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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

How much extra money do you budget for your maid's food/toiletries/phone?

144

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 01:06

Just trying to work out our sums before we decide on a potential move to Dubai/job in Dubai.

Does your maid/nanny prefer to eat the meals you eat or make something for herself when it suits you?

In the week I tend to eat breakfast with my twins, but give them a different lunch dinner and for lunch grab something more simple/quick when I have a chance. With dinner hubby and I eat together after the twins have gone to bed.

Am worried about thinking about having to cook for our whole family iygwim.

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1575

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 12:50

My maid just adds to our weekly shopping list the items she requires. Usually some fish, rice, vegetables etc. The cost is probably 200 AEd per month extra. She also eats what we cook or cooks it for me. I also buy her toilletries and medication as well as 2 x 50 AED phone cards per month If you are going to set a budget, I would say 450 AED all-in for everything listed above.

CAPTAIN AMERICA...

1260

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 19 June 2012 - 11:42

Does your maid/nanny prefer to eat the meals you eat or make something for herself when it suits you? [b'>prefer? it is what suits you, not her[/b'> In the week I tend to eat breakfast with my twins, but give them a different lunch dinner and for lunch grab something more simple/quick when I have a chance. With dinner hubby and I eat together after the twins have gone to bed. [b'>she will eat noodles in her room[/b'>

champagneblonde50828

252

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 June 2012 - 21:31

It is mutually preferable that our maid gets all her own food & toiletries & I give her 100aed per week for this. She cooks for herself & stores it in her own fridge. It helps with that awful feeling like you have an extra flatmate in the house.. Sometimes I'll buy her a treat like a punnet of strawberries or some cupcakes to say thank you for overtime etc, as I know they are luxuries that she wouldn't normally get for herself. Works well for us.

119

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 June 2012 - 20:47

I have 2 maids. One to help with my twins and one to clean. I do all the cooking in my house. I find it easier to just cook for an extra 2 people then to take them shopping with me. And they love my food. And whatever is leftover from dinner (which is usually generous) they have for lunch the next day. I do buy them noodles and rice for when they do feel like it but I'd feel bad if I were eating yummy food while they live on noodles. My maids definitely eliminate a lot of stress from my life so cookin for an extra 2 mouths is definitely no stress to me. <em>edited by reynee11 on 08/06/2012</em>

spongemonkey980

4329

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 11:50

You don't NEED to do anything - everyone is very different in what they do. There is no way in this world would I have my maid going into my cupboards and fridge and using what she wants ( or anyone else come to that before anyone gets their knickers in a twist!) I could not stand that. There is no way I would take my maid grocery shopping or buy for her. She gets a lump sum - she goes shopping with her friends. She has her own fridge. She cooks for herself. A maid is there to alleviate stress not cause it. Do it to suit YOU- there are no obligations other than the salary, flights and vacation leave and pay.

144

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 11:29

Thanks girls that is a big help. We are putting 1200 UAD onto our budget for the weekly groceries.....hopefully that will be about right for our family. A relief to hear I don't need to stress too much about making sure there are meals ready for the maid. x

2192

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 09:36

My Housemaid adds her food to my trolley when I go shopping with her, Its usually Rice, Noodles ( instant packet ones. Indomie is her brand of choice), Crackers, Buiscuits. meat wise, she doesnt eat red meat so its chicken and Fish , Mostly fish heads for her soup. she cooks her own food and puts it in tupperware that I got her and she has a shelf in the fridge. she will use veggies that I purchase and its usually just green beans, chilli, garlic, carrots and spring onion. basics, she uses whats in the kitchen such as oil, salt, stock cubes, vinegar etc i dont cook for her because she doesnt like it and prefers cooking for herself. suits me. she cooks whilst im at work and eats before I get in ( her choice) regarding toiletries, again when she goes shopping with me, Ill just get the stuff for her, Its usally shower gel, Deodrant, Body Lotion, Sanitary pads, toothpaste, shampoo. i dont give her a seperate allowance as ill just get her the stuff and she is happy that way..

90

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 09:04

Our maid cooks her own meals from whatever is in the fridge 2-3 times a week and heats that up with rice throughout the week. There is no way I would be cooking for her! I just buy general groceries for the household and she uses what is available. She only uses veggies, frozen fish, some meat and staples so I haven't done a separate budget as such. She takes soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and toilet paper from the household stock (so again the cost in her case is pretty negligible in terms of household budget). Anything else in terms of toiletries, phone etc she gets herself. You will find a big range of what people offer their maid. Some give them a salary and modest food allowance as 'contribution' (eg dhm50/week) and the maid then has to buy all her supplies. Others cover absolutely everything, buying them their preferred type of chocolates and particular moisturizers etc. Again, as long as you state clearly during hiring then expectations should be in line. You can always increase once they're on board but much harder to decrease...

2287

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 05 June 2012 - 08:16

Hi again JPS1, wow, I must say you are really organised with preparing for the maid. Well, assuming she would live-in, it would depend on her accommodation really. Some have their own little kitchen where they like to cook their own food. Others are allowed to cook their own food in the family kitchen, and others will eat with the family or the kids. As with the general duties, this is really up to you to decide. But most of the girls are from the Philipines or Sri Lanka, they, just like us, like their own food. But you would definitely NOT gave to cook her meals. If she lives in you would take her shopping with you, and buy the stuff (mainly noodles and rice with vegetables) she cooks for herself. As for toiletries and phone allowance, depends on what you are paying her. I would think about 250 AED a month? But there will be other ladies who can advise you in this one. I lay one lump sum each month. <em>edited by Oopsiedaisy on 05/06/2012</em>

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