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REC'D BYREC'D BY
A guide for sitters

Babysitter expense tracking, made simple

2 min read · Updated September 26, 2026

The short answer

Note every work expense with the job it belongs to, snap a photo of the receipt, and mark whether the family should pay you back — then it's easy to get reimbursed and easy to look back at the year.

Snacks for the park, tickets for the museum, craft supplies, gas for a drive across town. Small costs add up — and they're easy to forget by the time you're paid.

  1. 1Every hour counted Clock in live, or add hours after the job.
  2. 2Get paid back Snacks and tickets ride along with the job's pay.
  3. 3Who still owes you Unpaid jobs stand out, so nothing slips.
  4. 4Your records, anytime Download a spreadsheet or a printable statement.

What counts as a work expense

Anything you spend because of a job, for example:

  • Food or snacks for the kids on an outing.
  • Tickets, admission, or activity costs.
  • Supplies you bring — crafts, games, diapers in a pinch.
  • Gas, mileage, or parking when you're driving the kids.

A simple way to track them

  1. 1

    Record it with the job

    Note the amount and what it was for, attached to the job it belongs to — not in a separate notebook.

  2. 2

    Snap a photo of the receipt

    It's all the proof you need, and it settles any question later.

  3. 3

    Mark what the family owes you

    Some costs the family pays back; some are your own. Decide up front, and mark each one.

  4. 4

    Ask for it with your pay

    Add what you're owed to what the family pays you for the job, so it's one payment instead of two.

  5. 5

    Look back at the year

    A running record makes it easy to see what you spent. For what that means at tax time, ask a tax professional.

How REC'D BY helps

How the REC'D BY Work Hub does it

Add an expense to the job it belongs to — what it was, the amount, and a photo of the receipt — and mark whether the family should pay you back. Mileage counts too. The family sees it on their booking, receipt included, and it's added to what they pay you. If they pay you back another way, mark it reimbursed. Download everything — hours, earnings, and expenses — as a spreadsheet or a printable statement. It's free for sitters, and it's for your own records, not tax advice.

More about hours, earnings, and expenses.

  1. 1Tap Start when you arrive A live clock you can glance at.
  2. 2Outside families welcome Jobs booked by text live here too.
  3. 3Your month at a glance Earned and spent, as you go.

Questions

How do I ask a family to pay me back?+

Agree on what they'll cover before the job, then add each expense with a photo of the receipt. On REC'D BY, it shows on their booking and is added to what they pay you — no awkward separate ask.

What if they pay me back in cash?+

That's fine. Mark the expense as reimbursed, so your records stay straight.

Should the family pay for snacks and outings?+

Often, yes — but agree on it ahead of time. Many families expect to cover costs for outings they asked for.

Is this tax advice?+

No. Keeping a record helps, but a tax professional can tell you what applies to you.

Keep track of every expense

Hours, earnings, and availability in one Work Hub.

Create your free sitter account