Babysitting Rates : How Much to Charge
It is not uncommon for a babysitter to know how much to charge, but be uncomfortable talking about the same. Try out these ideas:
a) Ask experienced babysitters what they charge.
b) Ask several parents what they are willing to pay.
c) Ask clients to judge and set your fee.
Parents may expect you to tell them the fees and not expect them to decide. This is because they perceive the babysitter as a professional, who knows the job and what to charge. At the same time, they expect and may prefer the least expensive sitter. In a nutshell, parents expect the babysitter rate to be reasonable and one, which goes according to the financial needs of the family.
Babysitting rates may differ by small amounts like fifty cents to a dollar per hour from one part of the city to another. If you went to a babysitting course, the instructor can suggest you a going rate. Experience, along with qualifications counts and babysitting rates go up as does the experience.
Qualities required in a babysitter for higher babysitting rates :
a) Dependable, kind, calm, gentle and friendly.
b) Reliable, honest, truthful and trustworthy.
c) Interested in and actively enjoys with children.
d) Respectful of family privacy.
e) Serious about the job – arrives on time.
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Once you’ve decided what to charge, make sure you understand and discuss other important aspects as well :
a) Are you willing to cash or checks ?
b) When do you expect to get paid ?
c) Do you charge extra for evening hours or after midnight ?
You may be offered a rate, which is much below your expectations, you may refuse the job and hope someone else will be willing to pay your rate. Otherwise you may negotiate a compromise as well. In some cases, accepting a lower rate may be beneficial as well – it may help you get more business.
Keeping accurate records is very essential. Mark all the important appointments, commitments in the calendar. Check with the state and county tax offices and the IRS to see whether you need to pay taxes. The federal income tax are different that state and county tax. If you are liable to pay taxes, make sure you add this as a factor while deciding upon the babysitting rate. Also, if you need to pay taxes, you will have to record your business earnings and expenses for accounting purposes. Every thing you buy, which is related to your job, is deemed as a business expense. Keep sales slips and receipts for the same. This might help you become eligible for tax deductions.
