Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny/household manager here. I do the grocery shopping and household related errands. The family I work for gave me a credit card in my name linked to their account for all work related purchases. It is so much easier than keeping track of petty cash or reimbursement. I keep all of the receipts in a mini pocket folder at their house. Additionally, it is a good way to build trust with your nanny.

Thank you, this sounds like a good system. You are correct--it is an issue of trust. My nanny is a bit of a compulsive shopper so I have held off until now to give her access to plastic.

Does she buy things with your money that she shouldn't buy?

Yes. She likes to buy toys, candy and other cheap knickknacks for DC.

As others would say, I would give her either a credit card or cash to use. It's really not fair to ask her to front the cost of groceries for your entire family because it puts her in the awkward position of either having to admit to you at times that she doesn't have enough money to cover it or her having to float the difference between the time she buys the groceries and you reimburse her. If you're worried about her spending, just require that she give you the receipt after each purchase. And if there are certain budget issues you want her to be aware of like that you want her to buy the off-brand instead of the name brand to save money, make her aware of that. I've also known employers in these situations who took their nanny grocery shopping with them once or twice at the start so she could see how you like the shopping done/items bought.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny/household manager here. I do the grocery shopping and household related errands. The family I work for gave me a credit card in my name linked to their account for all work related purchases. It is so much easier than keeping track of petty cash or reimbursement. I keep all of the receipts in a mini pocket folder at their house. Additionally, it is a good way to build trust with your nanny.

Thank you, this sounds like a good system. You are correct--it is an issue of trust. My nanny is a bit of a compulsive shopper so I have held off until now to give her access to plastic.

Does she buy things with your money that she shouldn't buy?

We use one of the Visa Greendot prepaid cards. We reload money each week and you don't have to use anyone's credit.

I wanted to go the credit card route but there was no way to put a limit on it. So we have just been providing her with cash for all purchases and expenses.

I'm going to look into the bluebird thing though as that sounds like a great option. Thanks!!

We gave our nanny a credit card (with her name on it of course)

We use peapod pickup where our nanny drives up to the store and the groceries are pre-selected and pre-paid and loaded into the trunk. We've also done pre-paid store cards.

I really don't get how people are handing over credit cards that are not in the nanny's name - so many things can go wrong, it's probably a violation of the T&C of your card so your fraud protection probably won't cover you if there's a problem even if isn't your nanny's fault, but still happened while the card was in her possession.

A simple alternative is preloaded, refillable gift cards to the grocery store where you shop. Whole Foods and Walmart both have them. That, or you simply Venmo a base sum of grocery funds at the beginning of the week and all amounts over that are reimbursed with receipt.

She doesn't pay out of her pocket. How could she possibly have enough money to buy your family's groceries? I use mom boss's credit card

I gave her a credit card. If I can trust her with my kids I can trust her with a credit card. Sometimes if she's at Target or something she will pick some things up for herself and just put it on our card, highlight it on the receipt, and leave a check. Works for everyone.