Overheard on Facebook

[Kris]

My 24 year old niece just posted how happy she is about her new car purchase. Only $45000 at 10% interest. But it was a great deal since they threw in a new ipad.

What human needs a $45k car?!?

FTFY

[Kris]

My 24 year old niece just posted how happy she is about her new car purchase. Only $45000 at 10% interest. But it was a great deal since they threw in a new ipad.

What 24 year old need at all is there for a $45k car?!?

FTFY

HA -- GuitarStv beat me to it.

[shelivesthedream]

OK, I think I just hit the jackpot on this one.
...
Can't. Make. This. Sh*t. Up!!!

I would like to say this about that: @#$%^&*())(*&^%$
These people exist. And they breed! *weeps*

This just CANNOT be real. No way. No no no. People that stupid do not exist. I refuse to believe it.

[nobodyspecial]

There is an old Wizard of Id (IIRC) cartoon.
Man on the street with a cart and a sign "Bagels $0.25  or 4 for a dollar" (shows how old it is !)
People are walking up and demanding 4 bagels for a $.

- pretty dumb sign says a passer by.
Not really says the seller, nobody ever bought 4 bagels before.....

[fantabulous]

My 24 year old niece just posted how happy she is about her new car purchase. Only $45000 at 10% interest. But it was a great deal since they threw in a new ipad.

What 24 year old needs a $45k car?!?

Not one that has to pay 10% interest.  If I was a 24 year old internet tech founder millionaire I might consider it.  Or a baller.  Got to be baller.

Got be a little bit taller, with a rabbit in a hat and a bat.

[Drew664]

There is an old Wizard of Id (IIRC) cartoon.
Man on the street with a cart and a sign "Bagels $0.25  or 4 for a dollar" (shows how old it is !)
People are walking up and demanding 4 bagels for a $.

- pretty dumb sign says a passer by.
Not really says the seller, nobody ever bought 4 bagels before.....

If anyone works in retail they can vouch for this. Calling out large quantities for a bargin, even if it is the same cost individually does in fact work.

[Drew664]

Another part of the problem with buying the kid a 'new' car; "he's 6'4" and needs a bigger vehicle". My dad is 6'4" and his cars have included an Escort, Metro, Prius, and Leaf. He was seriously considering an EV Smart instead of the Leaf but got mad at the dealership. This kid is driving an Escape so his 16 year old body doesn't have to bend down to get into a car

Being 6'4" myself, I can vouch for the comfort of driving in a larger vehicle. I understand it isn't a must, but it should be part of the equation when purchasing. I'd have no qualms about this being a reason for a bigger vehicle if it was my own kid.

I actually find that very short people are sometimes comedic when crawling into a larger vehicle as unless it is for carrying utility, it'd be a little much. If you need a step bar to get in, you may want to look at something differnet.

[Paul der Krake]

I actually find that very short people are sometimes comedic when crawling into a larger vehicle as unless it is for carrying utility, it'd be a little much. If you need a step bar to get in, you may want to look at something differnet.

There's a trend here of tiny hispanic ladies driving around in large old clunkers (tahoes, yukons and similar). It's hilarious/frightening as the vehicle is so ill-fitted for them that they can only see the road through the space between the center and the top of the wheel.

[hdatontodo]

There's a trend here of tiny hispanic ladies driving around in large old clunkers (tahoes, yukons and similar). It's hilarious/frightening as the vehicle is so ill-fitted for them that they can only see the road through the space between the center and the top of the wheel.

It's the Flying Dutchman !

[RunHappy]

Another part of the problem with buying the kid a 'new' car; "he's 6'4" and needs a bigger vehicle". My dad is 6'4" and his cars have included an Escort, Metro, Prius, and Leaf. He was seriously considering an EV Smart instead of the Leaf but got mad at the dealership. This kid is driving an Escape so his 16 year old body doesn't have to bend down to get into a car

Being 6'4" myself, I can vouch for the comfort of driving in a larger vehicle. I understand it isn't a must, but it should be part of the equation when purchasing. I'd have no qualms about this being a reason for a bigger vehicle if it was my own kid.

