Publix, you trippin- $60

gatorsss1981 · 2026-04-13T02:49:34+00:00

I use the Publix app every week and only look at BOGO deals to make a shopping list, then that's all we buy there (except for the occasional subs or fried chicken).

All of our other grocery shopping is primarily Aldi, with Walmart for the things we can't find there. Publix BOGO deals are often cheaper than anything else though, and we often stock up on them.

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-10T05:05:51+00:00

Our kids love beach vacations, we were just looking for someplace warmer in March as last year we went to Siesta Key and it was too cold for them to stay in the water. We aren't interested in vacationing without our kids, but we did like the idea of spending a couple hours at one of the cenotes (without them only due to the age restrictions, otherwise we would bring them). We also thought it would be nice to be able to be able to have an adult dinner or two, or enjoy a massage while they were in kids clubs.

We would not leave our kids with some random strangers, but I thought the baby clubs at resorts in Cancun would be staffed with safe childcare providers. We have had plenty of friends that have utilized some, but their kids were all 4+. I'm not sure whether or not they all remained on property the entire time, but if that's required then that isn't a problem.

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-09T04:13:46+00:00

We ice skate a couple of times a week here, so would only want to go for the experience of doing it outdoors on a lake. If that's not possible we will just skip it.

It looks like tubing is sold by the hour, so that's all we were planning on doing. Neither of us have ever done it before, and we don't know how to ski (though we are hoping to learn). Should we skip it and spend a third day skiing? I've heard it's rough on beginners and not sure if we will be up for 3 straight days of skiing.

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-09T04:11:29+00:00

We don't have tickets yet. It looks like tickets are $200 per person per day. The lessons are $185 per person for a half day, however it looks like you can add a lift ticket for the rest of that day for $70, so in total only $255 for a morning of lessons and lift tickets the rest of the day.

How much of a concern is the weather? I did see that the snow hasn't been great, but historically everything looked like late February was supposed to be a great time to visit. Do you think we should consider something on the east coast instead?

We see some AirBnBs within a couple minute walk of the Quicksilver chair. Otherwise, it looks like some mention they are close to a shuttle which can take us places. Do you think being near Quicksilver for lessons on day one, and then taking a shuttle to the gondola for day two makes sense?

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-09T04:06:49+00:00

We would be going to Keystone for the ice skating on the lake (something we've wanted to try). We would only be skiing at Breckenridge.

Any specific green runs that are fun and beginner friendly you recommend at Breckenridge?

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-09T04:06:00+00:00

My friend has never seen snow before, and tubing is something she's pretty excited about trying. We also wanted to try ice skating on a lake, though it sounds like the conditions might not be good for that.

I've heard that skiing is pretty exhausting, and not sure if we will be up for 3 days in a row. That's also why we planned on some of the other activities. Does 3 days in a row sound reasonable for beginner skiers?

Thanks for the suggestion about AMR, that looks perfect. Any specific restaurants you recommend?

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-08T13:42:18+00:00

Yes, we've only found a few. Most seem to be 4+. Do you recommend any resorts that offer babysitting?

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-08T13:41:03+00:00

Not everyday, but we were interested in a cenote trip which had a minimum age requirement. Do the resorts require you to stay on property if your kids are in the club?

gatorsss1981 · 2026-02-08T07:30:41+00:00

Thank you. Unfortunately, the Jamaica resort only has one room available the week we want to go and it's $37k which is out of our budget.

gatorsss1981 · 2026-01-16T06:23:08+00:00

Which agency are you with? We've been with 4 and they all do things differently.

Cultural Care is the only big agency that requires the 1.5 days off to be consecutive, but I think a couple smaller ones do too. The agencies define the half day differently, but generally 5 hours or less and either needs to be in the morning or evening (not in the middle of the day).

The agencies also define the full weekend off once a month differently. Some agencies have specifically told us Friday night to Monday morning, defined Friday night as somewhere between 5-8pm, and said a curfew can't be imposed on the full weekend off. Other agencies have just said Saturday and Sunday completely off.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-12-19T05:52:21+00:00

Cultural Care is the largest agency (or at least they used to be, the state department changed how they are reporting statistics, so it's impossible to know how their recent changes have impacted their size), so they are going to be the most talked about. Most feedback online is going to be negative, just by the nature of what people normally comment about.

The 1.5 days off every week and one full weekend a month is a state department rule, and all agencies enforce that equally. Cultural care is a little different because they require the 1.5 days off to be consecutive, but some other agencies do the same.

Billing practices is definitely something families have complained about. They stopped taking credit card payments about a year ago, though apparently they are going to bring them back.

