or are you maybe retired and are enjoying taking life as easily as you can?

Get up at least once per hour; do some stretching or walking. Find some YouTube videos that show you how to do stretches that work for people who spend a lot of time sitting down. Stretching and exercising periodically can be a massive game-changer for people who experience chronic lower back problems.

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27. Buy Quality Kitchen Items

Do you tend to buy your cooking supplies in a chain store, like Target or Wal-Mart? If so, you are probably overpaying for sub-quality merchandise that will not last for as long as you want it to (via Buzzfeed). Next time, shop at a kitchen supply store, such as Web Restaurant Store.

The merchandise is of a restaurant-grade quality so that it can withstand nonstop, heavy-duty cooking. It will also hold up well to scrubbing and dishwashers. Plus, it is often sold at bulk prices so it is significantly cheaper. You won’t have to worry about your pots, pans, or utensils wearing out before their time.

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26. Read Reviews The Right Way

Reading product reviews is a great way to find if what you are preparing to spend your money on is worth the cost (via Buzzfeed), but how can you know that you are reading the right ones? Even if you are not buying something on Amazon, look for the Amazon reviews.

But be careful. Many companies pay people to buy their products and write five-star critiques. Jump straight to the three-star and four-star reviews, which will show you what may be potentially problematic. Are those problems ones that you are willing to work with, or are they deal breakers? If so, save your money and move on to the next product.

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25. The Heads Or Tails Hack

Are you having difficulty making a decision? Should you wear a red shirt or the blue one? Will you go out tonight and relax or stay in and get caught up on work? People often flip a coin when they feel indecisive (via Buzzfeed).

Heads will decide one thing, and tails will do the other. Flipping a quarter helps you make the decision, whichever way it lands. In a split second between when you toss the coin, and it lands, your brain will settle on the decision you want. Who cares whether the coin lands on heads or tails? You will have made up your mind and will be able to move forward with your decision.

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24. Wash Your Pillowcases For Clearer Skin

Do you struggle with breakouts no matter what you do? Your pillowcases may be part of the problem (via Buzzfeed) because all of the dirt, oil, and skin flakes from your face build up on them. Change your pillowcase more regularly, every three days to every other day.

Ensure that you wash your pillowcase in an earth-friendly detergent that will break up all of the detritus (via Encyclopedia.com) that could harm your skin. Also, try keeping your hair away from your face so that the oils that keep your hair healthy don’t rub off onto your skin and cause more breakouts. Try sleeping with a headwrap around your hair so that it stays away from your face.

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23. Moving Hacks: Relocate Your Bed

If you’ve ever moved to a different house or apartment, you know just how exhausting the process can be. If you don’t have professional movers unboxing everything for you, or even if you do, you will wear yourself out pretty quickly. To make things easier, unpack your bed first (via Buzzfeed) and make it up, sheets, and everything.

That way, when you get worn out and can’t keep going, you can lay down and take a nap. Because really, if you have ever been wholly exhausted, nothing is worse than having to put sheets on your bed before being able to get into it comfortably.

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22. Put Important Items By Your Car Keys

Have you ever gone to someone else’s house with something essential and were afraid that you might forget it? Maybe a book you are reading, an important document that you need to get to work, or a card you need to bring home to your loved one. You might be worried about memory loss (via Healthline), but we can help you fix that nagging issue.

Try setting your car keys down with whatever that important something is (via Buzzfeed) so that you cannot leave without it. Of course, do this only assuming that you trust the people in the house to not take your car along with whatever your car keys are protecting.

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21. Stop Automatic Toilets From Flushing

When was the last time you sat down on an automatic toilet only for it to backfire and flush on you while you were still sitting down? We can say that in addition to being surprising and unpleasant, that flush is gross? Sometimes, technology isn’t always better (via Forbes).

