3 Ways to Keep Your Home Running When You Don't Have Time to

While much has been made of the concept of work-life balance, the idea itself is something of a misnomer. In theory, the idea would be that you spend 50 percent of your time on your job or career, and the other 50 percent of your time on your personal pursuits. This might include things like exercise, journaling, or meditating, but it also involves literal work like cooking, cleaning, and running errands. The truth is, however, that few people will ever achieve a real 50/50 balance, and even if they do, it won't be for long. Instead, life tends to operate in seasons where at times we have more time to devote to personal pursuits than work, and less at others. When people first buy a home, they may invest all kinds of time in doing upgrades, or tailoring it to their personal style. Over time, however, the other demands of life naturally start to take over, leaving you less time to care for and maintain your home. The need for ongoing home maintenance never ends, however, so here are 3 ways to keep your home running when you don't have time to.

1. Automate

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of living in the 21st century is the wide range of smart home features available to even owners of the most modest homes. From self-activating sprinklers, to smart thermostats, to robot vacuum cleaners, there are any number of ways to automate home maintenance. You can even set annual reminders to have maintenance like HVAC servicing performed each fall and spring, and set appointments through your home hub.

2. Opt for Low-Maintenance and Maintenance Free

When you have plenty of time to tend to large flower beds, or trim your shrubs into elaborate shapes, it is perfectly fine to have a high maintenance yard or garden. If you can afford to hire someone else to maintain it when you can't, that's also an option. Otherwise, if you are heading into a season such as building a new business, or starting a family, it might be a good idea to invest in some lower maintenance options. Similarly, indoors, the more possessions you have, the more you have to manage and take care of. It might be time to do some serious Marie Kondo-ing, to prepare for a busier life.

3. Hire it out.

From laundry, to housecleaning, to cooking, child care and lawn and garden care, there are few things you can't hire others to do for you. Of course, hiring someone else to do things is expensive, so if your decrease in time is not leading to a subsequent increase in finances, that might not be an option for you. On the other hand, if your decrease in time is also going to lead to a decrease in income, such as starting a family, or new business, or taking care of an aging family member, you still need to make arrangements to cover basic home maintenance and emergency expenses. Investing in a good home warranty can also be a great option for people that need to ensure any major expenses are covered, even in times of financial instability.

Your home is one of the biggest investments most people will make in their lifetime. It is not just the place you live, but it also represents a significant portion of your assets. Not only will you want to keep it in good working order for your own personal health and welfare, but you will also want to make sure you get the most out of it when it comes time to sell. In order to do that, you need to make a significant investment over time to keep it in good working order. Life can come at you fast, so make sure you have plans in place to keep your home in good working order, even when you don't have time to.