When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. There are plenty of problems in our everyday lives that we can't run away from, so how do we solve them? Sometimes it just takes a little creativity to develop the most useful life hacks to fix your problems. Spill something on your shirt? Make it a fun new design. Can't cut an onion without crying? Use a pair of swimming goggles. Remember, there is a solution to almost any problem and it doesn't involve spending hundreds of dollars on new and fancy equipment. Read on so we can tell you about all the incredible secrets and tricks that you'll be dying to try.
1. When You Want To Have Natural Light All Day And All Night, Put In Fake Windows
This person was disappointed with the lighting in their basement, mainly because it didn't have windows. Instead of avoiding the basement, they came up with a cool life hack for all windowless rooms. They got the windows for $10 each and frosted them.
They installed the windows into the wall with LED lights, and now they have natural lighting all day long. It could be the middle of the night, but in their basement it looks like a sunny day at noon.
2. The Birds Kept Eating The Strawberries, So She Made Decoy Berries Out Of Rocks
Birds love to mess up gardens because they enjoy the fruits that you grow, but do not care about the labor you put into gardening. This woman was sick and tired of the birds taking all her strawberries, so she painted rocks to look like berries to confuse the crows.
One thing birds hate is pecking on hard objects, so they did not enjoy these rock strawberries. Everybody laughed at her for doing this, but now she has a garden full of berries and not a single crow. Take that, birds!
3. Dealing With Unhelpful Customer Support When You Want To Cancel Service
Companies hate when you try to cancel your services, and they will do anything to keep you as a customer. This person tried six times to cancel their Xfinity service, but they could not stop arguing with the customer service rep.
Finally, after a drawn-out conversation, they came up with the only logical excuse to cancel their services. Clearly, Xfinity cares if you are going to prison and won't be around to use their services. You should try this next time you need to cancel a service.
4. If Your Dog Is A Messy Drinker, Turn Their Bowl Into A Garden
This person was sick of stepping in the water when she walked near her dog's drinking bowl, so she found a creative solution. Instead of the spilled water going to waste, it could help plans grow.
When the dog drinks messily now, it helps the moss grow. The dog is keeping more plants alive than most millennials. Unless they have green thumbs, people are notorious for killing plants after a week or two.
5. He Got Bleach On His Black Shirt, So He Turned It Into Something Wearable
Whether you spill bleach on a black shirt or coffee on a white shirt, it is annoying because you feel like you have to throw it away. What if you get bleach on your favorite black tee? Not to worry, there is a simple solution to this problem.
Instead of getting rid of your favorite shirt, use bleach to create a design or a tie-dye effect. Your favorite shirt could turn into a whole new shirt like this man. He wasn't going to give up his v-neck, so he made a burst out of bleach.
6. Using The Actual Hardware To Label Each Drawer
Sometimes people are just naturally innovative without trying like this person's grandpa. Instead of wasting time opening up every drawer to find a specific piece of hardware, he can see which drawer has what item easily.
This is the kind of workshop organization no one knew they wanted but actually needed. Sometimes you have too many door hinges, nails, and faucets, so you need to organize appropriately.
7. Make A Puppy Pocket With Your Hoodie
When you need to carry your puppy around Target, but you also need your hands for shopping; that is where the puppy pocket comes in handy. This man twisted his hoodie around and place his puppy in the hood so that he could cuddle it while shopping.
Don't you wish you had a puppy, so you cuddle them while you joyously walked through the aisles of Target, buying things you know you don't need? That is a dream for so many of us, and we hope it comes true one day.
8. When You Want People To Stop Asking You For Money
Have your family members ever asked you for money, and it bothers you because they never pay you back? This person's uncle found the solution to that. If you want people to leave you alone, just make them believe you have no money to give out; it's as simple as that.
The only flaw in this plan is if he tells too many people the truth, then everyone will know he doesn't need money. At least the uncle knows who to call when he is really in trouble. It is nice to see one family member helping another.
9. This Person Lost Her Key So Someone Made Sure She Would Find It
When you are running, you probably don't want to carry too much stuff with you because it takes away from the exercise experience. There is also the trouble of something possibly falling out of your pockets like a key. A girl lost her key while jogging, and she was worried because she couldn't get into her car without it.
