I have zero time but suddenly have money. What can I buy that saves time

[Inheritednamechanged]

I have children and a full time job and elderly parents with issues. I have absolutely no time to myself other than when I’m already knackered or sitting outside kids activities. I barely take lunch and I feel like all I do when I come home from my 10 hour day including commuteis wash cool clean and put the kids shit on eBay or Vinted so I can buy them more clothes they will grow out of. I have inherited some money and I will be paying some of my mortgage off but please please please help me what can I buy that saves time. We can’t get a cleaner unfortunately due to working patterns and our jobs, and I’ve already given up nails, dying hair and most social activities so I’m not constantly drained.

I don’t want to buy more ready meals or takeaways, we already have one a week and rely on the occasional ready meal but I can’t just waste money on shit food.

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please help

I'm not clear why you cannot get a cleaner "because of your working patterns" as a cleaner would be my first port of call.

I am ok money wise, but physically unable to complete a lot of household tasks.

I have a cleaner and someone who washes and irons my clothes for me. I'd also pay for a gardener if I needed to.

Good quality ready meals can be just like meals you’d cook yourself, not processed - eg we buy them from a local farm shop. I’ve also heard good things about Cook if you have an outlet nearby.

When we were very time poor we used a service that collected our dirty washing then returned it washed, dried and folded. Luckily had an enclosed porch for pickups and drop offs.

Keep a running list of all small DIY jobs (assembling a new shelf, putting up pictures, etc) and when you have a few on there get a handyman in.

Pay for occasional deep cleans at times that suit you around your job if you can’t get a regular cleaner.

Pre-chopped veg, especially onions.
Robotic vacuum cleaner which can also mop.

Have you got a robot Hoover? You could just give the kids clothes to charity shops as maybe buy their new ones from charity shops to save admin.

I don't sell my son's clothes. I buy a Vinted bundle of basics/nursery clothes and some stuff I like too. I donate the whole lot, I'd say his clothes and shoes cost me a max of £100 a year.

You can get cleaners to keep your keys, or is the issue shift sleeping? If shift sleeping is an issue, you could get a fortnightly clean, and you can even get a hotel to sleep (I spend 40-50 quid on a hotel to refresh every so often!).

Lastly, care for your parents - can you outsource that, again, even fortnightly? A cleaner for them, a meal service, someone to take in their groceries etc?

My absolute honest advice is find a cleaner you trust, get a key safe so they can let themselves in and out and outsource the stress.

Don't understand why you can't get a cleaner? I loved having mine, would have one again in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

Laundry service.

Meal kit delivery service - can be 'proper' food but you don't have to think about shopping or deciding what to make.

You need help rather than things.

A cleaner - I'm sure there is a way to work it around you jobs!

Some childcare - let someone else sit outside kids activities while you have a few hours to yourself.

Someone to help your elderly parents so there is less for you to do.

If you mean appliances and the like @Inheritednamechanged a robovac for both up and downstairs, dishwasher, tumble dryer and air fryer for quick meals without effort.

You do sound stressed so if you can, ensure that you have a few hours to recharge, somehow. 🌸

Online grocery shopping delivered - get an annual pass - you can do it while waiting at kids activities.

If you're cash rich cash could you take some unpaid parental leave?

Not sure things are the answer here! A cleaner would be. Mine just has a key but we’ve had the same cleaner for years and trust her. I know you’ve said it’s not an option but seriously look at whether it could be accommodated.
Is it enough money to reduce hours at work?
I used to outsource ironing but don’t anymore as just stopped ironing completely.

My cleaner has a key and comes when we’re all out… this should definitely be your first port of call.

Stop selling on Vinted, it takes so much time. Find a suitable charity shop and donate everything periodically.

I’m sure there will be some kind of healthy meal prep service available locally.. probably costly but might be worth looking at.

I use COOK meals to take the pressure.
I used to have a cleaner (money is a bit tighter now though).
After school nanny.

I don’t understand why you can’t have a cleaner.

I would get a cleaner/housekeeper if money was no issue - change beds, keep cupboards organised, get keep clothes in order, laundry etc.

That was what I wondered too as a cleaner would have been my first thought. I have a cleaner and a gardener because of mobility issues - money well spent.

Could you look at your 10 hour day and see if you can afford to reduce that give you no longer need as much income given mortgage will be paid?

It soubds like that is the biggest problem?

Unless you work irregular shifts, I recommend a cleaner

Also, I wouldn't bother faffing around selling clothes on Vinted / ebay. Simpler to donate to charity

My cleaner has a key.

Stop selling stuff for probably only a few pennies profit. Give it to charity shops and assuming you are a higher rate tax payer register for gift aid, claim the extra tax back instead.

If you cant get a cleaner - which imo is the single best thing you can do when time starved.

I have time scheduled with an “odd job person” every two months. It’s rare that I don’t have anything for them to do but even if they didn’t it removes the issue of having to find someone and the difficulty of scheduling appointments and so is worth the lost cost

other things that really help:

My robo hoover/mop runs for several hours every day. One on each floor.

Send laundry/ironing out

I pick up dinner (cold meat and salads) from the posh deli by me for lunches and dinners a couple of times a week; and sushi once a week. Saves on cooking and healthier than most deliveroo options.

I’ve also automated most of my blinds/lights/plugs/heating which just takes a bit of the mental load - the house is always warm with hot water and I’m not running around doing lights/blinds when I leave the house.

we have a family email and shared storage - all of our documents are digitalised within that environment.

if you have space multi buying helps - I always have at least three bottles of cleanser/washing pods/pots of marmite in the cupboards.

I keep a present drawer including cards and gift wrap so I’m never having to run out for last minute bits.

Local 6th former to pick the DC up from school and take them home/supervise homework make packed lunches and get a basic supper a couple of evenings a week.

Someone to come in and fill the freezer with home cooked "ready meals" and or a COOK delivery

Laundry service that collects and delivers.

ETA to say that it would be worth a look at the batch lady - eg 1 hour makes 10 meals https://thebatchlady.com/recipe/veggie-10-meals-in-1-hour/
You might find a local mum or teenager who would even do it for you

If every sensible option is off the cards its difficult to know what to suggest. Obvious answer is help with running your home.

A cleaner is a must for me. They let themselves in and clean while we’re at work.(they have a key) It’s wonderful and such a help.
some families have a “mothers help” also who organises toys and rooms etc
Also a robot hoover/mop and a robot lawnmower. A weekly or fortnightly gardener.
Send out the laundry to be washed ironed and returned
don't put stuff on Vinted it takes ages just bag everything up and donate.

Could you get someone to clean, and cook fresh meals for you? Expand the role a bit.

Ok, suggestions:

Outsource some of the elderly parent stuff - cleaner for them, food or meal delivery for them, gardening for them, taxis to appointments? Whatever they take time from you for, outsource.

Stop selling the kids clothes. Buy bundles for them if desired, then donate the whole lot.

Can you afford to drop a day at work?

Although you the tax payer don't get the tax back, the charity gets it (unless the OP is a higher rate tax payer completing a self assessment form)

Cleaner... see what you need to do to get one!

You could look at something like hello fresh to make cooking easier.

Agree stop selling things on for pence and just donate either directly to charity shops once a month or use the bags that come through the door.