Overheard on Facebook

[Step37]

This isn't even funny to me, but I literally just saw this on FB from someone.
It was posted along with a celebratory gif, as if this was good news:

"We got Hamilton tickets!  Expensive, but WORTH IT. Really need to find full time work now.  I guess we're going without health insurance for a few months."

And no, this was not a joke or an exaggeration.
They have been out of work for a few months already and have continually posted about their job search.

Amazing how broke unemployed people seem to have the cash credit card space for these things. Drives me mental!

There, I fixed it! (People are bonkers.)

[Rowellen]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

AliExpress is bloody brilliant. I got toothbrush heads for an Oral B electric toothbrush for 50 cents each, landed. They're identical to the branded ones except for the stenciled brand. And I really like the way you can buy one of, or 200 of. You can also get the branded products if you want them - razor blade refills are particularly well priced. And if you're a canner who recycles jars? You just hit the jackpot for all kinds of lids in all sizes, for pennies. The other thing I regularly seem to buy is drawer knobs and handles.

Just goes to show you the mark up that some of the big brand stores put on things, really, when you can buy direct from the Chinese manufacturer yourself. God Bless the Internet!

A friend of mine is a huge devotee of AliExpress (she calls it Chinese eBay).

Every few weeks I get texts like, "Need a new blanket scarf? They're $1.50 each, and the minimum order is 10." No, no I don't! :D

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

But doesn't everyone "need" a blanket scarf?

Um. What is a blanket scarf anyway?

/s  kidding.  I'm pretty sure I can work it out.

[zolotiyeruki]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

[Mesmoiselle]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

I've never found Grocery Store Berries to ever be worth any price. I had no idea why people in eras past even liked berries, figured it was because sugar wasn't a regular commodity yet and they were desperate.

Then at 27 someone gave me some fresh picked blueberries and they were AMAZING. <- so now I know why berries are a thing, but not why anyone would ever buy one at the store?

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

Um.... I buy bulk items, including fruit and veg, when they're on a great sale. Blueberries average $11 a kilo frozen here, and I use a little scoop of them daily in my breakfast. If they were, say $8 a kilo, I would buy several. If they were $4 a kilo, I would buy every pack they had available. It's not really impulse, as such, because I have money built into my grocery budget specifically to take advantage of these finds.

The other day, apples were $1 a kilo. I bought 10 kilos. They'll be canned as apple pie filling. Couldn't grow them myself for that price.

[ysette9]

I love love love berries. In the summer when they are fresh I buy a fair amount of them. Otherwise I buy frozen and put them in my oatmeal. I agree though that grow your own is tastier.
As a kid we had a bunch of raspberries in the yard and could pick a bunch whenever. My mother would sometimes go out with a bowl in the morning to pick a bunch to have in her cereal. I just loved eating them straight off the bushes, warm from the sun. We bought six little raspberry twigs and have them in the ground in our back yard now. I can’t wait for them to get big and give us fruit.

[Step37]

Just saw this gem on FB (because my sister was tagged and replied, “hahaha, so true!!”). Talk about mindless consumerism at its finest. Somehow she cannot make the connection that the constant acquisition of More New Stuff will A. Never lead to contentment, and B. Keep her broke and on the treadmill (despite a high income). Makes me crazy (and sad).

[redbird]

^ I've actually had that happen before, but not because I order a lot. When you're on Prime, Amazon is far more willing to just ship things separately so they can get it to you faster (when you don't have Prime, they tend to combine shipments mostly). I've had them ship things out separately, but were part of the same order, and didn't know what part of my order was in the box until I opened it.

Because Murphy's Law, it's generally the stuff you are not in a rush for that gets to you first, and the stuff that you really need NOW and can't even buy locally (recently for me it was a stove part) wants to take an extra day or two to get to you.

[Step37]

@redbird, I’ve got a month’s free trial of Prime currently and it’s happened to me, too. :) Of COURSE the thing I ordered for husband’s birthday was the shipment that didn’t arrive in one or two days (no biggie, just funny). Checking now if there are final things to order before I cancel Prime on Wednesday (definitely don’t buy enough to make it worthwhile).

In my sister’s case, I can say with 99% certainty that purchases aren’t carefully considered; and, subscription items, if no longer needed, would take months to get cancelled.

[Sibley]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

[MrMoogle]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

Basically two day shipping, and not having to wait for your shopping cart to get to a certain value before ordering.  I order something every 6 weeks or so, and don't mind waiting a week for it to arrive, so it's definitely not worth it for me. 

You can also use it for online streaming.

[Sibley]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Ah. That makes sense. I have other sources. Thanks.

