Would you charge a friend for travel to work daily?

trixietoes

The same thing happened to me when I first started working what seems like a million years ago. I offered petrol money like your friend did, it's only fair, plus I would have had to shell out in some form to get to work anyway and this was much more nicer than waiting around for buses.

As your friend has offered then take it, like other posters have said it will make them feel more comfortable accepting the lift and you will get a bit knocked off your travel expenses too.. Win Win as far as I can see.

My old work allowed people to use the car park free if you car shared or 80p a day if you didn't... anything like that at yours?

beckseven

Hi I would take the money-you are doing her a favour and she can do you a favour with helping out with some petrol money-both sides happy:)

Reds-on-Sea

From the last 50 or so posts, I think the consensus is: Take the money!

Pee

You should accept the money and work out the petrol costs of her portion of the journey. If I was you, I would put that money aside, perhaps savings for a new car or something rubbish happening with it like needing new brakes. then if your friend moved jobs or got her own car, you wouldn't be relying on that money.

Jinx

It used to cost me 15 quid a week to get to work on a VERY slow bus. So when a new colleague offered me a lift, I jumped at the chance!! I paid 10 quid a week.... that meant I was saving a little and my colleague saved a bit too as she had to do virtually the same journey (she picked me up, couple mins in car). It worked really well, we just agreed that we would remind the other of any hols booked etc and I was always on time - its only fair.

The company on the way to work was lovely I dont think the contribution has to be reflected to the penny, just that it works for both sides.

Wilma33

Couldn't she make her own way to/from your house? I think it's unfair to expect you to go out of your way.

Fuzzy_Duck

I would charge her however much the extra 2 miles out of your way there and back costs. Even if it's more expensive that the bus would take her, she has already said she is willing to pay half of the full amount and the bus would be a lot slower and less comfortable.

If she came to your house first so you were doing your usual journey, than I'd agree with your parents that you shouldn't accept any money (of course if she turned up late frequently and inconvenienced you I might think otherwise!)

I really don't see anything wrong with charging a friend as long as it's a fair price- I charge a friend for using my car parking space, and he is happy to pay it as I charge half of what he would pay otherwise.

x-Princess-Vikki-x

try using this site: http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.shtml

to work out how much your fuel will be costing approximatley and then charge her a rounded amount

ellissa

Hi again everyone

Sorry it's been a while, thank you so much for all your replies - lots of food for thought there!

I agree with all of you that I should take some money from my friend. I suppose I thought that all along but, on speaking to my parents, just wondered if I was being greedy.

For those of you who asked about my parents - they are just ridiculously generous. They are lovely people but, as their daughter, I get very cross as many people so clearly and blatantly take advantage of their generosity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a 'give to receive' person but it makes me mad when many of their 'friends' take, take, take from them and don't even give back the simplest standards of friendship... anyway that's a whole other post!

If the situation was reversed, YES my parents would want me to pay my way and be mortified if I did not!

Many of you have made me think about the complications of this arrangement. Due to the nature of my work, rarely I am out the door at 4:30 but more often than not it can be hours and hours later. Most of the time I know in advance, sometimes not. My friend, working in a different role, will usually be ready to leave at 4.

She will be waiting around for me and she says she is fine with this and would rather do this than take public transport but I think a trial period is the way to go. We'll do a month trial, I won't charge her and then if it works after a month I'll work out the petrol I use and half it. I'll ask her to pay that amount.

Thank you so much all of you. This has been very valuable
Ells x