Lifehacker

Hydroponics used to be a nerdy hobby for homesteaders and home pot growers. What was once required a complicated setup that resulted in absurd-looking home laboratories has now been commoditized into sleek, modern towers of plastic for your home. But are commercially produced hydroponic gardening towers actually a…Read more...

The culinary world has no shortage of jargon, and occasionally it feels like an entirely different language. While I enjoy picking up a bit of French or Javanese, learning the meaning behind the name of a recipe or technique can improve your cooking. By improve, I also mean improvise. When you learn some of the basics…Read more...

Wintoys is a must-have Windows app that makes it easy to find the most useful tools on your PC. From clearing junk files and speeding up your computer, to helping you restart the graphics driver or even repair corrupted thumbnails, Wintoys makes many of these previously hidden features easily accessible...and it’s…Read more...

Headlines about fentanyl are shocking. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. increased 58% between 2019 and 2021 at least partly due to the influx of this super-charged synthetic narcotic into the nation’s illicit drug supply. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl can cause an overdose, an amount of powder that could fit…Read more...

Moving into a new home can be a chore, from figuring out how things work to unpacking boxes and arranging furniture, and it’s common to feel unsettled for a while. But whether your new home is a fixer-upper or practically perfect the day you move in, there are small upgrades you can make that have a big impact on how…Read more...

It’s a sad fact of life that pretty often, the better it feels to do something, the worse it is for you—especially when you repeat it so often it falls under the category of “lifestyle choice.” Gorging on unhealthy food once in a while is an indulgence, but living exclusively on cheeseburgers and fries is a lifestyle,…Read more...

Being a DIY redecorating fanatic is rewarding until you stumble at the finish line choosing the right colors for your projects. Or maybe you’re trying to touch up an already painted wall and you just can’t get the shade to look right.

Some months I think, why do I even subscribe to Paramount+? I can’t tell my Yellowstone spinoffs from my Yellowjackets. Then I remember that Star Trek exists.Read more...

Amazon’s biggest discount holiday of the year, Prime Day 2023, is nearly upon us, which means you can expect thousands of deals and discounts on just about every type of product you can think of. If you’re looking for details on when and where Amazon’s 48-hour shopping event will be held, you’ve come to the right…Read more...

It wasn’t that I didn’t like the fluffy corn I had popped in clarified butter. I just found it slightly disappointing (at least until I added salt, but more on that in a bit). “It’s because you drown your popcorn,” my boyfriend suggested, shoving another handful into his mouth. “That’s why you don’t like this. You’d…Read more...

A brand-new, off-the-shelf computer may be a necessary expense if you need the latest hardware. But for most of us, a refurbished device is a more affordable—and environmentally friendly—option. This refurbished Apple MacBook Air is certified to look and work like new, despite being manufactured in 2017. And right…Read more...

Sensory paths are a popular feature in schools, as they can engage kids in ways that promote focus and calm. These are all things that many adults could stand to be reminded of, so a garden sensory path doesn’t have to be just for kids.

Welcome back to The Grown-Up Kitchen, a segment of Skillet devoted to answering basic kitchen questions. Not every voting-age adult is comfortable slingin’ steaks or even heating their frozen pizza. (My stepfather insists he’s never been able to microwave popcorn without burning it.) From basic cooking skills to…Read more...

Lots of people are rightly mad at Netflix for cracking down on password sharing or still nursing a grudge over GLOW getting canceled, but lest they think nothing they do will make us happy, I’d like to take this moment to thank them for raising Nimona from the dead after Disney unjustly shitcanned it in 2021.Read more...

While we’ve all been focused on growing a bee-friendly habitat in our gardens by planting pollinator friendly varieties, there’s something else that’s vital to the health of bees that often goes unmentioned: Bees need water. In their natural habitats, bees get water from ponds, pools, and puddles that naturally occur…Read more...

Once you’re enrolled in college, you can take classes whenever you want, including spring and winter breaks and during the summer. But you can also get a jump start on your college credits before you’ve even started your first traditional semester. There are some options for you in high school to earn college credit…Read more...

