Buying back time

Paying to get rid of tasks you dislike is linked to higher life satisfaction, and feeling you have enough time matters for wellbeing. The evidence is promising but limited.

• Evidence: Weak

The idea

Many people feel short of time even as they earn more. Researchers call the opposite feeling “time affluence”: the sense that you have enough time for what matters. In four studies, people who felt time-affluent reported higher wellbeing, even after taking their income into account [3].

One way to get more of that feeling is to spend money to free up time. In surveys of 6,271 people in the United States, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands, those who paid for time-saving services, such as cooking, shopping or household chores, reported greater life satisfaction. The link was similar across income levels [1]. Then, in a small experiment, 60 working adults in Vancouver were given $40 on each of two weekends. On one weekend they spent it on something that saved them time, and on the other on a material purchase. After the time-saving purchase, they reported slightly more positive mood, less negative mood and less time stress at the end of the day [1].

Few people think to do it. When asked how they would spend a $40 windfall, only 2% mentioned anything that would save them time [1].

A related finding: across six studies with 4,690 people, those who generally prioritized time over money were happier. That wasn’t explained by income or materialism [4]. It’s a correlation, so it can’t tell you whether changing your priorities would change how you feel.

How to use it

1. Find your worst hours. Use the time audit for a week, or simply list the regular tasks you dread. Common ones: cleaning, laundry, food shopping, long commutes, admin.
2. Price the swap. What would it cost to hand one over? A cleaner every few weeks, grocery delivery, a laundry service, paying more to live closer to work, a taxi instead of two buses.
3. Pick one, if you can afford it. The research involved people who had some spare money. The authors note their studies included few people on the lowest incomes, so they can’t say whether buying time helps when money is very tight [1].
4. Use the time well. Freed-up time spent scrolling may not feel like a gain. Plan something you’ll enjoy: a walk, a meal with someone, a hobby, rest.
5. Check after a month. Do you feel less rushed? If not, stop paying for it.

You can also buy time without spending money: say no to a commitment, drop a low-value task at work, or accept “good enough” on chores.

Common mistakes

• Feeling guilty about paying for help. It can feel lazy or indulgent. If it frees time for things you value, it’s a reasonable use of money.
• Spending money you don’t have. Money worries are a source of stress too, and the studies tell you little about people on tight budgets [1].
• Outsourcing things you enjoy. If you like cooking, keep cooking. Hand over the tasks you dislike.
• Filling the freed time with more work. The point is less time pressure, not more output.

Evidence

Rated Weak. The main study combines large surveys, which show an association, with one small field experiment of 60 people over two weekends, where the effect on mood was modest [1]. A later survey of 15,545 Americans found the link between buying time and happiness “somewhat less reliable” than for spending on others. It was only marginally significant for men and not significant within any single income bracket. Buying time was linked to more happiness for people who valued money over time, but not for those who already valued time over money [2]. The research on time affluence and time orientation is also correlational [3][4].

Topics: Time, Money, Spending, Time Pressure, Happiness

Sources checked 4 October 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.