15 November 2021

Life Hacks 206 - #398

0Frameworks

14Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Tool· 8

Tool00:00

One Converter Plug + Multi-Socket for Global Travel

To avoid power plug issues while traveling, use a single universal converter plug paired with a multi-socket power strip. This setup allows multiple devices to be charged simultaneously from one outlet, regardless of country.

Use an 8-gang 5-meter multi-socket that lives in your suitcase.
Only one universal converter plug is needed for the entire setup.
Enables charging multiple devices (camera, laptop, lights, etc.) in foreign countries.
Some may argue it's unsafe due to potential circuit overload, but the guest has used it for years without issues.

“I now have an eight-gang 5-m multi-socket that lives in my suitcase, and then you just need a single converter, and that's eight plugs that…”
guest · 00:05

#travel#life-hack#electronics

Tool15:00

Digitize Family Photo Albums with Clear Data

After clearing out a family home, the guest used a professional scanning service called Clear Data to digitize 9,000 physical photos. The company bulk-scanned the images and delivered them on a USB drive, preserving decades of memories in digital form.

Clear Data is a UK-based company that scans documents and photos in bulk.
The guest digitized 9,000 curated photos from family albums spanning decades.
Cost was around £800, including return delivery on a password-protected USB.
The process involved pre-sorting to remove low-quality photos before scanning.

“We found a company that digitizes documents and they just scan in bulk. So, and they were fantastic. They were called Clear Data.”
guest · 15:35

#digitization#family#photos

Tool11:00

Track Gym Progress with Rep One Bar Velocity Tracker

The guest uses a Rep One device, a 3D-printed bar velocity tracker, to measure lifting speed and predict performance. It attaches magnetically to a barbell and syncs with an app to provide real-time feedback on strength training.

The device measures how fast the bar moves during lifts.
Helps predict max lifts for the day and track small speed improvements over time.
Priced around $300–$350, with a slick app interface.
The guest now relies on bar speed instead of perceived exertion (RPE) for training decisions.

“It's a little black device... you touch this wire to a barbell. It magnetically attaches... and it basically just measures what the bar is doing…”
guest · 11:15

#fitness#gym#technology

Tool18:00

Buy All Sizes from ASOS, Then Return What Doesn’t Fit

To avoid sizing guesswork when ordering online, buy multiple sizes from ASOS. With free shipping over £150 and free returns within 60 days, you can test all sizes at home and return the rest.

Order every size you might wear to test fit at home.
Free next-day delivery on orders over £150 makes this cost-effective.
Free returns mean no risk in trying multiple sizes.
Avoids the hassle of multiple shipments and incorrect AI size predictions.

“Just buy everything in every different size that you think that you might want to bump you up and over the 150, get free next…”
guest · 18:45

#shopping#fashion#life-hack

Tool24:00

Use Toilet Cistern Pucks to Prevent Limescale Buildup

To reduce bathroom cleaning effort, use toilet cistern pucks (like Domestos or Flush Blue) that release cleaning agents with each flush. These help prevent limescale and keep the bowl clean without daily scrubbing.

Pucks last about 6 weeks and bleach the toilet with every flush.
Placed in the cistern, not hanging in the bowl.
Ideal for hard water areas where limescale builds up quickly.
Saves time compared to manual descaling every few weeks.

“I've started buying toilet cistern pucks, which are the little blue circle things the flush blue. Yeah, like every old woman in the world has…”
guest · 24:15

#cleaning#home#life-hack

Tool51:30

Cordy Robotic Vacuum Cleaner for Hands-Off Cleaning

The guest recommends the Cordy robotic vacuum cleaner for automated home cleaning. It maps rooms, avoids obstacles, and runs on a schedule, though it requires regular emptying and can get tangled in cords or socks.

Cleans systematically using AI navigation and anti-drop sensors.
Schedule daily cleanings to return to a spotless home.
Empties into a bag that needs changing every few runs.
Potential issues: gets tangled in cords, poops dust if bag is full, and can wake you if scheduled at night.

“It's a Cordy, c o r e d y. About 150 pounds, I think. It vacuums your house and uses AI recognition to bump into…”
guest · 52:00

#home#cleaning#technology

Tool59:00

Get Free Arccos Shot Trackers with Ping Golf Clubs

Ping golf club owners can claim free Arccos shot-tracking sensors by entering their club’s serial number online. The system tracks shot distance, accuracy, and performance metrics via an app.

