How to Budget for a Virtual Assistant Without Selling a Kidney

Let’s be real—running a business can feel like spinning plates while riding a unicycle… on a tightrope… during an earthquake. And somehow, you’re supposed to answer emails, post on social media, handle clients, AND keep the lights on.

Enter the Virtual Assistant (VA): your new secret weapon. But before you hire one, you need to budget smart—because even superheroes come with a price tag.

1. Figure Out What You Actually Need

Do you need someone to:

• Tame your overflowing inbox?

• Schedule meetings you keep forgetting?

• Post on social media while you binge coffee?

• Research random things like “best eco-friendly printer ink”?

List it all out. The more specific you are, the less chance you end up paying someone to Google cat memes for fun.

2. Hourly or Packages?

Most VAs work in two ways:

• Hourly → Perfect if you only need random bursts of help. Think of it as paying for snacks instead of a full buffet.

• Packages / Retainers → Set hours per month for a predictable cost. It’s like subscribing to Netflix, but instead of movies, you get extra hands for your business.

Pro tip: start small. Test the waters before committing to full-on superhero hours.

3. Don’t Forget the “Extras”

Even though VAs are cheaper than a full-time hire, there are a few sneaky extras:

• Software subscriptions they may need

• A bit of onboarding time (“Hey, this is how my chaos works”)

• Occasional last-minute fire drills

Still cheaper than a full-time employee—bonus: no awkward office birthday parties you don’t want to attend.

4. Think About ROI, Not Just Cost

Ask yourself:

• How much is my time worth?

• Could I make more money doing real business stuff instead of chasing emails or filling spreadsheets?

Hint: most of the time, a VA pays for themselves. If nothing else, they save you from accidentally emailing a client a GIF of a dancing llama.

5. Set a Budget That Doesn’t Hurt

A simple starting point: 10–20% of your monthly revenue (or whatever you can comfortably afford) for a VA. Track hours, tasks, and wins to make sure you’re getting bang for your buck.

Bottom Line

Hiring a Virtual Assistant isn’t just smart—it’s like having a business sidekick who never steals your lunch. With the right budgeting, you can free up your time, reduce stress, and finally focus on the stuff that actually grows your business… or at least finish your coffee before it goes cold.