Overheard at Work

[CarDude]

Talking to my mom about my contract situation (2 contracts neither are full time billing hours, but enough that I'm working till 11 at night or later).

Me: "I am hoping to convince my one client to extend the contract up to the end of the year, by doing that I should be able to negotiate a steep increase in pay"
My Mom: "Will that get you enough?"
Me: "Yes, even at the 25-30 hour mark they would like me bill at.  though they say I can bill more, I want to make sure they have funding since the current SoW isn't budgeted for the amount needed.  Of course, I'd be happy working 20 hours if the dollars were right."
My Mom: "You are too young to only work 20 hours a week."
Me: "Ummm...  No I'm not.  I could do a lot more around the house, spend time with the kids."
My Mom: "No.  you need to be working now."

Me (to myself):  "Guess I shouldn't say my plan is to stop working year round about 4 years".

I think your username fits well with the idea that we should be working more than we need to just because, especially when we have children or other significant people or interests in our lives.

[NeverWasACornflakeGirl]

I am retiring as of June 2, and I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."  Since I'm 43, have a spouse who is still working, and I will continue to work about 10 hours a week on other paid work, then I am NOT retiring.  According to everyone at work and most other people.  I've started to use the word "financially independent," but what's a good verb for that?  "I'm going to become financially independent on June 2?"  That doesn't really make any sense...

[Paul der Krake]

I am retiring as of June 2, and I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."  Since I'm 43, have a spouse who is still working, and I will continue to work about 10 hours a week on other paid work, then I am NOT retiring.  According to everyone at work and most other people.  I've started to use the word "financially independent," but what's a good verb for that?  "I'm going to become financially independent on June 2?"  That doesn't really make any sense...

Congrats on the retirement!

If your peers don't like the word retirement, you could say you are about to (pick one):
- take it easy, you deserve it
- focus on your health
- question your faith and ask the hard questions
- catch up on <insert popular TV series>
- work around the house
- do charity work

Be sure to check in once a month with your local retirement police unit, however.

[bluecheeze]

I am retiring as of June 2, and I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."  Since I'm 43, have a spouse who is still working, and I will continue to work about 10 hours a week on other paid work, then I am NOT retiring.  According to everyone at work and most other people.  I've started to use the word "financially independent," but what's a good verb for that?  "I'm going to become financially independent on June 2?"  That doesn't really make any sense...

Just say you need to take some time to figure things out because you've just been FIRE'd.

[grantmeaname]

"downshifting" might be a good one.

[NeverWasACornflakeGirl]

Thanks, guys!  Love them all!! 

I think I'm just being stubborn.  I think to myself, "If MMM can be retired, then so can I!!"
:-)

Be sure to check in once a month with your local retirement police unit, however.

You bet!!  LOL

[HairyUpperLip]

Congratulations! So, now might be the time to try Frosted Flakes and see if those work better for you than the Corn Flakes did. ;)

[NeverWasACornflakeGirl]

Congratulations! So, now might be the time to try Frosted Flakes and see if those work better for you than the Corn Flakes did. ;)

As Tori Amos said, I've always been more of a "raisin girl."  ;-)

[NeverWasACornflakeGirl]

I'm pursuing a new career [of doing whateveh the hell I want]

What I really want to say is, "I'll be enjoying not dealing with your sh*t."  ;-)

[HairyUpperLip]

I'm pursuing a new career [of doing whateveh the hell I want]

What I really want to say is, "I'll be enjoying not dealing with your sh*t."  ;-)

hahahaha

[Dr. Doom]

I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."

You are not retiring.  You are sabbaticalizing your life.

BTW, big congrats, I'm really happy for you!

[notquitefrugal]

BTW, I absolutely will not be talking him down to chickens -- have to see how this large-creature thing plays out.  Maybe I can convince him to get a gazelle instead.  They like being owned by people, right?

LOL. This could get really good! Almost makes working a full-time job sound fun.