There’s no telling how many other people’s particles are jumping up and hitting your most sensitive areas! To prevent this hydraulic monstrosity from occurring again, put a piece of toilet paper over the automatic sensor (via Buzzfeed). You just may be able to finally pee in peace (and avoid some nasty germs shooting straight up where the sun doesn’t shine).

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20. Be Smart How You Sauté

Many recipes call for a base of sautéd onions and garlic but make sure that you do not sauté them both at the same time (via Buzzfeed). Onions take much longer to sauté than garlic, yet many people put them both in the pan together. Minced garlic does not take more than 30 seconds to cook over high heat, yet onions take three to five minutes.

Cook the onion first, and when it begins to become translucent, then add the garlic. And on that note, keep in mind that different vegetables sauté for different amounts of time (via To Taste). Mushrooms take a surprisingly long time to cook, as do tomatoes. Sautéing vegetables before boiling them can add an extra depth of flavor, but make sure that you do not sauté so long that they burn or boil so long that they become mushy.

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19. Doing Things Badly Is Sometimes Better Than Nothing

Okay, this one may sound terrible, that you should do things badly. However, here’s the thing: Sometimes, doing something badly is better than not doing it at all (via Buzzfeed). Exercising for five minutes is better than no exercise at all, so don’t get down on yourself if you can’t get an hour of exercise every single day.

Brushing your teeth for 30 seconds is not as good as brushing them for two minutes (via Medical News), but 30 seconds is better than not brushing them at all. Eating a piece of fruit that is not organic is better than eating a bag of chips that are deep-fried in hydrogenated oil and then coated in artificial chemicals.

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18. Eliminate Stains

Some stains are very tough to get out, but difficult does not mean impossible. To get bloodstains out, wash the item with bar soap first and then put it into the washing machine on a cold cycle (via Buzzfeed). Remember that hot water may kill germs, but it always sets in stains.

Also, most of the energy that your washing machine uses is to heat the water, so you will also save money on your electric bill. Moreover, if you want your clothes to last longer, don’t put them in the dryer. Instead, hang them up to dry and use a dehumidifier to speed up the process.

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17. Be Careful Whom You Listen To

There are some people you trust to give you advice. Maybe they are experts on a specific topic or people who have stuck with you and have proved that they genuinely have your best interests at heart. Their advice may not be pleasant, and they may even say that you need to change your ways about something. But are they prioritizing your well-being?

If so, listen, even if you decide not to do what they advise (via Buzzfeed). Then some people only want to criticize. Look, don’t listen to criticism from people whom you wouldn’t go to for advice. Said lilugliestmane on Buzzfeed, “Learned this the hard way after years of listening to negative people’s negative opinions — and letting them affect what I thought I could do. Got away from that, and it feels great!”

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16. Tie A Ribbon Around Your Luggage

Your parents and grandparents may have tied a string around their fingers to help them remember something important. If you travel a lot, you may want to try something similar — tie a ribbon around the handle of your suitcase (via Life Hack). This way, you can quickly identify which bag is yours. It is helpful whether at the baggage carousel at the airport or among those in your tour group.

Make sure you don’t put your name on your suitcase in big letters, though. While you may think you are making your bag easy to identify, you may be making yourself a potential target. Someone may see your name and call out to you, making you think you should know that person.

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15. Learn How To Apologize

Being able to apologize well is an essential skill that many people do not ever learn. Focus on the relationship. Don’t start an apology by saying, “I’m sorry if…” This phrasing makes your apology conditional and insincere. Even if you think you did nothing wrong, you may have legitimately hurt the other person’s feelings and damaged the relationship (via Buzzfeed).

Also, be careful of the tone of voice to ensure that you are showing confidence and not belittling yourself while still showing remorse and contrition to the offended person. Remember that your well-being and the other person’s need to be valued to move beyond the offense and strengthen the relationship.

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14. Rub Beeswax On Your Shoes

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes and live in a place with regular rainfall? Rainboots can be fun to wear, but they aren’t great for your feet, and trying to take them on and off when you get inside a building can be a hassle. Try rubbing beeswax over the outside of your shoes so that they become waterproof (via Life Hack).

