cotton candy income
An income that appears adequate, but melts away to nothing almost at once.
#1: What do you mean you can't afford to go out? It's payday, and you had a raise last month!
#2: (Sighs) "Nah, I have a cotton candy income. Just as soon as the rent, rates and taxes, insurance and credit card installment go off I'll be back in the red..."
#2: (Sighs) "Nah, I have a cotton candy income. Just as soon as the rent, rates and taxes, insurance and credit card installment go off I'll be back in the red..."