So what is the going rate per hour for a sitter (not for daily childcare)?  Does it depend on the age of the sitter?  Teenager, early twenties, etc.  Would this be considered when paying someone?  Finally, how do people afford to go out for the evening and pay the sitter? 

I think it definitely depends on the age of the sitter.

We pay our teenage babysitter $7.50 per hour

There are two other teenage sitters in our neighborhood that we've used that charge $5 and $8.

We have an  adult that we use (a former daycare teacher who knows the kids). We take the kids to her house and she and her husband watch them along with their 3-year-old son so there's bult-in entertainment. The kids LOVE going there. We pay her $12 an hour (that price was my idea, she probably would have only charged $10?)

It does depend on a lot of things. I am a babysitter for many families and a prior nanny. All the things previously mentioned are important, and it also depends on the provider. I have a ton of references, my clearances, and have taken child care courses. Therefore I am more expensive then some others. I charge between $10-$13 an hour. I am open for negotiation when the children will be sleeping during some of the time. I also bring my own child with me. Another important thing to mention is if your hiring a teenager you may pay less because they don't have bills to pay. This is my actual job that pays my mortgage.

Honestly being a mom myself, I can not afford to pay for a babysitter. I know its expensive but you are trusting this person with the most important thing in you lives. If I do something without my daughter I have to plan it around my mothers schedule so she can babysit.

Another good idea! If your going out with others that have children hire one person to wach all of them. The sitter will charge a lil more, but you get to split the cost!

Anyone looking for a babysitter, i'm available!