What Hacks Reduce 'Friction' in Your Daily Life?

Oneguyinmelb on 22/07/2020 - 15:19
Last edited 28/07/2020 - 12:40

I've been on a home automation kick the past month and was wondering what other life hacks the OzBargain community has to reduce 'friction' in your daily life?

Now friction is probably a silly word to use, and will lead to a lot of replies about lube. Basically I'm just looking for little hacks you have in place to make your everyday life easier - and hopefully cheaper in the long run.

Do you stock up on Toilet Paper when it's on special, or do you subscribe so a new pack arrives every fortnight/month?
Is there a way you combine exercise with work/entertainment?

Anything that will help give me more time in the day or minimise decision fatigue.

Summary of the most useful and regular comments below:
• Electric Locks - Saves forgetting keys, giving access to family and friends.
• Robot Vacuum Cleaner - more suited to those without small children OR hiring a cleaner once a fortnight.
• Calendar Reminder to take bins out, especially if there is alternating Green waste and recycling weeks.
• Temptation Bundling – Pair an unpleasant activity (exercise, ironing) with a pleasant one (Netflix, audiobooks, etc).
• Apple/Google Pay so carrying a wallet is less important
• PriceHipster and OzBargain Subscriptions on monthly/quarterly consumables. Alternative is Amazon Subscribe and Save.
• Tile tracker for keys and wallet.
• Password Managers – BitWarden is free, paid for 1Pass or Dashlane
• Automatic top up and direct debits.
• Smart Lights and Plugs, pair with routines for Alexa or Google Assistant.
• Pyroletic Oven – No more oven cleaning (just oven dusting?)
• HelloFresh / Lite and Easy – Easier for those without kids

General Discussion

Comments

      • OzzyOzbourne on 24/07/2020 - 10:26

        Or the Special HIT method?

      • morebunnings on 26/07/2020 - 16:35

        Hi, see my reply below

    • movieman on 24/07/2020 - 12:52
      +2

      Is there a digital version of this workout, that you're willing to share?

      • morebunnings on 26/07/2020 - 16:35
        +1

        Hi, see my reply below

    • morebunnings on 26/07/2020 - 16:34
      +4

      For the people that asked:

      The video was more of a psychological video than a workout plan. I had a look but couldn't find it I can hardly remember most of it as it was so long ago. From memory the sticking points were:

      • If you go for a long hard workout, you will be too sore to go for a day or two, meaning that feeling worn out becomes your association with workouts and you subconsciously wont like to go as much (this was a big wake up call for me, and I really listened after hearing that).
      • Same as above for having to wake up super early, or finish your work day extra late to make time for the said long workout.
      • If you go every day for a short period, you associate it as a daily component of your routine such as having a shower or brushing your teeth: it feels weird when you don't do it.
      • If you limit your time to 10 or 15 minutes, you can easily plan out what to do for the day and stick with it, and you will feel good about completing it well, rather than completing a long workout half-assed, which doesn't leave you with the same feeling of achievement.
      • Because you are there for a short period you can get a lot more done and have less breaks between sets. When you start getting tired your time is up and you can hit the showers. Lots of people are sitting around doing nothing between sets because they are at the gym for so long.
      • You get get 90% of the results with 50% of the work. the last 10% of fitness improvement takes another 50% of work.
      • Its better to be 90% fit, achieving your goals and be happy. Vs being unhappy and struggling to hit your workout goals, because you want to hit 100% fit, but are failing and only hitting 93% fitness. Its not worth being miserable because you are 7% below your target, and giving up the 3% you are achieving and dropping down to 90% will make you happy (you are not really giving up that 10% because you never managed to get there).

      For my actual workouts, I generally do 4x sets of 6-8 reps with weights set as heavy as I can (sit ups would be the only exception, doing ~20-30 per set). I think of 3-4 different exercises while I drive to the gym depending on how I feel, and do them in a circuit and only rest between the complete circuit (sometimes I change the circuit depending on how busy the gym is). I am a strong proponent for compound exercises, rather than targeted exercises. Note I walk my dog ~1km every day and play squash and volleyball socially every week or two as well.

