Where my pay goes

[Anonymous]

What would make my day is if we could have this be a conversation for once and not a debate. Everyone knows that there is a disconnect between pay and COL. No one is blaming, at least none of us reasonable and sane people. Are we ready to talk about how we can work together to address it?

[Anonymous]

This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I like that some of you are referring us to real numbers. I suspect there are a couple college educated nannies on the thread who are making that happen

I am not sure there is an answer. there is a a morally responsible way to respond to the facts and that is to pay any domestic worker a living wage as the starting point. However, I am not sure whether the employers on this board are public interest minded, or morally responsible. I can't say whether they think about the ripple effect of their salary decisions or turn the other cheek because they don't want to know and can't bear to know that the nanny is working full time and still going to bed hungry.

Lastly, I can't decide whether I was irresponsible to start a conversation like this. I feel emotionally burdened just reading through it. In a different world I would have offered up something more then a soon to disappear thread on an anonymous forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.

Cable?! Have you even read the thread? Yes, about 120 thousand people do meet the federal poverty line in a DC. I would rather earn my pay then benefit from your tax dollars by joining the crowd. Point to a single instance of OP citing bad or evil MBs! The suggestion that OP does not earn her rates, but relies on sympathy, is ludicrous. That is the going rate for DC. That is the rate at which other MBs will shame another parent for paying a dime more. It is also the rate at which employers will call you all sorts of lurid names if you attempt to ask for better. Have you not read any thread on DCUM?

[Anonymous]

The "living wage" for Arlington, we're I live, is $13.22 according to the M.I.T. calculator (IKEA uses this now to determine their wages). So at least $15/hr meets that standard but not by much.

[Anonymous]

Health insurance is nessasary. My insurance costs 100 per month and I am in my 30's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.

BOOOOOOO! No mention of blaming or evil or bad MBs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "living wage" for Arlington, we're I live, is $13.22 according to the M.I.T. calculator (IKEA uses this now to determine their wages). So at least $15/hr meets that standard but not by much.

Also from the M.I.T calculator site (http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/51013) it's interesting to note the kind of jobs that pay $15/hr or less. These include:

Sales and Related
Office and Administrative Support
Farming, Fishing and Forestry
Production
Transportation and Material Moving
Healthcare Support

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.

I think you are trying to argue that pay should not be connected to cost of living. Seems like an argument that is quite antiquated considering cost of living is often the basis for salary increases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9:37 is trying to start trouble, but I do see ways OP can save.

OP, get 1 roommate. That could easily save you $500/mo.
Metro I can't comment on because I drive to work.
Shop around for health insurance. Mine is less than $200/mo. Is it the best plan in the world? Definitely not. But it's enough in an emergency and covers a few basic dr. Visits.

Do you pay for your premium through your workplace? I use the exchange. At $250 it is the best rate you will find for an individual.

No, my insurance is not through work. I found the plan on my own, and found similar plans through the exchange. I believe mine is about $150 per month. It is very no frills. However, I don't see the point in paying extra per month for vision when I can go to walmart and get an eye exam for about $50. Certainly don't need to do that more than once a year. Dental as well. Without insurance, a cleaning plus exam was less than $200 for me. Much cheaper to pay out of pocket for those things vs going through insurance.

Also, I was not suggesting OP share her one bedroom. I live in a large 2 bedroom, 2 bath apt. Safe, good amenities, metro bus access. Great area. With utilities, I pay about $1000 per month. That includes a large cable and Internet package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This thread is embarrassing for you, OP, and for every nanny who engages in over sharing her personal finances to guilt parents into paying above market rates. This is not the way to earn higher rates.

Your problem is not bad, evil MBs who don't care about you. Your problem is you have chosen a profession that is flooded with people who will work for a variety of rates and who have no particular way to distinguish themselves in a way that automatically commands higher rates.

It's true that you only need one family to accept an above market rate to employ you and I absolutely think nannies should market themselves to parents as exceptional nannies who are worth high rates.

But don't do it by claiming you should make more because you have a cable bill to pay. You chose to live in a high COL area in a low skill profession. Thousands of people make it work here on less than you make. Your expected benefits are really good and your PTO and other perks may well be equal to your employers, so sympathy rates won't work.

And you don't need sympathy pay. You need pay rates based on your skills and dedication. Focus on that and ask for the rate you deserve at every interview.



Cable?! Have you even read the thread? Yes, about 120 thousand people do meet the federal poverty line in a DC. I would rather earn my pay then benefit from your tax dollars by joining the crowd. Point to a single instance of OP citing bad or evil MBs! The suggestion that OP does not earn her rates, but relies on sympathy, is ludicrous. That is the going rate for DC. That is the rate at which other MBs will shame another parent for paying a dime more. It is also the rate at which employers will call you all sorts of lurid names if you attempt to ask for better. Have you not read any thread on DCUM?

Of course I read the thread, but I'm pretty sure you didn't, or you're not particularly swift.

Are you really that naive that you fail to recognize what the OP is doing? She is absolutely indicting MBs for not paying her more and by sharing her expenses is absolutely trying to play on the sympathies of potential MBs and nannies. And she was sort of successful, supported by later PPS who talk about human rights and such.

Total smokescreen.

As for your other point. Wow, you are paranoid if you think any parent shames another about what they pay. Doesn't happen. Parents pay what they want to get the nanny they want for the job they want. The best thing a nanny can do is to make sure she is valuable, worth her rate, with specific examples.

Finally, I never suggested that OP didn't earn her rates. What I said was she was justifying her rates based on a sympathy case. She doesn't need to do that and she is debased if she does that.

In every negotiation, approach from a position of strength.

[Anonymous]

I employ a full-time nanny.

Just so you know, at age 32, I was working two jobs and had already had a master's degree. I was paying $1000 to rent a room in a nice townhouse walking distance from the metro.

If you are a nanny and you are paying $1500 for an apartment, maybe it is time to get a roommate or another job.

[Anonymous]

There are two issues actually. The first is what pay is reasonable to ask and the second is what pay is reasonable to offer. There are also two ways to approach those questions. The first is what amount is just and reasonable and the second is what you can get away with. There are also two political parties in congress...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I employ a full-time nanny.

Just so you know, at age 32, I was working two jobs and had already had a master's degree. I was paying $1000 to rent a room in a nice townhouse walking distance from the metro.

If you are a nanny and you are paying $1500 for an apartment, maybe it is time to get a roommate or another job.

And time for another kid to get another nanny....
Lovely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I employ a full-time nanny.

Just so you know, at age 32, I was working two jobs and had already had a master's degree. I was paying $1000 to rent a room in a nice townhouse walking distance from the metro.

If you are a nanny and you are paying $1500 for an apartment, maybe it is time to get a roommate or another job.

Yes, and in three years rents have gone up $400 in Silver Spring. Just because you are right does not prevent someone else, with competing experience, from also being right. Your $1000 apartment back when you were 32 and lived in an apartment by the metro does not go that cheap anymore.