Recent investigations into the dynamics of intimate partnerships suggest that spending on services to alleviate domestic responsibilities can positively influence relationship satisfaction. Behavioral scientist Ashley Whillans, a professor at Harvard Business School, emphasizes that couples allocating funds towards conveniences such as ordering takeout, hiring housecleaners, or employing dog walkers report increased happiness within their relationships, particularly amid stressful circumstances.
Whillans, who specializes in the tradeoffs between time and money, explains that such expenditures foster a sense of control over one’s life through enhanced autonomy. "When individuals use money to save time — for example, by hiring accountants, babysitters, or cleaning services — they experience an uplift in well-being," she states.
While not all couples may have the financial means to fully outsource numerous household tasks, Whillans recommends that even minimal adjustments can be beneficial. She advocates for couples to undertake a "time audit" to scrutinize how they allocate their hours during the week and to identify small yet impactful changes that could reclaim valuable minutes.
"Many underestimate the significance of these decisions," Whillans notes. "The goal is not luxury but the liberty to invest time in nurturing connections." To support these insights, Whillans and her research team monitored dual-income couples often balancing full-time careers and reported chronic time constraints. Through a six-week diary study, it was observed that days involving time-saving purchases correlated with heightened relationship satisfaction among partners.
Maximizing Freed Time for Connection
However, simply outsourcing chores is not a panacea for relationship challenges. The reclaimed time must be consciously allocated towards quality interactions.
"The key lies in intentionally using the time gained to reconnect with one's partner," Whillans advises. "Instead of defaulting to work emails or other distractions, couples should prioritize spending meaningful moments together during this additional time."
Chicago-based marriage and family therapist Targol Hasankhani supports this premise, highlighting that while offloading day-to-day domestic duties can diminish stress, it does not replace the need for open communication. She points out that career pressures combined with childcare responsibilities often strain families, and housework can become a flashpoint for resentment regarding task division.
"If the root cause of conflicts over chores is deeper—stemming from feelings of inequity or being unheard—then employing a cleaning service alone will not resolve those issues," explains Hasankhani.
She emphasizes that outsourcing services create the opportunity for couples to dedicate uninterrupted time to one another, yet requires partners to consciously engage and support each other during these moments.
Casey Mulligan Walsh, a 71-year-old former speech pathologist from upstate New York, recounts the benefits of utilizing a weekly housecleaning service for her and her husband. "Knowing the house would be cleaned was my favorite part of the week," Walsh says. "Instead of arguing over chores like vacuuming, we could relax and enjoy coffee together."
Initiating Delegation and Building Trust
Starting to delegate household responsibilities can present challenges, according to Whillans. Beyond monetary costs, coordinating with service providers may require an upfront time investment, though she affirms that the long-term benefits are significant.
Moreover, decisions to outsource chores made jointly by couples can promote mutual trust and a stronger sense of partnership.
Melissa Jones, a 45-year-old teacher from Pueblo, Colorado, shares that outsourcing housecleaning began as an act of care from her now-husband. Recognizing the heavy workload Jones managed as a single mother with demanding employment, her partner gifted her a thorough professional cleaning one Valentine’s Day.
"It was truly a remarkable gesture," Jones shares, noting that she maintained the practice independently for years. Once cohabitating as a couple, they agreed to continue.
"Thanks to buying out cleaning responsibilities, we have more opportunities to create memories with each other, our children, and our families rather than spending weekends scrubbing floors," she affirms.
Reducing Mealtime Stress through Culinary Services
In Miami, Elizabeth Willard operates The Pickled Beet, a meal-preparation service catering to customized dietary preferences. She remarks that most of her clientele are families juggling the complexities of health-focused eating without sufficient time.
"Family members often have divergent dietary needs—perhaps a carnivorous husband, vegetarian wife, or a child with celiac disease—making meal planning a source of exhaustion," Willard explains.
Her service alleviates daily decision-making around dinner, which often reduces conflict in busy households with working parents.
Whether choosing to order prepared meals, hiring help for lawn care, or taking advantage of transportation services, the consistent outcome is a form of time-saving that can lead to greater household harmony.
The experience of reclaiming time through outsourcing mundane but necessary tasks shows tangible benefits on relationship quality, especially when couples deliberately apply the extra time to deepen their connection. However, experts caution that while outside services alleviate workload and stress, underlying relationship dynamics require ongoing communication and intentional presence to nurture long-term satisfaction.