Another cell phone question

[Anonymous]

when my AP arrived, I offered her a basic phone or a smart phone to use for her phone here. I said that if she wanted a smart phone that she would have to pay the data charge on it (separate $30/mo charge). She agreed to that...

Is that still fair? How do I ask for august's charges..."The bill is here and I need the money from you?"

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I would simply tell her that your Cell Phone charges for August were XX.XX. Would you like to pay me that in cash or would you prefer I withhold that amount from your next pay check?

[Anonymous]

Is it the same amount ($30.00) every month?

[Anonymous]

It's fair and you would just need to ask her each month. That seems obvious though, so is there a bigger issue? Do you feel awkward asking her? Do you think she didn't understand?

[Anonymous]

If this is going to be uncomfortable for you, then you need to set up a system now so you don't feel this way every month. The easiest is to withhold 1/4 of it from each paycheck. Ask if she's ok with that after this first month and start ASAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it the same amount ($30.00) every month?

OP?

[Anonymous]

Yes, 30 each month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would simply tell her that your Cell Phone charges for August were XX.XX. Would you like to pay me that in cash or would you prefer I withhold that amount from your next pay check?

Caution on withholding from paycheck: Although this is the most convenient way to handle this situation, and probably a lot less awkward than having her give you $ each month, it is actually not allowed per state department regulations. A host family is NEVER allowed to withhold a paycheck, for any reason. If any issues ever come up, it does not look good that you have "withheld" from the stipend (even if the amount of money that changes hands would be the same, and of course the AP is simply paying you back for a service she wishes to purchase, and choosing to do it in this manner).