Am I Insane for Wanting to Hire Household Help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally reasonable to want help. And if you prioritize resources accordingly, it's affordable for your budget. I find dealing with all of the various ancillary services (house cleaners, meal service, grocery delivery, etc.) to be a huge headache rather than a simplification. You are trying to minimize your mental load, not add to it. I lucked out and found one really talented, kind and hard working person who is amazing. She cleans, runs errands, sorts mail, grocery shops, does laundry, handles dry cleaning and cares for my daughter like she's her own child. I pay her well. This streamlines my life and makes everything else manageable. I'm grateful for her everyday. Every family is different but this works for us.

Is this a big job at your house?

Yes, mail and paperwork is a big undertaking. In addition to personal mail, we have a home based business and a rental property. She helps with sorting and filing accordingly which is a big help, especially at tax time!

I'm the pp with the housekeeper and this is not something on our list. I literally come home and go straight to he mail on the counter and dump 90% of it unopened and into the trash. We don't even get bills in the mail anymore, it is all done online. Of the remaining 10%, usually half of that goes into the trash too after I open it.

This. We have many rental properties and self employed businesses and paperwork that comes in by mail. Easily handled by me

[Anonymous]

as a single parent who managed two small kids, rental property, errands, etc...I do feel it's a bit much to hire someone but to each his own, it's your money, your life.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for these insights. I discussed with DH and we are likely to move
forward with either a group of services or one part-time employee. It is great to know that care.com is a place to search. Any other recommendations? We currently have 2 house cleaners who come twice a month. We grocery shop at Wegmans, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. DCs’ schools are .2 and .8 miles from home. We figure $1500/month would work well for our budget so that may limit our options. Thank you for any additional advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for these insights. I discussed with DH and we are likely to move
forward with either a group of services or one part-time employee. It is great to know that care.com is a place to search. Any other recommendations? We currently have 2 house cleaners who come twice a month. We grocery shop at Wegmans, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. DCs’ schools are .2 and .8 miles from home. We figure $1500/month would work well for our budget so that may limit our options. Thank you for any additional advice.

I'm the person with a housekeeper. Depending on here you live (we are outside the beltway, so prices are lower for in house help) I think you could get someone to do this role 3 days a week and it would take a lot of burden off you.

[Anonymous]

We also have a 20-hour a week housekeeper (in the afternoons only). She take care of the house (and most of the laundry), deep cleans, walks the dog in the middle of the day if no one is home, does dry cleaning, runs errands, occasionally looks after the kids, preps dinner (and will cook full dinner if I can't get home in time). She picks up the kids from school or activities if DH or I can't get home in time. Our kids are old enough that we don't need a nanny anymore so this has been perfect for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm the only person responding who actually has a housekeeper. Let me tell you, it is GLORIOUS! I have someone come each day from 12-5PM. I also have house cleaners come 2xs a month to deep clean. Here is what the housekeeper does:
-walks dog 1x when she arrives.
-does all grocery shopping
-does basic meal prep, including washing all produce, so anything I need to grab is ready to be used.
-Does all Costco and target runs
-Keeps closets and drawers organized
-does lite cleaning (dishes load/unload, makes beds, wiping down, basic pick-up, vacuuming)
-Runs all errands such as dry cleaning, tire rotation, oil changes, drugstore, taking dog to groomer...ect
-washes, folds, hangs and puts away all laundry
-sometimes runs the kids around after school
-Greets kids at the door after school, makes sure they have a healthy snack, and has them start on their homework.

What does this mean to me? I have not worked my washer and dryer in years. I only go to the grocery store in an emergency, which is rare. I only go to Costco when I want to because I want to see what they are currently carrying. I do not spend ANY of my free times cleaning or doing other domestic chores. My house is spotless and organized, always "guest ready". I come home from work to a clean and orderly home, ready to fix a healthy meal that has already been 50% prepped for me. My kids are settled in and many nights we play card games, go on bike rids, throw the frisbee, or simply watch a movie on a random Wednesday night. We eat healthy home cooked meals, together at the table, never order carryout and only dine out because we want to, not out of necessity. I have plenty of time to exercise and take care of myself. DH and I never ever struggle with who is supposed to do what and to what standard. Our home is stress free and harmonious because we get to focus on what is important.

