Harvest

I’ve discovered an interesting thing.  I’m not sure if it pisses me off or not, because I’m not sure how it works.  But here’s what it is; I know that if I work 90 hours on a pay period, then I get paid X amount of money.  Or, more to the point, I bring home X amount.  However, I also know that if I don’t quite make 90 hours, my pay will be "prorated" to the hourly equivalent.  I don’t know what my hourly pay works out to, since all they give me on my pay stubs is a yearly salary figure.  But here’s what I’ve discovered.  Over the last two pay periods, I’ve fallen slightly short of 90 hours, like 89.67, which is still really close to the right amount.  It happens because I schedule myself for exactly 45 hours a week, but sometimes I might leave a few minutes early because my closer is already there, or because I’ve finished closing more quickly than I thought, or just whatever.  The result has been strange.  Even though I’m supposed to get paid less for less hours worked, I’ve actually brought home more money for the last two paychecks!  Like $35-40 more.  What’s happening there?  I’ve discussed it with several people, and we all agree that it must be a tax issue.  Somehow the fact that I’m grossing a tiny amount less means enough of a reduction in taxes applied to that amount that I actually bring home more money even though I’m technically getting paid less.

I have decided to continue falling ever so slightly short of my 90 hours until somebody tells me I can’t do that anymore. 

That’s all for now, just thought it was worth telling.  If I’m right, next entry will be number 500!  Awesome!