My neighbor is in her 70s. I’m in my late 20s and live in the apartment upstairs from her, so when it snows I like to help clean off her car/shovel out her parking spot. Today she tried to pay me after I helped her. I don’t want to accept the money, but want her to still feel comfortable asking for help/not feel like she’s taking advantage of me. How should I go about this? Maybe ask her for something small so she feels like she’s helping me too? It’s never any trouble helping her with the snow removal, it never takes more than half an hour
I used to help out my grandparents and their friends with stuff. My grandparents always insisted on paying me and sometimes their friends would pay me too.
At first, I’d refuse until they told me that it makes them feel bad. So, I’d gladly take their money and save it in an envelope. Then, when something would break or need to be replaced, I’d say, “oh, I have an extra one of those! Gimme a couple of days to look for it.” And then I’d buy it with the money they gave me.
My wife and I would also take my grandparents out to dinner using the money they paid me, or I’d buy groceries and cook them a few meals, but tell them that I accidentally made extras.
Unless she’s paying you way too much, just take the money and then use it to fund helping her.
Thanks, I think I may do this. I had been thinking about just saying something like “hey, I’m making meatballs and ran out of eggs, can I borrow one?” here or there just so she feels more comfortable in the future, like we’re helping each other but this is a great idea too. Appreciate you!
That’s a great idea! Exactly, you get the gist
Your idea is also a good one. It’ll make her feel more like a friend. Elderly folks are very often lonely, so easing that would be an added bonus.
This is an awesome idea
This is so beautiful!