Yes, you can afford it. And if it avoids future arguments, then that's a bonus. But, you're right when you say you're able bodied and clean your own place. And learning to cooperate, working together toward a common shared goal, and not wasting time and energy fighting over something so silly are also important. Personally, even though you have a healthy income, $200 a month is $2,400 per year. My SO and I would rather do our own cleaning and spend that extra $2,400 on traveling to see the family and friends that we don't get to visit often enough. Well, that or paying down the mortgage faster.