Here are just five ways the experts believe you can streamline your life today to save time – and a stack of money.
- Ditch the décor
Marie Kondo would have you throw out anything that doesn’t “spark joy,” but that can be a daunting task. Instead, here’s one quick way to reduce clutter: Get rid of anything in your home that is purely for decorative purposes: The pillows on your bed that you put on the floor every night, the decorative throw — toss them all. You’ll be surprised at how light and tidy your home will feel afterwards.
- Lose the house plants
While plants look great in photos, they’re actually a nuisance: Excess moisture from pots leaves water rings on furniture and make the paint peel off window sills. The dirt and dust that come along with the greenery are another housekeeping nightmare. Not to mention, you have to keep the damn things alive, which for apartment dwellers can be a real challenge. If you’re blessed with outdoor space, keep your plants there, and if you’re not, consider ditching all your flora for the sake of simplicity.
- Stop washing your hair so much
If you can cut back on hair washing (and styling), you’ll save yourself tons of time. Start by switching to washing every other day, and then try to gradually increase the time between washes (dry shampoo will help).
- Eat the same breakfast
You’ll save time and energy not having to make choices when you’re just waking up, and if you choose something healthy, you’ll know you’ve at least started every day on a good note. If you usually eat at work, buy breakfast in bulk at the grocery store instead of daily as a single serving to save money and the daily time it takes to buy it.
- Stop Getting Your Nails Done
After a recent New York Times expose about the horrific work conditions many salon employees endure, many women in the U.S. decided to give up their weekly manicures. Others argue this is not a good use of your time in the first place. Think about it: Would you rather spend an hour in a fume-filled salon or doing something else? Plus, if you forgo the polish you’ll never find yourself with chipping lacquer that needs to be redone — and you’ll save the time normally spent removing the aforementioned chipping polish.