Topic Wiki

Food:
  • If you get a piece of eggshell in with the eggs while cracking them, use the other half of the eggshell to fish it out instead of trying to use your fingers or anything else.
  • If you want to separate the yolk from the white, take an empty clean water bottle, squeeze the bottle, place the mouth over the yolk and slowly release the bottle. The yolk will get sucked up into the bottle with minimal/no white.
  • When boiling eggs, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to the water. Makes them really easy to peel and doesn't affect the taste.
  • If you have a room temperature bottle (and esp can) that you want to get cold fast, wrap a wet paper towel around it and put it in the freezer. It'll be ice cold pretty quickly.
  • Microwave rice from TJ's
  • Open a can of corn,put salt pepper and cheese on top, microwave or oven it (super easy lunch)
  • 2 slices of old pizza from the fridge, lay them cheese sides on top of each other and put them in a sandwich maker. Instant calzone.
  • For chulent of course.. Using only navy beans, chulent mix a big no no.
  • If you're going to freeze ground beef, put it in a gallon ziploc and squeeze/spread it flat to fill the bag. You can stack them in the freezer and it'll defrost much faster (without the outside spoiling while the inside is still frozen).
  • To easily melt a small amount of chocolate / butter, put it in a ziploc bag and put that into a mug of hot water for a few minutes. No mess! You can cut a hole in the corner to pipe chocolate too.
  • Shredded cheese lasts longer in the freezer, but will clump up, before freezing add a little bit of cornstarch (1tbs) and shake vigorously. The pieces will stay separate and it'll be easy to use.
  • To cool down baby food without blowing at it (which may add your bacteria to the food) wave your hand at it.
Travel:
  • If you want a hot meal on any plane, bring a tradition soup or oatmeal packet and use the free hot water they offer with tea. Great for traveling in general.
  • Before you go on a long flight, freeze a JJ cappuccino.  If it's frozen they let it on the plane. Once you get up from your nap on the plane there is nothing as refreshing as an iced cappuccino. It should still be freezing but not frozen.
  • When packing a suitcase, put your socks inside your shoes. It will save a little space and stop your shoes from getting crushed.
  • The aisle seat armrest usually has a little button underneath by the hinge that allows you to lift it. Makes it much easier to get in and out of your seat, especially if your tray table is open with stuff on it.
  • When we go on trips My wife packs the childrens clothing in individual ziplocs for each day of our trip. Like that she doesn't have to look for all the matching stuff.
Computers:
  • You can open links a in new tab by clicking with the scroll wheel.

    Quickly toggle between tabs.

    1) Excel and most internet browsers: Ctrl + PgUp/Dn
    2) Google Sheets: Ctrl + Shift + PgUpDn
    3) chrome: control-tab / control-shift-tab
alternatively ctrl+number tab from left
   
  • Widows+V will open up your clipboard with all recent stuff copied.
Every day/Home:
  • If you are drilling into a wall, open an envelope and tape the flap to the wall under where you are drilling and it catches all the plaster/dust that comes out. Makes cleanup after a small drilling a breeze
  • Open glass jars with rubber gloves, Or a rubber band around the lid.
  • When you first open a bottle of soda or seltzer or pop, begin by slowly turning the cap one-quarter turn and wait about 10 seconds, watching for the small bubbles to slow down, and listening as the sssst of escaping gas gets quieter.  Then turn another 1/4 turn, and wait another 10 seconds till it quiets down.
  • If you get chewing gum on your clothes, put the clothes in the freezer for a bit, it will be much easier to remove the gum afterwards.
Stores:

  • Check out at the pharmacy in the grocery store when the regular lines are long.
Perscriptions:

  • GoodRX.com, even for meds that are covered. My insurance can have a $15 copay, but coupon from GoodRX gets me the medication for $7. When insurance doesn't cover the medication, it's a fraction of the cost. I've seen discounts of 90%
Holidays:
  • After Yom Tov, especially Pesach, make a spreadsheet. What on the menu went over well with guests and kids. What did you run short on and need to have more next time around. What did you way overbuy on. That way there is no need to reinvent the wheel next year.

« Last edited by qooldude on July 07, 2022, 12:22:43 AM »

Author Topic: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!  (Read 215914 times)

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #260 on: June 15, 2020, 02:00:03 PM »
Not sure how accurate that will be
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Offline Joeymc

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #261 on: June 15, 2020, 02:01:23 PM »
You're talking about paying over 50 cents for a single use measuring cup, vs a standard plastic cup which costs between 1 and 2 cents. Whatever works for you!
I'm just saying, if you are going to take the time to pour water at each measurement amount and pour that into a plastic cup and draw lines with a sharpie, is that really worth the effort of not having to clean your measuring cup?

And the product I posted was just all that already done, I wasn't suggesting using that for all your measurements.
120 characters? Hmm, I wonder what I could write with 64 characters. Boy, it's gonna be hard to use up 15 characters. W-

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #262 on: June 15, 2020, 02:03:34 PM »
I'm just saying, if you are going to take the time to pour water at each measurement amount and pour that into a plastic cup and draw lines with a sharpie, is that really worth the effort of not having to clean your measuring cup?

