How to outsource housework and still save money

As inflation bites and the high cost of living shows no sign of easing, Australians are taking on second jobs and side hustles to stay afloat.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from March shows that 974,000 of us now juggle multiple jobs; a record high.

But while the extra income may help pay the bills, it leaves many struggling to find time for even the most basic household tasks.

In an environment where money is tight and time is even tighter, Karen G Adams, a financial coach, consultant and founder of Financial Management 101, says people are finding new ways to manage the load.

"Outsourcing everyday tasks can feel like an added expense, but in a high cost-of-living environment, it's often an investment in time and mental wellbeing that pays off by creating opportunities for increased income and better financial decisions."

By offloading tasks in innovative ways, households can reclaim time without breaking the bank. But why is this such a problem in the first place?

Cost of doing it yourself 

We all know the adage: time is money. When you're working longer hours to combat rising expenses, the time and mental load spent on menial tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping, can seem like a waste.

Women, in particular, shoulder a larger share of the burden. On average, Australian women spend 22.3 hours a week on unpaid domestic work, compared with 15.3 hours for men, according to 
joint research by Roy Morgan and the Melbourne Institute.

This gender gap of seven hours a week could partly reflect differences in employment status, with women generally working fewer hours in the paid labour market.

Even among full-time workers, however, the gap persists: full-time working women still spend more time on household chores than men in this category (15.8 hours versus 14.3 hours).

This data underscores the ongoing inequality in the division of domestic labour and raises the question: with so much time spent on unpaid work, could outsourcing help relieve some of the pressure of running a household?

Two sides of the gig economy 

Technological advancements have reshaped how Australians balance their busy lives, with the digital gig economy offering solutions on both fronts: saving time and boosting income.

On the one hand, the gig economy allows people to save time by outsourcing time-consuming tasks, such as cleaning, grocery shopping or assembling furniture.

With the rise of these on-demand services, hiring someone to help reduce your hours of domestic work is now as easy as clicking a few times on an app.

For instance, platforms such as Airtasker allow you to post specific tasks - whether it's cleaning the house or mowing the lawn - and freelance gig workers bid competitively for the job. 
This means you can hire the help when you need it without long-term commitments or fees.

On the other hand, the same platforms offer opportunities for people to boost their earnings. Whether you have spare time to walk dogs, run errands or drive for Uber, gig-economy platforms enable people to monetise their time.

This dual benefit of the gig economy has helped people navigate the pressures of rising living costs and shrinking free time.

Technology makes it easier

Beyond the gig economy, technological advances have made it possible to automate some tasks entirely.

Take, for example, robotic vacuum cleaners, which have evolved from niche gadgets to household staples. By investing in one of these devices, households can shave hours off their weekly cleaning routine without lifting a finger.

Other forms of automation, such as smart home systems that control lighting, heating and even security, are also becoming more accessible.

These technologies help outsource the mental load of running a household, allowing you to focus on more important things, such as spending time with family or earning some extra income. 
But is it worth it?

While outsourcing can be a game changer, it's not always the best option.

According to Adams, the key is knowing when it makes sense to delegate versus when it's more cost-effective to do it yourself.

"By delegating time-consuming chores, families can focus on high-value activities, like pursuing side hustles or overtime work, turning the cost of outsourcing into a strategic tool for managing financial stress."

Consider this: if you're earning $30 per hour and you spend three hours cleaning per week, that's $90 worth of your time.

If you can hire a cleaner for $60 and do three hours' work yourself, you're saving $30 by outsourcing the task.

If outsourcing cuts too deeply into your budget, however, you may want to explore other time-saving strategies that don't involve hiring help.

Grouping tasks or adopting a more minimalist lifestyle can reduce the number of chores you do in the first place. Additionally, getting the family involved to share responsibilities can lessen the load without adding costs.

Is outsourcing right for you?

Ultimately, whether you outsource a task or not depends on the situation. When conducting a cost-benefit analysis, Adams recommends the following:

1. Determine your hourly rate. Ask yourself: 'What is my hourly rate, and could I earn more by working during the time saved through outsourcing?'

2. Consider your wellbeing. Ask yourself: 'Will outsourcing this task help me avoid stress or burnout, leading to better decision-making and overall financial health?'

3. Consider your long-term financial goals. Ask yourself: "Can I afford the cost of outsourcing while still meeting my financial goals, such as saving for emergencies or paying down debt?"
"Only once you've determined this will you know if outsourcing is right for you and your family," says Adams.

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