Real life MMD: Should SIL help with fuel?

JHC

euterpe13 wrote: »

Don't be so cheap - you're a couple, she's alone - be a bit generous here

I agree - and she might reciprocate by paying for a meal or two.

catsbumfluff

Yes, tell you why.
Ok so you can afford it and yes you would of paid for all the petrol if she hadn't come along.. and yes she's family!
But asking for a third for petrol is not wrong.
I was going to take my children on holiday and my in-laws and friends were going away, but i'd tell people i had room in my caravan and ask if they'd like to share the cost and save their contribution towards any unexpected expenditures.:rotfl:

catsbumfluff

Just like to add, inviting someone along for free because they're not as well off is a kind thing to do and i've done this many times, but a person should not feel obliged to waver sharing a cost just because you are financially more comfortable.

Give if you want, share if you prefer,don't feel pressured ...unless it upsets your other half in which case go with the flow.;)

heth

Of course she should pay her share - but if there are three of you that should be a third, I can't see why you would ask her for a half unless she's taking someone else along as well!

spelter

This is straightforward. There are three of you, and if you are all using the car equally, then of course, you split the cost three ways. There should be no argument about that - it's fair. However, I have to say, your grammar is wrong! You say your SIL is "joining my wife and I...." It should be "My wife and me"!!! Everyone seems to be getting this wrong these days. The simple way to get it right, is to take out (my wife and), and think how you would phrase it then. You wouldn't say: my SIL is joining I, would you? You'd say my SIL is joining me. I've noticed, even teachers are making this fundamental mistake now.....what chance do our children have??! Enjoy your holiday!

postrophe

yorkshireman99 wrote: »

I really can't decide on this one.

BUT she should be travelling with 'my wife and ME' not 'my wife and I'.

Quite so! :T

Cimscate

Can't really see this is a dilemma if you haven't even asked her. If you ask and she refuses then it might be a useful discussion!

mrsgready

I would say that it would only be polite for her to offer to pay some of the costs. She may be intending that anyway but give every opportunity for her to chip in - without actually saying it. After all, as you say the cost would be there regardless.

LucyTheDwarf

The fairest way would be for the couple to put 2/3 and the SIL to put 1/3 in the kitty, and pay for shared expenses (fuel, car hire, food etc) from there. Then whatever is left over at the end of the holiday should be split in the same way.

She's on the holiday as well, and shouldn't get a "free meal" because you would have had to pay the car cost whether there were just the two of you.. she's benefiting too...

tmmorgan

If she is a good sister in law she should offer to pay some of the cost of the hire car. I've been in the same situlation as the sister in law!!! I offered to pay towards the hire of a car. But was refused:)