Q: We returned home at 11:00 pm and owe the babysitter $30. If we don’t have enough cash, may we pay her later in the week?

A: Since the job finished during the night, payment is due then. Thus, there is a mitzvah to pay the babysitter that night and a prohibition to withhold payment to the next day against her will (C. M. 339:4). However, one only violates the prohibition if the employee asks for her wages. Therefore, if the babysitter is fully willing to receive payment afterwards, there is no violation. (Nonetheless, if you do pay that night you fulfill a mitzvah.) You should be careful, though, not to delay payment unnecessarily the following days, but to pay as soon as possible (C.M. 339:8-10).

If she wants payment that night, but is embarrassed or unable to ask, the Chofetz Chaim maintains that you may not delay payment (Ahavas Chesed, ch. 9 nt. 29,32).

Although a person does not violate if he does not have money available, if the babysitter wants payment that night and you are able to get money from an ATM, you are required to do so, even if inconvenient. If you have a $50 bill, you are required to give it to her and let her give you change when she can. Alternatively, you can write her a check, and, if she wants, let her return it when you have cash.