If you are borrowing $200 every month and paying it back, you have a budgeting problem not an income problem.
I hope the $200 loan was a trick your mom played to help you save money.
I hope the $200 loan was a trick your mom played to help you save money.
I've seen this play out over couple years between my younger brother (after I'd moved out) and my parents. I see the pattern repeat with my sister and her son. He, my nephew (13), stayed with my wife and me over Christmas. He said he had been making money with after school jobs and hoped to be able to save enough for a car when he's 16, but wasn't sure if that was going to be possible because his Mom and step Dad have to borrow (or "borrow") money from him every month.
I didn't tell him yet but I decided there that in 2 or 3 years I'm going to start fixing up a good 1st car for him.
If you start any one pay period in a hole due to an unexpected expense; or if your bills become due earlier in the week/month than your paycheck arrives, you can cover your monthly expenses with your income but not with your cash on hand.
It’s the same as how a business can be making a profit but still go out of business due to cash flow problems.
My wife, on the other hand, is from an ex commie country. She could write a book of her insane stories.