      For example on Friday I did:

      • Bench press
      • Dips
      • Chest fly
      • Pull ups

      6 reps of each in a circuit, rest and repeat 4 times. I'm quite lucky that my gym is not busy in the mornings and I can take all 4 stations up. That takes about 10-15 minutes to work through and I am done. In the time it takes me to do that, someone doing just bench-press would have completed 4 sets, taking breaks and messing around on their phones between sets, and then moving on to their next station.

      If you want workout tips the book 'The 4 hour body' has a few good passages in it (a lot of irrelevant stuff too), but really it is all about doing what works for you. I'm mid 30s, sit around all day in an office job and am at 15% body fat and happy. I look forward to my morning workout because every day I work out on the parts of me that feel like they need it and I leave the gym feeling great.

      Hope this helps some of you find a good work life balance.

      • Tasmaniac on 28/07/2020 - 20:03
        +1

        How much do you bench press though ?

        • morebunnings on 29/07/2020 - 08:32
          +1

          For 5x reps per set, I'm currently at:

          • Bench press 70kg
          • Dead lift 120kg
          • Leg press 220kg
          • Squat 80kg

          I'm 90kg, 193cm.

          I'm not going to win a strength or body building competition, but am at a place where I'm happy with my fitness, feel fit & healthy, and have a stable routine which works. These are my priorities.

          • Tasmaniac on 29/07/2020 - 17:15
            +1

            @morebunnings: Interesting, thanks. It's a bit paradoxical isnt it !?, walking in the door is half the battle but you don't want to go if you know it's going to be tough.
            Motivational issues disappeared for me after about three years, now it's just what I do.

      • OnlyifMyPrice on 28/07/2020 - 22:31
        +1

        Thanks for the detailed reply. Some good tips there

  • pippohippo on 24/07/2020 - 09:38
    +2
    • cycling to work/groceries helps with exercise and saving money on gym, public transport, fuel, insurance on car due to less milleage. Although you might consider getting cycling insurance if you have to ride on the road a lot
    • buying free weights/bench instead of the gym membership
    • hsbc transaction account - 2% cashback on all paypass/googlepay pass (up to $100 since they allow for $200 paypass due to covid)
    • shower at work
    • refill water, drink coffee at work - saves time at home, not much but helps
    • DIY maintenance and fixes instead of buying overpriced furniture/shelves
  • soan papdi on 24/07/2020 - 09:41
    +3

    Use direct debit to pay off bills. A lot of people resist this because the merchant might withdraw too much money but in my 15 years of experience, it's never happened.

    Money you don't see is money you don't spend. So try splitting your salary into two accounts if possible. Put say 20% into a saver account that doesn't have a debit card attached. The rest is for spending.

    • Vote for Pedro on 24/07/2020 - 21:16
      +2

      Barefoot investor style. Works a treat. Doubled my savings in a ridiculously short time

      • Jules_d1 on 29/07/2020 - 14:40

        Barefoot investor style is a total ripoff of the Dave Ramsay Total Money Makeover

  • PurchaseAnxiety on 24/07/2020 - 09:53
    +4

    This one might sound counter intuitive, but my wife and I recently started doing two smaller grocery shops a week instead of one. Makes planning meals a bit easier (only need to plan a few days ahead), made for much less food wastage (fresh produce and meat isn't sitting in the fridge for up to a week before being used) and allows for wiggle room if something else comes up (unplanned dinner with friends etc.). We also shop at Aldi, so it's only about 15 mins for a full walk around shop anyway, so it hasn't been that much more of a time investment.

  • OnlyifMyPrice on 24/07/2020 - 10:22
    +1

    It depends on your tastes (and your wife’s) but we’ve deliberately bought antique furniture. Arguably doesn’t go out of fashion, is built to last and I can keep it until I die. It’s also super cheap at this point in the cycle so a cheap time to get into it. We upgrade to better pieces as we find, can afford them and have time to look.

