What would you outsource?
Categories: Money & Work, Chores
I made a to-do list this morning of things that MUST get done tomorrow; it includes going to the grocery and the cleaners and the UPS store, paying the bills, and writing three thank-you notes. Oh and I also have to work. And I may have promised to take my kids to the pool in the afternoon as well.
I have no idea how I'm going to get everything done.
Fortunately, if I were so inclined, I could outsource some of my list; according to an article at CNN.com, more and more Americans are doing just that, hiring virtual personal assistants to book doctor appointments, pay bills, and shop for gifts for them. The price is apparently less than you might expect, particularly when weighed against what you would be earning if you were actually WORKING instead of waiting in line at the toy store to pay for that birthday present or crafting that thank you to Aunt Mary for sending dinner over when you were sick.
I like the idea of outsourcing, and I've done some myself -- I have automated bill pay for regular bills, and the dry cleaners picks up and drops off our laundry each week. I can think of a few more things I would like to turn over to someone else -- the grocery shopping, for example, and the cooking, at least a couple of nights a week. But I wonder about things like gift giving and thank you note writing -- don't we lose something if we hire that out? And what does that teach our kids about being gracious and polite?
For most parents, outsourcing errands is less about being able to work more and more about having that time with the family. Have you outsourced anything recently? What do you wish you could turn over to someone else? And what would you do with the time that not dealing with the UPS store or the grocery would free up?
I have no idea how I'm going to get everything done.
Fortunately, if I were so inclined, I could outsource some of my list; according to an article at CNN.com, more and more Americans are doing just that, hiring virtual personal assistants to book doctor appointments, pay bills, and shop for gifts for them. The price is apparently less than you might expect, particularly when weighed against what you would be earning if you were actually WORKING instead of waiting in line at the toy store to pay for that birthday present or crafting that thank you to Aunt Mary for sending dinner over when you were sick.
I like the idea of outsourcing, and I've done some myself -- I have automated bill pay for regular bills, and the dry cleaners picks up and drops off our laundry each week. I can think of a few more things I would like to turn over to someone else -- the grocery shopping, for example, and the cooking, at least a couple of nights a week. But I wonder about things like gift giving and thank you note writing -- don't we lose something if we hire that out? And what does that teach our kids about being gracious and polite?
For most parents, outsourcing errands is less about being able to work more and more about having that time with the family. Have you outsourced anything recently? What do you wish you could turn over to someone else? And what would you do with the time that not dealing with the UPS store or the grocery would free up?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
April 6-29-2008 @ 3:53PM
As both a single mom and a virtual assistant, I completely agree that outsourcing some of your errands is an excellent way to save yourself not only a lot of time but a little bit of stress too.
While most virtual assistants have clients that live in other cities, other states, even other countries, you may be able to find one in your area that provides local services such as pick ups and deliveries. For example, I live in the Omaha area and I do offer this service.
If you can't find a VA in your area, a lot of the things mentioned in this article - bill paying, shopping, can be done online.
When you look at the cost, it may seem like a lot but when you consider the value of that extra hour or so that you'll get to spend with your family its worth it.
~April
www.advantagevirtualassistant.com
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Kimberly Coleman 6-29-2008 @ 6:20PM
We outsourced the deep cleaning around our home. Both my husband and I hate doing it. We found a service that's only $20/hour - well worth our saved time and energy! The only other thing that I would outsource (in theory, not in reality) is potty training when it's time for my second son to get trained. So far, that has been my least favorite part of parenting to date!
Kimberly Coleman/Mom in the City
http://www.mominthecity.com/
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Jenn 7-01-2008 @ 12:03AM
I wouldn't mind sending someone else to pick up a gift that I'd picked out, after all that's usually what I do anyway -- "shop" online until I find something, and then find the best place to buy it locally.
I would love love LOVE to be able to write up a list and send somebody else out to do errands for me. Or to call and make appointments for me (I loathe doing this, I don't know why).
Hunh. Now that I think about it, would sending the husband to the store with a list count as outsourcing? Hmmm. Maybe I should tell him I will be "best shoring" him if he doesn't get his act together....
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Mike 7-03-2008 @ 11:05AM
People come on! Father of three, mother gone...I work 2 days a week and have plenty of time even during those days for my kids (if they weren't already in school). Outsourcing your life is amazing and it's so easy! I get most of my work done by my part time virtual assistant at alfa over seas and all my projects at elance.com.
I was a little intimidated about figuring out the process here. I Needed a minimal investment and easy to use service to get started. Google "personal sidekick" and go to their website, fill out the form and pay on paypal. It cost me $3 and I got them to call my mom and sing her happy birthday! After that I realized "I have got to get into this!!!" It's changed my life ever since.
-Mike
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Ishani Mitra 7-04-2008 @ 2:13PM
In this age we can really outsource anythin and everything. Another interested article directed towards personalised task outsourcing at http://outsorcerer.com/blog/?p=19
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