Overheard at Work

[MissMoneyBags]

I have a co-worker who's always telling me how broke she is. We do the same job, so we make the same amount of money. The difference is that:

She lives on her own in a two-bed place in an expensive area  - she refuses to get a flatmate

Her energy bills are astronomical - she says it's because she can't afford to get her inefficient boiler replaced - it would pay for itself within three years max.

She buys a coffee every day on her way in - coffee is supplied at work..

She buys lunch every day.

She goes to the cinema/theatre/restaurants several times a week

She buys expensive (£100) shoes, that are then too painful to wear.

She has the latest Iphone on an expensive contract.

She signs up for for monthly services related to work, as she "needs" them. Again we do exactly the same job, and I don't use these services..

The latest is that she went on two week holiday recently -  total cost: £2000 - which she put on a credit card!!!

Then she says rather wishfully: I would be so much happier, if I had savings like a thousand pounds in the bank... I want to shake her so she wakes up from this nightmare, but she won't listen. It's a shame because she is literally one of the nicest people I know, and I really like her.

[Albert]

She also either has a really modest income if all that you write is enough to bankrupt her or alternatively she lives in a REALLY expensive area (central London?).

[skunkfunk]

She goes to the cinema/theatre/restaurants several times a week

Digression: I love your user name, and I noticed you have 1 post so decided to click it. You've had it since Oct. 2013 and this is your first post?!!

Back on topic: I bet she has a nice mound of CC debt. Cinema/theatre/restaurants several times a week is insanely expensive - my morbid curiosity demands more details, what are these "services"?

[MissMoneyBags]

She also either has a really modest income if all that you write is enough to bankrupt her or alternatively she lives in a REALLY expensive area (central London?).

Yep. Central London. And she earns 35K. I know her outgoings for the flat is more than 60% of her take home pay.

[MissMoneyBags]

She goes to the cinema/theatre/restaurants several times a week

Digression: I love your user name, and I noticed you have 1 post so decided to click it. You've had it since Oct. 2013 and this is your first post?!!

Back on topic: I bet she has a nice mound of CC debt. Cinema/theatre/restaurants several times a week is insanely expensive - my morbid curiosity demands more details, what are these "services"?

I know - it's a long time to be lurking. I don't really post on forums.. Maybe I should get into it more? You all seem so nice.

For example she "needs" more storage on dropbox. I think it's $100 a year. She "needs" all the different software (think Adobe CC) we use on her laptop - so she pays for them monthly. It's all on the work computers anyway.

[Albert]

She also either has a really modest income if all that you write is enough to bankrupt her or alternatively she lives in a REALLY expensive area (central London?).

Yep. Central London. And she earns 35K. I know her outgoings for the flat is more than 60% of her take home pay.

Makes perfect sense then. That's a low salary for living alone in a two room flat in central London. I wouldn't attempt it...

[arebelspy]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

[MissMoneyBags]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Thank you very much :)

[Melody]

Hmmm from my memory, theatre in London was cheap by aus/us standards but still not cheap. I went to a few on my last vacation and at 20 to 50 pounds a ticket, this probably could seriously hurt even on a decent salary!

[kyanamerinas]

Why on earth would you pay for unnecessary living space in London on that salary?! That said wonderful as London is, all housing costs are mad there. My friend's share of a 2 bed flat which is almost 45 m min from the centre is 3x my mortgage payment on a 3 bed house.

[fantabulous]

I think we should just go for the index finger on the upper lip (Mustache style) ???

Somewhat related, I sometimes wear this at my IT job when I need the extra computing prowess that a beard confers: http://mcphee.com/shop/inflatable-beard.html

[gimp]

Have you tried just growing out a beard?

[larmando]

Have you tried just growing out a beard?

I heard that roughly half of the human population finds that difficult or impractical. :p

[Apples]

Have you tried just growing out a beard?

I heard that roughly half of the human population finds that difficult or impractical. :p

Especially the half that is more likely to choose a username like fantabulous haha.

