Leo laughed. “Welcome to adulthood, little sister. The government gets its cut. Your future self gets a 401(k). And apparently, you’re paying for health insurance now.”
Leo raised a greasy hand in salute. “Now you’re learning.”
Maya googled “NGPF pay stub fine print” that night and realized the worksheet questions were exactly what had just happened to her. She aced the assignment the next day—and finally understood why her dad always called Fridays “Tax Day Lite.” ngpf fine print: pay stub
“Read me the fine print at the bottom,” Leo said.
“So… they didn’t steal it?” Maya whispered. Leo laughed
Silence.
Leo whistled. “They stole $287 from you?” Your future self gets a 401(k)
“Yep,” Leo said. “That’s the fine print nobody reads. Check your W-4—you might be withholding too much. But that Social Security and Medicare? Non-negotiable.”