When I was a teen, my stepfather decided to pay us kids cash for chores. He thought it would be a great way to get things done around the house. I agreed. As a kid, any extra cash was great! I should point out that I did not need incentives to do the things he asked in the first place, but for whatever reason he thought he’d do it this way. So he’d make a list of things to do, thinking it would take a while to complete. Well, I was so motivated that I finished all of the tasks the same day. I added up all the money he owed me, smiling and thinking about all the things I could buy. I show him all of the things completed, expecting a nice payout and … nothing happens. No new crinkly dollar bills in my hand. Ok. So I don’t want to be annoying and say nothing, thinking maybe later …

The next day, no payment.

The day after, nothing.

The day after that I pointed out that we had an agreement But instead I get some excuse.

At that point it was abundantly clear I would never collect that chore money. This destroyed any trust I had in this person from that moment on.

Yeah, I get it, he was already providing for us and I should be thankful, and I was. But, making a promise you don’t keep is a big no. The sad part is that I did not need this incentive in the first place.

That’s all. That’s the story.