Life by Design: Automate to Master Time, Health, Money, and Unlock Personal Success

by Marlon Buchanan, Graham Southorn (Editor)

Imagine a life where you spend less time managing tasks and more time pursuing your passions.

In Life By Design, you'll discover how to leverage technology to automate the everyday tasks that consume your time—so you can focus on what truly matters to you. Whether you want to spend more time with family, improve your health, or get ahead at work, this book provides the tools to help you streamline your life.

Inside, you'll learn how

Automate your daily tasks, from finances to household chores, and free up your time for the things you loveMaster time management by automating your schedule and staying on top of important tasks effortlesslyOptimize your health and fitness routines with smart tech to track and improve your well-beingSimplify your work life with automation tools that increase productivity and reduce stressImprove your financial management by setting up automatic savings, investing, and bill paymentsEnhance your travel experiences by automating bookings, reminders, and packing lists


Stop letting life’s demands overwhelm you. Life By Design will help you take control, create more time, and focus on what truly matters.

Start designing the life you want today—buy your copy now and unlock your potential!

206 pages, Hardcover

Published July 20, 2025

About the author

Marlon Buchanan is an IT Director by day and a writer and home technology hacker (the good kind) by night. He has over 25 years of combined experience as an IT director, software developer, systems analyst, college instructor, and smart home consultant. He has a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering from MIT and master’s degrees in business administration and software engineering from Seattle University.
He has been automating things around his house since he was a kid. Now, his wife and kids get to enjoy the fruits of his smart home exploits. He is best known for his smart home, home networking, and cord-cutting articles on his blog HomeTechHacker.com and his book, The Smart Home Manual.

Reviews

[Raju Chacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with the right question. Which among money, property, goods, and time do you think is life’s most precious asset, and why? If you ponder it for a while, you’ll realize it’s time because it’s STRICTLY limited, while (depending on your fortunes), you may own more or less of the others in the future. And in passing, suppose you had tons of the others, but no time to enjoy them? Wouldn’t that be tragic?

Now, having identified your most valuable asset, namely TIME, how are you using it? Do you get quality sleep? Enough time to spend on family, kids, and relationships? Time for entertainment and exercise? Time for planning finances and savings? Time for quality vacations? A plan (you really believe will work) for items on your bucket list?

If your answer is “No,” you really have a problem that you need to fix immediately, lest life’s dreams slip out of your hands… forever!

You cannot manufacture time, but you can surely save the time you spend on mundane tasks like paying bills, home cleaning and maintenance, searching for jobs, etc. How? Find all tasks that don’t necessarily have to be done by you (i.e. somebody or something else can do it for you) and automate them. Then, reassign the time freed by automating to what you really love: photography, hiking, items on your bucket list, or whatever! Sound good?

Yes, automation and related technology are the answer to getting the best of your time!

Without losing a moment, I recommend you dive into this short, easy book to learn how you can save your precious time by leveraging automation and technology!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was an insightful and engaging read. The fast-paced nature of the book and the inspirational messaging of its core theme were truly empowering. The author effectively delved into a multitude of different topics, from broader social issues like FOMO and the myth of multitasking to more technical aspects, such as utilizing the climate control function for your house’s AC and freezing meals for later in the week to save time on preparation.

The balance the author was able to find between the technical and social aspects of the book was outstanding to see. The author’s background in computer science and engineering helps showcase the importance of sales and properly utilizing technology to benefit one’s home life, without succumbing to excessive screen time that detracts from critical social moments in life. The fast pace of work life and its dominance often overshadow our connections to family and friends, and maintaining a healthy balance is crucial to a more balanced overall life, something the author’s book does an excellent job of addressing.

The Verdict

Honest, memorable, and engaging, author Marlon Buchanan’s “Life By Design” is a must-read nonfiction guide to time management and social skills. The technical skills and daily life improvements were both empowering and thoughtful, and this is a book readers can return to time and again for both reference and improvement in their daily lives.