I pay $500/week for this (20/hr) and pay for 52 weeks a year. She takes 2 weeks of her choosing off and when we go on vacation she only has to work enough to have the house ready for us when we get home (clean and a fridge full of fresh groceries) which might be 4hrs worth of work for the vacation weeks.

I'm so jealous! A deep clean 2xs a month, plus daily maintenance. Sound like you and DH don't have to lift a finger doing the tedious domestic tasks. You are given back so much of your life! I'm jealous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm the only person responding who actually has a housekeeper. Let me tell you, it is GLORIOUS! I have someone come each day from 12-5PM. I also have house cleaners come 2xs a month to deep clean. Here is what the housekeeper does:
-walks dog 1x when she arrives.
-does all grocery shopping
-does basic meal prep, including washing all produce, so anything I need to grab is ready to be used.
-Does all Costco and target runs
-Keeps closets and drawers organized
-does lite cleaning (dishes load/unload, makes beds, wiping down, basic pick-up, vacuuming)
-Runs all errands such as dry cleaning, tire rotation, oil changes, drugstore, taking dog to groomer...ect
-washes, folds, hangs and puts away all laundry
-sometimes runs the kids around after school
-Greets kids at the door after school, makes sure they have a healthy snack, and has them start on their homework.

What does this mean to me? I have not worked my washer and dryer in years. I only go to the grocery store in an emergency, which is rare. I only go to Costco when I want to because I want to see what they are currently carrying. I do not spend ANY of my free times cleaning or doing other domestic chores. My house is spotless and organized, always "guest ready". I come home from work to a clean and orderly home, ready to fix a healthy meal that has already been 50% prepped for me. My kids are settled in and many nights we play card games, go on bike rids, throw the frisbee, or simply watch a movie on a random Wednesday night. We eat healthy home cooked meals, together at the table, never order carryout and only dine out because we want to, not out of necessity. I have plenty of time to exercise and take care of myself. DH and I never ever struggle with who is supposed to do what and to what standard. Our home is stress free and harmonious because we get to focus on what is important.

I pay $500/week for this (20/hr) and pay for 52 weeks a year. She takes 2 weeks of her choosing off and when we go on vacation she only has to work enough to have the house ready for us when we get home (clean and a fridge full of fresh groceries) which might be 4hrs worth of work for the vacation weeks.

I'm so jealous! A deep clean 2xs a month, plus daily maintenance. Sound like you and DH don't have to lift a finger doing the tedious domestic tasks. You are given back so much of your life! I'm jealous!

That really is a good situation and not that much money since you don’t pay for aftercare. The issue is is that I think you got lucky finding someone long term who wants to work only 20 hours a week and also sounds very competent and efficient. Not easy to find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm the only person responding who actually has a housekeeper. Let me tell you, it is GLORIOUS! I have someone come each day from 12-5PM. I also have house cleaners come 2xs a month to deep clean. Here is what the housekeeper does:
-walks dog 1x when she arrives.
-does all grocery shopping
-does basic meal prep, including washing all produce, so anything I need to grab is ready to be used.
-Does all Costco and target runs
-Keeps closets and drawers organized
-does lite cleaning (dishes load/unload, makes beds, wiping down, basic pick-up, vacuuming)
-Runs all errands such as dry cleaning, tire rotation, oil changes, drugstore, taking dog to groomer...ect
-washes, folds, hangs and puts away all laundry
-sometimes runs the kids around after school
-Greets kids at the door after school, makes sure they have a healthy snack, and has them start on their homework.

What does this mean to me? I have not worked my washer and dryer in years. I only go to the grocery store in an emergency, which is rare. I only go to Costco when I want to because I want to see what they are currently carrying. I do not spend ANY of my free times cleaning or doing other domestic chores. My house is spotless and organized, always "guest ready". I come home from work to a clean and orderly home, ready to fix a healthy meal that has already been 50% prepped for me. My kids are settled in and many nights we play card games, go on bike rids, throw the frisbee, or simply watch a movie on a random Wednesday night. We eat healthy home cooked meals, together at the table, never order carryout and only dine out because we want to, not out of necessity. I have plenty of time to exercise and take care of myself. DH and I never ever struggle with who is supposed to do what and to what standard. Our home is stress free and harmonious because we get to focus on what is important.

