Bad
paltry - A very small amount of something, indicating that it has little importance or worth
One day John spoke to his friends with anger as they were going down into the mine, "How does the company expect us to support our families on the paltry wages they give us?"
scheme - A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect, often through deceptive means
It's better to be honest and work hard, and not spend too much time devising or falling for schemes that are tempting shortcuts to making money.