Buying Back Your Time: The SOTM Guide to Spending Smart to Make Life Easier
Let’s be real. Sometimes, spending a little bit of money can save you a lot of time, energy, and stress. Whether it’s getting your groceries delivered, automating your meal planning, or outsourcing a few chores, there’s no shame in paying for convenience when it fits your budget.
We asked the She’s on the Money community what they outsource, automate, or subscribe to in order to make life easier. Their answers were clever, practical, and full of time-saving gems.
Here’s what they said…
🛒 Grocery Hacks That Save You Time and Energy
Click and collect or delivery was one of the most popular answers. So many people swear by Coles Plus or Woolies Unlimited subscriptions. They said it pays for itself within just a couple of deliveries and saves them the headache of walking every aisle with a shopping list in hand.
Others, like Lara and Rhiannon, do a big stock-up once a month, using their memberships to get discounts and free delivery. And Ange shared that Coles delivery helps her budget better by sticking to a plan and using Flybuys offers to boost savings.
If you’re not into delivery, several people use click and collect for everything from groceries to Kmart runs. It’s quick, easy, and free.
🧼 Cleaners and Subscriptions: The Unsung Heroes
So many people said that hiring a cleaner is worth every cent. Whether it’s weekly, fortnightly, or just for rental inspections, outsourcing cleaning frees up weekends and mental energy. Some even said it helps with their mental health or gives them back time with their kids.
Also high on the list: subscriptions. People love automating toilet paper, laundry products, and personal care items from places like Who Gives a Crap and Amazon. It reduces the number of errands and keeps cupboards stocked without a second thought.
🍽️ Meal Prep and Food Services
From HelloFresh to AI-powered meal planning, people are finding clever ways to take the brainwork out of what’s for dinner.
Emma uses AI to generate a meal plan and shopping list tailored to her dietary needs each week. Others like Siobhan and Kylie swear by HelloFresh to reduce decision fatigue and stop overspending on impulse buys.
Bulk cooking also made a strong appearance, especially for solo households or busy families. Prepping a few meals over the weekend and portioning them out for the week is a go-to for people like Ange and Jade.
🧺 Laundry, Tech, and Home Setups
Lisa shared her best investment ever: a 16kg washer/dryer combo that means she only does laundry every couple of days for her family of five. Even better? A laundry chute from the upstairs bathroom straight into a cupboard over the washing machine. Dreamy.
Some people are considering Robovacs, especially for busy households with kids. While not everyone’s sold, others love the idea of letting the tech do the work.
🧠 It’s Not Just About Saving Time
What stood out most was that spending a little on these things isn’t just about time. It’s about buying back brain space. So many people said it helped their mental load, reduced stress, or just made them feel like they had a bit more control over the chaos of everyday life.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to outsource everything. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. But if your budget allows, finding one or two small ways to buy back time or mental space might be the exact thing you need right now.
As always, spend in line with your values. For some people that means buying a cleaner. For others, it’s paying $7 a month to have their groceries packed and ready to go.
Whatever works for you, that’s the right move.
If you have more tips, let us know in the comments!
