In an attempt to find new income streams for the $20 Challenge, I decided to sign up with a local online service that matches college-aged babysitters (I live in a college town) with parents looking for child care. It's free for sitters to register, but parents must pay a fee to look through sitter profiles. It's an interesting idea for any aspiring entrepreneurs!
I was contacted by a family looking for a babysitter every Wednesday and Saturday night for their 3 kids, ages 6,9,12.
Last night was my first night. The kids were great and the parents were equally nice. They pay $10 / hour, so I came away with $25 which I'll add to my Challenge.
Old Total: $367.48
+25 babysitting
-----------------------
New Total: $392.48
I was really pleased with the rate they offered. $10 / hour is about what babysitting is "worth" for me, so it was great to have them offer it right off the bat. If it had been less, I'm not sure if I would agree to this being a regular job. I'm not saying that parents should pay babysitters $10 / hour (It seems like a night out could get awfully expensive at this rate!), but $10 / hour is about what my time is worth FOR ME to give up every Wednesday and Saturday night. Another factor that might contribute to their offer is that I'm committing to a regular schedule and I drive myself out to their home which is ~ 7 miles from the campus area. Many college students don't want to give up Saturday nights or don't have a car.
I remember babysitting for $2.50 / hour in high school and $5 / hour in college. For those of you with children, what do you pay a babysitter?
Babysitting $Moola$ for the Challenge
January 19th, 2007 at 03:07 am
January 19th, 2007 at 03:41 am 1169178078
We usually pay in the neighborhood of $10/hour for our 2 kids, ages 6 and 8. I'm not sure where you're located, but northern NJ, where I am, is pretty expensive. Also, my kids are younger than the ones you're babysitting, so theoretically require a bit more work. $10/hour for the 3 kids is probably fair.
Way to go on the $20 challenge...
January 19th, 2007 at 04:27 am 1169180834
veronak117@yahoo.com
Way to on saving
January 19th, 2007 at 02:15 pm 1169216153
January 19th, 2007 at 02:19 pm 1169216371
i made $5/hour for 2 toddlers around 1990, but the father was a friend fo my dad's... i think it's pretty common to have a 'price schedule' for folks who sit regularly, like $4/hr/child and a minimum of $15 per night sort of thing. otherwise, somone wants you to sit for 1 kid 2 hours 20 miles away and after the price of gas you make $3 =/
January 19th, 2007 at 03:07 pm 1169219246
However, if you have some entrepreneurial spirit and database skills, you could set up such a site for your area!
January 19th, 2007 at 04:38 pm 1169224682
I live near a college town too.
I can't do babysitting though. Just... can't.
January 19th, 2007 at 05:15 pm 1169226924
What I find interesting is it was almost impossible to find sitters for less than $10/hour for one. (housing is pricey so EVERYTHING is pricey). But 2 kids would be $10-$15. So it sounds a lot more appealing with two kids. (more bang for the buck).
But you are right - nowhere near our budget unless we go sit at the park - LOL. Every year we say maybe it will be in our budget next year. One of these days.
But out here it is really hard to find sitters too. We tend to swap with other parents, not just because cost, just hard to find a sitter who is not booked up for eternity.
Enjoy!
January 19th, 2007 at 05:26 pm 1169227591
January 20th, 2007 at 02:34 pm 1169303643
We live in a high COL area so it is a little skewed. But from what I have seen I think you have found the proverbial goldmine - hehe.
I am with BA - I hate babysitting with a passion. I can not do it - that is why I thought I never wanted kids. LOL. Even swapping kids is hard to take - dh and I Decided we rather never get out - LOL. But we will consider once in a blue moon so we have some options...