We love lifehacks. Many of us learn the hard way to do things, but a shortcut can change our lives for the better. In the subreddit r/lifehacks, users share ideas that make our lives easier, faster, and better. Here are some of our favorites.
18 lifehacks that will save you time and money
Use Google Sheets to translate languages
The most upvoted lifehack in the history of the forum actually comes from a tweet. Check this out.
#GoogleTranslate in #GoogleSheets translates to over 100 languages, including those with different alphabets from ours! #studentcentered #studentvoice #langchat #PLN #ATChat #FutureReady #K12 #GTTribe #EduGIFs https://t.co/pZvBOA43na pic.twitter.com/HDelGcB1Vi
— Jake Miller (@JakeMillerTech) November 16, 2018
By adding the code =googletranslate along with the source text (in another cell) and the two languages you want Google to use, it will spit out the correct text!
Use two Ziploc bags to make a mega-bag
If you flip one Ziploc bag inside out, you can connect it with another one to make an even bigger bag.
Make your wall-hangings level with painter’s tape
If you need to hang something on the wall that requires two nails or screws, run the painter’s tape over the holes and make an X-mark where the nails should go. Then stick the tape on the wall and use a level to make sure your X marks are lined up. Nail through the X marks, then rip off the painter’s tape. Voila!
Use a mouse to control your phone
Glass broke, so touch is dead…
Micro-USB -> USB
USB -> Bluetooth
Bluetooth -> MouseIt actually works 😂 pic.twitter.com/KUCidTSkaH
— Alfie John (@alfiedotwtf) April 21, 2017
This hack seems too crazy to be true, but it makes sense. As long as your phone has a micro-USB port, you can actually use a mouse to control a cursor. Not a long-term solution for sure, but if you had to get to some important information while your screen isn’t working, this could be a lifesaver.
DIY reusable checklist
My pen-free reusable checklist made from binder clips. For those reoccurring tasks that don’t work for me in a digital task list. With satisfying check off click 🙂 from r/productivity
Let’s say you need to go over a checklist every day. You could use an app like Wunderlist, but this analog solution is great. Print off your checklist, attach it to a clipboard, then use binder clips to mark each item. With every click, you’ve knocked out a task!
Faster fruit prep
Fruit prep from r/lifehacks
Slice, dice, and remove seeds and stems with these dazzling fruit hacks from a TikTok user. Watermelons, cherries, and kiwi will never take as long again.
Pick up someone heavier than you
Who knows when you might need to pick up someone heavy? If you roll up with the other person in the right way, you can hoist a tremendous about of weight on your shoulders. File this in your memory banks and you could be a hero someday! (NSFW language warning.)
Get your dog to sit still for a bath with peanut butter
Showering your dog while smearing peanut butter on a wall as a distraction from r/lifehacks
A little bit of peanut butter on the shower wall should be all the distraction you need to keep your pup from jumping around like crazy.
How to wrap an oddly-shaped gift
With these creative folds, you can even wrap a basketball with any garden-variety wrapping paper. (Feel free to slow down the video if you need to follow along.)
Master your closet
Folding and hanging your clothes should be simple, but different fabrics and clothing needs can really make closet management a pain. Consider the methods in this gif to become a true clothes-management ninja!
How to transport your closet when moving
Worried about a million hangers falling all over the place? Just bundle your clothes with garbage bags and when you get to your new home, hang the whole shebang on your new closet rods. Remove the garbage bags and you’re ready to start unpacking everything else.
DIY phone stand
You know those plastic “picnic table”-like things you get on a pizza? Save one, wash it off, clip off one of the legs and you’ve got an instant phone stand.
How to clear a stuffy nose in less than 60 seconds
- Inhale deeply.
- Slowly exhale all of your air and hold your breath until you are on empty.
- Pinch your nose to avoid cheating.
- Rock your head back and forth slowly, taking two seconds from looking at the sky to looking at the ground.
- Do it until you absolutely NEED a breath.
- Enjoy your clear nose.
Use a fork to hang a photo
This simple lifehack will save you the headache of trying to line up the string with the nail you already pounded into the wall.
Bonus round:
Just discovered that LEGO hands are the perfect size for making sure your phone charger doesn’t fall off your desk pic.twitter.com/EMMoQkdpb1
— Rebecca Shapiro (@ShapiroRebecca) May 8, 2018
Always check your cell signal when looking for new apartments or dorms to live in.
— Survival Tips (@Funny_Truth) December 27, 2018
When in an argument, act as if you’re being recorded. This will prevent you from saying stupid things you don’t mean
— Survival Tips (@Funny_Truth) August 26, 2015
Putting dry tea bags in gym bags or smelly shoes will absorb the unpleasant odor.
— Survival Tips (@Funny_Truth) March 29, 2019
For more lifehacks, you can check out Reddit’s lifehack forum. Just be aware that many of the submitted lifehacks are a bit useless. And as many commenters say, “the real lifehack is always in the comments,” so be sure to read what other people are saying about the proposed solutions.
