The True Cost of Hiring a Domestic Helper: A Financial Independence Perspective

Since childhood, I never had a domestic helper at home. My parents managed everything on their own, cooking, cleaning, and raising us without extra help. So when my wife first suggested hiring a helper after our first child was born, I was hesitant. The idea of an additional monthly expense didn’t sit well with me, especially since I was aiming for Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE).

But everything changed when we were expecting our second child.

Suddenly, the math shifted. Between work, parenting, and household chores, it became clear that maintaining our desired standard of cleanliness and order would be nearly impossible without help. The question then became: Could hiring a domestic helper actually be a financially sound decision, even for someone pursuing FIRE?

Surprisingly, the answer was yes.

Breaking Down the Costs

When I finally decided to hire a helper, I chose one from Myanmar due to the lower placement fees and salary expectations. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the expenses over a two-year contract period:

1. Upfront Costs: Placement Fee & Salary

• Agent placement fee: $2,750 (one-time payment)
• First 7.5 months of salary: $3,750 (at $500/month)
• Remaining 16.5 months of salary: $8,250
• Total salary + agent fee: $14,750

2. Monthly Levy

• Since I have a child under 12, I qualify for a concessionary levy rate of $60/month (instead of the usual $300).
• Total levy over two years: $1,440

3. Food Expenses

My helper eats the same meals as us, and we keep our grocery costs relatively low:

• Breakfast: Oats, bread, or eggs with coffee (~$3/day)
• Dinner: Home-cooked meals (~$8/day per person)
• Lunch: Since she prefers a simple meal (rice, egg, veggies), it costs ~$2/day
• Daily food cost: ~$13, $65/week, $6,760 over two years
• Occasional dining out (~once a month): ~$30/meal, $720 over two years

4. Miscellaneous Expenses

• Personal necessities (toiletries, etc.): $30/month, $720 over two years
• Medical checkups & unforeseen illnesses: ~$1,000 over two years

At first glance, $25,390 over two years (~$1,058/month) seems like a significant expense. If I invested that money instead, it could grow substantially over time. But is that the full picture?

The Hidden Returns of Hiring a Helper

1. Time & Sanity: The Most Valuable Currency

Before hiring a helper, my wife and I were constantly exhausted. After work, we had to:

• Cook dinner
• Clean the house
• Do laundry
• Take care of the kids
• Handle errands
• There was no downtime, and the mental fatigue was real.

After hiring a helper, we regained 15-20 hours per week, time that we could now spend on:

• Quality family time (instead of rushing through chores)
• Personal rest & mental recovery
• Career development (I took on more responsibilities at work, leading to promotions)

2. Career Growth & Higher Earnings

Without a helper, I was hesitant to take on more demanding roles at work because I knew I’d have no energy left for household duties. But with help at home, I could:

• Work longer hours when needed
• Take on side hustles (which more than covered the helper’s cost)
• Invest in upskilling (courses, networking, etc.)

In short, the helper didn’t just cost me money, she indirectly helped me earn more.

3. Better Household Management = Less Wasted Spending

Before hiring a helper:

• We ordered takeout more often (because we were too tired to cook)
• We hired part-time cleaners for deep cleaner (which added up to ~$200/month)
• We bought convenience foods (more expensive than home-cooked meals)

With a helper, our grocery spending became more efficient, and we wasted less money on last-minute expensive solutions.

4. Improved Family Dynamics

• My wife and I fought less about chores.
• Our kids had more attention from us (rather than us being stressed and distracted).
• We could host family gatherings without the stress of cleaning up afterward.

Would I Be Better Off Investing That Money Instead?

Mathematically, that’s a $26,000 opportunity cost.

But in reality:

• I earned more because I had the bandwidth to grow my career.
• I saved money by reducing unnecessary spending (takeout, part-time cleaners).
• My mental health improved, which is priceless.

Conclusion: Is a Domestic Helper Worth It for FIRE Seekers?

For me, yes.

The true cost isn’t just the $25,390 over two years, it’s the trade-off between money and quality of life. If hiring a helper allows you to:

✔ Earn more (by freeing up career growth opportunities)

✔ Save more (by reducing inefficient spending)

✔ Live better (less stress, more family time)

…then it’s not an expense, it’s an investment.

For those pursuing FIRE, the key is optimizing for both money and happiness. And sometimes, spending on the right things accelerates FIRE rather than delaying it.

Would I go back to not having a helper? Absolutely not. The sanity, time, and freedom she provides are worth every penny.