Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[jordanread]

It is going to be an unusually warm day today.  Low to mid 70s, perfect for open windows.  But I just noticed that my new rented house has no window screens.  I have no way to keep the cat in if I enjoy fresh air and free temperature control.  :(

I built a wooden frame that fits into the window frame and stapled a cat net on it

I missed 'net' on the first read through. I was super stoked that there was a solution I hadn't thought of. I reread it though.

[BTDretire]

 I  paid a credit bill online of $404.55, MPP is, and got a $2.45 interest charge.
 I didn't see why I had the interest charge and called the card issuer.
She said, these charges are automated, I'll remove the interest charge.
At this point I still don't know why there was an interest charge, so had to ask her
why the computer charged the interest.
I misread $404.65 as $404.55. I was $0.10 short on my payment, so got a $2.45 interest charge.
 Also, nowhere on the bill is the $0.10 unpaid balance shown on the bill.
 The rep said just subtract the $2.54 from the bill and pay that. I did.
 Now writing this, I'm wondering if I'm going to be short $0.10 on the next bill :-?
 I requested they print the bills in a larger font.
    That brings something else up, I can't read the labels on the shampoo and
conditioner in the shower. One evening my wife came out of the shower to
have me read a label to her. I was at the computer with my reading glasses on.
 That was it, I sent an email to the company telling them to increase the size of
SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER on their products, so people with less than perfect
eyesite can read them.
  They sent back a letter and a coupons worth $18!
The letter was in a small font, that I COULD NOT READ.
 I have 20-20, contact lenses corrected vision, so it's not like
my vision is very poor.
 Still waiting for a change in their label.

[Brother Esau]

I  paid a credit bill online of $404.55, MPP is, and got a $2.45 interest charge.
 I didn't see why I had the interest charge and called the card issuer.
She said, these charges are automated, I'll remove the interest charge.
At this point I still don't know why there was an interest charge, so had to ask her
why the computer charged the interest.
I misread $404.65 as $404.55. I was $0.10 short on my payment, so got a $2.45 interest charge.
 Also, nowhere on the bill is the $0.10 unpaid balance shown on the bill.
 The rep said just subtract the $2.54 from the bill and pay that. I did.
 Now writing this, I'm wondering if I'm going to be short $0.10 on the next bill :-?
 I requested they print the bills in a larger font.
    That brings something else up, I can't read the labels on the shampoo and
conditioner in the shower. One evening my wife came out of the shower to
have me read a label to her. I was at the computer with my reading glasses on.
 That was it, I sent an email to the company telling them to increase the size of
SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER on their products, so people with less than perfect
eyesite can read them.
  They sent back a letter and a coupons worth $18!
The letter was in a small font, that I COULD NOT READ.
 I have 20-20, contact lenses corrected vision, so it's not like
my vision is very poor.
 Still waiting for a change in their label.

That's awesome! I'm going to contact the manufacturers of my soap, toothpaste, dish soap, etc and see how much $ in coupons I can amass.

[Greenback Reproduction Specialist]

At 32 having anxiety over retiring in 2 yrs or 3 years.... What a terrible and yet wonderful problem to have.

I really want to do it in 2... But I should probably wait one more year as planned and wait for the FIRE date we set.... Ugh the wait is killing me!

[jinga nation]

My Disney-relates MPP is that our daughter thinks that Disneyland is free because when we say we’re “going to Disney” we actually go to the free park outside of the theme park, then go to the Disney shopping area and visit the LEGO store where she can play for free. And often as we leave, we are asked to fill out a quick survey and DD gets a sticker or small notebook or bookmark as a thank you gift. She’s in for a rude awakening when she realizes there’s an actual theme park with rides and so much more than she could imagine.

#MeToo.
That's what we do, take the kids to Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney). Ride the small train, go to Ghirardelli for ice cream and coffee, maybe some Blaze Pizza, Lego store, walk around the Disney store and my girls want everything, but then end up too confused and leave. Take photos with characters (still and human), enjoy the weather, listen to the live music, esp. school groups. Great wholesome time.
I know they'll yell at me one day, but as long as I can kick the can down the road, that's the option I'm taking...

