Overheard at Work

[barbaz]

I think there was a blog post that explained this pretty well: choose a car for the average use case, not for some rare what-ifs

Yea I've always wondered where I read that, it was a good point.  People buy a truck or SUV because 'sometimes we have to haul stuff' or 'we like to go camping... in a way a car won't work... once a year'.  So they buy a vehicle that's ideal one or two days a year, instead of the vehicle that's ideal 364 days a year, and just borrow or rent when needed.

See Rule #2 of car strategies.

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

Turns out your truck says something about you.

[dragoncar]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

[alanB]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

"dragonjackhammer" ... i love it

[Davnasty]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

[Sibley]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

[Roadrunner53]

Maybe the women are buying pick up trucks to show off THEIR burliness to the men!

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=women+driving+pickup+trucks&qpvt=women+driving+pickup+trucks&FORM=IGRE

[couponvan]

Coworker today wanted to show off his 2015 used $25K pickup truck that he was happy to trade his older paid off $4K Chevy Impala for....$25,000 16,000 miles and 18 MPG freeway. I don't know what kind of truck he got, but he needs to Kevlar? the truck bed so it doesn't get rusty and got it because his fiancé and he are looking to have kids soon so he'll need to buy a cover for the truck bed to store strollers and such.

Ouch.  Payments are over $500/month at 4.9% interest, and he thought that was a good rate/deal.  He has no student loans, but he's a CPA, not a construction worker.  This is a professional still using his parents for "free" health insurance.  I want to smack them and teach them at the same time, but I just shake my head and say how pretty the new truck is.

[Arbitrage]

Lots of controversy at my work right now, as they're cutting the retirement plan (pension) of the old-timers to be basically in line with what the newer people have.  Cuts are to future accruals only.

On the one hand, I feel for them a bit, because they're going to get a 40% or so cut to their future accruals.

On the other hand, that bit I feel bad is really really tiny, because they've been receiving an oversized portion of the company contributions to retirement plans for years.  They're now complaining that most of the cuts are going to fall on them...which is true, but the cuts are just bringing them in line with other employees.  My mini-pension is being frozen as well, but I'd rather have the defined contribution that's replacing it anyway.

I never once heard any of them standing up for us, trying to increase our benefit levels, but now they're whining about how they're the heart and soul of the company, and that they're being betrayed.  "I never planned to have to contribute anything to my retirement, and now I'll never make up the gap with a 401(k)." 

Other complaints:
"To receive the full match, people will have to contribute up to 5% (tax deferred) to their salary.  Not everyone can do that."  This is an engineering company.  Everyone can pay 5%.  They choose not to, but need facepunches. 

What really grinds my gears is when they are volunteering to eliminate our (meager) raises year after year to fund the pension.  Not only does their pension only benefit 25+ year employees, but raises primarily benefit the younger cohort.  Double whammy on the theoretical future of the company.  Keep it up, and they won't be the future of the company for very long.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

What the fuck forum you think this is???

I just had to wade through a 3200-word submission stream of consciousness for work, and I wish it was written with half your brevity and candour, @craiglepaige. :D

[Rural]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

[Mesmoiselle]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

What the fuck forum you think this is???

I know, right? I haven't been on this forum in a while, but some of the posts I've been reading are Clown worthy. I almost felt guilty giving a facepunch to someone in the Facepunch me! thread~~

This isn't the "Spend wastefully, and then admit it online to absolve yourself" forum. This is the Facepunching Mr Money Mustache forum!

I get my babying over on YNAB :P

Edit Add: I was gone like, 18 months. I'm assuming MMM has reached the masses and the masses either aren't getting it or, alternatively, refuse the methodology entirely while still wanting to claim the badassity by association.

I'm not a bad ass. Today I decided that when I put another 60k into a combo of IRA/401k, MAYBE I'll buy myself a gaming lap top. I suspect I'm 3 years away from that. I wish I was as hardcore as MMM was when he was still in his wealth earning stage. And that's why I don't usually post any of my financial bedpan moments or post to an Anti mustachianism thread because one should expect a FACEPUNCH here.

[dragoncar]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

What the fuck forum you think this is???

For much hate for the forgetful.  If you have the money, want and can afford to forget what forum you are on, it so be it!

