Author Topic: Overheard at Work (Read 9029368 times)

Seppia · « **Reply #9600 on:** July 29, 2015, 07:03:14 PM »

@ducky Are we talking about this tank disguised as a civil vehicle?

Because of course what looks to be a 163 tons, 35ft long monstrosity is not enough because "I have a baby now".
Genius :)

Hedge_87 · « **Reply #9601 on:** July 29, 2015, 08:14:02 PM »

Quote from: HydroJim on July 29, 2015, 06:43:39 PM

I just arrived back at my facility from an intern event at the corporate headquarters. I sat down with my supervisor for lunch.
We started talking about cars. I don't remember the exact dialogue, but here is the gist.

Supervisor: "I have a 2012 corvette"
Me: "Oh that's cool. Do you only drive it on the weekends or something?" (I had never seen it in the parking lot)
Supervisor: "Well I haven't really driven it at all this year. It still only has 600 miles on it"
Me: *smacks head*

No idea why someone would pay that much for a car and not drive it. I really love cars, but if I ever bought an awesome car, I'd be driving that thing as much as possible.

Lol I have a father in law just like this. He has one car he's poured tons of money into to make a show/drag car. It can't sit and idle in traffic (it's rocking 400+ horsepower) so it doesn't leave the garage. He doesn't even take it to car shows or anything. I've heard it start once lol. He has a 2007 Harley that I've never seen out of its cover in the corner of the garage. He also has several project cars in storage units and is talking about putting a lift in his garage (which will take major structural renovations to accommodate) so he can park another car in there. And after all this he has a 2013 explorer that sits in the driveway in the middle of a state that has several sever hail storms a year.

EricL · « **Reply #9602 on:** July 29, 2015, 09:15:23 PM »

Quote from: jinga nation on July 29, 2015, 02:02:43 PM

GS-13 in my office whining about his pay... he always has some issue. He is retired from the military, did his 20+ years, gets a pension. So he whines about his 2nd paycheck at least once a month. This is a man who is a drama queen, annoys my contractor boss constantly, does absolutely nothing and doesn't contribute to a positive work environment, and drives 150 miles round trip for 4 10-hour work days.

I sympathize. I got to work with plenty of GS workers who were vets. They worked for a living and felt the government already gave them their due entitlements. They weren't looking for anything but an honest wage for honest work. But then there was always that guy...

whiskerstash · « **Reply #9603 on:** July 30, 2015, 06:38:24 AM »

CW Background:
23 yr old male; hired on six months ago; entry level position.

CW shows up to work last month in a financed 2014 GMC 2500. Everyone procedes to congratulate him with high fives and 'manly compliments'.(someone even ran out to buy a cake to celebrate at lunch)

He's beyond open about his finances. Details :
5 yr term, 0 down, 7+% interest, he financed every option he could so that the truck would 'keep its value', and he calculated that between the note and ins paymts hes paying more than 50% of his NET PAY. He got excited about this as if overextending yourself on a massive tank was somehow something to be proud of. How tf did the lender decide this was a good idea?

Oh and my favorite. Said coworker is late at least 3x/wk. When questioned about it he said it's because he can't drive over 65mph since he's trying to save money on gas. Wtf?

Penny wise, and dollar foolish?
Or just plain foolish?

solon · « **Reply #9604 on:** July 30, 2015, 06:41:20 AM »

Quote from: whiskerstash on July 30, 2015, 06:38:24 AM

CW Background:
23 yr old male; hired on six months ago; entry level position.

CW shows up to work last month in a financed 2014 GMC 2500. Everyone procedes to congratulate him with high fives and 'manly compliments'.(someone even ran out to buy a cake to celebrate at lunch)

He's beyond open about his finances. Details :
5 yr term, 0 down, 7+% interest, he financed every option he could so that the truck would 'keep its value', and he calculated that between the note and ins paymts hes paying more than 50% of his NET PAY. He got excited about this as if overextending yourself on a massive tank was somehow something to be proud of. How tf did the lender decide this was a good idea?

Oh and my favorite. Said coworker is late at least 3x/wk. When questioned about it he said it's because he can't drive over 65mph since he's trying to save money on gas. Wtf?

Penny wise, and dollar foolish?
Or just plain foolish?