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life by Design: Automate to Master Time, Health, Money, and Unlock Personal Success presents a practical case for leveraging automation as a tool for intentional living. Marlon Buchanan reframes technology not as a distraction, but as a strategic asset one that, when implemented thoughtfully, can reclaim time and mental bandwidth.

The book’s strength lies in its breadth of application. From financial systems and scheduling workflows to health tracking and travel planning, Buchanan illustrates how automation can reduce cognitive load across multiple domains of life. The tone is solution oriented, emphasizing efficiency without losing sight of the deeper objective: creating space for purpose, relationships, and personal growth.

Particularly compelling is the integration of financial automation with broader lifestyle design. By encouraging readers to systematize savings, investments, and bill payments, the book reinforces the compounding benefits of consistency and structure.

For professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by daily logistics, Life by Design offers a streamlined framework for shifting from reactive living to proactive control. It is a modern productivity guide rooted in the principle that freedom is often built through systems.

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlon Buchanan’s Life by Design offers a comprehensive guide on using automation to optimize time, health, finances, and productivity. Buchanan’s clear and practical approach makes this book an insightful resource for anyone looking to take control of their busy life through automation.

The author combines his experience as an IT professional with relatable anecdotes and actionable steps, making complex concepts accessible. The book covers a range of topics, from automating finances and health habits to leveraging smart home technology and enhancing work productivity.

One of the book’s strengths is its realistic approach to balancing technology with everyday life. Buchanan emphasizes the importance of identifying personal priorities and automating tasks that drain time without adding value. His strategies for reducing distractions, setting automated financial plans, and improving daily routines are particularly practical.

However, some sections, such as the detailed breakdown of financial automation, may feel a bit dense for readers who are new to these concepts. Additionally, while the advice is thorough, it occasionally feels geared toward tech-savvy individuals, which may leave some readers looking for simpler solutions.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Life by Design is an empowering guide for anyone interested in reclaiming their time and focusing on what truly matters. Buchanan’s balanced perspective on technology as a tool rather than a burden makes this book a valuable read for those seeking personal efficiency and success.

Spice Level: Not applicable (Non-fiction)

Recommended for: Readers interested in productivity, personal finance, and smart use of technology.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Charlie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life becomes more manageable and successful when you automate essential routines. For me, this is the great message I learnt from this book, and now it has a powerful meaning in my daily life. I have always thought that in your daily life you need to focus your energy and attention on things that give you more personally or professionally. This book gave me more arguments for this idea through the concept and idea of automation, where you build a smart system that frees mental energy, replacing chaos with clarity and intention.
The book focuses on powerful ideas such as time management, health habits, financial systems, and daily decision making, that will help you save time and energy on things that are not essential, and boost these areas in the things you need to focus on. By reading this book, I learnt that automating small parts of my life has led me to more focus, stability, and energy, and I think that everyone who reads it will improve in productivity and personal growth.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life by Design is about automating parts of your life and turning it into what you want it to be. The author shows us how to reduce the amount of time we spend on things that do not enhance our lives through a judicious use of technology. Buchanan offers excellent tips amd advice on using the time you save on the things that matter the most to you.

I really like the relatable writing style and the author’s actionable advice. A particularly helpful aspect of this guidebook is that Buchanan covers every detail of time management, from time-saving in work to streamlining fitness and health with the help of technology.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to live a fulfilling life and prioritize spending time on the things that matter most.

[Rodrigo J]

Designing the life I desire.

Sometimes, we do not stop to think about how we use our time until someone shows us a more conscious way of living. Reading this book made me realize that many of the daily tasks I do could be automated, freeing me to focus on what really matters, my health, my relationships, and my personal growth. It is not only about being more productive, but about living intentionally and making the most of each moment.

