#1 Aren’t we all just trying to get ahead in life?
The older we grow, it feels like the more prone we are to look for shortcuts and make our many tasks as easy as possible. After all, why shouldn't some things be simple?
The big question is just how we go about this process of simplification and if we're being ethical about it. Tempting as the easy way out may be, it isn't always legal.
So, while we in no way condone the following life hacks, you should definitely check these out to see which of these you would actually try and attempt.
#2 Free Starbucks
At a drive thru, make your order as per usual (try for something small to avoid suspicion). When you get to the window to pick it up, the goal is to make a huge misunderstanding. Tactics include using a heavy accent, acting foreign, or simply acting confused and telling them that what they're handing you is not what you ordered. Confuse the workers by poorly explaining that you ordered something different, but ultimately act sincere and offer to pay for their mistake and take the wrong item anyway. Chances are the employees will offer you the item for free, or even make you a new order and give you the mistake at no charge.
In theory, this unethical life hack could work at any drive thru as long as you pay and pick up your order at the same time.
#3 Get your own row on crowded public transportation.
Hate feeling like a sardine on a bus, train, or even plane? Fend off other people by simply wearing one of those face masks, you know, the type that will make everyone thing you're hideously contagious with SARS or something airborne, and watch would be bus partners go running the other way.
#4 Free Illegal Parking
Really need to park in a hurry? Save an old parking ticket and stick it under the wipers. If a cop comes around and sees that your car already has a ticket, they might just pass it by.
Just make sure it's the same type/ color ticket or else you're in for a whole lot of trouble.
#5 Free Food Truck Food
If you're craving some free food and not having to wait in line, there's an unethical life hack for you. Approach a popular food truck when it's very busy and a little hectic. Pass by the line and wait by the pickup window for 3-5 minutes, and make eye contact with the server to establish your presence. After waiting, kindly approach the worker and ask if [one or two of their most popular item] is ready for pickup. If the odds are in your favor, enjoy your food!
#6 Free Magazine Subscriptions
Want access to your favorite magazines without having to deal with pricy subscriptions? Next time you're at an office, doctor's, or dentist, just snap a quick picture of the shipping label on any of the magazines on hand. Typically, the numbers and address information are all you need for online access to the magazine. Enjoy!
#7 More Carry-On Luggage
Have way too much stuff to bring onto a flight? Buy something at one of the airport gift shops and ask for a larger bag, then stuff your extra luggage into it. As long as it looks like you bought it inside the airport, you should be able to bring it on free of charge while keeping your carry on bag under the weight limit.
#8 Kill ‘Em With Kindness
Now this one is definitely unethical and sketchy, but it goes to show how easy it can be to trick people.
If you need to get into an office or area of a building that is restricted to employees only, try getting in by carrying too much stuff with you. Namely, try getting in with multiple boxes of doughnuts or carrying a bunch of coffee and act like there's no way you can reach your keycard or swipe. Someone is bound to help you over such a small act of kindness.
You could also wind up short of cash while buying groceries or coffee, just act really friendly and start searching through your purse/ pockets. If it's only one or two bucks, the people behind you or even the workers might be inclined to help out, if only to keep the line moving smoothly.
#9 Go to the Movies for Free
This one is all about confidence. Walk into a movie theater, straight past the box office and ticket collector (depending on the theater's setup, of course). If someone tries stopping you, kindly explain that you just saw a movie but are now looking for your wife/ child/ wallet/ coat/ etc. Just act like you know what you're doing, and once they're no longer paying attention to you, go enjoy a movie!
#10 Free USB Flash Drives
Go to a public library, university library, or the like, and explain to the worker at the help desk that you are looking for a lost USB flash drive. Start to describe the thumb drive and be convincing about it, or otherwise vaguely describe it and instead talk about the important material you left on it. Then prepare to help yourself to the largest collection of forgotten flash drives you've ever seen.
#11 Get Out of Jury Duty!
Most people hate and fear the concept of jury duty slowing down their week or messing them up at work. While you're going to have to show up on that first day, avoiding actually getting picked to sit on a jury is easy as pie, and it all comes down to lying.
Lawyers want to avoid a biased jury at all costs, especially when it's not in their favor. If you're called into a courtroom and interviewed by the judge or lawyers, one easy trick is to come off as very ignorant, or say that you love police/ are related to police/ believe that police can never be wrong. Otherwise, try and find out what the case is about when they ask you trigger questions such as "Have you or a relative ever been in a car accident/ had a back injury?" Play along with these to sound as biased as possible, and they won't sit you on the jury. This way, you'll just waste your time for one day instead of the length of a trial.