I think his main problem is his age. Hopefully he'll learn from this.

grantmeaname · « **Reply #9605 on:** July 30, 2015, 06:46:20 AM »

Quote from: solon on July 30, 2015, 06:41:20 AM

I think his main problem is his age. Hopefully he'll learn from this.

No, his main problem is that he's a dumbass. Age has little to do with it. Not all 23-year-olds finance trucks, and not many older folks are any better.

Seppia · « **Reply #9606 on:** July 30, 2015, 07:10:45 AM »

But there's still hope. At 23 you can do a lot of stupid things (I did).
Never overextended myself financially though

HairyUpperLip · « **Reply #9607 on:** July 30, 2015, 07:39:51 AM »

When I was around 20 years old I bought a Toyota Tacoma from the dealership. Even then I still picked a used model, standard cab, 5 speed, 2wd - a pretty practical truck in all honesty. I think I made around $13/hr back then too. I think I paid around $10-11k.

At 31 I'm making 99k and just the thought of a 2014 2500 payment with 0% interest makes me stress out. This whole everyone having the best of everything kills me.

fb132 · « **Reply #9608 on:** July 30, 2015, 07:51:24 AM »

A collegue of mine was broke this month because she bought gifts for her family that were expensive wallets, so I told her why would you go broke on fucking wallets, all wallets do is carry money, why did you NEED to buy your family members (mainly cousins) a couple of expensive wallet. Then she gets angry at me "People with ugly wallets are ugly people, I wouldn't want to be seen with an ugly wallet.". I stopped the conversation right there, because I knew whatever I said would just turn into a verbal dispute and it would go nowhere. I don't understand people, why complain to me that your broke, then tell me that you bought some ridiculous merchandise (which is the reason why you are broke in the first place) and when I point that out, I am the asshole who doesn't understand,lol.

Squirrel away · « **Reply #9609 on:** July 30, 2015, 07:56:47 AM »

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 07:51:24 AM

Then she gets angry at me "People with ugly wallets are ugly people, I wouldn't want to be seen with an ugly wallet.".

Lol.:P

fb132 · « **Reply #9610 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:01:58 AM »

I should of asked her how much she paid for those damn wallets, I am curious how wallets can cost you your entire paycheck.

Sam E · « **Reply #9611 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:07:10 AM »

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 08:01:58 AM

I should of asked her how much she paid for those damn wallets, I am curious how wallets can cost you your entire paycheck.

It seems really ironic to spend all the money you have on something that does nothing but hold money.

midweststache · « **Reply #9612 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:08:23 AM »

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 07:51:24 AM

Then she gets angry at me "People with ugly wallets are ugly people, I wouldn't want to be seen with an ugly wallet.".

::head:desk::

fb132 · « **Reply #9613 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:17:16 AM »

Quote from: Sam E on July 30, 2015, 08:07:10 AM

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 08:01:58 AM
I should of asked her how much she paid for those damn wallets, I am curious how wallets can cost you your entire paycheck.

It seems really ironic to spend all the money you have on something that does nothing but hold money.

Well technically those wallets will go to her family members, so it won't be her money that will be in those wallet. What is ironic is I joke around (well not really) that she puts too much value on "things", she denies it and says that she is far from being materialistic....Oh, I had to contain myself when I heard that. Btw, she owns 2-3 cars including a BMW and she makes less than me and I don't make a high income to begin with. I feel sad that she fell for what the media and society tells her to do. Hopefully when I will be FI in 10 years, maybe that will convince her to change her ways.

MgoSam · « **Reply #9614 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:23:19 AM »

Quote from: Londoner38 on July 30, 2015, 07:56:47 AM

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 07:51:24 AM
Then she gets angry at me "People with ugly wallets are ugly people, I wouldn't want to be seen with an ugly wallet.".

Lol.:P

"The things you own end up owning you"
Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

Iron Mike Sharpe · « **Reply #9615 on:** July 30, 2015, 09:10:37 AM »

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 07:51:24 AM

A collegue of mine was broke this month because she bought gifts for her family that were expensive wallets, so I told her why would you go broke on fucking wallets, all wallets do is carry money, why did you NEED to buy your family members (mainly cousins) a couple of expensive wallet. Then she gets angry at me "People with ugly wallets are ugly people, I wouldn't want to be seen with an ugly wallet.". I stopped the conversation right there, because I knew whatever I said would just turn into a verbal dispute and it would go nowhere. I don't understand people, why complain to me that your broke, then tell me that you bought some ridiculous merchandise (which is the reason why you are broke in the first place) and when I point that out, I am the asshole who doesn't understand,lol.

