What? You Don’t Know Your Income?

Otis Orchards, Washington
October 26, 2017 3:46pm CST
A couple of days ago I called my brother to inform him of the two percent increase in Social Security. I thought he would want to figure out how much more he was going to get. So I asked him how much he was getting now. “I don’t know,” he said when I asked. “How do you not know what your income is?” I asked. “I just pay my bills when I get the money then spend the rest on things i want.” My head is still spinning from that conversation. If you are getting the same amount of money every month how could you not know what you are getting? But then my brother has always been somewhat of a “free spirit.” You may be thinking my brother doesn’t want to tell me. I don’t think that is the case. My brother is very open–in some cases, too open–with what is going on in his life. I truly believe he does not know how much he is getting. I don’t think I could handle not knowing what my income is each month. I couldn’t just pay my bills and then blow the rest of the money. What if something arises unexpectedly. None of that seems to bother my brother. There has been times he has complained about not having enough money but he always seems to work his way around it. Could you live not knowing your income and paying your bills then blowing the rest of the money?
4 people like this
4 responses
@sallypup (57858)
• Centralia, Washington
26 Oct 17
We're saving toward possible moving and retirement. My hubby did get a raise for his job but thinks it was swallowed and then some by medical insurance raising up and hollering. Living without knowing how much is coming in? No. Too many critters depend on us.
3 people like this
• Otis Orchards, Washington
27 Oct 17
1 person likes this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
26 Oct 17
If I didn't know how much I made I couldn't just blow the rest. I'd pay bills and save the rest because I always want to have some just in case something happens
2 people like this
• Otis Orchards, Washington
27 Oct 17
That's the way I do it, too.
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Oct 17
Oh my - does he not budget? One cannot live within their means if they don't know what that is . . . that is what gets people into money trouble. Well, I suppose it's good that he's been able to wing it . . . but I hope that doesn't get him into trouble some day. 2 percent? Wow, I haven't heard of increases in a long time!
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Oct 17
@RichardMeister Well I hope he never gets into money trouble again . . . it's scary how some people never learn their lesson about money. Yah, that is a big difference from .3% - sheesh, .3% sounds so dinky!!
1 person likes this
• Otis Orchards, Washington
30 Oct 17
@much2say I don't know if my brother will ever learn how to really manage his money. He called me up yesterday and told me he bought another used vehicle. He traded his old one in. I asked how much more the payments would be and he said only $20 more than he was paying on his old one. Well, there goes his 2% raise. Yes, .3% was dinky. But I guess it was better than nothing at all.
1 person likes this
• Otis Orchards, Washington
29 Oct 17
He's has gotten himself into money trouble. I have tried to make him understand thing to watch for but he just wants to do what he wants to do. Yes, 2 percent. Two years ago there was no increase. Last year it was .3 percent. So 2 percent almost seem huge.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
29 Oct 17
That is something both of us always want to know. You need to have a bit extra on hand for emergencies.
1 person likes this
• Otis Orchards, Washington
30 Oct 17
I agree with you.
1 person likes this