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[quote=Anonymous]Our au pair has about 3 more months left in the US. She’s a pretty typical 23 year old - spends her stipend on normal consumer stuff (clothes, Starbucks, Apple electronics, etc.). I am pretty sure she has nothing saved. She often asks us to pay her stipend days or even a week early so she can do something like go to the movies. I don’t believe she’s in debt, but she’s not building any financial security either.

My sense is that unlike other au pairs who return home, she doesn’t have much of a safety net. She’s planning on crashing with friends and looking for a job. Her country does not have great prospects for a woman with limited experience and no education past a “high school” equivalent.

We pay her $200/week. We’ve given cash bonuses along the way, cash for holidays/bday and paid a medical bill when she was in a jam. But it’s not a matter of paying her more - if she has it, she’ll spend it. Should I talk to her about saving?  Should I set aside some amount, say $25 or $50 a week (beyond her stipend of course) and then give it to her when she’s leaving the country and tell her it’s for savings?  Or just myob. My sense is she always lands in her feet, but seems like a shame to not use this time to build up a little security. She has zero family support.

Anyone experience something similar?[/quote]

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