How much should you tip?
The economy may rise and fall, but it turns out that holiday tips remain remarkably stable. So how much is the right amount?
Housekeeper
What readers say: According to a MONEY magazine poll, readers say they plan to give their housecleaners $65 this year. That's $10 less, on average, than they did in pre-recession 2007. But how much should you tip your housecleaner?
The right way: Anna Post, a spokeswoman for The Emily Post Institute and the great-great granddaughter of Emily Post, says one unit of pay is a good guideline, whether that is equivalent to a week's pay or a day of housekeeping.
"Overall, holiday tipping is really a way of holiday thanking and if you just don't have as much money then you tip what you can," Post said.
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Last updated December 06 2010: 10:49 AM ET