Real DisneyWorld, the kids will go the first and only time on my wallet. After that, I'm never going. I hate spending money to stand in a line, then being dangled an offer to pay more for a shorter line. WTF, it's still a line.

Even with Florida resident discounts, theme parks are too expensive and leave me brain-dead at the end of the day. I love being physically tired, but the mind-numbing, timed, choreographed, fake shows are the last straw. I'd rather be in a dump tank raising money for a non-religion charity or school.

[merula]

I hate spending money to stand in a line, then being dangled an offer to pay more for a shorter line. WTF, it's still a line.

FWIW, the "pay more for a shorter line" is a thing at Universal, not at Disney. Disney allows everyone to use its "fastpass" system, while Universal has ticket add-ons that lets you do the shorter line either once per ride for an extra $80 or unlimited times per ride for $100.

The only way to "pay more to skip the line" at Disney is to book one of their VIP tours, but it looks like Universal has a similar thing.

[jinga nation]

I hate spending money to stand in a line, then being dangled an offer to pay more for a shorter line. WTF, it's still a line.

FWIW, the "pay more for a shorter line" is a thing at Universal, not at Disney. Disney allows everyone to use its "fastpass" system, while Universal has ticket add-ons that lets you do the shorter line either once per ride for an extra $80 or unlimited times per ride for $100.

The only way to "pay more to skip the line" at Disney is to book one of their VIP tours, but it looks like Universal has a similar thing.

Same shit, different shade of lipstick.
I get my theme parks mixed up, they all in the same area down the road.
From what I remember the last time I went to Disney with visiting family, in 2011, was a limit to how many fastpass one can hold. So I had to take chances and do mental gymnastics and man math. And a fastpass had to be used or expired to get another one. Maybe rules have changed.
Meanwhile I encourage tourists to go to Orlando... MOCA (Make Orlando Crowded Always). Spend, tourists, spend. We love you long time.

[Freckles]

I remember when it felt like paying money to stand in line. I just went last August with my husband and kids, but before that, maybe early 2000s, was the last time I had been. I remember we  went on something like three rides in nine hours. It was pretty ridiculous, but the tickets were a hell of a lot cheaper the, especially for Southern California residents which we were at that time. But it is so much better now. I was amazed when we went this past August. We barely stood in line at all! The FastPass system and the Magic Morning hour really changed things. We also had a daily plan, something I'd never tried before. It was so much fun. I didn't feel like we were paying to stand in line, I felt like we had paid for super fun days and awesome experiences. It was excellent.

I don't think I'm going to change your mind or anything, jinga nation. But your "paying to stand in line" comment stuck out to me. I know it was like that, but it's really not anymore. Now I can't wait to go back! This is all Disneyland that I'm talking about. I've never been to DisneyWorld. If anyone is thinking about a Disney trip, I highly recommend getting this book. There is lots of useful information in it, but the best is the itineraries. Having those was a total game changer in terms of getting full enjoyment out of the parks. We didn't even have the most recent edition (lent to us by a friend) and it still made a huge difference. They have a version for DisneyWorld as well, if you're on that side of the country.

[zolotiyeruki]

I've got one!  My wardrobe of business casual clothes consists almost exclusively of shirts I've received from work or other events.  So when it came time to go to a job interview this week, my wife rolled her eyes and told me to take the one polo that's semi-appropriate for such events.

[mustachepungoeshere]

I've got one!  My wardrobe of business casual clothes consists almost exclusively of shirts I've received from work or other events.  So when it came time to go to a job interview this week, my wife rolled her eyes and told me to take the one polo that's semi-appropriate for such events.

A mate of mine had to go to a function for a luxury brand this week.

He neglected to read the invitation closely and showed up in jeans and a blazer to find everyone else dressed in all white.

But even that wasn't as bad as the guy who wore a white polo embroidered with the logo of the brand's main rival.

