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Why hired help at home is cheaper than a divorce

With 86 per cent[1] of couples arguing about household chores, it comes as no surprise that approximately 2.5 million[2] people who co-habit with their partner (32 per cent) have considered employing hired help in a bid to save their relationships. Over a quarter of those surveyed (27 per cent) admitted that if their partner refused to pull their weight with housework, this alone could act as a trigger for separation or worse still, divorce.

The Domestic Drudgery report[3] - compiled by the Future Foundation for Sheilas' Wheels home insurance - reveals that nearly 2 million[4] (25 per cent) co-habiting couples are convinced that the formula to a happier and more peaceful partnership lies in the form of hired help.  Outsourcing domestic drudgery is becoming an increasingly popular option, especially as nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of couples see housework as a significant contributor to feelings of anger and resentment along with increased stress levels.

The report dispels myths that housework is therapeutic and reveals that instead, over half of couples (52 per cent) find it a bore.  Women are suffering the most, with over double the amount of women (21 per cent) spending in excess of ten hours a week on housework than men (9 per cent).  And it doesn't stop there; women are more than three times more likely (25 per cent) to stress about their houses being clean and tidy than men (8 per cent), with almost a third of women (31 per cent) panicking about the unexpected arrival of visitors and what they might think of an untidy abode, compared to only 18 per cent of men.

These worrying statistics make the solution seem simple - get someone else to do it! That way, you can have a professionally clean house, a better relationship with your partner and more 'me' time.

The survey reveals that the jobs we outsource the most are:

  1. Window cleaning (75 per cent)
  2. Gardening (25 per cent)
  3. Odd jobs and DIY (25 per cent)
  4. House cleaning (18 per cent)
  5. Ironing (14 per cent)

However, as the credit crunch rolls on, outsourcing domestic chores will become less of an option for many.  With this in mind, Sheilas' Wheels has teamed up with relationship psychotherapist, Paula Hall, to provide some top tips on how to manage housework without it doing the dirty on a relationship:

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels home insurance, commented: "Let's face it, not many of us actually enjoy household chores.  We live in an age where long hours at work are the norm and it's all too common to be grappling for extra time to spend with the kids, family or just some quiet time alone. As a result, housework can be put on the back burner or worse, become the source of arguments.

Outsourcing the housework is one solution to fewer tiffs and the return on investment can be worthwhile - especially if in extreme cases it prevents a divorce. However, this isn't a feasible option for everyone, especially in light of the credit crunch. Luckily there are simple ways to make housework more manageable and less of a negative interference to relationships without spending a penny."

Read the full Domestic Drudgery report.

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About Sheilas' Wheels home insurance:
Sheilas' Wheels provides both buildings and contents cover - with a contents no claim discount:

Terms and conditions apply to Sheilas' Wheels home insurance

For further information please contact the Sheilas' Wheels press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email sheilaswheels@mischiefpr.com

Visit the official fansite for Sheilas' Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com

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Notes to Editors:

  1. Sheilas' Wheels used the independent online research company Fly Research which interviewed a random sample of 1,045 people in the UK who live with their partner aged 18+ between 3rd October and 6th October 2008. Interviews were conducted across the UK via an online questionnaire. Fly Research is an online market research company. Its researchers are members of the MRS and Esomar, and abide by their guidelines. Further information at www.flyresearch.com
  2. 2,536,572: based on 32 per cent of people in the UK who live with their partner (total: 7,926,789). Source: General Household Survey, 2006.
  3. The report was carried out by the Future Foundation (An Experian Company) who interviewed a random sample of 1005 adults aged 16+ by telephone in 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. Further information at www.futurefoundation.net
  4. Exact figure: 1,981,697 - based on 25 per cent.

About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and female targeted product enhancements. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance with product enhancements including alternative accommodation (buildings and contents cover) in the event of loss of utilities in the home (terms and conditions apply), new for old cover on clothes (contents cover) and family legal protection cover which also includes assistance in finding emergency registered childminders while the insured person is attending jury service, and legal representation for a customer's child if they do not gain entry to the school of their choice (terms and conditions apply).

Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National Weather: "Whether skies are grey or blue, Sheilas' Wheels could cover you."

Relationship psychotherapist Paula Hall:
Paula is a UKCP Registered Sexual & Relationship Psychotherapist who is also accredited by the BACP and BASRT.  She works both for Relate and in private practice. Over the past 14 years, she has worked with many hundreds of clients helping them to overcome sexual and relationship difficulties. Further information at: www.paulahall.co.uk