Comments on: How I Made My Peace with Hiring a Housekeeper http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Annie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-4/#comment-3308581 Annie Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:24:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-3308581 This is a great post Kris. We teach people how to start up and run a successful cleaning business. People do get bogged down with guilt over hiring a cleaner, but that guilt comes only from conditioning. What people need to do now is 'buy' time and having a cleaner does that. This is a great post Kris. We teach people how to start up and run a successful cleaning business. People do get bogged down with guilt over hiring a cleaner, but that guilt comes only from conditioning. What people need to do now is ‘buy’ time and having a cleaner does that.

loading....

]]> By: Maaria http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-4/#comment-3082372 Maaria Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:43:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-3082372 For me, the bottom line in the issue is not if the members of the household are able to manage the running of the household without help. The issue is about whether they are able to do it without anger, mutual accusations and lack of consideration for differing standards and needs. For me, any expense that would make home a more peaceful place would be worth it, assuming I would have the money needed. (At the moment I live alone, and therefore the issue is not relevant.) For me, the bottom line in the issue is not if the members of the household are able to manage the running of the household without help. The issue is about whether they are able to do it without anger, mutual accusations and lack of consideration for differing standards and needs. For me, any expense that would make home a more peaceful place would be worth it, assuming I would have the money needed. (At the moment I live alone, and therefore the issue is not relevant.)

loading....

]]> By: Kat http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-3072662 Kat Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:03:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-3072662 @Nina.. you would be off a little on your comment about 'ask yourself if you would hire a male housekeeper to keep the peace, I think not'. First it is not about the gender of the cleaner, but the job done. Second, I have three employees with my small house cleaning business and my employee that has been with me the longest, is my lead clean and is most in demand is a male who is 21 yrs old with one degree under his belt. He enjoys what he does and certainly if his work keeps the peace in a marriage I am pretty sure he would smile and say "job well done then". @Nina.. you would be off a little on your comment about ‘ask yourself if you would hire a male housekeeper to keep the peace, I think not’.

First it is not about the gender of the cleaner, but the job done. Second, I have three employees with my small house cleaning business and my employee that has been with me the longest, is my lead clean and is most in demand is a male who is 21 yrs old with one degree under his belt. He enjoys what he does and certainly if his work keeps the peace in a marriage I am pretty sure he would smile and say “job well done then”.

loading....

]]> By: Kat http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-4/#comment-3072632 Kat Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:56:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-3072632 Just found this site and will definitely be reading more but had to comment after reading everyone's thoughts but especially after the comment about most people would not hire a male housekeeper. I run a small housecleaning business in a small town. Two of my employees are woman, one is a young man of twenty one. He has been with me for two years now. The first time out to a clean it still can throw people a little to see a man, but once they start talking with him they absolutely love him. Word of mouth has spread so much about his great personality (has an awesome sense of humour)and his fantastic work (he is lead cleaner, being better then most of the woman I have hired) that his schedule is always full. Even when a client leaves. Everyone also needs to stop assuming we do this because we have to make money and feed our families and can do nothing else. In reality is this not why EVERYONE goes to work in addition to loving your work? For people who say house cleaning is not 'rocket science' think again. In this day and age there are so many different levels and grades of flooring and materials used in new homes and then what older homes were made of, I am constantly training myself then training my staff to keep up. Why? So we do not damage your home but keep it clean . Are we uneducated and this is why we house clean? Absolutely not! I myself have three degrees, all my employees have at least once. We have chosen to work in this field because we enjoy it and we are good at it. As far as going rate. Well some of these posts are from 2010, now in 2012 but we charge $40 per hour. Our employees are paid well, but then we also pay for any supplies needed, bring all our equipment, pay for the insurance in case anything might break, pay for coverage for the employees in case they are hurt cleaning your house so you do not get sued. There is a cost involved that many people don't realize. Hire an independent , yes a lot clean well, however if they hurt themselves while cleaning in your house,they can and most will , sue you for damages. A house cleaner is no different then hiring a plumber, using an accountant , or seeing a doctor. In our world ALL jobs are needed and count. If people did not work fast food, how would you pick up all that pizza after a hard day at your work when you do not want to cook? Be open minded to the fact that every job is 'difficult' in it's on way and that just because it is not "rocket science" as many have said, does not mean it has any less value. Just found this site and will definitely be reading more but had to comment after reading everyone’s thoughts but especially after the comment about most people would not hire a male housekeeper.
I run a small housecleaning business in a small town. Two of my employees are woman, one is a young man of twenty one. He has been with me for two years now. The first time out to a clean it still can throw people a little to see a man, but once they start talking with him they absolutely love him.
Word of mouth has spread so much about his great personality (has an awesome sense of humour)and his fantastic work (he is lead cleaner, being better then most of the woman I have hired) that his schedule is always full. Even when a client leaves.
Everyone also needs to stop assuming we do this because we have to make money and feed our families and can do nothing else. In reality is this not why EVERYONE goes to work in addition to loving your work?
For people who say house cleaning is not ‘rocket science’ think again. In this day and age there are so many different levels and grades of flooring and materials used in new homes and then what older homes were made of, I am constantly training myself then training my staff to keep up. Why? So we do not damage your home but keep it clean .
Are we uneducated and this is why we house clean? Absolutely not! I myself have three degrees, all my employees have at least once. We have chosen to work in this field because we enjoy it and we are good at it.
As far as going rate. Well some of these posts are from 2010, now in 2012 but we charge $40 per hour. Our employees are paid well, but then we also pay for any supplies needed, bring all our equipment, pay for the insurance in case anything might break, pay for coverage for the employees in case they are hurt cleaning your house so you do not get sued. There is a cost involved that many people don’t realize. Hire an independent , yes a lot clean well, however if they hurt themselves while cleaning in your house,they can and most will , sue you for damages.

