How to Save Hours Every Week: 50 Life Hacks South Africans Actually Use in 2025

From local kitchens to busy work-from-home setups, these small changes make a big difference

In South Africa, where load shedding eats into precious hours and our daily routines are squeezed by traffic, chores, and digital overload, saving time is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a survival skill. Whether you’re a Joburg hustler, a Cape Town creative, or a Durban multitasker, you probably know that time, once gone, doesn’t come back.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 50 of the most practical, life-simplifying hacks that South Africans are turning to in 2025. These aren’t complicated “influencer routines.” They’re real tricks for getting more done with less faff and actually having time to live.

Home Hacks That Actually Help

• One In, One Out: For every item you bring home, donate or toss one. Keeps your space and your mind clear.

• Always-On Donation Box: Instead of decluttering once a year, make it ongoing. One box near the door, always ready.

• Colour-Code Everything: From files to storage bins, a colour system saves time and nerves.

• Think Vertical: Shelves, wall hooks, over-door racks; small spaces need tall thinking.

• Cleaning Kits Per Room: Avoid the mission of fetching supplies. Keep a mini set in each room.

Kitchen Moves That Save Your Sanity

• Sunday Meal Prep: Chop, portion, and plan on the weekend. Weeknights become stress-free.

• Slow Cooker Magic: Let supper cook itself while you work or rest.

• Template Grocery List: A standard list means you never forget essentials.

• Labelled Fridge Storage: Prevents waste and makes meal planning faster.

• Double Up Meals: Cook once, eat twice. Freeze one for a lazy night.

Laundry & Dressing Like a Pro

• Sort As You Go: Multi-bin hampers stop last-minute sorting chaos.

• Stain Chart in the Laundry Room: Because tomato sauce waits for no one.

• Mesh Bags for Socks & Delicates: Stop losing your best socks to the machine.

• Outfit Bundles in Your Closet: Group go-to combos for grab-and-go mornings.

• Steam, Don’t Iron: A steamer is faster and gentler, especially during load shedding.

Time Management That Works

• Two-Minute Rule: If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now.

• Time-Blocking: Plan your day in chunks; no multitasking mess.

• Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes on, 5 off. Your focus will thank you.

• Digital Calendar with Reminders: Colour-coded events keep your week in check.

• Learn to Say No: It saves time and emotional labour.

Digital Efficiency for Modern Life

• Password Manager: One master login = time saved and better security.

• Unsubscribe Ruthlessly: Clear inbox, clear head.

• Cloud Storage: Access documents from anywhere: office, home, coffee shop.

• Auto Bill Payments: Set and forget. Just check your statements monthly.

• Voice Commands: “Set timer, send message, open maps.” Done.

Work Smarter, Not Longer

• Batch Tasks: Emails in one go, admin in another.

• Use Templates: For emails, reports, or even social captions.

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V is just the beginning.

• Touch It Once Rule: Handle that document now, not later.

• Project Management Tools: Trello, Monday, Notion: your new digital PA.

Wellness Without Wasting Time

• Prepped Snacks: Keep chopped fruit or nuts ready to grab.

• HIIT Workouts: Quick, intense, effective.

• Daily Mindfulness: Five minutes of deep breathing changes everything.

• Desk Water Bottle: Sip all day without walking to the kitchen ten times.

• Sleep Tracking Apps: Wake up better by understanding your rhythms.

Travel & Transport Tricks

• Pack a Go Bag: Chargers, meds, a change of clothes, ready when life isn’t.

• Use Smart Travel Apps: TripIt, Google Maps, CityMapper; save time, avoid stress.

• Efficient Packing: Packing cubes are a revelation.

• Emergency Car Kit: Saves time (and your nerves) during unexpected roadside drama.

• Commute Learning: Podcasts and audiobooks turn traffic into tuition.

Shopping Without the Schlep

• Order Groceries Online: Save the petrol and the queues.

• Standard Shopping List: Organised by store layout for faster trips.

• Rewards & Cashback Apps: Get more out of your spending without effort.

• Errand Batching: One round trip instead of five.

• Subscribe & Save: Essentials delivered automatically.

Learn and Grow, Efficiently

• Book Summaries: Services like Blinkist are like reading a whole book in 15 minutes.

• Microlearning Apps: Learn a language or new skill while waiting in queues.

• Audio Learning: Podcasts while washing dishes? Genius.

• Set SMART Goals: Don’t just “try harder.” Plan better.

• Reflect Often: Journals or habit trackers can reveal what’s wasting your time.

Time might be your most precious asset, but saving it doesn’t mean squeezing every second. Sometimes, it just means working smarter so you can breathe a little easier.

Pick a few of these hacks and give them a try. You might just find that the small things make the biggest difference.

Also read: Meal Prep Made Easy: Time-Saving Hacks for Every Joburger in 2025

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Source: Living50+

Featured Image: WIRED