Ideas to Automate / Simplify Things to Save Time?

Looking to hear from you, what do you recommend to streamline or just automate parts of your life?

Here's some examples I've used:

· NOTES: Keep notes app organized with "Incoming" note to dump ideas, and a few others to keep them sorted with TODOs etc.

· PAPER MAIL: Send all mail (except packages) to travelingmailbox.com to have it all scanned and emailed, or optimally forwarded (also auto deposits checks)

· PHOTOS: Create Nested"Type">"Year">"Event" Photo groups, for example "Day Trips">"2018">"Axe Making" or "USA">"2017">"Florida", BUT also even more importantly adding a smart group called "No Album Photos" with a rule of "Album" "is not" "Any". This allows you to only to quickly go through and group photos in an hour or so once a month. ALSO, Use "Scanner Pro" or similar app to scan ALL photos in photo books to digitize them and backup on and offline. Get rid of photo books.

· EMAIL: Inbox zero as much as possible. Unsubscribe from mailing lists (Use an RSS Reader if possible to keep up on news instead) and create rules to delete all statements, etc. you cannot unsubscribe from.

· NEWS: Use an RSS Reader with grouped feeds to avoid opening a ton of site.

· FINANCE: Automate all bills and payments. Go paperless and create a rule to delete all statements (can get them from deleted items much later if needed). Use Mint, set calendar event to check for mistaken/suspicious purchases every two weeks.

· FOOD: Use Paprika (an app) to VERY quickly tap to make a list of everything you need to buy and sync it between phones to be able to split up and shop at opposite sides of the store to cut shopping time in half. If you can get delivery of groceries, do that. Also scan in all recipes into paprika (VERY easy) and put a cheap iPad in kitchen. Check out Imperfect produce for cheap produce deliveries (organic also). Try Sunbasket for pre portioned meals to cook. There are other options for anything from cheese to meats these days also.

· GYM: Cancel membership and buy a decent cheap rack for $500 or so, get weights on craigslist. Try to have things setup to use at all times to save time and avoid procrastinating, make it as easy as possible.

· BOOKS: Audiobooks on 2x are awesome, unless it's something very detailed that takes a lot of focus to remember. But for some stories, simpler concepts it can be great. Check our your local libraries online system to download FREE audiobooks in MP3 format.

· CLOTHING: Simplify your wardrobe. Find nice Tees, dress shirts, whatever you like, and just but 4 or 5 in 3 colors. That's just one example but cuts down the need to spend a lot of time and money matching things. Sort of like Steve jobs but not as dad bod style lol.

· MONEY: Use apps to send cash, scan checks whenever possible. If you need quarters for a laundry machine, get a TON at once, like a box ($500 I think) to last a whole year.

· TRAVEL: AVOID TOURS (lots are expensive and just sitting in a bus). Fly out on Tuesdays for cheaper prices. GET GLOBAL ENTRY. Many people do not know about this, TSA Pre-Check is around $75 (last I looked) and Global Entry is only $25 more, however it gives you Pre-Check PLUS Expedited entry (like pre-check) internationally and lasts for 5 years. For $20 a year you can skip lines at most airports, not need to take your shoes and/or belt off, etc. Also check out Travelzoo.com for a non-spammy newsletter about last minute flash sales with large airlines to get cheap tix if you don't mind not booking right away.

· PHONES: Put all the apps you rarely use into folders, have ONE screen with apps/folders, turn off ALL annoying notifications (things you don't care to know about right away). Set away mode / dnd for 10PM-9AM for example.

· DOCUMENTS: Scan ALL important documents, organize nested folders and have them backed up on and offline. (Ideally backup to external ssd hd and store in a fireproof briefcase with social security cards, etc.) Organize by PERSONAL/INFO BACKUP/BIRTH CERTIFICATE/ etc. Have a root folder called "PERSONAL UNSORTED" and / or "BUSINESS UNSORTED". Create a right click shortcut to "Send to PERSONAL UNSORTED Folder" and one for "Send to BUSINESS UNSORTED Folder" to keep desktop clear. Schedule time to sort them all later. Yes I know you can use Evernote also, I prefer this since it's what I'm used to but Evernote is also good.

· BROWSER: ALWAYS Use Adblock on desktop AND mobile. Organize Bookmarks into folders such as "MUSIC", "CODING", etc. Remove extra extensions/buttons you don't need/use. Install a quick search plugin to type "y top 10 unexplained whatever" to search youtube. W for wikipedia, etc.

· PASSWORDS: Use keychain on Mac in safari to generate strong passwords automatically. If you use windows/android or another browser other than safari on Mac, consider using 1password. This app does the same thing and will both prompt you to change a password when a site like yahoo announces compromised email/passwords, and tell you if you have any weak passwords or any reused. You can securely keep all of them with just one password to remember.

· CALENDAR: Create a personal, finance, and shared calendar. Share the shared calendar with your partner, etc. This way you can both see if things are booked and not need to ask for reminders or check something separately. Very easy to do and saves plenty of time/double bookings if you are busy on weekends and forget to remind each other, etc.

· BULK: Buy things in larger amounts if you have space and money. For example, buy 4 containers of laundry soap at once. If you have a chest style freezer you can buy large amounts of things like salmon, etc. if they are on sale in your area and save time. Pre portion before freezing and have some recipes that are good for many ingredients or just 10 to 20 that you make consistently. This way you can easily grab things and know what you will make without needing to find more recipes constantly.

· READ ESSENTIALISM: This book gives excellent examples of the mindset and practical uses of keeping things streamlined in life. There's also a good bit in the book "The 4 Hour Work Week" under automation and if you want a visual assistant, check out the book "Virtual Freedom" by Chris Ducker on best practices.

I'm sure there are more but this is just a few off the top of my head, if you have any other suggestions, please post them here also, I'm very interested to see what other people find useful. Thank you!