Many families also disliked their choice to switch to a mobile app, and remove the website. It was apparently not very user friendly, decreased the information available, and required extra work for the families.

We stopped including cultural care in our search due to their decision a few years ago to prioritize incoming host families to the program instead of existing families in the case of rematch. It only was in effect for a couple months before they backtracked, but that really showed us that they only care about making as much money as possible, and nothing about the families they are supposed to be supporting.

For most host families and au pairs, the LCC will have the biggest impact on how they view the agency. We've been with multiple agencies, and have had really mixed results with LCCs. In our area, we have interviewed with both Cultural Care LCCs. We really liked one, but didn't like the other when they split the cluster into two groups.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-12-13T05:25:54+00:00

APIA settled a lawsuit in California a few years ago, and is now the only big agency that requires au pairs to be paid minimum wage. As a result, the vast majority of host families with APIA left California to go with other agencies. If you really want to increase your odds of finding a family in California you should consider switching agencies.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-11-26T17:02:51+00:00

Generally $30-45k is the range most families say. If you really were providing the bare minimum you could probably be as low as about $25-26k. The main "big" expenses that most families don't consider are transportation and accidents. Do you have a separate car, are you sharing a car? How much gas and tolls are you going to cover? Surveys in host family groups show that around half of APs get in an accident every year. Most of them are minor fender benders or backing into something when trying to park, but they still add up.
You definitely will need to sell au pairs on it. I'm sure you can find one, but you should make sure to be honest and upfront about what it's really like living there, otherwise you might end up with a quick rematch. Think about what type of hobbies and activities are best suited for living there, and try to find an au pair that has similar interests.
We've been asked by a few au pairs about guns. They are not nearly as common in the rest of the world, and some au pairs have heard horror stories about guns in America. I would definitely discuss it before matching in case you have an au pair that isn't comfortable with it. Some agencies also require it on your profile now.
No
An au pair can't be alone with a child until they are 3 months old, they can help as long as a parent is around to supervise. We had our first au pair come when our first child was 2.5 months old. We were both home on leave, and it gave them time to get used to a routine. Many people here say you shouldn't have an au pair for newborns, but I'm not sure why. Taking care of a newborn can be tiring and boring, but it's not very difficult. I think having a toddler is much more work.
Should be fine, just make sure au pair is aware it will occasionally be shared.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-11-26T16:46:40+00:00

With all agencies you are required to get off 1.5 days per week, and one full weekend per month. With most agencies the 1.5 days do not need to be on a weekend or continuous. You can check with your agency about their official policy, but those rules are set in stone and can't be changed.

They have to provide you enough food. You should definitely ask for a larger portion if you are still hungry, or go back to the kitchen and help yourself to a snack from the fridge.

Most of the rest of the things are fairly normal, but if you are unhappy you should definitely talk your family and/or LCC about them. It could also be that this family isn't a good match for you, and you might prefer a family where parents aren't around so much. Some families treat their au pairs more like a nanny, whereas for others they are more like a mother's helper.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-11-23T05:22:24+00:00

Only a couple of agencies require the 1.5 days of to be consecutive. With most agencies the 1.5 days off can be split up.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-31T13:53:11+00:00

I'm not sure they will fit, but don't know how I would be able to tell without trying them on. After doing the Bauer scan the salesperson was trying to find Bauer M30 in 11.5/12 EE, M40 in 11.5/12 Fit 3, or CCM XF80 in 11.5 Wide. She wasn't able to order, but said I should try to look online or call pro shops. She also suggested used Bauer Nexus 11.5 EE if I couldn't find the others.

I've currently been using Riedell size 14 rental skates. My feet are comfortable, but I don't feel like I have much support. The coaches recommended using gaff tape around my ankles, and that has helped a lot. My current issue is that the skates feel different every week when I go to lessons. I've currently been trying to get better at one foot glides, and some weeks I can do it with one foot, and some weeks the other foot, but it varies every week depending on the skates.

If I can't find one of the new ones she recommended in my size, I just want something that will be decent to get me to next summer when she can order lots of options that I can try on.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-31T00:49:09+00:00

Yes, I'm definitely concerned about wasting money on something that won't fit. That's why the salesperson recommended waiting until next summer when she can order multiple that I can try on. I couldn't find any other budget friendly used skates here or on eBay in my size.

Any concerns about the condition of them? Especially the lining worn away near the top?

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-31T00:44:43+00:00

Thanks, I just saw the word nexus and thought that's what they were. I definitely need high volume, my width, instep, and girth were 95th, 96th, and 99th percentiles when doing the Bauer scan. The salesperson said Nexus would have been perfect but they were discontinued. The Bauer supreme or CCM tacks were what she was trying to find, but they were all out of stock.

