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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

Who’s FICA?

October 27, 2008 by Kate Mayer 1 Comment

My kid rips open her first-ever paycheck and her jaw drops. 
“Where’s my money?” she demands. 
Apparently, she was expecting more. Her and me both. That’s the thing about R-Js. The real jobs deduct real taxes, something babysitting, mowing lawns, dog walking, tutoring, and the wrath of other teen beats fail to do. Her iTune purchasing power greatly diminished, and she has yet to realize the reality of mortgage payments, cell phones, insurance, utilities, oil, cable, food, orthodontics, medical, pay-to-play fees, and ah, yes, cleats. 
My mom graciously reminded me that when I ventured out into the real world with a real job, I opened my first paycheck and demanded to know who FICA was and why they were taking my money. At the dawn of someday soon retrieving that money (fingers crossed there’s some left for me), I watch as my oldest struggles with the reality of real jobs. 
So we had a conversation about being part of the larger community. Where her taxes hopefully go: education, roads, social security, infrastructure, and so on. (We didn’t touch on the bail-out…) She seemed a little proud to be part of the big picture, but still pissed off that her check had shrunk. Ahhhh, growing pains.
When she was in 3rd grade, she wanted to go live in a tree. I think she may be reconsidering. 

Paper or Plastic?
Do Your Job

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    November 1, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    Just let your 16 Y.O. know that she’s lucky now to only make a pittance, once she gets into the higher tax bracket she can feel an even more intense pain like no other. She could even look at her investment statements when they come and feel as if she should just cram her paycheck down the toilet and flush.

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About Kathryn Mayer

Kathryn Mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (aka Kathy and/or Kate) is a writer, humorist, and activist writing out loud with humor and grace about little life moments with big ripples, including the space between parenting and aging parents, social issues, angsty reflections of midlife, and, sigh, gun humpers. Still. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is a national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of the Year … Read More Here...

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