[RidetheRain]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Also some people use it for EVERYTHING. My parents live in the middle of nowhere and use prime to get all their non-perishables. They basically get a package every two weeks at least. Soap, motor oil, bed linens. You name it and it comes from Amazon. For them, it makes up for the drive into the closest major town.

[Megma]

I use prime because i need to specifically search for something i want so no impulse buys for me. I cannot say the same for target which i avoid like the plague.

But look at what i saw on Facebook marketplace... Oh my. Spend that loan you gave the government!

[marty998]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

[mustachepungoeshere]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

Less than two months!

And the quotes from the wife!

She said: "There are people winning millions of pounds and we just get a bit of luck and all of a sudden, we are punished for it.

"We helped our neighbour and friends out with some cash.

"We gave it to our family and have nothing left. We paid for three family holidays - a cruise and two big trips to Benidorm.

"We got the kitchen and hall decorated and the bathroom and living room are to be done. There is nothing left.

‎ಠ_ಠ

[MrMoogle]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

That sounds rough.  Really bad luck winning that lottery.

[Roe]

$142,000 gone between September and December? From that, too overdrawn?

I sympathize a tiny bit with him about not thinking about that he would loose his benefits, but mother of spendypants, that's fast!

[infogoon]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Also some people use it for EVERYTHING. My parents live in the middle of nowhere and use prime to get all their non-perishables. They basically get a package every two weeks at least. Soap, motor oil, bed linens. You name it and it comes from Amazon. For them, it makes up for the drive into the closest major town.

I live in a mid-sized city and still use it for just about everything. Given the choice between waiting two days for a Prime delivery and packing up three young kids for a trip to Target, Amazon wins every time.

[Just Joe]

Anyone using any of other retailers that have free shipping like WalMart?

[PMG]

I’ll chime in that if you have the Target Red Card (which can be a debit card, for the credit card averse), you get free shipping on any sized order.  I used it quite a bit for bulk and staples when I was living without a car. Also, you have to be careful to search out their brand of products as the website shows name brand items first. 

They also had an easy return policy that was extended even longer for Red Card orders, so I had a nice long window to make returns though it was inconvenient to get to the store. ETA. Most items are returnable by mail, some just in store.  It’s very easy to miss that detail. 

——
As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

[Petuniajo]

I overheard this on Facebook a few weeks ago:

Friend: You know it's Monday morning for everyone when you have to drive to three drive-thrus before someone actually has breakfast ready.

When someone mentioned she should just cook breakfast at home? "No time."

Yet there is time to visit three drive-thrus... !

[ysette9]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

[ysette9]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

[4alpacas]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

@ysette9 Since you're in the Bay Area, have you tried Google Express?  With Target, I get same day delivery (free over $35).*

*I'm also a horrible impulse shopper, so I really shouldn't be trusted in Target.  SO many things!!!

[mm1970]

I overheard this on Facebook a few weeks ago:

Friend: You know it's Monday morning for everyone when you have to drive to three drive-thrus before someone actually has breakfast ready.

When someone mentioned she should just cook breakfast at home? "No time."

Yet there is time to visit three drive-thrus... !

ha ha ha this one is funny

[ketchup]

As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

That seems to probably be it.  I've had Prime since 2008 and I don't have any minimums.  Also, since 2016 most of what I've ordered has been free same or next day shipping.  I'll never forget my first same-day package: My ancient wifi router died overnight, I woke up and figured that out, researched a sensible replacement, and ordered it around 9am.  We had to go somewhere for the day and by the time I got back home at 4pm, the router was on my doorstep waiting for me.  On a Sunday.  I was blown away.  Why would you ever go to a store?

[PMG]

As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

That seems to probably be it.  I've had Prime since 2008 and I don't have any minimums.  Also, since 2016 most of what I've ordered has been free same or next day shipping.  I'll never forget my first same-day package: My ancient wifi router died overnight, I woke up and figured that out, researched a sensible replacement, and ordered it around 9am.  We had to go somewhere for the day and by the time I got back home at 4pm, the router was on my doorstep waiting for me.  On a Sunday.  I was blown away.  Why would you ever go to a store?

Interesting.  I’ll look into the details if I’m again in a position to need more Amazon.  The shift happened gradually.  I remember amazement at 2 day delivery in my rural area years ago, but by the time I moved to a city (near a big distribution center) packages arrived in 5-7 days reguardless of being labeled 2 day.

——

To stay on topic:

I got on facebook today... and saw a woman who I met in Paris when we were both taking some University classes.  She was miserable.  She hated it.  She trashed talked everyone there (and me too behind my back!).  She had her boyfriend’s mom buy her a new ticket home so she couldn’t leave a couple days earlier than initially planned... This was a couple years ago.  Today she updated her facebook photo to be one of a group of us along the Seine.  So I clicked... and she has posted photos at increments since that trip.  I think she has some people convinced that she lives in Paris.  It’s really strange.  I recognize those photos.  I was there!  It was years ago.  Not last month. 