I pay $500/week for this (20/hr) and pay for 52 weeks a year. She takes 2 weeks of her choosing off and when we go on vacation she only has to work enough to have the house ready for us when we get home (clean and a fridge full of fresh groceries) which might be 4hrs worth of work for the vacation weeks.

I'm so jealous! A deep clean 2xs a month, plus daily maintenance. Sound like you and DH don't have to lift a finger doing the tedious domestic tasks. You are given back so much of your life! I'm jealous!

That really is a good situation and not that much money since you don’t pay for aftercare. The issue is is that I think you got lucky finding someone long term who wants to work only 20 hours a week and also sounds very competent and efficient. Not easy to find.

Does that $500/week include all taxes and required withholding for SS/Medicare etc or is that in addition to it? The person is only grossing 26K a year. That doesn't seem like a sustainable wage --and the lasting until 5 doesn't make it work for most stay at home parents (unless she can have her kids with her at your house?). I would think it would be hard to keep someone long in this job--unless she's piecing it together with other jobs--or has other limitations that keep her from working full-time or doesn't really need the money and likes something about the job. It seems like a somewhat unique situation unless you regularly hire someone new to take it on at the points in their lives where this kind of work is a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I'm the only person responding who actually has a housekeeper. Let me tell you, it is GLORIOUS! I have someone come each day from 12-5PM. I also have house cleaners come 2xs a month to deep clean. Here is what the housekeeper does:
-walks dog 1x when she arrives.
-does all grocery shopping
-does basic meal prep, including washing all produce, so anything I need to grab is ready to be used.
-Does all Costco and target runs
-Keeps closets and drawers organized
-does lite cleaning (dishes load/unload, makes beds, wiping down, basic pick-up, vacuuming)
-Runs all errands such as dry cleaning, tire rotation, oil changes, drugstore, taking dog to groomer...ect
-washes, folds, hangs and puts away all laundry
-sometimes runs the kids around after school
-Greets kids at the door after school, makes sure they have a healthy snack, and has them start on their homework.

What does this mean to me? I have not worked my washer and dryer in years. I only go to the grocery store in an emergency, which is rare. I only go to Costco when I want to because I want to see what they are currently carrying. I do not spend ANY of my free times cleaning or doing other domestic chores. My house is spotless and organized, always "guest ready". I come home from work to a clean and orderly home, ready to fix a healthy meal that has already been 50% prepped for me. My kids are settled in and many nights we play card games, go on bike rids, throw the frisbee, or simply watch a movie on a random Wednesday night. We eat healthy home cooked meals, together at the table, never order carryout and only dine out because we want to, not out of necessity. I have plenty of time to exercise and take care of myself. DH and I never ever struggle with who is supposed to do what and to what standard. Our home is stress free and harmonious because we get to focus on what is important.

I pay $500/week for this (20/hr) and pay for 52 weeks a year. She takes 2 weeks of her choosing off and when we go on vacation she only has to work enough to have the house ready for us when we get home (clean and a fridge full of fresh groceries) which might be 4hrs worth of work for the vacation weeks.

I'm so jealous! A deep clean 2xs a month, plus daily maintenance. Sound like you and DH don't have to lift a finger doing the tedious domestic tasks. You are given back so much of your life! I'm jealous!

That really is a good situation and not that much money since you don’t pay for aftercare. The issue is is that I think you got lucky finding someone long term who wants to work only 20 hours a week and also sounds very competent and efficient. Not easy to find.

Does that $500/week include all taxes and required withholding for SS/Medicare etc or is that in addition to it? The person is only grossing 26K a year. That doesn't seem like a sustainable wage --and the lasting until 5 doesn't make it work for most stay at home parents (unless she can have her kids with her at your house?). I would think it would be hard to keep someone long in this job--unless she's piecing it together with other jobs--or has other limitations that keep her from working full-time or doesn't really need the money and likes something about the job. It seems like a somewhat unique situation unless you regularly hire someone new to take it on at the points in their lives where this kind of work is a good fit.

I've had her for a few years and did not have any shortage of applicants. She is married and has older kids. Everyone I interviewed was specifically looking for PT work. Most housekeepers are not working FT hours.

Taxes are on top of her wage. Vacations are cash.