Now you can wear your favorite shoes out in the rain without having to change into clunky rain boots. If you are vegan or otherwise concerned about using beeswax, look for vegan alternatives (via The Minimalist) so you can still get the same waterproofing effect.

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13. Keep An Emergency Card

In your wallet, you should keep an emergency card with vital information because it could save your life or the life of someone you love. In addition to basic information such as your address and emergency contact, this card should also have basic medical information. Do you have any allergies? What’s your blood type?

If there is an emergency and doctors have to make split-second decisions, having that information immediately on hand could mean the difference between life and death. Also, if you have pets, make sure that information is handy so that someone will know to check on them.

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12. Hacks Helpful During A Power Outage

Are you experiencing an electricity outage, or maybe you just want some extra light when going outside at night? Instead of just using your phone’s screen to light the way, place your phone underneath a bottle filled with water (via Life Hack).

The water will amplify the light and cause it to be much brighter than just the phone screen on its own. For extra fun colors, use food coloring in the water or use a diluted beverage such as Kool-Aid or Gatorade. You won’t be able to walk around carrying this DIY lantern, but if you set it down on a hard, flat surface, you’ll have several feet of light.

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11. Take Pictures Of Everything

If someone gives you a business card that you want to hold onto, take a picture of it (via Life Hack). That way, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you will be able to find it when you need it. Is your phone getting cluttered with photos? Make a separate file for pictures of business cards (via Vista Print) so that they are all in one place.

If you have a habit of forgetting things, start taking pictures to help you remember. When you park your car, take a photo of the signpost saying what aisle you are parked in. This life hack can really come in handy when parking at significant events with hundreds (if not thousands) of cars in the parking lot.

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10. No-Mess Pancakes

Many people enjoy eating pancakes, but making them can quickly turn into a fiasco. Making the batter is not necessarily tricky, but spooning it out onto the hot griddle can quickly cause enough burned bits to accumulate that the smoke detector ends up going off. Next time, try using an old ketchup bottle. Fill it with pancake batter (via Life Hack) and squirt out just the right amount: no burned bits, no smoke detector.

For extra fun, try using cookie cutters. Place metal cookie cutters (not plastic) on the hot griddle and squirt the pancake batter right into it. If you are feeling extra creative, use multiple ketchup bottles and add different colors of food coloring to them. You’ll feel like a kid again.

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9. A Hanging Shoe Rack Is The Hack Of The Century

Do you have a lot of cleaning supplies that you have trouble keeping up with? Maybe storing them under the sink isn’t working out for you, especially if they are falling over and spilling. Try using an old hanging shoe rack! Use each pocket for a different bottle (via Life Hack).

They won’t fall over and make a mess (or cause noxious fumes to escape). Another great use for a hanging shoe rack is to store your different toiletries in an organized way. Use one pocket for your shampoo, another for soap, another for rubbing alcohol, another for cotton balls. Hang the rack over your bathroom door for easy access. Before you know it, your entire bathroom will be perfectly organized.

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8. Use Nail Polish To Color Code Your Keys

If you have many keys to keep up with, you have probably at some point run into the problem of getting them mixed up. Also, getting stuck outside while trying to dig out the key to unlock the door, especially in frigid weather, can be a serious drag. Here’s a simple hack: use different nail polish colors to paint the keys a different color (via Life Hack).

Furthermore, do you ever have trouble keeping up with your keys, phone, and other essentials when you are at the beach? Take an old lotion bottle, clean it out thoroughly, and dry it (via Life Hack). Then use it as a holder for these small items that you do not want to get buried in the sand.

