So, my friend Omar texts me the other day, all stressed out. He’s staring at his bank statements, scratching his head, and muttering, “I made a lot of money, but where did it all go?”

Sound familiar? Yeah, I’ve been there, we’ve all been there. It’s that classic feeling of working like a beast but somehow feeling broke by the end of the month.

Omar’s question got me thinking: what is Omar’s net income for October? Not his gross income—the big, juicy number on his paycheck—but the real number he can actually spend or save.

Let’s Break Down Omar’s October Paycheck

Omar works as a freelance graphic designer, so his income is a bit of a rollercoaster. Last month, he had two big projects and a couple of small logo gigs.

His gross income, the total before anything gets taken out, was $5,200. That’s the headline number, the one you’d tweet about. But we’re not here for headlines; we’re here for reality.

The Sneaky Deductions That Steal Your Joy

First comes the government’s cut. Omar is self-employed, so he has to pay self-employment tax (that’s social security and Medicare, but doubled because he’s the boss and the employee). That ate up about $735. Ouch.

Net Income Formula Calculation And Example Meaning What Are RetainedNet Income Formula Calculation And Example Meaning What Are Retained

Then there’s federal income tax—he estimated and set aside $520. And let’s not forget his state tax, about $180. So before Omar even sees the money, over $1,400 has vanished into the tax void.

But wait, there’s more. Omar pays for his own health insurance because, you know, being an adult is expensive. That’s another $400 gone. He also puts $200 into a retirement account because his future self will be grateful.

His business expenses? Oh, those are cheeky. Software subscriptions (Adobe, Canva, etc.) cost him $150 in October. Plus $50 for a cloud storage upgrade because he ran out of room for cat memes? No, for client files.

Getting to the Real Number: Net Income

Alright, let’s do the math. Gross income: $5,200. Subtract taxes ($1,435), health insurance ($400), retirement ($200), and business expenses ($200). That leaves us with a very different number.

Net Income: Formula, Meaning and Real-Life ExamplesNet Income: Formula, Meaning and Real-Life Examples

Omar’s net income for October is roughly $2,965. Yes, you read that right. He earned over five grand but only gets to keep about fifty-seven cents of every dollar. Suddenly, his weekend ramen habit makes total sense.

But wait—this isn’t even the full story. Net income usually refers to what’s left after all necessary deductions. But Omar’s personal living expenses are separate: rent ($1,200), groceries ($400), internet ($80), and his gym membership (because we all make questionable choices). If we factor those in?

Then his disposable income drops to about $1,285. That’s the money for fun stuff, saving for a vacation, or buying emergency tacos. It’s a gripping tale of financial reality, isn’t it?

Rep. Ilhan Omar's net worth has skyrocketed to about $30 MILL on herRep. Ilhan Omar's net worth has skyrocketed to about $30 MILL on her

Why This Matters for You and Me

Here’s the ironic twist: Omar thought he was “rich” in October because his gross was high. But net income tells the actual story. It’s the number that pays for your life, not your ego.

So when you hear someone say, “I made $5,000 last month,” you now know to raise an eyebrow. Or text them this article. Because gross is the flashy Instagram post; net is the sobering morning-after text.

Omar’s case is a perfect microcosm. If you’re an employee, your net income might be easier to track (just look at the deposit). But if you’re freelance—like Omar, or like many of you reading this—it’s a jungle of estimates, receipts, and surprise fees.

The key? Always calculate your net income first. Before you spend, before you celebrate. Pretend your gross doesn’t exist. It’s a phantom, a tempting ghost that leads to tax season tears.

Accounting Net IncomeAccounting Net Income

So, what’s your net income for October? Go check. I’ll wait here, sipping tea.

A Quick Cheatsheet for the Curious

If you want to figure out your own net income, do this: start with your total gross. Then subtract federal, state, and local taxes. Subtract health insurance, retirement contributions, and any mandatory fees. Then subtract actual business expenses if you’re self-employed.

That number—the one that makes you sigh or smile—is your net income. For Omar, it was $2,965. Not bad, but not the dream either. Side note: He’s now considering selling his extra design templates online to boost his net. Smart move, O.

Remember: net income is your money. Gross is just a tease. Don’t fall for the tease. And if you see Omar, buy him a coffee. He’s earned it—just, you know, after taxes.