Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: mcmich on October 15, 2012, 06:35:26 am

Title: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 15, 2012, 06:35:26 am
My 19yr old step daughter is about to move home with us. She will be in the granny flat.
I was wondering what the going rate for board is and what does it include?
I think I charged my son $60 a couple of years ago when he was living at home.
She works at a local real estate agent and is going to taffe so I think she only earns a basic wage.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: cookie1 on October 15, 2012, 06:56:04 am
Will she be eating with you Michele? Will she be doing her own washing and ironing?
I guess the best thing would be to sit down with her and discuss it.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 15, 2012, 07:06:47 am
She will be doing her own washing and ironing, there is a laundry space in the granny flat with a washer and dryer. Buying her own toiletries and doing for the most part her own cooking. Although as she loves to cook and DH works evenings, I thought we could cook together and she will be company.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: cookie1 on October 15, 2012, 07:07:45 am
That sounds nice, and sensible too.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: judydawn on October 15, 2012, 07:26:20 am
We always paid 1/3 of our wage but that included food and washing etc and besides that, it was way back in the dim, dark ages almost 50 years ago when I started off on a wage of 5 pound 1 shilling a week :-))  I'm sure things have changed.  I have completely forgotten how much my girls paid when they were at home which would have been a better figure to quote but still over 20 years ago. You will get much better answers from those on here with teenage children Michele and hopefully both you and SD will be happy with it.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Yvette on October 15, 2012, 07:53:12 am
I used to charge mine $50 but they ate with us.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 15, 2012, 08:41:06 am
Thanks ladies. So what I want is to make her have a taste of reality, be responsible and pay her way without crippling her financially.
My son and his girlfriend pay Sydney prices to rent a studio/granny flat. Our granny flat is very spacious in comparison.
So will take Cookies advice and have a chat to her with DH present (so I don't end up being too much of the wicked stepmother) and see what each of our expections are?

Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: CreamPuff63 on October 15, 2012, 09:06:39 am
DD24 lives with us and has a job. She pays for her personal toiletries and bills and pays rent of $50 per week. I think I would have put it up to $100 if she hadn't bought herself an apartment earlier this year.  She is moving out for 6 months as part of the 1st home buyers and may or may not move back depending on how she can manage financially with the mortgage and little incoming rent proceeds. It's good to charge them a reasonable rate even tho it wont cover the cost of having them home, otherwise they will get a huge shock when they move out and you want to instil some sort of budgeting skills so they can cope.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 15, 2012, 09:16:27 am
Exactly CP. I want Kate to have the responsibility of paying her own way but she isn't earning a lot. Doesn't matter where you live you need to pay your way and there are rules. I remember talking to your DD on retreat and she was saying how she had a foot in the market. So good. My DD and SIL bought their first home on the same scheme. All a learning curve for them.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Kimmyh on October 15, 2012, 10:29:14 am
I paid $40 but that was 10yrs ago. It was put in place purely as a responsibility thing and helped me learn to budget and save. My DH's mum charged 1/3 of wages.  She banked this and gave it back to him as a house deposit when we got engaged.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: snappy on October 15, 2012, 10:31:33 am
I think $50 is reasonable mcmich.  Especially if she is doing her own washing and buying all her own toiletries.  You want to give her the opportunity to save a bit whilst she is living with you so that later she has the money for a rental bond later.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: obbie on October 15, 2012, 10:42:20 am
Michelle, you are so good to your step daughter.

Its cheap compared to the real world of renting, electricity, insurance, food, ect. :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: gertbysea on October 15, 2012, 10:42:54 am
I would charge her at least $70 a week. When she goes I would give her a gift of $20 X however many weeks . Then she will learn how much a saving of $20 a week can be. 5 cups of coffee at a takeaway can be    $20 a week .  Discuss it with her dad before hand and see if he agrees.  She will grateful for the money and the lesson believe me. Definitely do not tell her you are doing it.

