Hack Your Way to an Amazing Life

These little tweaks will give you more time for the things you love, like sausage dogs on Instagram.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

These little tweaks will give you more time for the things you love, like sausage dogs on Instagram.

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HOW TO HELP A FRIEND IN NEED

It’s all about empathising with your bud, says clinical psychologist Jo Lamble. Here’s what she says to do…

When they’re stressed out: “Ask them to talk more about what’s going on and validate them by saying something like ‘No wonder you’re feeling stressed, that’s a lot to deal with.’ Offer to go for a walk with them or see a movie.”

When they’re seriously ill: “Offer to do something practical for them, like helping them do the shopping or run errands. Most importantly, continue to check in on them.” When they’ve lost their job: “Contact them straight away if you heard the news via someone else. If they tell you directly, empathise by saying ‘That sucks’. Then ask some questions, like. 

'When did you find out?’ or ‘What do you think you’ll do now?’. Don’t say anything too positive, like ‘You’ll be OK – you’ll find another one soon’, because if you’re too chirpy, you’re not validating how they’re feeling.”

When they’ve lost someone close to them: “We’re often not good at dealing with grief, but it’s vital you contact them immediately to say that you’re very sorry to hear the news. If you knew the person, ask your friend all about them. Whenever appropriate, talk about the person who has died and don’t be afraid to reminisce and laugh while talking about them.”

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How to be a great conversationalist every day

Etiquette expert Amanda King helps you solve your social stuff-ups and own any setting you could possibly walk into.

…look super smart When you’re nervously networking, Amanda emphasises the importance of good, subtle eye contact. And about that whole appearing-mega-smart part? Amanda says to try discussing current events, taking pauses and asking lots of questions.

…leave a boring conversation Amanda recommends repeating something he’s said with a positive spin like, “Sounds like that tax convention was fun.” That way, he knows you’ve been listening and when you follow up with a quick exit, you won’t seem as rude.

…fix an accidental name stuff-up Oops, you called her the wrong name. Amanda suggests immediately acknowledging your mistake and apologising. Emphasise that you had a long day and you were just talking to [insert name you called them].

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How to choose the right dating site

It all depends on what’s most important to you when you first meet someone. Is it a shared love of cooking or how hot he looks in his profile pic?

If you’re a believer in love (or lust) at first sight: Tinder, because it’s based on looks and first impressions.

If you are looking for The One: OkCupid presents you with compatible matches via data gathered from a quiz.

If you’re almost famous: Raya, a dating app for famous people. Expect to find internet personalities, models and even movie stars.

If you’ve got a Kanye-sized ego: Beautifulpeople. com, where only stunners can join. Let’s hope their personality matches their looks.

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How to have a killer Instagram account

Hot tips from lifestyle blogger and popular Instagrammer Jemimah Wei (@jemmawei).

1 Plan your feed beforehand

“Your Instagram feed is like your portfolio. At first glance, it should be coherent. I use VSCO Cam to arrange my photos in a three by three feed to get an idea of what it’ll look like.”

2 Take note of the frequency and timing

“I post at least once every day. If engagement is your main focus, it wouldn’t hurt to take some time out to analyse the type and timing of pictures that gain the most traction. “

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3 Edit, edit, edit

“The filters you use add a unique flavour to your pictures and it’s a bit like a signature. ”

4 Do you

“Too many people get obsessed over creating the perfect feed. I’m more inclined to follow people who have witty bios or make me laugh with their captions. I like to feel like I know the person behind the profile. Taking great pictures is one thing but don’t let yourself get lost along the way!”

How to ask for a pay raise and get one

Assess the current situation at work first, then follow these these helpful tips from career coach Karen Bremner.

Know the going wage rate for the job “Look at annual salary reports and check Payscale (payscale.com) for a rough idea of typical rates. Knowing the basic market rate grounds your discussions in reality – and quoting salary ranges (rather than a fixed amount) keeps the negotiations open.”

Sell your business case “Remember that your worth to the company depends on the value you bring. It’s not about how hard you work or how long you’ve been there. You’ll need to demonstrate how you’ve actively added value to the company, above and beyond just doing your job.”

