My MIL keeps paying me to work on her home.

[vash]

Driving me nuts! I consider her family. She is very similar to me. We find it difficult to ask for help. She put me to work! Sprinklers, closet doors, move furniture, etc. When done she chases down my wife and stuffs something into her pocket. Alot of $! I try to sneak it back and she will run it back over. Argh.

[stomachmonkey]

Different generation.

They paid their way.

Family or not.

To her it's charity.

You insult her pride by not taking it/letting her pay.

Put it in a jar and send her on a nice vacation or buy an awesome birthday, christmas present with it.

Besides, you'll get it one way or the other so let her have this.

[klm2500hd]

I've been down this road before, taking the money she forced on me and leaving it somewhere in her house when I left. She would start leaving it hidden at our house when she came over. Take the money she insists on giving you, and put it off to the side. Take her out to dinner with it, buy her things she needs but won't buy for herself, in general spend it on her.

[sc_rufctr]

Just be aware that money can be a control thing... Take it if you feel comfortable.
As suggested buy her something nice on mothers day, Xmas and BDs.

[techweenie]

She's not asking you to dress provocatively when you work on her house, is she?

I saw that in a movie once. It did have a happy ending.

[jyl]

I agree with save the $ and buy her something nice with it.

Unless the handyman stuff is becoming an imposition, in which case stop doing it, refer her to a (professional) handyman.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Put it in a jar and send her on a nice vacation or buy an awesome birthday, christmas present with it.

Exactly. Can't give it back to her directly....

When I worked at the pharmacy, sometimes I would help out in the fountain area during lunch, the waittresses over there always insisted on giving me a share of the tips. I learned early on that they wouldn't take it back, and I felt like only being there 45mins a day just taking orders and making drinks didn't qualify me for a share of the tips, and I knew they needed the money. I got to where I would just save it, and leave a big tip when I ate, or stash it in the jar they put tips in when they weren't around.

[DanielDudley]

Not a problem. Say thanks.