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7. Wine Lovers Will Rejoice

Do you want chilled wine but neglected to put the bottle (or box, no judgment here) in the refrigerator in time? No worries, use frozen grapes in the glass instead of ice cubes (via Life Hack). The grapes will perfectly chill the wine without diluting it and also add a nice extra flavor. If you are a wine lover, you may want to keep grapes in the freezer because, you know, just in case.

And if you need to get a bottle of soda cold quickly, no need to put it in the freezer and risk it exploding. Instead, wrap it in a wet paper towel and stick it in the refrigerator. Your drink will be ice-cold in just 15 minutes instead of two hours.

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6. Hacks For Reusing Toilet Paper Rolls

Reduce, reuse, and recycle is all over this life hack. Everyone uses toilet paper (at least, hopefully, everyone does), but there is no reason to throw away the cardboard rolls. If you have many charging cables to keep up with, make rows of toilet paper rolls, standing upright, inside of a shoebox (via Life Hack).

Use each of the rolls as a compartment for storing one charging cable. Another great way to reuse a toilet paper roll is to make it a DIY speaker for your phone. Cut out a hole large enough to fit your phone snugly and then turn on some music. The roll will cause the sound to amplify naturally.

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5. Photo Friends And Family With Borrowed Items

When was the last time you couldn’t find your favorite book, game, or some other favorite object, and you couldn’t remember whom you loaned it out to? Next time you loan something out to a friend, take a picture of the person holding the object you are lending (via Life Hack).

If you loan things out regularly, make a file in your phone’s photos to store those pictures so that you can find them easily. Furthermore, on that note, whenever you borrow something from another person, take a picture of it not to forget that you have it and what it looks like.

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4. Make Iced Coffee At Home

Do you wish you could save money by making iced coffee at home instead of paying enough money for a small meal at a coffee shop? The evening before, brew a pot of coffee and wait for it to cool off. Then pour it into an ice cube tray, and put the tray into the freezer (via Life Hack).

The following day, you’ll have coffee cubes! Use the coffee cubes and your favorite creamer as the base for a perfect cup of iced coffee. Put it into your favorite travel mug before heading off to work, and you will save money. Not only that but also the time needed to stop at the coffee shop.

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3. Create Instant Ice Packs

Do you ever find that you need an ice pack, you are stuck using a bag of last year’s freezer-burned peas? You can repurpose an old kitchen sponge by turning it into an ice pack. Soak it in water to fully saturated, then seal it in a zip-tight bag and put it in the freezer (via Life Hack). Next time you need an ice pack, it will be waiting for you. A similar hack can help keep you from putting money on your credit card unnecessarily.

If your credit card’s information is stored in your phone or computer, change the settings so that it is no longer there. Then put your credit card(s) into a zip-tight bag, add some water, and put them in the freezer. Next time you want to buy something, you will have to wait for the cards to thaw out, giving your brain enough time to process if you really need the item or if it’s just an impulse purchase.

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2. Reheat Food Easily

Do you get frustrated when reheating leftovers in the microwave? One food area gets so hot that it is scalding, and the rest of it remains cold. To make reheating leftovers easier, arrange the food on the dish to make a hole in the middle (via Life Hack).

This way, the microwave will warm the food more evenly. A similar hack can help you reheat pizza without the crusts becoming tough and chewy. Set the pizza on a plate, like usual. However, put a glass of water (in a microwavable cup) next to it inside the microwave. The water will help rehydrate the crust without ruining the texture.

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1. Toaster Hack For A Better Sandwich

Who doesn’t like a warm, toasted sandwich? Nevertheless, all too often, the toaster – doing exactly what it is supposed to do – makes both sides of the bread crispy, so the sandwich becomes hard and brittle rather than soft and hearty. To solve this problem, use thinly sliced bread and put both slices into the same toaster slot (via Life Hack).

One side of each piece will get toasted, and the other side will remain nice and soft. Another excellent food hack is to open up your refrigerator and freezer before you go to the grocery store and take a picture of the contents. If you can’t remember whether or not you have something, you can look at the picture and know right away.

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