When some people hear “white glove service,” they usually think of luxury or pampering. But the truth is, white glove isn’t about indulgence; it’s about efficiency. You’re paying for saved hours, reduced stress, and getting it done right the first time. The bottom line is, you’re saving opportunity costs. You pay more to make better use of your time.
Merian Webster: opportunity cost (noun)
op·por·tu·ni·ty cost
“the cost of making an investment that is the difference between the return on one investment and the return on an alternative.”
*opportunity cost – Legal Authority.
There is a continuous theme I try to convey across all my writings and during conversations with clients: being “all set” does not necessarily mean being optimized. Doing some things yourself is not always the best use of your time, regardless of the task.
Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource
Every hour you spend struggling with tasks is an hour you don’t get back. DIY might feel noble, but if there are better ways to allocate your resources/energy, it’s best to do so. Don’t mistake stubbornness for virtuousness. Outsourcing doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself; it means you recognize the multiplier effect of using experts. At some point, you just say, “I’m not doing this.”
Smart Financial Planning – Knowing When to Pick Your Battles
Put yourself in my place for a minute and imagine this situation. I’m juggling a family trip. We’ve got kids running around, six carry-ons, and bags piled up in the foyer. Do I really want to spend the morning piecing together shuttle schedules and airport transfers? Or would I rather call a black car, get everyone loaded in, and arrive without the circus for an extra $190 bucks? Yeah, I knew it wasn’t a battle I wanted to carry out, and in the long run, my medical bills from stress ulcers would greatly outshine the cost of the black car livery.
DIY financial planning works similarly. You can handle the transfers, detours, and connections yourself, but at what cost? A family financial planner is like that car service: efficient and designed to save time for the things that matter most.
Another quick example: I have a friend who recently opted to skip white glove delivery from Bob’s Furniture. Not only did he spend half the day putting the pieces together, but because of a recycling strike, he had to break down 60 pounds of cardboard and haul it to a processing center! Immediate buyer’s remorse on not paying the extra $150 for the white glove service.
Every task you commit to, like these, comes with hidden costs. On the surface, you think you’re saving money. But in reality, you’re spending your most valuable resource, time, on tasks an expert could streamline and optimize for you.
Smart Financial Planning/Solving the Puzzle
White glove service isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy. Choosing efficiency, alignment, and confidence is one of the best investments you can make. The true cost of DIY isn’t just the effort; it’s the lost opportunity to spend your time where it matters most. Remember, don’t skip the memories!
Let’s sit down, talk, and create a plan that saves you time and aligns with your financial goals.
*-opportunity cost – Legal Authority. https://www.legalauthority.in/dictionary/opportunity-cost
