I tip strong enough to make my Mexican Novia shudder a bit…pass out loose change to those requesting it…and if I had staff for my house I would pay at a minimum $1.00USD an hou/ 20 p and likely more.

although. official inflation numbers might be manipulated by the government - it has been known to happen.

We currently pay our maid and gardener 400 pesos for their day's work, usually about 6 hours. They leave when their work is finished.

They have been with us for almost 5 years, and started at 250 per day, but within about 5 months, went up to 400. Our big discussion right now is do we go to 450 or 500?

Is there a guide for how often raises are given? He thinks it should be on a semi regular basis, but I'm leaning toward cost of living. We'd love some input.

We normally adjust wages at the beginning of the year. We pay the woman that works at our house a set amount per month, disbursed twice a month, and then additional daily pay when we or visitors are there. That way we have two levers. And yes, we give more aguinaldo than required by law and we pay for her seguro social.

I’m wondering whether there will be a statutory increase of wages, not just an increase in the minimum wage. If so, I might wait until after a statutory increase.

Or I might give larger bonus payments in addition to aguinaldo and the annual payments I make in lieu of continuing to defer the payment made when employment ends.

They have been with us for almost 5 years, and started at 250 per day, but within about 5 months, went up to 400. Our big discussion right now is do we go to 450 or 500?

Is there a guide for how often raises are given? He thinks it should be on a semi regular basis, but I'm leaning toward cost of living. We'd love some input.

You are SO right! The gas prices have changed much less than other things, and they are full all the time.

HOWEVER, and we will be talking about this A LOT, we are giving our household staff serious raises this year. The cost of living has increased dramatically, for not only them, but for those of us who live here.

We are trying to figure in out personal cost of living price increases and theirs too.

Would love to hear what adjustments you make for the people that work for/with you. We are also giving serious raises this year.

Thanks in advance!

HOWEVER, and we will be talking about this A LOT, we are giving our household staff serious raises this year. The cost of living has increased dramatically, for not only them, but for those of us who live here.

We are trying to figure in out personal cost of living price increases and theirs too.

Just took the combi from the airport this morning and the rate is now 19 pesos. Give 'em a break, will ya'? Gas ain't cheap.

P.S. So happy to be back in Zihua, even though I have spent the entire day sleeping (after the madruga flight from Tijuana) and tapping away on the InfernalNet. The cultural immersion starts tonight! And oh, yeah, Rob, I adore being here during the rainy season. Been following the weather and looking forward to some serious thunderstorms.

But gas IS cheap and they already have a gazillion passengers, most of whom aren't retired or on vacation and for whom the extra pesos they're charging comes out of their already insufficient income, so it's a real burden for a lot of people here, amigo.

P.S. So happy to be back in Zihua, even though I have spent the entire day sleeping (after the madruga flight from Tijuana) and tapping away on the InfernalNet. The cultural immersion starts tonight! And oh, yeah, Rob, I adore being here during the rainy season. Been following the weather and looking forward to some serious thunderstorms.