A house cleaner is no different then hiring a plumber, using an accountant , or seeing a doctor. In our world ALL jobs are needed and count. If people did not work fast food, how would you pick up all that pizza after a hard day at your work when you do not want to cook? Be open minded to the fact that every job is ‘difficult’ in it’s on way and that just because it is not “rocket science” as many have said, does not mean it has any less value.

loading....

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-4/#comment-3013542 Elizabeth Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:46:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-3013542 I don't know whether to feel sorry for people who will never understand the work of housekeepers, or feel anger for their complete lack of consideration or understanding of the circumstances that lead people to do this type of worthy labor. You all talk about needing "leisure time" and time for your "passions." Did you ever stop to think that these people need this as well? They work long hours, at multiple houses, sometimes at two houses per day, they have families, responsibilities day and night, yet they have the least amount of access to healthcare and other things that would actually require healthcare for their hard, PHYSICAL labor. This is not to devalue the work of those who went through college and got high paying jobs, but I doubt that sitting at a desk, being a CEO etc. will make you end up with a broken back, more exposure to cleaning chemicals and such. I don't think there is anything wrong with housecleaning, hell, we'd have to do it ourselves, but I have a problem with the way people approach the subject and making blatant statements without researching deeper into the needs of these people or the reasons why they are there. I should know, I am the daughter of a Guatemalan daughter, who crossed the border with nothing but the clothes she was wearing on her back. She had no family here and she had to fend for herself. WHen she came here, she did not expect to clean toilets and take over the needs of parents who were too busy making money. She is an educated bilingual woman with a degree (my father is also educated- he was an accountant). Not everyone is "unskilled." WE JUST DON'T HAVE WHITE PRIVILEGE. My mother tried going to college here, but she had to stop going because "illegals" weren't allowed to have access to education, and they started deporting people. She tried again when she became a resident (she is now a citizen), but my father had a stroke. She was going to school to learn computer programming. She tried again, but she had to make money for the family for food, plus she had to take care of 8-9 other families who were too busy trying to live an overly unnecessary life full of luxuries. My mother pays taxes, she's the breadwinner, she has worked extra hard, and yet she does not have healthcare. She still squeezes in time to knit hats for St. Johns for children with cancer, she makes dolls for the organization "Dollies Making a Difference" so that children around the world can have a toy. She takes care of our sick neighbors out of her own will, she takes care of my elderly retired father, she cleans, she cooks (I am away at college). She works 7 days a week, and she works on holidays. Think twice before you jump to conclusions about women who clean houses. Also, appreciate women (your wives, sisters, etc.) who do all this labor for "free" after working and looking after your kids. I don’t know whether to feel sorry for people who will never understand the work of housekeepers, or feel anger for their complete lack of consideration or understanding of the circumstances that lead people to do this type of worthy labor.
You all talk about needing “leisure time” and time for your “passions.” Did you ever stop to think that these people need this as well? They work long hours, at multiple houses, sometimes at two houses per day, they have families, responsibilities day and night, yet they have the least amount of access to healthcare and other things that would actually require healthcare for their hard, PHYSICAL labor. This is not to devalue the work of those who went through college and got high paying jobs, but I doubt that sitting at a desk, being a CEO etc. will make you end up with a broken back, more exposure to cleaning chemicals and such. I don’t think there is anything wrong with housecleaning, hell, we’d have to do it ourselves, but I have a problem with the way people approach the subject and making blatant statements without researching deeper into the needs of these people or the reasons why they are there.
I should know, I am the daughter of a Guatemalan daughter, who crossed the border with nothing but the clothes she was wearing on her back. She had no family here and she had to fend for herself. WHen she came here, she did not expect to clean toilets and take over the needs of parents who were too busy making money. She is an educated bilingual woman with a degree (my father is also educated- he was an accountant). Not everyone is “unskilled.” WE JUST DON’T HAVE WHITE PRIVILEGE. My mother tried going to college here, but she had to stop going because “illegals” weren’t allowed to have access to education, and they started deporting people. She tried again when she became a resident (she is now a citizen), but my father had a stroke. She was going to school to learn computer programming. She tried again, but she had to make money for the family for food, plus she had to take care of 8-9 other families who were too busy trying to live an overly unnecessary life full of luxuries. My mother pays taxes, she’s the breadwinner, she has worked extra hard, and yet she does not have healthcare. She still squeezes in time to knit hats for St. Johns for children with cancer, she makes dolls for the organization “Dollies Making a Difference” so that children around the world can have a toy. She takes care of our sick neighbors out of her own will, she takes care of my elderly retired father, she cleans, she cooks (I am away at college). She works 7 days a week, and she works on holidays. Think twice before you jump to conclusions about women who clean houses. Also, appreciate women (your wives, sisters, etc.) who do all this labor for “free” after working and looking after your kids.