I am retiring as of June 2, and I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."  Since I'm 43, have a spouse who is still working, and I will continue to work about 10 hours a week on other paid work, then I am NOT retiring.  According to everyone at work and most other people.  I've started to use the word "financially independent," but what's a good verb for that?  "I'm going to become financially independent on June 2?"  That doesn't really make any sense...

I think the term "financially independent" could be off-putting to people. Kind of like saying "I have a shitload of money saved up," (which you probably do, but don't go around bragging about). If you're doing paid work for 10 hours a week, you could just say that you're cutting back or that you've decided to focus on your other paid work/contracting.

[RyanAtTanagra]

Congratulations! So, now might be the time to try Frosted Flakes and see if those work better for you than the Corn Flakes did. ;)

As Tori Amos said, I've always been more of a "raisin girl."  ;-)

I've been wondering if you were a Tori fan or if Tori was referencing something with that term that I wasn't aware of.  Now I don't have to ask :-)

[Gin1984]

Me (to myself):  "Guess I shouldn't say my plan is to stop working year round about 4 years".

Heh there are going to be some interesting conversations at enderland's family gatherings about this, someday.

My dad was joking to my younger brother about "only 35 more years to go!" the other day...

I got that when my boss handed me my 10-year pin last year "Now just another 30 or 40 years and you'll be out of here!"

I'm thinking more like 14.

Valuing working for the sake of work over spending time with your kids that you can never get back is insane.

I enjoy my work, and my daughter enjoys playing with the other kids at daycare.  What works for one person may not work for others.

[Cassie]

I say I am semi-retired-that may work for you.

[KatieSSS]

WTF  . . . Is the llama a pet?

You got it.  I'm pretty grateful to be able to talk to this guy nearly every day... he's a gift that keeps on giving.

Tina you fat lard, come get your dinner!

[rosaz]

I enjoy my work, and my daughter enjoys playing with the other kids at daycare.  What works for one person may not work for others.

In that case I would say that you work for the sake of whatever you enjoy about your work, and because it allows you to let your daughter to have a social experience she enjoys. I would distinguish between that and working "for the sake of work", out of some misplaced sense of duty.

[MooseOutFront]

When I retire in my early 40's my co-workers will think I came into some money. 

Though I could easily see it being tough to walk away at that point.  I already have a good amount of freedom at work, and as my FU money pile gets big I can easily see setting up a work environment where I avoid doing almost anything I don't want to do while naturally not getting bothered by things that a person that can quit tomorrow wouldn't be bothered by.  Plus the pay will be quite nice by then.  In that situation I could see continuing to work.

[zataks]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained! 

[dragoncar]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained!

Can I come work with you?  What does he operate and how do I get certified?

[Eric]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained!

Can I come work with you?  What does he operate and how do I get certified?

Awwww, I want it too!  Is there room for both of us?

[rocksinmyhead]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained!

Can I come work with you?  What does he operate and how do I get certified?

right?!? um I think my boyfriend wants this job...

[zataks]

He's at entry-level certification so HE doesn't operate anything. We assign him menial tasks and train him on basic aspects of the job and hope he doesn't touch anything when a journey level operator is not there. This is at/for operations of an advanced recycled water purification facility.

[The Hamster]

Had a nice one today in class with a fellow student:

Him: There's a great trick I found with phone contracts, actually. If you call up the provider on the 23rd month to reset your contract and upgrade your phone, they'll usually give you the last month free, since they've made their money off you. You get a whole month free, plus you can sell your old phone! You can really get one over the phone providers.
Me: Wouldn't a better way to get one over them to be just to stick with your old phone?
Him: Yeah, but then you wouldn't get a new phone!
Someone else: Do you really need to upgrade from an iPhone 4S to a 5S?
Me: Yeah, I'm rocking this iPhone 3GS still, on a prepaid plan AND I got it free second-hand.
Him: Well, it's like a fashion statement. Like the reason I buy fancy clothes.
(I put my phone away in my Target jeans and adjust my op-shop shirt)

The cheapest price for the smallest iPhone 5S on Telstra's network is $77 a month, for 23 months: $1,771. That's so much money wasted, and he thinks he's saving because everybody else is paying $1,848!

