146 Life-Changing Skills You Can Learn Without Spending a Lot of Money
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Need a guide that covers everything you need to know in life? Learn how to do everything from CPR to create a budget with these life hacks we rounded up.
Life Skills
- How to make small talk: Start with people who look approachable.
- Relax: Take a mental health day.
- Become self-aware: Take personality tests and observe yourself.
- Avoid procrastination: Just take small steps.
- Gain confidence: Love the skin you're in.
- Speed read: Use your finger to guide your eyes.
- Remember names: Repeat names in your mind after you learn them.
- How to compliment: Be genuine, and don't try to insert yourself in the compliment.
- React to criticism: Don't react right away.
- Give kind criticism: Consider your reasons for criticizing before giving it.
- Tell a joke: All jokes have a formula behind them.
- Manage your time: Plan ahead and stay organized.
- Fact check: Check declarative statements and facts that are stated absolutely.
- How to vote: Question what you hear, and hear both sides.
- Basic math: Learn the basics of arithmetic to help you in everyday tasks like calculating a tip.
- Admit your mistakes: Own up to your mistakes, and make amends.
- Treat someone who is grieving kindly: Don't say things like, "Everything happens for a reason."
- Wrap a present: Place the item in a specialty box to make wrapping easier.
- Be a great bride, maid of honor, bridesmaid, groom, best man, or groomsman: Know your duties.
- Find a lawyer: Call your local Bar Association.
- Spot a logical fallacy: Learn the basics of logic rules and fallacies to win an argument and avoid being manipulated.
- Proper grammar: Be careful of run-on sentences and double negatives.
- Think critically: Practice critical-thinking exercises.
- Improve willpower: Meditating and learning to relax will help your willpower.
- How to look good in photos: Smile naturally.
- Travel light: Use a packing list.
Home Life
- Make your home look good: Your main pieces of furniture can set the tone for the room, and you should choose a color scheme.
- Use a hammer and screwdriver: Grip the hammer at the end. Drill a pilot hole before using your screwdriver to ensure the nail goes in straight.
- Paint your walls: Apply paint with a roller with a "M" motion.
- Make cleaning supplies: Vinegar and baking soda are some common ingredients.
- Remove stains: Working on a fresh stain is the most effective removal tip.
- Make your bed: It's actually easiest to make your bed while you are still in it.
- Mow a lawn: Use proper equipment to make sure the edges of the lawn are trimmed.
- Fold your clothes: Properly fold your clothes, so they will be less wrinkled.
- How to iron: Be sure to iron clothes right after you take them out from the dryer, so it'll be an easier task.
- Take care of a plant: Do your research to know what each plant needs.
- Shovel snow: Shovel on the side the wind is coming from; don't shovel into the wind.
- Laundry tips: Learn to make your detergent and other DIYs.
- Hand wash your clothes: Use lukewarm water and a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid.
- Sew a button: Thread the needle through the holes at least eight to 10 times.
Tech
- Google search effectively: You can use Google to find things within certain sites.
- Find a good password: Change words or letters to numbers.
- Type faster: Try free tutorials online, and keep practicing.
- Basic photography tips: Observe the rule of thirds (and more!).
Fitness
- How to exercise no matter where you are: Work on different parts of your body depending on your location.
- The right running form: Relax your shoulders, and land midfoot with each step.
- How to swim: This guide is helpful, but it's probably best to start with a swim instructor.
- The right amount of exercise: Strength train at least twice a week and complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-level cardio each week.
- How to do a push-up and a sit-up: Keep your abs tight.
- The best time to work out: Start your day right by working out in the morning.
Beauty
- Cut your own hair: Use the ponytail trick.
- Right way to use sunscreen: Apply it every single day.
- Put on concealer and foundation: Moisturize before application.
- Apply liquid and pencil eyeliner: Bonus — add a wing tip to your eyeliner.
- Draw brows: Brow map to find the perfect shape.
- Smoky eye: Blend in a black gel eyeliner for an intense smoky look.
- How to contour: Know your face type and follow simple blending steps.
- How to curl your hair: Use the smallest curling barrel.
- Basic hairstyles: Keep on experimenting.
- Apply lipstick: Use a nude lip liner to outline your lips.
- Blow-dry your hair: Keep your dryer six inches from your scalp.
- French manicure: Don't use regular tape to help with drawing the tips, because some of them can ruin the base coat.
- How to shave beards: Always use shaving cream.
- Basic hairstyling tips for men: You can use a comb to help you style.
- Trim your nose hair: Don't pluck, and find a good nose-hair trimmer.
