How to Save Time by Outsourcing Your To Do List

A young professional’s time is a valuable and often scarce resource, and the approaching holiday season is not likely to provide any relief from your ever-growing to-do list. Much the same as a mounting pile of tasks seems at the office, this challenge can be solved with a bit of noteworthy outsourcing and delegation. A team of experts can be at your disposal to lighten your load and free up your time. 

Meal Delivery
Though a private chef may not quite make your annual budget (yet), you can still save time in the kitchen, especially after those late evenings at the office with a meal delivery service. Licious, which operates in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, allows you to sign up for automatic delivery of customized meals. They focus on healthy options that will keep you away from fast food and sodium-packed microwave dinners. Looking for something strictly local? We suggest you check out the tasty looking menus at Vancouver-based Indish as well. If you don’t want to completely outsource your culinary life, you can also look at a grocery delivery service like SPUD, which lets you shop for all your usual groceries online and schedule for delivery. 

Cleaning Service
Coming home to a sparkling clean apartment that you left dirty is the closest thing to magic we’re likely to experience in this life. Molly Maid is one of the largest cleaning services in Canada, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that all of their employees are bonded and insured. You can schedule by the hour based on your needs, meaning anything from weekly tidies to deep spring cleanings once a year.  For something local, we suggest you also take a look at Western Canadian’s Aspen Clean.

Personal Concierge
If your lunch breaks are packed with errands rather than taking a breather from the office, a personal concierge service might be for you. Firms like Vancouver’s own Emery Lifestyle Management (owned by YED alumni Jody Rebak) tackle your to-do lists with personalized services ranging from dog walking to travel planning to bill payments. After an analysis of your needs, they will propose solutions to help lighten your load, ranging from weekly assistance to full-time help. 

Automated Shopping
The staples of your wardrobe and grooming regimen can cause more than a minor inconvenience when inventory levels are low. Some companies have taken the pain out of a recurring shopping list and will automatically refresh your supplies. Gentlemen can sign up with Manpacks for regular deliveries of socks, underwear and grooming products. It takes just a few minutes to sign up and customize your order, then “kick it while they ship it.” Ladies can eliminate rushed mid-morning trips to replace pantyhose with Hoseanna, who will automatically replenish your supply with prescheduled shipments.

Event Planners
Even your social life can benefit from a bit of help. Boutique event planning companies like The Social Concierge cater to smaller, more intimate events. Consider enlisting their assistance when you need to impress your boss with an at-home dinner party, or when you’ve been elected to host a milestone birthday celebration.