15 Smart Life Hacks That You Should Try Today

tea bag life hack for smelly shoes
Last updated Sept. 11, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Stop throwing money away — use what you already have at home

Vinegar as a Fabric Softener: Add half a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle instead of liquid fabric softener. It softens clothes, eliminates detergent buildup, and costs pennies per load compared to $10+ name-brand bottles.

Bread Clip Cable Labels: Save the plastic clips from bread bags and use them to label your charging cables and cords. No more buying label makers or cable tags — and no more unplugging the wrong thing.

Dry Erase Marker on Mirrors: Use a dry erase marker to write reminders, grocery lists, or to-dos directly on bathroom mirrors. Wipes off clean with a dry cloth — no sticky notes, no notepads required.

Rubber Gloves for Pet Hair: Pull on a rubber dishwashing glove and run your hand over upholstered furniture to collect pet hair. The static pulls hair into clumps fast — no lint roller needed.

Old Newspaper for Window Cleaning: Crumple up old newspaper to wipe down glass and mirrors instead of paper towels. It leaves no lint or streaks and costs nothing if you already have it in the recycling bin.

These little swaps prove you don't need to spend more to live better. And that same logic applies in more ways than you think. If you want your money to work harder across the board, check out these offers from our partners below:

See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it may get to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you settle your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!1

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief


Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

Ohio residents, save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save big.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score huge savings. Their certified master professionals install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it extremely easy to upgrade your windows with financing options available and special limited-time offers. The entire process is hassle free.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Complete this short questionnaire to get started

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.2 Plus, get $200 off your purchase!2

Cut your cleaning bill in half with these simple swaps

Baking Soda Scrub for Pots and Pans: Sprinkle baking soda directly on stuck-on food and scrub with a damp cloth. It works as well as most name-brand abrasive cleaners at a fraction of the cost — a large box runs about $1.

Lemon for Cutting Board Odors: Cut a lemon in half and rub it across a smelly wooden cutting board. The acid neutralizes odors naturally, no need for specialty wood cleaners or deodorizing sprays.

Cornstarch for Glass Cleaning: Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and vinegar for a streak-free window cleaning solution. It's cheaper than any commercial glass cleaner and most households already have it in the pantry.

Coffee Grounds for Fridge Odors: Place a small bowl of dried used coffee grounds in your fridge instead of buying baking soda boxes. If you already brew at home, this costs you nothing.

White Bread for Picking Up Glass Shards: Press a slice of white bread firmly over the area where glass broke to safely pick up tiny shards. It catches fragments that a broom misses — no expensive adhesive lint rollers needed.

Access up to $150 per day of your paycheck

If you need a few dollars in between paychecks, a little daily cushion can go a long way.

With the EarnIn app you can access up to $150 per day of your paycheck and with a max of $1,000 per pay period.3

Yes, you read that correctly. You have the option to access your pay as you work and not have EarnIn charge you at all.

You even have the option to access the money within minutes for a small fee.4

The best news? There is no credit check, no interest, no late fees – ever.

How to get started:

  1. Visit EarnIn and create an account.
  2. Link your bank and employment info.
  3. EarnIn will verify your paycheck and you’re all set!

Get started with EarnIn here

Pay no interest into 2027 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to pause credit card interest into 2027 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.49% - 26.49% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Save as much as 80% on weight loss meds

If you're finally ready to lose weight, GLP-1s, like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, could help you shed up to 14.9% of your body weight.5 And this company we found called ReadyRX gets them to you at around 80% less than name brands.

It might sound crazy, but ReadyRX operates on a cash-only basis and no insurance is required. This is one of the ways they’re able to provide up to 80% off the typical cost of weight-loss medications like Ozempic® and Zepbound®. (You can pay via credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.)

Skip the surgeries, diets, and expensive costs of weight loss. Start your journey with GLP-1s at around 80% less than name-brand prices. Plus, your plan is guided by board-certified doctors, 100% online. No insurance required and no hidden fees.

ReadyRX has 5,000+ members and holds a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot. They even back their plans with a 28-week weight loss guarantee. All medications are compounded in the USA through FDA-registered pharmacies and 3rd party lab tested.

