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06.02.08, 18:06 PM New York City
69 replies
Nanny question. We offer our nanny what we think is a very generous package (e.g., 55k/year compensation, overtime, etc.) We are fair and considerate employers. Our nanny has a charge card which she may use to purchase items for our child, as well as her own lunch. The understanding we have is that she may spend up to $10/day for lunch. Every month, when I'm reconciling the receipts she submits against the credit card statement, I'm slightly annoyed to find that about 25% of her charges are around $11-12, and that sometimes when she is purchasing food at the grocery store, she will include a bottle of Poland Spring water for $1 or $2 for herself. Is it petty to mention this to her? (The money is immaterial to us.) [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 06.02.08, 06:06 PM Flag
 

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Can I be your nanny? I've got a masters and my salary is only 60K and no one is buying my lunch! I do think it is a respect issue and I'd bring it up with her. She's decided that she knows you've got the money so it doesn't matter [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:07 PM Flag
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np: But that's taking advantage. OP does not have to put up with it. I work and made decent money and still don't spend more than $10 for lunch. That's plenty generous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:11 PM Flag
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Do NOT bring this up with her. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to have lucnh for less than 10 in the city. And it is likely she is buying your kid lunch too asn what should she do, spend $12 on your kids but restrict herself? That would be humiliating. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:11 PM Flag
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np: It's freaking easy to get lunch for less than $10 in the city. I do it every darn day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:13 PM Flag
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where exactly? I've been on maternity leave so frequenting the venues my nanny does..children's museum, museum of nat'l history, CP Zoo. You cannot get lunch at these places for under $10. You can NOT. They do that for a reason. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:15 PM Flag
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There is no lunch to get at children's museum, and plenty of places to eat nearby on Broadway. And why on earth would anyone eat the crap food at CP zoo or AMNH? It's barely edible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:17 PM Flag
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Youre right. You should have your nanny spend the day at the zoo..then hop over to a nasty hot dog vendor for lunch, then go back into the zoo pulling along two kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:40 PM Flag
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We go to CP zoo all the time, and there is no way you spend all day there. 3 hours is the most we can do there. Bronx zoo is another story but CP zoo is no more than half day outing. There are like 10 animals there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:42 PM Flag
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dont get me tsrated on the bronx zoo, or the NY aquarium. i was there yesterday and spent tens of dollars on food and rides. your nuts but i admire your frugalness..however..you would never be so careful if it werent your cash.. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:46 PM Flag
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That's why you should get a membership. Especially when you have kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:21 AM Flag
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how about that stupid grain to feed the animals. you get like 2 kernels for 50 cents. that alone would cost you ten bucks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:47 PM Flag
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You can get a sandwich and a bottle of water at MNH for $10. What the heck are you ordering? And you don't have to eat at the museum or zoo. When we want to save money, we bring a snack and eat elsewhere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:17 PM Flag
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kids don't eat street vendor food for lunch, they need to be sitting down if you want them to learn table manners and good nutrition. and what about the nanny, that's TWO people eating on the ten dollars. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:33 PM Flag
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Ok, if you want good nutrition, the cafeteria at AMNH or the CP zoo is not the way to go. Have you ever eaten there? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:43 PM Flag
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yes I have, I did not suggest them. You could eat well at either of those places, but it would cost you a lot more than 10 dollars, and that doesn't include admission. AMNH has a lot of healthy, but expensive choices. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:44 PM Flag
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You have to be kidding me. It's peachy easy to spend less than $10 for lunch, assuming Op's nanny is not doing sit-down lunch with the kids. Give me a break. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:14 PM Flag
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see above. sure, if you eat in every day. But if she is taking them out and about, which i imagine she is if charging individual lunches, it is hard. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:16 PM Flag
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I don't eat in, I go out for lunch daily. Subway, Chipotle, Cosi, plenty of random delis, mexican or chinese food or salad bar places. Every single one you can get meal and drink for less than $10. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:18 PM Flag
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really? if you were taking two out to lunch every day, where would you eat for ten bucks where you can charge it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:37 PM Flag
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np: I eat lunch for less than $10 a day everyday [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:36 PM Flag
