Petty Cash

[Anonymous]

Hi,
We are setting up a nanny share that will start in August and I had a question about petty cash. Basically, I want to know how much families leave, and how they arrived at the figure. Both babies will be 4 months old when the share starts, so I see the cash to be used more for metro fare or maybe to grab some quick food while out with the kids.
Any ideas or formulas used would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I receive $100. in an envelope. I leave the receipts in the envelope.
I work with twins, and would not agree to take two babies that young on the metro, but I do drive them.

[Anonymous]

100.00 a week, or just 100.00 until the cash runs out?

[Anonymous]

Until it runs out. But you don't want to leave her with nothing. Have you asked her how much she thinks she needs?

[Anonymous]

My MB and I talk ahead of time if I'll need money for something especially (vitamins, shampoo, diapers, etc.), so I normally have $20 petty cash - until it runs out - for smaller incidentals.

[Anonymous]

Live out nanny. We pay for a monthly mass transit pass, which our nanny uses to get to and from work, but also all around the city with our child (which is why we pay for it). We put $100 in the envelope at a time, and if we notice it's under $10 or the nanny leaves a note at the end of the day saying something like, "Supposed to be beautiful tomorrow - thinking of zooing it up!" I'll make sure to put in money for the zoo, paperclip it and put a post-it on saying "Zoo dollars".

[Anonymous]

The nanny does need to get out and do fun stuff with your kids. Imagine a parent cooped up all day. Not a good idea. But no malls please.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the info.
We are not starting the share until August, so we do not even have the nanny picked out yet. Just trying to get our minds around how to best support her and her time with our kiddos.
As for the PP who mentioned only using the car, we live in DC right by a metro and I imagine that things she would be doing; library story hours, park visits... would be easier with the metro.

[Anonymous]

I have to admit - giving petty cash never occurred to me. I am in a share with two 1 year olds. Seeing as the nanny walks everywhere with the kids, and isn't buying anything for them while they are out, should I still be doing petty cash, and if so, for what types of items? Sorry to hijack the PP's thread, but I think my questions are germane to the topic at hand (I hope!).

[Anonymous]

I don't do petty cash but I do give the nanny money if they need some for that day for food, parking, souvenirs or activities. She gives me any receipts she gets and the change.

[Anonymous]

Every MB has always left me with plenty of cash, for anything I might want, for myself or the kids. I leave the receipts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every MB has always left me with plenty of cash, for anything I might want, for myself or the kids. I leave the receipts.

That doesn't answer OP's question.

[Anonymous]

We usually keep $40 or so for petty cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every MB has always left me with plenty of cash, for anything I might want, for myself or the kids. I leave the receipts.

That doesn't answer OP's question.

Thanks, n.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit - giving petty cash never occurred to me. I am in a share with two 1 year olds. Seeing as the nanny walks everywhere with the kids, and isn't buying anything for them while they are out, should I still be doing petty cash, and if so, for what types of items? Sorry to hijack the PP's thread, but I think my questions are germane to the topic at hand (I hope!).

I think with the kids so young maybe it's not necessary now, but when they're older, enough to point out things they want, request to get an ice cream while on a walk, etc., it may make sense then.