Ugh, I have the cheapest Telstra plan available for my Galaxy S4 then I added the $12.00 month insurance option which also allows me a cheap handset upgrade every 12 months so monthly phone bill is $82.00.  Used to pay $50 with Optus but they don't have any service where I work so had to change to Telstra.  It never bothered me before but now that I'm becoming a moustachian it is quite painful especially if I go over my 1GB data allowance.

[Davids]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained!

I would be curious to know why he needs this job. Actuaries make great money and are in fairly high demand.

[Cheddar Stacker]

WTF  . . . Is the llama a pet?

You got it.  I'm pretty grateful to be able to talk to this guy nearly every day... he's a gift that keeps on giving.

Tina you fat lard, come get your dinner!

Dynamite!

[iris lily]

I would be curious to know why he needs this job. Actuaries make great money and are in fairly high demand.
[/quote]

I'll bet he's not really an actuary. Doing taxes during tax season? Sounds like someone trained by the mall tax preparers and he thinks he is an accountant but can't say the word.

[zataks]

I would be curious to know why he needs this job. Actuaries make great money and are in fairly high demand.

I wonder the same thing. Maybe the pension/benefits? Maybe he wastes all his money? Actuary is the wrong word though. Tax filer/accountant is more accurate.

[NeverWasACornflakeGirl]

When I retire in my early 40's my co-workers will think I came into some money. 

Though I could easily see it being tough to walk away at that point.  I already have a good amount of freedom at work, and as my FU money pile gets big I can easily see setting up a work environment where I avoid doing almost anything I don't want to do while naturally not getting bothered by things that a person that can quit tomorrow wouldn't be bothered by.  Plus the pay will be quite nice by then.  In that situation I could see continuing to work.

That's what I used to think.  You never know when management will change, your coworkers will change, etc.  Enjoy it while it lasts, and be happy that you're stacking up the FU money so you can leave when the things you like about your job change.

[notquitefrugal]

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.

Robet Bell writes about this phenomenon on his blog (he used to work in a GM factory). Many of the grossly overpaid workers (with few responsibilities) hated their jobs and had no respect for their superiors, despite the fact that they were being paid far in excess of market rate for their labor.

That said, I'm also intrigued by this job you describe. In addition to the TV, is there wifi available? Can the employee read a book or surf on their laptop/tablet? :)

[zataks]

Robet Bell writes about this phenomenon on his blog (he used to work in a GM factory). Many of the grossly overpaid workers (with few responsibilities) hated their jobs and had no respect for their superiors, despite the fact that they were being paid far in excess of market rate for their labor.

That said, I'm also intrigued by this job you describe. In addition to the TV, is there wifi available? Can the employee read a book or surf on their laptop/tablet? :)

I didn't know this would be so intriguing! No wifi in the control room but there is a wired work station.  a CW hooked a 2TB drive up to one of the TVs and there are plenty of movies and shows on it.  However, that stuff is only acceptable when no one else is around and things are quiet; this is typically only during the night shift.  The job takes precedence and when alarms are active or adjustments must be made, ignoring them is unacceptable.

Here are some links to the general class of work.  However, as stated before, we're actually doing advanced purification for recycled water.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators.htm
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/smallsystems/pdfs/guide_smallsystems_operator_08-25-06.pdf
http://workforwater.org/resourceforwaterprofessionals/page_int.aspx?id=271

[CheapskateWife]

I am retiring as of June 2, and I am getting a HUGE amount of pushback over the term "retire."  Since I'm 43, have a spouse who is still working, and I will continue to work about 10 hours a week on other paid work, then I am NOT retiring.  According to everyone at work and most other people.  I've started to use the word "financially independent," but what's a good verb for that?  "I'm going to become financially independent on June 2?"  That doesn't really make any sense...

"other"tire   :D

[Davids]

I would be curious to know why he needs this job. Actuaries make great money and are in fairly high demand.

