Credit Card?

[Anonymous]

I didn't know where to post this but since it relates to child care, I thought I'd post it here.

My 18yr SD recently moved in with us. She is wonderful with the kids (8 and 5). She is always willing to pitch in with chores when necessary. I normally finish with work by 3:30. I work from home. Today at 3:30, I realized I really just needed a few more hours to finish up and it would make a huge difference. I was muttering about going to pick the kids up from camp when she said she wasn't doing anything and would be happy to go pick them up. After pick up she texted me that the kids had a great day at camp, wanted to go out for dinner. Could she take them? Yes, of course! Then the text came saying they were going to the park and out for ice cream. Lovely!!

When she got home, I realized I hadn't given her any money for dinner or ice cream. My SD is very responsible and I don't expect that she would ever abuse a credit card. I also worry about her getting stranded on the highway and not having enough money--with or without the little kids. How do you handle money for the nanny? Our kids were in daycare and having a non-parent have the ability to take the kids out and about is new territory. Since she's also our daughter I don't expect a full accounting a receipts and it would be okay if she used it occasionally to go out to dinner or the movies with her friends. If there ever was cc abuse, we would deal with it as any parent would.

[Anonymous]

This really shouldn't be in the nanny forum. She's your daughter, not your employee.

[Anonymous]

https://serve.com/

[Anonymous]

How about those pre-paid mastercard/visa gift cards. If you get them from the credit card, you may be able to add $$ to them when the balance is low. This way, you don't have to keep buying additional cards.

Another option is to get a credit card for SD with a low credit line and just pay credit card bill when it comes. This way, she would be building a credit history.

Sounds lovely to have someone like that who can help out in this manner.

[Anonymous]

Your daughter is old enough to handle a credit card and benefit from the protection they provide vs. a debit card. And this is a great time to teach them how to manage credit and bank accounts. When our son was 18, we opened a Wells college checking account for him which also came with a debit card, savings account and credit card option. The credit card limit starts low and then they increase it with time. We also have a Wells account and can easily transfer money to his account (we chose his savings) as necessary. He then transfers the amount to pay his credit card every month. The nice thing about this Wells package is that it is his credit card and we are not co-signers. We also can view and send transfers to his account but he cannot access ours. There is also no annual fee for the credit card. There might have been a monthly fee if the account dips below a minimum, however. I would do this for our nanny but she prefers a petty cash arrangement because she is a self-described shopaholic.

[Anonymous]

Get her a credit card with a limit - that is strange you have not already. It also helps her build credit for the future.