Last Tuesday, I tried to make dinner, schedule a dentist appointment, do a Zoom call, and unclog the sink— everyday tricks to save time and money, all in the span of twenty minutes. I ended up eating popcorn for dinner (burnt), ghosting the dentist, and muting myself mid-rant in the call while up to my elbows in disgusting drain gunk.

At one point I just froze and yelled into the abyss, “THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.”
Spoiler: there is.

These are the everyday tricks to save time and money that kinda accidentally saved my whole life. Or at least made it less ragey. I didn’t invent all of them, but I’ve lived them. Learned the hard way. Laughed about it later. Cried in between. You know the drill.

1. The 2-Minute Rule That Literally Changed My Bathroom

You ever stare at a dirty sink and think, “Ugh, I’ll do it later”? And then “later” becomes next week and now it smells like a science experiment?

So here’s what I started doing:
If something will take 2 minutes or less—I do it right now.
Swish the toilet. Toss the trash. Wipe toothpaste goblins off the mirror. Done.

Not revolutionary. But the difference it makes? Wild.
(Also works with replying to short texts. Sorry, Mom.)

2. Digital Receipts = My Personal Finance Awakening (Kinda)

I used to keep all my receipts in a Target bag… in another bag.
It was a bag of shame.

Now I snap photos of receipts with a free app (like SmartReceipts or even just Google Drive). It organizes them so when I do taxes—or wonder why my bank account is crying—I can actually find stuff.

Bonus:
When you know you’re gonna track it, you weirdly spend less. Like your wallet knows it’s being watched. Big Brother, but make it budget-friendly.

3. Laundry Baskets Are Not Just for Laundry

Okay, listen.
Get one extra laundry basket.
Not for clothes—just for random crap that collects in the living room/kitchen/your soul.

Once a day (ish), I toss all the rogue items in there. Socks, rogue toys, receipts, a single spoon (?)—you name it.
Then I carry the basket room to room, putting stuff away like some kind of chaotic Mary Poppins.

Way easier than pretending I’ll “deal with it later.” these are some Everyday Tricks Will Save You Time, Money.

4. Schedule Email Time… and Then Close That Tab Like a Boss

Let me tell you what I did NOT expect:
Email eats time like it’s at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

I started giving it one dedicated window a day—like 11 to 11:30 AM. The rest of the day? Closed. Tab gone. Buh-bye.

It’s amazing how quickly I can blow through emails when I’m not bouncing between them and some Reddit thread about whether squirrels can be potty trained. (They can’t. I checked.)

5. The Snack Hack That Feels Kinda Genius

I got tired of impulse-snacking on random stuff like expired granola bars or leftover frosting.

So now? I keep a “snack bento box” in the fridge. Like a little divided container with cheese cubes, grapes, trail mix, and dark chocolate—because balance.

Takes five minutes to prep, lasts a few days, and saves me from making weird fridge decisions at 2 AM.

6. Keep a “Back Burner” List

You know those brain tabs that never close? Like “reorganize the junk drawer,” or “look into refinancing,” or “finally Google what kombucha actually is”?

I keep a note on my phone called “Back Burner.” I throw all those mental gnats in there and move on.

Once a week (ish), I’ll scroll it and knock a couple out. Or ignore them again. But they’re out of my head, which is the real win.

7. The Sunday Reset Ritual (With Music, Obviously)

Sundays used to be a full-blown existential crisis for me. Now, they’re my favorite.

Why?
Sunday Reset.

Throw on a playlist (mine starts with “Mr. Brightside” and ends with Bon Iver—don’t judge), do a 20-minute power tidy, glance at the week ahead, and actually look at the fridge so I stop buying five cartons of eggs.

Does it make Monday suck less? Slightly and do Everyday Tricks Will Save You Time, Money.

8. Amazon Save-for-Later Is My Money Therapy

The real MVP of my budget is that little “Save for Later” button on Amazon.

Wanna impulse buy a mini waffle maker shaped like a cat? Sure. Add to cart.
But then? Move it to “Save for Later.”

Nine times outta ten, I don’t buy it. And the tenth time? It’s a treat, not a regret.

9. Stop Multitasking—You’re Not an Octopus

One time I tried to cook pasta, check my work email, and supervise a toddler with finger paint.
I ended up with pink noodles and an “accidental” reply-all.

So now, I mono-task.
One thing at a time.
Feels weird at first—like I’m slacking—but I actually finish stuff. Crazy concept, right?

10. Auto-Everything (Except Maybe Dating Apps)

Bills? Auto-pay.
Savings? Auto-transfer.
Dog’s flea meds? Auto-ship.

If I can automate it, I do. Because I will forget. I’m not better than the system. The system is better than me. Check https://kohopoho.com/what-smart-people-do-differently/

Bonus Chaos-Controlled Tips:

  • Keep scissors in every room. You’ll use them. Trust me.
  • Set a 5-min timer to start boring tasks. You’ll often keep going once you start.
  • Buy the same brand of socks. Matching becomes a thing of the past.
  • Use voice memos instead of to-do lists. Like texting yourself, but more dramatic.

Let’s Be Real…

I’m still a hot mess sometimes. The laundry basket trick? Sometimes the basket just fills up and mocks me for three days.

But these little tricks—these everyday hacks to save time and money—they’ve helped me feel less frantic, more human, and occasionally on top of things. That’s good enough for me.

And hey, if you’ve got a trick that keeps your life semi-together, drop it in the comments or text it to me like we’re in a group chat called “Barely Holding It Together.”

Because honestly? We kinda are.

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You made it!
Now go swish a toilet, throw your receipts in an app, or take a big ol’ nap.
It all counts.

🧠 You’re doing great. Even if your socks don’t match.

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