I'll bet he's not really an actuary. Doing taxes during tax season? Sounds like someone trained by the mall tax preparers and he thinks he is an accountant but can't say the word.
[/quote]Yeah you are probably right, I was thinking Actuary at an insurance company.

[RetiredAt63]

I would say I was just going to fuck off for a bit but I may be a bit more crass than that majority, here.


On topic:

We hired a temp operator with no experience (literally first time in a facility that his entry level certification allows him to learn to operate was his first day at our location) to cover a night shift while we work out some programming issues over the next couple weeks.  His job entails 1-1.5 hours of actual work then monitoring some trends every so often and maybe making an adjustment on the computer (open/closing a valve a couple %).  He's working 4-5 days/week at 10 hours/shift.
And he tells me:

Temp worker:  "They're only paying my about $25/hour.  That's only $50k/year."
Me: "That's a ton of money"
TW: "I make more than that as an actuary during tax season."
Me: "Dude, you can't even do the job.  You have no experience and are getting paid to watch TV (there's a 60" TV he can watch to his heart's content).  I can't believe they're paying you that much."
TW: "Yea, I guess you're right..."

I was appalled with his attitude and shocked that he expects to get paid more to get trained!

Can I come work with you?  What does he operate and how do I get certified?

Me too

[KatieSSS]

WTF  . . . Is the llama a pet?

You got it.  I'm pretty grateful to be able to talk to this guy nearly every day... he's a gift that keeps on giving.

Tina you fat lard, come get your dinner!

Dynamite!

Good - someone got that reference! It was crickets for a while...

[dragoncar]

WTF  . . . Is the llama a pet?

You got it.  I'm pretty grateful to be able to talk to this guy nearly every day... he's a gift that keeps on giving.

Tina you fat lard, come get your dinner!

Dynamite!

Good - someone got that reference! It was crickets for a while...

[Cheddar Stacker]

WTF  . . . Is the llama a pet?

You got it.  I'm pretty grateful to be able to talk to this guy nearly every day... he's a gift that keeps on giving.

Tina you fat lard, come get your dinner!

Dynamite!

Good - someone got that reference! It was crickets for a while...

I just wish I had a better response. Somehow "this one got into an onion patch" or "does it have talons" didn't seem to fit with the llama.

[vern]

Robet Bell writes about this phenomenon on his blog (he used to work in a GM factory). Many of the grossly overpaid workers (with few responsibilities) hated their jobs and had no respect for their superiors, despite the fact that they were being paid far in excess of market rate for their labor.

Thanks for the Robert Bell link NQF!  I'm enjoying his blog.

Also see Bukowski's Post Office for more disgruntled writing.

[AlanStache]

Not so much overheard, as flaunted directly to me -- $200 weightlifting shoes. WTF? Who knew such a thing was necessary for picking up heavy shit? Purchased/flaunted by CW who has repeatedly said he/she will "never retire"...

I have known crossfitters to spend near that on a jump rope.  They clam to be supper fast and really easy to use, sort of the opposite of what you would want in a exercise tool.  "I am going to go spend 200$ to get a 45 pound weight that only weights 42 pounds".  I always lifted bare foot when I could.

[Familjen Fri]

Not so much overheard, as flaunted directly to me -- $200 weightlifting shoes. WTF? Who knew such a thing was necessary for picking up heavy shit? Purchased/flaunted by CW who has repeatedly said he/she will "never retire"...

If the person is serious about olympic weightlifting or powerlifting I don't think this is extreme by any means. A leather belt for the same amount and you are set for life. Okay, maybe the shoes have to be replaced once during a 15 year lifting career. A good belt will last a life time. Sure, it's possible to buy used shoes for $50 if you are a mustachian.

Generally lifting shoes gives the lifter better leverages (generally for squats, bench and olympic lifts) with it's high heel and gives a a lot of stability with it's flat hard sole. It's very different experience from lifting with sneakers or other "sports shoes".

[mm1970]

Me: "What do you mean you won't live past 68?"
Him: "None of my family has ever lived past then, so I figure that's my time."
Me: "If you truly believe that, why aren't you retiring this very day?  You have 2 pensions, you can't be hurting for money."
Him: "... I don't know. I'm just going to hold on."

