Ask the Readers $200 Giveaway: Do You Have a Favorite Lifehack?

I use different colors of nail polish on my keys to identify them.

I don't like the term "lifehack" as if I need to work around some barrier put in place, but I find that planning ahead for things is the best way to be frugal, organized, and relaxed about life. Planning ahead means not panicking at the last second to finish something, it means knowing where you want to go before you leave, it means a calm and peaceful journey as you work your plan and see it unfold. That doesn't mean you can't make modifications along the way to make it work more smoothly, just the opposite, but it is a proactive, not a reactive, way of life.

I do all my errands in a combined trip

I like using apps to find coupons while I am shopping in stores - especially SnipSnap. I never remember to bring coupons, so having a fun app with coupons readily available helps me save money.

I make my lunch the night before while I am waiting on dinner to cook to save time in the morning

I menu plan around the store weekly sales, use coupons for saving too.

During the weekend, I usually cook 3 or 4 meals ahead of time for the week. Also whenever possible, when I cook, I try to make extra for future meals that I freeze. This works great for Lasagna, meatballs and meatloaf.

One of our favorite fun "lifehacks" is to keep a change jar. In our usually rather detailed budget it's the place we go for off the cuff giving. Last year it went to a local library fundraiser. Year before that, something else. Other people use theirs for vacations.

I used the "Ian Knot" to tie my shoes! It takes less than 10 seconds and is far easier than a standard shoe tie knot. Give it a try!!

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ianknot.htm

I try to use Sunday to really prepare for the week ahead - to prep some foods for lunch, choose outfits for each day, pack snacks for the work fridge, and get to bed early. Sometimes I have other plans and can't do it, but spending at least Sunday evening getting ready for my week really helps the rest of the week go smoothly.

I leave notes all around the house to remind me of things I need to make myself do and things I need to buy.

Two words: slow cooker. I prep everything the night before, turn it on before I leave for work and fibers ready when we walk in the door!

A few of my favorites:

1) Money - Automate savings!

2) Cleaning - Clean microwave easily with a bowl of vinegar and water.

3) Travel - Roll all clothes when packing & always keep power cord in carry-on luggage (you never know when the flight will be delayed and you'll need extra juice!)

4) Overall - Make new habits (or break old ones) using the 'Don't break the chain' method

Negotiate for a lower price on everything! I am amazed how often I get 10% off, just by asking. It really adds up.

i write in my bills (amount due and due date) on a monthly calendar so that it's easy to see what's due when and easier to calculate how much i'll have left over after paying bills

When I cook a meal, I double the recipe and freeze some for another meal later on. It doesn't take any more time to make extra and comes in handy on a busy day.

Sleep in your gym clothes! I get up so early to make time for exercise when I read this one, it was like getting hit with a ton of bricks. Keep the shoes by the bed, so I roll out ready to go.

It's old school, but I'm a fan of to do lists. If I don't write it down I probably won't remember it! It just helps me to organize my mind/day/priorities, and then I get the great satisfaction of crossing items off of it as I complete them and can feel a sense of accomplishment.

my favorite "lifehack" was to get rid of cable. i have used playon for the last 3 years. it was a onetime fee and i get MUCH better customer service!!

however, i have another one that i regularly use as well... rather than using a bucket when i mop my floors i use one of my trashcans. this way when i am done not only is my floor clean but the trashcan smells nice.

My lifehack is about creating a great GTD system to ensure that inbox zero is continually met.

If not available on Netflix streaming, I put DVDs on hold at the local library. It's free and fast--just have to find my name on the shelf and self checkout!

I love to make dressings and sauces in a wide mouth canning jar with an immersion blender. The clean up is a cinch and then you just screw on a lid and you're done. bethanyg153 at gmail dot com

Favorite Lifehack: Keeping the dishwasher clean.

Surprisingly enough a dishwasher gets dirty over time too. Hard water, soap scum, etc. it can all make your dishwasher look grimy. Just use a packet (or 2, depending on dirty it looks) of the plain (aka, no sugar) powdered lemon-aid mix in the detergent dispenser and run the normal cycle. Come back in two hours and your dishwasher is sparkling clean and lemony fresh -- No scrubbing needed! The lemonaid packets are about $.25 each at the grocery store.

making my lunch the night before for work.

