7 Convenient Services You Don’t Need a Lot of Money For
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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You can save money by taking the time to do things yourself; however, there are times when the “convenience tax” pays off. According to PocketSmith, the convenience tax refers to “a premium paid for certain goods and services that add value to your life.” For instance, paying more for convenient services can allow you to spend more time with your family or free up your time to focus on work. It’s important to consider whether the time saved is worth the extra cost, though.
Here are seven convenient services that almost any budget can handle. Read on to learn more about spending money on these services.
Lawn Mowing
Mowing the lawn is a necessary and costly chore. Not only does it require time to do weekly mowing, but you also need to purchase and maintain lawn-mowing equipment.
According to landscaping marketplace GreenPal, it takes about two hours to mow half an acre. If you pay yourself $15 per hour and purchase two gallons of gas for around $6, that adds up to $36 each time you mow the lawn. For the same-sized lawn, GreenPal lists the average professional lawn mowing price at approximately $45.
Pre-Cut Fruit and Vegetables
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables cost more than buying them whole and cutting them up yourself.
In 2018, Vice compared how much you could save by forgoing pre-cut and pre-packaged food, and found that the average consumer would save $100 for each month of doing food prep themselves. Some may see buying these pre-prepped as a waste of money, but others see it worth the extra cost.
According to Chatelaine, buying pre-cut produce like butternut squash, sweet potatoes and spiraled veggies can be a serious time saver. Plus, it can also help minimize food waste.
Car Oil Changes
Changing your car’s oil can save you some money, but not much. Even if you do it yourself, you still need to purchase the oil and filter. You’ll also need the right tools and know-how to get the job done.
A professional oil change typically costs between $35 and $75, or between $65 and $125 for synthetic oil, according to Express Auto Care. On the other hand, the materials for a DIY oil change could cost between $30 and $45.
Individual Snack Packs
Snack foods like pretzels and crackers often come in big bulk containers or in individually wrapped snack packs. You can either buy smaller containers and divvy up the snacks on your own, or you can pay extra for an on-the-go snack that you can throw in your bag.
Individual snack packs also already come as a single serving, which can also help with portion control.
Pet Grooming
Basic dog grooming — bathing, brushing, ear cleaning and nail trimming — can range from $30 to $90 for each session depending on breed and size, per The Academy of Pet Careers. This can absolutely be worth the convenience if you have a pet that puts up a fight when it comes to grooming or if you don’t have the extra time.
Heart + Paw also noted that dogs who regularly see a groomer are “less likely to experience skin diseases, dandruff and other coat issues.”
Grocery Delivery and Pickup
According to CNET, grocery delivery is about 10% more expensive than doing the shopping yourself due to membership fees, delivery fees and tipping; however, grocery delivery or pickup can save you quite a bit of time.
It also tends to be easier to stick to a food budget when you pre-purchase groceries online.
Car Washes
Individual car washes cost about $10 to $20, according to Way, but they can save you money in the long run. Regularly washing your car helps to protect your vehicle from grime, road salt and other corrosive debris that can lead to rust and other expensive problems.
If you prefer frequent car washes, you can even save money on an unlimited wash pass.
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