I actually find that very short people are sometimes comedic when crawling into a larger vehicle as unless it is for carrying utility, it'd be a little much. If you need a step bar to get in, you may want to look at something different.

As a 5' short woman this is exactly why I prefer smaller cars.  Once I went to help out a friend who had just given birth and all I had to drive around their HUGE Honda Pilot (or whichever the largest Honda SUV was) and I never felt less safe driving a car because it was so huge, plus I had to LITERALLY climb into the backseat to put the baby in the carseat.  I'll stick with my hatchback.

[Rural]

Being tall definitely affects the cars that work for you but, for my dad at least, it has far more to do with how far the driver seat pushes back than how high off the ground is. This coworker himself can justify the need for a bigger vehicle because he has back/knee problems making it difficult to get into a small car but a healthy 16 year old has no excuse
I do also have another coworker who's birthday present last year from her husband was step bars so she could more easily climb into her truck...

I wouldn't mind a present like that for my husband's truck, but since it only does work here on the property (haven't even put tags on it for public roads in a couple of years), it's not really a big issue. Howeve, if we do both need to get into it, either I drag over a rock to step on or he helps me.


Ironically, I can reach the pedals in that truck, no problem, but I can't in the '82 Tercel...

[WerKater]

Being tall definitely affects the cars that work for you but, for my dad at least, it has far more to do with how far the driver seat pushes back than how high off the ground is. This coworker himself can justify the need for a bigger vehicle because he has back/knee problems making it difficult to get into a small car but a healthy 16 year old has no excuse
I do also have another coworker who's birthday present last year from her husband was step bars so she could more easily climb into her truck...

After I (1.91m) got my driver's license I found that I could never really sit properly in my parents' semi-fancy BMW 3 series. There was just not enough space between seat and roof. Then I got my first car, a used VW Polo (much smaller) and I had quickly found the perfect sitting position. Even though the car was much smaller and had fewer knobs and levers and whatnot to adjust the seat.

[cerebus]

I'm a shorty (5"7) and don't care less about the size of car I drive. The only real factor is getting 3 carseats in there as all my little ones are currently too small for seat belts. The Camry has a very spacious back seat for that. But the amount of legroom in that car is exorbitant. I think anyone could be comfortable.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm 5'0" and drove a 2001 Civic for 13 years.  My cousin is 6'2" and drove a 2001 Civic for 10 years.

I don't think cars are like shoes. They aren't made to fit a specific size person...

[AlanStache]

I'm 5'0" and drove a 2001 Civic for 13 years.  My cousin is 6'2" and drove a 2001 Civic for 10 years.

I don't think cars are like shoes. They aren't made to fit a specific size person...

Yes and no, how far the seat goes back and head room are a HUGE factor in comfort, could even see it affecting safety in outlier cases.  If someone said a car did not fit them I would be inclined to take them at their word.  Am 6', drive 04' Carrola and would love a 1/2 inch more of seat travel.

This is just one more example of short privilege :-)

[cerebus]

I'm 5'0" and drove a 2001 Civic for 13 years.  My cousin is 6'2" and drove a 2001 Civic for 10 years.

I don't think cars are like shoes. They aren't made to fit a specific size person...

Yes and no, how far the seat goes back and head room are a HUGE factor in comfort, could even see it affecting safety in outlier cases.  If someone said a car did not fit them I would be inclined to take them at their word.  Am 6', drive 04' Carrola and would love a 1/2 inch more of seat travel.

This is just one more example of short privilege :-)

The world has truly conspired against you, you poor miserable giant of a man.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm 5'0" and drove a 2001 Civic for 13 years.  My cousin is 6'2" and drove a 2001 Civic for 10 years.

I don't think cars are like shoes. They aren't made to fit a specific size person...

