Tried and tested life hacks that will help you save some serious cash
We all love ways to make life a little easier, whether it's packing tips, style tricks or even bar cart hacks. But perhaps our favourite ones are those that save us money. Frugalista Amrita Singh has spent years testing out hacks that purport to save people money, with mixed results. Some just don't work, or they aren't worth the time and effort required. So after all her dedicated research, Amrita stopped by The Goods to show off her tried and tested simple secrets to make your day a little smoother — and most importantly, save you money.
DIY the ultimate all-purpose cleaning cloth
Amrita does about 80% of her home cleaning using these cloths soaked in a homemade solution, saving her tons of money on disposable cleaning wipes. The solution costs only 10 cents to make and the cloths are reusable and washable, meaning that you can avoid wasting money on pre-made cleaning cloths from the grocery store for years to come.
Rubbing alcohol has been around since the First World War, and has been used for decades to disinfect both the body and home. It is volatile though, which means it evaporates quickly and you don't want to use it near open flames. So, for some, vinegar is best for its safer ingredients, but she recommends rubbing alcohol as the more effective all-around cleaner.
Whatever ingredient you choose make the ratio 4:1, four parts water to one part rubbing alcohol or vinegar. And feel free to skip the essential oil: it can leave a thin film of oil behind when cleaning surfaces. And also, it takes a lot to get a noticeable scent that will last with this mixture, so it might be more frugal to save your oil for another project. Here's how to DIY your own cleaning cloths:
Here's what you'll need:
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 tbsp dish soap
- 3 drops essential oil (optional)
Here's how to do it:
1. Cut up tea towels, old T-shirts, and old bed sheets — whatever type of cloth you like using for cleaning. Aim for twenty 12-15 inch cloths. Fold and place half of the cloths into a glass cookie jar.
2. Combine all ingredients to make a cleaning solution.
3. Pour half of cleaning solution over cloths. Top with the remaining folded cloths and pour in the rest of the cleaning solution.
You can use the cloths on sinks, countertops, floors, stainless steel appliances, walls, doorknobs, light switches, and more! The mixture is also a solvent so it dissolves grease and grime well, plus it brings stains closer to the surface. All of these reasons make it a better all-round cleaner than vinegar. Stick to using these cloths on hard surfaces, and be careful when using them on painted surfaces. It could lift up the paint, so always spot test to be sure.
Make your own foam soap
This little hack is a hit with everyone who tries it, especially parents. When you buy your foam soap, keep the bottle. The magic is all in the mechanism, so don't throw out the pump!
Here's what you'll need:
- Empty foam soap bottle
- Soap refill
- Water
Here's how to do it:
1. Fill empty foam dispenser with 1/4 liquid soap refill.
2. Top up with water to fill the foam dispenser.
3. Attach pump and give it a shake to mix.
4. That's it. You've now got a full dispenser that will produce foam soap. The beauty of this hack is that the refill bottle is now being stretched tremendously since the soap will last so much longer in foam-form.
Use zip ties to solve a whole host of home problems
Sometimes you come across an item that has so many uses you wonder how you ever lived without it. That's how Amrita feels about zip ties. Use them to bundle cables and keep things neat behind your TV or computer area. Zip ties are also great travel buddies: use them to keep things sealed, attach things to knapsacks, or use as a temporary luggage lock. And if you have beauty products or soap in canisters that pump out a bit too much at a time, you can tie a zip tie around the top of the pump to reduce the amount dispensed. Zip ties also temporarily child-proof your cabinets when company comes over, and are easy to cut off once your guests leave. But Amrita's favourite use of zip ties is to use them as drain snakes. All you need is a long and fairly thick zip tie.
Here's how to do it:
1. Use sharp scissors to cut diagonal slits on either side of a long zip tie.
2. Insert into your drain, and work it around the inside.
3. Pull upwards, and prepare to be satisfied by all the crud you removed.
Save on manicures
Manicures never last, but doing your nails at home never looks as smooth and shiny. And while the bright and sparkly colours can be enticing, sometimes the cheaper brands are a bit streaky. Here's a hack that will help make your manicure look neater and longer lasting.
Here's what you'll need:
- Tinfoil (or a fancier mixing vessel)
- Coloured nail polish
- Top coat nail polish
Here's how to do it:
1. Pour a dime size amount of top coat onto the tinfoil.
2. Then add 8-10 drops of nail polish and use the wand to mix up well.
3. Apply two to three thin coats onto your nails.
This method will give you a streak free, fast drying, and long lasting manicure because it allows you to do several thin layers that will dry quickly and go on streak-free, leaving you with a finish similar to a gel manicure in the comfort of your very own home.
Calculate your hourly wage
Any time you're tempted to buy a 'nice to have' item, think about your hourly wage. How many hours do you have to work to pay for said item? The calculation is pretty simple. What's your take-home pay in a week? Divide that by five days a week to represent the working week. Divide that by 8 hours a day, or your total working hours. This total is your average hourly wage.
For example, the average Canadian's take home pay is $700 a week. Divide this by five working days per week, which equals $140 a day. Divide that by eight working hours a day, which equals $17.50 an hour. This is a simple and easy way to curb your consumerism — it forces you to take a moment to make an informed buying decision, versus acting on an impulse decision you might later regret.