9 Life Hacks Every Busy Person Needs in Their Back Pocket

Life is busy, and sometimes it feels like we’re all one clever trick away from saving the day. That’s why I rounded up 9 of my favorite life hacks—simple ideas that are easy to remember, quick to do, and surprisingly effective. These aren’t just “neat tips”—they’re the kind of tricks you’ll actually use.

So grab a coffee, and let’s make life a little smoother.

1. Binder Clip Phone Stand

No stand? No problem. A simple binder clip (the sturdy black kind) makes a surprisingly steady phone holder. Perfect for watching recipes in the kitchen or sneaking in a quick video call.

2. Shower Ring Scarf Organizer

Tame that pile of scarves by looping shower curtain rings onto a hanger. Slip a scarf through each ring—suddenly your closet looks Pinterest-worthy.

3. Frozen Grapes as Ice Cubes

Keep your wine chilled without watering it down. Just freeze a handful of grapes and pop them in your glass. Works for sparkling water, too!

4. Bread Clips for Cord Labels

Those little plastic bread tags are secretly brilliant cord labels. Write “lamp” or “charger” on them with a Sharpie, snap them onto the cord, and you’ll never play “which plug is this?” again.

5. Rubber Band on a Paint Can

Painting a room? Stretch a rubber band vertically across the open can. Wipe your brush on it instead of the rim—less mess, no drips, and the lid still fits.

6. Coffee Filter Screen Cleaner

Coffee filters aren’t just for caffeine—they’re perfect for cleaning computer and TV screens. Lint-free, streak-free, and way cheaper than fancy wipes.

7. Sheet Sets in Pillowcases

Fold your flat and fitted sheets neatly, then tuck them inside the matching pillowcase. Instant tidy little bundle ready to pull from your linen closet.

8. Reuse Candle Jars

Don’t toss that cute candle jar. Pop it in the freezer, then pry out leftover wax. Wash, and you’ve got a stylish container for cotton pads, Q-tips, or even office supplies.

9. Lemon in the Microwave

Cut a lemon in half, place it in a bowl of water, and microwave for 30 seconds. The steam loosens grime so you can just wipe it clean—plus, it smells amazing.

Wrap-Up

See what I mean? Little tricks, big impact. Whether it’s keeping cords organized or giving your microwave a quick refresh, these hacks are all about saving time, money, and sanity.

Want more? Don’t forget to save the one-page graphic at the end of this post so you’ll have these hacks handy anytime you need them. And if you’ve got a favorite hack of your own, share it in the comments—I’d love to learn from you!

Until next time,
xoxo Dana

Download a PDF of the 9 hacks here: https://livingwithdana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/9LifeHacksPIN.pdf