Yes and no, how far the seat goes back and head room are a HUGE factor in comfort, could even see it affecting safety in outlier cases.  If someone said a car did not fit them I would be inclined to take them at their word.  Am 6', drive 04' Carrola and would love a 1/2 inch more of seat travel.

This is just one more example of short privilege :-)

Ah yes, short privilege. Like how the grocery stores lower all the shelves so that I can reach things and you can't :)

As far as safety- yes, there are definitely things that being out of average can cause a problem (in many cars I have to use a thing to keep the seat belt from crossing my upper neck- NOT safe, basically the reason kids get put in booster seats); but every time someone commented on my car being made for someone small, I was baffled- because someone 14 inches taller than me was driving it just fine.

I will say I am thrilled that my new car has the option to raise the seat.  It's so nice to see more.

[infogoon]

Yes and no, how far the seat goes back and head room are a HUGE factor in comfort, could even see it affecting safety in outlier cases. 

Also how high the steering wheel can tilt upward. I'm 6'6", and one of the hardest things about buying a car is finding one with enough space for my legs under the steering wheel.

[I'm a red panda]

Also how high the steering wheel can tilt upward. I'm 6'6", and one of the hardest things about buying a car is finding one with enough space for my legs under the steering wheel.

I'll concede at 6'6".  But I don't think 6'0" is really that tall to be an outlier for most cars.

[Zaga]

Depends on what part of you is tall.  My DH is 6 foot, but most regular cars (sedans etc) he can't get his head in through the door.  His seated height is just that high and he doesn't bend well at all, plus his shoulders are exceedingly wide and some small cars just don't have enough width for him.

We have a tough time finding a car (or a couch, or a chair) that works for both of us.  DH is 6 foot and 330 pounds, I'm just over 5 foot and 110 pounds.  I ended up buying a Kia Soul because the roof line is high enough for him to get through the door and sit down, but even that car, if the seat is far enough back for him to get to the pedals comfortable, then he's reaching out pretty far to reach the steering wheel (yes, even with the telescoping wheel).  His car is a Tahoe, which I can drive but it's not as comfortable for me as I'd prefer.

[Gen Y Finance Journey]

Here's one from my favorite MLM-er, who goes on 2-3 "luxury" vacations per year, and has told me she's made around $200 in the 2+ years she's been selling vacation packages:

Accompanying a photo of a brand new luggage set, "When you are professional vacationers you gotta invest in the best"

[dragoncar]

Depends on what part of you is tall. 

I'm only 4 feet tall, but I have trouble fitting my enormous dong into the car.

[AlanStache]

Depends on what part of you is tall.  My DH is 6 foot, but most regular cars (sedans etc) he can't get his head in through the door.

...

Yep, buddy of mine is only an inch or so taller and his head hits the ceiling in my car where mine is fine.  My height is in my legs, his is in his torso. 

[Kashmani]

I'm 5'0" and drove a 2001 Civic for 13 years.  My cousin is 6'2" and drove a 2001 Civic for 10 years.

I don't think cars are like shoes. They aren't made to fit a specific size person...

Yes and no, how far the seat goes back and head room are a HUGE factor in comfort, could even see it affecting safety in outlier cases.  If someone said a car did not fit them I would be inclined to take them at their word.  Am 6', drive 04' Carrola and would love a 1/2 inch more of seat travel.

This is just one more example of short privilege :-)

The world has truly conspired against you, you poor miserable giant of a man.

Divide and conquer - the strategy of the one-size-fits-allers. Let the short people join forces with us tall people and together we can fight the dictatorship of the 95th percentile. WE ARE THE 5 PERCENT! WE ARE THE 5 PERCENT!

[Cheryl]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

[Megma]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

Literally all of the 10+ bags I have were free.

[Threshkin]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

These bag bans are good for reducing post consumer waste but they generally are not ecologically sound.  Cloth or paper bags take much more energy and water to produce than plastic bags.  A better approach is to encourage bag recycling or to use compostable plastic bags.

