We're big fans of lists here at Wise Bread — mostly because our readers seem to love them more than any other format of money-saving article — but we're not the only people making awesome lists to make your life better. That's why I've scoured the Internet to find 20 of the best lists out there. Some are straight-ahead helpful in various aspects of life, while others are a bit more tongue-in-cheek in their approach to enlightenment. (See also: Get More Creative and Efficient With Lists)
Browse through my selection and let me know what you think. (Full disclosure: Some of these are Wise Bread lists; you didn't think we weren't going to pat ourselves on the back just a little, did you?) When you're duly educated and entertained, let me know if my picks are spot on or if you have better lists to recommend by telling me so in the comments below.
I put this list of facts about life after the apocalypse at number one so you get an early sense that the rest of this list will be at least a little fun, and because I'm actively preparing for the apocalypse myself — zombie or otherwise. True story. There are lots of interesting tidbits on this list, including how we'll finally be able to drink all the beer and soda we want, how mealworms will sustain us, and how professional wrestling will finally get its comeuppance. All it'll take is a nuclear winter.
Everyday we're telling you to cut back on one thing or another, but there are lots of things you can do without all together. This list of 10 items you shouldn't be paying for — like, ever — includes premium TV subscriptions, newspapers, bottled water (like, EVER!), checking accounts, and gym memberships. If you can cut out this excess (considering you're currently indulging in it, that is), you'll save hundreds of dollars every month. (See also: Ways to Make Yourself Save More Money)
I know a lot of people who spent the better part of their lives as stay-at-home moms and dads, and I have friends whose majors in college didn't prepare them well for the working world. This post on the top 15 jobs that require little or no experience might help them figure out where to look for employment if they're having a hard time finding it elsewhere, and if you have people in your life who sound similar it might help them too.
I made a huge mistake updating to iOS7 a couple weeks ago — I hate, hate, hate the new calendar format, for starters — but the reduced battery is workin' my nerves too. Thank goodness I found this article that gives 11 ways to preserve it so I don't have to be tethered to an outlet all day. Feel free to rant in the comments about your iOS 7 experience so I don't feel like the only curmudgeon on the page.
Wi-Fi should be free everywhere all the time, but until the day that Richard Branson becomes president we'll have to consult this post on 10 ways to get free Wi-Fi anywhere you go. Examples include searching for hidden networks (like you did before you could afford Internet of your own, and everybody got savvy about locking their networks), use coupons (yes, they exist), and consulting a hotspot database.
Gentlemen… if you're constantly finding yourself in the doghouse because you lack the romantic nature that your lady friend craves, this post is for you. Not only is this list of gift ideas for your wife or girlfriend romantic but it's also populated with inexpensive ideas that will win you a lot of points without dropping too much coin. (See also: 25 Thoughtful, Frugal, and Personalized Gifts)
This video list on eight products that you've been using wrong will blow your mind. Did you know that the pop tab on a can of soda is a straw holder? Did you know that you can keep your aluminum foil roll from coming out of the box by pushing in built-in tabs on the side? Did you know that Chinese takeout boxes fold out into plates? You're welcome.
I'm always looking for new ways to get off to dreamland faster, and I hit the jackpot with this list of 10 tricks to getting better sleep. My personal favorites are to prepare a worthy bed — nothing beats the feeling of climbing into a seriously comfortable bed — and to cool yourself off at night. I always sleep better when I cuddle up in my own private igloo at night. My husband doesn't always love it, but that's what blanket and body heat are for, right? (See also: Foods That Can Help You Sleep)
When I saw this list, it reminded me of that "Who's the Boss?" episode where Tony mixes ammonia and bleach and passes out on the kitchen floor. Most of us know that we shouldn't play amateur chemist with those particular solutions, but what else should we be warned against? Turns out vinegar and bleach is a volatile compound, as is Red Bull and milk. Take a look at what other items are incompatible in this list of 16 common product combinations you should never mix.
Are you feeling a little out of control lately? Too much chaos around you? Take back the wheel with this list of simple ways to get your life together. Tips range from super-easy solutions like making your bed (strange how such a simple task makes you feel so good, isn't it?), getting a haircut (I always feel freshly confident after a new 'do), balancing your checkbook, and cleaning out your wallet or purse.
Can't afford a monthly security subscription? Don't fret. You can potentially keep harm away from your home by instituting a plethora of cheap and effective tricks to deter burglars, which include installing dummy cameras; remembering to remove flyers from your doorstep; keeping your landscape well groomed; and perhaps the most genius one of all, pretending to say goodbye to someone in your home when you're on your way out.
What I like about this list on how to get your finances on track in five steps is its simplicity. There's no financial mumbo jumbo to decipher, and, most importantly, it doesn't talk down to you. We all get in a bind at times, but this piece will help you better manage your money puzzle without stressing too much.
Chances are you have no lack of money-saving apps clogging up your iPhone, but do you have the best of the best? These 10 are the best according to British personal finance blog Quid Corner, and as it turns out they use the same apps we do.
Sure, the year is coming to a close, but any way you can stay out debt is relevant now and forever. The tips in this piece on how to stay out of debt in 2013 include limiting your expense (it's easy to go overboard at holiday time, especially), rethinking big-ticket items (even during those holiday sales), and reeling in your trips to restaurants.
I had to include this list of how to answer the 23 most common interview questions, because it's still one of the most popular posts on Wise Bread six years after it originally was written (although it was updated just last month). If you're preparing for an interview, this is the post to consult so you can enter your potential new employer's office with confidence.
My grooming habits are probably a little more comprehensive than many guys', but I don't know it all. Which is why I was happy to stumble upon this list featuring the top 10 grooming mistakes, including forgoing moisturizer; skimping on the sunscreen; and the one that's very near and dear to my heart (or should I say head): balding denial. (See also: Quick and Dirty Skin Care for Men)
Most of us spend money — and lots of it — when we travel, but what if you could make money as you make your way around the world? It's totally possible — and there are more than a dozen ways to put some cash into your pocket while on vacation — according to this list of 15 ways to make money while you travel.
The title of this list is completely accurate. I'd rather not know what I now know about hot dogs. Tread lightly, lest your summer barbecues be ruined forever.
I warned you in the intro that not all the lists that I deemed to be the 20 best on the Internet would be pretty. This list of the 25 most dangerous cities in America is a prime example, but it's a must-read for anyone thinking about relocating to new city… whether it was before or after clicking through all 25.
The subhead to this article is "Or live in misery FOREVER" — and anyone who's ever bought a home knows how true that is. The tips range from checking cell phone reception — which I should have done before moving to New York City (I live in the center of the freakin' universe and I can barely make a call) — to making sure there are delivery joints nearby (you pull your hair out on a lazy Friday night if you haven't done your due diligence in this regard) to taking a peek inside the cabinets and underneath the sink to see what's going on. The latter is an issue my husband and I faced when we recently moved into a new home. I'm glad we caught it before we closed on the property so it wasn't another pricey fix that we had to make after signing on the dotted line.
Well that's my list of my favorite lists. Is yours on there?
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