Posted by
Submariner
18 yrs ago
Our part-time helper has asked us for a budget of $500/week for household items and groceries.
In terms of groceries, she cooks dinner five days/week for 2 people with enough leftovers for lunch. Meals usually consist of 2 dishes (one vegetable, one meat).
Does this budget sound reasonable or should I be keeping a closer eye on the receipts?
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TC
18 yrs ago
What would you spend yourself? If she is only at the stage of asking you for a budget you must have some idea of what you are already spending.
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@@
18 yrs ago
I personally couldn't live on $500 per week for 10 meals (5 x lunch/dinner) and household items.
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Good to hear that the amount is in the right ballpark. We don't cook, so if we didnt have our helper, we'd be eating out every day. So in that sense, our arrangement is a pretty good deal. We just dont want to be bothered with checking receipts, so as long as we're not being fleeced, we're ok with her keeping any small change at the end of the month.
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Double Posted ... forum is a bit glitchy
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We are 3 adults (including helper) and 2 toddlers.
When our helper started with us over 2 years ago, I would give her small amounts, 100-200 every 2-3 days for the grocery shopping. After checking for a few months, we found out that on average she would spend HKD500.00/week for food and basic household items.
So now we give her HKD500.00 at the beginning of each week, sometimes she'll spend it all in the week (if she needs to buy baby wipes or cat litter) for instance, sometimes she doesn't and the change is carried forward for the next week. We (husband and I) usually do a big grocery shopping for beverages, canned food, nappies etc every 2-3 weeks.
But still she keeps all receipts and write down a detailed report of the spending. She also uses these weekly budgets to put money on her Octopus + units for her phone (for local phone calls).
I actually never check the 'account book' but since she very seldom asks for extra money to 'finish off' the week, am happy about it. Of course if we have a party and I ask her to cook something special, I will always ask her whether she needs extra money since it is 'unusual expenses'.
I really like it this way, it is easier for me, and it gives her responsibility and flexibility.
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Nuri
18 yrs ago
I don't like giving money and comparing bills with expenditures. Instead, I do major grocery shopping every Saturday, and during the week my DH monitors what extras we need. For example, when I come back from work, she gives a list of things (usually 2-3 items). I give her approximate amount of money, she shops and brings the change. Both of us find it very convenient.
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I still remember when I tried this with my maid, assumming that she knows what to do with the marketing (she worked here 2 years before) so I gave her money and a notebook, and I told her to buy stuffs that we dont have at home, like bread etc etc...daily needs, and I asked her to keep the receipts. I go shopping for delivery every two weeks for major shopping.
After 2 weeks I asked her to present me the notebook, and I was shocked becuase all I can see is a messy notebook and the only date I can see is the date I gave her the money, and then everytime she go for shopping she just write on top, "yesterday" ....."yesterday"....I asked her what date is this yesterday? and she said the day when she went for shopping......I was so shocked that she never asked me what to do with the notebook when I gave her.....I didnt know that she dont know how to make a list for expenses, and its just a very minor expenses. From then on i never give her money anymore. And I also found out that she was taking the points from the moneyback machine at Park N shop and was not deducting it from the household money I am giving her.
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Keep it simple so she isn't your book-keeper.
$500 sounds about right - feeding 3 adult and a toddler for that is reasonable.
Petty cash can become "petty"
I budget 400/week for my lunch, getting to and from work etc. At the end of the week I know if I've over-spent or under-spent.
But it wuold be really inconvenient and annoying to docket everything.
And remember, sometimes there aceahp weeks, more expensive ones so if she spends 300 one week, 645 the next, 420 another and it averages out at 500-ish for the household, then like you said you would feel comfortable and satisfied
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wow, 500 a week is good for this expensive town if you can manage it. Soudns like she is doing a good job and being conservative with your money.
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