Gert

Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: consumerate on October 15, 2012, 10:43:10 am
My older siblings were never reliable enough to actually pay board so in the end they were allocated bills to pay. I think one paid electricity and the other paid the phone bill. I lived in mum and dad's house for three years while they were interstate. I paid all of the bills for the house but didn't pay any rent. I was at uni at the time. So I suppose, there are all manner of ways you could do it. Just try and figure out what will work best for everyone.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: kt2 on October 15, 2012, 01:08:39 pm
When I got my first job at 14 or 15, I started paying board but in the same way consumerate did with electricity, gas and my phone usage. I remember they all had cards which you could put money on to at the post office and then when the bill was due the amount I had paid was taken off the account. It worked really well as some weeks you could pay more on to these cards than others. Gosh, it's amazing to think how far technology has come since then.... Paying bills at the post office was a weekly task, now there's Internet banking etc. (oh dear, I sound like my mother speaking!  :P :-)))
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Greyhoundmum on October 15, 2012, 01:50:19 pm
Wow this thread is an eye opener. My daughter who is at uni pays nothing and does nothing! My daughter who is an apprentice pays nothing but buys all her own things. My daughter did offer, but my DH said no she is on a very minimum wage. I would rather they just help out from time to time, they don't do that either!
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Mama Fergie on October 15, 2012, 02:07:35 pm
I have to say that we have never taken board from any of our children and each of them lived at home until they married.
It didn't do them any harm as they all got into the property market with their savings and are all very responsible parents now.
My DH always said time enough when they are out on their own .They all went to Uni apart from one who went to a private college for her qualification. They bought their own clothes and paid for their other expenses from the money they earned and sometimes took us out for dinner or did some grocery shopping. Every family does things differently and so long as it works then it's a success either way. :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mmsie on October 15, 2012, 02:32:53 pm
It's a good post Michelle, amazing how different the opinions are! I paid when I was a t college and had a job and when I came back for a summer here and there. I paid $50 a week but that was 10 years ago.
I think she need to learn about paying her way and budgeting, no matter how little she earns. I really like Gerts idea of $70 but gifting her the $20 per week when she moves out. It is a good suggestion and would cover her bond on a rental - if you don't tell her now at a later date it could be a great bargaining tool to prize her out the door LOL!
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: jeninwa on October 15, 2012, 02:49:02 pm
My son pays $150.00 a week, $50 is put into an interest bearing account for when he moves out again :)
He offered to pay that amount, when he moved back in again,  does his own washing and ironing. Cooks a meal occasionally.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: droverjess on October 15, 2012, 10:43:00 pm
My DD away on first job in first single flat pays over £600 per month for rent plus food and bills, and a car, she is broke as it is an expensive area and on a starter salary.
As students living at home and working In summer, I took £25 for food only  so they could save for next step. If didn't like food on offer buy your own. Do own washing etc. help with cooking/housework/ washing up etc. worked fine this summer til DD did her ankle and couldn't do anything for two weeks.

If DD comes back IDC because of moving jobs, or unable to afford where she is now then the rent will be higher. More like £75 week.
Real life is certainly a shock to them.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: deedub on October 16, 2012, 05:14:06 am
I never paid board - my dad once suggested it, but soon shut up when I told him he could do his own cooking, cleaning & washing! My mum died when I was 18, and being the eldest girl of course I was expected to do all the housework, while studying full time & working part time. (My older brother did absolutely nothing). Left home when I was 20, couldn't get out of there quick enough!
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Yvette on October 16, 2012, 05:18:38 am
My oldest DD paid board.

Middle child DD 22 pays $200 per week to pay off her car. $100 per week travel fund and $150 per week house fund that includes her $50 board I said if she banks it into a house fund she doesn't have to officially pay board. She is also banking extra into the travel fund so she can live abroad next year.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 16, 2012, 07:29:27 am
Thankyou for all your ideas and advice.
I charged my DS $60 a couple of years ago and gave him back 50% when he left home. He was very grateful for the money as it paid his taffe fees and books and uniforms for the year.

I had always intended to do the same for DSD.
As she has an entire granny flat, not just a room in the house, I think somewhere between $60 - $70 would be fair. I don't know exactly what she earns, although this should leave her enough for girly essentials, car expenses and save a bit.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: cookie1 on October 16, 2012, 10:38:16 am
DD pays $50 but often buys us gifts. Then when we are away she picks up all bills, with the exception of house and contents insurance and car licenses. She also spoils me when we go away and I often get free nights accommodation or breakfast for free at the hotel we stay at. I guess the thing is we are all happy. She has bought her block and like CP's DD saving madly to build n the block.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 16, 2012, 10:55:16 am
I don't pay board but I do a lot of the housework. I also contribute to the grocery bills, and if I do extra hours at work and get a really good pay I will give mum $100 or so. I have also paid for all my own college fees this year and last year.