loading....

]]> By: Jason http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-2986782 Jason Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:27:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-2986782 I never thought we would hire a housekeeper. Growing up, my mother worked full time, did all the cooking and cleaning, sewing, haircuts etc (she is a saint). My father always worked a full time job plus picked up extra hours of work whenever possible. He also did all outside chores and home remodeling etc. When I go married, I had just assumed this was normal and put unrealistic expectations on my wife and myslf. When she brought up hiring a housekeeper after our daughter was born, I have to admit I was judgemental toward her because I was raised to believe you should never pay someone to do something you can do yourself and felt we could both work full time and still do all of the household chores ourselves. Now that we've hired a housekeeper, I don't know why we didn't do it earlier. The money we spend is well worth it. We don't fight over chores. We have more quality time together and we are both more relaxed. I would give up a lot of other things before giving up our housekeeper. I never thought we would hire a housekeeper. Growing up, my mother worked full time, did all the cooking and cleaning, sewing, haircuts etc (she is a saint). My father always worked a full time job plus picked up extra hours of work whenever possible. He also did all outside chores and home remodeling etc. When I go married, I had just assumed this was normal and put unrealistic expectations on my wife and myslf. When she brought up hiring a housekeeper after our daughter was born, I have to admit I was judgemental toward her because I was raised to believe you should never pay someone to do something you can do yourself and felt we could both work full time and still do all of the household chores ourselves. Now that we’ve hired a housekeeper, I don’t know why we didn’t do it earlier. The money we spend is well worth it. We don’t fight over chores. We have more quality time together and we are both more relaxed. I would give up a lot of other things before giving up our housekeeper.

loading....

]]> By: Tina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-2928852 Tina Sun, 12 Aug 2012 04:50:45 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-2928852 As the owner of a privately owned residential and commercial cleaning company, I thought I would give you a little bit of insight as to how a "housekeeper" may think. :) I don't find cleaning someone elses home the least bit degrading. I actually enjoy my work and get a sense of pride when I leave a home clean. I know that I would appreciate walking into my house after someone else has cleaned it for me! :) As far as finding someone that is trustworthy... Ask neighbors, friends, even your realtor could possibly give you the names of people that they have used before. It is also a good idea to make sure that the person you hire is licensed and insured. Being licensed, I pay my own taxes. You don't have to worry about that. Being insured, if an accident (say something is accidentally broken or God forbid, comes up missing) my insurance will cover this. Also, ask the person if they have a problem with you being home while they are there working... if they have issues with that, then I would have issues with them. Pop in on them occasionally if you are not 100% comfortable with them. I wouldn't feel guilty about hiring a housekeeper. I plan on having one when I retire! Sit down and figure out how much YOUR time is worth! How much time do you spend cleaning your home that you could be out enjoying your family and doing things that you love. Hope this helps! As the owner of a privately owned residential and commercial cleaning company, I thought I would give you a little bit of insight as to how a “housekeeper” may think. :)