    You could argue that the initial purchasing and research creates friction but after that it’s smooth sailing. I haven’t thought about furniture for at least 10 years, 15 years in some rooms. Just make sure you buy from reputable auction houses (at least 40% less $ than antique shops), not Gumtree etc, so you don’t end up with reproductions without knowing

  • OnlyifMyPrice on 24/07/2020 - 10:36

    https://www.ing.com.au/everyday-banking.html - if you need cash from an ATM you can go to any ATM and they’ll refund the fee if you qualify (5 settled transactions a month plus deposit from non ING account (including your pay) of $1000 in that month). Like most OzBargainers, I’m assuming you will traverse the city looking for your own bank’s ATM on the odd occasion you need cash? That used to create a lot of friction for me.

    I switched to ING a couple of years ago using the Barefoot Investor strategy and have saved a huge amount of money, paid heaps of additional principal off the home loan and we’re going out more because I don’t feel guilty about it.

    Only downside of ING is you need to deposit cash and cheques at the Post Office and cheques can take 10 days to clear, but it’s not very often you get them. You can always keep an alternate bank account open for that purpose

    • GG57 on 24/07/2020 - 10:45
      +4

      I thought all the major banks removed that fee for non-customer ATM use 2-3 years ago.

      • OnlyifMyPrice on 24/07/2020 - 10:50

        Maybe, not sure. They hadn’t when I changed and I haven’t checked since. In any case, the Barefoot Investor strategy has helped us save a lot of money

        • OnlyifMyPrice on 28/07/2020 - 22:33

          I still use cash for buying things on Gumtree

      • PurchaseAnxiety on 24/07/2020 - 15:51
        +5

        ING fee refund works on all ATMs, including the dodgy little ones in pubs and delis.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/07/2020 - 15:42

        I haven't used cash at all for the last 3 or so years…. That was when the last place I went to stopped surcharging for card.

      • whatgift on 27/07/2020 - 21:25
        +1

        They have, I find it funny when people line up for their own bank and leave the other banks ATMs free (for me to use). Since using Apple Pay on my watch, I barely ever use cash any more though.

  • keyman on 24/07/2020 - 11:59
    +3

    Hire a personal or private chef :P

  • pformag on 24/07/2020 - 12:48
    +1

    Google Home or Alexa
    Smart Lights
    Smart Plug
    Tile for keys and wallet.

  • Hangryuman on 24/07/2020 - 17:24
    +3

    I keep daily todo list on the back of used envelopes or old pads updated at the end of each day

    then next day - I can just glance at it - a quick scan - nothing urgent - relax and have fun - most urgent, do it first

    if a bunch of phone calls, choose a good time - e.g. to discuss at length, 3pm works for many businesses - and knock off a bunch of calls in a few minutes - done !

    shopping and some other lists - I moved from expiring Wunderlist to Microsoft To Do (syncs between my laptop and phone app) - I have a category called Shopping and another called Bunnings - for - you know - crap I 'need' there …

  • Dontdoit on 24/07/2020 - 19:27
    +2

    I have started driving to the edge of Adelaide and walking 30 minutes to the office. Get my walk in and only about 10 minutes longer than the bus and free parking.

  • Vert93 on 24/07/2020 - 19:43
    +8

    Brushing my teeth and morning piss at the same time.

    • OzzyOzbourne on 27/07/2020 - 15:10
      +2

      Even better… Brush teeth, piss and take a shower at the same time

  • funnysht on 25/07/2020 - 00:50

    When you see a desk or bed out on the footpath chucked away, get it and then tear it apart- you get quite a bit of wood, and screws and if you have a planer can turn them into diy projects

    • funnysht on 25/07/2020 - 00:50

      also recycle

      • funnysht on 25/07/2020 - 00:51

        Rather than throwing litter trays out- just put them in the sun to dry for the whole day and reuse (obv after a while replace everything)

  • Shiny Mew on 25/07/2020 - 08:30
    +1

    Sleeping in my WFH clothes so I don't need to get changed the next morning, except for putting on a puffer vest.

