What are some cheat codes you've found in the game of life?

Summary of “Cheat Codes” for Life (from Reddit-style Advice in the Subtitles)

The video compiles a large set of “cheat codes” people claim work in everyday life—mixing practical social/professional hacks with humorous “game” metaphors. Overall, the themes are: reliability + politeness, social skills (listening, concise honesty, reading cues), appearance/health as leverage, confidence (often “faked”), and systems/knowledge that reduce friction or cost.

Social and Professional “Cheat Codes”

• Be punctual and look/act prepared: Showing up early, being friendly, and dressing well makes people treat you better and reduces scrutiny.

• Be reliable and low-drama: Doing your work as scheduled and avoiding repeated call-outs or sloppiness earns trust and leniency.

• Engaged listening beats performing: Keep eye contact, don’t interrupt, ask questions, and respond in a way that shows genuine interest—people open up more and conversations flow.

• Don’t over-explain when you can’t do something: Clear, brief refusal (“unfortunately I can’t”) is presented as less suspicious than elaborate excuses.

• Use validation rather than correcting: “You’re right” is described as a tactic to make people feel heard while still signaling cleverness.

• Admit small mistakes: Owning forgotten names or ignorance can preserve trust and reduce conflict.

• Drop ego / ask for help: Humility is repeatedly framed as a major “difficulty reducer.”

• Manage awkwardness and social friction: Diffuse embarrassing moments immediately (sometimes with humor) rather than dwelling on them.

• Practice confidence: Multiple commenters argue that acting confident can create real confidence and improves outcomes in public-facing or confrontational situations.

Dating and Relationships

• “Rule one and two” (referenced): The subtitles imply a cheat-code approach to dating, though the exact rules aren’t clearly spelled out in the text.

• Keep treating partners like you did when dating: Don’t stop courting your significant other once you’re married.

• Stay tactful with compliments and gratitude: A recurring suggestion is to respond warmly (“thank you…”) rather than deflecting negatively.

Money / Cost / Time Hacks (Literal “Game” Cheats)

• Discount/coupon escalation logic: If sites offer “10% off,” the advice is to try larger percentages; some deals may accept extreme codes.

• Textbooks and library borrowing: Use modern library networks (WorldCat is mentioned) to request books from other libraries and avoid paying full textbook costs. The subtitles also note strategies involving “codes” rather than full books.

• Travel and purchase rewards / cash-back: One detailed “AmEx Blue”-style strategy is described: use grocery cash-back, then leverage store promotions and fuel rewards (e.g., gift cards + fuel points) to reduce overall costs.

• Note on illegal “cheat code”: One clearly illegal item is mentioned: using an upside-down single in combination with a vending/change-machine mismatch to generate quarters, resulting in a “felony.” It’s presented as a cautionary/absurd extreme rather than something endorsed.

Appearance and Health as Leverage (“Difficulty Reduction”)

• Dress well and groom properly: Framed as lowering life’s difficulty and improving how people treat you.

• Fix major insecurities: Adult orthodontics (braces are described in detail with cost and timeline) is offered as a high-impact investment that improves confidence.

• “Beauty bonus” / social benefits: The subtitles discuss the idea that beauty can help socially—plus a viewpoint that it’s most effective when one’s identity isn’t tied solely to looks.

Behavioral “Microskills”

• Use “soon” instead of “later”: With loved ones or new connections, this signals interest without over-promising.

• Sleep hygiene as a life system: Suggestions include strict bedtime, no-phone rules, and getting out of bed if unable to sleep after a short window.

• Small “power of placebo” tricks: For example, a child believing bandages help is described as producing a real-enough effect to help.

• Brave cold effectively: Warmth hacks include wrapping coats in heated blankets or using dryer heat for pants.

Humor / Prop Hacks That Enable Social Freedom

• Look busy or carry items: Walking around with “papers,” a clipboard, or tools is described as a way to avoid questions because people assume you’re on a mission.

• Pizza/food to gain access: Carrying pizza is suggested as a way to get backstage/concert access by bypassing typical barriers.

Presenters / Contributors

The subtitles are primarily compiled from Reddit users (especially references to “r/AskReddit” and “r/… ethical life”), plus a mention of Seinfeld’s George as an example. No real names of the Reddit commenters are provided in the subtitles.

Contributors Explicitly Referenced in the Subtitles

• George (Seinfeld) (character reference)
• Grandmother (unnamed narrator/grandmother story)
• Louise (mentioned in a “say you’re right” anecdote; no last name)
• Boss (unnamed narrator’s boss)
• Daughter (unnamed narrator’s child)
• Friend/janitor and steel mill coworker (unnamed)