Extra-Curricular Fees Dispute

Please don't judge me, I am really behind in DD's fees for her after school activity. It's meant to be just over $100 per term, payable by about the second week of each term. I am sure I have paid $100 so far for the year, and so owe $310 (at the second week of this new term). I am sure that I have paid fifty dollars twice, but I do not have a receipt. I remember handing cash to the teacher twice. But, I sent her an email the other day, no idea why, asking her how much I owed her. She says I have only paid $50. I reply, saying I am sure I have paid $100, in two lots of 50. She disagrees.

What do I do? I can't afford to fling her an extra $50, regardless if she feels that I owe it for being so late with the fees. I am not up to date with the fees because I haven't organised my finances (at all, yes, I know that), and will struggle to have the $310 paid by their end of year day. Even DH is sure that I have paid $100.

Thanks.

First off, hi darl! Haven't seen your name around in ages :)

I hate to say it, but I don't really know how to challenge it if you don't have a receipt. Maybe from now on you can insist on a receipt, and chalk it up to experience? Expensive lesson though :(

I have to agree with BC above - without a receipt there isn't much that you can do about it. If you cause a fuss it might mean that the remainder of her activity's become really uncomfortable and if you are thinking of continuing on next year it could be the same.

You have just named the reason why I still have a cheque book. I've been burned by this before, too. There's a possibility that your recollection is incorrect, there's a possibility her recollection is incorrect too. The $50 may be wedged in limbo in the middle of a stack of her paperwork... Who knows?

There's probably not too much you can do about it now, if the amount appears to be outstanding in the paperwork, then for all intents & purposes it is. You could try to split the difference re the disputed amount, but if this is an activity that you wish your child to keep doing with this teacher for a while to come, it may not be worth the ill-will. Otherwise, if you can recall any other details that might point to the exact day & time you paid, that might prompt the teacher's memory.

Either way, get a cheque book or make all future payments by direct Internet transfer or credit card. Then, even if they are slack with their receipts, you have proof of when & how much you paid.