How Much Do You Pay Your Babysitter?

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Michele Cheplic

“Bankrupt by Babysitter!” It’s a mock headline, but one that is apropos after speaking to my friend in Atlanta, who claims her bank account, has been sapped by her babysitter. The babysitter she pays $15 an hour to watch her three kids (who are 2, 4, and 6). Fifteen bucks an hour! That’s more than I made working my first post-college job… and my second… and third—COMBINED! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little (and by little I mean like 50 cents–COMBINED), but I think my exasperation is warranted. Fifteen dollars an hour for watching three well-behaved children watch TV for … Continue reading →

Marriage Choking Points: Dollar Signs

Posted on August 3, 2006 by Heather Long

There are more important things in life than money. The trouble is, they all cost money! – Milton Berle When we fight over money, a large number of those disagreements usually occurs over what are referred to as a choke point. The choke point in a financial argument is when one partner or the other (or both) are spending money in amounts that the other thinks is unreasonable without consultation. For example, a husband comes home from work and shows off his new cell phone. It has an embedded camera and blue tooth capability. He would have picked up the … Continue reading →