How Spending to Save Time Leads to Higher Satisfaction

After finishing a challenging task, you’re often left with a feeling of satisfaction. But apparently, the type of task and the time it takes, not just the effort you put into doing it, matter as well. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) observed that people who hired someone do menial household tasks felt more satisfied with life. 

So, what does the study’s findings mean for busy homeowners? 

The Study’s Findings 

Researchers noticed that the less time-related stress a person experienced, the more positive feelings they experienced. In particular, participants who paid someone to do unpleasant household tasks so they could have more free time had higher levels of satisfaction. 

You wouldn’t be wrong to think that this observation only applies to the well-to-do. But the interesting thing is that regardless of household income, marital status or the number of hours worked, people who frequently spent money to save time experienced higher levels of life satisfaction. 

Possible Explanations 

According to a psychologist, the findings suggest that how much money one has isn’t as important as the way it is spent. But if this were true, why is it that some people are reluctant to hire people to do unpleasant tasks even though they can afford it? A possible reason may be the status afforded to busy people. It’s also possible people are simply more hesitant to trade something measurable like money for something that is less tangible like time. 

If you’re considering hiring someone to do your household chores, why not start with the hardest tasks? Chimney cleaning is one of them. However, if you do hire someone to clean your chimneys, only hire an experienced chimney sweep. 

Looking for experienced chimney sweeps in your area? 

Chimney Doctors, a contractor with more than two decades’ worth of experience, offers chimney masonry repair and cleaning services. To get a schedule an appointment, call us at (518) 633-5900, or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Clifton Park, NY.