# Life hacks you figured out on your own **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041 "2023-03-11T20:36:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/330 "2023-04-05T18:17:39Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > You see, I have mild but persistent allergies, and the recliner is where I sit a lot. So that one always has a bunch of kleenex. All those kleenex go into the bottom of the big bag, and are there to absorb any liquid that might get in the trash I do this with the contents of my paper shredder. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/331 "2023-04-06T05:19:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > When you have to leave a voicemail for someone, the first thing out of your mouth should be your name/number. If you start with “Hi, this is Joey P, my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx…” > > And then again at the end of the message, in case they were scrambling for a pencil and paper at the start. And spoken slowly, to allow them time to write down. At the same time, mime actually writing the number to get the right speed. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/332 "2023-04-07T01:35:09Z")
My hack is very niche but I’m proud of it and it could avoid injuries. If you are ever going to touch a (bare) wire that might be a live electrical wire, touch it first with the back of your hand. If it’s “hot,” the shock you get will cause you to pull away from the wire, breaking the connection. If you grasp a live wire, your muscles will likely contract, causing you to grip the very thing that might well kill you. By extension I actually taught myself to use this approach when handling microphones on stage. There have been cases of musicians being electrocuted when they went to pull the mic off the stand–usually if they were also playing an (electric) guitar. I touch the mic with the back of my hand and if don’t get a shock I feel assured that the wiring’s not futzed up. Note that I am not an electricIan and this may only be applicable in locales with 60 Hz AC, but I can testify that it’s potentially (no pun intended) saved me from some injury a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2023, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/333 "2023-04-07T11:21:56Z")
To check an electric fence if you’re unsure if it’s “on”, touch the wire with a long blade of grass, slowly moving the blade of grass so your hand is closer and closer. If the fence is electrified, you’ll eventually get a tingle instead of a shock. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/334 "2023-04-08T01:09:07Z")
I just do this… [![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5655c1fae4b0c668da44dddb/1481899581453-N6YCRFMQH8HOCR0P0UQL/Uncle+Fester+light+bulb) ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5655c1fae4b0c668da44dddb/1481899581453-N6YCRFMQH8HOCR0P0UQL/Uncle+Fester+light+bulb) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/335 "2023-04-18T19:17:11Z")
Update on the “using-the-hand-mixer to mix natural peanut butter” hack. It works! I used the dough attachment, like the thick corkscrew-looking dealy. I now have the smoothest most consistent peanut butter this side of the Mississippi. Thank you whoever shared that one upthread… Can’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/336 "2023-04-18T20:01:36Z")
It was me, post 131. Glad it got all smoothed-out! ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/337 "2023-04-18T21:18:11Z")
In my mid-20s, my sock drawer was filled with all sorts of socks I’d picked up over the years. If I didn’t want to dig through the entire thing to find a matching sock, I would have to fold my socks together… and there were still quite a few socks in there that I hadn’t worn for a long time. So one day I tossed 'em all out, and bought 40 pair of the exact same sock. I never have to fold my socks, and I can just grab any two socks out of the drawer and know that they’ll match, even when I do it in the middle of the night. It’s a small thing, but I consider it to be one of the most adult moves I’ve ever made in my life. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/338 "2023-04-18T21:21:17Z")
I have done this for decades. I’ll buy a couple of huge bag o’ socks at Costco and wear them until enough have worn out that I need more. Throw the remainders away and get more bags. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/339 "2023-04-18T21:54:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I, healthy and happy at 62 keep my cell phone with me. Just in case. My kids (youngest in his mid-forties) have me playing a few games that count steps. I always keep my phone with me because if I’m going to take some steps I damn well want them to be counted. I’m also addicted to audiobooks. Whenever I think I’m overdoing keeping my phone on me, I think about what a great habit it may turn out to be. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/340 "2023-04-18T22:04:56Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > So one day I tossed 'em all out, and bought 40 pair of the exact same sock. This is me, too, except I don’t think I’ve ever done 40 pairs at once. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/341 "2023-04-18T22:08:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > This is me, too, except I don’t think I’ve ever done 40 pairs at once. At Wal-Mart, the bag o’ socks contain 12 pairs. Trust me on this. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/342 "2023-04-18T23:21:17Z")
Here’s something I figured out a long time ago: When using a ruler to measure distance, or to draw a line of a certain length, never use the very end of the ruler as one of the alignment points. As an example, let’s say you want to draw a line that is 6 inches long. Put the ruler on the paper, but do _not_ draw the line from the _edge_ of the ruler to the 6 inch graduation mark. Instead, start at the 1 inch mark and stop at the 7 inch mark. (Or start at 2 and stop at 8, or whatever.) Let’s say you want to measure the distance between two points using a ruler. Align one point with the 1 inch mark, find the number that aligns with the second point (e.g. 5.75 inches), and then subtract 1 (the distance is 4.75 inches). ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/343 "2023-04-18T23:27:10Z")
That’s literally how we were taught to use a ruler in grade school. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/344 "2023-04-19T00:30:50Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Let’s say you want to measure the distance between two points using a ruler. Align one point with the 1 inch mark, find the number that aligns with the second point (e.g. 5.75 inches), and then subtract 1 (the distance is 4.75 inches). Whoa-whoa-whoa. You just lost me there. 😉 Second the socks thing. I did that years ago as well. Only problem is, it’s happened twice now that the manufacturer\* switched up the product, so when I buy replacements they no longer match. I guess that’s when it’s time to toss the entire old collection. \*I saved the label very carefully, where else but in the sock drawer. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/345 "2023-04-19T02:33:53Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > and then subtract 1 Hands up all those who have screwed something up by forgetting this step. 🖐 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/346 "2023-04-19T16:36:47Z")
While using a different browser than usual this morning, I remembered one: **mouse gestures**. I take for granted the ease of browsing this way until it isn’t there. I know here at SDMB, one’s personal appearance is supposed to Not. Matter. Ever. but different clothes and accessories call for different socks. El Cheapmart megapack socks are fine for jeans during errands or sweatpants on the couch or treadmill but I’m not wearing those with dress pants or shorts or clashing shoes. Discarded socks, cut up the side, do make great rags. In particular, I keep a few by my grill for black greasy, sooty messes. Far more durable and useful than paper towels and I toss them when they get too gross. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/347 "2023-04-19T16:55:15Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I know here at SDMB, one’s personal appearance is supposed to Not. Matter. Ever. but different clothes and accessories call for different socks. El Cheapmart megapack socks are fine for jeans during errands or sweatpants on the couch or treadmill but I’m not wearing those with dress pants or shorts or clashing shoes. I have two or three pairs of dress socks that I can wear once or twice a year if the occasion calls for it. I most often wear jeans or sweats with Hokas. Distant second is no socks at all. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/348 "2023-04-19T22:58:34Z")
I wear tennis shoes and plain white socks with my shirt-and-tie work clothes. The footwear is already a concession to formality: Given my druthers, I’d rather wear sandals without socks (at least, when the weather permits). ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/349 "2023-04-19T23:22:50Z")
My sock hack has to do with laundry. I use “delicates” laundry bags for socks, one for darks, one for light colors and whites. There’s three benefits here: a) the socks all stay together for easy matching when it’s time to fold and put them away, and b) the bag prevents them from getting snagged by zippers so they last longer, and c) the washing machine never eats my socks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041.md?page=18)