[penguintroopers]

  This is a professional still using his parents for "free" health insurance.  I want to smack them and teach them at the same time, but I just shake my head and say how pretty the new truck is.

I'm actually going to raise a point on this, as a young professional still on my parents health insurance plan. I have the benefit of being young and healthy, and don't need much medical care besides typical women stuff. If I got health insurance through my workplace, it would be approximately 10% of my gross pay.

My parents are of course going to purchase health insurance for themselves, and they chose to pay health insurance for my younger brother who is still in college. At that point, it is basically free for me to be added to their health insurance as there is no adults + 1 child plan, it's just a family plan. And this benefit does end eventually (when I reach age 26), where I get to face the lovely choice most young healthy Americans get to face with paying buckets of money for something we don't use, or taking the risk and going uncovered.

And before someone gets upset with me, yes, I would love socialized medicine. I do understand part of me paying insurance is to cover someone who can't afford it. But we have set up our system with so much bloat and burocracy that having low cost care isn't really feasible yet. We already spend the most money out of every country in the world, and it's not like our care is that much better.

[couponvan]

  This is a professional still using his parents for "free" health insurance.  I want to smack them and teach them at the same time, but I just shake my head and say how pretty the new truck is.

I'm actually going to raise a point on this, as a young professional still on my parents health insurance plan. I have the benefit of being young and healthy, and don't need much medical care besides typical women stuff. If I got health insurance through my workplace, it would be approximately 10% of my gross pay.

My parents are of course going to purchase health insurance for themselves, and they chose to pay health insurance for my younger brother who is still in college. At that point, it is basically free for me to be added to their health insurance as there is no adults + 1 child plan, it's just a family plan. And this benefit does end eventually (when I reach age 26), where I get to face the lovely choice most young healthy Americans get to face with paying buckets of money for something we don't use, or taking the risk and going uncovered.

And before someone gets upset with me, yes, I would love socialized medicine. I do understand part of me paying insurance is to cover someone who can't afford it. But we have set up our system with so much bloat and burocracy that having low cost care isn't really feasible yet. We already spend the most money out of every country in the world, and it's not like our care is that much better.

The parents in this case have only 1 child, so they are subsidizing this coworker.  I am old enough to be his mother..... 

If it truly is "free" for the parents to add more kids, then by all means go for it.  It would be nice of the kid to split the difference with the parents (or at least offer to) of what they would have to pay on their own through work.  Or tell their parents that they are putting that $ into the 401(k) or something valuable instead of a truck with tricked out 20" wheels. 

I agree that our health care costs are really high.  Since you're on this site, I'm assuming you are putting at least 10% of your gross salary into the 401(k) or your student loans. Each time you do, thank your parents. :-)  We would appreciate that. 

[rockstache]

  This is a professional still using his parents for "free" health insurance.  I want to smack them and teach them at the same time, but I just shake my head and say how pretty the new truck is.

I'm actually going to raise a point on this, as a young professional still on my parents health insurance plan. I have the benefit of being young and healthy, and don't need much medical care besides typical women stuff. If I got health insurance through my workplace, it would be approximately 10% of my gross pay.

My parents are of course going to purchase health insurance for themselves, and they chose to pay health insurance for my younger brother who is still in college. At that point, it is basically free for me to be added to their health insurance as there is no adults + 1 child plan, it's just a family plan. And this benefit does end eventually (when I reach age 26), where I get to face the lovely choice most young healthy Americans get to face with paying buckets of money for something we don't use, or taking the risk and going uncovered.

And before someone gets upset with me, yes, I would love socialized medicine. I do understand part of me paying insurance is to cover someone who can't afford it. But we have set up our system with so much bloat and burocracy that having low cost care isn't really feasible yet. We already spend the most money out of every country in the world, and it's not like our care is that much better.

The parents in this case have only 1 child, so they are subsidizing this coworker.  I am old enough to be his mother..... 

If it truly is "free" for the parents to add more kids, then by all means go for it.  It would be nice of the kid to split the difference with the parents (or at least offer to) of what they would have to pay on their own through work.  Or tell their parents that they are putting that $ into the 401(k) or something valuable instead of a truck with tricked out 20" wheels. 

I agree that our health care costs are really high.  Since you're on this site, I'm assuming you are putting at least 10% of your gross salary into the 401(k) or your student loans. Each time you do, thank your parents. :-)  We would appreciate that.

