Shortly after we hired our nanny, a year and a half ago, I realized I still needed additional help if I was going to survive this whole working-mom-with-a-long-commute-and-two-kids thing. I played with the idea for months before getting the help I needed around the house. The truth was, I felt guilty and ashamed for not being able to “do it all” like so many of us do. I even asked all my mom friends if they had help to justify my decision and guess what? I was late to the party; all of my mom friends who worked had cleaning ladies (even some who didn’t work, too). So, I went confidently in my decision to get a cleaning lady and let me tell you, I haven’t looked back. I felt stupid for waiting so long and for thinking any less of myself for not doing it all on my own. I soon started thinking about what else I could outsource…
Here are 5 tasks you should consider outsourcing:
CLEANING
This is the big one. There is simply not enough hours in the day to hold down a full-time job AND get things done around the house. If you are excelling at this, consider yourself my hero. Stop stressing and hire some help. You can have someone come once a week or once a month but the feeling of coming home to a clean house- that you didn’t have to lift a finger to achieve- is worth the extra expense.
LAUNDRY
Before we had kids (and a washer and dryer in the house), I would often drop off our laundry to be washed. It felt like such a luxury, and it was. If I could’ve hired someone to come back to my house and put it everything away for me I would’ve outsourced that too. Now we have a machine but every now and then I’m tempted to send it all out to be washed.
GROCERY SHOPPING
My friends make fun of me for this one but I simply don’t care. I have my groceries delivered. I order them online and within 2 hours they’re at my doorstep. If I’m not home, I leave an envelope with tip money for the delivery guy- he already knows the drill. I don’t know about you but after a long work-week the last thing I want to do is spend time grocery shopping when I could be doing other things.
REPAIRS
A few months ago, our washing machine stopped working. I nagged my husband for weeks when he finally got around to it, we discovered that appliances aren’t his thing so, reluctantly, I called a guy. He was there within the hour, fixed the machine quickly and for a reasonable price. It felt so empowering to be able to get it done and not stress out about it. My sanity was quickly restored. Now, if anything breaks down (like my brand new vaccum) I remain calm and call the guy.
BABYSITTER
Yes, you should outsource “babysitting” your kids! I can’t tell you how many people we know are always saying how lucky we are to have a nanny, someone on call when we want to go out or when we just need a break. But as soon as you suggest finding a babysitter they get all funny. I get it, you don’t want to just leave your kids with anyone. Just like anything else, you have to do your due diligence on this one. Whether you’re looking for a babysitter to watch your kids while you have the occasional date night or girls night, it will be money well-spent.
What tasks do you outsource?
Miriam
November 4, 2025 at 5:25 pm (9 months ago)I completely agree! I sometimes even outsource cooking! I live in NYC where you can get a personal chef to bring ingredients and cook ware and cook for you on almost no notice. I wrote a review of a service that I especially like http://www.theverybestbabystuff.com/blog-native/2015/8/26/kitchensurfing
Angelica
November 4, 2025 at 5:39 pm (9 months ago)We’re in NY too. Sadly, that’s where my husband “draws the line.” He’s the cook in our house and gets territorial over the cooking. I’ve always dreamed of hiring a private chef to come over and cook while I invite guests over…and take all the credit LOL. I’m going to check that link out, thanks!
Brittany Bly
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 am (9 months ago)Well said! My motto is work smart not hard.
Angelica
November 7, 2025 at 12:52 am (9 months ago)That is an excellent motto.
Autumn
November 5, 2025 at 4:19 pm (9 months ago)I feel like you either have time or you have money. When you’re working, you don’t have the time and it isn’t convenient anymore to do these tasks anymore. We made our schedules to where I worked less so that I could do more around the house. A big one for us is our yard work!!
Angelica
November 7, 2025 at 12:52 am (9 months ago)Ugh, the yard. It never ends!!
Natasha
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 am (9 months ago)Great article… I couldn’t agree more. When I was working full time I outsourced laundry and cleaning.
Angelica
December 9, 2024 at 10:13 pm (8 months ago)Thanks, Natasha. You are a smart lady!
Jessica Dimas
November 12, 2025 at 6:06 am (9 months ago)Oh I love this! I am totally going to outsource cleaning, that’s been a big one for me. I’m a SAHM but I feel like I spend so much time just picking up and cooking that I never get a chance to REALLY CLEAN. Also the yard work…no. My husband doesn’t always have the time. I also really love your idea for getting your groceries delivered. I have totally looked into that as well.
And I say all this as a SAHM haha!
Angelica
December 9, 2024 at 10:12 pm (8 months ago)When I’m home with the girls I feel like all I do is clean and cook too! But it’s not a real deep cleaning that my house needs- hard to do with the little ones. I say, treat yourself. Your sanity depends on it!
Kat
January 6, 2025 at 12:56 am (7 months ago)Oh this post is fabulous. I need to get on every one of these things lol. I am so glad I at least get a break while the little one is at daycare. Working from home, it’s hard to balance house chores. Whole Foods still doesn’t deliver to my area, but the second that changes I’m doing it!!!
Angelica
January 6, 2025 at 4:06 pm (7 months ago)Thanks, Kat! Yes, at some time we just need to get real with what we can and can’t manage around the home. My friends make fun of me for having groceries delivered but it’s made my life SO much easier, for a small additional cost. Totally worth it 🙂