My old coworkers were constantly befuddling me (and this was before I discovered MMM!) Here are some of the better ones...
CW: Hey, will you do me a favor?
Me: Sure, what do you need?
CW: Well, I want to surprise my husband with a hunting trip for our anniversary but we don't have the money for it right now. Can you type up a letter and pretend to be my landlord, stating that I am $4000 behind on my rent? If I send in a letter like that, I can withdraw from my 401k without penalty.
Me:....*brain exploding* Um, sure I guess.
THE HUNTING TRIP IS COSTING CLOSE TO $4000. Actually, it's closer to $3000, but she's going to go shopping for some new clothes. Granted, she just lost over 100 pounds from gastric bypass, but she's already gotten a ton of clothes from friends and only has to wear scrubs to work.
I feel kind of bad for her because she just simply doesn't understand what she's doing to herself. She gets her nails done every 2 weeks, gets waxes, goes out to dinners with her husband where she can't even eat very much (she just recently she got a medical card stating she's had gastric bypass so she can order off the kids menu or get senior citizen prices on buffets, thank God), spends hundreds on each grandchild for Christmas (she has 3), and she really doesn't make very much money. One day I was discussing how poorly teachers are paid in my home state (South Dakota) and how they are lucky if they make more than 30k....She said "Well I don't even make that much." Oooops, foot in mouth! Thankfully I was able to save myself by adding that they frequently (as in always) have to buy their own classroom supplies and work very long hours....That made her feel better.
Another coworker has filed for bankruptcy, has 2 vehicles AND a motorcycle, spends upwards of $100 per month at Victoria's Secret (she must wear matching bra and panties EVERY DAY), pays $200 per month for Comcast, owns season tickets to the local NFL team, is taking out loans for school (she already has $30,000 and is only 1/3 done with her online business degree), and has numerous other store credit cards that she pays the minimum payment on. Oh did I mention that she lives at home with her mom so she doesn't have to pay much in rent? She also has no children. Every time we are going to meet up for a drink, it has to be right after payday so she can spend her money...D'oh!!!!!