You work hard for your money, yet it’s likely slipping through your fingers in the form of a “convenience tax.” This isn’t a government levy, but rather the premium you pay for services that save you a little time but cost a significant amount of cash.
While outsourcing major projects like electrical work or roof repair is smart, many modern conveniences are simply overpriced markups on tasks you could finish in minutes. Inflation has already stretched household budgets; reclaiming these funds is one of the fastest ways to give yourself a raise.
Here are seven services you should stop outsourcing immediately. Doing so could easily save you over $2,000 a year in total.
1. Grocery shopping and delivery
The allure of having groceries appear at your doorstep is undeniable, but the math is brutal. When you use delivery apps, you aren’t just paying a delivery fee and a tip. You are often paying higher prices for the products themselves.
Data consistently shows that third-party delivery services often charge item markups ranging from 10% to 15% compared to in-store prices. That means a $200 grocery bill could actually cost you $230 before you even add the service fees. Over a year, a weekly delivery habit could cost you over $1,500 in markups alone.
The DIY fix: Return to the store, or use the store’s own curbside pickup option. Many major retailers offer curbside pickup for free or a nominal fee without inflating the item prices.
2. Replacing car air filters
When you get your oil changed, the mechanic almost always brings out a dirty rectangle of dust and asks if you want it replaced for $50 to $100. They are referring to your cabin air filter or engine air filter.
This is one of the highest-margin upsells in the automotive industry. The filter itself usually costs between $15 and $30 at an auto parts store.
The DIY fix: Buy the filter yourself. For most vehicles, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box and requires no tools to swap. The engine air filter is under the hood and typically requires unclipping a plastic housing. You can watch a two-minute video tutorial for your specific car model and save yourself $50 in less time than it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
3. Carpet cleaning
Professional carpet cleaning services can charge upwards of $175 to $300 for a standard home. While they do a thorough job, it is a steep price for something you might need once or twice a year, especially if you have pets.
The DIY fix: Rent a commercial-grade carpet cleaner from your local hardware or grocery store. Rentals typically cost around $35 to $50 for 24 hours. Even after buying the cleaning solution, you are saving hundreds of dollars per session. It requires a bit of physical effort, but the results are often comparable to a basic professional steam clean.
4. Basic tax preparation
If your financial situation involves a W-2, a standard deduction, and perhaps some bank interest, hiring a CPA is likely overkill. The average cost of professional tax preparation hovers around $220 to $500, depending on complexity.
Many people hire professionals out of fear of making a mistake, but modern tax software has become incredibly intuitive. It asks you simple questions and fills out the forms for you.
The DIY fix: If your Adjusted Gross Income is below a certain threshold, you can use IRS Free File or the IRS Direct File system to file your federal taxes for zero cost. Even paid software for more complex returns is significantly cheaper than a human preparer. Save the CPA fees for years when you have complicated business expenses or major life changes.
5. Gutter cleaning
This is a task that homeowners dread, which is why professional services charge a premium — often $150 to $300, depending on the size of your house. However, for a single-story home, this price is difficult to justify.
The DIY fix: If you have a stable ladder and feel comfortable using it, you can do this job on a Saturday morning. You only need a pair of heavy gloves and a bucket. If you own a leaf blower, you can even buy an attachment kit designed to blast leaves out of gutters while you stand safely on the ground.
Note: Safety is paramount. If you have a multi-story home or mobility issues, this is one service where paying a pro is worth the money to avoid injury.
6. Simple plumbing fixes
The plumber is perhaps the most expensive phone call a homeowner can make. Minimum trip charges alone can run $100 before they even touch a pipe. Yet, many calls are for minor issues like a running toilet or a slow drain.
The DIY fix: A running toilet is usually caused by a faulty flapper — a $10 part you can replace in three minutes without turning off the water main. A slow drain can often be cleared with a plastic “zip-it” tool (under $5) rather than a chemical cleaner or a snake. Before calling a pro, search your problem online. If the solution involves a wrench and ten minutes, you can likely handle it.
7. Tech setup and support
Big-box electronics stores sell expensive support packages to set up new computers, install printers, or mount TVs. These services prey on the fear that technology is too complex for the average user to handle.
The DIY fix: Most modern devices are designed with “plug and play” simplicity. Printers connect to Wi-Fi automatically; smart TVs walk you through setup with on-screen prompts. If you get stuck, the manufacturer almost always provides free phone or chat support. Don’t pay a “geek” $100 to plug in an HDMI cable and enter your Wi-Fi password.