    Wearing loose fitting boxers so I only need to wash them every two days except for every day (like briefs which are constantly in contact with the skin).

    Calling a cafe ahead to buy a coffee so I don't need to wait (if they don't have an app).

    • Shiny Mew on 25/07/2020 - 17:29

      *unlike briefs and trunks

    • grasstown on 26/07/2020 - 13:37
      +1

      I like clean myself

  • colossus on 25/07/2020 - 09:10
    +1

    My exercise / entertainment hack (sort of): My daughter is too young for me to leave the house to go running or swimming. On the mornings she is at my place, before she's awake, I ride my exercise bike; This is a desperately boring activity. So, I use this time to watch guilty pleasures i.e. anything that takes my fancy be it a current TV show or and old movie I'd like to re-watch.

  • LZCS on 25/07/2020 - 11:06

    Nest thermostat
    Nest doorbell
    Nest Yale smart lock
    Hue lights with motion sensors in bathroom, hallways, garage
    Xiaomi 1c robot vacuum, vacuums every day at 6am. Amount of dust it picks up is incredible
    Handheld Xiaomi dreams vacuum
    Nest wifi
    Pyroletic Oven
    NVIDIA shield 2019 pro - fantastic no hassle device
    Google home for reminders, alarms, timers

    • toristo on 29/07/2020 - 10:08

      Are you my neighbour? Please stop. Set it to 8am or something so I can drink my coffee in peace at 6am instead of hearing it buzz around and bump things….

  • OrderedChaos on 25/07/2020 - 11:41
    +1

    I've been on a home automation kick the past month and was wondering what other life hacks the OzBargain community has to reduce 'friction' in your daily life?

    This… might be useful when I actually start using my car again.
    Hate not knowing whether someone's left the door open or not.

    GarageWatcher - A Full-Stack IoT Project, from Hardware to App
    https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/5269711/GarageWatcher-A…

  • hmmz on 25/07/2020 - 12:35
    +3

    Some things which have definitely helped us survive through with a young child. In no particular order.
    Using the dishwasher everyday - When you use the aldi dishwasher powder it works to be about 50c a wash inc powder.
    Buying a robot vacuum (Xiaomi Mi Vaccuum) - Pretty much life changing. A case of why didn't I buy this before.
    Getting a dryer - We used to waste 30-60 min hanging/removing all the little clothes, now it's out of the dryer and folded away. Finish same day not hanging to dry for a few days.
    Utilising the shopping list feature of google home
    Click and collect groceries - Started this due to covid, game changer.
    Central heating on a timer - Waking up with the house already warm…
    Breville smart oven - heats significantly faster than the large oven = faster food
    We have automated lights throughout and it's definately helped with the feel of the house but not as a huge improvement as above.

    • noshopping on 28/07/2020 - 11:47

      We don't use our dryer everyday because $$ saved through sun energy.
      If you used it every day = 4kW per load. 4kW x 25c kW = $1 x 365 days = $365 (about $30/mo)

      • hmmz on 28/07/2020 - 12:23
        +1

        We bought this from appliances online https://www.electrolux.com.au/laundry/clothes-dryers/edh803b….

        We use it for about 2-3 loads a week. It's a 7 star rated machine so if I pop 3 times/week into here https://www.energyrating.gov.au/calculator.

        I get 480kWh x 23c (our current rate) = ~$110/yr or $9/month. So ~$2.50 a week not inc the machine cost to save us hanging the clothes and leave them lying around is not terrible! As parents we feel so time poor that outsourcing anything to a machine is worth it.

        I can totally understand not using the standard dryer all the time though due to the electricity cost. We bought the machine with the intention of using it which is why we spent a bit more on a heat pump unit.

  • DemocracyManifest on 25/07/2020 - 17:21
    +6

    I dunno if this counts but I’ve been cutting down on the shit I have and haven’t used and been selling it on marketplace etc. it’s crazy how much shit one accumulates

  • giventofly on 25/07/2020 - 18:03
    +8

    Deleting Facebook

    • NatoTomato on 28/07/2020 - 09:53
      +1

      Deleted all my social media accounts, besides apparently OzBargain. (Reddit, Twitter, IG and Facebook). Now I have crippling depression.