Another nice jogger found the key and instead of moving it, they put a circle of sticks around it so the person would quickly spot it as they retraced their steps. It is a small gesture that takes no effort to help another person.
10. When You Have Problems Telling The Difference Between The Right And Left Earbud
Have you ever quickly pulled out your headphones and realized they were in the wrong ear? Most earbuds have a small letter to label the different sides, but they are hard to see, and people don't always check them. This person came up with a simple way to distinguish the sides easily.
They found an extra rubber cover in their house that was a different color and place it on one ear. Now when they pull out their headphones, they will know which color goes in which ear. It's simple but helpful when you are in a rush.
11. Keeping Furniture Parts Organized While Putting It Together
If you have ever put together or taken apart Ikea furniture, you will know how stressful it is to keep all the screws and little pieces organized. You sit on the floor, asking your self what part matches the picture till you need a large glass of wine and a break.
Instead of pulling your hair out, you could try this person's hack to keep all of the parts in order. They put each piece in an organized group on a square of styrofoam so that the tiny screws don't roll away or get lost—what a creative thought.
12. This Person Was Hand Sewing And Didn't Want To Hold The Ruler Anymore
Sewing takes a lot of skill, patience, and precise measurements. While hand sewing something, you probably have to juggle a pin cushion, the item you are sewing with the needle and thread, and a ruler. Instead of holding onto all those items, this person found a unique solution.
They used their nails to make the perfect measurements, and now they don't have to hold the ruler along with everything else. They nailed this hack! Most people wouldn't overthink about sewing problems, but there is a need for this shortcut.
13. The Escape-Proof Costume Keeps The Dog Safely In The Yard
This little dog loved to sneak out through the gaps in the fence, and his owners would worry that something horrible happened to him. It became nerveracking to let him outside alone, so his owners had to think of a comfortable and effective way to keep their pup in the yard.
They soon realized the hotdog bun of shame was the perfect escape-proof outfit for potty time, and it gives them a good chuckle to see their dog walking in the yard with this. Their dog might be embarrassed but at least he can't escape now.
14. This Woman Came Up With A Way To Comfortably Wear A Mask For A Long Time
In times when we all have to do our part and wear a mask, people keep complaining that it's uncomfortable and they don't like to wear them. Well, nurses and doctors are wearing them for long hours and it is less enjoyable for them.
This nurse decided to sew buttons on her headband so that it wouldn't bother her ears anymore. It is a way to stay safe and be comfortable at the same time. While it is not enjoyable to wear these, it will help us all get back to normal much sooner.
15. A New And Improved Horse Eyepatch
This poor horse had an eye infection, but it is hard to find an eyepatch made for an animal with that shaped head and size. The only way to make an eye patch comfortable enough for it was to use half a bra, and it worked out pretty well.
It provides breathable support all day long, and the horse will get lots of stares from passing men. While the eye infection may be painful, she now has a cute accessory to cover it up and make her look more edgy.
16. If You Ever Want To Read During Church, Tape The Cover Of Your Books
Have you ever wanted to read, but you have to go to church? Well, this grandpa found the perfect solution. He tapes all of his books with black duct tape to look like a bible from far away. He can read throughout church, and no one will think twice about what he is doing.
His wife probably makes him go to church on early Sunday mornings when he would rather be fishing or reading books from the comfort of his home. To please her, he willingly goes, but only on the condition that he can bring his disguised books.
17. DIY Extra-Wide Ziplock Bag
Sometimes it's hard to find plastic bags that fit oddly shaped objects. This person figured out the solution to a problem that has plagued many people for years. to fit all objects, he took two ziplock bags and sealed them by flipping on inside out.
We don't know why this information has been withheld for so long, but we needed this hack in our lives. Now you can fit anything inside a sealed bag without concern, and it's a fun party trick to show all your friends.
18. Grandma Always Keeps A Container Of Telephone Rice For Wet Electronics
Rice is the solution to all electronic problems. When you drop your phone in water, put it in rice. When your computer falls off your bed, put it in rice. When you drop your new smartwatch from a three-story building, put it in rice. Trust us; it will fix everything.
