For busy couples across the UK, the secret to a happier partnership might be found in a takeaway menu or a dog walker's number, rather than grand romantic gestures. New behavioural science research indicates that spending money to save time on mundane tasks can significantly boost relationship contentment.
The Time vs. Money Trade-Off
Ashley Whillans, a behavioural scientist and professor at Harvard Business School, studies how people choose between time and money. Her work reveals a clear pattern: couples who invest in time-saving purchases experience greater happiness together. "When you spend money to save time — hiring an accountant, a babysitter, a cleaner — you feel more control over your life," Whillans explained. "That sense of autonomy boosts well-being."
Her team specifically tracked dual-income couples, who often report feeling 'time-starved'. In one revealing six-week diary study, partners who made time-saving purchases on a given day reported being happier and more satisfied with their relationship.
Intentional Use of Saved Time is Key
However, simply outsourcing a chore is not a magic fix. The crucial step is how the reclaimed time is used. "It’s about being intentional with the time you get back — using it to spend quality time together, to reconnect," Whillans emphasised. She advises couples to view the saved half-hour not as a chance to send more emails, but as an opportunity to connect with their partner.
Therapist Targol Hasankhani notes that while outsourcing can ease daily stress, it doesn't replace communication. "If conflict around chores is rooted in something deeper — like inequity or not feeling heard — hiring a cleaner won’t solve that," the Chicago-based marriage and family therapist said. The service creates space, but couples "still have to know how to show up for each other in that space."
Real-Life Benefits: From Arguments to Coffee Dates
For many, the theory translates into tangible improvements in daily life. Casey Mulligan Walsh, 71, a former speech pathologist, found that hiring a weekly cleaner transformed her time with her husband. "My favourite day of the week was coming home to a clean house," she said. "We’d go get coffee together instead of arguing about who should vacuum."
For one couple, it began as a romantic gift. When Melissa Jones, a 45-year-old teacher, was dating, her now-husband gifted her a deep housecleaning for Valentine's Day. "It was truly amazing," Jones recalled. Now, they maintain the service together. "We’re able to make memories with each other, our kids and our families instead of spending weekends scrubbing floors."
Elizabeth Willard, who runs a culinary service in Miami, sees the stress of dinnertime dissolve for her clients. "They're not fighting over what’s for dinner. It’s one less daily decision," she said, highlighting how meal services can ease the burden for families juggling careers and complex dietary needs.
Professor Whillans acknowledges that starting can be hard, citing cost and the effort to coordinate. Yet, the long-term payoff for relationships is real. Whether it's ordering a pizza, paying a teen to mow the lawn, or using a car service, the outcome can be the same: buying back time can buy peace and strengthen the foundations of a partnership.
