By Natalie Akpele

Can I Really Afford a Nanny?

The short answer is “yes”…

As a Nanny Placement Specialist, I work with people all the time that assume that they cannot afford to hire a nanny. But truth be told, many families can.

If you are interested in hiring a nanny for your family and are not sure you can afford it, here are a few tips that can help you determined whether or not you can truly afford one.

Double Check Your Finances

This is always the best place to start. Look at what you are spending your money on right now in relations to the care of your children. If you have two or more children in day care or an after school program, it can add up.? This could be money that you pay to a nanny instead with many more benefits to your family.

Know What Your Needs Are

After combing your finances, you realize that you can financially support the cost associated with having a nanny. You want to then figure out if the financial number matches the duties that you will require of a nanny. So, sit down and create a list of things you would like for the nanny to accomplish. Does the number match your list of duties? You want it to be reasonable and fair for the wages.

Research the nanny market around you

Once you have figured out what you can afford and what your needs are, it’s time to look around to see if it is actually something someone would be willing to take. The best way to check the market is to visit online nanny sites. There you will be able to find an average of what the nanny in your area are going for. You can also contact local agencies like Cuddlebuggs in Atlanta, GA to find out what the average rate is.

With these three tips, you should be well on your way to deciding if you can truly afford to hire a nanny.

Natalie Akpele is a newborn care specialist and nanny in Atlanta. After working as a nanny, newborn care specialist and babysitter for over 7 years, she decided to start her own newborn care and nanny placement agency in the Atlanta, GA to help families in the area to find quality care for their newborns and young children. She is currently teaching in-person and group classes on how to find a nanny and newborn care 101.

For more tips, check out her blog at Cuddlebuggs. You can also connect with her on Facebook.

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