Nooooooo!!! That is so sad. :(((

That is sad.  My dad swore he wouldn't live past 78 because none of his brothers did (but his 2 sisters did).  He was almost 82 when he died.

But he retired at around 60-62, when I was in high school.  Lived on a very paltry SS sum (house was paid for), worked for friends now and then, and managed to save $20,000 from 62 to 82.

King of frugal.

[lsaurus]

Overheard 2 coworkers talking. Co-worker one is the active transportation engineer for the county. CW2 is the purchasing coordinator.
CW2: My friends are asking, is it legal for a motorcycle to ride in the county bike lanes.
CW1: There is nothing official on the books so they wont get pulled over but it's frowned upon.
CW2: But bikes ride in car lanes all the time, don't be a racist against motorcycles, they should be able to ride in the bike lane because bicycles can ride in the car lane.
CW1:.....(doesn't really respond)

[ketchup]

So since people walk in the street, cars should drive on sidewalks too?

[AlanStache]

So since people walk in the street, cars should drive on sidewalks too?

Not in the Land of the Free / Home of the Brave: it's called jaywalking.  People and cars may only cross where the other is allowed at designated points.  Only filthy socialists would have it any other away.  /end sarcasm/

Am in Europe now and mopeds are allowed on the foot paths, bicycles seem to have absolute right to everywhere, cars can accelerate towards little old ladies trying to cross the street, roundabouts are done based on vehicle size and pedestrians have no rights everywhere unless the cross walk has special markings in the road and then pedestrians dont have to look left or right before stepping off the curb.  A coworker did test driving a car on a foot path but turns out that was frowned upon and not any faster than the normal road.

[Alfred J Quack]

So since people walk in the street, cars should drive on sidewalks too?

Not in the Land of the Free / Home of the Brave: it's called jaywalking.  People and cars may only cross where the other is allowed at designated points.  Only filthy socialists would have it any other away.  /end sarcasm/

Am in Europe now and mopeds are allowed on the foot paths, bicycles seem to have absolute right to everywhere, cars can accelerate towards little old ladies trying to cross the street, roundabouts are done based on vehicle size and pedestrians have no rights everywhere unless the cross walk has special markings in the road and then pedestrians dont have to look left or right before stepping off the curb.  A coworker did test driving a car on a foot path but turns out that was frowned upon and not any faster than the normal road.

Makes me wonder which country you're in now because most civilized countries I know in Europe don't allow most of the things you are indicating. Also, just because bikes are on footpaths (and the other way round) doesn't make it legal perse :D

[Dr. A]

A planned free-for-all is not totally far-fetched. It's called "shared space".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_space

Most famously, there is a village center in the Netherlands (noted in the liked wiki) that has no formal traffic control whatsoever, and has seen a significant decrease in accidents at some intersections. The theory is that, because a pedestrian or a cyclist can come from any direction at any moment, drivers are much more attentive and careful.

That said, there's been very little rigorous study on how they perform in practice, and the thought of putting my professional engineer stamp on a plan for shared space gives me a psychosomatic ulcer. 

[CommonCents]

Was handed a flyer for a "Fiscal Fitness Workshop" which says:
- Find out how to save money for your home
- Improve your credit score
- Improve on budgeting skills
- Take control of your financial wellbeing

Not too bad!  I can't go though to hear the advice though, as I have a meeting.

[Christof]

- Improve your credit score

Isn't that the thing you mainly need for collecting frequent flyer miles for inexpensive vacations? ;-)

[Mississippi Mudstache]

- Improve your credit score

Isn't that the thing you mainly need for collecting frequent flyer miles for inexpensive vacations? ;-)

LOL. That's currently all we use it for :)

[CommonCents]

- Improve your credit score

Isn't that the thing you mainly need for collecting frequent flyer miles for inexpensive vacations? ;-)

LOL. That's currently all we use it for :)

Well, I just bought my first house and liked having a nice credit score for it that wasn't hit by opening lots of credit cards for miles...  YMMV