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where? and what kind of food? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:43 PM Flag
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I don't eat in the same place or have the same meal everyday. Sometimes I go into a deli/sandwich shop for a sandwich or salad. I go to cafes or coffee shops. Sometimes I have a slice of pizza. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:46 PM Flag
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sit down at a coffee shop wiht two people for lunch and try to keep it under $10. If the nanny is at home, she could bring her own meals if it mattered, but if she's out in the street and buying lunch for the child, she can't be expected to bring her own food. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:50 PM Flag
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OP here: I work in midtown, and eat a fresh salad every day for lunch and spend less than $8. Keeping it under $10 is quite a generous budget, in my opinion. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:03 PM Flag
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but will your child eat fresh salad for lunch? and what will the nanny eat? What meal can you suggest they buy outside the home, for under $10 which is healthy and sufficient? And it has to be a place which takes credit cards for that amount. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 06:34 AM Flag
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OMG...you suck [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:08 PM Flag
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np: But the nanny is doing just fine ethically? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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She does not! She pays her nanny a hefty salary and just wants her rules to be respected. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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OMG... $10 for lunch on top of that salary is VERY generous!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 06:38 AM Flag
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Petty. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:08 PM Flag
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She can't buy herself a big bottle of water? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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Totally. If you do the math, your nanny is charging an extra $97 to you for the entire year. And if you are stating on this board, "the money is immaterial" that is clearly a message she is getting as well. So dont sweat the small stuff. The money is material to me, so my nanny would NEVER do that. Its what they pick up from you as their boss. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:09 PM Flag
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By the way, it is probably annoying for you, I agree, but again, its less than $100 for the year. Thats peanuts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:12 PM Flag
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Odds are since OP's nanny figured out money does not matter it does not end there. Or won't in any case. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:15 PM Flag
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I disagree. Her nanny is paid more than other nannies, so realizes her employers got cash and there;s fleibility there. My nanny knows im laid back with rules, so lets my kid get away with stuff. Thhey only push on what you set the gruodnwork for. SHe is not stealing..she makes too much money for crying out loud. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:17 PM Flag
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np: Lots of people who make excessive salaries also steal. It's a character thing, not a salary thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:19 PM Flag
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OK again, we are talking about less than $100 per year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:22 PM Flag
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np: so basically it's ok to steal as long as you keep it to under 100 bucks. good to know [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 12:52 AM Flag
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And actually, how many times does the OP count when she is under? 75% of the time. So she probably thinks net net she is fine. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:23 PM Flag
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You should just give her cash, and only as much as you want her to spend. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:10 PM Flag
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how much does she make an hour if you break it down? just curious.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:22 PM Flag
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if shes working a 50 hour week, thats $21/hour. pretty sweet. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:24 PM Flag
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OP here: This is exactly how I calculated her OT rate. I assumed a 50 hour week, and so we pay $21/hour for any time over a 12 hour day. (And we never do things like let her off 1 hour early on Wednesday, but ask her to stay 1 hour late on Thursday--if that happens, we pay $21 for the extra hour on Thursday.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:28 PM Flag
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So 75% of the time she is under $10? That means she is actually spending less than $10 oer day on average. She probably was not clear on this point and thinks if she is under one day, she can be over the next. She cant be stupid enough to jeapardize such a good job! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:25 PM Flag
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OP here: Part of me thinks it is absolutely petty for me to raise this non-issue, since the money is so totally meaningless to us. OTOH, we are really good employers--way above market pay, always on time at end of day, if I'm late even 10 minutes, I will pay pro-rated overtime, pay 4 weeks salary for seasonal bonus, never ever jammed the nanny on money or time issues, etc etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:26 PM Flag
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curious how many times she has $8 lunches? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:27 PM Flag