[Elderwood17]

Then she says rather wishfully: I would be so much happier, if I had savings like a thousand pounds in the bank... I want to shake her so she wakes up from this nightmare, but she won't listen. It's a shame because she is literally one of the nicest people I know, and I really like her.

Sometimes I am struck by the parallels between denial of a chemical addiction or gambling addiction, and the denial of "your hair is on fire you have a financial emergency"!  I am getting bolder in telling those I am closest to that they really are headed towards a financial cliff that threatens them severely; it is the kindest thing you really can do, if there is any chance they will listen.  Perhaps the wish for a thousand pounds in the bank is an opening to showing her how to get there?

[mm1970]

Coworker had pop up camper and Suburban to pull it with.  Traded pop-up for full size camper.  Decided Suburban wasn't big enough to pull it, so it was traded for $50k Chevy 2500, diesel, 4x4, crewcab.  Best part is, his total fuel expense will actually go down and his payment only went up $30 a month! The only problem is, said truck will not fit in garage, so structural garage modification (including new door) will begin shortly.

This is a perfect example of what not to do.

We have too much stuff, let's buy a bigger house.
Wow, look at all this space in the new house, we need more stuff.

Vicious cycle.

I know.  I love camping.  We tent camp.  I'd really like to have something with walls.  So I looked into really small teardrops, that can be pulled with our Matrix.  But then we had a second kid, so there aren't any teardrops that will fit four.

Then I looked over pop-ups, but even the smallest ones are big enough that it's not really recommended to tow with a Matrix.  So then you'd need a SLIGHTLY bigger car with better towing.

Of course I did what any mustachian would do, which is said "EFF IT", got a slightly bigger tent (9x10 instead of 7x7), called it good.

[RyanAtTanagra]

Of course I did what any mustachian would do, which is said "EFF IT", got a slightly bigger tent (9x10 instead of 7x7), called it good.

When the kids are a little older, you get the teardrop for you and the missus and stick the kids in a tent ;-)  Kids don't care what they sleep on and they have a blast in their own tent.  Depending on how old the oldest is now, might still be an option.  Have them bring a friend to share the tent with and you guys sleep with the little one.

[otherbarry]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

[RWD]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

I came up with $2,054.02 to that problem, which seems easy to achieve. The 10% interest is probably unrealistic though. Why is she even teaching economics if she doesn't appear to believe what she teaches?

[arebelspy]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

I came up with $2,054.02 to that problem, which seems easy to achieve. The 10% interest is probably unrealistic though. Why is she even teaching economics if she doesn't appear to believe what she teaches?

Perhaps she does, but believes that the theoretical and practical are different.

[AlanStache]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

I came up with $2,054.02 to that problem, which seems easy to achieve. The 10% interest is probably unrealistic though. Why is she even teaching economics if she doesn't appear to believe what she teaches?

Perhaps she does, but believes that the theoretical and practical are different.

"Engineering is the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure science."   Irony or sarcasm, or maybe the prof just wants a new Infinity every few years?  (Yes engineering is very much art & it can be very creative. -A Hard Core Engineer, heck I would almost say art comes to the forefront at times.)

[Ferrisbueller]

I was reading an earlier post about someone saying their boss didn't notice he wasn't paid one month and it made me think of this story.

I work as a financial broker in a company I joined a few years ago.  As a broker my company gets copied on all correspondence that investment companies send to our clients.  We periodically ask the investment companies to give us lists of our clients with investments amounts (shit CRM system so our records can be very patchy).
Anyway I see one client on the list whose 68 and who's normal retirement age was 65 and he hasn't touched his money. So I do some digging and find out none of my colleagues have spoken to the guy in years (could be dead we're thinking). There's no phone number on file just an address from the early 00's so I write him a letter telling him to get in contact with us and giving him my number. Anyway few weeks later the guy calls:

Client: thanks for the letter what's this about ?
FB: well I wrote to you about abc company as you were in the pension scheme there for a few years
Client: oh yeah, that was years ago
FB: well you're 68 and the plan matured at 65 so you can take your benefits if you like
Client: oh I forgot all about that scheme, how much is in there anyway ?
FB: (nearly speechless) ohhh just under $490,000

Fuck me....how much is this guy worth that he can forget about a cool $0.5M

[farmstache]

I was reading an earlier post about someone saying their boss didn't notice he wasn't paid one month and it made me think of this story.