Plan for success “Don’t hijack your boss with an unexpected request, or when she’s focused on more pressing priorities. You want to set the scene for a positive and productive discussion. Tell her in advance that you’d appreciate an opportunity to discuss salary, and let her set up a time.”

Be flexible “If your boss can’t promise you more money at the moment, let her know you understand. Next, ask if you can review the situation in a few months’ time, or look at other non-financial perks. You can still negotiate hours, training or leave.”

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How to get up and exercise in the morning

Angela Lee, assistant instructor at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts and member of the Evolve Fight Team, shares her secrets.

Get enough sleep “It’s necessary to be well-rested so that you can have a fresh start and kick off the next day fully energised.”

Have a positive outlook “It’s impossible to get anything done with the wrong attitude.”

Make no room for excuses “Laziness and excuses go hand-in-hand.”

Set a personal goal for yourself “Aim to achieve it – whether it’s for keeping fit or getting in shape to look great in a stunning dress.”

Turn up the music! “It’s a great way to get pumped up in the morning. My fave at the moment is ‘Waiting For Love’ by Avicii. I just love the beat and tempo of this song.”

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How to de-stress instantly

Banish stress by getting out of your head and in touch with your senses, says psychologist Mary Hoang.

“Stop what you’re doing, set a timer on your phone for five minutes and close your eyes.”

“Take your time to feel your feet on the floor, the contact of your body on the seat that you’re in, and the feeling of clothing on your skin.”

“Take three deep breaths all the way into the belly, noticing every part of the breath. Feel the belly rising and falling as you breathe.”

“Allow the breath to return to a natural rhythm and focus on the air entering and exiting the nostrils. Your mind will wander when you’re stressed, but that’s OK, stay with it. Let the breath be your anchor to the present and away from those stressful thoughts.”

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HOW TO GET YOUR SWEAT ON IN FIVE MINUTES

Personal trainer Luke Heath is the master of quick and effective workouts. He has even created his own app, Luke Heath Fitness, that puts people to the test at home.

This workout focuses on cardio and the legs, which are your big calorie-burners and strengthen your core,” Luke says. “When coupled like this, they’re hitting two-thirds of your body’s muscle mass, so you know it’s going to get your heart racing in no time.”

Do 15 reps of each exercise:

Burpees (with the option of burpee tuck jumps for you hardcore types)

Crunches with your feet on the bed

Athletic lunges

Mountain climbers

Walking feet plank

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QUICK KITCHEN HACKS
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Cleaning a burnt saucepan Thrifty living guru Julia Harris has a nifty tip that can save your charcoaled pot. “Gently heat a little olive oil in the affected saucepan,” says Julia. “Allow the pan to stand for an hour. Then pour out the oil and wipe burnt areas away with a clean sponge.”

Chill wine quickly without ice “Soak a wet tea towel with cold water and wring it out,” suggests Chris Coffey, General Manager of Wine E-tailer Vinomofo (vinomofo.com). “Wrap the bottle in the towel and put it in the freezer. Your wine will cool at a much faster rate and you won’t sacrifice the taste or quality of your bottle.”

Chop veggies like a pro MasterChef Australia’s Laura Cassai says, “You could do it the easy way and put it in a food processer.” But if you really want to up your knife skills, make sure you practise. “I used to be shocking with knives. You’ll eventually get to a point where you’re chopping and not even looking at what you’re doing!”

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How to translate foreign languages

Google’s Shane Treeves has the techy know-how for decoding dialects.

“When I’m traveling overseas and don’t speak a word of the local language, it’s really useful to get translations to help me get around,” says Shane. For example, if you were in France looking for coffee, you could simply say to your Google Translate app ‘Translate where can I find a good coffee in Paris into French’. It will show the translation and say it out loud for you too – which is pretty handy if your accent needs work.”

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How can you tell your keys apart?

Dip the heads of each key in different-coloured nail polish.

Tech hacks that everyone should know

Putting your phone on airplane mode while it’s charging will make the battery bar fill up faster.

If your computer is lagging, clean up your desktop. A cluttered desktop can slow down your computer.

Not willing to splurge on a laptop cooler? Prop your device on a cardboard egg tray.

