Making vs. Having vs. Keeping Money: Where Your Paycheck Really Goes
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Amazon Music Key Takeaways
- Earning a higher salary does not automatically mean you get to keep or experience more wealth, as taxes and lifestyle creep quickly eat into raises.
- The three-number index card exercise provides a simple, grounding way to map out your fixed and variable expenses without feeling overwhelmed.
- Everyday expenses like streaming service price hikes and holiday travel surges quietly chip away at your purchasing power if you aren't paying attention.
- Understanding the fundamental differences between making money, having money, and keeping money is the first step toward breaking free from financial shame.
What do a recalled grill brush, a 31% jump in Thanksgiving airfare, and a $5,000 raise have in common?
They can all affect your wallet in ways you might not expect.
In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet unpack the money stories worth paying attention to, from millions of recalled products to rising travel and streaming costs. Then they shift into a bigger conversation about the difference between making money, having money, and keeping money.
You’ll also hear a simple three-number exercise that can help you get a clearer picture of where your money is going.
In This Episode
✓ Walmart’s recall of approximately 4.48 million grill brushes
✓ Where to check for product and vehicle recalls
✓ Why Thanksgiving flights are running 31% higher than last year
✓ Disney+ and Hulu price increases
✓ The difference between making money, having money, and keeping money
✓ Why a $5,000 raise may leave you with closer to $3,500
✓ The three-number index card exercise
✓ How to start listing your fixed and variable expenses
If you’ve ever wondered why earning more doesn’t always feel like having more, this episode gives you plenty to think about.
Resources
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Companies Mentioned
Walmart
Kobayashi
Gobi Heat
Hopper
Disney+
Hulu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between making, having, and keeping money?
Making money refers to your gross income or paycheck, having money is about your net worth and accumulated assets, and keeping money focuses on how much of your earnings you actually retain after taxes and expenses.
Why doesn't a $5,000 raise feel like $5,000 in your pocket?
After accounting for taxes, inflation, and increased withholdings, a $5,000 raise often translates to closer to $3,500 in take-home pay.
What is the three-number exercise for budgeting?
It is a straightforward budgeting method using an index card to help you list and understand your essential fixed and variable expenses so you can get a clearer picture of where your money is actually going.
