This week, we would like to share a simple approach to navigating the time vs money trade-off during significant life changes. When life shifts due to circumstances such as divorce, widowhood, or an empty nest, the most challenging part often isn’t the math. It’s deciding what’s worth it now. At Apprise, I use a simple framework to help you align what’s most meaningful to you with your values. We have a TEAM—Time, Energy, Attention, and Money—of resources. We can use money to buy back Time, protect (or restore) Energy, and free Attention.
After all, financial planning isn’t just about money. It’s about designing a life aligned with your values. You can use money to achieve various life goals.
We need to recognize that money itself doesn’t provide an inherent level of fulfillment or happiness, nor should it be the sole focus of one’s life.
Money as a Tool
We often think of money as a measure of wealth. However, if we take a “healthier” view, money can represent a tool to achieve personal goals and build a fulfilling life. In short, money should not be viewed as the ultimate objective.
Research finds that spending on time-saving services (e.g., outsourcing chores) increases happiness—even in a randomized field test—and benefits show up across income levels (see People Who Choose Time Over Money Are Happier—SPPS, 2016 Buying Time Promotes Happiness—PNAS, 2017, and the UBC summary: Using money to buy time linked to increased happiness).
Spending on time-saving services can also yield greater happiness than material purchases. Thinking this way helps you make choices that fit your values and stage of life. It also clarifies the everyday time vs money trade-off without turning decisions into all-or-nothing choices.
The TEAM Conversion Scorecard
Today I’m sharing the TEAM Conversion Scorecard, a one-page tool that helps you see how spending or saving money with more intention can help you get a higher Return on Your Life. Use it whenever you face a time vs money trade-off and want a quick, values-aligned answer. It can also help you better align how you spend your money with what’s most meaningful to you.
What is the TEAM Conversion Scorecard?
Would you like a qualitative-first check that can help turn fuzzy decisions into a clear conversation? If so, I recommend trying out this scorecard. Let’s take a closer look:
- Values Fit (1–5): Does this choice reflect who you’re becoming or who you want to be?
- Time Impact: Does it give back time or steal it?
- Energy Impact: Will it drain or restore you?
- Attention Impact: Does it reduce mental stress or add noise?
- Money-as-Tool (exchange rate): If you spend/save here, how well does it convert into gains across TEAM?
- Enjoyment Delta: Will this add joy or ease?
- Efficiency Advantage: Does it streamline life or work?
- Decision Call & Reallocation: What’s your next micro-step, and how will you reallocate freed TEAM?
No hard thresholds. Aim for alignment over arithmetic.
How to use it (5 minutes)
- Pick one decision (e.g., “hire a weekly house cleaner,” “sell the family home,” “join a local club,” “take a short solo trip”).
- Scan each TEAM line and jot quick, honest notes. Add a 1–5 score for Values Fit only if it helps.
- Name the Money-as-Tool exchange (cost ÷ hours saved) and any secondary gains (less stress, better sleep).
- Choose a Decision Call: Go • Not Now • Explore.
- Set one micro-step and a review date (4-8 weeks) so the decision keeps serving you.
Why This Time vs Money Trade-Off Framework Works
Let’s review a couple of examples of how you can apply this scorecard.
Example 1: Hiring a weekly house cleaner (3 hours/week)
- Values Fit: 4/5 — Caring for yourself is part of caring for others.
- T – Time Impact: +3 hours/week for movement, rest, or relationships.
- E – Energy Impact: Lower weekend fatigue.
- A – Attention Impact: Fewer “I should be cleaning” mental moments.
- Money-as-Tool (exchange rate): Spend $160/week → buy Time + Attention back. $160 ÷ 3 hours ≈ $53 per hour of time bought + lower mental load. In this time vs money trade-off, a small weekly spend buys back three hours and reduces mental clutter.
- Enjoyment Delta: More room for walks, reading, time with family, or saying yes to a friend.
- Efficiency Advantage: Recurring service smooths the schedule.
- Decision Call: Go (8-week trial).
- Planned Reallocation: 1 hour exercise • 1 hour relationship or family time • 1 hour deep rest.
- Micro-step: Request two quotes; book a trial; set a review date.
Why this example works
- It reframes money as a means, not an end.