I work as a financial broker in a company I joined a few years ago.  As a broker my company gets copied on all correspondence that investment companies send to our clients.  We periodically ask the investment companies to give us lists of our clients with investments amounts (shit CRM system so our records can be very patchy).
Anyway I see one client on the list whose 68 and who's normal retirement age was 65 and he hasn't touched his money. So I do some digging and find out none of my colleagues have spoken to the guy in years (could be dead we're thinking). There's no phone number on file just an address from the early 00's so I write him a letter telling him to get in contact with us and giving him my number. Anyway few weeks later the guy calls:

Client: thanks for the letter what's this about ?
FB: well I wrote to you about abc company as you were in the pension scheme there for a few years
Client: oh yeah, that was years ago
FB: well you're 68 and the plan matured at 65 so you can take your benefits if you like
Client: oh I forgot all about that scheme, how much is in there anyway ?
FB: (nearly speechless) ohhh just under $490,000

Fuck me....how much is this guy worth that he can forget about a cool $0.5M

Well, this could almost be considered mustachian... But if he's just a clueless guy like me (I still have to make myself look things up or I forget about them totally), maybe he thought it wasn't much, or just, well, forgot about that pension plan he didn't have to worry about for years... and probably doesn't track his expenses and NW to remember it existed.

The key to this answer is how did he react? Nonchalant or really happily surprised? :)

[rocksinmyhead]

You're misunderstanding; they've been accelerating the whole time and are just now getting to highway speed.

'92 checkin' in.

I've had that problem a lot driving my subaru, especially when it is loaded down. People seem really surprised when you pass them again, but it seems ridiculous since they decided to jackrabbit start from lights....

On topic: I work at a financial institution, and the most common thing I hear from my coworkers is "I'm so broke!".

I wouldn't necessarily take that so seriously though! It's something I enjoy saying, although it's clearly not true... But then again, I am in order to maintain my savings rate and such! :)

yeah, I purposely make myself "feel" broke by deducting a bunch of money out of my paycheck to go to 401K and ESPP :)

[HairyUpperLip]

Oh boy, this could get ugly.

I'll just say while I like cleanliness, health, smaller cars, etc., you could do worse than ending up just like Murica.

lol - I guess I should have put a disclaimer that I don't hate America or anything like that. Love it here. Became a US citizen by choice. :)

[HairyUpperLip]

the funny part is that his wife works for a bank and does loan risks assesment LOL.

fuckin' mind blowing. :(

[HairyUpperLip]

Near daily I hear about the loans these students are taking out for school. I know it is expensive but $100k in student loans - yikes! I'm pretty frightened about the massive debt students are having to take on just for a BS.

I got you beat, not that it's a competition.

A "friend" of mine drives a decent Lexus and delivers pizza for a living. The guy is like 33-34 now I think? Anyways, he's always gone from random odd job to random off job. Recently he applied for school to pursue computer programming and also told me that since his income was so low school is free.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, he decided since school was free and he didn't need the loan he applied for he might as well take the money and use it to "pay off debt", buy aftermarket car parts, and who knows what else. Makes me very angry, honestly.

[HairyUpperLip]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Lol - you post a lot in this thread now. I guess once it's on your updated topics no choice but to keep posting. :-P

[arebelspy]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Lol - you post a lot in this thread now. I guess once it's on your updated topics no choice but to keep posting. :-P

That's why I avoided it for so long.