Arccos trackers normally cost £250–£300.
Free offer available for anyone with at least one qualifying Ping club.
Includes 14 sensors—one for each club—and a data-tracking app.
Tracks shot distances, fairway accuracy, and identifies strengths/weaknesses.

“They are giving away for free... Arccos... you screw into the end of your club and it collects loads of data on like all your…”
guest · 59:15

#golf#fitness#technology

Tool73:30

MacroFactor: AI-Powered Food Logging App

MacroFactor is a new diet-tracking app that uses AI to estimate calories from natural language descriptions. It also includes UK barcode data and offers personalized meal plans.

Users can type or speak meal descriptions (e.g., 'steak and chips') and the app estimates calories.
Uses machine learning to improve accuracy over time.
Includes UK food database for better local accuracy.
Offers a 7-day free trial and is gaining popularity in fitness communities.

“It has some really cool features on it such as being able to describe in a sentence what you ate for a meal and it…”
guest · 74:10

#nutrition#fitness#apps

Takeaway· 6

Takeaway21:00

Pay Monthly to Avoid Wasting Money on Unused Subscriptions

To prevent overspending on rarely used apps or services, opt for monthly billing instead of annual plans. The monthly renewal acts as a reminder to evaluate whether the service is still useful.

Monthly payments prompt regular reassessment of app usage.
Avoids being locked into unused subscriptions like Romwod or Blinkist.
Exceptions include essential services like Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Set calendar reminders to review subscriptions before renewal.

“The reason being when you get billed every month, it's a prompt and a reminder of like, 'Am I still using this?'”
guest · 21:15

#finance#productivity#apps

Takeaway27:00

Eat a Sandwich Before Grocery Shopping to Avoid Junk Food

To prevent impulse buys while hungry, eat a sandwich before entering the supermarket. This simple tactic curbs hunger and reduces the temptation to buy unhealthy snacks.

Buy a sandwich at the front of the store and eat it while shopping.
Aim for sandwiches with at least 10–15% protein to stay full longer.
Costs around £2.50 but saves money by avoiding £10+ in junk food.
Works especially well for those practicing intermittent fasting.

“Go into the supermarket, get a sandwich... and just eat the sandwich as quick as you're walking around, but relatively quickly and it'll just curb…”
guest · 27:45

#nutrition#shopping#self-control

Takeaway40:00

Always Ask the Client’s Budget Before Giving a Quote

In freelance or service work, avoid undercharging by asking the client about their budget range first. This prevents lowballing and aligns expectations before discussing your rates.

Respond to pricing inquiries by asking, 'What’s your budget?'
Clients typically respond with 10–20% below their maximum budget.
Helps avoid undercharging when someone says yes immediately.
Especially effective with corporate clients who often have higher budgets than expected.

“Your answer should be 'What's the budget?' That's the question that you should ask in response.”
guest · 41:00

#negotiation#freelancing#business

Takeaway44:30

Zero Your Task Inbox Daily to Reduce Overwhelm

To stay productive and avoid mental clutter, clear your task manager inbox (like OmniFocus) every day. Processing small tasks immediately builds momentum and prevents backlog.

Process all inbox items daily—either complete or categorize them.
Prevents accumulation of small tasks that cause overwhelm.
Builds trust in your productivity system.
Even 20–30 new items per day can be managed with a consistent routine.

“The hack is just if you follow any kind of GTD... don't let things fester in your inbox for more than a day.”
guest · 45:00

#productivity#gt#task-management

Takeaway68:00

Send a 'As Discussed' Email After Important Calls

After a phone call with a client or HR, send a follow-up email summarizing agreements. This creates a written record and shifts responsibility to the other party to correct any inaccuracies.

Email should start with 'As discussed' and list key points.
Provides protection if the other party later denies the conversation.
Simple and low-effort way to document verbal agreements.
Especially useful for payroll, HR, or contract discussions.

“You can just send them an email that says 'Hey, thanks for the chat. As discussed, blah blah blah, point one, point two, point three.'”
guest · 68:45

#communication#work#productivity

Takeaway82:00

Offer to Send a Car to Seal the Deal

To convince someone on the fence—like a podcast guest or event attendee—offer to send a car. This removes logistical friction and flatters the person, increasing the likelihood of a yes.

Works for podcast bookings, events, or favors.
Removes transport concerns, especially for long journeys.
Costs ~£100/hour but worth it for high-value commitments.
In London, use Addison Lee; elsewhere, Uber Exec or equivalent.

“If you just tell them that you'll send a car for them, that usually gets them past the final hurdle.”
guest · 82:45

#negotiation#influence#productivity