Roomba-Timesaving Tool Tuesday #1

While I have been battling my ever increasing physical limitations, I have come to realize how much I truly depend on tools, tricks, and family to help me accomplish everyday tasks. I have decided that I should stop being selfish and share those tools and tips with you, every Tuesday. Hopefully they will empower you as much as they do me.

Today, I want to introduce you to my best friend Robbie the Roomba.

Robbie is both my best friend and my nemesis rolled into one little round robot, please keep that in mind as you read this post.

Robbie is an older style Roomba I purchased for $200 from a local resale shop with Mother’s Day and garage sale money last year.

Now, before your start thinking “I can’t afford a Roomba,” please listen to what I have to say.

Robbie the Roomba is AMAZING!

Simply amazing!

He is worth every bit of the $200 I paid over a year ago. He chases the hair and keeps the floors manageable when I am simply too injured, sick, lazy, or busy to do it myself.

Roombas may be expensive (see bottom of post), but they are worth every penny. If you can afford one, without going into debt, I say go for it. I am not suggesting you run out and put one on your credit card, but I am suggesting you make a plan to begin saving for one the next time you can. Why not sell all the extra junk laying around house? Or ask your family to pool their money for the next Christmas or Birthday to help you buy one? Wouldn’t a Roomba be much more helpful than another ugly tie, funky sweater or knick-knack?

A Roomba or other floor cleaning robot, will save you time, energy and spoons. Lots and lots of spoons. At least he has me, especially with the 6 cats, 3 teens and a house on the market.

Now, I am not going to lie to you, living with Robbie here is not all roses. He is older and does have a few annoying habits that I yell at him about. Yep, I yell at my Roomba. Doesn’t everyone?

I yell things like…

“Go home Robbie, your drunk.” When he cleans the same spot for 20 minutes because someone “redirected” him and he became confused.

“Robbie you’re useless.” When he doesn’t fit under the buffet that I know is too low for him to slide under, and I have to get the clump of hair out myself.

“Robbie your lazy.” When I hear his “I am shutting down” music come from the other room and he hasn’t been running very long. It really isn’t his fault though, poor guy. It’s because my kids didn’t dock him long enough to let him recharge.

Over all though, he is an enormous help.

Here is a short 10 second clip of him in action. Please excuse my shadow, I am still working on the video taking thing.

I thought it best, if I share an honest look at his pros and cons. At least those that we have experienced. I will not talk about any problems or benefits I have not experienced myself. I will leave that for the professionals.

He docks himself with just a push of the button or he thinks he is done.
He can be programmed to clean a specific room at a specific time OR just be activated when you are ready.
He memorizes where the furniture and ~~junk~~ collections are as long as you aren’t continuously moving it.
His filters, brushes, etc… can replaced for very low costs on Amazon.
He comes with little boxes to keep him out of areas with cords, litter, stairs, babies, etc… It’s like his own invisible electronic playpen.
He stays charged for up to two hours.
Besides bending to pick him up, he is super easy to empty and clean. Even the two replaceable filters.
He alerts you when he encounters a problem, like the nasty stuff your teenagers hide under their beds. (See #1 in the con department.)
He can be activated with the touch of a toe, cane or finger. (My favorite option.)

He talks to you when he is done working or encounters a problem. Warning: This can illicit high pitched screams if you are “zoned out,” working and not prepared for another voice in an otherwise empty house.
He can be loud. The newer versions are much quieter, if not silent, when cleaning, but our Roomba is older and while consistent in sound, he can be loud when working right next to you. We solve this issue by having him clean the rooms we aren’t using.
He does require that someone bend over to empty him. Not an issue if you aren’t struggling with a physical challenge.
Your pets may hate him. Yep, unlike the Youtube videos where the adorable little cats and dogs are riding around on top of the Roomba for fun, our cats run from or stop and stare at him with squinted eyes like he is the spawn of Satan.

Warning:

We only run Robbie, our Roomba, during the day while we are awake, alert and can keep an eye/ear on him. Mostly because I am a control freak, but also because I have six cats and I never know what they might get into. IF you choose to run your Roomba while asleep or gone and have children or pets, you do run the risk of experiencing the life changing, unforgettable night this gentleman did. Do not read this link if you have a weak stomach!!! I am sure during the long hours of that night, he agreed with my cats, that his Roomba was the spawn of Satan.

Can you get more honest than that?

Still think they are too expensive but you would like to have one?

Check out the following links and see for yourself how affordable they can be. Maybe you can even add a Roomba to your Amazon wish list and receive updates with sales and discounts. I am thrilled to say, they are very often on the holiday deals. Can you tell we researched them for years, before taking the leap?

It’s the perfect investment for Christmas, house warming, wedding, new moms, birthdays, tax return, disability settlement or just because you deserve it. It is worth every penny it saves in time, energy and stress.

Don’t have any of the above options available to help you buy or receive one? Sign up and use Ibotta and SwagBucks and earn enough in gift cards and Paypal money to buy it in less than a year, without affecting your budget or financial situation.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Roomba or any of it’s associates. Some of above links however, are affiliate links and may result in a small compensation from Amazon if you click on them at absolutely no cost or effect to you. To learn more, visit our disclosure policy here.

I would love to know what you thought of today’s post. Please comment below with your thoughts.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

Until then,

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