Cutting corners is often considered a bad thing. But when it comes to chores, errands, and pesky little tasks that eat up your day, some creativity and resourcefulness can save precious time and energy.
From starting a campfire to raking leaves and stopping the pasta water from boiling over the pot, many of the "problems" we face today have been tormenting people for ages, and believe me—there are more ways to take care of them than just your way.
Continue scrolling to learn how to make things easier!
#1 Wow Just Wow
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#2 I Use An Apple Corer To Prep My Roast Potatoes
Image credits: CraftyHolic
Of course, seeing a tip online is one thing and incorporating it into your life is another.
Jessica Koehler, Ph.D., an associate faculty member in the University of Arizona Global Campus Psychology Department, says habit formation is rooted in neuroscience, with the basal ganglia playing a pivotal role.
It sounds technical, but according to her, "This brain region, responsible for learning and motor control, is integral to developing automatic behaviors. As habits are repeated over time, the basal ganglia become increasingly active, strengthening neural pathways and making these actions feel automatic."
This efficiency allows the brain to conserve cognitive effort, but it also makes ingrained habits challenging to break.
#3 I Thought This Was Well Known Untill My Father Who Has Been A Mechanic For 30 Years Had Not Seen It Before
Open your cable tie packets in the middle and you will never spill them all over the floor again. Pull out however many you need from the centre as seen below.
Image credits: J-R-Hudson
#4 Bandaid Kept Falling Off. Cut The Wings Down The Middle And Cross-Crossed Them And Now It Stays On All Day
Image credits: jesiweeks3348
#5 Need More Light When You’re Camping? Put A Water Bottle On Top Of Your Phone Flashlight For A Lantern Effect
Image credits: iamg0d
But if you really try and stick to it, chances are you’ll build a new routine into your life, whether it’s one of these hacks, a new hobby, or something else.
"The brain’s adaptability, known as neuroplasticity, makes change possible," says Koehler. "Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning and behavioral changes."
This means that while habits may feel hardwired, they can be reshaped with enough effort and repetition. "Research shows that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. The time frame can vary depending on the complexity of the behavior," Koehler adds. "Just as repeated action solidifies bad habits, the same principle applies to forming positive ones."
#6 Keep At Least One Empty Tissue Box On Hand. When You’re Sick, The Spare Makes A Nifty Container To Put Your Used Ones Into - Instead Of Winding Up All Over The Place If You’re Bed Bound
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#7 When Painting Put A Garbage Bag Over The Tray For Less Clean Up After
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#8 Life Hack: Vacuuming Into Those Annoying Gaps. Insert Vacuum End Into Toilet Roll And Squeeze Tight. It Can Get Those Hard To Reach Places In Between Stuff
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#9 Pizza Cutters Are An Under Utilized Kitchen Utensil
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The key to forming good habits is starting small and gradually building your way up.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, advocates making tiny changes that are easy to maintain.
For instance, if you want to develop a habit of reading more, start by reading just one page a day—but try your best to stick to it. After you’re comfortable with that, add one more.
These small increments compound over time and can lead to remarkable results.
#10 This Is Genius
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#11 Zipper Always Falling Down? Use A Key Ring To Keep It Up
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#12 A Lawnmower Is More Effective At Picking Up Leaves Than A Rake
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#13 Line The Underside Of Couches/ Furniture With Pool Noodles To Prevent Pet Toys From Going Under
Image credits: MrBiteyDaHoneyBadger
"To increase the likelihood of sticking with a new behavior, try engaging in it at the same time every day," Koehler suggests. "This creates a sense of routine and makes the habit easier to integrate into daily life."
Also, reward yourself for following through on positive habits! "These rewards don’t have to be extravagant," the psychologist explains. "They can be as simple as acknowledging your progress or giving yourself a short break after completing a task. Celebrating small wins motivates you to continue the behavior."
#14 My Car Visor Hack That Doesnt Extend. A Hair Ponytail Ring Thing, Hard Card Paper Cut To Size. Easy To Slide In Out As Needed
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#15 If You Get Splinters In Your Fingers, Try Using Your Phone's Flashlight Like This, You Will See Them Much Better To Remove Them
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#16 Do Y’all Grate Frozen Onion? Family Doesn’t Like Large Chunks Of Onion So I Grate Them
Image credits: goddessbotanic
#17 Ice Cream Mug. Hands Won't Get Cold, Ice Cream Is Insulated, More Steady To Sit On Soft Surfaces. You Are Welcome
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The important part to understand is that (fleeting) bursts of motivation aren’t very sustainable for us.
Focusing on systems (the habits and routines that drive progress) is often much more effective than focusing solely on goals. While goals provide direction, habits are what keep you moving forward daily.
In other words, it’s about the process, not the results.
