11 Solo Living Hacks (2025): Save 200+ Hours/Year
Living alone means fighting for time.
Sleep 8h, work 9h, commute 2h—only 5h left. Optimize it to thrive solo. April 2025: Good luck to new grads and students starting fresh!
11 Ways to Streamline Living Alone
As mentioned, living alone leaves you shockingly short on time—it’s a fight against the clock. No parents to help with chores, no magical appliance to cook or do laundry for you. Everything from 1 to 10 falls on you alone. Slack off, and the burden piles up.
The difference comes down to whether you optimize or not. Optimization boils down to three strategies: reducing chores, outsourcing them, or automating them. Here’s the list, ranked by time-saving impact:
| Item | Initial Cost | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| LED Bulbs | $2.83/bulb | 1 min/month |
| Rechargeable Batteries | $39.07/4-pack | 10 min/month |
| Air Purifier Humidifier | $139.00 | 200 min/month |
| Declutter Your Home | $0 | Infinite |
| Toilet Cleaner | $14.71/month | 1 min/month |
| Robot Vacuum | $299.99 | 120 min/month |
| Stop Folding Clothes | $0 | 200 min/month |
| Super Multivitamin | $35.99/month | 150 min/month |
| Protein Powder | $30.98/month | 150 min/month |
| Countertop Dishwasher | $291.70 | 150 min/month |
| Drum Washer-Dryer | $999.00 | 200 min/month |
Implement all of these, and your life becomes remarkably efficient.
Why a Drum Washer-Dryer is a Game Changer
Among these 11 methods, the drum washer-dryer stands out with its hefty price tag and unmatched efficiency. Honestly, living alone is a “drum washer game”—whether you have one or not decides your fate.
If you introduce a drum washer-dryer, the time saved can be reinvested, potentially creating a significant gap between you and those without it. Costs might feel steep, but it’s an option worth considering—even a loan could be justified.
Except for the Drum Washing Machine, Introduce in Order of Lowest Cost
Since there’s no overwhelming difference in time-saving effects aside from the drum washing machine, it’s fine to introduce them in order of lowest cost.
In particular, I’d like the two options below, which cost $0, to be implemented right away.
| Proposal | Cost | Time-Saving Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce household items | $0 | Infinite |
| Stop folding clothes | $0 | 200 minutes/month |
Don’t Sell Your Time Cheaply
Some balk at appliances, citing electricity costs or initial expenses, but that’s undervaluing your time. The total upfront cost for everything here is $1,853.27. At $16/hour, you’d break even in 116 hours—less than 15 days of work.(5 days a week, 8 hours a day, for 3 weeks)
The combined monthly time savings? 1,182 minutes (19.7 hours). That’s 236.4 hours annually, or $3,776 at $16/hour. You recoup your investment in half a year. Why wouldn’t you do this? I can’t imagine not doing it!
Frugality matters, but be selective. You can’t afford to waste time pinching pennies when you only get one shot at life.
#11: LED Bulbs – $2.83 per bulb – 1 min/month
A no-brainer “consider it” item. Assuming 30 minutes every 3 years for replacing bulbs (1 min/month), the energy savings and longevity ensure you’ll break even. With high electricity rates in 2025, swap every bulb to LED now.
#10: Rechargeable Batteries – $39.07/4-pack – 10 min/month
Another “worth a look” winner. Recharge at home—no store trips. Assuming 60 minutes every 6 months for battery errands (10 min/month), the savings add up.
#9: Air Purifier Humidifier – $139.00 – 200 min/month
It removes dust/pollen and keeps humidity optimal. In my experience, it felt like sick days dropped from 3 to 2 annually (200 min/month). Buy used from OfferUp or Mercari and replace filters cheaply on Amazon.
#8: Declutter Your Home – $0 – Infinite Savings
Fewer items mean less searching. Daily hunts for remotes or keys vanish, and your space feels bigger.
#7: Toilet Cleaner – $14.71/month – 1 min/month
Spray, wait 15 minutes, and your toilet’s spotless. Cuts monthly cleaning from 1 minute to nearly zero.
#6: Robot Vacuum – $299.99 – 120 min/month
Run it remotely while out; return to spotless floors. Cuts 20-minute weekly cleanings (120 min/month).
#5: Stop Folding Clothes – $0 – 200 min/month
Simple: don’t fold. Toss clothes into dedicated boxes. Saves 13 minutes 3-4 times weekly (200 min/month).
#4: Super Multivitamin – $35.99/month – 150 min/month
In my experience, it felt like my health improved, reducing sick days from 3 to 2 annually (150 min/month). Illness wastes time.
#3: Protein Powder – $30.98/month – 150 min/month
Based on my experience, it seemed to reduce sick days from 3 to 2 annually (150 min/month), plus it supports youthfulness.
#2: Countertop Dishwasher – $291.70 – 150 min/month
Cuts daily 6-minute dishwashing to 1 minute (150 min/month). Buy used and use oxygen bleach instead of detergent.
#1: Drum Washer-Dryer – $999.00 – 200 min/month
Eliminates 12-minute laundry hanging 4 times weekly (200 min/month). A pricey but impactful option worth considering.
[Bonus] Live Close to Work – Infinite Savings
Aim for a 30-minute commute max. Moving closer to work boosts energy for side hustles or fun.
Living Alone is a Drum Washer Game
To repeat: living alone hinges on a drum washer-dryer. Freedom from laundry beats being chained to it every time.
Drum Washer Buying Tips
Any all-in-one model works. Get a 3-year warranty and skip fabric softener to preserve drying.
*This article was updated on May 13, 2025. Please note that the actual purchase price of recommended products may vary from the prices on the purchase site, so be sure to check the price information before buying.