These days when you want to know how you can make most things in your life happen more smoothly the answer is … there’s an app for that. But sometimes, you have to get back to basics to save some precious time and hard-earned money. Here are a few life hacks that will help you out in and around the house, add a few minutes to your day and put some cash back in your pocket.
Handy household hints
Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, and it is super cheap too. Buy an extra bottle next time you’re at the store and use it to get those pesky stains out. It is a great disinfectant and deodorizer as well. You can also use vinegar to remove mold or even prevent outbreaks in the future.
Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons baking soda in ‘n blocked drain and pour a cup of vinegar over it, leave for a few minutes and rinse with warm water. It will not only unclog your drain, but also remove any unwelcome smells.
Some lemon juice squeezed into half a cup of water and popped in the microwave for a few minutes will remove the build up you’d usually be scrubbing for half an hour in a matter of seconds.
King and queen of the kitchen
Craving pizza but don’t want to spend the dough on a delivery? Mix 1 cup of plain yoghurt and 1 ¾ cup self-raising flour and you’re well on your way to enjoying a homemade slice.
Trying to tell if your hard-boiled egg is ready? Spin the egg on it’s side. If it wobbles, it is still raw and if it spins easily it is ready.
Keep your eggshells after enjoying your breakfast, break them up and sprinkle them in your veggie patch. This will keep snails away without the use of dangerous and harmful poisons. Safe for you and for the environment.
Time twisters
Use a few shades of nail polish to mark each key on your bunch. No more rustling through your keys wasting time trying to unlock the door when you’re in a rush to get everyone out of the house in the mornings.
Pack the next days’ lunch when preparing dinner the previous evening. It’s amazing how many time you lose waiting for the kettle to boil or the rice to cook. Get the kids to help pack their own lunch boxes. Getting them involved may spark their interest in their food and what goes on in the kitchen, saving you time in the long run.
Fierce financials
Keep track of your expenses and all your slips throughout the year so that you can claim some of it back when tax season hits.
Loyalty programmes are everywhere these days, and chances are your favourite shop has one as well. Sign up and be sure to swipe them everytime you shop. You’ll often get additional cash off on sale items just because you are a member.
Always have your bsmart card ready when you go shopping. We have teamed up with more than 11 000 retailers to give you tailor made deals, so you’ll be saving money and you’ll be putting some cash back in your pocket.
Pro Tip: When you combine your loyalty card and bsmart card you can save even more!
Do you have any life hacks we can add to our list? Let us know!
We aim to help our members live smart, spend smart and save smart, that is why we share tips and tricks like this. You can also read our blog about making your groceries last longer.
At bsmart we help our members save, and pay out cash-back bonuses every three months or annually. To learn more about bsmart contact us or click here to sign up directly through our website.