 
Totally agree that an adult child should be chipping in. Most colleges have low cost plans for students that aren't that bad, so it would probably have been cheaper for them to do that rather than pay the family plan price.

[BDWW]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

A real mustachian would've used a jewelers hammer and chisel.

[penguintroopers]

  This is a professional still using his parents for "free" health insurance.  I want to smack them and teach them at the same time, but I just shake my head and say how pretty the new truck is.

I'm actually going to raise a point on this, as a young professional still on my parents health insurance plan. I have the benefit of being young and healthy, and don't need much medical care besides typical women stuff. If I got health insurance through my workplace, it would be approximately 10% of my gross pay.

My parents are of course going to purchase health insurance for themselves, and they chose to pay health insurance for my younger brother who is still in college. At that point, it is basically free for me to be added to their health insurance as there is no adults + 1 child plan, it's just a family plan. And this benefit does end eventually (when I reach age 26), where I get to face the lovely choice most young healthy Americans get to face with paying buckets of money for something we don't use, or taking the risk and going uncovered.

And before someone gets upset with me, yes, I would love socialized medicine. I do understand part of me paying insurance is to cover someone who can't afford it. But we have set up our system with so much bloat and burocracy that having low cost care isn't really feasible yet. We already spend the most money out of every country in the world, and it's not like our care is that much better.

The parents in this case have only 1 child, so they are subsidizing this coworker.  I am old enough to be his mother..... 

If it truly is "free" for the parents to add more kids, then by all means go for it.  It would be nice of the kid to split the difference with the parents (or at least offer to) of what they would have to pay on their own through work.  Or tell their parents that they are putting that $ into the 401(k) or something valuable instead of a truck with tricked out 20" wheels. 

I agree that our health care costs are really high.  Since you're on this site, I'm assuming you are putting at least 10% of your gross salary into the 401(k) or your student loans. Each time you do, thank your parents. :-)  We would appreciate that.

You are right, we've been going crazy on student loans. At least 50%+ a month. Parents are aware and are grateful they can help in that way. My mom benifited from a cheap rent arrangement with her parents when she was young and married to my dad, so she sees it as that little bit of help getting passed along. (If you're interested in following, I have a journal)

Not sure about my brothers option as he's at a different school, but my graduate school was even more expensive had less coverage than my work's options.

Oh, and any costs incurred above insurance is (obviously) our responsiblility.

[penguintroopers]

Duplicate, sorry

[Sibley]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

A real mustachian would've used a jewelers hammer and chisel.

I don't have those either. And not actually able to wield those giant hammers (sledgehammer?), at least not without killing or seriously injuring myself. Being short and weak has its disadvantages.

[dragoncar]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

A real mustachian would've used a jewelers hammer and chisel.

And a poster of Rita Hayworth

[Rural]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

A real mustachian would've used a jewelers hammer and chisel.

And a poster of Rita Hayworth

Rita, despite her many talents, cannot do much to remove 3 inches of bedrock so you can have a level house foundation (the jackhammer application we had). Posters of Rita Hayworth are excellent for classing up the joint later. Proper tool for each task - that's Mustachian.


Actually that's the point I was trying to make. Too many people out there apply a 4WD pickup truck to a task for which a small car is the proper tool, but that doesn't mean the pickup truck tasks don't exist.*


* It does mean I can get used ones easily, so there's that. Task-wise, there's nothing those $70K monstrosities will do that my $4.5K 1997 model won't.

[ysette9]

You sure yours can tow one of those massive fifth wheel trailer thingies that get used for glamping once a year and get parked in a driveway the other 362 days? :)

[Just Joe]

I love the word "glamping". Some brag using the word. Some tease about the bragging that other people do about glamping. Still either way - it is the perfect word.

[ysette9]

It is pretty great. For the record, I have no problem with it as a concept. Meet people where they are comfortable. I have enjoyed everything from backpacking to tent trailering and in between.
On the work front I now know three people who are FI but not R(E). One happened suddenly with an inheritance, so I understand taking time to reflect on what he wants in life. One has a husband already retired who wants her to retire, and I don’t get why she still comes in to work, though she is a great person so I enjoy her being there. The final is currently looking into switching jobs for something that has a longer commute and the expectation of longer hours. Huh?

