When it comes to life it's sometimes hard to navigate, especially when you are on the receiving end of the latest and greatest offer that you are led to believe will save you money. However, more often than not there is no saving to be had, and it's nothing more than a clever marketing ploy to get at your hard earned cash. There are some life hacks which are pretty obvious, but only once you have read them as until then, you are in the dark. For example, did you know that HDMI cords are the same, whether they cost $350 or $35? Or that there's no such thing as baby carrots? Check out 19 vital life hacks that are bound to save you time and money, at least in the long run…

Cow Tipping

It isn't a real hobby, so stop pretending it is. And no, you've never done it, as it isn't possible to do. Cows weigh a lot, and not many humans could even tip one of they tried. Furthermore, cows sleep lying down! So how you gonna tip them?!

Snail Mail

You can rest easy, sort of, in the knowledge that if the IRS want to catch up with you, the only way they will ever do it is by snail mail, and never by telephone or email. If you are contacted by those means, you are most likely being scammed.

HDMI Cords

Before you go spending $350 on an HDMI cable, so you can connect your laptop to your massive flat-screen TV, consider the fact that an HDMI cord that costs $10 is the same exact thing as the ones that cost a small fortune. Buyer beware!

Overdoing It

In order to sell their products, advertising agencies often overdo it when it comes to the amounts of the product needed for use. Toothpaste and laundry detergent are the worst culprits, as it's suggested you only use small amounts on your toothbrush or in your washing machine.

Tech Support

Tech support is pricey, and they often charge for things that aren't really chargeable for. So if your grandma buys a computer and wants to know how to log into her email, we suggest you show her, and don't let he get ripped off by tech support!

Baby Carrots

There's no such thing! And there you were thinking that they pick these cute guys early. When in fact, those 'baby carrots' are simply the remains of ugly carrots which were cut down to size and peeled, in order to be sold.

Fruit Juice

You might think that fruit juice is healthy, and it's certainly a better option than cola or cool-aid. Then again, due to all the sugar in fruit juice, and the lack of fiber, it causes ones insulin to peak, meaning that burning fat isn't gonna happen, at least for a couple of hours.

Pyramids

Be very careful when it comes to pyramid schemes. Most people know that. Especially if you have to pay to join a scheme. The only people who actually make money, are the scammers at the top of the pile, although they often lose out in the end.

Cheap Advertising

Don't think for one second that large companies are giving away cash, simply because you click the like button on your Facebook account. They just exploit you for their own financial gain.

False Advertising

This is a life hack well worth knowing, especially if you pop pills every time you get a headache. You should know that Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Extra Strength, and Excedrin Menstrual Complete are the same drug exactly. They simply have different labels!

Reality TV

Reality TV isn't what you think. There you were thinking that it's all ad-libbed, while in fact the whole thing is scripted from beginning to end. We are sorry if this ruins your reality TV experience, we just thought you should know.

Colds

Cold weather doesn't make you sick, even if you do shiver. For that matter you could theoretically roll around in the snow naked, but that doesn't mean you'll get a virus, like a cold. Just try and stay away from other people who have a cold.

Lady Razors

Have you ever wondered why woman's razors are more expensive than mens?! That's because they are pink, and the firms simply want to take more money out of your pocket, hence the notion that lady razors are superior in some way. A razor is a razor!

Detoxing

Despite what you've heard, the fact is that there really isn't such thing as detoxing. The kidneys and the liver are the organs in the body which deal with detox, and no product with 'Detox' written on the front is going to help you.

Charity

Giving charity is a wonderful thing, as long as the money you give actually makes it to the person in need. In this day and age, so many people pose as charity, when in fact most of your money goes to paying their wages and on their marketing.

Lab Packets

We just thought you should know that Colleges charge around $30 for lab packets, which they themselves make for about 5 cents , using old printer paper!

Cough Medicine

Coughs are annoying, and when you get one, the first thing you usually do is reach for the cough medicine. Most folks believe they the cough medicine helps, but there is almost no scientific evidence to back that up. Basically, cough medicine is a placebo.

Work Out Supplements

Other than things like caffeine and possibly creatine, any other substances in work out supplements are not effective, and if they are, it's all in your head. These supplements generate millions of dollars in revenue, even though they have little to no effect.

Social Media Perils

Sure you think you're happy when you're looking at someone's Facebook pics and mocking them, or leaving some offensive comments on their wall. But research has shown that people who spend all their time of Facebook are actually depressed, as they are constantly comparing their lives to others'.