[Sibley]

This is temporary, but very annoying. I live State A and work in State B. Due to respective tax laws, possibly my misunderstanding, how employers did tax withholdings, etc, I am getting a huge tax refund from State B and have to pay most of that to State A. Both state returns have been sent in. State A was e-filed, State B was dumb and couldn't figure it out so I had to mail it in.

The problem: I'm being stubborn and refusing to send the check to State A until I've gotten the refund from State B. But I'm also stubborn and wrote said check to State A (the envelope is in the desk, just waiting). So when I do my weekly banking and calculate current balance of my checking account, I have a massive outstanding check messing things up.

And I need to dig into the tax rules between the two states and fix my withholdings for 2018 so I don't have to do this next year, cause they're still messed up. I hate tax research.

[rantk81]

My 401k custodian sent out a notice on behalf of my employer notifying me that my employer will no longer be subsidizing the record keeping, accounting, and maintenance fees for the plan.  They will soon start deducting $19 per quarter from each employee’s account to pay these costs.

This notice pissed me off last Friday, big time.

[Dicey]

My MPP is the bank we have our mortgage with. We went with them for the low rate, but boy oh boy do they suck if you are paying the loan down faster.  First, they have no option to pay anything online other than your regular monthly payment.  Want to pay extra on the principal?  They tell you to do it by mail, using the hardcopy coupon.  Except that the first two times I did that, they screwed it up and put the extra payment toward future months' payments. It was a nightmare getting that fixed over the phone.  I decided after that that I would have to physically go to the bank each month if I had any extra payment to make. I started doing that, but the fun was only beginning. Turns out that apparently none of the tellers at this place had ever done (or could understand!?) an extra payment to principal.  They looked at me like I had two heads. Finally, after many months, I succeeded in training one of the tellers in what I wanted to do, but then she left. Back to square one. Now, after two months I have identified a teller who can do it, but only if I first make the regular payment, then pull the checkbook back out and say "And I'd like to make an extra payment to PRINCIPAL ONLY."  Somehow the separate check helps her get it.  The whole situation is weird and baffling.  I've done this before with other banks and there were no problems.

Here's an easier solution. Instead of prepaying the mortgage to the bank, prepay it to yourself. Invest it a la jlcollinsnh's Stock Series. Watch the money grow. Eventually, you will have enough to kill the whole mortgage in one payment. At that point, you may choose not to and keep the money in the market, but that will be a different MPP.

[Trifle]

My MPP is the bank we have our mortgage with. We went with them for the low rate, but boy oh boy do they suck if you are paying the loan down faster.  First, they have no option to pay anything online other than your regular monthly payment.  Want to pay extra on the principal?  They tell you to do it by mail, using the hardcopy coupon.  Except that the first two times I did that, they screwed it up and put the extra payment toward future months' payments. It was a nightmare getting that fixed over the phone.  I decided after that that I would have to physically go to the bank each month if I had any extra payment to make. I started doing that, but the fun was only beginning. Turns out that apparently none of the tellers at this place had ever done (or could understand!?) an extra payment to principal.  They looked at me like I had two heads. Finally, after many months, I succeeded in training one of the tellers in what I wanted to do, but then she left. Back to square one. Now, after two months I have identified a teller who can do it, but only if I first make the regular payment, then pull the checkbook back out and say "And I'd like to make an extra payment to PRINCIPAL ONLY."  Somehow the separate check helps her get it.  The whole situation is weird and baffling.  I've done this before with other banks and there were no problems.

Here's an easier solution. Instead of prepaying the mortgage to the bank, prepay it to yourself. Invest it a la jlcollinsnh's Stock Series. Watch the money grow. Eventually, you will have enough to kill the whole mortgage in one payment. At that point, you may choose not to and keep the money in the market, but that will be a different MPP.

Thanks, Dicey.  Yeah, I understand the math completely and agree this is nearly always the best route.  Different situation for us -- We're FIREing very soon, and this is a conscious strategy.  Balance is very low anyway -- one more payment and it's gone.

