Americans are willing to pay for convenience. We think our time is so valuable that we don’t need to clean our own homes, cars, yards or clothes. Businesses are popping up that offer the service of convenience, and these new companies are becoming very successful.

All good business meet a need and these new companies are no different. The difference is

that this need of service isn’t really a need, it’s a want, and American’s want convenience. It’s easy to get wrapped up in it, I do myself. But we have to break this bad habit if we want to save more money and reach financial freedom.

Home Cleaning

What does a person spend to have their house cleaned by a cleaning service? Most cleaning services come on a bi-weekly schedule and charge around $150+ each time they come out. The amount they charge depends on the size of your home and the area you live in. As you can imagine, the cost of having your house cleaned really adds up.

Cleaning your house may seem like something you don’t have time for but is it really an expense you can afford? What could you be doing with that extra $300 a month? Before you say you don’t have time consider putting your kids to work or making a standard cleaning day. Giving the kids chores around the house is a great way to teach them responsibility and cleanliness.

Car Wash

Every once in a while I like to get the car washed at my local car wash spot. The more I think about it, the less likely I am to visit my car was spot this spring. While I am all for using the car wash during the winter I’m going to be taking responsibility for washing my own car when it’s warm out.

Everyone likes to have a clean car and it’s easy to find yourself at the car was as often as once a week for a $12 cleaning. I’ve known people who are willing to sit in line for up to 30 minutes waiting go through the car wash. What a waste of time! You can wash your car for free at home in 10 minutes. Besides saving money you will be active, outside and you can have your family help out.

Dry Cleaning

Many clothing items require dry cleaning because they will not last if you run them through the washing machine. I’ve got a few of those types of clothing items and when they need to be cleaned I take them to the dry cleaner. Dry Cleaning services fits into the clean it for me culture and we are likely to over use the service in the way of convenience.

Many people take their clothes to the dry cleaner because they don’t want to iron. Ironing takes time but it saves you money. I went to private school while growing up and we had a strict business casual dress code. My mom made me iron all my own clothes and we never took any of my shirts to the dry cleaner. That’s one good habit that has stuck with me into adulthood.