This grandma knows the drill because her grandaughter asked for rice, and she had a container ready to go. She was prepared for any telephone-related situation that required the rice reset.
19. When You Get Thumb Cramps From Holding A Book Open Too Long
When your husband knows how painful it is for you to hold open a book for a long time, so he invents a unique holder for your thumb. This woman loves to read, but her hands are in pain when she has to keep the book open.
Her husband was so thoughtful and created this book holder so that she wouldn't be in pain anymore. If your husband won't make little things like this for you, is he really a good husband? This man just set the bar a little higher.
20. LinkedIn Pictures On A Budget
LinkedIn profiles are so important today when it comes to networking and getting a job. Your profile photo is the first time people see your face, so yu want to picture to look professional. Some people dress up and get professional photoshoots, but that isn't always necessary.
This boy couldn't afford a new suit, but he wanted to look suitable for his professional picture. Instead of leaving him hanging, his friends helped him fake a suit jacket using a pair of pants. Who said you needed an expensive suit for your photos?
21. When Your Android Touch-Screen Stops Working
Sometimes touch screen phones randomly stop working. Most phone companies make their devices last for two years before they need to be replaced so that you will buy more products. Like many people, this user's phone screen randomly stopped working.
Instead of spending a lot of money to get a new phone, they figured out a way to connect a Bluetooth mouse. Unfortunately for Apple users, this won't work on the iPhone.
22. A More Sturdy Version Of A Chair Mat
When you try to use a chair with wheels on the carpet, you will not roll very far. This is why they invented those plastic chair mats; however, those are usually flimsy and not as sleek looking. Instead of wasting money on something that wouldn't work very well, this person got creative.
They went to their local hardware store and picked up some lament flooring and put those together. This gave them a smooth surface for their chair to roll on, and it looks much nicer than a plastic mat.
23. How To Know When The Coffee Was Made With This Styrofoam Cup Clock
When you go into your office, you probably start the day with a fresh cup of coffee. Whether you bring your own or get it at work, coffee is the one thing that gets you going in the morning and helps you get through the day; however, if it has been sitting out for a while, no one wants to drink it.
At this person's place of work, some inventive person created a clock out of two cups to track the freshness of the coffee. Now, anyone who goes into the kitchen to get a pick-me-up will know if its worth drinking or not.
24. Defend Your House From The Australian Drain Monsters With A Stocking
Australia is known for being the land of "nope." The country has all kinds of poisonous snakes, spiders, and creepy crawly things that can sneak into your house. This person said that many insects come into their home through the drain because it is cooler inside.
No one wants bugs coming through their shower drain to attack them, so this woman came up with an easy fix. She put a stocking over the drain so that water could still flow through, but nothing could crawl through the holes.
25. Why Pay $50 For A Cone When You Can Get A Hat For $20
When your dog gets neutered or has surgery, it has to wear a cone so that it doesn't lick or scratch its stitches. Sometimes, the vets try to sell you these uncomfortable plastic cones for around $50, which is a ridiculous price for something your dog is only going to use once.
This person decided to skip the $50 charge and get a $20 hat from the tractor supply store. It is just as effective, and probably more comfortable for the dog anyway. A bonus is that your dog looks much more fashionable with this hat rather than the plastic cone.
26. How To Walk Your Dog Without A Leash
Every dog loves treats, no matter if they are meant for pets or not. This sweet pug loves chips more than anything, so when his owner holds the bag, he is the most obedient dog alive; he won't even run away when the chips are present.
When his owner couldn't find the leash and was running late for work, they used a chip bag so their dog would pay attention and not run away during their morning walk. Hopefully, he got a chip for being such a good boy.
27. Improvise When You Don't Have A Bathtub
Many apartments these days do not have bathtubs. It is sufficient for many people who don't care about soaking in a tub, but others miss that little bit of luxury. Baths are so lovely after a long week or help with achy muscles, so people enjoy having a tub in their home.
This girl was feeling sore, and she wanted to soak in the tub, but her apartment only had a standing shower. To make up for this, she found a large plastic container and used it as a makeshift bathtub. While it doesn't look very comfortable, she seems content with the setup.
