50 Genius Life Hacks That Will Save You Time and Money
We all say we want more time and more money. But as time-management expert Laura Vanderkam reminds us: “Going to bed early is how grown-ups sleep in”. (Wikipedia)
And the old adage “time is money” still holds true. (Wikipedia)
In short: Every minute you save is a minute you can spend on something you value. Every pound you don’t waste is one you can redirect to something meaningful.
Below are 50 hacks — grouped so they’re easy to scan — drawn from real-life experience, a few expert nods and plenty of practical sense. I hope you’ll find at least a handful you can try this week.
Table of Contents
- Everyday at Home
- Kitchen & Food
- Travel & Transport
- Work & Productivity
- Money & Budgeting
1. Everyday at Home
1. Set a “one-minute rule”: If a task takes less than one minute (e.g., clear one plate, answer one email, hang one coat), do it immediately. Over time these little actions keep your space cleaner and your mind clearer.
2. Batch your outfits: On Sunday evening, pick your outfits for the week. This saves daily decision time and avoids last-minute scrambles. I started doing this and my “I have nothing to wear” mornings dropped dramatically.
3. Use the ‘two-for-one’ laundry trick: If you’re already doing a load, toss in an extra small item or delicates one more time. Saves you starting extra cycles later.
4. Declutter with a box challenge: Once a month, choose one box or drawer and clear out what you haven’t used in 6 months. It takes 10 minutes and prevents larger clear-outs later.
5. Create a ‘launchpad’ zone: Place keys, bags, chargers in one designated spot. Saves those “where are my keys” dashes when leaving home.
6. Use simple timers: Set your phone timer for 10 minutes for tasks like “clear desk” or “clear inbox”. The sense of urgency helps you focus and wrap up sooner.
7. Fix small items when they first break: A squeaky hinge, a loose screw—act immediately. I learnt this the hard way when leaving cheap repairs built up into a big weekend project.
8. Invest in a good multitool: A small set of tools (screwdriver, Allen key, tape) in one spot avoids multiple trips, and over time saves a surprising amount of time (and calls to handymen).
2. Kitchen & Food
9. Plan two lunches from one dinner: When cooking dinner, make a bit extra and pack the leftovers for the next day’s lunch. Saves cooking tomorrow and avoids take-away temptation.
10. Use a standing order at the supermarket: If you buy the same essentials regularly (milk, bread, eggs), set a reminder or standing list. Cuts shopping time and impulse purchases.
11. Freeze bread in slices: I used to waste a loaf every week when we couldn’t finish it. Now I freeze half, take out slices as needed. Money saved + fewer trips to the shop.
12. Label leftovers with date: A sticky note on the container “cooked 12 Nov” helps you avoid throwing away forgotten meals.
13. Use kitchen timers for double tasks: When doing something like simmering, use the time to fold laundry, clear counters etc. The cooking time is waiting time — make the most of it.
14. Shop the back of the supermarket: Fresh essentials tend to be at the back; the front aisles often hold more tempting, pricier items. I noticed my snack spend drop when I did this.
15. Drink tap water (filtered) instead of bottled: If you install a simple filter jug, over time the savings from not buying bottled water add up.
16. Keep a ‘use-up’ box in the freezer: Instantly throw in bits of vegetables, sauces, bread ends. At month’s end you’ll have a ready meal and fewer unused bits going to waste.
3. Travel & Transport
17. Check train/bus apps the night before: In the UK, checking schedules ahead of time helps avoid delays and wasted journeys. Saves both travel time and frustration.
18. Car-pool or share lifts: If you drive to work, share a ride one day a week. Fewer trips = less fuel and wear on your car.
19. Walk for short trips: If it’s under 15 minutes away, consider walking. Goodbye taxi/travel cost, hello fresh air and clearer head.
20. Maintain your vehicle proactively: Oil changes, tyre pressure — simple checks prevent major repair costs later. I spent more ignoring this than fixing small issues when they arose.
21. Use travel-smart browsing: When checking flights or hotel rates, use incognito mode so sites don’t hike prices because you keep returning. (localfirstbank.com)
22. Pack a travel‐kit in the boot/rucksack: Snacks, water bottle, umbrella. Saves buying overpriced items during emergencies.
23. Subscribe to location alerts: Many transport apps allow alerts when you reach a station – this avoids missing stops or taking wrong routes, saving time.
