| it also would depend on what you expect your helper to cook... western, organic, imported foods are MUCH more expensive than local food.
we used to do a BIG shop about once every 2 weeks or so and she would go daily to the supermarket to top up for meals.
i didn't mind her going daily as one of my rules was that the kids had to leave the house at least once per day, rain or shine. it meant that my boy was used to going to the supermarket and behaves VERY well in them now.
the octopus card....
we gave our helper one that we top up or give her $ to top up, but she has her own that she uses on her day off. we told her that if she wanted to go to town on her day off, that was up to her to pay for, but if we asked her to come or meet us there, then obviously we'd pay for it. it was never a problem and she made many friends in db and even found a church in db that she liked.
now, we've moved out of db and some of our rules have changed slightly with the new living situation, but we are all still happy with each other.  |