I’m so busy running my own fintech company, I rarely have the time to take care of household tasks.I recently started spending $1,000 a month on convenience apps like Instacart and DoorDash.I’ve bought my time back as a result, and I couldn’t be happier with the investment I’ve made in my wellbeing.Read more from Personal Finance Insider .
When it comes to hard work — the kind that involves crunching numbers, pitching investors, and strategizing business growth — I’m hardly a slacker.
I run a fintech company that empowers women-led and Black-owned businesses by helping them get access to capital.
I love what I do so much that I spend an extreme amount of hours plugging away at the logistics of entrepreneurship, causing most aspects of my personal life to suffer.
After a long day of meetings, tasks like grocery shopping, house chores, and cooking feel like a huge nuisance.Opening my refrigerator door to find an empty desert of ketchup and random take-out containers is par for the course in my world.
But a few months ago, a girlfriend casually mentioned ordering her groceries online.I was curious, so I dove head-first into the world of convenience services.I started with Instacart, happily knocking out two weeks of grocery shopping — an errand I despise — in 20 minutes.
I then moved on to Uber Eats , DoorDash, OpenTable, and a host of other apps that assist me in making sure my house is clean, my fridge is stocked, and my belly is full.
Popular Articles Best travel credit cards Average stock market return Best mortgage refinance lenders Best cash-back credit cards Today’s 30-year mortgage rates To date, I spend about $1,000 a month on these services.Yes, I know this is way more than I would spend if I completed these tasks myself.However, the extra personal time I save by investing in these apps is priceless.Here are four reasons why this splurge is money well spent to me.
1.It reduces my daily anxiety When my life is in a whirlwind — deadlines looming, laundry piling, emails unread — an intense feeling of being overwhelmed sets in, and affects my mental and physical health.
Having the reassurance that the domestic essentials of life are covered has a calming effect on me, and helps me feel in control of my day.
2.I achieve more balance in my life Saved time means more opportunities to do things that keep me sane such as meditating, traveling spontaneously, or doing absolutely nothing.Life doesn’t feel as intense when I have regular moments of down time.
3.It increases my work productivity Doing less busy work frees up my mental energy, and allows me to create more where it matters.When my mind, body, and spirit are aligned, I tend to have better ideas and sharper clarity, which allows me to tackle major obstacles like fundraising more efficiently.
4.The extra time makes my personal relationships stronger Nothing wears out a relationship faster than lack of quality time.
I know all too well what it’s like to lose friendships when you’re on your business grind.As I get older, the need to stay connected to those I care about has become a priority.I am fortunate to be able to create more space in my life to nurture these relationships by removing these chores from my schedule.
Society often pressures women to act like superwomen, and tells us that in order to “have it all” we must “do it all.” That’s not only totally unrealistic, but mentally and emotionally damaging as well.
I don’t apologize for spending my money on services that help me save time and protect my mental health.
Convenience is not just a luxury.
Sometimes, it’s a lifeline.I’ll gladly spend whatever is necessary to be able to continue my work while staying as healthy and happy as possible.
Roshawnna Novellus Dr.Roshawnna Novellus is the founder and CEO of EnrichHER , a financial platform that connects female entrepreneurs with lenders who want to earn a return on their investment while fueling the growth of women-led businesses.Dr.Novellus is a gender equality advocate who believes in economic empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
Dr.Novellus holds a PhD in systems engineering with a minor in finance, a Masters of Science in information technology emphasizing information system engineering, a Bachelor of Arts in business management economics, and a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering — achieving Summa Cum Laude in each.
Dr.Novellus served on the Commission on Women for the City of Atlanta and was honored as one of the Women Who Means Business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of the 40 Under 40 by Georgia Trend, a Halcyon Fellow for Social Impact, one of the Top 25 Disruptors and Innovators in Tech, one of the 27 Black Founders and Investors to watch in 2019 by PitchBook, and LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology.Read more Read less More Money Stories
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