My post count would probably be double and this thread would have twice as many pages if I had replied to this back on page one!  ;)

That's why I still haven't posted in the "Welcome, Introduce Yourself" thread.  Then I'll be trapped saying hi to every person that introduces themselves.

[HairyUpperLip]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Lol - you post a lot in this thread now. I guess once it's on your updated topics no choice but to keep posting. :-P

That's why I avoided it for so long.

My post count would probably be double and this thread would have twice as many pages if I had replied to this back on page one!  ;)

That's why I still haven't posted in the "Welcome, Introduce Yourself" thread.  Then I'll be trapped saying hi to every person that introduces themselves.

lol man, I totally regret posting in that thread now.

[dragoncar]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Lol - you post a lot in this thread now. I guess once it's on your updated topics no choice but to keep posting. :-P

It's simple: we merely remove the human element from the equation

[solon]

I'm glad this thread drew you out, MMB.  Welcome!  :)

Lol - you post a lot in this thread now. I guess once it's on your updated topics no choice but to keep posting. :-P

That's why I avoided it for so long.

My post count would probably be double and this thread would have twice as many pages if I had replied to this back on page one!  ;)

That's why I still haven't posted in the "Welcome, Introduce Yourself" thread.  Then I'll be trapped saying hi to every person that introduces themselves.

Is there any way to mute a thread? Or at least stop it from showing up in your new replies list? There must be an extension or add-in for simple machines that does this. Does anyone know?

[arebelspy]

Not that I know of.  You could probably work up a greasemonkey, or equivalent, script if you're competent at that sort of things.

[Miamoo]

"We have too much stuff, let's buy a bigger house.
Wow, look at all this space in the new house, we need more stuff."

I couldn't resist.  This is what you were referring to yes?  Probably published somewhere but hey  . . 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIWGDDxUdWcAqtz7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=george+carlin+stuff+routine&vid=da09a6fec8ab2c3a54679e7b059e8023&l=5%3A09&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607990850571733892%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMvgN5gCuLac&tit=%3Cb%3EGeorge+Carlin+%3C%2Fb%3ETalks+About+%26quot%3B%3Cb%3EStuff%3C%2Fb%3E%26quot%3B&c=0&sigr=11auolddn&sigt=11pn0qa0e&age=0&&tt=b

[fb132]

"We have too much stuff, let's buy a bigger house.
Wow, look at all this space in the new house, we need more stuff."

I couldn't resist.  This is what you were referring to yes?  Probably published somewhere but hey  . . 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIWGDDxUdWcAqtz7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=george+carlin+stuff+routine&vid=da09a6fec8ab2c3a54679e7b059e8023&l=5%3A09&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607990850571733892%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMvgN5gCuLac&tit=%3Cb%3EGeorge+Carlin+%3C%2Fb%3ETalks+About+%26quot%3B%3Cb%3EStuff%3C%2Fb%3E%26quot%3B&c=0&sigr=11auolddn&sigt=11pn0qa0e&age=0&&tt=b

Gotta love George Carlin, he is so right.

[Lis]

The other day my credit card was declined for a ~$2 purchase of envelopes. The cause was purely bank incompetency, not a lack of funds. I'm a customer of a large number of banks in US and Canada and I can tell you that banks made errors like this all the time. Additionally, since my money is split across around 30 accounts, it wouldn't be too surprising if one day I use the wrong instrument to pay for something, giving the illusion that I no money (although I haven't actually made this mistake yet).

I just had to comment on this because it's definitely a mistaken impression to think that a declined card has anything to do with a lack of funds -- almost always, this is caused by bank error.

There was a "What Would You Do" episode about this. Presumably, a guy and a girl are on a first date, or newly dating, and they're waiting on line to pay for something. His card gets declined for a relatively small purchase and he starts worrying. They, of course, are actors, but they wanted to see what people around them would do. Someone told the girl to get out before she's in too deep, because she shouldn't have to deal with her man having a declined credit card. It went on to explain how cards are usually declined because of some sort of computer error, either from the bank or from the store itself.

