“There are no shortcuts in life” is the sort of advice given by someone who has never eaten a muffin upside down to make sure the sweetest part hits the tongue first. Perhaps not the most impactful idea out there, but the truth is that some folks have really figured out all kinds of tips and tricks to make things simpler.
Someone asked “What are some nice shortcuts or “cheat codes” in life?” and netizens shared their best ideas. So get comfortable, make sure to take some solid notes, upvote your favorites and add your own ideas and experiences in the comments section below.
#1

The word "no" is a complete sentence. It is the most powerful cheat code.
Report
94points
#2

Ask to get it in writing.
If someone is refusing you things you know you have the right to, request that they write (or type, doesn't matter) what they said on paper.
They will back down almost 100% of the time.
It goes from they said/I said to a legally accountable document, and if you're being gaslighted, they know they're denying you your rights it and would never want to provide you with a document that confirms that they were talking s**t.
If someone is refusing you things you know you have the right to, request that they write (or type, doesn't matter) what they said on paper.
They will back down almost 100% of the time.
It goes from they said/I said to a legally accountable document, and if you're being gaslighted, they know they're denying you your rights it and would never want to provide you with a document that confirms that they were talking s**t.
92points
#3

Being polite increases your odds of getting what you want
80points
#5

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you
Report
69points
#6

Minding your business. Dont make assumptions. Stop making excuses. Comparison is a thief of joy.
Report
49points
#7

Honesty and integrity. Following through and following up with people. This is the best cheat code. Following through with something is the way to form good relationships, faith in yourself and faith in others. I personally have not followed through with a lot of things and I really regret what it did to my life.
Another cheat code: Finding a way to communicate your needs. I know it can be hard to be what people call a good communicator sometimes because you don’t know what you want, things are middling in our lives etc, so we find it hard to say, I want this or I want that, but if you can find the time to know yourself, or at least be honest with the fact that you are not a communicative person and you want to work on that, that can help also.
A third cheat code: Do Things now that your body will thank you for later! Anytime a little issue props up in your life, its a change coming. If you hide from the change and run from the change with all your might, you might run into problems.
Another cheat code: Finding a way to communicate your needs. I know it can be hard to be what people call a good communicator sometimes because you don’t know what you want, things are middling in our lives etc, so we find it hard to say, I want this or I want that, but if you can find the time to know yourself, or at least be honest with the fact that you are not a communicative person and you want to work on that, that can help also.
A third cheat code: Do Things now that your body will thank you for later! Anytime a little issue props up in your life, its a change coming. If you hide from the change and run from the change with all your might, you might run into problems.
44points
#8

Don’t keep your savings in the same account as your monthly budget. As soon as you get paid, move half (or a quarter) to your savings account. You’d be surprised how quickly your savings would grow.
Report
42points
#10

Personal finance is probably the biggest one. Understanding credit cards, savings rates, investing, debt, etc. will save you so much time and money in the long run. What you decide to do with your money could be the difference between retiring early and having decades of freedom or working until you die.
37points
#11

Never stop learning. And I don't mean easy stuff like watching informative YouTube videos. Try to get certifications in your field of expertise, pick up and find new tools. Get a skilled hobby and learn about it, woodworking, gardening, acrobatics, drawing, playing instruments. Hell, learn about learning and get better at learning.
End of the day, when all else fails you. What you've learnt will always be there, providing value.
End of the day, when all else fails you. What you've learnt will always be there, providing value.
Report
37points
#12

Sobriety. After 20 years of drinking, being sober is like playing life on easy mode.
36points
#13

If you’re nice to people most of the time they will be more willing to help you and even go out of their way for you.
Report
33points
#14

Prepping yourself the night before for the next day will help you stay on top of things.
Like setting up your coffee maker to just have to press a button in the morning, making your lunch that night for the next day at work, cleaning after you cook dinner so you’re set to make breakfast in the morning. Small things like that really help get the next day moving better.
Like setting up your coffee maker to just have to press a button in the morning, making your lunch that night for the next day at work, cleaning after you cook dinner so you’re set to make breakfast in the morning. Small things like that really help get the next day moving better.
Report
31points
#16

Don’t drink alcohol. You save a ton of money and you never get hangovers. My son can’t drink for medical reasons. When I realized how much more time he had as a college student it was pretty eye opening.
Downside: you miss out on the social aspects of sharing drinks, and being the only sober person can suck.
Edit: I’m not even talking about getting drunk. I only have about one drink two nights a week and I can still get a headache from that.
Downside: you miss out on the social aspects of sharing drinks, and being the only sober person can suck.
Edit: I’m not even talking about getting drunk. I only have about one drink two nights a week and I can still get a headache from that.
Report
28points
#17

I don’t think any of these are “cheat codes” many are personality traits that make life easier. In my opinion something closer to an actual cheat code was in 2005. The US treasury introduced a $1 coin with free shipping, so some clever people bought a ton of $1 coins on their credit cards. Paid off the credit cards with the $1 coins and earned infinite airline miles. Free flights for life with this one easy trick. The devs have since patched the exploit.
Report
27points
#18

Be born wealthy.
Obviously that's not accessible. But, learn how to make small talk, as those kinds of details can be the difference between getting opportunities vs getting shut out. I'm a genuinely curious person so I ask people questions about themselves, and it turns out, most people love talking about themselves, so they have a positive association with me.
Obviously that's not accessible. But, learn how to make small talk, as those kinds of details can be the difference between getting opportunities vs getting shut out. I'm a genuinely curious person so I ask people questions about themselves, and it turns out, most people love talking about themselves, so they have a positive association with me.
Report
25points
#20

Debt is debilitating. No reason for it. Live within your means and you will thrive. Plenty of free things to do in the interim.
Report
22points






