Answer: 30%

Questions:

• What are ways that workers can “smooth over” those periods where they are earning a smaller paycheck?
  If this is the “new normal” for employment, how should you think about your largest fixed monthly expenses (rent, car payment, etc.)?
  What are some “side hustles” people do to supplement their incomes?

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers (Federal Reserve): 

"The level of income during the year as a whole may mask substantial changes in income from month to month. The survey considers how mismatches between the timing of income and expenses lead to financial challenges. Income in 2018 was roughly the same from month to month for 7 in 10 adults.

Some families can manage these frequent changes in income easily, but for others, this may cause financial hardship. In fact, one-third of those with varying income, or 1 in 10 adults overall, say they struggled to pay their bills at least once in the prior year due to varying income."

About the Author

Mason Butts

After graduating from UCLA with a Master's in Education, Mason spent 5 years as a science educator in a South Los Angeles public high school. He is committed to supporting the holistic growth of all students and empowering them to live a life of relational, academic, and financial success. Now settled in the Bay Area, Mason enjoys facilitating professional developments and partnering with educators as they prepare students for a bright financial future. When Mason is not building curriculum or planning a training, he can be found cycling, trying new foods, and exploring the outdoors.

More posts by Mason