      • giventofly on 28/07/2020 - 10:04

        Well deleting those accounts is a step in the right direction.

  • ozoner on 25/07/2020 - 18:26

    Lube.

  • trblvb on 25/07/2020 - 19:41
    +4

    Move back in with your parents. I have two Sons that have recently moved back home and love it…I think!

  • FreshPrinceofKP on 26/07/2020 - 13:10
    +11

    I am big into using a calendar and made a list which is below that gets this out of my head and set on repeat to remind me. I know that some of the things are obvious but its just something that helps me.

    I also am a Prime member and have started to make lists in there, will probably do it on Woolies too. But my goal is to basically have a stocktake of items in the house and set them on the list so it saves time looking for the item and I can just order when needed (I have a list for household cleaning products, toilet paper etc/ a list for supplements I take/ a list for hygenie products I use). I think Amazon is the best way to do it (or click and collect woolies), then I can worry about food only at woolies/ start going to a butcher and fruit and veg instead of woolies one day.

    Electricity - pay qtrly review annual
    Gas - pay qtrly review annual
    Water - qrtly
    Council rates - qtrly
    Suit dry cleaning - qtrly
    Dishwasher clean - qtrly
    Dog injection - qtrly Sept, Dec, Mar, June

    Air conditioning service - winter close/ summer open
    Gas heating service - annual
    Pest Control - annual
    Car Registration - annual
    License - annual
    Car insurance - annual
    Car service - annual
    Window cleaning - annual
    Shed check up/ clean - annual
    Amazon prime - annual
    Blood test/ check up - annual
    Mattress clean - annual
    Tile Grout clean - annual

    Smoke alarm check - half year
    Spring" deep cleaning - half year
    - pillow clean
    - fridge clean
    - appliances e.g toaster
    - pressure wash bins
    - pressure wash paving
    Leather wipe couches - half year
    Dentist - half year
    Physio/ remedial massage - half year

    House clean - weekly
    Bins out - weekly
    Washing - weekly
    Gym membership - weekly
    Food Shopping - weekly
    Meal prep - weekly

    Gardener - fortnightly
    Petrol - fortnightly
    Tyre pressure - fortnightly
    Check car oil, water, etc - fortnightly
    Clean shoes - fortnightly
    Whiten teeth - fortnightly
    Cleaner - fortnightly

    Car clean - monthly
    Private health - monthly
    Phone - monthly
    Internet - monthly
    Bus ticket - monthly
    House insurance - monthly
    Personal insurance - monthly
    Haircut - monthly
    Dishwasher clean - monthly
    Dog Food/ Forsite - monthly

    Change water filter - 18 months

    • ThisIsAUsername on 27/07/2020 - 00:09

      Sounds like you need a ERM.

      • FreshPrinceofKP on 27/07/2020 - 15:52

        What is an ERM?

        I have tried things like Notion, ClickUp etc but too hard to commit time in learning it now. I have watched videos but can't commit. I think that would be great. Guys like Ali Abdaal, Thomas Frank and Keep Productive on Youtube

    • Oneguyinmelb on 27/07/2020 - 09:07

      Now that is a detailed list! Bonus points for teeth whitening and checking the oil, water, etc. I usually just check the car levels whenever I'm not in a rush and have no one behind me at the servo….or whenever I'm topping up the wiper fluid.

      Do you have your Dog fleas an d worm reminders set monthly and quarterly?

      I have a water filter on my fridge that says it needs to be replaced every 6 months, but I have a feeling they're just trying to get a high turnover. I was wondering what a useful guide was for replacement.

      • FreshPrinceofKP on 27/07/2020 - 15:58

        This was saved to my PC so I have recently looked into Fleas and Worming stuff. I like the sound of Nexgard Spectra but my Mrs thinks is posion (I need to look into it)…. But the alternative and what we are currently doing is from Woolies/ Vet for Heartworming.. This would be a monthly thing.

