146 Life-Changing Skills You Can Learn Without Spending a Lot of Money

Updated on 6/22/2016 at 8:15 PM

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.