My AMEX was declined once while I was grocery shopping. I was doing my bulk shopping and had a pretty hefty transaction (~$100). I scanned it three or four times and it said 'card declined' each time. I had just paid it off in full and was no where near my limit, but I still had that feeling of 'oh shit!' I was more concerned that someone had stolen my cc and had run up a ton of purchases. The guy behind me laughed and asked me if I had too good of a weekend (it was a Monday). The cashier took my card and swiped it on her side and it went through just fine.

Moral of the story is: seeing a card being declined means nothing. But, with the stories on this page, typically it means people don't know how to budget.

[geekette]

With all the recent data breaches, a card declined probably just means yours was one of them.  Happened to us TWICE recently.  Card gets declined, embarrassingly, at the register.  You find another way to pay, call the company, tell them that no, you didn't make that bogus overseas charge, and they send you a new one.  Whee.

[Joggernot]

Is there any way to mute a thread? Or at least stop it from showing up in your new replies list? There must be an extension or add-in for simple machines that does this. Does anyone know?

Go to the top or bottom of the thread and you will see boxes.  One of them is marked either "Notify" or "Unnotify".  To get the threads sent to you click on the "Notify" box.  To stop the notifications, click on the "Unnotify" box.

[Timmmy]

Is there any way to mute a thread? Or at least stop it from showing up in your new replies list? There must be an extension or add-in for simple machines that does this. Does anyone know?

Go to the top or bottom of the thread and you will see boxes.  One of them is marked either "Notify" or "Unnotify".  To get the threads sent to you click on the "Notify" box.  To stop the notifications, click on the "Unnotify" box.

Mine says Notify but I still receive notifications.  Does this work for threads that you have responded to?

[arebelspy]

Is there any way to mute a thread? Or at least stop it from showing up in your new replies list? There must be an extension or add-in for simple machines that does this. Does anyone know?

Go to the top or bottom of the thread and you will see boxes.  One of them is marked either "Notify" or "Unnotify".  To get the threads sent to you click on the "Notify" box.  To stop the notifications, click on the "Unnotify" box.

I don't get any notifications at all (on purpose), but there is no way to remove a thread from your "replies to your posts" list, AFAIK, besides deleting your post.

[Ashyukun]

This last year I had my companies primium health insurance because it made financial sense (we only paid a total of $400 for the birth, pregnancy, etc.). Because I am on a rotational program for work, I had the opprotunity to change insurance carriers. I decided to go with the high deductible plan. It has $5,000 deductible and the company puts $2,000 into a HSA. I have a small copay for vision and dental, and a good price for about $2800 a year (I think this is a fantastic deal!).

Me: I would like to change over to the high deductible plan with the HSA
HR: Do know about the $5,000 deductible?
Me: Yes, it is a high deductible plan.
HR: This means you will have to pay for everything out of pocket.
Me: Only for any costs are between $3,000 and $5,000
HR: Well, yes... But what if you have a bad year? I never recommend this program to people. Who has $3,000 to pay for medical bills?
Me: The other plan was guarunteed to cost me an extra $2,000 per year. I think this plan is not very risky. Especially since the money will roll over every year. It is like freee money!
HR:But it is so risky! You could go bankrupt!
(She knows that I'm a new hire and probably have student loans, but in reality I already have saved nearly enough for a $20% down payment)
Me: I'll go with that high deductible plan.
HR: Don't say I didn't warn you!

We just had our Open Elections period for our benefits open up- and I was kind of surprised to see that the company was ONLY offering HDHSA plans and no 'conventional' health insurance plans. Didn't bother me in the least bit- I can easily do the math to see that on the whole it's smarter to have it this way. Heck, it's actually smarter IMO to go with the highest deductible plan which costs almost nothing out of pocket- if you put the difference in it from the lower-deductible plan into the HSA it doesn't quite make up the difference, but if you aren't expecting a ton of medical expenses you'll probably come out ahead each year.