I don’t find cleaning someone elses home the least bit degrading. I actually enjoy my work and get a sense of pride when I leave a home clean. I know that I would appreciate walking into my house after someone else has cleaned it for me! :)

As far as finding someone that is trustworthy… Ask neighbors, friends, even your realtor could possibly give you the names of people that they have used before. It is also a good idea to make sure that the person you hire is licensed and insured. Being licensed, I pay my own taxes. You don’t have to worry about that. Being insured, if an accident (say something is accidentally broken or God forbid, comes up missing) my insurance will cover this. Also, ask the person if they have a problem with you being home while they are there working… if they have issues with that, then I would have issues with them. Pop in on them occasionally if you are not 100% comfortable with them.

I wouldn’t feel guilty about hiring a housekeeper. I plan on having one when I retire! Sit down and figure out how much YOUR time is worth! How much time do you spend cleaning your home that you could be out enjoying your family and doing things that you love.

Hope this helps!

loading....

]]> By: Shawna http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-2500042 Shawna Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:31:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-2500042 I don't feel much guilt about hiring someone to clean my house. Any guilt I do have is firmly tied to the "should we pay money for this" conflict and not the "I should be doing this myself" or "I have a problem paying someone to do things for me" ideas. I HATE a lot of the cleaning chores, and I hate nagging people to pitch in with cleaning chores. As long as I think we can afford it, I'm going to keep hiring someone to clean. We can afford the money more than the time at this point in our lives. I don’t feel much guilt about hiring someone to clean my house. Any guilt I do have is firmly tied to the “should we pay money for this” conflict and not the “I should be doing this myself” or “I have a problem paying someone to do things for me” ideas.

I HATE a lot of the cleaning chores, and I hate nagging people to pitch in with cleaning chores. As long as I think we can afford it, I’m going to keep hiring someone to clean. We can afford the money more than the time at this point in our lives.

loading....

]]> By: E http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-2220812 E Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:59:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-2220812 THANK YOU! I'm a homeschool mom of 4 and STRESSED! I want to "outsource" the housekeeping and don't know where to start, but I found this. Thank you! Homeschoolers don't "outsource" the schoolwork...multiple grades typically...so it's only reasonable that something else HAS to go. THANK YOU! I’m a homeschool mom of 4 and STRESSED! I want to “outsource” the housekeeping and don’t know where to start, but I found this. Thank you! Homeschoolers don’t “outsource” the schoolwork…multiple grades typically…so it’s only reasonable that something else HAS to go.

loading....

]]> By: tkendrick http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-612061 tkendrick Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:59:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-612061 I found the article and comments very interesting. After reading the GRS article about earning extra money, I've started offering housekeeping on my local Craigslist. My husband and I both work, but to speed up our debt payoff, I thought housecleaning is the way to go. I say don't feel guilty by hiring a housekeeper. I'm very up front and tell people that by hiring me, they are in turn helping me become debt free. Think of it from the housecleaner's point of view and I'm sure your guilt will subside. I found the article and comments very interesting. After reading the GRS article about earning extra money, I’ve started offering housekeeping on my local Craigslist. My husband and I both work, but to speed up our debt payoff, I thought housecleaning is the way to go. I say don’t feel guilty by hiring a housekeeper. I’m very up front and tell people that by hiring me, they are in turn helping me become debt free. Think of it from the housecleaner’s point of view and I’m sure your guilt will subside.

loading....

]]> By: Andrea > Become a Consultant Blog http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-571691 Andrea > Become a Consultant Blog Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:46:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-571691 Jan Wong wrote a fantastic series for the Globe and Mail about house cleaning work and how many of the corporate outfits pay minimum wages or less to their employees, so, if you care about workrs, you should hire a self-employed cleaner. Jan Wong wrote a fantastic series for the Globe and Mail about house cleaning work and how many of the corporate outfits pay minimum wages or less to their employees, so, if you care about workrs, you should hire a self-employed cleaner.

loading....

]]> By: Marie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-465921 Marie Sat, 22 May 2010 05:22:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-465921 It seems that arguments about hiring a housekeeper are about guilt or being able to afford it. I would never hire a housekeeper because one of our pets is an escape artist, and I'd be worried sick about one more person having to make sure she doesn't sneak out. It seems that arguments about hiring a housekeeper are about guilt or being able to afford it. I would never hire a housekeeper because one of our pets is an escape artist, and I’d be worried sick about one more person having to make sure she doesn’t sneak out.

loading....