        I got one from GoodGuys and it is an inline filter. I wanted to get away from PuraTap as they kept calling and wanting to come over/ annoying me so I can now change it myself. Also no 2nd tap on my sink.. https://bit.ly/2WUWHOU

        • reading now it says 1 year… that is OK but it comes with a beeping device that goes off, so I thought that was 18 months..
  • Milk tea on 26/07/2020 - 13:32
    +1

    Buy clothing that is on sale in it's off season such as purchasing spring summer clothing now where it's over 50% off online since by the time we leave lockdown it will be spring and you will have new clothes for a fraction of the cost.
    Also pre-fill the kettle the night before so in the morning you just need to flick on the kettle for coffee

  • fozzie on 26/07/2020 - 19:44

    Points from flybuys, woolies
    Revise mortgage yearly (for better rate)
    Car insurance (compare every year).
    Cook more at lunch dinner, to take with you at work the day after
    7/11 fuel lock in (when it works).
    Mobile sim prepay, mobile phones upfront (check for offers, use the cheapest services)
    Energy supply (check yearly)
    Share your Netflix/YouTube etc.
    Solar panels
    Fitness passport ($25 a week gym for all the family, cashback from insurance as well)
    Make your own coffee (I drink lots of espresso coffee made at home)
    Buy some of the family favourites half price or on Coles ebay
    Use 10% once a month from Woolies and buy with gift cards
    Amazon subscribe and save when items are cheap

    • muzzamo on 27/07/2020 - 08:54
      +3

      These are great money saving tips but are not really about reducing "friction".

  • canberrascooter on 26/07/2020 - 23:53
    +1

    Avoid unwanted pregnancy.

  • Ghost47 on 27/07/2020 - 00:09
    +8

    Eating dinner whilst crapping. Saves a lot of time every day when you can do two things at once. You basically say goodbye to yesterday's dinner and say hello to today's dinner.

    • Allwentmarching on 27/07/2020 - 22:27
      +3

      Ozbargain needs some icons. This made me LOL but I dont want to upvote it as its gross :P

  • Seni0r El Cheapo on 27/07/2020 - 12:39
    +3

    I am a programmer.

    ClipX - (multiple clipboard content manager)
    Custom console-based database backup/restore utility… during a debug session, it is just one letter command and entering 'da' for confirmation to restore database to a certain point in time.

    Without them, I wouldn't have been what I am today.

  • Buckshot on 27/07/2020 - 13:17
    +7

    1) For me, AusPost Parcel lockers are great friction minimiser.

    Set up a parcel locker with AusPost online, use it instead of your home or work address. You can access the locker with a Q-code on your phone or manually enter it.

    Parcels are delivered securely and you've got 48hrs (sometimes more) to collect them at your own leisure.
    No more stress about someone being home to sign for it or the parcel being stolen.

    I've encountered one issue with Amazon out of the 20+ times i've used it where it didn't get to the locker, went directly to the post office but that was relatively minor in inconvenience.

    2) A solid password manager like Dashlane that sync's across multiple platforms. A massive time saver.

    • muzzamo on 28/07/2020 - 07:36

      Isn’t the parcel locker a problem for toll and other non-auspost companies though ? I’ve always been under the impression that it’s more friction than it’s with because of this.

      • Buckshot on 28/07/2020 - 08:39

        Hmm- possibly. I haven't encountered many issues like that.
        Amazon dropped a book directly to the post office for collection but I was advised this was the case through the AusPost app.

        I'm not sure of the others- whether they were delivered by AusPost to my locker or another service provider but so far, it's been very reliable. No more questions from my Wife over whisky purchases either ;)

  • urahara on 27/07/2020 - 13:24

    Blokada on my android to prevent online trackers.

  • Maltopia on 27/07/2020 - 13:36
    +1

    Want less friction, don't get married!

  • [Deactivated] on 27/07/2020 - 15:52
    +4

    biggest hack for me is eating as a family
    i have a partner and two kids, i work shift work as a health professional but we eat together every night we are together (no excuses).
    i did the same pre kids as well, when it was just me and my partner
    builds family relationships, lowers food bills, and its become the normal for us.

