When you have more tasks on your honey-do list than there are hours in the day, you either need to get to work or figure a way out of them. If you go with the later, you’ll need a good excuse.
Unfortunately, saying your dog ate your list isn’t going to be a good enough reason to get you out of the projects. You need ones that will actually work.
Here are our Top 10 excuses to get you out of your honey-do list.
One of the best ways to get out of your project is to point out you don’t have the skills to properly complete it.
Whether it’s a leaky sink, landscape issue or broken cabinet door, let your spouse know you need to find a professional to handle the task.
If not, you’ll probably make the problem worse and cost you more in the long run. So really, you’re just trying to prevent problems and save money.
This one works for almost anything, from washing clothes to painting a room.
Remind them you won’t complete the chore the way they want it or up to their standards. Not only will this excuse get you out of the task, but it should also encourage them to do it. That’s a win-win.
Another fairly easy one to pull off is saying you’re too busy and don’t have time to finish the tasks right now. At worst, it will buy you more leeway with your honey-do deadline.
Maybe you need to finish work from the office, run some errands or meet up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. There are several legitimate reasons you would be busy, so make sure you have one before giving this excuse.
From a logistics standpoint, being tired can make you less productive and possibly pose a safety risk if you’re doing strenuous work. So, if they don’t buy the “tired” excuse, just remind them you’ll get more accomplished when you’re rested.
Depending on how willing your spouse is to help with your honey-do list, this excuse can come in handy.
You can use this one if you need to move furniture, an appliance or anything that requires more than one person to safely accomplish.
But, if your spouse is more than willing to help, it will backfire, and you’ll need to pick a different excuse.
No one wants to do chores out in extreme temperatures, so use that to your advantage.
Being outdoors when it’s too cold can lead to frostbite or sickness. And when it’s hot, you could over exert yourself and have a heat stroke, in severe cases. These are all things you should remind your spouse of when they ask you to go out and work on something.
Of course, this one only works if it’s actually uncomfortable outside — not 70 degrees and sunny.
Like No. 6, this excuse is also a seasonal one. But, it can come in handy, especially with outdoor projects.
You wouldn’t want to install plants in the dead of winter or repair your roof when it’s 90+ degrees outside. (And if your spouse disagrees, use the “hire a professional” excuse.) Even some indoor projects are better suited for certain times of the year, like painting or sealing windows in the spring.
So, figure out when the best time of year would be to complete the project, and if it isn’t now, there’s your excuse.
This is an ironclad excuse that will work in certain situations.
If your list includes doing something like pouring hazardous liquids down the drain or throwing them in the trash, you can let your spouse know that’s illegal. And really, what can they say to that?
It’s never a bad idea to use an emotional excuse when trying to get out of your honey-do list. But, you need to make sure you follow through and actually spend time with your family.
Instead of checking something off of your list, go to the park, watch a movie or enjoy dinner at home with everyone.
Sometimes, there’s no good reason for not finishing your honey-do list — except for the fact that you just don’t want to do it. We’ve all been there.
This is the most risky excuse because it’s probably not going to go over well. But, it could still buy you some time until you have to start working on your chores, or can come up with a different excuse.
You probably won’t be able to get out of chores forever, so pick the top ones you want to avoid with these excuses.
One task you shouldn’t waste an excuse on is getting rid of unwanted items from around your house. They just add clutter to your home and can even cost you money. Plus, they are easy to get rid of.
Just rent a dumpster, throw the unwanted items in and have the bin picked up when you’re finished. You don’t even have to be there when it’s picked up. No excuses necessary.
Find an operator near you today.