And the product I posted was just all that already done, I wasn't suggesting using that for all your measurements.
No, when I'm measuring one thing I make one line. If I'm measuring a bunch I just use a measuring cup and wash it (and measure the oil first so that the peanut butter/honey/whatever else comes out easily)
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #263 on: June 15, 2020, 02:11:32 PM »
When making cupcakes, mix the ingredients in a large Ziploc bag (You can first combine the wet ingredients in one bag, and the dry ingredients in another. Then add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture bag). Snip the bottom corner of the bag and pipe the mixture into the cupcake holders. No dirty mixing bowls and no mixture splattered all over the borders of the muffin pan.

I do the same for salad dressing. And when you snip the bag you can drizzle the dressing nicely over the salad instead of pouring it from a clumsier bowl...
For salads that need dressing mixed in properly, chop all salad ingredients into a large plastic bag (food storage / ziplock / heavy duty), pour the dressing into the bag, close the top of the bag and toss. Then pour the whole salad directly into the serving bowl, no dirty sides or extra utensils needed.

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #264 on: June 15, 2020, 02:17:10 PM »
For salads that need dressing mixed in properly, chop all salad ingredients into a large plastic bag (food storage / ziplock / heavy duty), pour the dressing into the bag, close the top of the bag and toss. Then pour the whole salad directly into the serving bowl, no dirty sides or extra utensils needed.
You can even mix the dressing in the bag first, then add the veggies and shake.

I also do this for marinades, mix the marinade in a ziploc, add chicken/meat and marinate it right in there.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Online YitzyS

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #265 on: June 15, 2020, 02:30:31 PM »
For salads that need dressing mixed in properly, chop all salad ingredients into a large plastic bag (food storage / ziplock / heavy duty), pour the dressing into the bag, close the top of the bag and toss. Then pour the whole salad directly into the serving bowl, no dirty sides or extra utensils needed.
I do that for tuna fish. I can squish it in the bag together with the mayo.

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #266 on: June 15, 2020, 02:32:40 PM »
I do that for tuna fish. I can squish it in the bag together with the mayo.
Me too! You can make egg salad like that also.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Definitions

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #267 on: June 15, 2020, 03:11:34 PM »
Me too! You can make egg salad like that also.
That's what we do
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Offline icapd1

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #268 on: June 15, 2020, 03:33:11 PM »
For salads that need dressing mixed in properly, chop all salad ingredients into a large plastic bag (food storage / ziplock / heavy duty), pour the dressing into the bag, close the top of the bag and toss. Then pour the whole salad directly into the serving bowl, no dirty sides or extra utensils needed.

True :)
Sometimes I like when the dressing is squiggled on for presentation purposes (obviously those with a thick, smooth texture like spicy mayo on sushi salad). In that case, you can mix the salad components separately and still "pipe" on the dressing.

Offline CountValentine

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #269 on: June 15, 2020, 03:36:12 PM »
For salads that need dressing mixed in properly, chop all salad ingredients into a large plastic bag (food storage / ziplock / heavy duty), pour the dressing into the bag, close the top of the bag and toss. Then pour the whole salad directly into the serving bowl, no dirty sides or extra utensils needed.
Good idea except when it won't fit in the bag.
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Offline icapd1

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #270 on: June 15, 2020, 03:37:45 PM »
Even a jumbo Ziploc?
You can always upsize to a clean garbage bag ;)

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #271 on: June 15, 2020, 03:58:50 PM »
Good idea except when it won't fit in the bag.
Gotta buy Challah size bags!
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #272 on: June 15, 2020, 04:02:57 PM »
- To vacuum dust in places where you want to avoid sucking excess things into the vacuum cleaner (like delicate faux plant leaves, or decor with detail on it), fasten a sheer knee-hi over nozzle with a rubber band, and voila! Vacuum without 'consuming' anything.
This also works for finding things like a missing earring or anything small that is lost under furniture.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Yo ssi

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #273 on: June 15, 2020, 07:37:27 PM »
When you are off DDF for an extended weekend and want to catch up on the life hacks thread but don't have time to read 100 posts, read only the posts with likes - those are usually the most useful...
Perhaps we need down votes, to know what not to read. (Can we argue what's considered a hack?!)
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Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #274 on: June 15, 2020, 07:40:55 PM »
When you open a can of soda, turn the tab slightly and insert the straw into the gap, like shown. This way the straw won't keep popping out.

Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline pointer

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #275 on: June 15, 2020, 07:41:46 PM »
(Can we argue what's considered a hack?!)
Sure. why not?

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #276 on: June 15, 2020, 08:16:53 PM »
When you open a can of soda, turn the tab slightly and insert the straw into the gap, like shown. This way the straw won't keep popping out.

Yup. That's actually what the hole is for

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #277 on: June 15, 2020, 08:18:16 PM »
Yup. That's actually what the hole is for
Then I guess we can add if you dont want people to steal ketchup from your bottle you should make that top narrower than a spoon.
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Offline etech0

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #278 on: June 15, 2020, 08:18:38 PM »
Yup. That's actually what the hole is for
Hmmm, not sure if it qualifies for a hack then
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Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: Life Hacks, Post Your Favorites!
« Reply #279 on: June 15, 2020, 08:19:01 PM »
Also if you dont want your beer to get warm... hold from the neck of bottle.
Quote or engagement  equals full throated endorsement and vote!
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