Technology has advanced so much that we have washing machines, dishwashers, and supercomputers for phones. Yet somehow our modern lives still leave us barely able to catch our breath with our long to-do lists. That said, we’ve compiled a list of life hacks for women to help you save money, time, and effort in different aspects of your life.
So, let’s get to these game-changers that can help you simplify life!
Why try these fun life hacks for women?
Why are you on a personal finance website rather than watching Netflix? It’s probably because you have a goal of making your life a little bit easier. Or you’re dreaming of having the peace of mind that comes from having a solid financial foundation.
If you’re searching for ways to save money and time, go through this list of life hacks for women.
Try one or try them all! Maybe you’ll pick up tips and tricks to be more productive at home and work.
Money-saving beauty hacks for women
Makeup, hair, and beauty products are fun and they allow us to enhance our best features and express ourselves. But it can also be easy to get carried away and buy every cream and viral product you see online.
Whether you love playing with makeup or prefer to go au naturel, here are some beauty hacks for you.
1. DIY whenever possible
There’s no shortage of beauty DIY hacks online, that’s why I love the internet. For instance, Women’s Mag shared that you can make your own softening body scrub.
Simply mix a quarter-cup salt with a half-cup olive oil (or softened coconut oil) and mix it into a thick paste.
Of course, be careful where you get your information for these beauty hacks for women. And make sure you do a patch test to check for irritation before doing anything.
2. Set a budget for self-care expenses
If it’s important to you, budget for it. Yes, put the bi-weekly nails or lashes down. That cream you can’t live without should be in there too.
This way you’re not buying on impulse or spending more than you allocated on your budget. Being intentional about it also means you can enjoy your pampering. Plus you won’t feel guilty for spending money and time on yourself.
3. Sign up for loyalty programs
If you tend to shop for hair and beauty products in one store, sign up for loyalty programs. So, you can take advantage of members’ perks like free shipping, birthday gifts, and early access to sales.
Make sure you’re checking for rewards or discounts at the register before you pay as well.
4. Try product dupes
Many high-end and drugstore brand makeups are made by the same company. For example, Urban Decay, Yves Saint Laurent, and Lancôme are all housed under the L’Oréal Group.
We encourage quality over quantity any day. But looking for less expensive comparable products that deliver the same result is also one of the beauty hacks we like to share.
5. Check your store’s return policy
One of the absolute most useful life hacks for women I’ve come across is to always check a store’s return policy.
Sometimes beauty products don’t work the same for you as they did with your friend. Other times, items that look good at the store can also lose their appeal when you get home.
So, read the store’s return policy to make sure you don’t get stuck with a product you can’t use. Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, M·A·C Cosmetics, and Sally Beauty all accept returns.
Work and budgeting hacks for women
Are you looking to save some time and money, and be less tired? Well, here are some work hacks that could get you closer to having easier days.
6. Take advantage of 401k matching
If your company offers 401k matching, make sure you’re taking advantage of that “free money.”
Some employers offer an additional contribution to 401k plans as part of their compensation packages. Generally, your employer will match what you contribute up to a specific percentage of your income.
For instance, say you make $1,500 a week, and your company offers to match up to 5% of your salary. Then, they’d deposit up to $75 a week if you contribute that much.
7. Learn to say no
You wear multiple hats – a wife, a partner, a mom, a daughter, a friend, a business owner, an employee, and many more. Each role demands something from you.
That’s why learning to say no is one of the very most important life hacks. Save yourself some money, time, and energy.
Remember that you don’t have to go to every office function or after-work drinks. Allow yourself to focus your attention and intention on things you want to do.
8. Automate your bill payments
Save money on late fees and automate your bill payments. You can arrange for your bank to pay your mortgage, utilities, or gym membership on a scheduled date.
You can also set up to pay through your credit card. For example, $60 is withdrawn every 15th of the month from your account to pay for your phone bill.
Just remember to review the payments every month to make sure the bills are paid with the right amounts.
9. Keep an emergency outfit in the office
You never know when you have to attend a function after work or a surprise meeting with the boss. If you can’t leave it at the office, store it in your car along with a bag of some essentials like pain meds, tampons, or pads.
Having all of these handy will save you time and money from having to buy a new blouse to look presentable for a meeting.
If you’re a mom with younger kids, you know how many times you’ve left the house with milk, food, and other things stuck on your clothes.
10. Schedule rest
In this hustle culture we live in where busyness is a badge of honor, it’s very easy to keep going even when our bodies are begging for rest. There’s always something to do, or somewhere you need to go.
That’s why it’s more essential than ever to schedule rest. If you try just one tip from this list of life hacks for women, make sure it’s this one. Remember that rest is productive too.
Your health is your biggest asset. If you run your body to the ground to finish a project, only to get sick after, then you’re also losing out on pay and other things. When you prioritize yourself, you’re more productive and more consistent in showing up for work.