Of course she got angry with you. You attacked her decision unprovoked.

I'd suggest reading the classic book How to Win Friends and Influence People.

RWD · « **Reply #9616 on:** July 30, 2015, 09:15:33 AM »

Quote from: grantmeaname on July 30, 2015, 06:46:20 AM

Quote from: solon on July 30, 2015, 06:41:20 AM
I think his main problem is his age. Hopefully he'll learn from this.
No, his main problem is that he's a dumbass. Age has little to do with it. Not all 23-year-olds finance trucks, and not many older folks are any better.

Agree. When I was 23 (in 2008) our two vehicles had a combined approximate value of maybe $8k tops (1995 Subaru Legacy wagon and 1991 Toyota Supra Turbo).

MudDuck · « **Reply #9617 on:** July 30, 2015, 09:48:55 AM »

A co-worker told me he was going to trade in his (2008-9) Chrysler 300 after work and get a 2013 Chrysler 300 because the air conditioning fan had broken and, "you know, it's out of warranty and once one thing goes..." I asked if it wouldn't be cheaper to just replace the fan and keep driving the old one and he said he didn't have the money to get it fixed. That made me kind of sad, but ok...

Next morning: He's got a 2015 Chrysler 200... because that's all they could qualify for. I died a little.

HairyUpperLip · « **Reply #9618 on:** July 30, 2015, 11:08:29 AM »

Quote from: MudDuck on July 30, 2015, 09:48:55 AM

Next morning: He's got a 2015 Chrysler 200... because that's all they could qualify for. I died a little.

lolol I find humor in that.

ducky19 · « **Reply #9619 on:** July 30, 2015, 11:24:51 AM »

Quote from: Seppia on July 29, 2015, 07:03:14 PM

@ducky Are we talking about this tank disguised as a civil vehicle?

Because of course what looks to be a 163 tons, 35ft long monstrosity is not enough because "I have a baby now".
Genius :)

That's the one. Except in red. ;)

wkumtrider · « **Reply #9620 on:** July 30, 2015, 11:44:59 AM »

Not overheard, but some situations of a few co-workers: Three of them are in their late seventies (77+ yrs old) and still work because they say they can not afford to quit. One of these cw's daughter, boyfriend, and their kids live with her and they do not work. So here she is, 77 yrs old and working to support her lazy family. It is really sad. I don't get why she puts up with it. Another cw who is also 77 continues to work because she says she would have nothing to do. I can think of a million other things to do besides work.

LeRainDrop · « **Reply #9621 on:** July 30, 2015, 11:45:55 AM »

Quote from: Sam E on July 30, 2015, 08:07:10 AM

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 08:01:58 AM
I should of asked her how much she paid for those damn wallets, I am curious how wallets can cost you your entire paycheck.

It seems really ironic to spend all the money you have on something that does nothing but hold money.

Ha, they also hold credit cards, so there's that! . . . ;-)

willikers · « **Reply #9622 on:** July 30, 2015, 01:10:11 PM »

Quote from: Sam E on July 30, 2015, 08:07:10 AM

Quote from: fb132 on July 30, 2015, 08:01:58 AM
I should of asked her how much she paid for those damn wallets, I am curious how wallets can cost you your entire paycheck.

It seems really ironic to spend all the money you have on something that does nothing but hold money.

Isn't that what pockets and banks are for?

driftxsequence · « **Reply #9623 on:** July 30, 2015, 01:43:07 PM »

A good friend of mine is a car nut. Die hard chevy guy. This is his current daily driver.

http://s149.photobucket.com/user/32turbo/media/Picture058.jpg.html

He blew up the engine in his 2009 Cobalt SS, ( that he just paid off) and is getting a new motor built out in kentucky. So to save on SHIPPING COSTS. he is driving his trail blazer out there...WITH A TRAILER.....FOR A 4 CYLINDER MOTOR. instead of in the back of his SUV. he got 14.4 MPG...

for perspective. I was able to shove 2 engines, and 2 transmissions and engine stands in the back of my Mazda 3, with 2 people up front.

