10 Lifehack Apps And Web Services That'll Make You Better At Life
10 Lifehack Apps And Web Services That'll Make You Better At Life
Related: 5 Apps That Will Boost Your Brain Power
You're a busy man. We understand.
There's that Netflix must-watch list you've been meaning to work through, that new video game you're yet to peel the plastic off - not to mention that kitchen sink drama you started writing back in university that needs a good third act.
Normal life stuff has a habit of getting in the way of the important and recreational, which is why we've compiled this list. Each of these apps and online services acts as something of a "lifehack" - a tedious modern term that boils down to "completing chores to give you time for the fun stuff".
From app-controlled laundry services to work flow management on your iPad, these are 10 offerings that could change your life.
Pickle
What is it?
An app that allows you to post the jobs you don't want to do/get paid for doing someone else's little chores.
How does it work?
Need your cat fed while you're on holiday? Or got an IKEA flat pack that needs building? You simply list the amount you're willing to pay someone to complete the task and post your location on the Pickle map. It's also a brilliant way of earning some extra pocket money by doing the jobs other users have listed.
Laundrapp
What is it?
A dry cleaning and laundry service that will collect your dirty load from your door. Delivery is included.
How does it work?
Currently available in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London, you enter your address, punch in a collection time and wait for a Laundrapp driver to pick up your laundry. Prices are reasonable given that they include delivery (Wash & Fold (8kg), £15; One suit and five shirts, £18).
TaskRabbit
What is it?
Another chore-shifting service, TaskRabbit lets you browse from a list of 'professional' taskers, hiring their services on a by-the-hour basis.
How does it work?
Unlike other task services like Pickle, TaskRabbit only lets you choose people from its own list of vetted taskers (they've carried out criminal records checks and the like). Slap in your post code, browse the local workers and hire their services in an Uber-like fashion.
Boxman
What is it?
A self-storage service that cuts out the trip to the horrible warehouse in the middle of a trading estate.
How does it work?
Stick in your postcode, request a number of boxes (which measure roughly 60 by 40 by 37 cm) and sort out your monthly subscription cost - which starts at £5 per box per month. Your boxes will be delivered to your door, collected and transported to the Boxman storage unit. The minute you need your stuff back, you punch in your details and pay a £5 delivery charge (again, per box). Long term and short term plans are available.
Enclothed
What is it?
A personalised shopping/styling service that delivers a box of clothes to your door, picked on a knowledge of what you like to wear.
How does it work?
Can't be bothered to fight your way through the local high street to buy a disappointing selection of tat? Take Enclothed's survey to get an idea of your "style profile", set a price limit on what you'd like to buy and the service's stylists will send you a box of options. Try on the selection, pay for the items you like and post the rest back in the box free of charge. The more you use the service, the better they know your preferred style.
Pact Coffee
What is it?
A home delivery coffee bean service that selects a brew based on your preferred tastes.
How does it work?
Rather than playing the dubious "play by numbers" game of picking coffee in the supermarket, Pact asks you a series of questions about how you like your coffee before setting you up with a subscription with their own-roasted packs. They even do next-day delivery - so best pre-empt your caffeine dips.
Vinyl Me, Please
What is it?
A vinyl club that will send you a one-off pressing of essential music every month.
How does it work?
Request an invite (given the nature of the bespoke pressing service, membership is pretty limited), sign up to a subscription pack (one month at £28, three months at £77 or an annual membership for £290) and await delivery of your LP, pressed exclusively for Vinyl Me, Please members. Music selected can be old or new, and their previous picks have been spot on.
Hassle
What is it?
An easy, ethical way to find a local cleaner and set up a contract for a one-off weekly or fortnightly clean.
How does it work?
Pop in your postcode, browse the local, vetted cleaner services and set up a time you want them to come clean your home. Payment is all sorted via the app, so you don't have any awkward shuffling of notes and fishing around for change after you've hid in your bedroom while they work.
Vivino
What is it?
A wine shopping tool that can help ensure you never buy another bad bottle of plonk again.
How does it work?
Take a picture of a wine bottle label and let Vivino get searching through its crowdsourced database for a match. Once found, it'll list reviews from the 10 million-strong user base, and provide details on meal pairings. You can even use it to identify the best bottle on a restaurant wine list. When you're feeling confident enough, you can start adding your own reviews.
Workflow
What is it?
A productivity manager that automates pretty much anything you can imagine: make PDFs; create GIFs; and, perhaps more importantly, get directions to the nearest coffee shop.
How does it work?
Install Workflow and then start automating the routines you would usually click your way through in one easy system. Set rules, like "When I take a video, send it to this drop box, make a gif and tweet that gif".
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