Try searching "Are bag bans ecologically sound?" for more information on this from a wide variety of sources.

[dragoncar]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

These bag bans are good for reducing post consumer waste but they generally are not ecologically sound.  Cloth or paper bags take much more energy and water to produce than plastic bags.  A better approach is to encourage bag recycling or to use compostable plastic bags.

Try searching "Are bag bans ecologically sound?" for more information on this from a wide variety of sources.

I'm all for banning plastic bags, because they end up polluting.  But I can't get behind the free paper bags (in my area...)

[Cheryl]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

Literally all of the 10+ bags I have were free.

All mine too.  But I guess I got them going to conventions, colloquiums, things like that, which if you're poor you might never have been to.  But still, you must have an old backpack or something lying around somewhere.  Or you could spend SIX BUCKS and get a bag!

[Cheryl]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

These bag bans are good for reducing post consumer waste but they generally are not ecologically sound.  Cloth or paper bags take much more energy and water to produce than plastic bags.  A better approach is to encourage bag recycling or to use compostable plastic bags.

Try searching "Are bag bans ecologically sound?" for more information on this from a wide variety of sources.

I'll look into that, thanks!

If biodegradable bags are a feasible option, I'm all for it.  Recycling would also be nice, but this is Dallas, people can't be bothered.  If I'd heard any of the many people around here who hated the bag ban ever hinting that their dislike was based on bag bans not actually being environmental I'd be much encouraged!  Instead I've run into two types: people who just hate it on principle (exactly what principle is never clear) and feel so strongly they actually drive to another city to shop (the mind, she explodes!), and people who hate it simply because they don't want to have to pay for bags, when they've always been provided by the bag fairies before.

I'm really surprised by what you say, though.  I mean, I'm sure it takes more to make a cloth bag, but then that bag lasts years and years.

[theadvicist]

I'm really surprised by what you say, though.  I mean, I'm sure it takes more to make a cloth bag, but then that bag lasts years and years.

For what's it worth, I read somewhere that Starbucks cups are 'better' for the environment than regular mugs because it takes so much energy to fire a kiln etc. They compared the uses over the lifetime of a mug before it breaks or chips and found single use 'better'. But better on what scale?

It all depends what angle you are coming from - and you can make anything 'more ecologically sound' than something else if you are chosing the definition of 'ecologically sound' and have an interest in proving it to be so.

So I just look at it as, "what is my main concern with this item" and with plastic bags it is that they do not biodegrade, and will hang around for decades. And so I use cloth. For someone else, their main concern may be carbon, and they come to a different conclusion.

[RunHappy]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)


One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

These bag bans are good for reducing post consumer waste but they generally are not ecologically sound.  Cloth or paper bags take much more energy and water to produce than plastic bags.  A better approach is to encourage bag recycling or to use compostable plastic bags.

Try searching "Are bag bans ecologically sound?" for more information on this from a wide variety of sources.

I'll look into that, thanks!

If biodegradable bags are a feasible option, I'm all for it.  Recycling would also be nice, but this is Dallas, people can't be bothered.  If I'd heard any of the many people around here who hated the bag ban ever hinting that their dislike was based on bag bans not actually being environmental I'd be much encouraged!  Instead I've run into two types: people who just hate it on principle (exactly what principle is never clear) and feel so strongly they actually drive to another city to shop (the mind, she explodes!), and people who hate it simply because they don't want to have to pay for bags, when they've always been provided by the bag fairies before.

I'm really surprised by what you say, though.  I mean, I'm sure it takes more to make a cloth bag, but then that bag lasts years and years.

It depends on the cloth bag you want to use.  There are hundreds of sites out there that will show you how to convert an old t-shirt into a cloth bag, some without sewing.  Which means repurposing the stuff you already own for a new use.

[AlanStache]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

She knew that the cloth bags can be used more than once-it is not 6$/bag each time she shops?