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #9624 on:** July 30, 2015, 02:00:09 PM »

There was a shark tank product called "The Elephant in the Room".

Apparently it was for marital happiness. You put the elephant out when there was an issue you needed to discuss with your spouse.

But it cost a fortune. Seems like if that sort of thing works for you, you could easily come up with a signal that costs nothing.

They did not get a deal.

Travis · « **Reply #9625 on:** July 30, 2015, 06:47:17 PM »

Quote from: iowajes on July 30, 2015, 02:00:09 PM

There was a shark tank product called "The Elephant in the Room".

Apparently it was for marital happiness. You put the elephant out when there was an issue you needed to discuss with your spouse.

But it cost a fortune. Seems like if that sort of thing works for you, you could easily come up with a signal that costs nothing.

They did not get a deal.

Was that irony not lost on the sharks? The majority of marital problems are financial in nature.

"Honey, we're having serious money problems and it's tearing us apart."
"So your solution was to buy an expensive doll to start the conversation?"

mustachepungoeshere · « **Reply #9626 on:** July 30, 2015, 07:38:42 PM »

It's 11.34am and I am overhearing a co-worker SNORING at his desk.

nobodyspecial · « **Reply #9627 on:** July 30, 2015, 08:32:43 PM »

Quote from: iowajes on July 30, 2015, 02:00:09 PM

There was a shark tank product called "The Elephant in the Room".

Apparently it was for marital happiness. You put the elephant out when there was an issue you needed to discuss with your spouse.

I think the fact that the two of you had been put in a tank full of sharks would have been enough to make you pull together.
Was this a rather more bloodthirsty version of the swimming with dolphins new-age therapy stuff?

babysnowbyrd · « **Reply #9628 on:** July 30, 2015, 10:19:59 PM »

Coworker today sees my small purse. Tells me she has one "just like it" in bright yellow.

Then goes on to say she has OVER 250 PURSES HANGING ON HER WALL.

Then adds "...all name brand!"

I'm imagining and entire wall full of hooks with purses hanging off of them. And name brand purses are pricey!

My purse that's "just like" hers? Not name brand, got at Ross for like, $14 MAX.

Basenji · « **Reply #9629 on:** July 31, 2015, 06:16:11 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on July 30, 2015, 01:47:22 PM

A new installment in the elephant war...

After the above circulation, a staff member brought in a second elephant, and set it up smoking and playing cards while the first one got a tag put above it on the bulletin board that read "I'm in Time Out." or something like that. Naturally the second elephant is now more loved than the first.

Today a new email came around about the mental health elephant:

The Elephant has been welcomed!

We have had a lot of fun with our little Elephant.

He has been held by many, travelled around the bulletin board, spent some time with friends at their card table and I’m sure with him being Soooo irresistible, he has been cuddled by a few admirers.

I am happy to say, he has done a good job at raising our awareness to the stigma of mental illness. Our little fellow not only befriended another little blue elephant, but they have become inseparable playmates. How wonderful is that!!!!!!

Well, guess what! He wants to stay with his new found family at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Unfortunately we don’t know what to call him. Let’s show him he’s welcome by giving him a name suitable to his caring personality.

Names I've heard for the mental health elephant haven't been so very endearing. I can't wait for the next email to come around. I'm guessing it will be another 'Thou shalt not...' sort of message.

All this elephant stuff is hard on your mental well being.

<ETA> By the way there are no children in the building - this is the engineering department of a municipality. I just thought I should point that out in case the stuffed animals make things unclear. </Edit>

I love this story. Pls keep it coming. Overofficious yet infantile emails like that crack me up. Our widdle elephant wantza name!

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #9630 on:** July 31, 2015, 06:53:30 AM »

Quote from: Travis on July 30, 2015, 06:47:17 PM

Quote from: iowajes on July 30, 2015, 02:00:09 PM
There was a shark tank product called "The Elephant in the Room".

Apparently it was for marital happiness. You put the elephant out when there was an issue you needed to discuss with your spouse.

But it cost a fortune. Seems like if that sort of thing works for you, you could easily come up with a signal that costs nothing.

They did not get a deal.

Was that irony not lost on the sharks? The majority of marital problems are financial in nature.

"Honey, we're having serious money problems and it's tearing us apart."
"So your solution was to buy an expensive doll to start the conversation?"