Survival
- How to perform CPR: Push hard and fast to the beat of "Stayin' Alive."
- Car skids: Ease your foot off the gas.
- Jellyfish sting: Rinse with vinegar, not pee.
- On fire: Stop, drop, and roll.
- Alcohol poisoning: Call 911, and turn the person on his or her side.
- Mugging: Make no sudden movements, and give the mugger what he or she wants.
- Tie a knot: Learning how to tie a bowline and square knot can be really useful.
- Avoid an animal attack: Move slowly, and don't run away.
- Heimlich maneuver: Pull inward and upward.
Work
- Interview for a job: Prepare the right questions for the interviewer.
- Master interview questions: Make a good first impression.
- Negotiate: Know the range you want.
- Get a promotion: Challenge your boss in a constructive way.
- Impress your boss: Be consistent and productive.
- Capture people's attention: Be authentic when telling a story.
- Find your calling: Make a list of what you love to do.
- Make a great hire: Make sure they will be committed.
- Have the perfect cover letter: Tweak your tone for every company.
- Be a good manager: Set goals, and make your employees feel good.
- Better body language: It can affect your confidence.
- Be punctual: Prepare for unexpected delays.
Health
- Take action to prevent breast cancer: Get a mammogram regularly.
- Sleep right: Wake up at the same time every day.
- The right amount of carbs: This should be 45 to 65 percent of your daily caloric intake.
- Improve your metabolism: Up your cardio.
- Right amount of fat percentage: Women need a higher amount of body fat than men.
- Avoid and get over a hangover: Drink a glass of water after every drink.
- Find a good doctor: Don't just rely on Yelp.
- Meditate: Commit to just a few minutes a day.
- Deal with PMS: Don't stop exercising.
- Good posture: Keep your feet flat on the ground when sitting.
- Protect your back: Strengthen your back with exercise.
- Brush and floss your teeth: When flossing, make three scoops under the gum line.
- Read a nutrition label: Reduced fat means 25 percent less fat than the original product.
- Breathe right: You make sure the breath goes down to your gut. Not breathing properly can cause you to have less energy.
- Healthy bowel movements: Your poop should look like a sausage.
Fashion
- Buy a diamond ring: Learn about the four C's.
- Tie a tie: Keep practicing these moves in front of a mirror.
- Shine shoes: Apply polish to the shoe in small circles.
- Tie a scarf: You can tie a scarf around your neck in 25 ways.
- Tie shoelaces: The best way to tie your shoelaces is to use another direction.
Food
- Perfect scrambled eggs: Scramble the eggs before you put them in the pan.
- Make toast: Toast your bread, spread butter on it, then toast it again.
- Use a knife: Use a rocking motion to mince with your knife.
- Make tea: Brew your tea for two-eight minutes, depending on the tea.
- Taste wine: Swirl and sniff. Learn to recognize when the wine is spoiled.
- Eat with chopsticks: Similar to holding a pen.
- Eat in a fancy restaurant: Work from the outside in with your cutlery.
- Get rid of food: Know when to throw away certain foods.
- Make coffee: Store your beans properly.
- Buy fresh fish: The fish should be taut and clean.
Family and Pets
- Hold a baby: Support the head and neck.
- How to have a healthy marriage: Communication is key.
- Raise a happy and healthy kid: Don't aim for perfection, just love them.
- Good relationship with family: Spend time together, and respect each other's personal space.
- Approach a cat or dog: Keep yourself as small as possible, and let the animal sniff your hands first.
- Understand your cat or dog: They communicate very differently.
Car
- Car hacks you need to try: Shine your headlights, cool down your car, and more.
- Change a tire: Place a heavy object in front of the tires.
- Jump-start a car: Always carry your jumper cables with you.
- Properly use a turn signal: Hit the signal at least five seconds before you change lanes.
- Give driving instructions: Simplify the directions.
- Parallel park: Become parallel with the other car before you start parking.
Money
- How to create a budget: Follow tips to live frugally.
- How much to tip: The average tipper gives 17 to 20 percent gratuity — but it depends on who you're tipping.
- Pay off debt: The first step is to stop acquiring new debt.
- Raise credit score: Check your credit report for mistakes.
- Protect identity: Leave your social security card at home.
- Invest your money: Make sure you have the basics covered like saving for retirement and paying off debt before you explore other investing options.
- File taxes: Figure out if you even need to file taxes to begin with.
School
- Study properly: Self-testing is one of the best ways to learn material.
- How to get a scholarship: Check out the Department of Labor's free scholarship-search tool.
- How to pay off student debt: Create a plan of attack.