We all want to live better, more efficient lives and fulfill our potential. We all want to be happy and healthy, as well as have meaningful relationships and purposeful, rewarding careers. While luck is an undeniable factor in this, the rest depends entirely on us and the choices we make every single day. 

In a series of insightful online threads, the members of the r/AskWomen community shared some of their favorite life hacks that apply to almost everyone. Most of these pieces of advice might sound small and simple, but you shouldn’t underestimate the gravity of their impact. Grab your notebooks and scroll down to see what they shared.

Read More: “Stir Drinks With Butter Knives”: 30 Life Hacks That Made A Difference In These Women’s Lives

#1

Do small things with your non-dominant hand to become even slightly ambidextrous. Brush your teeth, pour a drink, use utensils, use your computer mouse, brush your hair, ect. I did this for a while and worked up to being able to write legibly with my left hand! Now I use both hands equally and it’s kind of cool.

Image credits: perfectdrug659

#2

My savings accounts at my various banks are usually just filled with dust. I’ve never had any money to save. Recently, I’ve been trying to quit buying fast food and other quick meals because of how expensive it can get. When I feel the urge to buy a McDouble or something and when I successfully resist that urge, I put the general amount I probably would have spent into my savings. Makes me feel good so see that number climb. Also, I’ve started an automatic transfer of $5 two times a month from my checking into savings, because in my head losing 5 bucks isn’t enough to make me nervous but it will add up quickly.

Image credits: cuaseimdrunk

#3

When you can’t squeeze any more product out of a tube container (hand cream, moisturiser, body lotion, etc.), cut it in half using scissors. You’d be surprised how much product can be still in there – sometimes a few days’ or even a week’s worth.

Image credits: Anon

#4

Best one I’ve heard for saving money (when wanting to buy luxury things) … Ask yourself if someone approached you with the item you want and the cash to buy the item. Would you take the cash or the item? If you’d take the cash, you probably shouldn’t buy the item. Turns out I’d rather have a t shirt with Homer falling on a rubbish bin on the pocket than forty dollars. I regret nothing.

Image credits: Kirstitties

#5

Buy men’s razors. They’re more cost effective and they work better.

Image credits: FeralSincubus

#6

I do 10 of some sort of exercise every time I stand up at home. Usually squats or burpees, without really even trying I can do a few hundred a day and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my body.

Image credits: faymouglie

#7

sleeping with no underwear on. life changing!

deleting social media. if you like social media, use it once a week. i’ve been social media free for 6 months and it’s been wonderful.

tea. any tea. if anything, all the tea. tea, tea, tea. morning, afternoon, night. any tea you like. tea.

budget for pedicures, massages, hair cuts, waxing. if it’s self care, budget for it. taking care of yourself goes so far.

for my oily-haired besties, condition before you shampoo. yes, im crazy, and yes, it works. so soft.

walk everywhere. park a lil further, take the stairs, go the scenic route. helped increase my average daily steps SO much.

so many tips. being a woman is hard sometimes.

Image credits: isabellla321

#8

If you drop an earring or earring back while leaning over a sink, just put your hand over the drain as quickly as possible. Don’t try to catch the item.
It’s easier to cover the hole than it is to try and catch a tiny bouncy earring.

Image credits: dalovely

#9

Stop buying shaving products and use cheap conditioner instead! It’s a closer shave somehow, and also moisturizes your skin.

Image credits: msstark

#10

Once a week I boil water with a few splashes of white vinegar in my electric kettle, let it cool, then rinse it out. Ta da! No more scales! Just a sparkly kettle!

Image credits: fantasaby

#11

To make sure I don’t forget anything for the gym (socks, underwear, sports bra, shirt, bottoms) during folding laundry, I place all the items on top of the pants and then roll them up like a swiss roll. I have a whole drawer of just rolled up workout outfits that allow me to just grab and toss into my gym bag with my shoes.

Image credits: mediumraring

#12

Stir drinks with butter knives, I have a ton of them and they barely get used for anything else.

Image credits: dumpsterKraken

#13

If you are up past your bed time, ask yourself if this thing would be worth getting up early for. If it’s not, go to bed. If it is, set your alarm, then go to bed.

Image credits: T-Flexercise

#14

Floss and stretch. Every night. Really. It’s worth the 10 min it takes.

Image credits: quiane

#15

To get rid of static from clothes, dampen your hands (water, lotion, whatever) and run them over the insides of the clothes. Static gone.

Image credits: token_brown_lesbian

#16

Keep the roll of new trash bags at the bottom of the bin (though maybe not in the kitchen bin if sticky liquid sometimes leaks out the bottom of the bag). I use this in my bathroom bin and bedroom bin (both mostly tissues and empty containers/TP rolls, so the bottom of the bin stays clean for the bags to be there). The bags are always where you need them!

Image credits: anon