No, I'm pretty sure the sharks tore them apart about all aspects of the product, including price.

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9631 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:31:51 AM »

Quote from: Megma on July 24, 2015, 09:01:57 PM

Wait, Joe Average, you were really told that a Prius can tow or this was a joke? When I moved a few years back I tried to get a hitch on my Prius and Toyota was like "oh hell no"... Maybe it just couldn't tow enough weight to be worth it? But I was planning to tow something smaller than a camper!

I just checked and there is a trailer hitch for a Prius via aftermarket suppliers - 2010 anyhow. Rated for 2000 lbs! That is by the way double of what my owner's manual says about my CR-V... ;)

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9632 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:43:21 AM »

Quote from: spartana on July 28, 2015, 01:36:21 PM

Quote from: gimp on July 27, 2015, 05:01:03 PM
I think from now on, I will refer to groups of people as "males" instead. Just to really piss off anyone who gets annoyed by gendered pronouns. "Hey you males, how's it going?"
I was the boss of an all male crew and wonder how they would feel if I called them all ladies - "Alright ladies, this is what we are doing today". Yeah, that's what I should have done. Not insulting at all to them.

OK really not picking a fight but just wanted to post to follow this thread as I finally got around to reading some of it. Took me a couple of years though :-)!

Hey I had a couple Navy Chief’s that addressed us guys as "ladies" when he was frustrated...

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9633 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:51:05 AM »

Quote from: Megma on July 28, 2015, 09:49:21 PM

Good info. Really I don't need/plan to tow with my Prius, it only came up once a couple years ago when my bf and I were moving from state to state. We both have small cars, me a Prius and him Corolla. Mtm, they also said the Corolla could not tow but perhaps this is because neither car could tow anything close to what we needed, I assume a full u-haul trailer would be more than 1000 lbs....

We had to rent a truck but we ended up needing the space anyway!

The trailer alone would be more than 1000 lbs... I'd guess a trailer loaded with household goods i.e. not home workshop stuff but furniture and kitchen items would be closer to 4000 lbs for a double axle rental trailer. I could do it with my four cylinder CR-V if I restricted my speeds to 25 mph and 3rd gear... ;)

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9634 on:** July 31, 2015, 07:53:08 AM »

Quote from: Seppia on July 29, 2015, 01:11:00 PM

I tried trust me.
I even did the rough math for him, like "do you realize that $100 of your gross are $70 in your pocket at most, but would be $200 in the 401k? You'd give up 70$ per paycheck and get 200$ in exchange, it's a magic tool that triples your money"
Didn't work.

Heard this on NPR this morn. Good food for thought. No spoilers from me.

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/31/427990401/why-peer-pressure-doesn-t-add-up-to-retirement-savings

mtn · « **Reply #9635 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:22:19 AM »

Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 07:51:05 AM

Quote from: Megma on July 28, 2015, 09:49:21 PM
Good info. Really I don't need/plan to tow with my Prius, it only came up once a couple years ago when my bf and I were moving from state to state. We both have small cars, me a Prius and him Corolla. Mtm, they also said the Corolla could not tow but perhaps this is because neither car could tow anything close to what we needed, I assume a full u-haul trailer would be more than 1000 lbs....

We had to rent a truck but we ended up needing the space anyway!

The trailer alone would be more than 1000 lbs... I'd guess a trailer loaded with household goods i.e. not home workshop stuff but furniture and kitchen items would be closer to 4000 lbs for a double axle rental trailer. I could do it with my four cylinder CR-V if I restricted my speeds to 25 mph and 3rd gear... ;)

An enclosed 5x10 (their second biggest of the 4 encolsed trailers) is 1250lbs dry. But you could easily get a smaller one or an open trailer. Not that I'd do that if I were moving though, probably just if I bought something bulky.

Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 07:31:51 AM

Quote from: Megma on July 24, 2015, 09:01:57 PM
Wait, Joe Average, you were really told that a Prius can tow or this was a joke? When I moved a few years back I tried to get a hitch on my Prius and Toyota was like "oh hell no"... Maybe it just couldn't tow enough weight to be worth it? But I was planning to tow something smaller than a camper!

