What term describes a flow of earnings over time?

The term that describes a flow of earnings over time is income. Income refers to the money an individual or entity receives in return for providing goods, services, or investing resources. It is often measured on a regular basis, such as weekly, monthly, or annually, and represents the continuous generation of economic benefits.

In the context of personal finance, income plays a crucial role as it affects an individual’s ability to save, invest, and spend. It contrasts with wealth, which refers to the accumulation of resources and assets at a specific point in time. Wealth represents a stock of resources, while income represents a flow, highlighting the difference between the ongoing generation of funds and the total resources one possesses.

Money, while closely related, is a medium of exchange and a unit of account, not specifically the flow of earnings. Revenue typically refers to the total income generated by a business before expenses are deducted, but it is often used in business contexts rather than individual finances. Therefore, income is the most accurate term for a flow of earnings over time.