Life Kit-logo

Life Kit

NPR

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

Play Button

Location:

United States

Networks:

NPR

Description:

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit

Language:

English

Episodes

How to talk to your parents about their money

9/25/2023
For many families, there comes a time when it's the kid's turn to take care of their parents. But caretaking is expensive and draining. Make it easier on yourself by talking to your parents ahead of time about their finances, their long-term care plans, and their wishes. In this episode, how to approach your parents, what to ask them, and what to do if they're already experiencing dementia or cognitive decline.

Duration:00:19:24

Ace Your Freshman Year of College

9/21/2023
Congratulations! You've been accepted into college. Now you've got to find your way around campus, pick out classes, make new friends, and figure out a plan to graduate — on time. Here's how to make it easier. This episode originally published on September 3, 2019.

Duration:00:17:07

We've heard we need more fiber in our diets. Here are 8 easy tips for getting there

9/19/2023
NPR's Maria Godoy is a self-proclaimed fiber fanatic. She explains how to add fiber to your diet (munch on popcorn!) and provides a grocery list of high-fiber foods that you can print out at home.

Duration:00:15:06

The consequences of overindulging your kids

9/18/2023
Giving in to your kid too much can be harmful to their development. Take the 'Test of Four' to examine your relationship with your child — then find out how to say 'no' and enforce rules that stick.

Duration:00:21:21

What to know about the new COVID boosters

9/14/2023
Updated versions of the mRNA vaccines roll out this week. Experts say they offer good protection against current COVID variants. Who should get them, and when's the best time to roll up your sleeve?

Duration:00:16:20

How to avoid 'lifestyle creep'

9/12/2023
Making more money tends to lead to spending more money. It's a phenomenon known as "lifestyle creep." Paco de Leon, author of Finance for the People, shares advice on keeping your long-term financial goals in check and fending off the subconscious urge to automatically increase spending when your income increases. This episode originally published on July 14, 2022.

Duration:00:22:23

Scarfing down your food? Here's how to slow down and eat more mindfully

9/11/2023
Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard, shares helpful tips on how to slow down while eating — including saying 'The 5 Contemplations' by Buddhist master Thích Nhất Hanh.

Duration:00:15:14

Dear Life Kit: My husband shuts down any time I try to talk about our finances

9/7/2023
I'm struggling to get my husband to make a family budget with me. Whenever the topic comes up, he completely gets defensive. How do I get him to talk to me about money?

Duration:00:11:21

Stomp, scrape, repeat: What you can do to stop the spotted lanternfly

9/5/2023
An entomologist shares surprising insights about the invasive bug, which is wreaking havoc on crops and trees across 14 U.S. states. Plus: A poster with our facts that you can print out at home.

Duration:00:15:10

Don't 'get' art? You may be looking at it wrong

9/4/2023
Art professionals explain how to look at paintings and sculptures like an expert — and how to make the most out of a museum visit. This episode originally published January 10, 2023.

Duration:00:19:44

Prenups aren't just for the rich and famous. Here's when to consider one

8/31/2023
Everyone should consider a prenuptial agreement before getting married, says family law attorney Theresa Viera. Here's how to talk about it with your partner and decide whether it's right for you.

Duration:00:18:10

Student loan repayment is resuming. Here's what you need to know

8/29/2023
The three-year federal pause on student loans is expiring soon. If your financial circumstances have changed, or you just need an explanation of the many payment plans out there, here's a refresher course on how to pay off your student debt.

Duration:00:14:10

Start cleaning your home more sustainably with these tips

8/28/2023
Environmentally-friendly living isn't an all-or-nothing equation: think of it as a spectrum of greens. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, green cleaning is one easy way to dip your toe into the green living waters. These tips will help you get started. This episode originally published July 11, 2022.

Duration:00:18:20

A guide to forest bathing

8/24/2023
Spending an afternoon in a forest isn't just enjoyable, it's good for your health. Taking in the forest through your senses can boost your immune system, reduce blood pressure, lower stress hormones and improve your physical and emotional state in other ways. If you want to try forest bathing, here are some exercises for the next time you find yourself under some trees.

Duration:00:17:19

When is it OK to lie?

8/22/2023
When are white lies harmless or hurtful? Experts weigh in on when it's appropriate to tell a lie, explain how lying can lead to more lying and share tips for cutting back if you want to break the habit.

Duration:00:19:17

Meal prep made easy

8/21/2023
What's for dinner? It's a question that can lead to overspending on delivery, unhealthy meals and dread. FitMenCook founder Kevin Curry shares meal prep techniques that can alleviate stress and save money. This episode originally published January 31, 2023.

Duration:00:15:12

Protect your hearing and ears

8/17/2023
Go easy on the Q-tips. Watch your phone volume. And if you're experiencing hearing issues like muffled sounds or tinnitus, see a professional. This comic offers advice on how to care for your ears.

Duration:00:23:49

Start a financial self-care routine

8/15/2023
We're supposed to do things routinely for our health, like brushing our teeth, showering and exercising. And there are basic hygiene tasks to maintain your financial health too. Here are five tasks to tackle each year.

Duration:00:15:58

The 5-minute playtime ritual that can help your kids listen

8/14/2023
Children's health professionals widely recommend a strategy known as 'special time' to help reduce behavioral issues in young children. This episode explains how to do it and why this simple and free tool is so powerful.

Duration:00:13:49

Start learning your family's language

8/10/2023
Heritage language learners are different from people learning a second language for the first time. They often grow up hearing it, but that can come with its own set of challenges. Experts offer their advice on how to learn your heritage language. This episode originally published May 31, 2022.

Duration:00:23:36

See More