[Just Joe]

Oh yeah - I get it. When I was younger I would have been happy sleeping on a rock. As I've gotten older, a cot or better is welcome.

[Freedomin5]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

[LWYRUP]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

Wow.  $70k?

You must have a great job.  :) 

I honestly feel sorry for kids like that.  He is only 20 and his perspective is so warped.  This will make his life more difficult later. 

I know other people who have high income parents that don't act like this, so the parents encourage this type of behavior / thinking. 

[Mesmoiselle]

I love the word "glamping". Some brag using the word. Some tease about the bragging that other people do about glamping. Still either way - it is the perfect word.

*googles the word "Glamping" * What the F.

Why do they even bother

[Mesmoiselle]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

Wut, I can't even. Like, I though tcars over 70k were like, Tessla's and Speciaty Rare Sports Cars. Most cars in existence don't fall into this category so how can one even think this.

[nick663]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

...I'm driving a $4500 car right now and I'm 10 years out of college.  My college car cost $200 and required a head gasket replacement.

That kid needs a panther chassis Crown Vic.  Dead reliable, can be had dirt cheap, and will maybe give them a little perspective.

I love the word "glamping". Some brag using the word. Some tease about the bragging that other people do about glamping. Still either way - it is the perfect word.

*googles the word "Glamping" * What the F.

Why do they even bother

Social aspects mainly.  My mom has a coworker that has a 40+ foot camper that is permanently parked at a campground.  From what I can gather they don't actually enjoy camping, they just like getting together with their neighbors out there.

[Just Joe]

Just like the houseboat folks here I've heard about. Seldom if ever take the boat out, mostly just sit on the boat, eat/drink and visit with anyone that comes by.

I guess some of us like to get away from humanity while others want to be part of a tribe of some sort.

[mm1970]

I love the word "glamping". Some brag using the word. Some tease about the bragging that other people do about glamping. Still either way - it is the perfect word.

*googles the word "Glamping" * What the F.

Why do they even bother

I think it depends on what you mean by "glamping".

For some, having a camper, fifth wheel, something you tow, is "glamping", whether it be a $5k thing or a $1M luxury RV or bus.

For others, "glamping" is camping in a cabin or tent-walled cabin, with beds and such.

Heck, our YMCA has family camping trips at a YMCA camp - food is included, but you can choose a cabin, a tent cabin, or bring your own tent.

I have a sister with a camper.  She and her husband and dogs camp a LOT in it and to me, it's luxurious.  Then again it felt luxurious to me when I upgraded to a cot.  I'm too old to sleep on the ground.


ETA: campers and such give you more flexibility.  You can camp when it's colder, so have a greater range of use. 

[nick663]

I think satellite TV is where I draw the line.  That's just me though.

[BayAreaFrugal]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

$70,000?!?!?!? I still kick myself every now and then for having purchased a brand new car for $24k several years back.

[PKate]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

I have no hate for pickups. The reason I don't own one is the same reason I have a hammer and not a jackhammer.  I have needed both a truck and a jackhammer in the past, but I will never buy either.  If your job requires you to break up concrete, or you just love doing it, I would agree a jackhammer makes sense.  If you are just going to lean on your jackhammer in the sun to show off your burliness to the ladies, then no.

Brb buying a jackhammer

hmm. Burly.

Please bring your jackhammer and your muscles over to my house this spring/summer/fall. I have some concrete I need removed. ;)

We rent a jackhammer when we need one (yes, this has happened), but the 4WD pickup truck gets regular use, nearly weekly doing something no van and trailer or delivery company can do (when we get lumber delivered, the lumber yard comes in their 4WD pickup because the regular delivery vehicle won't make it to our place).

A real mustachian would've used a jewelers hammer and chisel.

Most jewelers would be pissed if you used one of their hammers on a chisel.  Good hammers are not cheap and jewelers don't use them on chisels. 

[ysette9]

We did glamping once with a walled tent cabin thingie with two luxurious cots and electricity. Still had the communal camping bathrooms that necessitated a midnight walk across the grounds. Since I was rather pregnant at the time I did that trip a number of times a night. :)
As a kid we had a tent trailer that we used pretty frequently and I had a ton of fun with that. I could see myself renting a tent trailer to use with my family now. When we were pre kids I loved backpacking but with a baby now the logistics are more complicated.

