Real life MMD: Should SIL help with fuel?

JerryW

Personally I wouldn't ask her to contribute, it makes you look like rather a cheapskate. Petrol in the USA costs next to nothing anyway. If she offers, take it, if not forget it. I would be more concerned about sharing the driving anyway..

WastingMyTime

She will be benefiting from the travel so I would expect her to put some money towards the petrol costs.
Thought: Will she be going on every car journey with you or will there be times when she will/you will use the car separately? Amount of her contribution may depend on the answer.
Finalise everything before you go so you can all enjoy yourselves. Have a great hol.

kurton

Having been in the same situaiton myself on a holiday in the US, my own opinion is that you were hiring a car anyway and you would be fuelling it. As your SIL has paid for her flight and I presume will pay her accommodation costs, I can't see what your problem is.Any decent person would offer to pay for fuel or contribute to hire costs but as I said, you would have been paying for it anyway. Of course, if you initiated the invite for her to join you on holiday, these points should have been discussed at the time.

pjcox2005

oldandwise wrote: »

I just don't understand the modern generation. You were going to have to pay for the car whether your sister-in-law went or not so what is the problem, it's famiy for goodness sake. I have to say I do enjoy MMT even though I never actually use it as I was brought up to pay as you go. It's quite interesting to see the mess some people get themselves into. We had to manage without a guru like Martin.
But then life was much simpler then, if we hadn't the money we didn't get it, we didn't have to have the latest thing at whatever price.
Methuselah:T

Oldandwise, whilst I get the sentiments behind the post, and think that the presence of credit is a bigger issue in modern society, I also find it strange people look on the past as if it was completely different.

The idea 'life was much simpler then, if we hadn't the money we didn't get it, we didn't have the latest thing at whatever price.' is clearly incorrect (unless you were referring to your specific circumstances rather than the whole generation).

Otherwise I'm struggling to understand how the Diners club credit card existed since 1950, and Provident (example) have been in existance for over 125 years if no one ever borrowed money?

AshleyBones

Am I missing the point here?

This is a personal matter between the participants involved. It is a matter of reasonableness and fairness and altruism. If someone has to raise such a question on a forum like this they must surely have lead a very sheltered life or be very challenged in the common-sense department.

1ukphoenix

What if SIL hadn't budgeted for Car Hire? She might be left embarrassed if she can't afford to go on the holiday as a result (particularly if you have a v. expensive hire car + Ins).

She probably will of considered paying towards petrol though - so would make a petrol kitty - rather than per petrol stop; some fill-ups may be more expensive than others; and either you or you SIL may find that you're paying the larger fuel bill each time which would obviously be unfair.

So would have a pay as you go kitty on fuel; and accept any contribution towards car hire that is offered. You would have hired a car anyway and SIL is family. Just hope you haven't hired a car of greater value than you would have done - in anticipation of a 1/3 contribution from SIL. So whoops if you have hired a Bentley : D

sutee1

I think that you should discuss this with her before you go. If not, you may not have the WONDERFUL holiday you are hoping for. If she's already paid for her fare, etc., I bet she's also thought of fuel costs - she doesn't sound like a sponger. Like many others I think it should be 1/3, as without her you would be footing the whole bill and she is only one of three travelling. Three possibilities:- have a kitty, pay as you go along (SIL pays 1 in 3 fill-ups) or you pay it all, keep the receipts and let her repay her third at the end. Whatever you do, discuss and sort it before you go.

Have a great trip.

redroselass

of course it is only polite and fair that the motoring costs are split 3 ways but you will be hiring the car anyway so should only have SIL share the fuel costs with you. ( 1/3 share is the right way to do that).

revjsc

I believe that we don't have enough information to begin to suggest sharing costs and advising on what the percentage should be.
I presume that as it's your holiday you must have invited your SIL to join you and that would have been the best time to talk about financial arrangements but given that this is the situation you now find yourselves in, then why not be generous, not expect anything and leave your SIL to make her own decision/s - especially if she is financially embarrassed.

ashburn6

As the cost of fuel sky rockets then why shouldnt u ask her for a contribution. assuming she actually wants to go to the same places as you and days out as you then she should pay a 1/3rd. check with her that the holiday she has in mind involves hiring a car because if she wants to lounge round the pool then she shouldnt pay but if shes in the car then the cost is 3 ways!