#18 Hack For Drying The Toilet Brush
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#19 Just In Case You Have Not Learned This Little Trick Yet
When building something that will be outside or in a wet environment (like this shower stool) one of the primary concerns is where the feet touch the ground. Because wood is just a bunch of straws, the feet tend to suck up (capillary) moisture and your project can rot from the ground up. Especially if the feet are in the dirt.
To stop this you need a barrier between the ground and the wood. So wrap tape around the feet so that tape creates a "bowl". Mix up some regular 5 minute epoxy (with epoxy, remember to stir/mix for much longer than you think you should) and pour the epoxy into your little bowl. It only needs to be about 1/8" thick. I know it's "5 Minute Epoxy" but let it cure overnight.
Remove the tape and rasp/file or sand it smooth. You now have a project that will last longer than if you had not done that.
Image credits: WhiteOakMountain
#20 You Can Trim The Nappy Bristles Off The End Of Your Broom To Make It More Effective Before You Replace It
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#21 How To See Back Of Head! I Use Facetime And Screen Mirror To See The Back Of My Own Head When Preparting
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#22 Love This. I’ve Been Doubling Up On The Hollow Hotel Pillows But That’s Usually Too Much. Will Definitely Try Your Method Next Time
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#23 My Amazing Wife Taught Me This Fire-Starter Life Hack And It Works So Well
Take the lint you get from the dryer after you do your laundry and stuff it into a used up toilet paper roll or rip a paper towel roll in half and make two. It works INCREDIBLY well as a fire starter, and it creates less waste!
Image credits: TheSuppishOne
#24 Use Your Spring - Loaded Salad Tongs To Keep Your Reusable Bags Open As They Dry
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#25 Summer Snack Hack I Learned From 8 Year Old Me: Stick A Spoon On Low Fat Vanilla Pudding And Put It In The Freezer For A Few Hours. Its Super Creamy And Cheaper Than Low Fat Icecream
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#26 Use An Old Cupcake Tray To Organize Your Nuts And Bolts When Dismantling Something (In My Case, My Car’s Bumper)
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#27 No Screens But Don't Want Your Pets To Get Out? Baby Gate
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#28 This Is Life Changing
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#29 Used The Overnight Vinegar Hack To Clean A Decade’s Worth Of Scaling On The Shower Chain
I saw this vinegar hack on Instagram and thought I’d give it a try. You basically pour distilled white vinegar into a small ziplock, submerge the affected area and tie it with a rubber band overnight. Then I used a scrub daddy and wiped off excess stuff in the morning and voila, nearly brand new shower head chain woah! I used it on faucets around the house too, beautiful results. Only warning: the vinegar can eat through cheaper steel.
Image credits: blue-lilacs
#30 Ice Cream Life Hack. Our Helper Slices The Ice Cream Into Squares As Soon As It Arrives From Grocery. Result: Easy Frozen Ice Cream Removal When We’re Ready To Eat! Do You Do This Too?
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#31 Height Adjustable Desk In Hotels
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#32 A Very Important Playlist
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#33 I Travel Alone And Always Lock My Doors Down This Way At Night So No One Can Open The Doors. It’s An Old Trucker Trick I Learned And I Hope It Helps Someone
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#34 Handwritten “Open Date”
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#35 Use Yellow Ducktape On TV Remote If You Have Black Furniture
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#36 Because Your Dad Deserves The Nobel Prize In Science
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#37 I Think This Is Really How To Take A Step Toward Something That You Feel Vulnerable About
I shaved my head in Dec after knowing the time was approaching. Was nervous about the “omg! You shaved your head” comments. And after many interactions where I expected big responses and people didn’t seem to care I knew it was me making it a bit deal not them.
Until a friend’s 6y/o daughter made a huge reaction at a gathering with everyone there. I lt was perfect, all the adults just quietly didn’t say anything about it.
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#38 Use Broth In Your Boxed Mac N Cheese If You’re Out Of Milk
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#39 Today I Remembered That If You Don't Have A Candle, Orange Skin And Oil Of Olive Will Do It
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#40 Have A Slat Bed That Creaks And Squeaks? Slide Cotton Swabs Under The Slats Where It Meets The Frame
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#41 Leafblower vs. Dry Snow
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#42 I Use A Hairpin To Mark The End Of My Duct Tape
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#43 Put A Small Amount Of Water In A Glass When You Microwave Your Pizza To Keep The Crust From Getting Chewy
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#44 Guy On The Plane Put His Boarding Pass In His Phone Case, Holding It Up With The Tray Table Latch
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#45 Use Baking Sheets To Polish Your Faucets And Other Chromium Details
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#46 Beer Can Taco Stand
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#47 Need Tweezers In A Pinch?
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#48 Defrost Things Quickly. Needed To Defrost These In A Jif And Chatgpt Put Me On This Life Hack Called A Metal Pan Sandwich, So I Thought I’d Share
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#49 Never Using Lighter Fluid Again
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#50 You Can Use Your Pocket Knife As A Pill Splitter In A Pinch
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