4 Ways Outsourcing Chores Can Save You Time and Money
We're busy people, with lives filled by family, work, errands, chores, and tons of other tasks that pull us in a million directions. Add all of this on top of being a self-employed business owner, and there are times when I find myself sacrificing sleep, or skipping meals, as a way to get more things checked off my list.
Two years ago I quit my day job to freelance full-time and have been in time-crunch mode ever since. As a way to become more productive, I've learned how to outsource work I don't have time for, or don't know how to do.
What if you delegated household chores so you could regain control? Here's how to outsource your life so you have more time and money.
1. Avoid Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite chores to do each week. Unless you're a personal chef (like my husband), you probably hate going to the grocery store, too. Instead of wasting your time on this chore, why not have your groceries delivered? If you live in a big city, check out services like Peapod or AmazonFresh's food service.
Just order your regular grocery items that you purchase every week, such as milk, bread, toilet paper, and other consumables, and get them delivered right to your door. No driving through traffic, or weaving in-and-out of the busy produce section.
The great thing about these services is that you can find the best prices, use coupons, and take advantage of weekly discounts, just as you would if you were going the traditional grocery shopping route.
Time saved per week: One hour or more (depending on how long you usually take to meal plan and drive to your local store).
Average monthly cost: Cost of groceries plus delivery and tip (plus $99 a year for Amazon Prime).
2. Look Stylish on a Budget
Retail therapy is a great way to unwind, score some fashionable finds, and hang out with friends, but it's not always great for your budget. Limit your regular shopping trips by outsourcing your clothing needs using services like Stitch Fix or ShoeDazzle.
A box is delivered straight to your front door that includes styles based on your personal taste. You only pay for the items you like and want to keep, otherwise you simply return any unworn clothing or shoes.
The upside is you get customized picks, from designers and professional stylists, without ever leaving the house. You'll also be able to avoid any impulse buys or unwanted purchases simply by choosing the bare essentials.
Time saved per week: One hour or more (depending on how long you usually shop).
Average monthly cost: $55 for clothing and shoes (plus $20 processing fee applied to purchase).
3. Get Help With Daily Errands
Odd jobs around the house constantly seem to stack up. From cleaning the car, to mowing the yard, to cleaning out the gutters, a resource like Task Rabbit can help. No task is too big or too small.
If you need a ride to the airport, furniture delivered on a certain day, help walking the dog, or deep housecleaning, you can use this service to find the right person. You can even pay someone to stand in line for you at the DMV! This service is currently available in 19 cities and counting, so save yourself time by outsourcing your daily errands.
Time saved per week: Two hours or more (depending on chore).
Average monthly cost: Cost of errand billed hourly.
4. Hire a Bookkeeper or Household Manager
As the breadwinner for my small family, I don't always have time to prepare reports, pay taxes, and manage the affairs of our household. If you're in the same position, you know the importance of these tasks, and how vital it is that the bills are paid on time, but you also want to spend your time with your family and friends.
One way to solve this is to hire a part-time bookkeeper or household manager. For $125 a month I work with a virtual bookkeeper who helps manage my bills, bank accounts, schedules appointments, and deals with other household projects. This allows me to spend my time at a yoga class, or going on a date with my husband.
Time saved per week: Two hours or more (depending on chore).
Average monthly cost: $100 or more depending on tasks.
You Really Can Save Time and Money With Outsourcing
Life's too short to spend a lot of time on doing household chores or trying to DIY tasks that are too complicated. Thanks to a rise in outsourcing services, you can delegate any kind of chore you don't have time to do. This will allow you time to do more important things, like spending quality time with your kids, or enjoying a weekend with friends.
Have you tried outsourcing chores? What's another way to save time and money each week?
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