I just checked and there is a trailer hitch for a Prius via aftermarket suppliers - 2010 anyhow. Rated for 2000 lbs! That is by the way double of what my owner's manual says about my CR-V... ;)

(Keep in mind I'm the guy who says tow with anything that isn't a Lotus, just be smart about it)

The HITCH is rated for 2000lbs. That is not the tow rating for the car. My friend has a Civic with a 5000lb rated tow hitch. His civic absolutely cannot tow that much, but if it could, the hitch could take it.

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9636 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:28:16 AM »

Quote from: MudDuck on July 30, 2015, 09:48:55 AM

A co-worker told me he was going to trade in his (2008-9) Chrysler 300 after work and get a 2013 Chrysler 300 because the air conditioning fan had broken and, "you know, it's out of warranty and once one thing goes..." I asked if it wouldn't be cheaper to just replace the fan and keep driving the old one and he said he didn't have the money to get it fixed. That made me kind of sad, but ok...

Next morning: He's got a 2015 Chrysler 200... because that's all they could qualify for. I died a little.

Buy the old car and then proceed to drive it another 20 years... That might make them think. Then again maybe it doesn't matter.

Pooplips · « **Reply #9637 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:28:38 AM »

Page 200 here we come.

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9638 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:31:50 AM »

Quote from: Prospector on July 30, 2015, 01:47:22 PM

Well, guess what! He wants to stay with his new found family at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Unfortunately we don’t know what to call him. Let’s show him he’s welcome by giving him a name suitable to his caring personality.[/glow]

Names I've heard for the mental health elephant haven't been so very endearing. I can't wait for the next email to come around. I'm guessing it will be another 'Thou shalt not...' sort of message.

All this elephant stuff is hard on your mental well being.

I think you work at a paper company somewhere....

Making Cookies · « **Reply #9639 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:38:49 AM »

Quote from: mtn on July 31, 2015, 08:22:19 AM

The HITCH is rated for 2000lbs. That is not the tow rating for the car. My friend has a Civic with a 5000lb rated tow hitch. His civic absolutely cannot tow that much, but if it could, the hitch could take it.

Good point on the hitch.

I have the same mentality. If you have enough brakes to stop it then tow it - to a point. I have towed 3500 lbs with our little 'V. Brakes are the huge issue. On that trip my speed was about 25 mph. Mostly I tow 600-800 lbs. Trailer and trash cans, trailer and table saw, trailer and a few things from the hardware store. I think the Prius would be capable of that at least.

http://priuschat.com/threads/prius-towing-capacity.39695/

In the spirit of this thread - the ability to tow modest loads with a car, roof racks, and hatchbacks with huge interior volumes - all conspire to make pickups seem silly for most people. While I see pickups working hard occasionally - there is a large number that ride around with empty beds or carrying less than my "toy trailer" carries. Besides the average new truck is so big they are a hassle to park or load/unloaded (high bed).

wordnerd · « **Reply #9640 on:** July 31, 2015, 08:51:16 AM »

I am on a three person team. Today, the other people were talking about how increased life expectancy isn't that great because you can never save enough money and who wants a 20-25 year "vacation at the end" anyway?

wenchsenior · « **Reply #9641 on:** July 31, 2015, 09:22:43 AM »

Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 07:53:08 AM

Quote from: Seppia on July 29, 2015, 01:11:00 PM
I tried trust me.
I even did the rough math for him, like "do you realize that $100 of your gross are $70 in your pocket at most, but would be $200 in the 401k? You'd give up 70$ per paycheck and get 200$ in exchange, it's a magic tool that triples your money"
Didn't work.

Heard this on NPR this morn. Good food for thought. No spoilers from me.

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/31/427990401/why-peer-pressure-doesn-t-add-up-to-retirement-savings

WOW. Was not expecting that; it seems totally counter-intuitive.

Ashyukun · « **Reply #9642 on:** July 31, 2015, 09:56:49 AM »

Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 08:21:48 AM

I'm a driver of antiques. Am restoring (painfully slowly so I can do it all out of pocket, last thing on our budget) a late 70s VW Westfalia. Will be new paint top and bottom, inside and out. And we'll drive the wheels off of it. When its tattered and worn out looking again - I'll clean it up again - and drive it some more. None of this only warm, sunny day driving for us. Want to use it. Figure it'll be clean and neat for a decade at least with little effort.

