Note: I didn't post on WikiHow in the hopes of improving differential progress (because the proportion of altruists reading my website is probably higher). Please let me know if you think you can change my mind on this.

Acknowledgement: I've seen various suggestions in various places; I haven't kept track of where unfortunately.

How to buy attention?

Or how to buy time and energy

See also

Legend

Asterix means I haven't tried that item.

Introduction

Presumably, just as you can buy money with time (by having a job), you can also buy time with money (sometimes). Here, time should also be replaced with attention, energy, and related concepts.

It seems we sometimes do irrational trades as we don't buy time with money even when we could make more money with that time. Granted, there are many more subtleties to this line of thinking (ex.: maybe there are things you find more enjoyable), but I still find it suspicious when someone works 3 times as hard to save money as they do to earn money (ex.: spending an hour saving 10$ when they earn 30$ per hour). Usually, people ask for more money for time work at the margin (ie. overtime). So I invite you to consider if this applies to you.

As a simplified heuristic, one could think of how much money one can make per unit of time, and see how they could save such unit of time by spending less than that amount of money (if you earn 30$ / h, how can you buy >1h for 30$?). This article is meant as a list of suggestions to consider to exchange money for time / attention / energy. They are categorized in: outsourcing, automating, simplifying, increasing productivity, improving commutes, things to avoid, and other. When considering such trade-offs, it's also worth noting other costs that aren't internalized in the price such as environmental costs.

Outsource

Fiverr is a platform where it's possible to hire people to outsource various tasks. The rationalist community also has a Facebook group for that called Bountied Rationality.

Examples:

Hiring a cleaner (about 15$ / hour in Montreal). Also hiring people when you move to a new place, and for other tasks around the home (see Task Rabbit).
Hire a digital assistant*
Hire someone to do the grocery
Rent a place already furnished (or paying someone to furnish it), with all bills included (especially if you don't intend to live at the same place for a long time)
Hire someone to review your code, diet, workout, etc.
Use Uber / Lyft (instead of owning a car or using public transport)
Hire a cook; order cooked food (ex.: DoorDash, UberEat)
- Dinnerly (1 meal: 6.50 USD, 15-30 min. prep time; veg options)*
- Leafside (1 meal: 8.50 USD, very short prep time -just add water and blend it-, vegan)*
- Freshly (1 meal: 10 USD, very short prep time -just microwave it-; veg options)*

Automate

Examples:

Calendly
Bidet (less need to buy TP)*
Automatic toilet cleaning (ex)*
Scrubbing bubbles automatic shower cleaner (ex) (?)
Washing machine, dryer (duh)
Automated vacuum (ex.: Roomba) (?)
Dishwasher, or hand dishwasher (ex)
Use disposable dishes

Simplify

Examples:

Get rid of (non-sentimental) objects if you're unlikely to use them (you can borrow, rent or buy used for the few times it turns out you'll need it)
- Just give them instead of selling them to save time (depending on value)
Replace socks by uniform socks (that all pair)
Simple clothing (easy to chose in the morning)
Eat meal replacements (ex.: Queal, Huel, Soyent)

Increase productivity

Examples:

Better Internet
Better computer
Electric bike*
Waterpik*
Standing desk, and standing desk mat (ex) (?)
Full spectrum light bulbs (?)
Find a tutor / mentor / coach

Commute better

Or avoid commuting.

Examples:

Pay more to live in a location closer to your main activities, such as your job
Buy online and pay the delivery fee (ex.: InstaCart)
Have a phone plan (or download content on your phone)
Get audiobooks (or listen to podcasts)
Get an aux-port/cigarette-lighter car bluetooth adaptor
Get an aux-port/cigarette-lighter car electric outlet adaptor (if you're a passenger)

Things to avoid

Take monetary hit when it would take a lot of time to save money.

Examples:

Give objects of low value instead of selling them second hand
Avoid spending a long time arguing for a small payment mistake
Avoid spending a long time over splitting a shared cost in exact equal proportions (in expectation, it can still be an even split)
Avoid keeping track of reward cards and discounts; don't participate to contest and complex discount schemes
- Aeroplan is something like less than 2% reward that can be used only on specific things, and need to be used within a time period
Avoid moving to a place with grass to cut, or snow to remove

Other

Use car rental services
Being much quicker and less methodical about buying non-recurring low cost items