Money for groceries/food

Posted by gui (316 days ago)

I'm hiring a helper for the first time, never had one before. She's arriving soon. How do I manage the budget for marketing/groceries? Do I give her a lump sum and ask her to work within that budget? Does she have to keep all receipts? When she purchases food at the wet market, it will be hard to keep track of how much is being spent....

Advice appreciated, thanks!

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Posted by Moppet (316 days ago)

I do all main shopping on line with Park and shop so there is only fresh foods to get each week. I buy fresh fruit and veg plus fish and chicken from Park and shop every few days (only buy non china products) so my helper has reciepts. I guess if i was using wet markets i would have to trust my helper or else go myself to anywhere they don't provide a receipt. I provide cash each time my helper gores to the store for me and are given the receipt and change on her return.

Posted by Katetam (315 days ago)

I give my helper $ 500 for the wet market and tell her it's good for 5 days. I do the shopping with her at supermarkets as the bill is a lot bigger. She mainly buys the vegetables, and fish/seafood from the market.

Even at the wet market, they get receipts from the vendors.

I also have a little notebook for my helper to write down what she bought, and how much (in general). I tell her it's not that I don't trust her, but I like to look at the notebook and see how much money she has left, sometimes, I need her to spend petty cash like taxi money with my kids, or paying for some small items when she's out picking my kids from school...etc.

And, it's reasonable to keep the budget within reason for the week!

It's good idea to GO to the wet market with her in the first 2 weeks, so she gets an idea how much you buy for the family, and what kinds of quality of foods you buy, so she can keep along the same line. Also, if she comes home with a huge receipt for something you usually buy for a lot less... then she has to explain to you why.

Seafood is really up and down. I give her a budget to buy certain kinds of fish, so I know when and why we are over budget.

just some ideas! Good luck.

Posted by ldsllvn (315 days ago)

I think the best way to do it is to keep a book for her to write all expenses in it as Katetam said. Give her cash if and when it runs out but make sure she keeps receipts and writes it all down in the book - this way you know exactly where money is gone. I think trying to get her to stick to a budget is a difficult one - she might end up buying cheaper and hence lesser quality products - is this what you want? I dont ask for receipts from the market - but she writes down herself how much it was - as long as it looks reasonable, I am not too paranoid about it..

Posted by Katetam (315 days ago)

With my helper now of almost 6 years.... we don't ask much anymore. But my suggestion of getting receipts from wet market is a good idea for a first time helper hire. The prices from wet market can range widely....

Posted by -sa (315 days ago)

Hi, I am hiring a helper for the first time too and have a couple of questions about groceries and food.

I am a vegetarian- no meat, seafood or fish, our helper is not. We (helper and I) are both comfortable to share our food-spices(mostly Indian)/ fruits/ drinks/ any other food but I realise she would want to have fish etc (she is Filipino). I was thinking of giving her some allowance for buying any meat or fish if she wishes to Or should I just make it a part of the budget? How much would be the right amount per week or per month?

I am not too keen on giving her a completely separate allowance for food, as our kitchen is a little tight and seems like it would cause too much trouble keeping things separate. But I am happy to change my mind if I get convincing advice thats strongly for it.