I have two household employees right now who need access to our money: our nanny and a mother's helper who runs a lot of errands for us.

I gave our nanny a credit/debit card attached to a new checking account. I keep about $300 in it, and I can see where it's spent.

I would have gotten a card for the mother's helper, but she is only going to be with us for a few months, so I just give her cash.

They are both great about bringing me the receipts.

Our current nanny cannot cope with the petty cash at all. We have never had problems before, but the current nanny just isn't organised about keeping receipts/a little log of expenses. After it got messed up once, I started a new page and wrote down the amount I'd put in. Then the same thing happened again, and *then* she pretended to lose it! I knew she was lying because she had a tote bag lying around and it was quite obviously in there near the top of all her stuff. So we ended up out about 30 bucks, I estimate. I didn't call her out for lying but I've told her in future she needs to ask for money for specific items or submit receipts for reimbursement. Such a disappointment that it was handled so poorly, it means I don't trust her as much any more and am considering letting her go.

My NF gave me $200 cash to use as needed on the children, I do not give them receipts or detail how the money is spent. I have not used the $200 yet but when it runs out I will let them know. There is also an envelope with another $50-100 or so that I have yet to use.

Our nanny has a credit card to use for groceries and incidentals. She has been with us for many years and has never abused it. Prior to this, we had a notebook where she wrote down what she had spent during the week and I reimbursed her on payday.

I would not get into extending the use of my own money. That's seems somewhat bizarre to me. If a family expected me to do that, I'd consider it a red flag. But that's just me.

Anonymous wrote:$20-40 should be plenty for infants.

I agree.

I do shopping for my employers. I would usually just spend my own money and ask to be reimbursed when it totaled more than $50. If they need groceries or kid stuff, I just go out and buy it. If I was planning on spending more than $75 on a shopping trip, I asked for cash in advance.

Now, I have one of their credit cards and it has simplified things. I ask before buying things like new shoes or paying a contractor that came to the house while I was there. I don't ask before buying groceries, a meal out or diapers.

$20-40 should be plenty for infants.

we leave $20 when I recall it. but nanny uses little. I expect her to feed the kids our food from the house and kids are little so I don't want extra treats bought anyway. we live in suburbs so she drives, not metro. tickets for train at the park or occassional parking for a bigger trip. Mostly though things that require fees or parking cost I prefer be once in awhile stuff and that she use the free stuff for most of the time.

I'd like to give my nanny a petty cash account but she loves to shop ( especially if something is on sale) and is constantly bringing home stuffed animals, t-shirts, holiday knick-knacks and other impulse purchases whenever she has access to cash. So I just give her what she needs for the day's activities.

We don't, but we have an infant. However, it is in our contract that if the nanny wants to buy anything reasonable, we will pay for it in advance or reimburse her with receipts.

I'm in a share with two infants, what I did was have both families buy memberships to different museums/zoos that I could take the babies too besides all thr free activities. They also split a monthly transit pass and gas/miles if I drive. I've never expected them to pay for my meals so I take care of it myself (although I wish they would offer once in awhile since I do share my food with the kids). I normally give receipts when I buy the kids supplies or take them somewhere special but I always ask in advance. I think $50 is a good amount to leave for such young infants especially if the metro pass and memberships are already given. She shouldn't need to use it much unless she is constantly taking them to drop in classes etc but you can always just make a list of acceptable places to take the babies and ask her to tell you inadvance of special places or supplies she needs.

Just try to imagine a mom out and about with her kid. Do you think she'd want to be penny-less? Sure, maybe I could use my own $$ and submit receipts, but really? If a want a bagel or juice, my jobs always have offered to pay for that. For most families it's a token of gratitude. "We love how you care for our child. We want you to have whatever you want." Of course, within reason.

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!).

It depends on your neighborhood and your nanny. Things I buy:

If we do something touristy, I let them choose a postcard on which I write their favorite thing about that activity or place and we mail it home
If we are out during mealtimes, I will sometimes buy something to eat. I usually pack food, but a drink or a fun snack can be a fun break once in a while
If there is a ride (mini trains or carousels), I might buy them tickets
If we pass a store with something I know they need (like socks; DC's are always running low on socks) I might buy some to save MB time on weekends.
Some activities cost money, or are seeking a donation.
If we go to a museum and they are really interested in a certain exhibit, I usually buy an on-topic book in the museum gift shop to encourage them to learn more while their interest is still piqued.

We're in a share and usually leave her with $20 a piece. She doesn't spend it much or often so it lasts a long time. Occasionally they will go to the rec room or get a small treat or lunch or something. Most of the activities in our area are free so it's just for fun stuff. I try to remember every so often to ask if she needs more.