What kind of automations have you found necessary? Any time I think about getting into it, I can only think of automations that sound silly or extra but nothing truly time-saving.
So I set up automation for that based on a few parameters: indoor and outdoor particulate matter levels (current and averaged over the last hour), noxious gas levels based on third party monitoring, wind direction and speed, and the weather forecast for the next few hours.
Probably doesn't apply to others here, though.
Open blinds in the morning, shut them at sundown.
Turn on porchlights after dark if I'm not home. Turn them off 10m after I'm home.
Turn HVAC up/down when I leave the house, revert when I get home.
Unlock doors when I arrive home. Make sure they're locked when I leave.