Sure, but an affordable one. We spend just over $200 a month. That's the price of a nice dinner out. Well worth it.

I don't think its accurate to call it a luxury. Its not like a $10,000 watch or a designer handbag, something where the only value you gain is prestige. I think it falls into the category of "things it is worth paying for if it isn't a stretch." If you are busy and/or messy, it is something to prioritize. We have someone come in and I feel like they do a better job in 90 minutes than I would do spending twice that time.

Don't feel guilty about outsourcing. Allocate your resources of time, money, and energy in the way that maximizes the utility to your own life.

You could argue that pretty much anything is a luxury. (The GOP considers health care to be a luxury, but that's another thread

It's realy just a choice of how to spend your money and your time. I choose not to spend my precious free time vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms.

It's also a contribution to the local economy. The service I used hires legal workers (if that matters to you) and I almost always have the same three lovely ladies who seemed quite happy, so I know they're not churning through workers.

Well, it is a luxury, but all depends where your priorities are! It is cheaper than divorce. I'd cut cable, internet, cell phones before I cut my cleaning service. I love coming home on Tuesdays to my clean house. Like magic little elves visited me while I was away at work . . .

Of course its a luxury. Its also a critical part of keeping me sane as a single mom with a 1-hour commute each way and a 5-year old. I would be loathe to give it up, but I also would give it up in a second if money were tight.

Depends on your income.

Anonymous wrote:Total luxury but for us it was cheaper than divorce.

Ha! Us too.

If you can afford it, it's not really a luxury. For some of my friends who have jobs, working husbands and kids, it's a lifesaver. I'd get a maid in a second if I had the $. I can think of about 100 things I'd rather spend time doing than cleaning the toilet or mopping floors.

Total luxury but for us it was cheaper than divorce.

Is it a luxury? Sure. Is it worth it? You bet - at least for us. We both work full time, more than 40 hours a week, and have two little kids. Cleaning is one less thing I have to worry about.

Yes, a cleaning service is a luxury. Really, you had to ask that?

I agree with PP.

Of course it's a luxury.

We are two months into having a cleaning service, and honestly, for me it isn;t worth it. But DH likes it a lot. We've decided to keep them coming through the holidays and stop then.

We have someone come twice a month. It is a luxury for us. Definitely not something that is essential. That said, it's completely worth it, and it would not be our first luxury expenditure to cut. They don't do laundry or dishes, but they do change the linens and wash the floors and counter tops and dust everything. To me, it is totally worth it.

I am considering hiring a cleaning service to come to my home 1 or 2 times/month. I looked at costs and it seems a bit expensive. If you use a service, is it worth the cost?

TIA.