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OP here: You know, I had never considered that she may view the budget as $50/week rather than $10/meal. My own view is that just because I'm paying the bill, I dont expect her to spend $9.99 on every meal; I certainly don't treat my employer's money with that sort of disregard. But you're right, perhaps she is thinking of her budget on a weekly basis. What about the charging of $1 or $2 drinks when she shops for groceries? That annoys me also. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:31 PM Flag
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thats why they pay me the little bucks. my view on the water is that she is considering it her lunch, and still under the lunch budget, adn i am the credit card poster below. dont fault her for not being able to control a credit card. just get rid of it and save yourself some money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:34 PM Flag
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if water is frequently the culprit for overspending, why don't you buy water for her to take out. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:35 PM Flag
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Honestly, I have had only 2 nannies. First nanny had credit card just like you..spent more than I would like. Second nanny, never got around to getting her credit card, spends about 75% as much. Paying cash is MUCH MUCH better. They say it makes you realize a bit more what youa re spending. Tell her the card was compromised and you need to get a new one. In the meantime, give her $100 cash and ask her to use that and give you receipts. Your expenses will drop dramatically. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:29 PM Flag
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" Your nanny is like 90% of americans who charge it and dont appreciate how much it is. Credit cards are dangerous to most people. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:30 PM Flag
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if this is something you admit os petty, then drop it. If you're this concerned, then raise her salary $2400 and say you'd rather pay her that way for lunch. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 06:00 AM Flag
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there are many places with minimums for charges. I think the $10 should be the guideline, but it's hard if you're out charging lunch to keep it that low. why don't you have her eat lunch at home if the $10 extra a week is bothering you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:32 PM Flag
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Are you kidding that is how much you pay your nanny? You will have all of us lining up for the job. You even pay her lunch? It is really outrageous. That is why no one can afford a nanny anymore! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:35 PM Flag
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who cant afford a nanny? i know two good ones looking if you need one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:35 PM Flag
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fake [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 06:48 PM Flag
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Are your kids and nanny really eatting out prepared food everyday? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:01 PM Flag
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OP here: No, the nanny prepares the food (made from groceries she purchases). She buys herself a meal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:02 PM Flag
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Well that makes sense! I would not let the modest amount irk you. If everything else is in line and you pleased with her following your direction in other areas then either let it go with a bit extra spending or be direct and say no more than $50 a week on lunch. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:05 PM Flag
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OP here: I am not sure why UB is so quick to claim that certain posts are fake. Yes, I am aware we pay above market wages; no, these wages are not ridiculously above market. I know employers that offer the exact same package as we do, with medical and 401k additionally. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:06 PM Flag
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No reason to believe this is fake, every position has a range in salary. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.02.08, 07:07 PM Flag
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you make it impossible for other people to afford good nannies! Not necessary IMO to pay that much [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:09 AM Flag
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huh??? I don't understand. np [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:29 AM Flag
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oh I want to be your nanny too!!! I would be annoyed too by the way although we are super poor and frugal. The suggestion about giving the nanny cash and asking for receipts is a good one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 12:56 AM Flag
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I find the concept of paying a salary that seems more than fair and including extra money for lunch ridiculous. I taught in the city schools for years and never got free lunch. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 04:49 AM Flag
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the lunch is also for her child, she can't expect the nanny to buy lunch for herself but bring lunch for the dd if they're eating out of the house every day. You can't go to a diner and bring food in. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 06:53 AM Flag
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If the money doesn't matter to you, then yes, it's petty to mention it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:24 AM Flag
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I cannot believe that OP, who has a 12 hour plus a day nanny, still has the time to respond to this stupid post. CRAZY. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:32 AM Flag
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how many hours does your nanay work a week? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.03.08, 07:36 PM Flag
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