 

[ysette9]

Ooh, when my first was a baby just home from the hospital we tried the free Google express trial. We had boxes showing up at least once a day for the first two weeks. It was great,  it not something my husband was willing to pay for. :)

[4alpacas]

Ooh, when my first was a baby just home from the hospital we tried the free Google express trial. We had boxes showing up at least once a day for the first two weeks. It was great,  it not something my husband was willing to pay for. :)

No more membership, @ysette9

[Samuel]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Prime also includes unlimited photo storage. I have 10,000+ photos stored in their cloud as a third backup, always accessible from an app on my phone.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

Less than two months!

And the quotes from the wife!

She said: "There are people winning millions of pounds and we just get a bit of luck and all of a sudden, we are punished for it.

"We helped our neighbour and friends out with some cash.

"We gave it to our family and have nothing left. We paid for three family holidays - a cruise and two big trips to Benidorm.

"We got the kitchen and hall decorated and the bathroom and living room are to be done. There is nothing left.

‎ಠ_ಠ

Well yeah there's nothing left. It wasn't a fountain of money. It was a specific amount and you spent it all.

I don't feel bad for these people one bit. Stupidity shouldn't be coddled.

It does raise the question as to whether the short-term benefit and boost in standard of living was worth the long-term inconvenience of losing his disability pension.

Lots of people who play the lottery have ideas about what they'd do if they won "big", but they don't really think about how they'd manage if they won "little". Depending on where they live, taxes may be due on their winnings and the amount they have to work with may not be as much as they think. It's even more important to consider the impact of non-monetary winnings such as cars or travel packages because the dollar value may be taxable as well and if the winner can't afford the taxes out of cash flow it can get ugly.

[moderate_moderate]

Barbra Streisand Cloned Her Dogs. For $50,000, You Can Clone Yours.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/science/barbra-streisand-clone-dogs.html

In case you needed another way to spend your money. With all of the dogs in the world who need homes, why clone one?

[Just Joe]

I hate lotteries - and gambling in general. SO many people who don't understand how to manage potential winnings wind up in trouble like the retirees in the article. Families that tear themselves apart over greed and envy. Substance abuse. Parasite friends and family appearing from all over with a hand out. It gets ugly.

[shelivesthedream]

I have Prime because my parents could add my account to theirs for free. I only get the free shipping, not all the media, but it's great. My account is completely separate to theirs, so if anyone's thinking about it couldn't you team up with a friend or family member to share the cost?

Re: berries: I have my grocery list for things I want to buy that time, but I also have a standing grocery list for things it's always OK to buy. Almost all of it is cupboard items that will keep (pasta, noodles, peanut butter, tinned beans) but there are a few fresh things on it. Apples are the one that spring to mind - they just WILL get eaten, so if I see they're cheap I'll pick up a few bags, secure in the knowledge that they won't go to waste. So... I think it's important to distinguish between impulse purchases and unplanned but still legit purchases.

[geekette]

I have Prime because my parents could add my account to theirs for free. I only get the free shipping, not all the media, but it's great. My account is completely separate to theirs, so if anyone's thinking about it couldn't you team up with a friend or family member to share the cost?

It doesn’t work like that in the US any more (all financial data is shared) but was great while it lasted!

[Xlar]

I’ll chime in that if you have the Target Red Card (which can be a debit card, for the credit card averse), you get free shipping on any sized order.  I used it quite a bit for bulk and staples when I was living without a car. Also, you have to be careful to search out their brand of products as the website shows name brand items first. 

They also had an easy return policy that was extended even longer for Red Card orders, so I had a nice long window to make returns though it was inconvenient to get to the store. ETA. Most items are returnable by mail, some just in store.  It’s very easy to miss that detail. 

——
As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

If you don't get your item in two days you should complain. It's really easy through the chat window and they seem to always give you 1 month free membership as compensation!

[ketchup]

I’ll chime in that if you have the Target Red Card (which can be a debit card, for the credit card averse), you get free shipping on any sized order.  I used it quite a bit for bulk and staples when I was living without a car. Also, you have to be careful to search out their brand of products as the website shows name brand items first. 

They also had an easy return policy that was extended even longer for Red Card orders, so I had a nice long window to make returns though it was inconvenient to get to the store. ETA. Most items are returnable by mail, some just in store.  It’s very easy to miss that detail. 

——
As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

If you don't get your item in two days you should complain. It's really easy through the chat window and they seem to always give you 1 month free membership as compensation!