[PKate]

I have Amazon Prime and we use it heavily for shipping.   I hate that they use the USPS to deliver packages because they don't always arrive when Amazon says they will.  What is worse is the USPS will lie and say and give some lame excuse or lie that they tried to deliver it and no was home of course someone was home and the package didn't need to be signed for. 

So I have started contacting Amazon to complain.  It turns out that I am getting an extra month free of Prime membership each time I complain.  If my local USPS can't get their act together I won't have to pay for Prime till Amazon stops using them or changes their policy. 
I am up to 2 additional month of Prime for 2 complaints in less than a month.

[LennStar]

I have Amazon Prime and we use it heavily for shipping.   I hate that they use the USPS to deliver packages because they don't always arrive when Amazon says they will.  What is worse is the USPS will lie and say and give some lame excuse or lie that they tried to deliver it and no was home of course someone was home and the package didn't need to be signed for. 

So I have started contacting Amazon to complain.  It turns out that I am getting an extra month free of Prime membership each time I complain.  If my local USPS can't get their act together I won't have to pay for Prime till Amazon stops using them or changes their policy. 
I am up to 2 additional month of Prime for 2 complaints in less than a month.

Interesting MPP. Figure out how to bequeath Amazon Prime month.

If it makes you feel better: It is not only USPS that does those things. In one case the service just dropped the packet at someone in Number X when he didn't find the name, instead of delivering it to number Xa in the next house. The old woman (who thought is was her medicine) brought it to me an hour later.
It was officially delivered to a neighbor. Even if I had asked them all, I wouldn't have gotten my paket.

[LeRainDrop]

I have Amazon Prime and we use it heavily for shipping.   I hate that they use the USPS to deliver packages because they don't always arrive when Amazon says they will.  What is worse is the USPS will lie and say and give some lame excuse or lie that they tried to deliver it and no was home of course someone was home and the package didn't need to be signed for. 

So I have started contacting Amazon to complain.  It turns out that I am getting an extra month free of Prime membership each time I complain.  If my local USPS can't get their act together I won't have to pay for Prime till Amazon stops using them or changes their policy. 
I am up to 2 additional month of Prime for 2 complaints in less than a month.

Interesting MPP. Figure out how to bequeath Amazon Prime month.

If it makes you feel better: It is not only USPS that does those things. . . .

I've had that happen to me twice with Amazon Locker delivery.  In both those cases, when I placed my order, I could get free overnight shipping to the Locker less than a mile away from home, or I could get the regular free two-day shipping to my home.  I picked the Locker because I really wanted to receive each item ASAP, plus it would make for a pleasant walk to pick up the items.  In one case, there was a weather delay in another part of the country, and in another case, there was a mechanical failure on the Amazon delivery truck, so the packages were a day late.  Both times, I complained, and just like PKate said, they very readily offered to extend Amazon Prime by a month for free.

[dragoncar]

I have Amazon Prime and we use it heavily for shipping.   I hate that they use the USPS to deliver packages because they don't always arrive when Amazon says they will.  What is worse is the USPS will lie and say and give some lame excuse or lie that they tried to deliver it and no was home of course someone was home and the package didn't need to be signed for. 

So I have started contacting Amazon to complain.  It turns out that I am getting an extra month free of Prime membership each time I complain.  If my local USPS can't get their act together I won't have to pay for Prime till Amazon stops using them or changes their policy. 
I am up to 2 additional month of Prime for 2 complaints in less than a month.

I WISH I got my packages late, as I don't usually need it right away and would like indefinitely free prime.  Unfortunately, my packages are always delivered promptly.  Wahhh

[Freedomin5]

My MPP is that, for Chinese New Year, I received a number of red pockets via WeChat Pay. So now I have several hundred dollars sitting in my WeChat account. The problem is that I can’t transfer it out to my bank account without incurring a fee, and I can’t spend it fast enough.

A related MPP is that you can order food online via WeChat and have them deliver the food to your home, and you can use WeChat Pay for this. Problem is that I can’t find anything I want to buy since most things I can make myself for cheaper.

[Linea_Norway]

A small social problem.