  • rompastompa on 27/07/2020 - 20:25
    +1

    @Oneguyinmelb; Can you edit the original post with what you've found/learnt to reduce life friction?

    It would be interesting to read some tips without having to filter through the lube comments :D

    • Oneguyinmelb on 28/07/2020 - 12:41
      +5

      My summary of the most regular/popular below:
      • Electric Locks - Saves forgetting keys, giving access to family and friends.
      • Robot Vacuum Cleaner - more suited to those without small children OR hiring a cleaner once a fortnight.
      • Calender Reminder to take bins out, especially if there is alternating Green waste and recycling weeks.
      • Temptation Bundling – Pair an unpleasant activity (exercise, ironing) with a pleasant one (Netflix, audiobooks, etc).
      • Apple/Google Pay so carrying a wallet is less important
      • PriceHipster and OzBargain Subscriptions on monthly/quarterly consumables. Alternative is Amazon Subscribe and Save.
      • Tile tracker for keys and wallet.
      • Password Managers – BitWarden is free, paid for 1Pass or Dashlane
      • Automatic top up and direct debits.
      • Smart Lights and Plugs, pair with routines for Alexa or Google Assistant.
      • Pyroletic Oven – No more oven cleaning (just oven dusting?)
      • HelloFresh / Lite and Easy – Easier for those without kids

  • pandabear on 27/07/2020 - 21:14

    Use an air flyer instead of the oven. Game changer

    • stayhome on 27/07/2020 - 21:26
      +7

      Does the chicken resurrect and start flying?

  • whatgift on 27/07/2020 - 21:32
    +1

    A couple from me:
    - garment steamer instead of iron. It takes a lot less time on my business shirts and the result is similar to my colleagues who iron.
    - harmony hub and remote - takes a bit of time to set up, but allows to control everything in your home entertainment system with one remote (or your phone), and you can use Alexa or Google home to control as well.
    - if an iPhone user, a shopping list in reminders app. I access it on my watch while shopping and can check items off as I go. Also can use Siri to add things to that list as soon as I think of them, so I don’t tend to forget anything.

  • Jalif on 27/07/2020 - 21:53

    You'll like my toilet paper back.

    When I run low, I buy a 24 pack. With 3 people in the house that still lasts almost 3 months.

  • Allwentmarching on 27/07/2020 - 22:26
    +3

    I combine exercise and entertainment by watching netflix at the gym :)

  • Ghost47 on 27/07/2020 - 22:46
    +1

    I thought of another one, wearing the same pair of underwear for 4 days in a row. I've found this to be the optimal amount of time to reuse your underwear because after day 4 it suddenly "turns" and you can smell something weird without even having to sniff your own crotch, but the amount of time probably depends on how much you sweat.

    I don't know what the big deal is with changing underwear daily, I've gone days without changing it and I don't have any weird infections on my genitals/gooch/butthole. By doing this it allows you to not have to do as much laundry, this is great because it saves you both time and money (i.e. spent on water and laundry detergent). It's a win win!

    No need to thank me for this lifehack, I'll comment more when I think of more things.

    • grasstown on 29/07/2020 - 22:29
      +1

      Undies are like tiny pieces of cloth man. Just add them to your ordinary load, they’ll fit.

  • SF3 on 28/07/2020 - 00:35
    +1

    Avoid distractions like OzB… XD

    If you cook, cook extra, so you reheat your meals than cook every meal.

    Timebox your chores.

    Just do a little bit each day 5-10mins (eg the Store room you are suppose to tidy up), this counts as exercise.

  • OzBozo on 28/07/2020 - 03:33
    +1

    If your single . Light n easy,

    • whatgift on 28/07/2020 - 09:03

      I only use it when I want to lose some weight and improve my eating habits, but I love the variety and quality of the food. It’s not cheap though!

  • OzBozo on 28/07/2020 - 03:34
    +2

    Clean your room every morning.