 :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: obbie on October 16, 2012, 11:02:22 am
Amy, I love you.. :-* :-* :-*

You would be the perfect daughter, you cook all the time, clean and are so wonderful.

also, our youngest forum member, who is so much fun...
 three cheers for Amy.... :D :D :D :D

You can have me for a Aunty
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 16, 2012, 11:04:40 am
Awwww, thanks Robyn, I love you too!! :-* :-*

I'd love to have you as my Aunty :D :D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Mama Fergie on October 16, 2012, 12:03:23 pm
I agree with Robyn  ;D :D  ;D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: *suzanne* on October 16, 2012, 01:33:36 pm
Amy you are a wonderful young lady, so thoughtful and helpful your mum is very lucky as are we on the forum to have you xx

Since DD started full time work she has paid board, previously it was $50pw and now that she has moved into the new addition it is $100pw. she is very good with her money paying of her car also and just came back from Europe for a month so I think it's a good thing teaching them about the 'real' world
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 16, 2012, 01:44:29 pm
Thanks MF and suzanne :-* :-*

I can have lots of lovely forum aunties!! :D :D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: fundj&e on October 16, 2012, 08:32:32 pm
Mich i havnt read all of the pages

i would ask your DSD what she wanted to pay and give her time 2 think about it
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 16, 2012, 08:34:25 pm
I don't think I would charge you board either Amy. You do all the cooking and a lot of cleaning. That would more than make up for board.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Yvette on October 17, 2012, 12:20:43 am
Yes AMy you can come and live at my place and do all the cooking yay  :D :D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: phatassphairy on October 17, 2012, 12:30:55 am
i charge my kids 10% of their wages plus i collect another $20 off them when electricity bill arrives. I do cook and include them but i expect them to buy meat or bread or milk or groceries if i need them on the odd occasion.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: KarenH on October 17, 2012, 08:45:51 am
This is a very interesting thread ....... I can see myself asking for similar advice (but at the other end of the age spectrum) soon regarding pocket money for kids  :P
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: droverjess on October 17, 2012, 08:49:46 am
Amy, you are a treasure. Your work would equal board and lodging in this house too so you could save for your own.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 17, 2012, 08:58:42 am
Amy, you are a treasure. Your work would equal board and lodging in this house too so you could save for your own.


Thanks DJ :-* I truly wish I lived with you because then I could help you through this tough time you are experiencing :-*

Yes AMy you can come and live at my place and do all the cooking yay  :D :D

That would be fun Yvette!! :D :D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: droverjess on October 17, 2012, 10:23:53 am
Thank you Amy very much, I hope your family realise what a priceless treasure you are xxxxxxx
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Kimmyh on October 17, 2012, 12:37:05 pm
Same here KarenH. Just got over the how much for a first tooth hurdle, so hoping pocket money is a few years away yet.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Halex on October 17, 2012, 07:31:37 pm
Mcmich, what have you decided? Is a hard one.

Kids, tooth fairy, pocket money.

Tooth fairy, dh started this off with $10!!!!! So cp gets $10 a tooth!! Way too much.

This holiday he wants everything, now we say if you would like it it comes out of your money, the $100 we gave him for good naplan. He had $110, still as $84 left, he will spend it on lego today.

We ave found you use your money a great idea.

H :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: obbie on October 18, 2012, 05:13:20 am
$10 a tooth..... :o :o  we pay $2 a tooth.

Pocket money we will start next year.
we put $20 away for each child per week. ($1000 year) :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 18, 2012, 05:25:07 am
$10 a tooth..... :o :o  we pay $2 a tooth.