I invited 2 friends for 3 days at our mountain cabin to go skiing. Of course we wanted to seem generous and said they could behave like it was their own place. But they did put a LOT of firewood in the oven, even when it was very warm, so that I needed to take of my sweater to not get cooked. They liked my cheese better than the one they brought, so they took extra slices just to snack it because it is good, not to cover their slice of bread. They don't reuse a freshly used tea bag like I would have done. They burn a lot of candles early in the morning instead of turning on the light bulbs.
These are just small extra costs, but this way I notice just how frugal I usually am in the small things. It costs me some mental effort to not tell them to stop doing these things.

[mustachepungoeshere]

A small social problem.

I invited 2 friends for 3 days at our mountain cabin to go skiing. Of course we wanted to seem generous and said they could behave like it was their own place. But they did put a LOT of firewood in the oven, even when it was very warm, so that I needed to take of my sweater to not get cooked. They liked my cheese better than the one they brought, so they took extra slices just to snack it because it is good, not to cover their slice of bread. They don't reuse a freshly used tea bag like I would have done. They burn a lot of candles early in the morning instead of turning on the light bulbs.
These are just small extra costs, but this way I notice just how frugal I usually am in the small things. It costs me some mental effort to not tell them to stop doing these things.

I get that this is taxing for you, but remember the spirit of generosity that motivated you to invite them in the first place.

You introduced your friends to something new and wonderful. You brought happiness to their life. In the form of cheese. I think that's ok.

And if your cheese is more affordable than theirs, then maybe you have taught them something. :)

[Linea_Norway]

A small social problem.

I invited 2 friends for 3 days at our mountain cabin to go skiing. Of course we wanted to seem generous and said they could behave like it was their own place. But they did put a LOT of firewood in the oven, even when it was very warm, so that I needed to take of my sweater to not get cooked. They liked my cheese better than the one they brought, so they took extra slices just to snack it because it is good, not to cover their slice of bread. They don't reuse a freshly used tea bag like I would have done. They burn a lot of candles early in the morning instead of turning on the light bulbs.
These are just small extra costs, but this way I notice just how frugal I usually am in the small things. It costs me some mental effort to not tell them to stop doing these things.

I get that this is taxing for you, but remember the spirit of generosity that motivated you to invite them in the first place.

You introduced your friends to something new and wonderful. You brought happiness to their life. In the form of cheese. I think that's ok.

And if your cheese is more affordable than theirs, then maybe you have taught them something. :)

I brought them most happiness because of the nice weather, nice location, ski trips with good snow with amazing views, lots of wild animals. They were very pleased with the long weekend.

[PMG]

I couldn’t use the first line on the clothes line because it was completely coated with ice that was so thick I couldn’t break it off. 

[Spruit]

I seem to have worn right through my outer bike tires. Now a beige underlayer is showing, that can't be good.
Not sure if MPP or just plain cheap/lazy in maintaining my bike properly...

[Just Joe]

No, that means you are doing something great. Hopefully that wear is from mi/kms and not skidding to a stop. Grab another quality tire and ride some more!

[jordanread]

No, that means you are doing something great. Hopefully that wear is from mi/kms and not skidding to a stop. Grab another quality tire and ride some more!

+1. I highly suggest Specialized Armadillos.

[Mika M]

Mika M, if you ever DO decide to do Disneyworld (we haven't yet) there's a travel hacking guide to do it mostly for free/very cheap. If we ever do it, we'll do it using those tips. But, for now, we get So Cal passes to Disneyland every few years and get our fill locally. We like Disney well enough (grew up in So Cal so there's a nostalgia factor there) but the idea of Disneyworld is super overwhelming to me.

Me too! We enjoy watching some Disney movies with kiddo and of course she digs all the princesses. But besides the money DH and I are not keen on spending the time or energy on a trip like that LOL.

[fuzzy math]

I keep wearing worn out / holey undergarments and socks "just one more time" before throwing them out. My work has a locker room that we must change in at the start of duty, and I'm looking pretty rough. My family expressed pity at my holey socks.

2nd prob - I get irritated at said items wearing out, then realize they're probably 7 years old. I then get bummed out that that is probably the best value i'll ever get out of any item as they're made cheaper and cheaper every year.

