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Original poster

How much do your au pairs spend each week?

33 replies

roses2 · 01/08/2019 13:11

I pay my au pair £115 each week. She tells me that she spends it all every week and saves nothing. She goes out nearly every day mainly for coffees so it all adds up. She has started asking me recently if I can pay her a few days early each week as she doesn't have any money. As she is leaving in 2 weeks I don't have an issue with this.

My SIL's au pair is paid £110/week and she was topped up by her parents.

I know au pairs are on a relatively low income but when they are spending more than me each week on going out then my sympathy wanes a little.

Does anyone have any au pair who manages to save on an au pair salary? Do they still get to enjoy their time?

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Teddybear45 · 01/08/2019 21:12

Do you give her a seperate allowance for taking out the kids?

PinkCrayon · 01/08/2019 21:10

You pay her £115 per week and you wonder why she cant save it, not that it has ANYTHING to do with you how she spends her money.Confused
Thats peanuts. I would feel awful paying someone such a pittance for looking after my children. Blush

JoJoSM2 · 01/08/2019 20:50

It isn’t a salary, is it? Nowhere near being legal. £115 a week isn’t that much if you want to go out, buy clothes, get your hair done etc. and generally be young and have a nice year abroad.

joystir59 · 01/08/2019 20:48

How many hours does she work for that? Sounds criminally low to me

Drogosnextwife · 01/08/2019 20:47

Why would it be any of your business if she saves the money you pay her?

herculepoirot2 · 01/08/2019 20:43

Can’t see what it has to do with you whether she saves or not. You are getting childcare for an absolute pittance.

underneaththeash · 01/08/2019 16:40

None of mine have managed to save. Being an au pair is about having fun, spending time with new friends, exploring new places. They shouldn’t have to worry about saving.

Having said that, we do always give our a au pairs a bonus at the end of their “contract” so they go home (or stay here) with a bit of money.

CaMePlaitPas · 01/08/2019 13:18

Do you live in an expensive city? Is she paying for transport? Being an au pair isn't a career choice, often it's a means to an end to explore a new place and enjoy being young whilst not worrying about accommodation costs. How old is she? I think you're getting an absolute bargain for £115 per week!