Ever noticed how much you spend on trivial trinkets that only have one purpose? Think about it. How much do you spend for air tight containers for cereals, storage units for wrapping paper, and cable organizers? Have you ever hosted a grill night and realize a half hour before the guests arrive that you lack dishware for the condiments? Then you probably haven’t discovered the trippy and ingenious tricks known as “life hacks”.
Whether it’s using bread tags to organize wiring or using dental floss to cut soft food perfectly, these quirky tips and tricks definitely are money and sanity saviors. Life hacks are clever tips, tricks, and novelty methods for increasing productivity and efficiency. Simply put, life hacks are there to make our lives easier, (usually) for a fraction of the cost.
Now, people are starting to discover life hacks that use everyday things. Old box lids are turned into cupcake carriers, muffin pans are turned into craft caddies, and old tension rods are turned into spray bottle hangers. But in today’s techno era, people are also figuring out ways to hack life with their gadgets. Today, mobile phones aren’t just business phones, social tools, or entertainment gadgets, they’ve become so much more.
Test A Remote
We all know how annoying it is to buy a remote and take it home, only to return it the next day because it doesn’t work. Worry no more. Just point your TV/DVD remote at a mobile phone camera and press any button; if you can see the infrared light, it works!
Go Green Speakers
Speakers break down? Not willing to buy a replacement because you’re saving up for something important? No biggie: just place your smartphone in a glass or bowl it can fit into while you’re playing music. The glass acts as an acoustic chamber, which magnifies the sound. Voila! Instant speakers while saving Mother Earth. It works just as well if you want a louder alarm.
Always On Time: A playlist
If you’ve ever cursed yourself as you rush out of the door because you’ve spent too much time in the shower and are about to be late, then you are going to like this one. Make a playlist that runs exactly as long as it takes you to get ready for work, and play it every morning when you wake up (just place your phone in your “Go Green Speakers”). You’ll have a rough idea of how much time you have left to prepare by the current song playing.
DIY Lamp
Isn’t it annoying when there’s a sudden power outage and only then do you realize that you haven’t bought batteries for your flashlight or replenished your stock of candles? Well, life hackers have found a solution for that as well. If your mobile phone comes with a flashlight mode, just place a filled water bottle on top of it. The water disperses the light evenly, creating a makeshift lantern. It’s so easy and so inexpensive that you can even have a little fun with it on normal non-emergency days. Add a drop or two of food coloring to the water, and you have a colorful improvised lantern.
Emergency Cash
While there are several phone cases with a built-in wallet, stashing your bills in a jelly case or plastic case works just as well. That way, you’ll still have cash on hand in case of emergencies, like if your wallet gets stolen or you simply lose it (but let’s hope that doesn’t happen).
Of course not all of these life hacks are solid replacements for true-blue equipment. However, in times of emergency (and given the rough economy), it’s nice to know that you can always turn to life hacks.