Last fall, after I started grad school and saw my schedule really start to go from hectic to crazy, Stephen and I decided that we just didn’t want to spend what little time we still have together on things like house cleaning and chores. So, we started to research cleaning services, considering a couple different companies before settling on Green Maid Works, which we got for $69 a month through a deal on Living Social. (If you aren’t signed up for this service or Groupon, you are totally missing out on some great deals!)
Things went well for the first couple months, with Green Maid coming in every fourth Thursday to vacuum, dust, mop, and clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Though we of course had to do some general cleaning and maintenance throughout the month, this service quickly became a real stress reliever, freeing us from having to do the biggest things on a regular basis.
But then, after I left my previous job following the elections last fall, we had a hard time deciding whether or not this was something that was worth the added expense, especially since these are things we of course can and have done for ourselves. Plus, Green Maid started to irritate us in some ways, such as not using the key we’d given them, confusing whether or not we’d be home, and refusing to reschedule when we had a guest staying with us.
In the end, however, we decided that if it saves us time and stress overall, allowing us more time to either spend together or in taking care of our other responsibilities, it’s well worth the extra cost, especially while we’re getting such a good deal. Whether we’ll continue after the deal expires is TBD, but for now, it’s a real load off my mind to have one less thing to worry about.
What about you? Is there anything you splurge on simply because it gives you peace of mind and allows you to stress less? How do you handle chores around the house?
We've only ever used a cleaning service once (to stop by our house right before we returned from our honeymoon. Best $100 I have spent in my life!).
ReplyDeleteWe have both admitted that we would prefer to do the same thing as you. The only problem is that living in Florida, you have to clean weekly. I can't go 4 weeks without sweeping or scrubbing the bathroom - our place would be horrible!
I am keeping a good lookout for one of these deals though - it would be nice to have someone get behind the couch and dust the light fixtures. I just don't do that.
Love it :)
I would LOVE to get a housekeeper, but the idea makes my husband uncomfortable. So far, we clean ourselves and split the chores, but it is annoying to have to make time for it. These days, I am splurging on my gym, which is four blocks from my apartment, and acupuncture once a month. All of it adds up, but it' an investment into my well-being, and I would never go to the gym if it wasn't close to where we live.
ReplyDeleteI would love to eventually have someone come in maybe once a month for a deep cleaning of the whole house. Though now that we have the new house I've become obsessed with keeping it clean so I don't know how dirty I'll let it get to make having someone come once a month worth it.
ReplyDeleteI like cleaning... i find it relaxing hahaha
ReplyDeleteI do wish I could pay someone to vaccum though... it's hard to tote that thing up and down the stairs
Oh how I wish a cleaning service was in our budget - it would certainly decrease the stress. My fiance and I are pretty good about splitting up the chores, we just disagree on how often they need to be done and how thoroughly. Hopefully we'll be able to work it in post grad school. Only 3-4 more years...
ReplyDeletei find cleaning to be relaxing/stress relieving at the end of a busy week. but maybe will consider a cleaning lady in a few years.
ReplyDeleteLiving by myself, the chores are all mine. But, I can also decide to skip them and do them once a month... or wait until the end of ski season, whatever the case may be.
ReplyDeleteMe, I splurge on things that make me feel safer - a garage door opener so I can park and be behind a closed door before I get out of my car, air conditioning so I don't have to have open windows, etc.
I keep saying that I would love to have a maid....but I am super picky when it comes to cleaning up the house...I don't even like it when my hubby helps...he does try though :)
ReplyDeleteI've often dreamed about getting a cleaning service--but I'm super anal about people touching my stuff or not putting it back in the correct place. Plus, I feel like I'd have to clean for the cleaning person!
ReplyDeleteMy husband says the solution is just to have kids, then you don't have to worry about strangers touching your stuff while cleaning, and they're free labor, haha!
My friend (a new mom) said that having a maid was the best investment she made this past year. We had a maid come in a few times because I get overwhelmed and don't love all kinds of cleaning. But I'd definitely bring someone in when we have less time. It's a very worthy cost to spend time with your family just as you said!
ReplyDeleteI do most of the cleaning, but like above, its cause I like the way I do it, I splurge on getting threaded every two weeks so I don't have to spend time grooming my eyebrows, and in the spring summer on mani/pedis!
ReplyDeleteI actually like cleaning. Not everything (I hate doing the bathroom so that's my husband's job) but cleaning actually relaxes me after a stressful week. I think I like the fact that it's mindless and I like making things neat and tidy. But we also live in a very small apartment so it's totally manageable. When we have a bigger apartment or house down the line, I could see myself investing in a house cleaner if it was too much for us to handle.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good thing going and I hope you're able to keep them if you can. Its nice for couples and people who really dont have the time to do it. Its never been too bad, even with the kids to hire someone. THe kids help out, and we all do our part. I could see if the kids were little, then it might be a little crazy! Glad you found a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely LOVE to have hire someone to come clean once a week. Both M and my schedules are so hectic and whatever time we do have together, the last thing we want to be doing is cleaning up. We're moving in 2 months, so I might look into a service after we do. Our new place is going to be bigger and hence more room for mess.
ReplyDelete