The experience of watching YouTube videos somehow keeps getting worse, and if you watch them on your smart TV, get ready to begin seeing a lot of unskippable 30-second ads before your video has even started. As if that isn’t bad enough, YouTube may also start showing you ads when you pause a video.

“Oh, the ADHD special,” the Starbucks barista commented, and I swiveled to see who she was talking to. I’d heard the order, too. Chai latte with two scoops of matcha powder. I raised an eyebrow, because now I’d heard it in two places: people treating ADHD with green tea matcha. The first person had been my therapist,…Read more...

Planning out a college class schedule is a special art. There are some classes that can be taken during winter break or “May intersession,” for instance, and those cram a whole semester’s worth of work into about two weeks—but substantially speed up the pace at which you acquire credits for graduation. You can also…Read more...

Well folks, we’ve had a good run. Netflix has officially ended free password sharing in the U.S. If you have a Netflix account, you might have received an email confirming as much. If you borrow someone else’s account, you may have already been blocked from watching. People are pissed, with some cancelling their…Read more...

I buy my ducks from the Asian market down the street. Not only is it the most economical choice, but it’s the most fun option. These ducks come with the head and neck attached, and the neck is a treat.Read more...

Boxed muffin mixes are convenient for baking up a dozen hand-held quick breads, but that’s not all they can do. The pre-packaged mixture contains flour, sugar, flavorings, and a leavening agent, ingredients that are consistent with a number of other cake-like desserts. In fact, with a couple of simple adjustments, you…Read more...

Sometimes your child gets into a situation that requires them to “repair” or, even sometimes, “repent.” Often you will be the one to dole out these consequences. However, once your child is in school, there may come a time when they “get in trouble” and you get that dreaded call from the office or a teacher. What if…Read more...

So you’ve always wanted to live at the beach, whether as a permanent resident or for frequent access to a vacation home. According to data from Realtor.com, you may be able to get your wish without spending a fortune if you can snag a home in one of the most affordable beach towns in the U.S.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it at least four times: We are living in a golden age of pickled products. Some of them are good, and some of them are bad, but few will come close to the perfect of the Golden Flake Dill Pickle Potato Chip (pre-acquisition by Utz, that is).Read more...

You know the grind never stops; but how do you get the grind to start? In addition to my main job guiding you through the ins and outs of personal finance here at Lifehacker, I’m also hustling. Every year I can depend on additional money from humor writing, copy editing, voice-over work, and even a pet sitting gig or…Read more...

Sometimes Google Docs won’t cut it, and you need the power of Microsoft Office. Unfortunately, the latter costs a more than the former (free). And while Microsoft may have been an early adopter in the business of monthly software subscriptions, that’s not your only cost-effective option.

National Hamburger Day (not to be confused with its sibling food holiday, National Cheeseburger Day, which isn’t until September) is fast approaching on May 28. This Sunday, you can expect great deals on hamburgers from many chains found nationwide, with some deals starting even earlier. Here are the best ones to keep…Read more...

You don’t have to redecorate every time you want to see your living room in a new light. Which is to say, a little change in your lighting can make a big difference for how your home feels—and a few Lamp Depot Minimalist LED Corner Floor Lamps will allow you to choose from one of literally millions of color options…Read more...

Do you have a massive TBR (“to be read”) pile? You’re not alone. There are so many great books out there, and so little time to read them. But I’ve managed to tame my TBR pile with a simple shift in mindset—and this trick also works for video games, craft supplies, and anything else that tends to pile up while it…Read more...

The first rule of home ownership is that you are perpetually unprepared for just how expensive it is. Even after years of dealing with the slow-motion collapse of your most valuable asset, you can still be amazed at the sheer scale of a repair bill—so it’s no surprise that many folks head off to YouTube University to…Read more...

At this point, it might not surprise you to know that I love a good casserole. A lineup of my favorite ingredients amassed into a sliceable savory cake of sorts–what’s not to like? Monotony, that’s what. It’s important to keep it interesting, and my latest finding does exactly that. Give your casserole a makeover with…Read more...