Amen to that! I love older, unusual cars- and will always choose to drive them when I can instead of just having them sit in the garage. My FIL is a big Corvette guy, and has a very recent model and a very classic one (split window Stingray?) which essentially never leaves the garage. He's also got an old roadster that probably hasn't left its special spot in the back of the garage since my wife was a teenager. Makes absolutely no sense to me... if all you want to do is look at it, why not just buy an empty shell or a full-size replica? Let someone who will actually drive it have the real car...

Basenji · « **Reply #9643 on:** July 31, 2015, 11:46:14 AM »

Quote from: wenchsenior on July 31, 2015, 09:22:43 AM

Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 07:53:08 AM
Quote from: Seppia on July 29, 2015, 01:11:00 PM
I tried trust me.
I even did the rough math for him, like "do you realize that $100 of your gross are $70 in your pocket at most, but would be $200 in the 401k? You'd give up 70$ per paycheck and get 200$ in exchange, it's a magic tool that triples your money"
Didn't work.

Heard this on NPR this morn. Good food for thought. No spoilers from me.

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/31/427990401/why-peer-pressure-doesn-t-add-up-to-retirement-savings

WOW. Was not expecting that; it seems totally counter-intuitive.

This should be a whole MMM post. Holy cow. So, they think that the reason people did NOT respond to peer pressure to sign up for retirement savings is they assume they are too far behind thier peers, like they think, "what's the point now? Too late for me."
IDK, I think people are so intimidated by investments and money issues that they assume they can't manage such a complicated thing. In any case, this relates to another thread saying that many billions of dollars in company matching finds are left on the table because a person doesn't save enough to maximize the match.

fb132 · « **Reply #9644 on:** July 31, 2015, 12:19:33 PM »

Quote from: Basenji on July 31, 2015, 11:46:14 AM

Quote from: wenchsenior on July 31, 2015, 09:22:43 AM
Quote from: Joe Average on July 31, 2015, 07:53:08 AM
Quote from: Seppia on July 29, 2015, 01:11:00 PM
I tried trust me.
I even did the rough math for him, like "do you realize that $100 of your gross are $70 in your pocket at most, but would be $200 in the 401k? You'd give up 70$ per paycheck and get 200$ in exchange, it's a magic tool that triples your money"
Didn't work.

Heard this on NPR this morn. Good food for thought. No spoilers from me.

http://www.npr.org/2015/07/31/427990401/why-peer-pressure-doesn-t-add-up-to-retirement-savings

WOW. Was not expecting that; it seems totally counter-intuitive.

This should be a whole MMM post. Holy cow. So, they think that the reason people did NOT respond to peer pressure to sign up for retirement savings is they assume they are too far behind thier peers, like they think, "what's the point now? Too late for me."
IDK, I think people are so intimidated by investments and money issues that they assume they can't manage such a complicated thing. In any case, this relates to another thread saying that many billions of dollars in company matching finds are left on the table because a person doesn't save enough to maximize the match.

I think its more that people don't know what options they have. They have this notion and fear that the stock market is a place where you lose money and that having a high interest account that pays 1% is a good thing. I know many who are absolutely clueless on where they can invest their money. There's a huge lack of education when it comes to finances in our society.

Beaker · « **Reply #9645 on:** July 31, 2015, 02:00:12 PM »

Quote from: gallygirl on July 29, 2015, 02:58:15 PM

Quote from: nobodyspecial on July 27, 2015, 05:34:51 PM
Was sitting in a meeting this morning working out that I can retire in 3years on $24K pa.
I was so bored that I was doing the multiplication long hand while pretending to take notes.

I started to do that instead of working out how much staff wages were being wasted on yet another pointless meeting with all 5 directors present.
One of the few things I miss now I'm FIRE :)

I used to work for small-ish company that would have weekly meetings of everybody. I used to calculate the burn rate in dollars per minute (usually low three digits) so that I could tell how much it cost for the sales bro to regale us with tales of buying dinners for prospective clients.

