Do my own yardwork this year or outsource?
The grass is starting to grow, and as a proud homeowner, I have a decision to make. Do I drag out the lawnmower, trimmer, and edger, and put in some sweaty hours of hard work to tackle the job every week? Or do I go the lazy route and pay someone else to do all the work, while I get to sit back and relax. Financially speaking, it seems pretty clear – quit being lazy. It’s not quite so easy as that – let’s see why.
- My cordless trimmer batteries are dead. Toast. Kaput. I need to buy a pair of new 18V batteries. I haven’t priced them, but I think they’re roughly Not Cheap.
- If I sold off my lawnmower ( fancy Cordless Black and Decker ), I could probably pay for several weeks worth of yardwork.
- Lazy Saturdays all summer. Well, lazier, at least.
So, if I hire out, I don’t have have to buy batteries, I can sell my lawnmower, and I get to enjoy my Saturdays. Plus, let’s face it, my yard will look nicer. I’m not exactly a pro at landscaping.
I still have to mull things over. Business income is down, and my wife’s not working. Money isn’t exactly growing on trees these days. But life sure would be easier if I didn’t have to fuss with the lawn. Thoughts? Other ideas?
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
We’re outsourcing our lawncare this year for the first time ever. Frees up more time to spend with the kids, etc. However, I’m not sure we’ll continue in the long run (when the kids are older). I have a real problem with kids growing up not knowing how to cut the grass, etc.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
That’s a good point. It already seems like my son has it much easier than I did as a lad. In the meantime, it sure was nice coming home from work last week to find a mowed, trimmed, and edged lawn. $30 well spent, methinks.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Maybe i can shame you into it. I’m a single, middle-aged woman and i’ve mowed my own 1.5 acre lawn using a battery-charged mower for 14 years.
Why? For one, it’s forced exercise, which i don’t get enough of. But mainly, the last time i priced getting it cut, years ago, it was $50. It’s probably more now. So that would be at least $600 for the season, and spending that just on the lawn would be a luxury i can’t afford.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Consider me humbled. I actually feel bad sitting inside in the A/C while you’re out mowing your yard. And I’m a (relatively) young, healthy man. /me puts his head down in shame.
I have had a guy do our lawn twice so far this year. He does a great job, and I like avoiding the hassle. But Dawn may have talked me into doing it myself anyway