Some couples will swear that having a house cleaner has saved their relationship with each other and with their kids. It ends debates over how to clean a bathroom, deal with socks on the floor and eliminate smells emanating from sports bags.
But it may lead to new debates over whether it’s financially worth it.
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Imagine Sophie and Aaron, a middle-class couple in their early 40s earning a combined $140,000 a year. They live in the Chicago suburbs with two young children and are considering getting a cleaner to free up more quality time.
But between their mortgage, day care, after-school costs, car payments and grocery bills, their budget already feels tight.
They’re wondering if they can afford the $180 per visit cost of a biweekly cleaning service in their area. That would add up to roughly $4,680 annually. They’re wondering what that could cost them in terms of their long-term retirement goals. (1)
Sophie and Aaron have $250,000 saved so far and aim for a $1.5-million nest egg by their mid-60s.
Can they have a cleaner now and still enjoy a comfortable retirement?
The cost of convenience versus compounding interest
The S&P 500 has averaged about 10.5% annual returns since its inception, though inflation brings real returns closer to 7%.
If the couple decided to forego a cleaning service and instead invested that $4,680 annually for 20 years, it could grow to about $190,000 with compound interest. That’s no pocket change; it could meaningfully accelerate their retirement savings. (2)
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This illustrates the hidden opportunity cost of lifestyle upgrades. Compounding interest works best the earlier and more consistently you invest, since returns build upon previous years’ growth.
By choosing convenience now, it could mean Sophie and Aaron will delay financial independence later.
Finding balance between comfort and future goals
Still, the question isn’t purely financial. The couple estimates that a professional cleaner would save them up to eight hours a month.
That’s time they could spend on family, career growth or even rest — all of which carry their own value.
A Pew Research survey from 2018 found that 60% of U.S. adults at least sometimes felt too busy to enjoy life, while 12% felt this way most or all the time. (3)
One possible compromise Sophie and Aaron could consider is switching to monthly cleanings instead of biweekly. That would cut the cost in half — costing $2,160 a year — still lightening their workload.
Another option is setting a specific retirement savings goal and committing to maxing out their 401(k) contributions before adding new recurring expenses.
Since Sophie and Aaron’s household income puts them in the range where it’s common to seek professional financial advice, working with a planner could help them see whether the expense fits their long-term plan.
Weighing the trade-offs
Ultimately, the cleaner represents more than just a household decision — it’s a test of priorities.
The couple has to understand if they value time and reduced stress now more than the potential of an extra six figures at retirement.
There may be no universal “right” answer, but there is a right answer for them.
If they hire a cleaner, they can do so with eyes open, aware of the trade-offs.
And if they decide to redirect the money toward retirement, they’ll know they’re investing in their future freedom, even if it means a little more vacuuming today.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Sophias Cleaning (1); Investor.gov (2); Pew Research Centre (3)
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