]]> By: Lexy http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-378561 Lexy Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:28:42 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-378561 I don't have a housekeeper, but cleaning is the thing my fiance and I fight about the most (in reverse, he's much much cleaner than me). Once we finish law school and are each working 70+ hours a week I have no intention of using my valuable free time to do something I LOATHE. It's interesting how ideas about this change over time. The home my grandmother grew up in had three live-in servants (one cleaning, one cooking and one doing??) and the home her father grew up in had six. Of course I'm sure some of those were caring for draft animals, but still there was no guilt over hiring people to take care of what needed taking care of. Or maybe there was... I guess I wouldn't be in a position to know :) I don’t have a housekeeper, but cleaning is the thing my fiance and I fight about the most (in reverse, he’s much much cleaner than me).

Once we finish law school and are each working 70+ hours a week I have no intention of using my valuable free time to do something I LOATHE.

It’s interesting how ideas about this change over time. The home my grandmother grew up in had three live-in servants (one cleaning, one cooking and one doing??) and the home her father grew up in had six. Of course I’m sure some of those were caring for draft animals, but still there was no guilt over hiring people to take care of what needed taking care of. Or maybe there was… I guess I wouldn’t be in a position to know :)

loading....

]]> By: Busy Mom http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-364481 Busy Mom Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:52:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-364481 I appreciate my housekeeper who helps free up time for me to spend more time with my kids and get the chores done that I have neglected to do. Like sorting through clothes that need to be donated or go through all our documents that either needs to be shredded or filed away. I don't feel guilty to having a housekeeper cause I only feel guilty when I don't have time to enjoy my kids. I appreciate my housekeeper who helps free up time for me to spend more time with my kids and get the chores done that I have neglected to do. Like sorting through clothes that need to be donated or go through all our documents that either needs to be shredded or filed away. I don’t feel guilty to having a housekeeper cause I only feel guilty when I don’t have time to enjoy my kids.

loading....

]]> By: Kim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-364211 Kim Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:33:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-364211 I really like cleaning the kitchen, the bathrooms, and running the vacuum around, and now that I have a new vacuum, I'll be doing that more often. What I really HATE to do is dust, but it makes me crazy to have things be dusty. Is is possible to hire someone to just come in and dust and do windows? I really like cleaning the kitchen, the bathrooms, and running the vacuum around, and now that I have a new vacuum, I’ll be doing that more often. What I really HATE to do is dust, but it makes me crazy to have things be dusty. Is is possible to hire someone to just come in and dust and do windows?

loading....

]]> By: Shannon http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-288041 Shannon Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:02:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-288041 Thanks for this post. I have been struggling with the guilt of not being able to do it all. I'm thrilled to say that I am trying out a cleaning service once every month for a reasonable price. I'm just having bathrooms and the kitchen living room done - the rooms that cause me the most stress to keep clean. I'm so thrilled that they will come on Monday to start! Thanks Kris! Thanks for this post. I have been struggling with the guilt of not being able to do it all. I’m thrilled to say that I am trying out a cleaning service once every month for a reasonable price. I’m just having bathrooms and the kitchen living room done – the rooms that cause me the most stress to keep clean. I’m so thrilled that they will come on Monday to start! Thanks Kris!

loading....

]]> By: WilliamB http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-280281 WilliamB Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:17:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-280281 I think most of us are looking at the issue backwards. If we can hire someone else to do a job, especially a low-skilled job, then we're helping that person be financially independent and achieve his/her goals. When I hire my friend's adopted son, the one who was "this close" to going bad but decided not to, I'm helping him be a healthy person, a productive member of society, a good father and role model to his son. Further, there's plenty of chores I can do better than I mow lawns - I should be doing those instead. I think most of us are looking at the issue backwards. If we can hire someone else to do a job, especially a low-skilled job, then we’re helping that person be financially independent and achieve his/her goals. When I hire my friend’s adopted son, the one who was “this close” to going bad but decided not to, I’m helping him be a healthy person, a productive member of society, a good father and role model to his son. Further, there’s plenty of chores I can do better than I mow lawns – I should be doing those instead.

loading....

