Comments on: Hire someone to run your errands

By: Kara

Kara — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:43:18 +0000

My nephew is shopping for a new car this summer (he just turned 16 and gets his license in a few weeks). He has most of the money saved up already from past work, but now needs gas money and other things. He has been so appreciative of the work I’ve given him this summer so far and I’m so glad to have house projects and other tasks done.

By: PrioritiesConcierge

PrioritiesConcierge — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:38:55 +0000

Erin,
Thanks so much for educating people that there is now an entire industry dedicated to helping people find more hours in their day.
As a personal assistant, I appreciate that you suggest hiring a business if one is available. With that comes insurance, experience, know-how, etc… so that you can trust who is entering your home, etc…

By: Gabe

Gabe — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:17:00 +0000

There’s also the new kid on the block…

http://www.domystuff.com/

You can outsource your chores one at a time, it looks pretty cool

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:03:47 +0000

I get our weekly groceries delivered by spud.ca. They allow me to create a standing order where certain items are automatically ordered on a weekly, biweekly, and monthly basis. This not only cuts out trips to the store, but with a standing regular order it only takes a couple of minutes to add on anything extra I’d like that week. Their minimum is $15 with a $3.50 delivery fee (which is dropped if the order exceeds $35.)

By: RC

RC — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:18:47 +0000

Just thought I’d mention, you can also hire a “virtual” personal assistant at reasonable rates if your errands don’t require a physical presence. See https://www.getfriday.com/ for example.

By: jc

jc — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:04:29 +0000

That sounds more like a *personal* assistant than an EA. EAs are supposed to be more involved in the business project side of things.

I am trying to build my errands into my weekly routines so they flow, for lack of a better word. It’s only when they pile up that they’re an issue.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:49:06 +0000

One of the best decisions I ever made was deciding to get a Peapod account. They deliver your groceries to you, and they carry most drugstore-type items as well. The only downside is that there’s a $50 minimum, but between my roommate and I, we can easily meet that.

By: Groovymarlin

Groovymarlin — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:28:04 +0000

I don’t think $30 would convince any high school kid to do my errands, at least not in our overpriced East Coast neighborhood. Great idea though.

By: Brinx

Brinx — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:25:55 +0000

Wow, luckily I didn’t have to do all that nonsense in my exec admin days.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:18:47 +0000

Our family is probably middle-lower to middle-middle class. Even still, we decided to hire some guys to do our yardwork every two weeks (sometimes just to mow the lawn), and it is totally worth it. Not having to pull out the lawn mower, get gas for the mower, empty or rake clippings, etc. Trimming the hedges was always a pain. Now the yard looks perpetually great and we can spend time enjoying it.