24. Cycle to errands: For short errands (post office, quick shop), cycling beats parking stress/fees and gives you some exercise in the same time.
4. Work & Productivity
25. Use the “biggest task first” method: Tackle the most important, hardest task first thing. Then the rest of the day feels easier. Productivity research supports this approach. (Clockify)
26. Block ‘no meeting’ hours: Choose a chunk of the day when you don’t accept meetings (e.g., 9-11 am) so you can work undisturbed.
27. Use keyboard shortcuts: Learning Ctrl + C/X/V (or command on Mac) or other quick keys saves seconds each time—and seconds add up.
28. Automate repetitive tasks: Whether it’s email filters, file naming conventions, or macros—Anything you do more than twice is worth automating. It’s a trick I use daily for social-media scheduling.
29. Keep a “done” list instead of just a “to-do” list: Recording what you’ve done gives a sense of progress and helps for future reference. I started this and it’s boosted my motivation.
30. Batch similar tasks: Handle phone calls all in one block, emails in another, creative work in another. It avoids switching costs and boosts quality/time.
31. Use a timer for focus: The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break) is simple and effective. Set a timer, work hard, then rest. I often use 45/15 to suit my style.
32. Decline when you must: Learning to say “no” to small requests preserves your time for what really matters. An expert tip: ask yourself “is this the best use of my time?” before saying yes.
5. Money & Budgeting
33. Track every purchase for one week: Write down what you spend (or use an app). It gives eye-opening insight and helps you decide what to cut. Money-saving gurus emphasise this. (Nasdaq)
34. Set up automatic savings: As soon as your income arrives, route a small percentage into a savings account. Out of sight, out of (immediate) mind.
35. Adopt the 24-hour rule for non-essentials: Before buying something non-essential, wait 24 hours. Often the urge passes and you’ve saved the money.
36. Use “cash envelope” method for variable spending: Allocate a fixed weekly amount of cash for categories like eating out or hobbies. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
37. Bundle your subscriptions: Review streaming, apps, insurance etc. I cancelled one streaming service I barely used and redirected the savings into a hobby fund.
38. Negotiate your bills: Plenty of companies will reduce your fee if you ask politely and point out competitive offers. A short call saved me hundreds over a year on my broadband.
39. Buy second hand where it makes sense: For items like books, furniture, tools — quality used items often serve just as well at half the cost. (Only do this when you’re comfortable with condition / warranty.)
40. Use the “spare change” rule: Round up each transaction to the next pound and save the difference. It accumulates quietly and effectively.
41. Avoid lifestyle inflation: As your income rises, keep expenses in check. I raised a little in salary a few years ago but kept living costs the same and used the extra for savings and travel.
42. DIY what you can: From mending clothes to doing simple home maintenance — if you learn the skills, you save on labour. I taught myself basic tiling and saved a chunk when we renovated.
43. Switch to lower-cost alternatives: Try generic brands for toiletries, cleaning products or food staples. Most of the time they work just as well.
44. Keep a “deal walk-out” list: If you see a big purchase, walk out the door or sleep on it. That extra time reduces impulse buys.
45. Rent or borrow seldom-used items: Tools, party decorations, rarely-used equipment. Renting or borrowing saves storage, cost and waste.
46. Track recurring costs annually, not just monthly: Many costs sneak in yearly — domains, insurances, memberships. Reviewing yearly saves surprises.
47. Have a “fun fund”: Budget a set amount for treats. When the money is earmarked, you enjoy guilt-free spending and avoid unplanned splurges.
48. Re-evaluate your phone/utility contracts annually: Most providers give better deals to new customers—ask for the deal when you renew.
49. Use one card (or cash) for everyday spending and review it monthly: Limit yourself to one “active” card so you can audit your spending easily. I’ve done this and spotting odd charges became fast and simple.
50. Celebrate small savings: When you save £10 this week or avoid a wasteful purchase, acknowledge it. The positive feeling builds habit and makes future saving easier.
Final thoughts
These hacks aren’t meant to be perfect or followed rigidly. Choose a handful that make sense to you, try them for a week, and see if you feel less rushed or less stressed about money.
One small change might not seem much by itself, but over a month or year the savings—of both time and money—can really add up.
And as the productivity experts say, it’s not about being busy: it’s about getting the right things done. (Clockify)
