The modern world is full of distractions. From rolling news and social media to changing trends – in fashion, technology, and even language – it can sometimes feel like we’re being constantly pulled one way then the other.

At the same time, there’s a pressure to be useful, effective, and efficient, whether at work, within your social group or at home.

It’s no wonder that the online space is filled with so-called “life hacks”. These “microefficiencies” promise simple ways to make our lives easier, mainly by saving time. What you do with that saved time is up to you.

But are these microefficiencies genuine time-savers or just symptoms of a too-fast world and a harassed population?

Keep reading to find out.

5 simple microefficiencies to try now

1. Brush your teeth in the shower

Your morning routine will likely involve brushing your teeth and having a shower. But why not save time by combining the two?

It’s hard to multitask while brushing your teeth. For a proponent of microefficiencies, that’s two minutes, twice a day, completely wasted.

Brush your teeth in the shower every day for a month, and you’ll have effectively regained two hours of your time.

2. Set your breakfast table the night before

You might feel sluggish in the morning. Even with the optimum sleep routine, outside factors like noise and heat and work stress can make sleep difficult.

This can make you slow to wake and make morning tasks that much harder to accomplish.

So why not save yourself time and effort by completing some morning tasks the night before? That doesn’t mean eating breakfast before you go to bed, but you could help your future self by laying the table ready for breakfast.

Put out your cereal bowl and a clean spoon, or take the following morning’s fruit out of the fridge, also potentially enhancing its flavour.

While this might take you some time the night before, you’ll thank yourself in the morning.

3. Boil the kettle once and save the water

If you enjoy multiple hot drinks throughout the day, it’s likely you currently boil the kettle anew each time. But how long does the kettle take to boil, and how do you fill that time? Probably not productively.

You might try a couple of microefficiencies here.

First, make two cups of tea at a time. This simple hack will cut the time you spend waiting for the kettle to boil by half.

Or you might fill the kettle that little bit more and boil it just once. You’ll wait longer for the initial boil, but pour this water into even a midrange thermos flask and it’ll stay hot all day.

4. Plan ahead… with everything

We’re bombarded with choices every minute of the day. From what to wear or watch to how best to complete any given task at work, there are always multiple options.

Weighing up the pros and cons of each choice costs time and brain power, and both might be put to better use elsewhere.

You can save yourself this effort by eliminating choice.

Plan meals ahead and set yourself a timetable. This might start by having the same thing for breakfast every day and evolve into a weekly menu that stays the same each week. If Monday is pasta, Tuesday is fish night, etc., you’ll know where you stand and won’t need to waste time making choices.

Do the same with your wardrobe. Either set aside the same outfits for the same days each week or buy multiple shirts, skirts, dresses or trousers in the same colour and design. You’ll never need to question a style choice again.

5. Buy slip-on shoes

Tying and untying shoelaces could be the difference between catching or missing your train and arriving late or on time to a meeting.

Be efficient and buy slip-on shoes. You’ll never need to tie shoelaces again, which saves time and your back.

Whether these microefficiencies are right for you depends on your reasons for employing them

These microefficiencies may or may not be right for you. For some, they could feel like genuine time-savers, while others might easily dismiss them as fads and a waste of time in their own right.

You might find the routines they offer soothing, and the removal of choice freeing. This could help to reduce overwhelm in a busy world. Likewise, they might seem like another thing to worry about – an added problem rather than a solution.

How you feel about these microefficiencies might depend on what you intend to do with the extra time they grant you (if anything).

If you’re eking out more time only to work harder for longer, you’re unlikely to see any health or wellbeing improvement. Use the additional time to build memories with loved ones or to pursue a hobby you love, though, and you might feel the benefits.

Get in touch

We can help you make your financial planning as efficient as possible, giving you the time and confidence to live the lifestyle you want, now and in the future. Please contact us to find out how de Mellow’s expert financial planners can help.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

SJP Approved 28/08/2025