How to Save Time, Money and Energy Simplifying Life Admin

Most of us are absolutely swamped with the endless life admin we have to deal with—bills to pay, appointments to schedule, birthdays to remember, car maintenance, kids’ activities—the list just never ends. It can be pretty overwhelming, honestly. But that’s exactly where Life Admin Hacks can really help streamline everything.

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So, while I was on the lookout for books to help optimize my life, I came across Life Admin Hacks and thought, "Hmm, let’s see how much time, money, and mental bandwidth this can actually save me." As I read through it, I realized I was already doing some of the things it suggested, but there were plenty of areas where I could level up. And once I put some of the strategies into practice, it made a huge difference in how smoothly things run at home.

What is Life Admin?

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. Life admin can never be eliminated, but it can be minimised, automated and better shared within your household.
2. This book goes through a clear system across a step by step guide covering ways you can save time and money, reduce your mental load, and streamline your life.
3. It contains practical step by steps and tools to break down life admin into a category of two minutes too easy, ten minute time killer or power hour tasks to take care of recurring life admin tasks, or unexpected ones too.

🎨 Impressions

While the book may not feel groundbreaking for seasoned productivity enthusiasts, it offers valuable insights on "home economics" and task management, especially for those new to the concept. The simple and practical nature of the book broadens perspectives on managing recurring tasks and brings clarity to everyday admin responsibilities.

How I Discovered It

I stumbled upon this book through their podcast while exploring content by Australian creators.

Who Should Read It? Is it worth it?

Honestly, I didn’t expect to learn a ton from this book, but now I’m convinced everyone needs to read and apply it. It’s hands-down the best guide out there to help you streamline your life, reclaim hours of your time, and get more organized. If you want to reduce your mental load and free up more time to focus on the things you actually enjoy, Life Admin Hacks is the way to go.

There aren’t many books that make it onto my “must-read” list, but this one? I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

• Password Management: Before this book, I struggled to manage my passwords. Now, using a password manager saves time and increases my security across all accounts.
• Task Management & Lists: I refined my task management by organizing lists into three main categories—To-Do (actionable, time-bound tasks), Checklists (for recurring activities), and Reference Lists (for suggestions or recommendations). This has drastically improved how I handle both my Notion setup and my Bullet Journal (BuJo).

For example:

• To-do lists focus on actionable items with clear deadlines (e.g., “Buy a fireproof safe before Christmas”).
• Checklists ensure recurring tasks are done efficiently (e.g., preparing the house before a vacation).
• Reference lists capture recommendations, like books to read or gift ideas for family members.

Additionally, I’ve implemented gift-giving strategies:

• Set up reminders for events.
• Maintain gift wishlists for family and friends.
• Stockpile gifts and wrapping supplies in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

⚡ Action Plan to apply

SOS List 1: Time and Task Management

1. Set up a digital calendar.
2. Add the calendar to your phone.
3. Schedule inevitable tasks (e.g., recurring meetings, deadlines).
4. Schedule Hours of Power for focused work.
5. Schedule inspirational time for creative or reflective tasks.

Reminder: Your brain is better at making decisions than remembering tasks, so move your to-do list out of your head and into a shared system where others can access it too.

SOS List 2: Decluttering & Organizing Your Home

A strategy to declutter and organize your living space for a more manageable and meaningful home environment.

• Objective: Everything in your home should either serve a purpose or be something you cherish. Every item must have a designated place.

1. Start by discarding things that no longer serve a purpose.
2. Declutter sentimental items last, once you’ve built up the habit.
3. Use Marie Kondo’s philosophy: “To truly cherish what’s important, discard what has outlived its purpose.”

SOS List 3: Meal Planning & Batching

1. Schedule time for meal planning.
2. Decide how often you want to cook.
3. Align meal planning with your household schedule.
4. Set categories for meals (e.g., protein, pasta, salad).
5. Design the weekly or monthly menu.
6. Display the meal plan where everyone can see it.
7. Make a detailed grocery list.
8. Schedule grocery shopping.
9. Involve household members in cooking tasks.
10. Spend less and shop less often by planning in bulk.

SOS List 4: Password Management

1. Select a password manager.
2. Import passwords and share relevant ones securely.
3. Create a list of form data and add it to the app (e.g., credit card info, addresses).
4. Add important documents to your password manager for easy access.

SOS List 5: Financial Planning & Budgeting

1. Set clear financial goals.
2. Track income and spending using a budgeting app.
3. Create a plan to meet your goals through earning more or spending less.
4. Stick to your spending limits (allowances) to maintain control.

Reminder: Budgeting gives you choices—whether it’s saving more, paying down debt, or spending on things that matter. The B-word doesn’t have to be “Budget”; it can stand for “Beneficial,” “Better,” or “Badass.”

SOS List 6: Decluttering Philosophy & Habits

1. Find a decluttering philosophy that resonates with you.
2. Maximize the outflow of unused or unnecessary items.
   • Tools needed: Bags or boxes for donations or discards.
3. Ask yourself key questions as you declutter (e.g., "Do I still need this? Does it bring me joy?").
4. Enter "gatekeeper mode"—be mindful of what you allow into your home.
5. Cultivate the habit of regular decluttering to prevent build-up.

SOS List 7: Gift-Giving Made Simple

1. Set up reminders for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
2. Establish a process for event-based gifts (e.g., group gifts or secret Santa).
3. Create wishlists for family and friends to make gift selection easier.
4. Stockpile gift-wrapping supplies (paper, tape, gift bags).
5. Buy and store a few emergency gifts for last-minute occasions.
6. Plan ahead to select meaningful gifts.
7. Shop efficiently, taking advantage of sales or bulk deals.

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

“Your brain is better at making decisions than remembering things, so get your to-do list out of your head and into a system.”

“Budgeting gives you choices: save more, pay down debt, or spend on products that bring comfort or convenience.”

“To truly cherish what’s important, discard what no longer serves you. It’s not wasteful; it’s freeing.

Ready to take control of your never-ending life admin and start saving time, money, and energy? Life Admin Hacks has all the tools you need to streamline your everyday tasks and reclaim your mental space. From automating bills to simplifying appointments, this book shows you how to cut down on the admin overload and get back to focusing on what matters most.

Grab your copy here and start optimizing your life: Life Admin Hacks