]]> By: Larry http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-277181 Larry Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:32:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-277181 As a single man, I have a team of two women from Merry Maids who come in once a month to clean my 800-square foot apartment. I keep up with the minor cleaning in between visits, and between the two they do all the major work in about an hour and I pay $85 for the service. As they are Merry Maids employees, there is no issue for me with withholding. They do a better job of cleaning than I can, and they free up several hours of my time. Each visit they get the key from the apartment complex property manager while I'm at work, and they have been scrupulously honest. As a single man, I have a team of two women from Merry Maids who come in once a month to clean my 800-square foot apartment. I keep up with the minor cleaning in between visits, and between the two they do all the major work in about an hour and I pay $85 for the service. As they are Merry Maids employees, there is no issue for me with withholding. They do a better job of cleaning than I can, and they free up several hours of my time. Each visit they get the key from the apartment complex property manager while I’m at work, and they have been scrupulously honest.

loading....

]]> By: EMock http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-273471 EMock Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:25:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-273471 For those interested, here's the link to Nickel's article on Independent Contractor vs. Employee http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2010/02/19/independent-contractor-vs-employee-whats-the-difference/ For those interested, here’s the link to Nickel’s article on Independent Contractor vs. Employee http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2010/02/19/independent-contractor-vs-employee-whats-the-difference/

loading....

]]> By: Deborah http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-272691 Deborah Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:33:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-272691 Great article - I also blogged about this issue after you got me thinking about my own reticence about having a housekeeper. I especially enjoyed the comments from the housekeeper herself. Thanks for sharing. Great article – I also blogged about this issue after you got me thinking about my own reticence about having a housekeeper. I especially enjoyed the comments from the housekeeper herself. Thanks for sharing.

loading....

]]> By: Aileen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-271241 Aileen Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:51:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-271241 Just to clarify post 40 and the response: you are not required to pay taxes (FICA or otherwise) for true independent contractors, but you ARE required to file a form 1099 if you pay the individual over $600 per year. If you are unclear about whether a housekeeper is an independent contractor or employee, you can file for SS-8 with the IRS and they will make a determination. Filing form 1099 for all annual payments which exceed $600 is very important and can result in tax liability if you do not. Just to clarify post 40 and the response: you are not required to pay taxes (FICA or otherwise) for true independent contractors, but you ARE required to file a form 1099 if you pay the individual over $600 per year.

If you are unclear about whether a housekeeper is an independent contractor or employee, you can file for SS-8 with the IRS and they will make a determination.

Filing form 1099 for all annual payments which exceed $600 is very important and can result in tax liability if you do not.

loading....

]]> By: David http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-265741 David Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:29:38 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-265741 you guys should stop being lazy and start doing your own chores and keep the $22/hr in your pocket you guys should stop being lazy and start doing your own chores and keep the $22/hr in your pocket

loading....

]]> By: Laura http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-261351 Laura Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:01:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-261351 Kris and J.D. - thank you for this post. What I see in this article that I so rarely see in other discussions about cleaning people or other outsourced work is RESPECT. It makes all the difference in the world to pay people what their job is worth instead of what you can get away with. All of us know folks out there who are scraping by to make a living and will take what they can get because it puts food on the table. I was very uncomfortable with Erica's post because she talked about how she was saving money by paying X person Y dollars in the Philippines and that was OK because it was within his or her standard of living there. I was uncomfortable because it made me feel like it espoused an attitude that it's OK to celebrate cutting our own costs EVEN WHEN THAT COMES AT A COST TO OTHERS. It's hard to strike a balance between wanting to cut our own expenses to live the kinds of lives we want while not cutting our costs at the expense of others' well being - I get that. How do we find that balance? I don't know. I struggle with it on a daily basis. Thanks to Kris and J.D. for living that example for the rest of us. Keep up the great work. Kris and J.D. – thank you for this post. What I see in this article that I so rarely see in other discussions about cleaning people or other outsourced work is RESPECT.

It makes all the difference in the world to pay people what their job is worth instead of what you can get away with. All of us know folks out there who are scraping by to make a living and will take what they can get because it puts food on the table. I was very uncomfortable with Erica’s post because she talked about how she was saving money by paying X person Y dollars in the Philippines and that was OK because it was within his or her standard of living there. I was uncomfortable because it made me feel like it espoused an attitude that it’s OK to celebrate cutting our own costs EVEN WHEN THAT COMES AT A COST TO OTHERS.

It’s hard to strike a balance between wanting to cut our own expenses to live the kinds of lives we want while not cutting our costs at the expense of others’ well being – I get that. How do we find that balance? I don’t know. I struggle with it on a daily basis.

Thanks to Kris and J.D. for living that example for the rest of us. Keep up the great work.

loading....