On a scale of 0 to "Hes the Antichrist", how much was Obama blamed for the bag ban?  :-)  I have seen people rant on and on about Obama forcing them to cut there grass and paint there home, the smarter ones will stop when you point out that Obama is not on the HOA board.

Before I switched to almost entirely grocery shopping at Costco I preferred the cloth bags, never any danger of them falling apart or tearing from a sharp corner and they stay upright & fully loaded in the car trunk.  Remove the environmental arguments and I think cloth bags are better.

[golden1]

I don't get why people would even want to use the plastic bags.  They only hold a few items, the handles breaks etc...  You need 15 of them vs only 5-6 cloth ones.  They are terrible.  I shop without my reusable ones every so often so I get get a supply of bags for trash can liners and I hate it. 

[dplasters]

I'm confused.  My wife and I just use the backpacks we have from going to school/commuting... you don't need special shopping cloth bags...

Just have the checkout person leave all the groceries at the end of the belt so you can bag them if are shopping at a typical grocery store.  If you're at an Aldi, Trader Joe's or Costco then they its even less of an issue.

I've seen a family just use the same big black trash bag at our Aldi....

[RunHappy]

Just saw a post of one guy proudly showing off his truck getting 14 mpg (to be fair he is pulling a trailer and moving several states).  The comments ranged from someone commenting that it is probably 2-3 mpg less in reality with him responding "...getting gas without ethanol has given me a three mile per gallon bump."

[Cheryl]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

She knew that the cloth bags can be used more than once-it is not 6$/bag each time she shops?

On a scale of 0 to "Hes the Antichrist", how much was Obama blamed for the bag ban?  :-)  I have seen people rant on and on about Obama forcing them to cut there grass and paint there home, the smarter ones will stop when you point out that Obama is not on the HOA board.

Before I switched to almost entirely grocery shopping at Costco I preferred the cloth bags, never any danger of them falling apart or tearing from a sharp corner and they stay upright & fully loaded in the car trunk.  Remove the environmental arguments and I think cloth bags are better.

Ha!  I haven't actuallt heard Obama being blamed for this one!  To be fair, that might be because even in Dallas I manage to mostly avoid that particular breed of humanity.

Yeah, I just don't see why anyone WANTS plastic bags!  They're handy bathroom trashbags... or you could just buy a pack of 70 tiny trashbags for $1.27.  They're obnoxious to carry.  I general walk to the store, and a cloth bag can go nicely on my shoulder.  Yesterday I actually impulse stopped at the store while walking home from elsewhere and had to get a plastic bag for the first time in months... I had to carry it in my hand, which was mildly irritating for my fingers, and it kept bumping my leg with every step and I wanted to eat my candy bar while I walked and it was awkward because I needed two hands to open it but the stupid bag couldn't hang on my shoulder.  There were serious design flaws.

[GuitarStv]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

These bag bans are good for reducing post consumer waste but they generally are not ecologically sound.  Cloth or paper bags take much more energy and water to produce than plastic bags.  A better approach is to encourage bag recycling or to use compostable plastic bags.

Try searching "Are bag bans ecologically sound?" for more information on this from a wide variety of sources.

I've used our cloth bags for the past six years since grocery stores started charging for plastic bags.  That's 3-4 fewer plastic bags a week for six years.  What's the break even point, environmentally speaking?

[purplish]

Honestly I like getting free plastic bags, I use them for scooping my cats litter boxes! I also out them in small trash baskets.

[zolotiyeruki]

Honestly I like getting free plastic bags, I use them for scooping my cats litter boxes! I also out them in small trash baskets.

We also re-use our plastic shopping bags, as trash bags, lunch boxes, and in a pinch as dental floss....

[Chris22]

Honestly I like getting free plastic bags, I use them for scooping my cats litter boxes! I also out them in small trash baskets.

We also re-use our plastic shopping bags, as trash bags, lunch boxes, and in a pinch as dental floss....

That's fucking disgusting. 

[dragoncar]

Well, I finally got one.