This book inspires me to reflect on my daily habits and ask myself, am I using my time to build the life I truly want, or am I just reacting to external demands? Learning to prioritize and delegate, even with the help of technology, can be a first step toward a fuller and more conscious life.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if we can use technology on our side to focus more on what is important and follow our passions? This book got me because of the idea of automatization to have more time for myself. I was very surprised by how I could use technology as my ally and shift my focus from superficial tasks and give more time to my self-development. What I love about the book is the easy approach from the author; you won’t feel alone in a process that can sometimes be scary when delegating to technology some aspects of your daily life. What I appreciate is that it involves a more complex usage of technology and automatization in your life, from daily tasks to savings and simplifying work. I have been applying some of the tips and advice, and it has been great to see how life takes a turn.

[Fanny P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have read this a couple of years ago!

How useful this book could have been when I was still working, because there was no shortage of administrative and mechanical tasks, and boy did they take up valuable time, both for doing more in-depth work and for spending time with my family.
The book is the key to automation, and it applies not only to work but also to everyday tasks that take up our time and end up being exhausting. My exercise routine, cleaning chores, reviewing bills and taxes—I feel like my life is gradually shifting toward happiness since I started implementing these extremely practical tools.

Now that my husband and I are planning trips, what I got out of this book will surprise him. I'm very happy to have read it and to have it close at hand.

[AMR CAMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Life by Design is a resource for anyone seeking to create a purposeful and intentional lifestyle through the assistance of an easy, step-by-step procedure. Bachanan's book combines many different elements of life into one cohesive process. The book provides a step-by-step way for people to create their personal goals, values, and daily decisions by using the book's advice on a regular basis as an empowerment and accountability resource.

Through a combination of motivational writing, relatable examples, and effective action steps to implement into everyday life, the author provides readers with an effective way to discover, develop, and attain their individual purposes in life.

[Marina L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a while now, I've been feeling like I can't organize my time, always running after to-dos and unable to focus on what I really want. Searching for a solution, I came across Life By Design almost by chance, and it truly surprised me. The book shows how to use technology to put many of those energy-sapping tasks on autopilot, from payments to daily organization. It also offers concrete steps to optimize your work life, personal care, and even travel.

I felt like it gave me a break and new tools to reclaim my time. A practical and motivating read that I recommend if, like me, you feel like you're not doing enough in the day.

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read that will help you to simplify your life with hacks, tools, and advice using Artificial Intelligence. “Life By Design” will give you practical strategies and tools to manage your time more efficiently. Here you will boost productivity with AI, which allow you to automatic tasks, organizing schedule. This will give you the opportunity to spend time in your real passion, reducing stress and taking decisions cutting down mental overload. The good thing about this book how practical is in explaining how to use AI to your benefit. And the most important thing will prepare you for the future. I highly recommend it.

[Ivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life by Design is for anyone who's sick of watching hours vanish into the same old tasks.

What really hits home is how flexible it all is. Buchanan isn't trying to force everyone into the same rigid mold. Instead, he's saying: automate what makes sense for you, build a life that fits your rhythms. It's the kind of book that leaves you feeling energized and a little more in control—like you've just been handed back some of your time, and maybe a clearer sense of what to do with it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life by Design by Marlon Buchanan is a refreshing guide for anyone feeling buried under daily responsibilities. The book is practical and it doesn’t just talk about “time management” in theory but actually shows how to apply technology and simple systems to automate everyday tasks.
I'd recommend it. It is a motivating and practical read for anyone looking to reclaim their time and design a more intentional life.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives useful advice on automating different aspects of adult life, like accounting and organization, and many of the tips are genuinely helpful. However, a lot of the suggestions require spending quite a bit of money, which makes them less practical for people on a budget.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ari Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can imagine for a 60-70 year old, there may be some novel methods presented to automate activities, however, this is just a long drawn out explanation of common everyday things most people already do to automate activities. Explaining smart thermostats, creating autopay for bills, etc. are neither new nor a secret. My 75 year old mother already takes adventure of 80% of the features presented.