6 Better Living Hacks That Really Work

How do today’s working adults boost their peace of mind, get finances in order, and generally make their lives easier amid a worsening economy? The answer is that they resort to countless tactics and strategies that get the job done. Everyone’s situation is unique, so there are plenty of interesting, clever solutions to choose from. Homeowners who want to add comfort to their living space convert extra rooms into meditation spaces, dens, and entertainment lounges.

Those who wish to cut down on monthly expenses refinance student loans, store food in a freezer, and prepare more meals at home. Other savvy hacks include organizing garages and basements for efficiency, adding security components to make homes safer, and cleaning for a short amount of time each day to eliminate the need for laborious weekend chores. Consider the following points and see which ones can add a strong dose of convenience to your lifestyle.

Convert an Empty, Unused Room

Room conversions are popular because they tend to be cheap DIY projects that transform unused space into functional areas like art studios, workshops, meditation rooms, etc. The trick for successfully completing a conversion is planning. Know what you’re going to do before getting underway or donning the work gloves. A typical den to computer room conversion plan might be to remove furniture and boxes, clean floor, add new carpet, add wall hangings, set up computer table and printer, add office furniture and shredder, purchase mini-fridge and recliner. Note that the most common targets for conversions are spare bedrooms, attics, storage sheds, garages or half-garages, basements, and utility rooms.

Refinance College Loans

Refinancing student loan debt is a financially savvy move for anyone who wants to lower their monthly expenses. The new loan comes with an entirely new set of conditions, rates, payments, terms, and other features. For those who have been working for a year or more since graduation, the advantages can be substantial. The logic behind refinancing is that borrowers who are working tend to have much higher credit ratings than they did when they first applied for student loans. That translates into a chance at lower interest rates, more time to pay, lower monthly payments, and other favorable terms.

Organize the Garage, Attic, or Basement

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. That’s the case for homeowners who face cluttered attics, garages, basements, and storage sheds. Getting rid of unwanted and unneeded junk is easy. The hard part is getting started. One of the simplest tactics for removing clutter is to set a limited time schedule. Never work longer than 30 minutes on the task. That way, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate. The added advantage of the incremental technique is that there are no back-breaking work sessions. Nor is there a need to set aside entire weekends or evenings to categorize items that are headed for the trash, recycle bin, or donation truck.

Purchase a Food Freezer

Stand-alone freezers are an investment. The initial expense can usually be paid for within a year or less. Be sure to arrange a proper space for the freezer, like a dedicated corner of the garage or basement. Check for proper electrical outlets and consult a licensed electrician if you need to rewire the installation of the unit. Having all this extra food on hand is not just a diet tip for fitness fanatics, families can save a substantial amount of money by purchasing meat, cheese, and other freezable items and storing them for several months as well. Long-term storage is a smart way to take advantage of sales and special discounts. Always read directions on food items to find out how long they can be stored in a deep freeze unit.

Make Easy, Low-Cost Security Upgrades

For a few hundred dollars, homeowners can add a significant level of safety to their living spaces. Explore the all-in-one kits that come with surveillance cameras, motion-sensitive outdoor lights, window alarms, and smart locks. Prices have come down considerably in the past few years. Plus, most of the components are fully portable, so you can take them with you if you move to a new residence. Doorbell cams are also excellent stand-alone items that add to overall household safety.

Clean for 15 Minutes Every Day

Outside of routine chores like dishes and laundry, add 15 minutes per day of household cleaning to your routine. The tactic is an ingenious way to avoid weekend or monthly mega sessions of vacuuming, mopping, dusting, etc. By setting aside a quarter of an hour daily, it’s possible to stay caught up and keep your living space looking great. Then, when weekends roll around, there will not be a need to deal with hours of back breaking labor. Many have been using the incremental strategy for generations because it delivers excellent results and is relatively easy to implement. Make the everyday 15-minute session at about the same time each day, preferably in the morning, so you won’t be tempted to procrastinate.