Top Tips for Tipping

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While tipping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about financial goals, having a complete picture of your spending and feeling secure in your choices are important components of Financial and Emotional Confidence. From tipping a waiter to “tipping yourself” to plan for the future, this guide can help everyone sign every bill with confidence.

[Graphic of a restaurant building. A sign on the building’s roof says, “Grocery and dining.” Four windows are shown on the front of the building, and through the windows shadows of people at tables with food can be seen. On the windows are the following list items, from left to right.]

• TABLE SERVICE AT A RESTAURANT: 15–20%¹
• BARTENDER: $1 for a beer or wine; $2 for a more complicated cocktail.² Or, 15–20% of the total bill¹
• TAKE OUT, COUNTER SERVICE OR CAFÉS: No obligation. Exceptions: 10–15% for extraordinary service, curbside delivery or for a large, complicated order¹
• FOOD DELIVERY: 10-15% (minimum $2); 15–20% for a complicated delivery or poor weather¹

[The following sentence is printed on bottom of restaurant building graphic.] Tipping Tip:  Poor service? Still tip 10%, both as a signal to management and so support staff (dishwashers, bussers) don’t get skunked¹

[Graphic of a yellow taxi with the top sign labeled, “Transportation.” To the left of the taxi is a streetlight with a raccoon resting its front paws on it. To the right, one of the taxi’s doors is open, and a woman with luggage stands to the side. Stars and flying birds are in the sky in the background.]

TAXIS AND RIDE SHARES

15–20%, minimum $1.¹ Add additional tip for baggage assistance (see below)

VALET PARKING

$2–$5 when the car is returned to you¹

Hotels and Travel

• BAGGAGE ASSISTANCE: $2 for 1 bag, plus $1 per additional bag (applies to
• bellhops, doormen, taxi drivers, skycaps, etc.)¹
• HOUSEKEEPERS: $2-$5/day left daily with a note marked “Housekeeping — Thank you” (to signal that the money wasn’t accidently left out)¹
• CONCIERGE: $5-$10 for help securing tickets, restaurant reservations or similar. $15 or 10-20% of the price if they were in-demand or hard to get¹

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Personal Care

[Graphic of a woman sitting on a chair in front of a table with a mirror surrounded by lights. Another woman is standing to her right, brushing and blow-drying her hair.]

SALON OR SPA SERVICES: 15-20% of the total (and ask for it to be split among all who served you)

[Graphic of a stop sign] DON’T FORGET TO TIP YOURSELF FIRST. When you get paid, giving yourself a 20% “tip” straight into your savings can be a fun way to meet the savings rate recommended by many experts.³

Your (Other) Burning Questions Answered

1. PRE-TAX OR POST-TAX? Pre-tax is the standard recommendation, with exceptions (see section #3 for tips on cash tipping).¹
2. DO I REALLY HAVE TO TIP MY RIDE-SHARE DRIVER? While most ride share apps did not originally include tipping, public pressure has caused companies to add it. Experts now recommend tipping like a traditional taxi.⁴
3. IS IT BETTER TO TIP IN CASH? Yes! Card tips may have processing fees deducted, so tip on the post-tax amount if using one.^5,6 Cash is especially preferred for delivery app tips (sometimes they keep all card tips).⁷

Knowing when and how much to tip is an important skill for budgeting and having a complete picture of your expenses. For an even more comprehensive understanding of your finances (and some great strategies for “tipping yourself”) speak to a financial professional today.

WWW.LIVINGCONFIDENTLY.COM

1. https://emilypost.com/advice/general-tipping-guide/
2. https://www.foodandwine.com/how/tipping-tips-from-bartenders
3. Personal Savings Statistics, Guardian Life
4. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/travel/should-you-tip-your-uber-driver-if-so-how-much.html
5. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/should-you-use-your-credit-card-to-tip/
6. https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/tip-gratuity-cash-credit-card-1280.php
7. https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/22/20703434/delivery-app-tip-pay-theft-doordash-amazon-flex-instacart

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The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®, New York, NY

2021-130428 Exp. 12/23