Hired a neighbor kid to mow my lawn, now I'm stuck in a weekly guilt trip

Last month I paid a 15 year old kid down the street $30 to mow my lawn since my back was out. Now he shows up every Saturday morning expecting cash even though I'm fine now, and I feel bad telling him to stop. On one hand I'm saving time and helping him earn money, on the other I'm paying $120 a month for something I can do in 45 minutes. Anyone else get roped into a regular gig like this and have tips for cutting it off?

2 comments

2 Comments

carr.blake10d ago

Wait, have you actually said anything to him yet or are you just dodging him every Saturday morning?

brian_coleman10d ago

Three Saturdays in a row, man. I've seen too many people do this whole avoidance dance instead of just saying "hey, can we talk for two minutes?" It's like everyone forgot how to handle the smallest bit of awkwardness. You spend more energy hiding behind a shelf of bagels than you would just having a five-second conversation.