28. Freeze Labeled Bottles For Easy Adhesive Removal
Have you ever tried to reuse a container that had a strong adhesive label? Maybe you wanted to remove the sticker so that it looked more aesthetically pleasing, but that darn thing wouldn't come off. When you tried to peel it, you were left with a sticky mess, and half ripped label.
Instead of struggling, place the container in the freezer for a few hours, and then the label will come off easily. It is useful for all kinds of reusable containers, from plastic to glass. It also helps to get those pesky price tags off your new items.
29. The Cat Didn't Have A Cone, So She Got A Fashionable Paper Plate
Like the dog with his tractor hat, this person didn't want to use the cone of shame for their kitten after surgery. She is already in enough pain, so why subject her to more with an uncomfortable cone. Instead, her owner used whatever she had around the house to make this adorable protector.
The paper plate accurately describes the kitten's situation with the "current mood" and her face as the meme. She doesn't look too happy with this square piece of cardboard around her neck, but can you blame her? No one would want to deal with that for more than a few minutes.
30. A Fool-Proof Way To Water Your Plants
Watering your plants can be a tedious daily task if you have a lot of them. You also want to make sure you don't overwater them with a hose or underwater them so that they die. You have to find the right balance, especially for outdoor plants.
Since the drain water leaks into the yard anyway, this person decided to put that excess water to good use by creating a system to flow into the plants. Now they don't have to worry about watering the plants every day because this gadget makes the process automatic.
31. Bobby Pins Can Untangle The Toughest Knots
Have you ever had a knot that was so tight you couldn't possibly untangle it? Like when you stick your headphones in your pocket, and they come out in a giant knot or when your shoelace mysteriously knots itself. This trick can solve all those problems, and all you need is two bobby pins.
Sometimes your nails aren't long or strong enough to grasp onto the knot so it makes it impossible to untie. Instead, slip the bobby pins inside the two sides of the know and pull to untangle your troubles.
32. When You Need Tweezers On-The-Go
When you are out and about, you aren't always carrying tweezers around. Unless you are prepared for everything, this is not something you would typically have around. However, there are random times when you might need a tweezer in a pinch, which could be very helpful.
All you need is three of the same coin, like a dime, for example. Then you stack them together and bring the outer two forward slightly. Now you have tweezers whenever you need them. You just have to make sure you wipe off the coins before using them because they carry around many germs.
33. Broken Laptop Hinge? No Problem
Laptops are costly items to buy and maintain. A new device can cost thousands of dollars, depending on your brand and storage preferences. While you hope that your laptop will last you for a long time, that is not always the case with wear and tear.
This person had a broken laptop hinge but didn't want to spend a chunk of money repairing it. Instead, they taped the back of a picture frame onto the computer so that it could use the stand to stay open. Now they can still use their computer, and it saved them a lot of money.
34. Easy Way To See Behind Objects Using Your Selfie Camera
Sometimes when you need to check behind your TV or computer to plug in a cable, it is hard to see what you are doing without moving the screen. Instead of fumbling around with the plugs or struggling to move a massive screen, you could just whip out your phone.
Your selfie camera can help you see behind different objects so that you don't have to fumble around blindly. It will save you so much time and effort instead of worrying that you plugged something into the wrong slot.
35. Wheelbarrow Hack Level: 1000
When you have nothing around besides a wheelbarrow, and you want to sit down, look no further. There are many ways to use a wheelbarrow, and one of them is as a chair. This man has a beer in his hand and not a care in the world.
All he needs is some extra cushions to make the thing more comfortable, and he never has to worry about carrying around a chair again. He can just bring his wheelbarrow wherever he goes, and he can sit anytime and in any place.
36. Computer Rearview Mirror Hack
If you are an Office fan, you will remember when Dwight used a spoon as a rearview mirror for his computer so that he could see if Andy was trying to attack him. While most people don't have that exact problem in real life, this could be a useful hack to see who is walking up behind you.
If you face away from the door in your office, you might want to see if anyone is behind you as you look at sensitive information at work. If you are doing non-work related things, you could use this trick to see when your boss is coming.