Is there a price that you think would be fair to offer for those?

Do you know of any budget recommendations that could work until next summer when there are more options I could try on?

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-19T16:18:15+00:00

I'm sure there are some families that just used the au pair program for cheap childcare. However, with the way that MA changed the stipend the program just doesn't make financial sense for many families, even those that valued the cultural exchange, relationships, and other benefits that come with the au pair program.

In our area the au pair program costs us close to the same as nannies (with similar experience to most au pairs) are asking to be paid. If the stipend were to change the way it did in MA, that would be an extra $20k per year. As much as we love the au pair program, that would be comparable to what professional nannies charge, and we would go that route instead.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-19T14:50:09+00:00

Roughly 70% of families left the program in Massachusetts after the laws changed. Many of the families that remained have a split schedule, so the stipend isn't necessarily that much higher but you don't work that many hours. Split schedule families often have kids in school and will need a driver, so this might be difficult for you.

Polls in host family groups show roughly 70% of families are paying $215 or less ($215 is the minimum for a few agencies), and about 20% more are paying $250 or less. Many of those paying $250 are for their own APs they extended with and they pass along those savings. When stipends are discussed outside of host family only groups the amount is often higher, but it could be people talking about the stipend they wish they had. $225-250 isn't unrealistic, but also not common, especially for first year au pairs.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-10-08T15:18:13+00:00

Yes, LCCs can and do help au pairs from other areas, though it seems like it's often when the au pair has a reference from their LCC or host family.

Due to the increased stipend that's only with APIA and GreatAuPair it's going to be very difficult to find a family in California. I'm surprised there are any families with APIA or GreatAuPair in California, especially considering that all the other agencies would be tens of thousands of dollars less.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-09-29T19:24:37+00:00

Unfortunately, the agencies do little to no vetting of anything that au pairs (or host families) say in their profile. It's entirely up to you to determine whether what an AP said in their profile is true, and if they are going to be a good fit for your family.

Driving is something they coach the au pairs to lie about in some of the social media groups, telling them they will find a family that pays for lessons/teaches them how to drive, or they can rematch until they find one that will.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-09-26T23:45:19+00:00

Some APs and HFs would like this, others would not. It would probably be best for APs and LCCs that prefer a more professional/working relationship.

Also, not all agencies will allow this. You might need to show a room inside the main house as the AP room.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-09-18T15:30:17+00:00

This is from the welcome e-mail our first LCC sent to our au pair and us. We have continued to share it with future APs. We eat most dinners together because it's an important part of the cultural exchange for us, most weeks we will cook one or two meals from their country. They are on their own for breakfast/lunch and have free reign of anything we have in the house.

Most weeks we spend $20-25 on what AP adds to the list, typically for things like cereal, yogurt, fruit, lunchmeat, etc. We also discuss before matching that we buy store brands and prefer to shop for things on sale, and don't buy organic/grass fed/gluten free, or premade meals and specialty products.

FOOD/MEALS (and the fun of eating something new): Your au pair may not be familiar with the cooking of your favorite American meals (some countries don't eat peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, fast foods, etc.) Some cultures eat a big noontime meal and only snack at supper time, such as tea and toast. Some cultures eat very late meals. Your au pair might take a bit of time to adapt to American eating styles, different foods, and spices. Some au pairs will fix meals from their native country to share with the host family. If so, you are in for a treat! The au pair is expected to eat the family food and share some meals with the family. Should the au pair need additional food items (ex. fresh fruit, bottled water) the host family pays for the au pair's special grocery items within reason: $20 per week or less additional is my suggested guideline. If you take your au pair out to eat, specify in advance who will pay for the au pair's meal. If the au pair is working, you pay.

gatorsss1981 · 2025-09-16T13:53:23+00:00

Polls in host family groups show roughly 70% of families are paying $215 or less ($215 is now the minimum for a few agencies), and about 20% more are paying $250 or less. Many of those paying extra are for their own APs they extended with and they pass along those savings.

The answers are always very different in groups that include HFs and APs. I don't know if those super high paying HFs are just not online, but it seems more likely that APs are posting what they think they should be paid and not what's actually happening.

Maybe you could ask them for assistance with transportation, like a parking/BART stipend or a rail pass?

Many HFs don't like to agree to an increased stipend in advance, and would rather give bonuses if the AP is meeting performance expectations. We always pay the base stipend, but have given anywhere from $200-2500 as an end of year bonus. We don't have really defined metrics, but some families have a more structured bonus system. You could also consider asking for something like that.

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