For the second summer in a row, I agreed to watch my brothers house while his family went on vacation. Last year he had me stay for a weekend while they went to a friends wedding in the northeast. Then a few weeks later, I stay another time (four nights, three days) I think. Both times they made it worth my while. They left me either enough cash or a gift card for me to handle food or pay for the gas.
The thing about staying here is it requires me to cut off the rest of my life. He lives about an hour from where I live/work, and he also has a dog so I can't leave for more than a few hours at time (making going to work back home inefficient.) He doesn't really live near any of my friends, so basically while I'm here it's me sitting here alone all day with the dog. That's fun for like a day, then you get stir-crazy and bored.

ANYWAYS, he wanted me to stay for eight days while he was at Disney World. I said no way was I sacrificing that much time of not working and just sitting here all week. I guess if I got PTO from work it wouldn't be that awful, but I don't have that benefit, so if I'm here then I'm not working and not making money.
I agreed to watch the place starting today (Thursday) until Saturday. I think he got his parents-in-law (who are retired and live closer) to watch the house/dog the other amount of time.

So I get here today this afternoon, and there's no reimbursement, but also the refrigerator is completely fucking bare. Maybe if he had left some food in there I wouldn't mind too much, but he's basically saying 'Watch my house while I don't accommodate you worth shit' -- I don't expect him to pay me that much. Basically just cover food so I don't actually LOSE money for doing him a damn favor.

I didn't want to make a big deal to him or anyone else in my family, so I thought I'd bring my issue/vent here to see if anyone agrees.

....And yes, I banged the dog and upperdecked the toilet already.

If it was a mutual favor (IE, his house was much closer to where you work, etc.), it would be one thing, but he should definitely hook you up with something, either food, gas, cash, beer, etc.

and bang his wife.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just be sure you get the stud fee when he sells the puppies.

Easy solution: don't housesit for him again. Oh yeah, bang his wife like redfalcon said.

Or better yet find a RATARD on Craigslist and bang her all over the house!!!!

Next time don't forget to leave a used condom for their kid to find

What's on his cable pay per view?

Personally... I would have saved the upper decker until I was on my way out the door. Now you have to enjoy the splendor yourself.

Don't do favors for family anymore, problem solved.

Your brother is not a cheapskate. Taking the family to Disney for 8 days is far from cheap.

Cheapskate? No. Inconsiderate? Probably. It would be different if you were able to work while doing this, but apparently that's not an option. He probably should've left you a little something.

Dude, he is NOT responsible for feeding you even if you are house sitting. You'd have to eat anyway. Get over it.

If you're unable to work, it's pretty ridiculous you aren't being compensated for your time. I would mention something, but don't be a clown about it, especially if he throws a fit(which he won't).

voewoody;462998 wrote:Or better yet find a RATARD on Craigslist and bang her all over the house!!!!

Don't forget to do her in the pooper in his bed.

Lookup child porn on his computer.

Scarlet_Buckeye;463379 wrote:Dude, he is NOT responsible for feeding you even if you are house sitting. You'd have to eat anyway. Get over it.

REALLY? I'D STILL HAVE TO EAT IF I WASN'T HERE? I NEVER REALIZED THAT. THANKS DETECTIVE.
You know what the difference is, though? I'd be eating my food I already bought at my house, or food from the cafeteria at work where I'd be making money. He could have left a $10 gift card to McDonalds (which I hate) and I'd be okay - at least he recognized that I was here and went out of my way to help him out.
Don't be an idiot. I didn't say it was his responsibility to make sure I was pleasantly stuffed the two days I was here. Hell I said it also could have been gas money, since his house is an hour from mine.

But yeah, this will be the last time I help him out while he's out of town. He can board the dog next time.

Scarlet_Buckeye;463379 wrote:Dude, he is NOT responsible for feeding you even if you are house sitting. You'd have to eat anyway. Get over it.

I'm on this side. It's your brother - can't you just do a damn favor for him because he's family and not because you're hoping for a free lunch?

Grabbing dry cleaning on the way home is a favor.

Not working for a few days to house sit while he is on vacation is a huge favor, and the classy thing to do is to provide some sort of compensation.

On that note, he may do this when he returns from vacation, so don't burn this bridge just yet.

friendfromlowry;463592 wrote:...
But yeah, this will be the last time I help him out while he's out of town. ...

If I were your brother I would make sure of that. I certainly don't need favors from people that expect to be made whole in return. If that's the case it would be better to hire the professionals and board the dog.

You can spend a lot of money and still be cheap. Ever see someone go to Red Lobster and leave a $2 tip? Yeah. That's cheap.

As for the issue, you're doing more than a favor. You're providing him a service that otherwise would be very expensive (i.e., Brinks, ADT, etc) for the peace of mind knowing the house is okay and a kennel for the dog. If he doesn't return the favor, he's either grossly undervaluing what you're doing for him, or he's just an inconsiderate prick.

But, as said. Don't burn your bridge just yet. He may show his thanks when he returns from the trip. And if not, just decline any future assistance he may want.

Sykotyk;464298 wrote: If he doesn't return the favor, he's either grossly undervaluing what you're doing for him, or he's just an inconsiderate prick.

Or you know, maybe he'd be there for you when you need something and not act like helping out family is a business.

Honestly, just don't stay there. Leave. When he comes home to a torn up house and dog shit everywhere, he'll realize why.

enigmaax;464350 wrote:Or you know, maybe he'd be there for you when you need something and not act like helping out family is a business.

I don't know the circumstances but when someone does a favor for me like this I make sure I leave something or promise the favor in return to make sure that I appreciate their assistance. It's not a business but it is just some reassurance to tell them that I am not taking advantage of them. I personally don't ask for favors very often but when I do I make sure that the person knows my gratitude, but hey, thats just me.

Watching our house is something we show our appreciation for, even when it's done by a family member. Our going rate is $20 per day. We don't stock the refrigerator, but the person staying there is certainly welcome to anything they find.