Outsourcing Errands: Where to Start (Returns First)

If you're considering outsourcing errands but don't know where to begin, start with returns. They're the perfect entry point into the world of errand outsourcing—high impact, low risk, and immediate benefits. Here's why returns are the best place to start and how they open the door to a more efficient lifestyle.

Why Start With Returns

Perfect Characteristics

High Time Cost:

• 60-90 minutes per return
• Significant time drain
• Immediate impact when outsourced

Low Value Activity:

• No skill required
• Purely logistical
• Perfect for delegation

Frequent Occurrence:

• Multiple returns monthly
• Ongoing benefit
• Compound time savings

Clear ROI:

• Easy to measure time saved
• Clear cost-benefit
• Obvious value

Psychological Advantages

Low Risk:

• Small financial commitment ($20-25)
• Easy to try
• No long-term obligation

Immediate Gratification:

• Instant time savings
• Feel the benefit immediately
• Positive reinforcement

Gateway Outsourcing:

• Builds confidence
• Proves concept
• Opens mindset to other services

The Outsourcing Journey

Stage 1: First Return Outsourced

The Experience:

• Some initial hesitation
• Try one return
• Amazed at ease
• Time savings immediate

The Realization:

• "That was so easy"
• "Why didn't I do this before?"
• "I saved so much time"
• Mind opened

The Result:

• Confidence built
• Concept proven
• Ready for more

Stage 2: Regular Return Service

Building the Habit:

• Use for all returns
• Becomes routine
• No longer think about it
• Standard practice

The Benefits:

• Consistent time savings
• Reduced stress
• Better quality of life
• Hours reclaimed monthly

The Impact:

• 2-6 hours per week saved
• 100+ hours per year
• Significant lifestyle improvement

Stage 3: Expanding Outsourcing

Natural Progression:

• Proven success with returns
• Confident in outsourcing
• Looking for other opportunities
• Expanding strategy

Other Services Considered:

• House cleaning
• Lawn care
• Meal delivery
• Grocery delivery
• Laundry service
• Other errands

The Pattern:

• Returns were proof of concept
• Now evaluating all low-value tasks
• Building comprehensive strategy
• Optimizing time use

Why Returns Are the Best First Step

Easy to Evaluate

Clear Metrics:

• Time saved: Measurable
• Cost: Transparent
• Value: Obvious
• Success: Clear

Compare:

• Before: 90 minutes
• After: 90 seconds
• Savings: 89 minutes
• ROI: Massive

Low Commitment

Test the Waters:

• One return to try
• $20-25 investment
• No ongoing obligation
• Easy exit

If You Don't Like It:

• No harm done
• Minimal cost
• Learned something
• Can revert

But You Will:

• Almost everyone loves it
• Immediate convert
• Never go back
• Becomes essential

High Impact

Immediate Benefits:

• Time saved right away
• Stress eliminated immediately
• Quality of life improved
• Tangible results

Ongoing Value:

• Multiple returns per month
• Hours saved monthly
• Compound benefits
• Life-changing

Building Your Outsourcing Strategy

Step 1: Start with Returns

Why First:

• Perfect entry point
• Low risk, high reward
• Immediate results
• Confidence building

Action:

• Try one return
• Experience the benefit
• Evaluate results
• Decide to continue

Step 2: Evaluate Other Errands

Identify Candidates:

• What takes time?
• What provides no value?
• What could be delegated?
• What causes stress?

Categories:

• Home maintenance
• Food-related
• Shopping
• Administrative
• Transportation

Prioritize:

• By time saved
• By stress eliminated
• By frequency
• By delegation ease

Step 3: Calculate ROI

For Each Errand:

• Time required DIY
• Cost to outsource
• Your hourly value
• Net savings

Example: House Cleaning

• DIY: 4 hours
• Cost: $100-150
• Your value: $50/hour
• Savings: $50-100 + energy

Decision Framework:

• If saves time and money: Clear win
• If saves time but costs more: Evaluate life value
• If wastes time: Don't outsource

Step 4: Implement Gradually

Don't Do Everything At Once:

• Start with returns
• Add one service at a time
• Build gradually
• Adjust as needed

Learning Process:

• Try different services
• Evaluate each
• Keep what works
• Drop what doesn't

Sustainable Approach:

• Budget for services
• Build into lifestyle
• Make permanent
• Optimize over time

The Errand Hierarchy

Best to Outsource First

1. Returns

• Highest time cost
• Zero value activity
• Frequent occurrence
• Start here

2. House Cleaning

• Significant time cost
• Physical labor
• Regular need
• Add early

3. Lawn Care

• Seasonal time drain
• Physical labor
• Weather dependent
• Good second tier

4. Meal Prep/Delivery

• Daily need
• Time consuming
• Health important
• Consider early

5. Grocery Delivery

• Weekly task
• Time consuming
• Convenient
• Useful addition

Keep Personal (Usually)

High-Value Activities:

• Exercise (health benefit)
• Cooking (enjoyment + health)
• Playing with kids (relationship)
• Hobbies (fulfillment)

Personal Decisions:

• Important choices
• Relationship building
• Skill development
• Meaningful work

Judgment Required:

• Some like cooking, outsource
• Some don't, keep it
• Personal preference
• Individual decision

The Financial Framework

Calculating What to Outsource

The Formula:

• If (Time Saved × Hourly Value) > Cost: Outsource
• If (Time Saved × Hourly Value) < Cost: Evaluate
• If provides no value: Strongly consider

Example: Returns

• Time: 90 minutes
• Your value: $50/hour
• Time value: $75
• Service cost: $25
• Net benefit: $50 - Clear win

Example: Lawn Care

• Time: 2 hours
• Your value: $50/hour
• Time value: $100
• Service cost: $50
• Net benefit: $50 - Good choice

Budgeting for Outsourcing

Monthly Allocation:

• Returns: $60-100
• House cleaning: $200-400
• Lawn care: $100-200 (seasonal)
• Food services: $200-400
• Total: $560-1,100/month

Value Received:

• Time saved: 15-30 hours/month
• Quality of life: Significant
• Stress reduction: Substantial
• Worth it for most professionals

Common Objections

"It's Too Expensive"

Response:

• Calculate time value
• Factor opportunity cost
• See net benefit
• Usually saves money

"I Can Do It Myself"

Response:

• Yes, you can
• But should you?
• Is it best use of time?
• What's the opportunity cost?

"It Feels Wasteful"

Response:

• Not waste if saves time
• Not waste if creates value
• Your time is valuable
• Smart investment

"I Don't Need Help"

Response:

• Not about need
• About optimization
• About life quality
• About smart choices

Conclusion: Start Small, Think Big

Outsourcing errands transforms lives, but it can feel overwhelming to start. That's why returns are perfect—they're low risk, high impact, and prove the concept immediately. Once you experience the benefits of outsourcing returns, you'll have the confidence and framework to evaluate other opportunities.

The journey starts with one return. That 60-second scheduling replaces 90 minutes of errand time. You feel the benefit immediately. Your mindset shifts. Suddenly outsourcing isn't wasteful—it's smart. From there, you can build a comprehensive strategy that reclaims hours each week and improves quality of life.

Don't try to outsource everything at once. Start with returns. Experience the benefit. Build from there. Let returns be your gateway to a more efficient, less stressful, higher-quality life.

Ready to start your outsourcing journey? Check Returnful's service and take the first step with returns.

---

Ready to start outsourcing? Text us at 469-790-7579 and begin with returns—the perfect first step!