The short answer
Agree up front on what you'll cover, ask for a photo of the receipt, and pay it back with the job — in one payment.
- Outings you asked for
- Food for the kids
- Supplies for the job
- Driving the kids
Your sitter grabbed snacks for the park, paid for the museum, and drove the kids to practice. Those small costs add up for them — and it's easy for both of you to lose track.
Here's a fair, simple way to handle it.
Pay Maya
Saturday · 5:30–9:30 PM
- Care
- $88.00
- Tip
- $10.00
- Expenses
- $25.00
- Total
- $123.00
Babysitting · $22.00 per hour · 4 hours
- 1The receipt, right there Your sitter adds a photo with each expense.
- 2Paid back with the job Expenses join the same payment — one, not two.
- 3Add a tip if you like Right in the same payment.
- 4Pay by card, or your usual way Venmo or cash? Mark it paid instead.
What families usually cover
- Outings you asked for
- Museum tickets, the pool, a movie — if it was your idea or you said yes, it's yours to cover.
- Food for the kids
- Snacks at the park, a treat on the way home, dinner if the fridge was bare.
- Supplies for the job
- Crafts, diapers in a pinch, anything they bought because the job needed it.
- Driving the kids
- Gas, mileage, or parking when your sitter drives your kids in their own car.
Keep it simple and fair
- 1
Agree ahead of time
Say what you'll cover, and whether they should check with you before spending over a certain amount.
- 2
Ask for the receipt
A photo is plenty. It keeps things clear for both of you.
- 3
Pay it back with the job
Add it to what you pay for the care, so it's one payment instead of a separate Venmo later.
- 4
Say thanks
A sitter who takes the kids somewhere fun is doing more than the job. A little appreciation goes a long way.
How REC'D BY helps
How REC'D BY does it
Your sitter adds each expense to the booking — what it was, the amount, and a photo of the receipt. You see it on your booking, receipt included, and it's added to what you pay. Add a tip in the same step, and pay by card right in the app.
Paying another way — Venmo, Zelle, or cash? Mark it paid, and your sitter can mark the expense as paid back, so you both have the record.
Questions
Should I pay my sitter back for gas or mileage?+
If your sitter drives your kids in their own car, it's fair to cover it. Agree on it ahead of time.
Do I have to pay by card to reimburse expenses?+
No. Pay the way you usually do and mark it paid. Card payments in the app only add the card processor's fee — REC'D BY charges no booking fees.