Anonymous wrote:People looking into the aupair program, can look at the stipend history and decide if they want to pursue the program.

“Wow, they haven’t increased that stipend in 10 years. I am going to stay in Germany and be a nanny”

“Wow, they haven’t increased the stipend in 10 years. But, look at what else I get...rent free room in cool USA city. I’m going for it!”

Of course, people make their own decisions based on what is important to them. It doesn't mean that we host parents shouldn't make ethical decisions, just because an 18yr old German girl is ok with it (most likely bc she is so desperate to come to America and eat at Cheesecake Factory). Hopefully you and I have more life experience to make that judgement. Oh, and we've had a salary before and we know the value of money in our own country.

As a host mom, I am stunned that none of you seem to think that this is a problem. Do you also think that it's fine that the minium salary has not increased in 10 years? That a single mom working at minimum wage might not have seen an increase in 10 years? Yes, she has more 'important' expenses, but at the core, it's the same issue. Everything costs more, but salaries have not increased. And you are arguing over $4.25 per week? Do you realize how absurd it looks from the outside?

I absolutely can! And I am after this year. I only used AP program for school age kids and 20-25 hours per week. So, yes, I am about to do it for much cheaper than housing, paying education, car insurance for a 20 year old, etc, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

To the other question about the stipend, I completely agree that the ENTIRE cost of the program is expensive (24k+ for us), but the in-pocket stipend for APs has not increased in 10 years. Cost of living sure has since. Many of us would agree that Federal minimum wage should be increased (but won't under this administration). Short of that, I think it makes sense to offer more that the $200 per week. It's not about creating an 'AP wage war', it's about putting your money where your mouth is.

I am paying the cost of living increase!!! I am housing, feeding, paying for her insurance, gas, phone, internet, other utilities. If AP is in this for the cash then she chose the wrong program. Just like if I am this for cheap professional childcare, I am in the wrong program.

Please. it is exploitative and you know it. You are NOT finding childcare for that cost ANYWHERE in America with a legal worker.

$200 has made all the extra difference to our AP and we now pay $300 p/w. As I and many have said on here as long as the minimum is met you are NOT required to pay anything extra! It is entirely down to your discretion.

Anonymous wrote:I think she has a cheek asking to be honest.
I may have done it just to be nice but once asked that would annoy me and I would say no. Just say it is against the rules and you dont want to break the rules.

Against what rules??

People looking into the aupair program, can look at the stipend history and decide if they want to pursue the program.

“Wow, they haven’t increased that stipend in 10 years. I am going to stay in Germany and be a nanny”

“Wow, they haven’t increased the stipend in 10 years. But, look at what else I get...rent free room in cool USA city. I’m going for it!”

My aupair hasn’t been here for 10 years. She has been here for 4 months on an agreed upon and contractual stipend, room/board, etc. No, with the package we offer, I don’t need to give her a raise after 4 months.

PS I round up for my own personal need for simplicity

Anonymous wrote:Cost of living expense: essential expenses such as payment of mortgage or rent to maintain a dwelling, costs of utilities such as electricity and water services, and expenses for food.

You can slice it any way you want, and judge whether or not this or that is 'living' expense, but the reality is that there ARE the au pairs' expenses, and the budget they have for these has not changed in 10 years. You can justify this any way you want, I am merely stating the facts. If your salary had not increased in 10 years, you would probably feel you are due for a raise too, even if you live in your parents' basement!

APs are less and less interested in American cultural exchange, and more and more interested in just hanging out with each other. Any AP really immersing herself in the culture would find that her American peers aren't blowing through $195.25 a week on themselves.

+1

we actually do pay part of their health insurance.
If we weren't price-gouged by the agency for all their smoke-and-mirrors support services (a miserable $25/mo per AP to the LCC, out of over $600/mo in fees), I'd gladly give the AP a greater chunk of the $24k.
Because consumables do cost more, most of us are more willing to get the sbx gc or whatever. APs are less and less interested in American cultural exchange, and more and more interested in just hanging out with each other. Any AP really immersing herself in the culture would find that her American peers aren't blowing through $195.25 a week on themselves.

Cost of living expense: essential expenses such as payment of mortgage or rent to maintain a dwelling, costs of utilities such as electricity and water services, and expenses for food.

Her transportation to and from activities (bus, train, metro- gas is actually almost the same as 10yrs ago) - she uses our car and we pay gas

- Her travel costs - I consider this extracurricular not living expense. We pay her travel with us

- Any social activities, movies, coffees, restaurants - again, extracurricular not living expense

- Any extra food she may want that you may not be paying for - same as above. Seriously, is her latte a living expense?

- Toiletries and personal hygiene products - I pay for the majority of this

- Health insurance costs - nothing to do with stipend...paid prior to arrival.

Are you serious? I would have been thrilled with $100 (taking 20 years ago into account!) bill free cash per week to spend on my social life. APs have it made...$195 or 200. Our APs travel, buy stuff, eat out, and still go home with a good chunk of cash. If their stipend sucked so much they wouldn’t come here in droves.

Anonymous wrote:

To the other question about the stipend, I completely agree that the ENTIRE cost of the program is expensive (24k+ for us), but the in-pocket stipend for APs has not increased in 10 years. Cost of living sure has since. Many of us would agree that Federal minimum wage should be increased (but won't under this administration). Short of that, I think it makes sense to offer more that the $200 per week. It's not about creating an 'AP wage war', it's about putting your money where your mouth is.

I am paying the cost of living increase!!! I am housing, feeding, paying for her insurance, gas, phone, internet, other utilities. If AP is in this for the cash then she chose the wrong program. Just like if I am this for cheap professional childcare, I am in the wrong program.

Me me me... Yes you are paying for the cost of living increases on your part of the tab. Not on:

- Her transportation to and from activities (bus, train, metro- gas is actually almost the same as 10yrs ago)
- Her travel costs
- Any social activities, movies, coffees, restaurants
- Any extra food she may want that you may not be paying for
- Toiletries and personal hygiene products
- Health insurance costs

I am sure we could add more to this list...

To the other question about the stipend, I completely agree that the ENTIRE cost of the program is expensive (24k+ for us), but the in-pocket stipend for APs has not increased in 10 years. Cost of living sure has since. Many of us would agree that Federal minimum wage should be increased (but won't under this administration). Short of that, I think it makes sense to offer more that the $200 per week. It's not about creating an 'AP wage war', it's about putting your money where your mouth is.

I am paying the cost of living increase!!! I am housing, feeding, paying for her insurance, gas, phone, internet, other utilities. If AP is in this for the cash then she chose the wrong program. Just like if I am this for cheap professional childcare, I am in the wrong program.