1. Nail Polish
Use Nail Polish to Identify Different Keys
Organize your life with this simple time-saving trick. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare and some nail varnish bottles lying around, this hack is well worth a try. You’ll no longer need to rabble about finding the right one, plus the pops of color will help your set stand out in your bag.
Fix an Opening in a Window Screen
Use clear nail polish to fix an opening in a window screen. This quick fix can save you from pesky insects entering your home.
Cover Car Scratches
Nail polish remover can cover car scratches. It’s a handy solution for minor blemishes on your vehicle.
Pro Tip: Keep a few different colors of nail polish in your toolkit for various quick fixes around the house.
Keep Track of Multiple Keys
If you have lots of keys, use nail polish to keep track of each. This will help you avoid confusion between similar keys by painting them in different colors.
2. Meal Planner
Meal planning might sound intimidating if you’ve never done it, but even a little forethought goes a long way. There’s a range of resources out there, so click around and find what method suits your style.
Start Simple
If you’re new to the practice, consider starting with a free meal-planning option so you’re not forking over any cash as you learn. This doesn’t need to be fancy or intimidating – we found an unused office calendar and post-it notes, a system that’s working just fine for us for now!
Plan Your Week
Hectic schedules often lead to unhealthy and expensive takeout meals. Meal planning is a game-changer. Dedicate some time each week to plan your meals and create a grocery list.
Print Your Recipes
As someone who prefers eating out and only has a handful of go-to recipes in my brain, I’ve found it helpful to print out recipes that I’m trying for the first time, even printing a page out of one of my recipe books – then I can scribble notes about changes I’ve tried so next time I know what worked.
Ok. Time to visit the grocery store. If you’ve planned the week in advance, this part is much easier (and you’ll find you waste less food by week’s end). For optimized grocery shopping, opt for next-level list keeping with Plan to Eat.
Rearrange on the Fly
Pro Tip: Use small Post-It Notes for rearranging on the fly.
3. Drawer Organizer
Assess Your Needs
Your stuff needs a home. Some folks like to have their stuff easily accessible at a glance, while for others, it has to be out-of-sight to be out-of-mind. First, assess what type of person you are and what will bring you peace, then make it so.
Use Organization Bins
Organization bins can help. We’re hybrid in our approach, because we like to organize with clear bins and labels behind closed cabinet doors. The cabinet doors keep our visual field tidy, and the clear labeled bins allow us to easily locate what we’re looking for.
Declutter Regularly
Declutter a drawer, straighten up a shelf, or wipe down surfaces. You’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish in just five minutes. This quick cleaning strategy prevents clutter from accumulating and keeps your living space feeling fresh and inviting.
Take time to keep things tidy. This simple habit can make a significant difference in maintaining an organized and stress-free environment.
Categorize Your Items
After you’ve categorized your mess, you’re halfway there. Put the contents of the "throw away" box in the trash. Put the "give away" box in your car or by the door, ready for a trip to a local thrift store or nonprofit who could use them. Finally, concentrate on that “put away” box. Having a portable box will help you easily restock those misplaced items back in their proper place.
4. Key Holder
Why You Need a Key Holder
A key holder is an essential tool for anyone who frequently misplaces their keys. By giving everything you bring home with you a place, you’ll know exactly where it is when it’s time to leave again, cutting down on the rush-out-the-door scramble.
Types of Key Holders
- Wall-mounted key holders
- Magnetic key holders
- Key bowls or trays
- Multi-functional key holders with slots for mail and other small items
How to Choose the Right Key Holder
When selecting a key holder, consider the following:
- Location: Place it near the door for easy access.
- Capacity: Ensure it can hold all your keys and other small essentials.
- Design: Choose a design that complements your home decor.
A well-placed key holder can save you precious minutes every day and reduce stress. It’s a small investment for a big return in convenience.
5. Clothes Hangers
Maximize Closet Space
One of the simplest ways to maximize closet space is by using slim, non-slip hangers. These hangers take up less room and keep your clothes from slipping off.
The Hanger Trick
Bonus Lifehack: Try "the hanger trick" – as you hang all of your clothes back up, position them with the hook opening facing you. As you use the clothes, hang them back up the normal way. At the end of the year, you may be surprised how many clothes have gone unworn. You know what to do… Unless it’s the suit. Do keep the suit.
Fold Clothes to Stand Up
Here’s a little tip from Marie Kondo: Instead of folding your clothes and laying them flat on top of each other, fold them and store them standing up. This way, you can instantly find what you’re looking for, and you don’t make a huge mess trying to pull something out from the bottom of the pile.
Using these simple hacks can make a big difference in keeping your closet organized and efficient.
6. Grocery List
Plan Ahead
Ok. Time to visit the grocery store. If you’ve planned the week in advance, this part is much easier (and you’ll find you waste less food by week’s end). For optimized grocery shopping, opt for next-level list keeping with Plan to Eat (more on this paid game-changer in a minute). Or in lieu of spending dough on an app, you can:
- Simply note your needs with a dedicated pen and notepad by the fridge
- Add items to your favorite grocery store’s delivery app (even if you aren’t having it delivered)
- Speak up and let Alexa or Google Assistant update your list as needed
Be Flexible
Don’t forget, part of meal planning includes planning not to cook – it’s important to give yourself freedom to be spontaneous, and to support local restaurants!