My favorite lifehack is shopping at the dollar store for food. Often times overflow brand items and test food items are sold at dollar stores. They are good quality items for a dollar. It has saved me tons of money and I'm extremely grateful.

My lifehack is shopping at thrift store. There's so many great things to find there especially at low prices.

I like to use a used dryer sheet to dust with. Thank you!

I cut vegetables and store them for quick cooking.

My bank doesn't have any local branches but will reimburse all ATM fees up to a certain amount. Every month when I get them back I pretend they are not in my account. It's only a few dollars every month but it adds up after a while. It makes for a nice buffer in case of a small emergency or I forget to add a receipt to my ledger.

These are my fav's....
1st I keep a backpack with small cosmetic bags filled with, (1st aid, eye drops, nail file etc... in #1), (change of socks & underwear in #2), (shampoo toothpaste & brush, grooming stuff in #3), (Batteries, tiny notepad & pen, tape etc..#4) ( a down laprobe pressed down into a ziplock bag. Can be used as a Pillow or to keep me warm) Now all I need to do is throw in a change of clothes for that season and some pocket change and I'm good to go on a quick trip.

2nd... I keep a mug in my microwave. When I need to warm up 2 items, I place #1 bowl or plate on the bottom, then place bowl/plate #2 ON TOP OF THE MUG. (layered effect). Now I can cook 2 items at once.

3rd.. I keep a small cooler in my car in warm weather. That way all my frozen and cold foods STAY that way until I get home.

I prep all lunches for the week on Sunday so getting out the door in the morning is much easier and there's no excuse to buy lunch at work because I was running late and didn't have time to make it.

I don't really have any good ones.

always put things away so you can find them again!

my lifehack is using a vitamix to chop ingriendients

I will cook meals on the weekends and freeze them to use on busy weekdays.

I use a hanging shoe rack for my cleaning supplies. Its my favorite because I free up so much space in my cabinets and it just makes everything look so organized.

My favorite lifehack is shopping for good deals. I love saving money and i will go on the hunt for a great deal

I like to make lists of what I have to do for the week and accomplish a couple of tasks daily.

My favorite "life hack" is donating an old toy whenever my son gets a new toy. It reduces clutter in the house and keeps his toys under control, which also reduces my stress and time cleaning

I always make double batches when I cook then freeze what's left so I only have to cook 2 to 3 nights a week.

Automating all of my bills and batching errands with exercise (I walk everywhere!).

I use Skype for international video calls and other free apps for texting.

A true "lifehack", I make sure to take 1 hour out of every day to work on a project which betters my life. This can be a business venture idea I have, learning a new language or skill, organizing the house, building something, or simply going to the beach to relax. If I can volunteer to help someone else, even better. We can all find 1 hour out of the day.

I have 3 lifehacks to recommend: 1) Don't you hate it when you make a recipe that calls for, say, 1 teaspoon of a fresh herb, and wind up wasting the rest? I combed through my favorite recipes and grouped them according to those "oddball" ingredients. That way, I make 3-5 recipes within the same one or two-week span and use up more of the "oddballs." 2) Choose one day per month -- the 1st is good -- and see if you can get a better price for one monthly fee, e.g. cable, cell, car insurance. That way, by the time the year is up, you will have audited your expenses one "bite" at a time, without spending an entire day on the phone with multiple customer service reps. 3) Like a black skirt you can pair with several tops, I maximize grocery costs by stretching one meal into two. I’ll make my favorite Barefoot Contessa turkey meatloaf and pair it with baked potatoes and squash one night, then re-visit it two nights later with rice and steamed broccoli. Or I’ll roast a whole chicken one night, then use the leftovers in quesadillas on another. Plus, everything's "recyclable" for lunches, too.

I love hearing all of these hacks! I love ways to make life easier. I don't know if I have any good ones, I guess one I have is to make crock pot meals. They really are a lifesaver