]]> By: Bear http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-261231 Bear Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:40:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-261231 Nina@131 - wow, how very sexist of you to insult all men as slobs! That would be like me saying all women are horrible drivers! To set the record straight, I've never met a woman OR man who could clean my house as well as I do. I am not a slob and never have been. All of my close guy friends would be equally insulted. Just because the sitcoms today love to denigrate men please don't fall for the same lunacy. We've hired cleaning staff because we are extremely busy people who travel extensively for work and don't want to clean on the weekends. And YES, we have had EXCELLENT male cleaners twice. We hire whoever comes with excellent references regardless of sex, age, race, etc. Let's not fall for the trap that someone always has to be the bad guy/gal. It may be vogue to insult and sterotype men today in an attempt to uplift women, but it doesn't make it right. No more than it did when women were referred to as the "little wife" staying at home barefoot and pregnant!! How about we find the strengths of both partners and neotiate solutions that compliment both! Nina@131 – wow, how very sexist of you to insult all men as slobs! That would be like me saying all women are horrible drivers!

To set the record straight, I’ve never met a woman OR man who could clean my house as well as I do. I am not a slob and never have been. All of my close guy friends would be equally insulted. Just because the sitcoms today love to denigrate men please don’t fall for the same lunacy.

We’ve hired cleaning staff because we are extremely busy people who travel extensively for work and don’t want to clean on the weekends. And YES, we have had EXCELLENT male cleaners twice. We hire whoever comes with excellent references regardless of sex, age, race, etc.

Let’s not fall for the trap that someone always has to be the bad guy/gal. It may be vogue to insult and sterotype men today in an attempt to uplift women, but it doesn’t make it right. No more than it did when women were referred to as the “little wife” staying at home barefoot and pregnant!! How about we find the strengths of both partners and neotiate solutions that compliment both!

loading....

]]> By: Nina http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-261011 Nina Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:34:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-261011 I wonder how many women hire a housekeeper because they aren't able to have serious conversations about their husbands and families doing/sharing the work. J.D. admits he's a slob-isn't that such a cliche for men? I wonder how many homes wouldn't require very much cleaning if the men of the household weren't slobs to begin with. I wonder if the authors have read the second shift? Hiring a housekeeper to keep the peace is just another sign of how "womens work" is still left to women. Sorry J.D. but I'm not buying this post. Ask yourselves if you would consider hiring a male housekeeper? I'm going to wager, not. I wonder how many women hire a housekeeper because they aren’t able to have serious conversations about their husbands and families doing/sharing the work. J.D. admits he’s a slob-isn’t that such a cliche for men? I wonder how many homes wouldn’t require very much cleaning if the men of the household weren’t slobs to begin with.

I wonder if the authors have read the second shift? Hiring a housekeeper to keep the peace is just another sign of how “womens work” is still left to women. Sorry J.D. but I’m not buying this post.

Ask yourselves if you would consider hiring a male housekeeper? I’m going to wager, not.

loading....

]]> By: Melissa http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-260911 Melissa Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:55:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-260911 I used to be a housecleaner and it was a great way to make money when I was in my 20s. It supplemented sales of my artwork and gave me a good income and flexibility. Now I'm in my early 40s with a career that keeps me very busy and I have housecleaners (they work as a pair) who not only clean the house but do laundry and clean the catboxes. They are awesome! It helps me so much to have this, I really look forward to coming home on Fridays and finding everything so clean! I used to be a housecleaner and it was a great way to make money when I was in my 20s. It supplemented sales of my artwork and gave me a good income and flexibility. Now I’m in my early 40s with a career that keeps me very busy and I have housecleaners (they work as a pair) who not only clean the house but do laundry and clean the catboxes. They are awesome! It helps me so much to have this, I really look forward to coming home on Fridays and finding everything so clean!

loading....

]]> By: ac http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-260771 ac Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:36:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-260771 @JD(#14) 180/month*12months*10yrs = $21600 Nothing against hiring a housekeeper, but what I see from your comments are excuses. If you say that you are a slob, shouldn't $21600 be a motivation for you to work on your issue? @JD(#14)

180/month*12months*10yrs = $21600

Nothing against hiring a housekeeper, but what I see from your comments are excuses. If you say that you are a slob, shouldn’t $21600 be a motivation for you to work on your issue?

loading....