It’s true: HBO Max is no more. In its place, rises Max, a new streaming service that combines the libraries of HBO Max and Discovery+. While the name change is baffling (why would you remove a prestigious name like HBO from your brand?) it’s what’s here, and it’s where Home Box Office content will live from now on.…Read more...

The feeling of a warm breeze on a spring day is something many allergy sufferers have had to go without because with the breeze comes the pollen. Flowers blooming also means pollen dropping, kicking up all that sneezy dust into the air. Luckily for your sinuses, there are a few clever ways to keep the air inside fresh…Read more...

According to a recent YouGov poll, about a third of Americans are either very confident or somewhat confident they could safely land a commercial aircraft in an emergency, relying only on the assistance of air traffic control. (About 50% of men said they’d suddenly become ace pilots in an emergency, compared to one…Read more...

When I first started this series, I set out to waffle strange and unusual things that had yet to be waffled. I skipped over the waffled grilled cheese because it seemed too obvious, but it is a top tier waffled delight. If you want to make it more of a meal, you can add a little meat, but you should waffle that meat…Read more...

If you have a dark corner or a gloomy hall, chances are you’ve considered adding a sconce light fixture. But hiring an electrician to run wire to your fixture can be pricey, especially if it’s just for one light. The advent of battery powered LED fixtures has made the need for wiring a light in the closet or over a…Read more...

JSX is a public charter operator that can be a great alternative to the conventional business or first-class traveler. If you’re the kind of person who likes to splurge on flights every once in a while, you can use them to fly with free drinks, with a maximum of 30 people per flight and a 20-minute turnover from…Read more...

I’m not wild about our current pop culture obsession with nostalgia, in part because we seem be reaching a point where a dearth of original cinematic fare is going to leave the nostalgia miners of the future with nothing to work with.

There are some good options for people who want to avoid the long lines of TSA at the airport, including TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear. But there’s another lesser-known way to ensure you get a smoother transition through TSA, and it’s free: Reserve by Clear. Not everyone can afford the time and money it takes…Read more...

Debt is a scary word, but it’s a necessary part of moving through the world today. If you want to rent an apartment, buy a car, take out a loan, or make pretty much any major financial move—you need to get used to debt. The good news: There is a such thing as good debt.

Fresh-cut flowers can be a lovely addition to your home decor, but they can also be hard to justify buying when they don’t last more than a few days before wilting.

Bees want to be left alone, and in return, they typically leave us alone. Even when you see a swarm of bees out in the wild, they’re usually moving from one hive to another—not chasing after an enemy.

Want to learn a new language but you’re not down with Rosetta Stone? You can learn up to 14 new languages with a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for $199.97 (a 20% savings from the regular price of $249.99) now through May 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT, no coupon necessary.

Seven years ago, I used my immersion circulator to make some edibles (for work), then tried them all at once and got too high to order a burrito. Sous vide was, and continues to be, an efficient THC extraction method. But I live in Portland, a city where delicious professionally made edibles are ubiquitous and cheap,…Read more...

Good news, everybody—it’s Mailbox Improvement Week! While this is sometimes spun as an opportunity to “beautify” your mailbox (paint it, plant some flowers around it), there’s a more pressing issue: a human being has to stick their hand inside that thing, so please try not to make it a threat to life and limb.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom features a lot of items. It carries over staples from Breath of the Wild like food and monster parts, and adds plenty of new options from bomb flowers to Zonai devices. You really can’t have enough items in this game, which makes this item duplication glitch so useful.

A few years ago, during a long drive from San Diego to Davis, I decided to go vegan cold turkey. I was driving toward my alma mater, where I was planning to study environmental science; the closer I got, the harder I found it to escape the feeling that I would be hypocrite if I did anything else, given the staggering…Read more...

Getting a new computer can be pricey, but depending on your needs, you might not need a top shelf model to realize solid performance. Heck, if all you need to do is surf the internet, stream video, and use Google docs, a new machine is almost certainly overkill. A better choice: This refurbished MacBook Air, which…Read more...

When pursuing the perfect bean dip, you either end up with a claggy, dense, muddy brick, or a light, smooth, silky spread. Let’s avoid the brick. The best way to achieve a fluffy, lump-less bean dip is to use flour—bean flour, that is.