 :o :o :o :o

I used to get 50 cents. Or $1 if I was lucky :-))

But mum was single at that stage, studying full time with only casual work.... so I'm sure I can forgive her :-*

We never got much pocket money either. I used to think that wasn't fair but I understand now :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: *suzanne* on October 18, 2012, 05:31:12 am
$5 for the first tooth and then $2 per tooth there after, pocket money goes by age  11yr old $11, $7yr old $7 and 3yr old $3  if they do their chores if not $1 deducted per missed job, they learn pretty fast and they usually get  a bonus if they have been able to do heir chores without being nagged
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: CreamPuff63 on October 18, 2012, 05:34:18 am
$10 a tooth..... :o :o 

TF used to leave $1-2 when our kids were small. Reading this aloud to DD24 who is going into  day surgery in half an hour to get 4x wisdom teeth out..."ooh, that's pretty good -- imagine how much I would get then!"
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 18, 2012, 05:40:51 am
LOL ;D

Poor DD, good luck to her CP :-*
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: gertbysea on October 18, 2012, 06:11:12 am
I never got pocket money. I started babysitting at  10 earning  50 cents an hour. I used to charge 60 cents an hour for teaching lazy kids to read or learn their times  tables. Do they still do times tables at school?

I had a base rate for baby sitting but added 10 cents and hour extra for each value added task.  I had a chart and hand wrote a menu . No photo copier in those days. I used to make good money. The best was when  the kid went so sleep doing his maths  and I could watch TV.

I charges $15 for cleaning  and polishing a car. Huge money then but there was a lot of chrome to polish and the cars were pretty big .

I also had a paper run at 12 and always took the paper to the door. Especially useful to the subscribers when the SNOW was nearly over my head.Big tips. My sister and I did very well over the years. Our brother 10 years younger than me .........not so much. By  then our parents could afford to spoil him and he never had to hustle.

Gert


There was no tooth fairy in our house.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Yvette on October 18, 2012, 06:13:41 am
Gert yes they still learn times tables  :D :D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: judydawn on October 18, 2012, 06:33:23 am
Tooth fairy, dh started this off with $10!!!!! So cp gets $10 a tooth!! Way too much.
H :)

Some kids would pull their own teeth to get that amount from the tooth fairy Hally  :o
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: deedub on October 18, 2012, 07:12:39 am
Both my kids lost a tooth while we were in Malaysia. The Malaysian tooth fairy pays 10 ringgits (about $3), which is more than the Ozzie one does! They didn't spend their ringgits while we were there, but they love having foreign money to show their friends.
We don't really do pocket money, I'm too forgetful. Every now and then I'll give them a gold coin and call it pocket money which keeps them happy.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 18, 2012, 07:25:30 am
At 15 yrs old, I got my first job in a nursing home. I delivered the morning teas and was a kitchen hand basically.
When the Matron heard I wanted to be a nurse, she had the staff train me to do showers/washes, feeding, cleaning the pan room.
Didn't need police clearances, AIN training etc. My title was Nurses Aide.
My hourly rate was $3.95 an hour.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: gertbysea on October 18, 2012, 07:50:15 am
That was one smart matron. Couldn't be done today.


Gert
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 18, 2012, 07:56:06 am
Absolutely Gert. I was taught very good basic nursing care and that is something lacking in the younger, uni trained nurses today.
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: gertbysea on October 18, 2012, 08:34:58 am
Wot? Hands on nursing! Empty bed bans? Touch a patient never mind a dirty willy?   Didn't go to uni to learn to do THAT!

Mind you mcmich we don't do bedpans  in the operating theatre and the willy's had better be clean!

Gert
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 18, 2012, 08:41:44 am
LOL, Gert. I gladly do the bedpans. Hate urologly - willys (dry wretching).
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Mama Fergie on October 18, 2012, 08:51:06 am
 ;D  ;D ;D
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: mcmich on October 23, 2012, 08:18:35 am
Mcmich, what have you decided? Is a hard one.

H :)

DSD moved in on Saturday and she is paying $60 a week board. As I did for my children I will give her back half when she moves out.
I have hardly seen her though as she has a new beau. I've met him twice and he seems very nice. DH hasn't met him yet.  :)
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: Amy :-) on October 23, 2012, 08:22:47 am
Teenagers... :-))
Title: Re: How much to charge for board?
Post by: *suzanne* on October 23, 2012, 08:50:46 am
Mcmich, what have you decided? Is a hard one.

H :)

DSD moved in on Saturday and she is paying $60 a week board. As I did for my children I will give her back half when she moves out.
I have hardly seen her though as she has a new beau. I've met him twice and he seems very nice. DH hasn't met him yet.  :)

I generally only see my DD when she comes in for dinner, she leaves for work at 5.15am comes home about 3.30 has a nap then dinner then back to her room  ;D