"petty cash" - do you reconcile? i.e. do you expect your nanny to provide receipts?

[Tutter]

not sure whetehr this counts as sensible money management, or might give the wrong impression (suggesting i don't trust her) - wondering what the norm is...

It is not an issue for us. I provide her oyster card so she has travel, and her mobile phone. I make packed lunch for DS2 in the morning, and she makes her own packed lunch, so no food expense. I have paid for the football practice in advance, and softplay membership, she has membership cards to lots of local places, such as wetland centre. She does not need to spend money, and if she does she covers and asks me for it. It has not happened yet. Or, if I know she goes somewhere with an entrance fee, I give her that and some money for lunch and coffee, and she will just keep the change. If she is out with me and the kids, she can just leave her purse at home.

I used to ask the nanny to turn in an expense report. But I can't be arsed to look at it these days so current nanny hasn't been asked to do this. I give her a £70 at the beginning of the month and this is to cover their activities (play groups, etc.). Then if she buy s stuff at the market or I specifically ask her to do something like get their hair cut or buy them some craft project, she send me an e-mail to say how much I owe her and give her the money. But, things I don't specifically ask her to do are expected to come in under £70/month.

However, I like Jura's book , receipts, and jar idea. Might have to pinch that one.