]]> By: Justin http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-260711 Justin Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:52:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-260711 We have housekeepers come in twice a month and it's been a great thing to relieve stress from my wife, who has standards similar to what JD describes of his wife (my definition of "clean" is dirtier than her "dirty". Since it relieves stress from my wife and I can have a few more hours to spend with her on Saturday now, I don't feel as weird about it as I once did. It's all about making lifestyle choices and choosing what you value! We have housekeepers come in twice a month and it’s been a great thing to relieve stress from my wife, who has standards similar to what JD describes of his wife (my definition of “clean” is dirtier than her “dirty”. Since it relieves stress from my wife and I can have a few more hours to spend with her on Saturday now, I don’t feel as weird about it as I once did. It’s all about making lifestyle choices and choosing what you value!

loading....

]]> By: Mrs. Accountability http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-259961 Mrs. Accountability Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:11:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-259961 Kris, I'm totally inspired to make more money so I can hire a housekeeper! Kris, I’m totally inspired to make more money so I can hire a housekeeper!

loading....

]]> By: regular reader http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/02/19/how-i-made-my-peace-with-hiring-a-housekeeper/comment-page-3/#comment-257001 regular reader Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:09:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=10971#comment-257001 Now this is ironic. I've been reading this site for a long time now, and while I greatly enjoy it, I can't say that it's really changed my behavior all that much. Mostly that's because I've never had consumer debt or issues with that sort of thing. But I read it for encouragement on living the simple lifestyle, saving, appreciating what I have, etc. So, and here's the ironic part...what combination of post and comments makes enough of a direct effect on me to make a change? This one, that tells me to spend more money on something I can and already do provide myself. After reading all these comments, my wife and I talked about it, and we're going to try a monthly housekeeper. Why not? We're working all the time, we're saving over half our income, we have no debt other than the mortgage, and the mortgage balance is only about half our combined annual income, so it will be paid off very shortly. We have a much smaller house than we could afford, by conventional standards, we save over half our income already, and I'm only 31. This post really hit some of the meat of the issue. We outsource some other things, like car maintenance, and I never felt the slightest twinge of guilt about that. But something about a housekeeper always made us feel that "Oh, we don't want to be THOSE kind of people." BTW, I absolutely love doing lawn maintenance, leaf removal, snow shovelling, etc. I spend all day in the office, so getting outside is always a treat, and seeing the tangible accomplishment and feeling useful afterwards makes it all the better. But I'm just not psyched anymore about mopping floors and scrubbing bath tubs. I certainly recognize the arguments about "You have to clean up before the cleaner comes" irony, but I guess I can think of that almost like hiring a personal trainer. Basically, paying someone to MAKE you do something that will make you feel better afterwards, because you might not do it otherwise. And then, in this case, taking care of the hard part afterwards. (I do not, nor do I ever want to, have a personal trainer). Anyway, we're only talking about once a month here, it's not like we're hiring a butler. Now this is ironic. I’ve been reading this site for a long time now, and while I greatly enjoy it, I can’t say that it’s really changed my behavior all that much. Mostly that’s because I’ve never had consumer debt or issues with that sort of thing. But I read it for encouragement on living the simple lifestyle, saving, appreciating what I have, etc.

So, and here’s the ironic part…what combination of post and comments makes enough of a direct effect on me to make a change? This one, that tells me to spend more money on something I can and already do provide myself.

After reading all these comments, my wife and I talked about it, and we’re going to try a monthly housekeeper. Why not? We’re working all the time, we’re saving over half our income, we have no debt other than the mortgage, and the mortgage balance is only about half our combined annual income, so it will be paid off very shortly. We have a much smaller house than we could afford, by conventional standards, we save over half our income already, and I’m only 31.

This post really hit some of the meat of the issue. We outsource some other things, like car maintenance, and I never felt the slightest twinge of guilt about that. But something about a housekeeper always made us feel that “Oh, we don’t want to be THOSE kind of people.”

BTW, I absolutely love doing lawn maintenance, leaf removal, snow shovelling, etc. I spend all day in the office, so getting outside is always a treat, and seeing the tangible accomplishment and feeling useful afterwards makes it all the better. But I’m just not psyched anymore about mopping floors and scrubbing bath tubs.

I certainly recognize the arguments about “You have to clean up before the cleaner comes” irony, but I guess I can think of that almost like hiring a personal trainer. Basically, paying someone to MAKE you do something that will make you feel better afterwards, because you might not do it otherwise. And then, in this case, taking care of the hard part afterwards. (I do not, nor do I ever want to, have a personal trainer).

Anyway, we’re only talking about once a month here, it’s not like we’re hiring a butler.

loading....

]]>