If you’re bored at work, go to Google Images and search “Atari Breakout”. Just make sure your boss doesn’t catch you at it!

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How to fix a chipped French mani

A fresh French mani is a sure way to feel instantly polished but when you chip it, well, the effect isn’t so chic. Luckily, Orly’s ambassador Fiona Hay has come to save the day. “The best way to touch up a French manicure is by looping a rubber band around the tip of your finger to recreate the guide line. Then, pull the sides down to create a natural curved line,” says Fiona. “Wait for your nail polish to dry before removing the rubber bands and finish off with a top coat to restore the shine and seal the polish.”

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How to keep jeans from fading in the wash

Nicholas Driver, designer for fashion brand Lee, has a quirky technique that actually works. Nicholas says the usual trick of turning jeans inside-out helps but if you want to really retain colour, you should use the freezer, not the washing machine. “If you choose to go down the no-wash road (best for colour retention), place jeans in the freezer overnight in an open plastic bag – this will kill most of the bacteria.”

Quick tip for pimples: Eyedrops can also help to remove the redness from zits.
Quick tip for pimples: Eyedrops can also help to remove the redness from zits.
HOW TO SAVE DRIED OUT MASCARA

Don’t just throw out your mascara. Beauty vlogger Chloe Morello has the goods to keep plumping for longer.

To bring life back to your parched mascara, cake liner or liquid liner, Morello recommends reaching for eye drops. “Just add a few drops [to the formula] and mix it in with a toothpick.”

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How to make your blowout last longer

Ain’t nobody got time to blow-dry their hair every day. Sean Ang from Arx Salon reveals the trick to getting the most out of a blowout. “Work an oil into freshly-washed hair (stick to natural oils like argan and macadamia as they absorb and nourish without leaving any residue) followed by a non-greasy setting product. Then blast dry and blow to style. Remember to avoid all other types of prep and mousses that can weigh your hair down.”

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HOW TO DEAL WITH TIGHT LEATHER PUMPS

When the new heels you bought for an event hurt like hell, CLEO Singapore’s Fashion Director Janice Pidduck suggests you do the following.

“If they’re very tight, get them slightly stretched by a cobbler. If they’re just pinching a little, you can try rubbing washing detergent or soap on them to ease the friction between the leather and your skin. Failing that, buy a blister plaster to prevent further chafing and persevere until you’ve managed to break the shoes in. Sometimes, it’s a matter of no pain no gain when it comes to fashion!”

How to stop blisters in new shoes

The shoe gurus at Mister Minit make sure that you can walk in your fave heels pain-free

Got a big night ahead? Well, there’s a way you can keep your shoes on for the whole time and avoid blisters. “Pop plasters on your shoes in the areas that rub, rather than directly on your skin, so you won’t sweat the adhesive away.”

How to iron shirt collars quickly

The shirt you want to wear tonight is crumpled? CLEO Australia’s Fashion Editor Alissa Thomas has a fix. She suggests using your hair-straightener as a mini-iron. “Once heated, briefly press the plates together on the crease then release. Just be sure the fabric is suitable for a hot iron.” You don’t want to burn it!

How to cull your wardrobe

Not sure what clothes to keep and what to ditch? Fashion Buyer Toni Baston recommends a super simple yet fool-proof editing system that’s sure to work.

“Each time you wear an item of clothing, hang it up but always to one end of your wardrobe. After a while you’ll notice the items you never wear are all down one end, so it will make the cull a lot easier.”

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How to pose for OOTD shots

Take a leaf out of CLEO Singapore’s Fashion Stylist and Writer Cheryl Chan’s book. Or should we say Instagram feed?

1 Move constantly “The trick is to have many variations that you can pick from. Sometimes, it’s the in-between moments that create the best shot.”

2 Know your environment “A great wall or background will make a world of difference, especially if your outfit is simple.”

3 Interact with your surroundings “A shot of you leaning on a wall with your leg up looks way more natural and less contrived than one hand on the hip in front of some random building.”

4 Sunlight is your best friend “If you’re using a phone instead of a DSLR camera, make sure the place is brightly lit. Pictures will look grainy if there’s not enough light. Natural light is always more flattering – the best time to take your shot is the hour just before sunset, around 6pm.”

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