- It counters all-or-nothing thinking with a small trial and a review date.
- It invites you to choose alignment over automatic habits—especially helpful in seasons of change.
Example 2 (real life) — Outsource lawn mowing
I didn’t have this scorecard when making this decision, but the framework still applies.
When we moved into our current home, I decided to buy a lawn tractor from the woman who sold us our home. I was going to cut the grass myself and save money. It took me three hours per cut, excluding the time spent on edging and trimming. That also excludes the time when the battery was dead. I had to drive about 45 minutes each way to buy a battery and then replace it. The only enjoyment I got out of the work was having one of our kids sit on my lap while I was using the tractor.
A year later, my wife found “Cliff,” who was cutting other lawns in our neighborhood. He quoted her $40. I immediately agreed to have him start cutting our lawn. What a great decision! Let’s take a look at this through the TEAM Conversion Scorecard.
Context: 3 hours to mow; minimal enjoyment; $40 to outsource; stronger desire for more family time.
| Dimension | Score (1–5) | Rationale | Exchange |
| Values Fit | 5 | Directly increases family time/quality—core priority. | |
| T — Time Impact | 5 | ~3 hours saved per mow (often weekly in season). | $40 ÷ 3 hours = $13.33 per hour |
| E — Energy Impact | 4 | Reduces physical fatigue and weekend depletion. | |
| A — Attention Impact | 4 | Removes scheduling/mental load of “when to mow.” | |
| M — Money-as-Tool (exchange rate) | — | Exchange rate: $40 ÷ 3 hours ≈ $13.33/hour of time “bought.” No judgment—document only. | See above |
| Enjoyment Δ | 4 | Mowing offered little joy; replacement activity (family time) offers more. Greater enjoyment from family activities that didn’t include mowing the lawn. | |
| Efficiency Advantage | 5 | Pro does it faster/better, freeing me to focus on higher-value activities. | |
| Review | — | Check after six weeks during peak season. |
Verdict: Outsource. I used money as a tool to buy Time, reduce Energy drain, and elevate the quality of Attention in line with values. In this time vs money trade-off, outsourcing clearly wins.
Lightweight decision lens (no heuristics)
Use as a quick conversation script:
- Enjoyment?
- Keep restorative tasks. If not, continue.
- Speed/quality?
- If others do it faster/better, you likely gain E/A as well as T.
- Reallocate?
- Name the replacement activity explicitly.
- Record the exchange:
- Use cost per hour saved and any secondary gains, no thresholds—just make the trade-off visible.
Blank TEAM Conversion Scorecard
You can use this framework to help you make similar decisions.
| Dimension | Score (1–5) | Rationale | Notes |
| Values Fit | |||
| T — Time Impact | Hours saved/created: ___ | ||
| E — Energy Impact | What drain is reduced? ___ | ||
| A — Attention Impact | What mental load disappears? ___ | ||
| M — Money-as-Tool | Exchange rate: $cost ÷ hours = $/hr | ||
| Enjoyment Δ | Keep if restorative; outsource if not. | ||
| Efficiency Advantage | Who does it faster/better? How much? |
Call: Keep / Outsource / Hybrid
Planned Reallocation of Time/Attention: ________________
FAQ
Is it worth paying for a house cleaner?
It depends on the exchange rate (cost ÷ hours saved) and whether you’ll intentionally reallocate Time/Attention to high-value activities. Run it through the scorecard and review after 4–8 weeks. It’s a classic time vs money trade-off.
How do I decide what to outsource?
When you’re facing a time vs money trade-off, look for two signals: speed/quality and whether the task is restorative. If someone else can do it faster/better, and the task isn’t restorative, you likely gain Time/Energy/Attention. Name the replacement activity and test it.
How do I buy back time without overspending?
Pilot small. Choose one area, set a budget, run an 8-week trial, and review your TEAM gains. Keep it if it serves you; adjust if it doesn’t.
Try it this week
Download the one-page scorecard below, choose one decision, and walk through it in five minutes. If you want a second set of eyes, I’m happy to review your notes and help you tune the decision.
If you’re navigating a new chapter and want a values-aligned plan, let’s talk: apprisewealth.com • Schedule a free call.
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