[mustachepungoeshere]

I did the glamping thing - pretty white tent, proper mattress, fairy lights - at an event in France.

I flew to Europe with a backpack, I wasn't hauling a tent too.

[TomTX]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

What the fuck forum you think this is???

I always thought  it was absolutely hilarious when I went to Home Depot in my '95 Saturn. I could fit 10' long lumber in that thing and still close the trunk!. If I did a lesser load - say a dozen 8-foot 2x4s, I would only put one side of the back seat down and not even fold the front passenger seat. I typically be surrounded by all these oversized trucks (with huge cabs and short beds) spending 5x as long loading to strap down lesser loads while still projecting several feet over the end of the bed.

Personal best was probably 5 sheets of plywood (admittedly cut into thirds) - with the trunk closed.

[ketchup]

Wow, so much hate on pick up trucks...who knew?

If you have the money, want it and can afford, it so be it! If you don't want it, can't afford it or don't have the money don't buy it.

That is why we have choices. Big cars, small cars, big trucks, little trucks, mini vans, trailers and push carts and little red wagons. Something for everyone.

What the fuck forum you think this is???

I always thought  it was absolutely hilarious when I went to Home Depot in my '95 Saturn. I could fit 10' long lumber in that thing and still close the trunk!. If I did a lesser load - say a dozen 8-foot 2x4s, I would only put one side of the back seat down and not even fold the front passenger seat. I typically be surrounded by all these oversized trucks (with huge cabs and short beds) spending 5x as long loading to strap down lesser loads while still projecting several feet over the end of the bed.

Personal best was probably 5 sheets of plywood (admittedly cut into thirds) - with the trunk closed.

Very nice!  My favorite truck-like accomplishments in non-trucks are probably when I packed a giant 13ft long roll of laminate floor into a Hyundai Accent, or when I loaded 600 square feet of sod into the back of a Buick Roadmaster station wagon (definitely overloaded the suspension on that one; the back made an awful scraping sound as I pulled up into my driveway).

[Chadbert]

Very nice!  My favorite truck-like accomplishments in non-trucks are probably when I packed a giant 13ft long roll of laminate floor into a Hyundai Accent, or when I loaded 600 square feet of sod into the back of a Buick Roadmaster station wagon (definitely overloaded the suspension on that one; the back made an awful scraping sound as I pulled up into my driveway).

I once put a face cord of split firewood in the back of my '91 Metro (back seat remove). Definitely overloaded, the muffler fell off, over two years later, still no muffler.

[penguintroopers]

I always thought  it was absolutely hilarious when I went to Home Depot in my '95 Saturn. I could fit 10' long lumber in that thing and still close the trunk!. If I did a lesser load - say a dozen 8-foot 2x4s, I would only put one side of the back seat down and not even fold the front passenger seat. I typically be surrounded by all these oversized trucks (with huge cabs and short beds) spending 5x as long loading to strap down lesser loads while still projecting several feet over the end of the bed.

Personal best was probably 5 sheets of plywood (admittedly cut into thirds) - with the trunk closed.

Very nice!  My favorite truck-like accomplishments in non-trucks are probably when I packed a giant 13ft long roll of laminate floor into a Hyundai Accent, or when I loaded 600 square feet of sod into the back of a Buick Roadmaster station wagon (definitely overloaded the suspension on that one; the back made an awful scraping sound as I pulled up into my driveway).

Our personal best was an IKEA queen sized bed and two dressers in our chevy aveo. Hubby wasn't a huge fan (as we had that baby loaded down), but we made it home and put it all together in a weekend.

To try to pull this thread back on topic, it started snowing one day last week while I was at work. A coworker called in saying she wasn't going to drive in the snow, because she still owed $25k on her car and didn't want to wreck it.

[RetiredAt63]

To try to pull this thread back on topic, it started snowing one day last week while I was at work. A coworker called in saying she wasn't going to drive in the snow, because she still owed $25k on her car and didn't want to wreck it.

I guess after paying for the car she has no money left for snow winter tires?

[MrMoogle]

Most jewelers would be pissed if you used one of their hammers on a chisel.  Good hammers are not cheap and jewelers don't use them on chisels.