[Dictionary Time]

I keep wearing worn out / holey undergarments and socks "just one more time" before throwing them out. My work has a locker room that we must change in at the start of duty, and I'm looking pretty rough. My family expressed pity at my holey socks.

In a similar vein, I have a hang-up that I need to throw it away dirty.  So if I washed and dried it, and now I notice while I'm folding ... too bad, it gets one more go around.  (Can't waste that washing!)  But sometimes I just put it in the laundry and rinse and repeat (literally).

[Spruit]

2nd prob - I get irritated at said items wearing out, then realize they're probably 7 years old. I then get bummed out that that is probably the best value i'll ever get out of any item as they're made cheaper and cheaper every year.

Yup, sounds familiar.

Also, once a student asked me where I got a certain skirt, as she really liked it. The realization that the skirt predated her and was a thriftstore find even then. #awkward

[fuzzy math]

I keep wearing worn out / holey undergarments and socks "just one more time" before throwing them out. My work has a locker room that we must change in at the start of duty, and I'm looking pretty rough. My family expressed pity at my holey socks.

In a similar vein, I have a hang-up that I need to throw it away dirty.  So if I washed and dried it, and now I notice while I'm folding ... too bad, it gets one more go around.  (Can't waste that washing!)  But sometimes I just put it in the laundry and rinse and repeat (literally).

I do that too. Take them on vacation, then your bag is lighter on the way home! Tell yourself the clothing is getting a Bon voyage :p

[PKate]

2nd prob - I get irritated at said items wearing out, then realize they're probably 7 years old. I then get bummed out that that is probably the best value i'll ever get out of any item as they're made cheaper and cheaper every year.

Yup, sounds familiar.

Also, once a student asked me where I got a certain skirt, as she really liked it. The realization that the skirt predated her and was a thriftstore find even then. #awkward

I have had this happen with students and I just tell them it was an epic thrift-store find and then I find out they also shop at thrift stores too.  Of course this leads to a discussions on the best stores in the area.

[dcheesi]

2nd prob - I get irritated at said items wearing out, then realize they're probably 7 years old. I then get bummed out that that is probably the best value i'll ever get out of any item as they're made cheaper and cheaper every year.

Yup, sounds familiar.

Also, once a student asked me where I got a certain skirt, as she really liked it. The realization that the skirt predated her and was a thriftstore find even then. #awkward

It's "vintage" ;)

[4alpacas]

2nd prob - I get irritated at said items wearing out, then realize they're probably 7 years old. I then get bummed out that that is probably the best value i'll ever get out of any item as they're made cheaper and cheaper every year.

Yup, sounds familiar.

Also, once a student asked me where I got a certain skirt, as she really liked it. The realization that the skirt predated her and was a thriftstore find even then. #awkward

It's "vintage" ;)

The item I get the most compliments is a purse that I picked up at a second-hand shop for $20.  I tell everyone when they compliment the bag.

[shelivesthedream]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

[fuzzy math]

Wearing a bra with only 1 underwire left. Things might be sitting uneven today. Need to move other underwire.

[Fresh Bread]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

Ha ha! This has happened to me with "10 ways to reduce your environmental impact". I've been using my own shopping bags since ever, I need the level 2 stuff!

[PKate]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

Ha ha! This has happened to me with "10 ways to reduce your environmental impact". I've been using my own shopping bags since ever, I need the level 2 stuff!

If you want to level up check out what a bunch of permaculture enthusiasts are doing. 
I have learned quite a but from these people and much of it fits in well with a FIRE lifestyle.  https://permies.com/

[Hirondelle]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

Ha ha! This has happened to me with "10 ways to reduce your environmental impact". I've been using my own shopping bags since ever, I need the level 2 stuff!

Same here! "10 ways to save money on travel" - staying at hostels?? How about staying at friends for free?

[shelivesthedream]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

Ha ha! This has happened to me with "10 ways to reduce your environmental impact". I've been using my own shopping bags since ever, I need the level 2 stuff!

