Eight ways money can buy happiness
Awhile back, Gretchen Rubin, projector of all things happy, listed 8 tips for how money can buy happiness. The entire list is a worthy read, but I wanted to emphasize number two and her suggestion that couples should use money to:
End marital conflict. If you’re constantly arguing about the unkempt lawn, or the moldering laundry, see if you can throw some money at the problem. Can you hire the teenager down the street to clean out the garage?
Better yet, can you hire a cleaning service to clean the entire house? You betcha. In an effort to save money a couple of years ago, we canceled our cleaners. Of course, this experiment lasted about 2 minutes before we started bickering about who was going to clean the toilets that weekend. We just couldn’t make what should be a simple act of frugality work.
I remember when I wrote about it, My Open Wallet left this comment, ‘œI think for a couple, housekeeping can be an issue that is worth resolving via outside help– either a cleaning lady or a therapist!’
Truer words were never spoken. No therapy required. But since then, we’ve spent $160 each month to have the service show up twice. If I had my druthers, we’d spend the money for weekly visits, but Jeanine is convinced that we should be able to ‘œspot-clean’ on the off weeks. Um, yeah… that’s not happening.
A cleaning service is one ‘œaffordable luxury’ that I’ve always felt was well deserved. I work hard at my job, one that requires quite a bit of travel and the last thing I want to do on my weekend is clean the house. Toss a baby into the mix and whammy’¦ a spotless backsplash in the kitchen isn’t a priority on Saturday mornings.
In the book, Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich writes about her then-current employer, the Merry Maids franchise owner and how he ‘œlearned to capitalize on housework-related spats by making follow-up calls on Saturdays between 9:00 and 11:00 AM ‘“ which is prime time for arguing over the fact that the house is a mess.’
I hear ya! Anne Gibbons, the cartoonist, illustrates it best for me, ‘œNature abhors a vacuum. And so do I.’ A cleaning service is money well spent. And in our household it does lead to happiness!
What about your money and marital bliss? Comments welcomed below.
Photo credit: stock.xchng.
Nina, I don’t disagree with you. But why does it have to be a cleaning LADY? I know, I know . . . it’s just the crazy feminism in me . . . but why not hire a cleaning BOY? You’d be creating marital bliss and fighting patriarchy all at the same time. ;^)
Serena: Just to clarify, those weren’t my words. For the reason you mention, I try to be precise and say, “cleaning service” – which I do in this post. My cleaning service happens to be a couple – a man and woman. I agree with your point…
I clicked through to Gretchen’s (fantastic) post, and wanted to share this key takeaway with everyone:
Too many people think that saving money/getting out of debt means no longer being able to afford the things that make you happy. Just need to find new ways to enjoy them!
I’d love to hire a cleaning boy 😛
When you grow up in house where there was always a cleaning person, a nanny or maid, well, it will be a necessity when you move to your own place. On the contrary, by learning and sharing housekeeping activities you could save a lot of money. If you have kids that will also teach them to be even more responsible with money.
I agree with all of this. But it gets tricker for us since I’m the work-from-home partner who makes less money. It feels like my duty to be the house cleaner, but the truth is, I’m not very good at making it happen consistently. And we’ll be moving into a 4 bedroom soon and having a baby, I won’t be able to handle it. Currently i’m struggling to find an affordable cleaning service. Nina I can’t believe you only pay $160 for two weeks service. Thats how much they want to charge here in seattle for a one-bedroom, one time!
I agree with this completely! Sometimes you can nickel and dime yourself and your significant other to death. Cutting expenses is not always the best solution. Sometimes the less time consuming solution is hiring outside help..saved time arguing equals saved money because that time can be spent doing something much more productive. 🙂
I am paying for my home to be cleaned after reading this. Money is not happiness, but it sure can make things easier.