  • Buckshot on 28/07/2020 - 08:47
    +2

    Set a reminder in your smartphone's Calendar for your Bin night, even more beneficial- your recycling bin night. If your area is like ours, your recycling bin is every alternate week.
    I use to find myself wandering up the driveway to check the neighbors verges to see if it was recycling bin night. Not any more!

    • AustriaBargain on 28/07/2020 - 15:24
      +2

      My council website has a link you press and it lets you load Recurring reminders into your calendar in one click.

      • Buckshot on 29/07/2020 - 11:08

        That's great!

  • LZCS on 28/07/2020 - 09:24
    +1

    Tesla Model 3
    Solar panels
    Automatic garage opener front and back
    Amber electricity
    Nest thermostat
    Nest doorbell
    Nest Yale smart lock
    Philips hue lights with motion sensors in bathroom, hallways, garage. Lights turn on automatically in morning to blue 6500k light, and to a nice yellow/reddish light to calm at night.
    Xiaomi 1c robot vacuum, vacuums every day at 6am. Amount of dust it picks up is incredible
    Handheld Xiaomi dreams vacuum
    Nest wifi
    Pyroletic Oven
    NVIDIA shield 2019 pro - fantastic no hassle device
    Google home for reminders, alarms, timers
    Hue play bars behind TV, helps reduce eye strain

  • Allwentmarching on 28/07/2020 - 11:08
    +2

    I have found using a password manager has been a godsend. Not just myself but my kids have so many different logins for school now.
    I use checklist apps and to do lists, family synchronise calendars and a garden app to remember what I planted where.
    We use the public library a lot as they read a lot so we request books online.
    Decluttering and sorting my house has helped a lot too. Saves time changing beds when you dont have to hunt for where the single sheets are or the cot sheets or whatever.
    Saves time in the kitchen if my pantry is organised

    • Buckshot on 28/07/2020 - 11:27
      +1

      +1 for a shared Family calendar and password manager. What a God-send!
      I use dashlane, brilliant. Cross platform synchronizing, VPN and a "have I been pwned" notification service all in one.

    • whatgift on 28/07/2020 - 20:33
      +2

      I use LastPass, and it is so good not having to worry about the many passwords I have, and the integration with browsers and mobile makes it seamless.

  • AustriaBargain on 28/07/2020 - 15:23

    Those sneakers with wheels in them, you’ll save a lot of time getting around.

  • capslock janitor on 28/07/2020 - 23:35

    Lucid dream control to do some activities while I sleep..

  • OzBozo on 29/07/2020 - 02:48
    +3

    Get your smartphone and chuck it in the bin . And replace it with a phone that only has sms and call function and nothing else. You will be free to live you life again.
    And even better if you can. Chuck out that too and just have a landline with a answering machine.

    • AustriaBargain on 29/07/2020 - 06:36
      +4

      Worst advice ever. "Throw your magical futuristic multi-tool that does everything in the bin, and swap it for a device that does almost nothing".

      • OzBozo on 29/07/2020 - 09:12
        +1

        Becase sitting on your phone here reading slabs of coke are half price at Woolworths is a better use of your time?

    • SF3 on 29/07/2020 - 11:03

      are you living that kind of lifestyle, if so, how is it working for you? as you might be able to offer first hand actual experience to the thread poster - serious question.

      • OzBozo on 29/07/2020 - 12:15
        +1

        Yeah I tried i have a dumb phone button phone. It’s not working because I just take my cellular iPad everywhere. It helps a little bit, but iPad needs to go in bin too.
        Not having a phone is like your not accountable for anything. People can’t expect a response from you if you don’t have a phone. It’s like you are on holidays on a island and there’s no reception there. You don’t have to worry about anyone eles

    • grasstown on 29/07/2020 - 22:38

      I hope to do this one day. Return to books and tv shows and boredom. 2020 shows just how warped we all got

      • OzBozo on 30/07/2020 - 20:38

        I’d say just get rid of electricity. Get a library card. And a virtual phone number mailbox.

        • Allwentmarching on 31/07/2020 - 13:32

          My library card is an app actually :)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join