Davids · « **Reply #9646 on:** August 01, 2015, 07:43:49 AM »

Mine is nowhere near as bad as others (I don't really listen to other conversations). Earlier this week our work had its onsite Biometric Screening. They do it once a year for the employees who participate in the company medical plan and as an incentive those who complete the onsite biometric screening receive a $100 bonus (less taxes) in the next pay. The whole process takes 15 mins (height weight, blood pressure, pricking finger for blood to read cholesterol and other measurements). Something nice the company does to promote a healthy lifestyle. So I ask a few people if they were participating and they all said no basically saying things like "I do not have time" or "I do not feel like it". I don't know about you but for 15 minutes of my time to earn an extra $100 (less taxes) seems like a pretty good deal to me.

zataks · « **Reply #9647 on:** August 01, 2015, 09:07:26 AM »

Quote from: Davids on August 01, 2015, 07:43:49 AM

Mine is nowhere near as bad as others (I don't really listen to other conversations). Earlier this week our work had its onsite Biometric Screening. They do it once a year for the employees who participate in the company medical plan and as an incentive those who complete the onsite biometric screening receive a $100 bonus (less taxes) in the next pay. The whole process takes 15 mins (height weight, blood pressure, pricking finger for blood to read cholesterol and other measurements). Something nice the company does to promote a healthy lifestyle. So I ask a few people if they were participating and they all said no basically saying things like "I do not have time" or "I do not feel like it". I don't know about you but for 15 minutes of my time to earn an extra $100 (less taxes) seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Similar thing at my work. There were a couple online health questionnaires and plans (plan on walking 20 minutes 3x this week! sort of things). But filling them out (on company time!) you got 2 $25 or $50 (maybe one of each, don't remember) gift cards. I just on that. In my location of 8 people, the only other person to do it was an intern. We high-fived over free money.

Rezdent · « **Reply #9648 on:** August 01, 2015, 09:13:39 AM »

Quote from: Davids on August 01, 2015, 07:43:49 AM

Mine is nowhere near as bad as others (I don't really listen to other conversations). Earlier this week our work had its onsite Biometric Screening. They do it once a year for the employees who participate in the company medical plan and as an incentive those who complete the onsite biometric screening receive a $100 bonus (less taxes) in the next pay. The whole process takes 15 mins (height weight, blood pressure, pricking finger for blood to read cholesterol and other measurements). Something nice the company does to promote a healthy lifestyle. So I ask a few people if they were participating and they all said no basically saying things like "I do not have time" or "I do not feel like it". I don't know about you but for 15 minutes of my time to earn an extra $100 (less taxes) seems like a pretty good deal to me.

It sounds like they were uncomfortable telling you their real reasons, which in my case would be "my cholesterol is not my employer's business", or "I don't trust how the information will be kept safe or how it will really be used".

I've never seen a company just run out and offer "free" money - recipients are giving something up for it, in this case it is their personal health information. Some people would consider that payment really low for the exchange.

patrickza · « **Reply #9649 on:** August 01, 2015, 10:00:12 AM »

I have the best co-worker for stories like these, I'll have to pick just a few...

I work in an organisation where salaries are set by level and years, so this co-worker is on my level (we earn very decent salaries for our city) and is always running out of money, even complaining when he pre-pays visas of $50 and has to wait a week for reimbursement. He drives a nice audi a4 which I know is financed, but after a new audi dealership opens up, we go check out the new R8 on display. While there a sleazy salesman tries to sell him an A5. I tolerate the salesman because I'm sure my in debt co-worker isn't dumb enough to fall for the "almost exactly the same payment as your A4" schpeel.

A few days later he tells me he loves that car. After I try talk him out of it, but then he says he actually bought it that morning.

Now here's where it gets interesting. I do a blog post on this purchase (http://investorchallenge.co.za/your-car-doesnt-cost-you-r5800-pm-it-costs-you-a-million-dollars-you-fool/ if you want the whole story). It gets a great response, but due to all the shares, the said coworker also finds it. He's not happy with me, and we barely speak for another year.

Fast forward a year later, and we're friends again, but what do I see in the basement but a brand new audi S3. Guess who it belongs to. A few days later, he says he notices my electric bike parked in the basement and says he wishes he had one so he could save on fuel!!!

Then a week later, he says they've decided to buy a new property, just outside the city (a 35 mile commute), and they're going to build their dream house there. Begins telling me how he'll be able to control the lights from his ipad etc, and they've already bought kayaks for the whole family as it has a lake on it.

If that wasn't bad enough, he has a private pilots licence, so when they go to see the property he drives 15 miles the other way, rents an aircraft and flies to the site (in an estate with an airstrip) for a couple of hours then flies back.

I've given up giving him financial advice...

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