And a poster of Rita Hayworth

Rita, despite her many talents, cannot do much to remove 3 inches of bedrock so you can have a level house foundation (the jackhammer application we had). Posters of Rita Hayworth are excellent for classing up the joint later. Proper tool for each task - that's Mustachian.

Too many people on this forum don't have Shawshank Redemption memorized.  I count 2 so far, and that is way too many. 

[ysette9]

Scandalous

[ms]

My direct report didn't come into work because he didn't have snow tires. He did have money to go party it up in Montreal the weekend before.

[CrabbitDutchie]

My direct report didn't come into work because he didn't have snow tires. He did have money to go party it up in Montreal the weekend before.

To try to pull this thread back on topic, it started snowing one day last week while I was at work. A coworker called in saying she wasn't going to drive in the snow, because she still owed $25k on her car and didn't want to wreck it.

Hey, now that I work for a company where working from home on a snow day isn't too frowned upon I damn well stay at home (worked out that heating the place to a bearable temperature is cheaper than the commute). I too don't want to wreck my car and don't have winter tyres.

The car is a 2005 Renault Clio with 115K miles on the clock and about £500 resale value. A new beater would cost at least double that! As for the winter tyres, the winters here aren't too bad on the whole - 2 inches is considered a lot of snow, but then the summers aren't warm either. Next set of tyres are going to be winter tyres (in about 10k miles I reckon) and we'll just leave them on all year round.

When the person who lives a 30 min walk away can't make it in because they're 'stuck in the snow' however...... :/

[LWYRUP]

I disagree with these "idiot without snow tires didn't want to come to work" comments.  If I crash my car, is my company going to buy me a new one?

It's better for people who are not emergency personnel to stay off the roads during inclement weather so that emergency vehicles and people with critically important jobs can get where they need to go and everyone stays safe.  Your co-workers / employees are being responsible.

As long as I'm on my soapbox, people should also not come to work sick.  It's gross. 

Anyways, isn't this blog supposed to be all about NOT working?  :)

[penguintroopers]

I disagree with these "idiot without snow tires didn't want to come to work" comments.  If I crash my car, is my company going to buy me a new one?

It's better for people who are not emergency personnel to stay off the roads during inclement weather so that emergency vehicles and people with critically important jobs can get where they need to go and everyone stays safe.  Your co-workers / employees are being responsible.

As long as I'm on my soapbox, people should also not come to work sick.  It's gross. 

Anyways, isn't this blog supposed to be all about NOT working?  :)

It was a situation where those around me would not consider it serious-enough-to-call-out snow.

Since I have little snow driving experience, I tend to not judge those who go "nah, I'm not gonna", but this was more she didn't want to come/was looking for an excuse and just blaming the snow. Her bringing up how much she owed on her car though as part of the reason just seemed kinda silly to me.

[LennStar]

I disagree with these "idiot without snow tires didn't want to come to work" comments.  If I crash my car, is my company going to buy me a new one?

It's better for people who are not emergency personnel to stay off the roads during inclement weather so that emergency vehicles and people with critically important jobs can get where they need to go and everyone stays safe.  Your co-workers / employees are being responsible.

No, you company is not going to buy you a new one, as it does not when ther eis no snow. I don't see the difference.

And if you think people that are "not necessary" could stay at home just because there is a bit of snow, then you are probably not living anywhere where there is snow in any meaningful amounts.

Also no, this is not about not working. Quite contrary MMM would probably say, you should work daily!
But you should make sure ASAP that you don't need to work for money.

[BTDretire]

Coworker was arguing over the phone with his 18-year-old son today. Apparently, he felt that $70,000 was a reasonable amount for a new car, and the son thought there was no way he could get a decent car with so little money. Oh, and son lives on campus in college.

I bit my tongue and didn’t mention the $7,000 used car I drove in college with its moon roof, leather seats, and specialty rims.

$70,000?!?!?!? I still kick myself every now and then for having purchased a brand new car for $24k several years back.

Well I'm not going to stop you! :-)
 I paid $11,000 for our pickup truck back in 2000, it was a '97'. (back when $11,000 was a lot of money)
I stopped kicking myself in 2013, figuring after 13 years I paid my dues, and I'm still driving it everyday.