Same here! "10 ways to save money on travel" - staying at hostels?? How about staying at friends for free?

Too far up the Wheaton scale already! https://paulwheaton12.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/the-wheaton-eco-scale/

[ketchup]

You idly Google something like "extreme energy saving" and think "Well yeah, duh!" to all the ideas.

Ha ha! This has happened to me with "10 ways to reduce your environmental impact". I've been using my own shopping bags since ever, I need the level 2 stuff!

Yes!  I get this shit all the time with anything I'm at all into.  They're always stupid, obvious, or stupid-obvious.  Save money on travel by eating the free breakfast at the hotel!  Improve your health by eating more vegetables and less sugar!  Get better gas mileage by doing the maintenance on time in your car!  Reduce that burning smell by taking your palm off of that hot cast iron skillet! (Fine, I made that one up.)

My favorite "money saving tip" was on how to save money at restaurants.  "Instead of getting a drink, an appetizer, AND a dessert, sometimes only pick two of the three!"  Uh... or just never get any of the above...  or forget the restaurant.  I liked MMM's version of this "tip": "Don't think of restaurants as a source of food."  Much better.

[frugalnacho]

I update my networth graph on the 1st of every month.  I am down $12k from last month.

I relayed my MPP to my wife when I updated the sheet and her response was: buy buy buy!

[rantk81]

I update my networth graph on the 1st of every month.  I am down $12k from last month.

Me too.

-35,154 for me in February :(

[Just Joe]

Wearing a bra with only 1 underwire left. Things might be sitting uneven today. Need to move other underwire.

You just need a foundation garment rebuild kit... That's a thing - right?

[Imma]

Wearing a bra with only 1 underwire left. Things might be sitting uneven today. Need to move other underwire.

You just need a foundation garment rebuild kit... That's a thing - right?

You can definitely buy new underwires.... but the catch is they come in packs of 2 so you still have a MPP.

[penguintroopers]

Heard an ad on the radio on my way to school that was along the lines of "be three times more likely to be successful at quitting!"

My brain jumped to quitting your job. Nope, its quitting smoking.

[Goldielocks]

LOL!   I spent a panicked 20 minutes yesterday double checking all my income amounts (T4's that I finally have) against my RRSP receipts (some of which have not yet arrived) to ensure I am ok.  Yep.. I think I am only $1500 over contributed for last year.


On a previous year, I was required to withdraw $5000.   They will waive the penalty if you have a first offense and rectify it (take it out) as soon as you can.

[LeRainDrop]

My federal tax refund is going to get deposited one day later than the 21-day estimate, so now I have to sell a minuscule amount of my index funds to make sure I don't overdraw my bank account for that single day.  And today I see that the market is back at a low again.  I shake my fist at this timing!

[Imma]

LOL!   I spent a panicked 20 minutes yesterday double checking all my income amounts (T4's that I finally have) against my RRSP receipts (some of which have not yet arrived) to ensure I am ok.  Yep.. I think I am only $1500 over contributed for last year.


On a previous year, I was required to withdraw $5000.   They will waive the penalty if you have a first offense and rectify it (take it out) as soon as you can.

So over there, the amount of money you can contribute to a tax deferred account is calculated over the year you contribute in? That sounds very complicated! In my country, the amount of money you can contribute is calculated using last years' numbers, i.e. to know how much I can contribute in 2018, I look at the income in my 2017 tax return, so you always know exactly how much you can contribute in advance.

[bluebelle]

Another Canadian MPP.  I need to call the bank to have them reduce my monthly RRSP contribution, so that I'm not in SunHat's position next year.

I think others have explained it, but to my non-Canadian Mustachians:
2018 RRSP contribution limit is determined as follows:
Lesser of $26,230 or 18% of 2017 taxable income MINUS your 2017 PA (pension adjustment) (which is any employer match or DB contributions)

My MPP is that the bonus last year and expected bonus this year were both good.  My Group RRSP (and company match) includes the bonus amount as well as regular pay.  So I will contribute more through the group RRSP and my 2017 PA was a little higher than I projected.