Stock Your Pantry
If your meal plan hits a snag and ordering in isn’t an option, you’ll appreciate having a well-stocked pantry. Everyone’s pantry will look different based on cooking habits, food preferences and how big your pantry is (heck, if you even have one) – so we won’t make a list of what your pantry should contain.
By inputting my grocery list into Instacart and having the same items delivered every Monday, I not only save money (because I’m not at the store, distracted by items that I may or may not cook), but I save time and always have a fridge and pantry stocked with essentials.
7. Cleaning Wipes
DIY Cleaning Wipes
Creating your own cleaning wipes is a fantastic way to ensure that your household cleaners are safe for your family and the environment. These DIY cleaners are safe for your family and the environment, and they can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks. Researching online resources can provide you with a plethora of recipes for DIY cleaning solutions that are safe, effective, and budget-friendly.
Repurposing Household Items
Master the art of repurposing to reduce waste and save money. Repurposing household items, upcycling hacks, and creative reuse ideas can contribute to a more sustainable living. For instance, you can use old t-shirts or towels to create reusable cleaning wipes.
Vinegar-Based Solutions
Use diluted white vinegar to clean just about anything in the house without needing a chemical-heavy product. Vinegar is a versatile and effective cleaning agent that can be used in various DIY cleaning wipe recipes.
Repurposing and creating your own cleaning wipes not only helps in reducing waste but also ensures a healthier living environment for your family.
8. Shelf Dividers
Maximize Space
Shelf dividers are a fantastic way to maximize space in your closets and shelves. By creating distinct sections, you can keep items organized and easily accessible. This simple addition can transform a cluttered shelf into a neatly arranged space.
Easy Installation
Most shelf dividers are easy to install and require no tools. Simply slide them onto your existing shelves, and you’re good to go. This makes them a quick and efficient solution for anyone looking to declutter their home.
Versatile Use
Shelf dividers are incredibly versatile and can be used in various parts of your home:
- Closets: Separate clothes, shoes, and accessories.
- Kitchen: Organize pantry items, pots, and pans.
- Office: Keep books, files, and supplies in order.
Decluttering your space can significantly reduce stress and increase productivity. Shelf dividers are a small investment with a big payoff.
9. Budget Tracker
Keeping track of your finances can be a daunting task, but a budget tracker can simplify the process. By visualizing your cashflow, you can identify all the buckets you’ll be putting your bucks into. Do you have loan payments to make? How’s your emergency fund looking? Once you have clarity on your cashflow, automate what you can – payments for credit cards, utility bills, insurance, savings, and investments.
Use the 50/30/20 Budget Rule
A good rule of thumb is to spend 50% of your monthly income on living expenses, 30% on lifestyle, and 20% should go to savings. This method helps you allocate your funds efficiently and ensures you are saving for the future.
Invest in Budgeting Apps
For at-a-glance assessment, Mint is a free dashboard to monitor your various banking, savings, and even retirement accounts in one place. If Mint’s basic budget feature leaves you wanting more, You Need a Budget (YNAB) is popular for a more hands-on approach. While it is a paid app, YNAB does offer various free workshops open to anyone.
Lifehack’s all-access toolkit is designed on the bedrock principles of the time flow system: unlock exclusive courses, time-saving hacks, and meditation tools.
10. Time Management App
The Hack: Schedule Your Day in 50/10 Time Blocks
Approximate time saved per week: 1 hour+
Scheduling your day in 50/10 time blocks can significantly boost your productivity. This method involves working for 50 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break. It helps maintain focus and prevents burnout.
Set Time Limits
Interrupt mindless doom-scrolling with Focus Mode on iPhone or Digital Wellbeing on Android. These native scheduling tools are fairly robust, but if you’re still finding it hard to basically parental-control yourself, check out apps like Freedom designed to help you reduce your screen time.
Streamline Meetings by Creating a Strict Agenda
Approximate time saved per week: 5+ hours
Creating a strict agenda for meetings can help streamline them, making them more efficient and less time-consuming. This can save you a significant amount of time each week.
The Power of Lists: Prioritize and Organize Your Day
Answering a quick email, filing paperwork, or putting away laundry can be tackled in those spare moments throughout the day. The two-minute rule keeps your to-do list manageable and prevents small tasks from snowballing into bigger problems.
The power of lists cannot be overstated. Prioritizing and organizing your day with to-do list apps can help you stay on top of your tasks and improve your overall productivity.
Make a Delegation To-Do List
Approximate time saved per week: 10 hours (based on cutting 20 hours of meetings in half)
Creating a delegation to-do list can help you identify tasks that can be delegated to others, freeing up your time for more important activities. This can lead to significant time savings each week.