Sometimes they even go beyond that.  I ordered a $40 video game one time that arrived a day late and after complaining, they extended my Prime membership AND refunded the $40 for the game.  All for a fucking video game, which is the least urgent thing in the world.

[Kimera757]

Hey AnnaGrowsAMustache, I'm really wanting some self stick vinyl for several projects, but have found it to be very expensive.  Any sources you would be willing to share to get a great deal on it?

Thanks!

I get mine from AliExpress. It doesn't seem to be a big site in the states, but it's huge for the rest of the world. It's the small scale purchase arm of Alibaba. It's a site that manufacturers advertise products on directly, all based in China. Each manufacturer has a sales and product review and star system so you can see if they're reputable and easy to deal with. Just about anything in the world can be purchased on here. Couple of things to check - whatever you search, there will be MANY different varieties, qualities and prices, so make sure you've got what you want. Second, check and doublecheck the shipping rate, and also any import duties you might incur at your end. In my country, you don't get stung unless you order over a certain dollar value. Third, there are things available for purchase that may be illegal to bring into your country - I don't imagine vinyl is one of them, but you never know. Third, you're purchasing from a Chinese manufacturer, not from a site like Amazon, so IF there are issues you may have problems resolving them. I've used AliExpress hundreds of times, with no issues, but I've also never purchased anything over $50. You do use your CC through the site and that's completely reputable, so no worries there.

Have a look and see what you can find.

https://www.aliexpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AliExpress

PS, also check what you're buying. It's listed in price per "unit". But a unit can be 1m for one manufacturer and 10m for another.

I tried to buy something there and they didn't believe I was using my own credit card. They wanted proof it was me. Okay, that's fair... but I'm only going to send that information in a secure manner.

Did everyone who uses Alibaba/Aliexpress have to go through that?

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Never encountered that one. Did you go to the legit site?

[barbaz]

Did everyone who uses Alibaba/Aliexpress have to go through that?

No, never had a problem with payment. How much did you order?

[Freedomin5]

Did everyone who uses Alibaba/Aliexpress have to go through that?

No, never had a problem with payment. How much did you order?

Only recently (like within the past year) since China tightened up regulations.

[shadowmoss]

I ordered less then $5 and it went to.  Went back and tried to order about $25 worth and got the block unless I send a copy of my driver's license.  That is not gonna happen.  I'm sad that I won't be able to order from there again, but it is maybe for the best.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I ordered less then $5 and it went to.  Went back and tried to order about $25 worth and got the block unless I send a copy of my driver's license.  That is not gonna happen.  I'm sad that I won't be able to order from there again, but it is maybe for the best.

I've ordered from AE hundreds of time, incl over the last few months and never encountered this. I'm just using a Visa CC. Are you using something less common?

[shadowmoss]

I'm using a Chase Slate Visa.  Never had a problem with it before.  They suggested I use Western Union.  Nope.  Take my credit card.  Billing address for the card and shipping address for the merchandise are the same.  Should be no problem.  But, they want a picture of either my driver's license or my passport.  Not gonna happen.  Hello brick wall.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I wonder if it's something the seller has specified? Can you get the same product from another seller on AE?

I just spoke to a friend who runs a business selling stuff largely imported via Alibaba and AliExpress. He's never encountered payment problems either. He spends thousands at a time.

[shadowmoss]

My order was a random assortment of travel items.  No one thing over $7.  At least 3 different sellers.  I'll give it a few weeks/months and try again.  I was logged I to my account with the site as well.

[Kimera757]

Did everyone who uses Alibaba/Aliexpress have to go through that?

No, never had a problem with payment. How much did you order?

One item for about $15.

[Kyle Schuant]

Not on FB, but... I am always amazed at how someone will take a successful business, expand it too fast and make it collapse. It happens again and again. In this case, they blame "high rents and operational costs." But it's not like the landlord hits you with whatever rent they like each week, you signed a lease, so you knew what the costs would be. Likewise, after having 1-2 stores, you should have a pretty good idea of what the utilities, wages and so on would cost.


So this is people who did some combination of never taking note of their normal costs and being overly optimistic about their future income. As with households, so with businesses - except when a business makes stupid decisions, it's not just one person's family suffering.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-07/doughnut-time-retail-empire-crumbles---what-went-wrong/9521338

[I'm a red panda]

Our buy nothing project group is sprouting again (we split from a larger group 7 months ago) because we have 1,500 members.  It's funny watching people throw hissy fits.  A number of people are making the "I don't want to play with you, I'm taking my toys and going home" posts.

Apparently people only want to get free stuff (or give it away) if it is a really large group.