Limited time offer: Right now, get $100 off your first month with code LMS26.

Take the quiz to get up to 80% off weight loss medications starting at $179/month ($6/day)

Earn up to $1,000+ online by taking surveys

$1,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Freecash, it’s possible to earn that much and possibly even more with their simple surveys.

While it might sound strange, these market research surveys are a known way to make extra cash online. Of course, they won’t make you rich … but if you have some extra free time, the money you earn could be enough to cover gas, groceries, coffee, and more!

Follow these simple steps to earn as much as $1,000 or more:

  1. Sign up for an account with Freecash here
  2. Take surveys
  3. Repeat daily and get paid!

Get paid for sharing your opinion by signing up here

Make your groceries and pantry staples work double duty

Olive Oil for Squeaky Hinges: A small dab of olive oil on a squeaky door hinge quiets it instantly. Skips the hardware store run for WD-40 and uses something most people already have in the kitchen.

Banana Peel for Shoe Scuffs on Floors: Rub the inside of a banana peel on scuffed hardwood or laminate flooring to reduce the appearance of surface marks. The natural oils buff lightly without leaving residue or requiring expensive floor polish.

Rice to Dry a Wet Phone: Submerge a wet phone in a bowl of dry uncooked rice for 24 to 48 hours. The rice absorbs moisture and can potentially save you a costly repair or replacement — and a cup of rice costs next to nothing.

Petroleum Jelly for Stuck Jar Lids: Rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the rim before storing any jar you open regularly. It prevents the lid from sticking and saves you from cracking the glass or buying a grip tool.

Toothpaste for Cloudy Headlights: Apply a small amount of non-gel white toothpaste to cloudy plastic headlights and buff in circles with a damp cloth. It restores clarity at the cost of a pea-sized squeeze versus $20+ headlight restoration kits.

Set up direct deposit and complete qualifying activities - pocket $500

If you aren't banking with Truist, you're missing out on a boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $500 after you open a new Truist One Checking account online, in a branch, or by phone between July 14, 2026 and February 2, 2027 using a valid promo code.6To earn the $500 bonus, your account needs to receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and complete 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening. The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. Terms apply.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account offers benefits like no overdraft fee and options to avoid a monthly maintenance fee on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn a $500 bonus

Stop paying contractors for home repairs

This unique company makes it so you could stop paying contractors so much money for repairs. It sounds crazy, but they’ve been around since 2008 and cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down from wear and tear.

Say your water heater breaks down during a winter storm. Instead of paying $1,200 for repairs, you may only need to pay a $100 service fee with Choice Home Warranty, and their techs come and fix it ASAP. This could save you $1,100 almost instantly!

Choose a plan here and lock in ultra-low 2026 rates (for a limited time). Whenever a covered system breaks down, make your claim online or give them a call. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.7

Choose a plan from Choice Home Warranty here and lock in 2026 rates

P.S. Use the links above for $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long this will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Save up to $2,000 on every flight you take (yes, it’s crazy)

Sounds kind of insane. And maybe you’re skeptical if this actually works or not. But either way … you’re probably curious. If you want to save a ton on travel (even international), Dollar Flight Club makes it so you could potentially pay less for any flight you take.

They’ve been helping travelers save since 2016 (so you know they’re the real deal), shipping crazy flight deals straight to your email — up to 90% off normal price for many flights. Just pick your destination and let them do the rest. They hunt deals 24/7 so you don’t have to.

Now, some insider info: They *do* offer a free version … but it puts you on a 2-3 month waitlist. Skip the wait and get instant access to the best deals with a Premium+ membership instead. For a limited time, FinanceBuzz readers can try Premium+ free for 14 days!

How to try Premium+:

  1. Enter your email at the link below.
  2. Pick your departure airport and dream destinations.
  3. Enter your payment info and start your free trial of Premium+.

This is the fastest way to unlock the best flight deals that could save you up to 90% off flights. At the end of the trial, you’ll be upgraded to the $99 per year membership.

Enter your payment info here to start your free Premium+ trial