Shrinking paycheck

Every other Friday, my biological clock would wake me up extra early and an unknown source would inject me with newfound enthusiasm to put on my favorite outfit for work. And by “an unknown source”, of course I mean Pay Day.

I would then whistle on the whole car ride to work, and walk into the office with a big grin and say “good morning” to everyone. It is only after the enveloped has been opened that my love for my job, co-workers and company will start wearing away at a rapid rate.

Oh dear, I would say, where did my money go?

When I first joined the work force, people warned me that credit to the glorious system of tax, I wouldn’t see at least a third of my salary. So imagine my delight when I received my first check and simply mathematics told me that only contributed 20 some percent has been contributed (I can’t say it was voluntary) to the government. But the happy days didn’t last long.

Two weeks later, I got another earning statement and more deduction items appeared—social security tax and NY SUI/SDI tax were what I recalled (what is SUI/SDI anyway? Sounds like a disease to me) Another two weeks, another smaller check, this time thanks to 401k. Today, I was shocked to find that only 50% of my base salary has been deposited to my bank account. Since when did I start paying for medical insurance AND Medicare Tax? After Obama got elected, I would guess.

I used to hate when people insult police officers and other civil servants using the claim that “they (the people) pay for their (policemen’s) salaries”. But at this rate, I might have to start doing that myself pretty soon. And before then, the puppy I am planning to buy has to wait.




Happy Thanksgiving