37. The Pulley System Helps Get The Groceries To The Second Floor
As you get older, it becomes more difficult to carry heavy items. Even if you aren't old, carrying heavy grocery bags up the stairs is a tedious task. These people had elderly neighbors who struggle to take all their groceries to the second level, so they created a pully system.
Instead of carrying the groceries, they can hook the bags to the hook and pull them up onto their porch. It makes everything much more comfortable, and it saves time instead of making multiple trips to and from the car.
38. How To Get Your Roommates To Change The Toilet Paper
If you have ever lived with careless roommates, you will know the struggles of getting someone else to change the toilet paper. They will often leave you stranded because they didn't take the time to grab a new roll after finishing the original one. Now you can make sure they never forget again.
Instead of doing their job for them, Put the empty roll in between the toilet seat and the cover so that they have to change it. When they go to use the toilet, they won't be able to ignore the empty roll sitting right in front of them.
39. Reuse Pringles Cans To Avoid Loud Crinkly Bags
Most chip bags are loud and crinkly, and it is too much to use them in a quiet place. When everything is quiet, and you open up a plastic chip bag, everyone turns to look because it disturbs the silence of the area. Instead of feeling all eyes on you, enjoy your snack in a different container.
When you get a bag of chips, simply place it in an old Pringles can to avoid bringing loud crickly bags wherever you go. If you have a dog who loves chips, this will stop them from running to bother you because they won't hear the usual plastic bag sound.
40. Forks Help You Avoid Injury When Grating
Have you ever tried to grate the last little bit of a block of cheese, but you are nervous that you will cut your fingers? Well, like most things, there is a solution to that. Instead of grating the tips of your fingers into your fresh salad, use a fork to shred smaller items.
With this simple solution, you can get the very last bits of the cheddar cheese, so you don't waste any of it. This is not a genius idea, but it is something everyone should use if you are going to grate food.
41. Cooking With Hot Oil The Safe Way
Cooking with hot oil can be dangerous, and sometimes it can splatter and burn you. While you could use a cooking glove or an oven mit, that would be far too simple of a solution. Instead, this woman came up with a better idea when you don't have cooking gloves.
She cut the bottom of a soda bottle and covered the rest of her arm with a towel so the splashing oil wouldn't hit her skin. The hot oil might melt the plastic, though, which is why this isn't a fool-proof plan. The only thing she is missing is a welding mask, and then she will be ready to cook.
42. Stop Crying While Cutting Onions
Cutting onions has to be the most painful activity for your eyes. No matter what you do, they always burn because of a chemical in the onion that is released when it combines with oxygen. People have tried many hacks to combat the burning, but they never seem to really work.
This person decided to try something different by wearing ski goggles while she cuts onions. This effectively covers your eyes from the gas released when you slice into the vegetable, and it prevents you from accidentally touching your eyes mid-cut.
43. Closing A Bag Of Chips Like A Boss
We don't know what kind of witchcraft this is, but this person figured out the ultimate bag folding technique to reseal it each time. This prevents the chips from going stale, and you don't need a chip clip or rubber band to keep it closed.
It is almost as if this person did some kind of origami on the bag to make it stay closed. The added magic element is that this person didn't finish their chips in one sitting, which is mind-blowing. That takes a lot of self control.
44. Maximizing The Economy Flying Experience
Unless you are flying internationally, most economy seats do not have TV screens. You can download shows or movies onto your phone, but then you have no place to prop it up hands-free. Instead of holding his phone for the entire flight, this person used a clear plastic bag to hook his phon on the back of the seat.
Now, he can comfortably watch his show without having to hold the phone the whole time. This man just upgraded his flying experience without having to pay a single dollar—what an ingenious idea.
45. Never Pay For Another Shopping Cart Again
At certain grocery stores, you have to insert a coin to release the shopping cart from the line. They do this to prevent stolen carts because when you return it, you get your coin back. However, some people have found ways to cheat the system.
Instead of inserting a coin, you can insert a key. This seems like a great way to lose your key, but that was a personal choice for this person. You could probably just ask the service desk for a coin instead, but keys also work for these carts.
