Can Outsourcing Household Chores Make You Happier?

It’s an age-old notion that money can’t buy happiness.

However, new research (per the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America) from the United States, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands suggests that while money itself won’t make you happy, investing it in ways to save time will make you happier in the long run.

One of the biggest causes of stress is lack of time due to long work weeks, financial obligations and a never-ending to-do list of chores. Spending money to gain back some of your time is shown to reduce stress and in turn, raise your level of happiness.

“People who spent money to buy themselves time, such as by outsourcing disliked tasks, reported greater overall life satisfaction,” Ashley Whillans, lead author of the study, told the New York Times. The study also showed that spending the same money on material goods, such as a new outfit, doesn’t have the same effect on happiness.

 

Finding your outsourcing match

Did the neighborhood kid who always cuts your grass move away to college? Don’t fret; it’s easier than ever to find someone to take over that dreaded chore for you.

Outsourcing sites such as Angie’s List and Task Rabbit, or apps like Thumbtack, help connect people looking to delegate their household tasks to local businesses, freelancers and people taking on a side hustle. Need your gutters cleaned, kitchen scrubbed or lawn mowed? With just a few clicks, you can find a pro who is more than happy to take that off your hands.

Meal subscriptions like Blue Apron and grocery delivery will also ensure you’re not standing in supermarket lines on a busy Saturday. Even technology like Amazon’s Alexa will order groceries right to your front door for you, with a simple command. As a bonus, these latest grocery apps help you stay healthy, as they can be tailored to suit your dietary needs.

 

Take back your time

Think of all you can do with a few regained hours each week? Brunch with friends, instead of scrubbing the bathtub. Maybe take a bike ride with the kids, instead of weeding the garden. Or even just kick back with a good book while your meals for the week are delivered. Investing a little cash into outsourcing means that you’ll have more time to just be you … and isn’t that priceless?

Did you know...

Want to share in the cooking and cleaning? Men in Slovenia, Denmark and Estonia spend the most minutes per day on housework.*

*Source: OECD Gender Initiative 

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