On the News

[mountainside13]

There was a story about parents declining raises at work so they could continue to get daycare assistance. I saw this comment on it. It might just be me but I find it frustrating. If you can afford to buy groceries to give to your provider as payment you should be able to just pay your provider. If they are using food stamps to purchase the provider food, I'm pretty sure that is illegal? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Annalee]

There was a story about parents declining raises at work so they could continue to get daycare assistance. I saw this comment on it. It might just be me but I find it frustrating. If you can afford to buy groceries to give to your provider as payment you should be able to just pay your provider. If they are using food stamps to purchase the provider food, I'm pretty sure that is illegal? Correct me if I'm wrong.

When I attended the NAFCC conference a few years ago, I met providers from the midwest whom bartered with food and even mowed lawns, washed cars, etc. I told them I need to pay my bills so I needed monetary payment. It was a surprise to me as well. I do have clients now, however, that have their child care fee taken out of their check before taxes.

[itlw8]

Years ago I got a raise the dentists I worked for came to me and said we lowered your raise by 2 cents. It would have put you in a higher tax bracket and your check would have been less.

Was that wrong ?? maybe unfortunately families barely making it get a small raise and lose benefits so they get $10 extra a week but lose hundreds more. hard choice for a tiny increase.

[mountainside13]

When I attended the NAFCC conference a few years ago, I met providers from the midwest whom bartered with food and even mowed lawns, washed cars, etc. I told them I need to pay my bills so I needed monetary payment. It was a surprise to me as well. I do have clients now, however, that have their child care fee taken out of their check before taxes.

Really? I have never heard of that before!! The flexible spending account? I have 1 of my parents use that. I took it as paying the provider when you get your yearly taxes done. This is why I brought it up.

Years ago I got a raise the dentists I worked for came to me and said we lowered your raise by 2 cents. It would have put you in a higher tax bracket and your check would have been less.

Was that wrong ?? maybe unfortunately families barely making it get a small raise and lose benefits so they get $10 extra a week but lose hundreds more. hard choice for a tiny increase.

That's what the story was about!! Changing the system so when the parents do get raises they just change the amount the family pays vs the government to help everyone. It is a great idea!! I completely agree with you there! I didn't mean to offend you or anyone. I do agree. Just the comment that bothered me. But I guess I live in a hole because I have never heard of bartering services for daycare before

[Cat Herder]

A minor increase in parental income can also cost your kids college scholarships and grants that they were depending on and worked their backsides off to "earn" .

Even an amount that won't pay for one quarter of books can make paying for school impossible. The income requirements change so frequently we all live on eggshells, now.

[Heidi]

One of my dcm's got a better job, but because they raised her co-pay and she drives further, I think she was ahead getting a dollar less per hour.

As for the bartering with food; yes, I think it's illegal. Still, if one got too much money for food stamps, but couldn't put gas in the car to get to work because they owe a co-pay, I could see where the temptation would be there. I haven't had a parent do it here, though. Years ago, someone offered, but not lately. Maybe because the amount they get for food stamps has not increased with the price of groceries. What used to be a lot of money for food monthly is now not enough.

[Blackcat31]

. Just the comment that bothered me. But I guess I live in a hole because I have never heard of bartering services for daycare before

I've bartered for lots of things.

I had a DCM that was a photographer. I don't think the entire time she was a client did she actually pay me cash.... but you should see the awesome photo albums I have of my kids.

I have also bartered with a DCD to tile our new house.

I bartered with a DCM to have my hair cut and colored.

I also bartered with a DCD for a snowmobile.

ALL great deals. Both parties were happy.

Here is an article Tom Copeland wrote about bartering for services.

http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/2011/06/what-happens-when-you-barter.html

[mountainside13]

A minor increase in parental income can also cost your kids college scholarships and grants that they were depending on and worked their backsides off to "earn" .

Even an amount that won't pay for one quarter of books can make paying for school impossible. The income requirements change so frequently we all live on eggshells, now.

I do hope they change it and make it more affordable to families that really need it! When my husband and I first got married we were really struggling but we made only a few dollars more then the cut off! We ended up having to live with my dad a few months into our marriage

One of my dcm's got a better job, but because they raised her co-pay and she drives further, I think she was ahead getting a dollar less per hour.

As for the bartering with food; yes, I think it's illegal. Still, if one got too much money for food stamps, but couldn't put gas in the car to get to work because they owe a co-pay, I could see where the temptation would be there. I haven't had a parent do it here, though. Years ago, someone offered, but not lately. Maybe because the amount they get for food stamps has not increased with the price of groceries. What used to be a lot of money for food monthly is now not enough.

How much did they raise her co pay? From what I read they are looking at only raising it a small amount. But I could be wrong.

I've bartered for lots of things.

I had a DCM that was a photographer. I don't think the entire time she was a client did she actually pay me cash.... but you should see the awesome photo albums I have of my kids.

I have also bartered with a DCD to tile our new house.

I bartered with a DCM to have my hair cut and colored.

I also bartered with a DCD for a snowmobile.

ALL great deals. Both parties were happy.

Here is an article Tom Copeland wrote about bartering for services.
http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/2011/...ou-barter.html

That article was an interesting read! I haven't had any parent barter services before or even ask. I have had parents offer to help me fix something in the house. Which is why I was so caught off guard. But I stand corrected!! I admit I was wrong!

I would barter Childcare for a snowmobile or a 4 wheeler. My husband would love me!

[Scout]

I would barter for services like BC as well but, not food. I figure a lot of my income goes to take care of stuff we could potentially barter for. For example, if I had a DCD that snow plowed or was a landscaper....

[Jack Sprat]

I'm all about bartering for care. I have a porch that needs replaced, as well as a garage roof. DH can do it but needs help. So we have bartered with a DCD to help him in the spring.

As far as assistance goes the system is messed up! I know people who have the ability to earn more money but, do not so they can still receive food stamps, reduced lunches etc. So very frustrating!

[TwinKristi]

I didn't read anywhere that they said they used food stamps to pay for the food but maybe I missed it.
I would be willing to barter for specific things but not everything! Food would be tough due to taxes and the food program part of it. But other stuff like hair, photography, etc would be nice! Dh bartered for some time at a nice house in Lake Tahoe! We have almost a months time accrued there now and more to come. Dh went and stayed there for a long weekend and worked to earn the time and they paid for parts. It's awesome! And we did the same thing for our family pics last year. We got a CD of all the images, a nice 20x30 canvas and her time! It was awesome.