How to life-hack 2025: We asked our reporters for their top tips

For many Australians, the new year is a time for reflection; a re-think of habits, goals and how they might do things better — especially in the era of bio-hacking and lifestyle optimisation.

But what are the life hacks that people actually stick with and swear by?

We’ve surveyed the SBS newsroom and asked our reporters to pull together a list of 24 hacks they actually use.

Unsurprisingly, for busy professionals whose lives are ruled by deadlines and the never-ending news cycle, managing stress and reducing screen time are the hacks they turn to most.

We’ve also got tips for reducing waste, saving money, and travelling better, including four things people should do before heading off on holiday.

From us to you: Here are the hacks we hope will help you live your best life in 2025.

Making sure you’re ‘match fit’ for life

1. World News presenter Janice Petersen swears by a cold blast of water at the end of every shower.

“Conquering a small stakes challenge each day means you’re match fit to take on whatever life’s about to throw at you,” she said.

A woman in a black and pink dress standing in front of a screen that has a map of Australia, a dollar sign and at GST stamp

Janice Petersen presenting SBS World News. Source: SBS News

Calendar your menial tasks

2. Digital video lead and mother-of-two Julia Calixto is a true believer in scheduling as many tasks as possible, including things such as folding laundry, emailing daycare and booking a blood test — as well as time for a walk and listening to an inspiring podcast.

Put everything you need to do in a calendar — not just the most important, but also the most mundane — and actually use the time to do it.

Julia Calixto

Reduce waste and save money

3. When you have a dress that’s too big, Petersen uses a coin or a bangle to tighten it.

“Tie [the coin or bangle] with an elastic from the inside [of the dress]. It gives a little ruching feature in 10 seconds. I had about $10 worth of coins in the gold hire dress I wore to the SBS Christmas party. It saved me!”

Two women dressed in sparkly gold outfits pose

Janice Petersen at SBS’ gold-themed Christmas party. Note the slight ruching above Petersen’s right hand. She says most of the ruching was on the back of her dress. Source: SBS News

4. The Feed video producer Jennifer Luu suggests checking if small businesses will sell you food without the packaging.

“My mum brings her own Tupperware to the tofu shop — not only does she save plastic, they also give her a discount for bringing her own container!”

5. Audio journalist Rania Yallop loves using a reusable safety razor instead of a disposable razor.

You can get boxes of 100 blades for $20. There’s less waste, and they’re sharper than disposable razors.

Rania Yallop

6. For those itching for a wardrobe refresh, features editor Anna Freeland suggests organising a clothes swap with friends.

“Not only do you get to re-home your sartorial has-beens but you may just come away with a few new looks from your friends’ preloved piles. One person’s trash is another’s treasure, as they say!

“Bonus tip: bring wine.”

Listen to grandma

7. Social lead Cathryn Boyes refers back to age-old wisdom for help with her household chores.

“My Oma [German for grandmother] used to wash her whites on a sunny day and put them out in the direct sun to bleach them. She said the Australian sun was useful for this.”

White shirts and one blue shirt hang from a washing line

Use the Australian sun to bleach your whites. Source: Getty / Thomas Northcut

Ease the stress of travel

8. Digital editor and mother-of-two Cecilia Lindgren likes to take care of her future self by always cleaning her home before going on holidays as there’s “nothing worse than coming back to a mess”.

9. She doubles down on this by placing an “online grocery order to be delivered just after we arrive home”.

10. As much as Australians love a long road trip, Petersen likes to keep hers as time-efficient as possible by adding a pinch of salt to her water.

“It helps top up lost electrolytes and can reduce the need to dash to the loo. Just add a tiny bit occasionally when you need water. Not enough to taste.”

Two children sit in the open back of a wagon with a woman.

Reduce pit stops on long road trips by adding salt to your water, and schedule a grocery delivery to your home for when you get back. Source: Getty / rudi_suardi

11. Calixto believes looking forward to a holiday is almost as fun as the holiday itself and she loves to draw this out by creating a spreadsheet with a plan and budget.

“It’s great to look back on to remember what you did and even share with friends and family when they’re after travelling tips,” she said.

“I’m honestly thinking about doing it for Christmas/New Year — we’re not going anywhere but I’m keen to stay across the budget and plan some downtime too — which is just as important but often gets dropped.”

Reduce screen time

Many of our correspondents, including Dateline’s Darren Mara, submitted suggestions for how to reduce screen time. See Mara’s tips below!

A montage of quotes from different journalists

SBS journalists have provided tips on how they reduce their screen time. Source: SBS News

Stay on top of your mental health

16. Presenter at World News and NITV, Breanna Holden has a standing booking to meet up with her friends for an outdoor activity together, such as walking, rock climbing or a trip to the playground for the kids while the adults enjoy a coffee.

“This reduces the money you would spend when seeing mates and also means you get vitamin D, fresh air and it’s good for your mental health.

If you are busy like me, a standing booking is great because you always plan for it.

Breanna Holden

A woman with brown hair and wearing a yellow shirt stands and smiles into the camera

Breanna Holden has a regular meet-up with her friends and family for an outdoor activity. Source: SBS News

17. Digital journalist Elfy Scott says a five-minute daily meditation or short breathing exercises make a massive difference in relieving stress.

18. NITV digital content lead Alexis Moran also enjoys listening to meditations, in particular via the Calm app.

“I like the guided meditation, especially when you’re having trouble falling asleep or feeling anxious.”

19. Calixto likes to write things down.

“Chuck the items you have on your mind late at night on a to-do list for the morning … you’ll fall asleep faster.”

Crack down on wasted time

20. Lindgren is also SBS News’ resident Scandi queen and loves to simplify the things in her life.

“Buy children the same brand of white socks in bulk at the start of the year to eliminate time wasted sorting socks during the year,” she said.

“Generally, minimising stuff is so good. I threw out all of my mismatched Tupperware (including the lids that didn’t belong anywhere) and bought all new Tupperware at Ikea (which sells lids and containers separately) and it’s the best.”

A drawer with neatly staked containers and lids

Lindgren’s impeccably organised drawer of containers. Source: Supplied

21. Digital news editor Alex Britton also loves the efficiency of his capsule wardrobe.

“I have T-shirts in black, navy, grey, white. I have trousers in olive, navy, black, beige. I have shirts in blue and white. Everything goes with everything. No need to think too much about getting dressed!”

22. The Feed digital producer Michelle Elias suggests keeping a dedicated notes page for gift ideas.

“When you need to buy [friends] something you can refer to it.”

Manage your money for less stress

23. Lead of The Feed, Edwina Storie, has separate accounts to set aside money for specific expenses, such as Christmas, big bills, her upcoming wedding and holidays.

“I put in $20 in each of them every week or fortnight to help ease the sting when they come around. It’s especially helpful at the end of the year to have some pocket money to spend on Christmas and makes it less financially stressful.”

24. Holden says her key to saving money is to withdraw her week’s ‘spending money’ in cash.

“That covers groceries, social money, petrol, etc — anything that isn’t an automatic transfer.

“This makes me a lot more aware of how much money I am actually spending, saves on surcharges, and whatever is left over from my budget goes into a little splurge account.”

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