Carpool Payment Etiquette?

Posted by ThrowRA080540@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 7 comments

I got into a car accident last Friday. Everyone involved (including myself) is ok, but my car definitely isn’t. There’s a possibility it’s totaled, and between my insurance and the actual repairs, I most likely won’t get it back until the new year, if that.

One of my coworkers immediately volunteered to carpool and drive me to and from work for the foreseeable future, which is extremely kind and takes a lot of stress off my shoulders.

However, I’ve never been in a carpool situation before, and I’m not sure how I should approach paying him. He kind of shrugged it off the few times I mentioned it this week, but I’m still most definitely paying him and compensating him for his time and kindness.

Should I ask him directly how much I should pay him per week, or figure it out myself with my own calculation? Do I pay for just gas? Or are there any other expenses?

Here is some more information about my worker and our carpool situation that might help:

• I work as a teacher and I’m a newbie to my current school district. I’ve only known this coworker for 3 months at best so we don’t know each other all that well yet. • My coworker only lives a couple towns away from me, and he actually passes by my house on his way home from work (but I believe he takes a different route to work). • From his house to our school, it’s a distance of about 35 miles. From my house to our school, it’s about 26 miles. • He drives a 2017 Hyundai small SUV (I’m not sure the exact model).

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Fair_Reflection2304@reddit

Ask him directly and if he doesn’t come up with something work it out yourself and yes include gas and try to be generous since he really is helping you out. Be sure to be ready when he arrives.

Tall-Poem-6808@reddit

Take a peek at their gas gauge, and have them pull over at a gas station when it's half or less, and fill it up for them.

Make it your weekly or bi-weekly ritual, and buy their favourite snacks when you go pay...

SnooDonuts6494@reddit

Just pay for roughly the petrol cost. It's about 2 gallons a day, I guess. If you're in the US, it's probably about $3 per gallon, so I'd give him $30 at the start of each week. ($3 x 2 gallons x 5 days.)

Don't make a big deal out of it, just hand him the cash each Monday.

At the end, maybe get him a bottle of wine, or a case of beer, or whatever he's in to.

"Venmo or writing a check" - personally, I'd just use cash. Checks are a pain in the ass.

eks789@reddit

Seems like he wants to do you a solid and like the start of a great friendship. Common courtesy is to offer to pay for gas. You want to make it easy and not awkward for him to accept the money.

Since you are on his way to the school, I would maybe offer like $25-$35 a week. You could buy a shell or Exxon gift card (whatever gas station is closest or easiest to get to) and insist that he takes it. That’s probably what I would do. Or just straight up offer cash each week for gas money, but since you don’t know each other super well, gift card is easier

ThrowRA080540@reddit (OP)

Yeah, those are kind of my thoughts on the situation as well. Thank you!! Unfortunately, due to me not having other transportation at the moment, I can’t physically go to my bank to withdraw cash or buy a gift card elsewhere. (I still live with my parents so they’ve been buying me groceries and I’ve started a running tab that I’ll pay for via check, lol)

Do you think asking for his Venmo or writing a check for him each week would also be appropriate?

Oh shoot, that’s a really good point. For some reason I didn’t think about the car issue with the gift cards. If you can get his Venmo you’re golden, you can send however much you feel is needed each week. Some people also use cash app which is super easy to set up

No worries, I’ll check out Cash App as well then and ask him. Thanks so much for your help!! :)