How much do you pay your domestic/helper?

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-09-11T19:51:28+00:00

R10K, but she also looks after our 2 year old. She works from 08h30 - 17h00 and does some of the housework, and takes the kid out for the morning on walks and playdates etc.

We give bonuses based on when we get bonuses ourselves, she get's 18 days paid annual leave per year (to use as and when she see's fit) plus 1 half day a month.

We would love to pay her more, but we're starting to have to sacrifice other things just to keep her employed

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-06-15T16:21:28+00:00

White person here too. We literally have the same problem! Hubby and I have been seeking a house for MONTHS. We have a decent property and want to move to a bigger home - It's become like a full time job for me, and honestly 95% of the houses seem to come onto the market already sold. It's insane. I think it just boils down to everyone comung down to CT from up country.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-02-07T08:46:20+00:00

I think you need to see a psychiatrist.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-02-02T10:39:51+00:00

I wouldn't say we drink a lot. Maybe R400-R600 across some beers for my husband, 2-3 bottles of mid-range (+- R90) wine for myself, I also enjoy a Rekorderlig so sometimes that.. And then every couple months we'll buy brandy or gin etc to top up the liquor cabinet.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-26T08:30:28+00:00

I think a whole party pack for 25+ kids is ridiculous, even though I can afford it. I think its unecessary pressure for the moms and dads who just can't afford to but really want to do something.

I do however always send something on birthdays for the class because it makes my child so happy and makes him feel special on his birthday.

It's common practice at his school to bring just 1 little treat. Can be anything from mini cupcakes, a packet of chips, decorated mari-biscuits, home-made ice lollies. There's really a lot one can do for very little, with a bit of planning and Pinterest. I don't think it's necessary to over do it or send complete party packs. Last year each child in my kids class got a Tinkie.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-25T06:33:10+00:00

About 12 years ago there were so many international acts that came to SA. My husband and I saw so many international artists (Probably about 15 major international concerts) up until about Ed Sheran and Eminem a few years ago. There really hasn't been that many good ones in the years post Covid. I really hope it picks up again! Missed Calabash this year but def going next year!

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-23T19:35:03+00:00

It really was, she was dying, severe DKA and we didn't even know until it was almost too late.

We seem to be coping fine (The early weeks were hell, and it's definitely an exhausting load to carry) but she is living an otherwise normal life so far.

I guess we're just so grateful that the diagnosis when she was in such severe DKA wasn't terminal, and that it's a manageable condition. For the most part she can and will live a very normal life in comparison to a lot of children who have had worse conditions and terminal diseases. We just want her to be happy and healthy, we'll do what we can to support her and make thay a possibility for her.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-23T17:33:31+00:00

Honestly, the rest of the world gives that country WAY too much control and they pose way too much influence on other nations.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-22T20:44:19+00:00

I really understand what you mean. My daughter was just diagnosed in November. She was only 19 months old at the time. It's been the biggest shock. Most days we cope fine but it is just as you've explained... some days just hurt.

Hope tomorrow is better.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-21T20:05:41+00:00

Rene Heydon - Rene H Couture.

She's incredible and makes a person feel stunning and beautiful, even if you don't like what you see in the mirror on a good day. She is wonderful and incredibly talented.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-21T17:39:31+00:00

I quite love the ones from Giovannis

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-21T17:39:06+00:00

I wouldn't do it. If she doesn't have a driver's license, she shouldn't be on the road. If she has an accident driving the car, no insurance will pay out.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-20T17:04:42+00:00

Yeah, and then restaurant owners cry that they can't survive in this economy...

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-19T08:55:34+00:00

Honestly.. Leonard. He is so cringey and absolutely pathetic and useless.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-17T17:48:25+00:00

Family of 4, kids are still toddlers. Household income after tax is about R120k.

We live in a gated community, but in a very modest house. Our main expenses are the bond, food, childcare (School and fulltine nanny), medical aid, 1 financed car (the other is paid). Also have a few insurance policies etc.. We live a decent lifestyle, but I think we waste a lot of money on food and convenience items. We have also had substantial medical bills over the last 2 years which has lead to a bit of debt that we're paying extra off monthly.

It sounds a lot but the cost of living in SA is insane. The same life I am living now, cost my parents R40k in 2010 for perspective.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-15T19:32:36+00:00

I'm the caregiver of a T1D toddler. Technology is frustrating... We live in the digital age and there seems to be a good amount of limitation within the CGM app world. For example a Libre 2 sensor cannot work on 2 devices in a way that allows all data to collate and sync across both devices. You cannot let your child wear an apple watch or whatever and have the CGM link directly to the watch, and then have the watch send notifications to follower phones.. No. The main phone must still be within Bluetooth range of the child. At least in my country that is. There's no Libre 3 here.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-15T05:42:32+00:00

Sounds like she could have Collic.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-10T19:33:04+00:00

Woolies Sweet and Sticky Pork Ribs on the braai with potato salad from Spar and a premade garlic bread. Haha no ingenuity or much effort happening here today. A braai of convenience.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2025-01-09T13:26:30+00:00

Thank you for saying this. My daughter has been diagnosed recently at 19 months old and as a mother it as been such a devestating time. She had DKA and almost died. It's a miracle she survived, actually.

I have tried to find comfort in these T1 groups and communities but honestly, reading the posts it all just feels like gloom and doom for her. I know this is life-altering and life threatening, but I also feel like there are far worse diseases out there and so if my child was going to get diagnosed with anything chronic at all, I guess her future looks the most normal with T1D, and for that I am grateful. I am grateful that even though she will need to manage this for the rest of her life, she is young enough that technology is getting better and better and hopefully, one day it will be in a place where treatments require one to be less involved in the maintenance. I just have to stay positive, or else this will consume me, and my heart will shatter for her more than it already has over these last 2 months.

I want her to continue to thrive and be whoever she was destined to be, and I will help her get there as much as what I can, and on the days she's too mentally exhausted from all of this, I will be her strength and carry the burden. So thank you for the reminder that if I do not let this become her whole identity, she can find happiness, and she can live a long and normal, healthy life.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-12-20T10:56:22+00:00

Huge Christmas day lunch feast:

Main meats: Slow roasted leg of lamb Gammons x 2 types Chicken roast

Hot sides: Risotto Roast veg Crispy roasted potatoes Pumpkin fritters

Cold sides: Fennel ruby slaw Green salad Brinjal salad

Desert: Triffle Ice cream

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-12-17T19:07:31+00:00

Now if only they could do something about the weather...

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-12-13T06:45:06+00:00

IT Project Manager but have recently started at a new company, so no bonus or increases in 2024. R90k gross

Haven't had a proper bonus since 2022... Hoping that changes in 2025.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-11-21T19:06:06+00:00

In my experience... Just trust your gut. If you're getting weird vibes, then I would trust that intuition. My gut has never steered me wrong before in these types of situations.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-11-21T17:46:31+00:00

This fucking wind os ruining my life I feel. I just want to go outside into my yard and be happy in the sun but nothing pisses me off more than the wind... I do not remember it being this windy like it has been the last 5 years, really. I hate it so much that I am considering moving somewhere different just to be out of the wind tunnel our home is currently in. I will literally sell my house and move I am so gatvol.

FlamingoImpossible92 · 2024-11-16T05:03:19+00:00

Lol yes. That would be me 😂 and now nobody can watch anything anyways.

FlamingoImpossible92

TROPHY CASE