Life hacks for women in the kitchen
Groceries are one of the largest expenses in every household, especially with surging inflation. Additionally, we spend so much time in the kitchen making food. So, here are our most recommended home life hacks for women.
11. Prepare a weekly meal plan
The average American family throws out over $1,800 worth of food a year! What a waste, huh?
One great way to prevent food waste and save money is to prepare a weekly meal plan. While it sounds like a lot of extra work, doing this will actually save you time.
It’s a healthier option because you know what you’re eating every day. Not to mention, meal planning reduces the stress of last-minute scrambles of deciding what’s for dinner.
12. Check flyers for sales or cashback
Grocery stores have weekly sales that are advertised on their flyers. Check the flyers before you do your grocery list to see what you can stock up on.
Download the apps if you don’t get flyers delivered to your door. Flipp, Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Fetch Rewards are some of the best coupon apps for grocery store sales.
13. Meal prep
You’re probably thinking these kitchen hacks are just more things for you to do. But hear me out. Planning and preparing what you’re cooking for the week in advance saves you from ordering takeout or spending hours in the kitchen when you’ve had a long day and are not up for it.
Make meal prepping your activity one afternoon a week. So it’s part of the schedule and it won’t feel like another chore added to your day.
14. Learn how to keep produce fresh longer
To keep produce fresh longer, the first thing you need to do is know which fruits and vegetables you should – and shouldn’t – put in the fridge.
The Food Network says melons, onions, and garlic should not be stored in the fridge, among other items. On the other hand, asparagus, broccoli, and celery will last in the fridge.
In addition, some fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, and tomatoes produce a chemical called ethylene. This chemical speeds up the ripening process so store this produce separately.
For bananas, separate each fruit and cover the stems with plastic wrap to keep them fresh for longer.
15. Freeze fresh herbs
Herbs add flavor and aroma to our food, and you don’t need to put a lot in. If you bought more than you needed, don’t throw them out.
Chop them up, then, use an ice cube tray to freeze them. You can add water or oil for later use.
If you bought herbs and don’t need them for a few days, wash and dry them. Next, bundle them in a dry paper towel. Then, store the bundled herbs in a Ziploc bag or a container to keep them fresh.
Style hacks for women
Who doesn’t love great style hacks? Below are useful tips to save you money, effort, and time while looking your best.
16. Invest in classic pieces
This is one of the life hacks for women that you’ll hear over and over again – invest in basic pieces for your wardrobe. Keeping up with trends will only leave you with clothes you won’t wear because they’ve gone out of style.
You can still have fun and participate in trends. But pick clothes that you can incorporate into your wardrobe in other ways or limit what you buy to one or two trendy pieces.
17. Shop thrift stores
At least 70% of my wardrobe comes from consignment stores. It’s sustainable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, I can get designer and quality pieces for a fraction of the price.
It’s one of my top life hacks for women. So, go check out your local thrift stores, you’ll never know what you’re gonna find.
18. Take proper care of your clothes
A good way to save money on clothes is to take proper care of the ones you already own. For starters, sort your laundry and use the wash cycles appropriately as much as you can.
Likewise, fold your sweaters to keep their shape. Hanging pulls on their weight, which stretches your sweaters or leaves you with misshapen shoulders.
In addition, wash your pants, jeans, and clothes with graphics or bold colors inside out to prevent fading.
Lastly, lay off the fabric softener, especially for your workout clothes. Fabric softeners leave a film on synthetic fibers that lock in sweat and bacteria, which makes your clothes smell grubbier than before they went in the wash.
19. Keep your shoes looking new
Get more wear from your shoes by keeping them looking new. With leather shoes, trim down any scuff or worn leather with small scissors. Then, use shoe polish or leather paint to restore its color.
For fabric shoes like sneakers and running shoes, you’ll need warm water, mild laundry detergent, a toothbrush, and a washcloth.
If the shoe is particularly dirty, mix warm water and mild laundry detergent and use the toothbrush to scrub the stains.
Then, dip the washcloth into clean water, and use it to wipe away any remaining dirt and stain. You can also throw the shoes in the wash if they’re machine washable. Make sure to air dry in the sunlight if possible, but never machine dry.
20. Love your body
There’s always been so much pressure for women to look and be a certain way. It’s even more amplified with social media nowadays.
But chasing trends and hating on our bodies is not the way to happiness. Acceptance of the body you have now is the best accessory to every outfit you wear.
Give our creative life hacks for women a go!
We hope you try a few of these tips to help you save some time and money.
We want you to pick up a few life hacks to make your days easier so you remember to rest and be wise with finances.
To save even more money, try out 31 hacks for money making, and other ideas like house hacking and hacks for frugal living.
