so we're pretty frugal compared to most people, but since joining this site I see that we have a ways to go. its not like my hairs on fire or anything, we're almost done paying for our home, we own one car and my dh's boss pays for his. we carry no credit card debt, school loans are long paid off, etc.
but I'd like to seriously stache build so that we can get to that happy place.
I've been switching out the lightbulbs and lowering the thermostat, etc but really I've been avoiding my one big annual expenditure...cleaning help. we've got 5 kids plus one midsize dog. I dont work outside the home, but I am homeschooling. I did the math and I probably spend around $8000 annually on cleaning help. that provides a few hours twice weekly. I know I should probably do it all myself, but I do feel so much more relaxed knowing that not all the cleaning falls on me. now, before anyone asks where my dh is in this equation, he does pitch in. he does help with the day to day (dishes, mopping up spills, wiping up toilets) when he's home and not otherwise engaged in other maintenance that I dont do (such as cleaning out the gutters or a clogged toilet), he steam cleans our carpets as needed, repairs furniture, washes the windows, etc. but even with his help there is just so.much.to.do.
at what point is this worthy of a facepunch and at what point is this a quality of life issue?
before I took a hard look at the numbers, I was convinced I needed it for my sanity, but $8000 is alot of money, especially when you look at what it could be earning over time, compounded and all.