Keeping track of payments...literally

[SilverSabre25]

I don't mean records of how much you got paid by who and when...I mean literally...what do you do to keep track of the actual checks/cash paid to you by the parents?

I'm apparently having an issue with this. Two missing checks in as many months. One was my DH's fault. This one is my fault. I got a replacement for the other one; will have to swallow this one if the damn thing never surfaces.

The upside is that I'm getting a LOT of cluttered surfaces cleared off and junk tossed...the downside is that my blood pressure is probably through the roof and I dearly want some chocolate...

[sharlan]

I immediately put all checks inside the top drawer on my desk. Before I had a desk, I put all checks inside the top drawer on my dresser.

[Cat Herder]

I used to have a cardboard wedding "greeting card" box (the envelope slot type meant for the reception table) from oriental trading company that I spray painted with that "cracked rock" spray paint. It was cheesy but I was feeling "crafty".

The wood or bronze looking ones were expensive and those ran about $5.

I kept it on the table next to the sign in sheets. I had the parents drop the payments in there....no accidental misplaced checks.

I lost a few in my day as well.

[youretooloud]

I'm so disorganized. I know exactly how you feel.

I have an envelope on my fridge that I put the checks in... but, I still lose something all the time.

[mom2many]

I put all of the checks in a drawer and record the payments on my computer and deposit them weekly.

[familyschoolcare]

I have a plastic according envelope I keep in my purse. I also keep my receipt book in it. When I get a check I write a receipt and place it in the envelope. Now with that said I only have one family, so hopefully I will be able to keep this system up.

[laundrymom]

I have a metal locking outside mailbox, with a little slot. Parents put ALL PAYMENTS in box. When I'm ready to do deposit I unlock, gather and remove. I have 7 families right now , 10 kids. But have as many as 14-16 depending on part timers and school kids.

[laundrymom]

I keep box on top my cubbies

[MissAnn]

I used to have a cardboard wedding "greeting card" box (the envelope slot type meant for the reception table) from oriental trading company that I spray painted with that "cracked rock" spray paint. It was cheesy but I was feeling "crafty".

The wood or bronze looking ones were expensive and those ran about $5.

I kept it on the table next to the sign in sheets. I had the parents drop the payments in there....no accidental misplaced checks.

I lost a few in my day as well.

Does anyone have a link of a cute box to put checks in? I've been looking for one! I'd love a wood one!

[boysx5]

I have a clip board that I put them on until I get to the bank

[Meyou]

I have an envelope in the front pocket of my file box. As I record the payment in their file I put the money in the envelope.

[Pammie]

I use a basket that hangs on my coat hook rack by my front door. I specifically tell parents in our initial interview to please drop their checks in the basket - not to hand them to me as I'll probably lose them

I also give them the flexibility of paying on any day of the week that they like - as long as I find a check in the basket on Saturday mornings, I'm happy. If they're paying cash, they just attach a little post-it with their name, and I have their receipt ready on Monday. So Saturday mornings, I empty the basket, log the checks and head to the bank.

BTW - I started this "basket" system about 12 years ago after losing 3 checks in 2 months. I think they probably went through the laundry when a dcp handed me their check and it went into my pocket - then I forgot about it. The less that **I** have to handle the checks, the less opportunity for me to goof

[DCMom]

We've all lost a check or two, I'm sure!

I use a woven basket with slotted lid originally intended for boutique tissue boxes. My payments are due on Mondays, so I put the basket out that morning as a reminder. At the end of the day, I grab the checks, record them in ckkids and do the deposit.

[Meeko]

First and foremost...get your priorities straight and do the most important thing. Go eat some chocolate!!! It is the cure for everything........I speak from frequent experience.....


I get paid each Friday except for state payments which is automatically transferred to my account on the 1st of each month.

I put the checks straight into a designated pocket in my purse and I deposit them in the bank on my way home.

[AnneCordelia]

I never lost a cheque but have misplaced cash before.

Now I get all my families to pay by e-transfer. I communicate our daily sheets through e-mail too. It's so much easier. And then I have proof that the $$ was transferred and it never exchanges hands, which means less likelihood of being short-changed or misplacing it.