Nanny Incidentals

[Anonymous]

As our kids get older they have more incidentals. Snacks, trips to get ice cream with a friend, admission costs to things, parking for activities, etc. Its normally in the $200 -$300 range, which we are fine with. We have been giving our nanny cash each month but neither of us finds that ideal. She doesn't like carrying cash and some places don't take cash. I told her she could deposit the cash to her account and spend it using her card, but she wasn't in favor of that. So would it be better to open a new credit card and make her an authorized user on the card or some type of separate checking account with a debit card? I want the card in her name so she isn't questioned about using it and I don't want to add it to our regular credit card in case it is ever lost or stolen or there is some other type of issue. Surely this is a problem other people have faced. How have you addressed it?

Also our nanny is starting to do house manager type activities like grocery shopping, errands, taking the car for an oil change and it would be great for her to have an easy way to pay for all of this sort of stuff too.

[Anonymous]

Get her a greenlight card

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get her a greenlight card

I think you can only get these for kids right?

[Anonymous]

You should open a new credit card and add her as an authorized user. Make sure the limit is low like 1,000 or something.

Another easier option: Buy visa gift cards

[Anonymous]

Credit card with a low limit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get her a greenlight card

I think you can only get these for kids right?

Get it for your kid and let the nanny use it. This isn’t rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Nanny must be happy to take the car for an oil change ...

[Anonymous]

I used to use my own credit card and save the receipts. They would reimburse me once a month. This had the bonus of boosting my own credit score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny must be happy to take the car for an oil change ...

It is specifically negotiated as part of the contract. And it occurs during the part of her hours when both kids are in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to use my own credit card and save the receipts. They would reimburse me once a month. This had the bonus of boosting my own credit score.

I offered this but she said no thank you. I will ask her how she feels about a credit card where she is an authorized user.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should open a new credit card and add her as an authorized user. Make sure the limit is low like 1,000 or something.

Another easier option: Buy visa gift cards

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should open a new credit card and add her as an authorized user. Make sure the limit is low like 1,000 or something.

Another easier option: Buy visa gift cards

Visa gift cards are not a great option. Really high activation fees. I think they are now at $7 for a $50 or $100 card.

[Anonymous]

Step Card

No cost and you add on there whatever amount you want. It'll show exactly how much is spent and where. We use for our teens, but you can get for anyone. There's a physical card or you can add to your phone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to use my own credit card and save the receipts. They would reimburse me once a month. This had the bonus of boosting my own credit score.

This is what we do, at the nanny’s suggestion. We reimburse her through Zelle when she gives us receipts and she gets cash back from purchases.

[Anonymous]

You don't add another grownup to your credit card as it may affect her credit. She sure know how to say 'no'.
What's wrong with her that she cannot figure out what's the best way to do it?
I would charge everything on my own card, but one I rarely use, and then have you pay me back once the statement is due.