The context: In Dallas we briefly had a plastic bag ban.  Well, they say "ban", but it just means that stores have been charging people five cents a bag if they need bags.  This makes total sense to me.  It encourages people to use cloth bags, which creates less waste, and why were they ever even free in the first place?  This has been inexplicably unpopular, and was very recently overturned.  (OH MY GOD, PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF CHANGING CITY ORDINANCES BUT NOT GRABBING A FEW CLOTH BAGS???  It's so very time to move....)

One of my facebook acquaintances posted a link to an article about the overturning.  I replied with basically the same arguement for the ban as above.  Her response?  She can't AFFORD cloth bags!

Literally all of the 10+ bags I have were free.

All mine too.  But I guess I got them going to conventions, colloquiums, things like that, which if you're poor you might never have been to.  But still, you must have an old backpack or something lying around somewhere.  Or you could spend SIX BUCKS and get a bag!

+1 to backpack -- the only downside is fresh meat and possible dripping (that's really an issue with anything reusable, but it's more likely to drip on something you like in a backpack).

Anyways, if you can't afford a cloth bag, you can pay the 5 cents for the plastic bag and bring it back next time.

[Ashyukun]

Honestly I like getting free plastic bags, I use them for scooping my cats litter boxes! I also out them in small trash baskets.

We also re-use our plastic shopping bags, as trash bags, lunch boxes, and in a pinch as dental floss....

That's fucking disgusting.

Especially once you've used it to scoop the litter box!

[Giro]

My homophobic, condescending, judgmental c*nt of a SIL keeps posting her hate-filled rants about homosexuality.  I've totally had it.  So, today I posted "The end is near, I will now be spending all of my money on blow and GT-R's."

so it would be pretty anti-mustachian but since she told me the end was near, I figured I may as well go all out. 

 

[Zikoris]

Seconding the backpack system. We acquired a lot of free cloth bags over time and eventually just gave them all away because they're not practical for biking or walking longer distances at all. My nice hiking backpack that distributes weight properly and has snaps and belts to hold it snug against me if I'm jogging or biking over bumps does a better job than those things ever could.

[MBot]

My area has a FB page for people wanting to sell stuff, like a local Craigslist.  I just saw someone post an ad to sell an RV for $19k.  Someone replied back asking if they would take monthly payments.

/facepalm

Every time I think I've heard/seen it all, posts like this remind me that no, I haven't.

My husband just got an email about our used Honda Fit for sale for $4900.. asking if he could take it now - and then pay $200/month until it was paid off, because the emailer JUST started his new part-time call-center job.

Ha ha.

[nobodyspecial]

cloth bags .... they're not practical for biking or walking longer distances at all.

Cloth bags are for transporting groceries between Trader Joe's/WholeFoods and the back of your Volvo/Hybrid SUV.

Because you wouldn't dream of driving a pickup but small cars aren't safe....

[Gen Y Finance Journey]

My homophobic, condescending, judgmental c*nt of a SIL keeps posting her hate-filled rants about homosexuality.  I've totally had it.  So, today I posted "The end is near, I will now be spending all of my money on blow and GT-R's."

so it would be pretty anti-mustachian but since she told me the end was near, I figured I may as well go all out.

Do we have the same SIL? :)

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

cloth bags .... they're not practical for biking or walking longer distances at all.

Cloth bags are for transporting groceries between Trader Joe's/WholeFoods and the back of your Volvo/Hybrid SUV.

Because you wouldn't dream of driving a pickup but small cars aren't safe....

Cloth bags are perfectly fine for loading groceries into a bike trailer or, I assume, panniers. Can't shop for a family of four with a backpack!

[No-stache]

Honestly I like getting free plastic bags, I use them for scooping my cats litter boxes! I also out them in small trash baskets.

THIS. Exactly this. And why would I want to BUY bags when I can get them free? Also, because I generally don't have enough plastic bags for cat duty, I swipe some from the bag recycle at Kroger or Walmart.