Unfortunately I'm one of the only ones in my office who is employed by this company- the rest are working for a company we contract to do work, so I don't get to hear all the griping that is likely happening back at the Home Plant about this...

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I wouldn't say that complaining about an HDHSA necessarily qualifies you for the Wall. If you had somewhat high medical expenses, like two kids with asthma, you might be better off with a more inclusive plan.

I've never had an HSA but I did, in one memorably year, find out I was pregnant during open enrollment (surprise!) and we upped to the all-inclusive plan for the duration, then back down to a cheaper, higher copay plan once we'd had the baby and he came out healthy.

[Ashyukun]

I wouldn't say that complaining about an HDHSA necessarily qualifies you for the Wall. If you had somewhat high medical expenses, like two kids with asthma, you might be better off with a more inclusive plan.

I've never had an HSA but I did, in one memorably year, find out I was pregnant during open enrollment (surprise!) and we upped to the all-inclusive plan for the duration, then back down to a cheaper, higher copay plan once we'd had the baby and he came out healthy.

We were actually planning on doing the hard numbers on the traditional plan vs. the HDHSA since we're hoping to be having a baby next year, but the company took the option away on that. And honestly, I think that even with high medical expenses that you know are coming that you end up pretty good with the HDP. For the highest ($3k) deductible plan it's completely FREE for just me, and only about $750 more adding my wife to the plan. The all-inclusive plans were several thousand dollars a year minimum- when it became available I just moved all of what I had been paying (and a bit more) to going into the HSA.

[farmstache]

That's why I avoided it for so long.

My post count would probably be double and this thread would have twice as many pages if I had replied to this back on page one!  ;)

That's why I still haven't posted in the "Welcome, Introduce Yourself" thread.  Then I'll be trapped saying hi to every person that introduces themselves.

Awn, rebs, you're such a nice guy!

I have absolutely no problem not responding to the people in the introduction thread. I think I never even went back to see if anyone had replied to me... I just keep it on the lowest position on my unread topics :)

Yup, you're way sweet!

[dragoncar]

Awn, rebs, you're such a nice guy!

I have absolutely no problem not responding to the people in the introduction thread.

I have to actively refrain from telling people in the introduction thread to go to hell.

[Joggernot]

Is there any way to mute a thread? Or at least stop it from showing up in your new replies list? There must be an extension or add-in for simple machines that does this. Does anyone know?

Go to the top or bottom of the thread and you will see boxes.  One of them is marked either "Notify" or "Unnotify".  To get the threads sent to you click on the "Notify" box.  To stop the notifications, click on the "Unnotify" box.

Mine says Notify but I still receive notifications.  Does this work for threads that you have responded to?

When you post a response or thread, click the "Attachments and other options" line.  There you will find some check boxes; one of which is "Notify me of replies".  This box is checked by default, so uncheck it if you don't want to receive notices of replies.

If the Notify box says "Notify" you shouldn't be receiving notifications.  I would try clicking the box, wait a day, then click the "Unnotify" box to see if that would work.

[Cheddar Stacker]

Awn, rebs, you're such a nice guy!

I have absolutely no problem not responding to the people in the introduction thread.

I have to actively refrain from telling people in the introduction thread to go to hell.

Well, that makes me extremely glad I never posted in that thread. I wouldn't want the urge to tell people to go to hell on a daily basis.

[sheepstache]

Awn, rebs, you're such a nice guy!

I have absolutely no problem not responding to the people in the introduction thread.

I have to actively refrain from telling people in the introduction thread to go to hell.

I do tell them to go to hell. Fortunately nobody reads it, they just post.

[otherbarry]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

I came up with $2,054.02 to that problem, which seems easy to achieve. The 10% interest is probably unrealistic though. Why is she even teaching economics if she doesn't appear to believe what she teaches?

Yeah the problem I made up. It's more general comments she makes all the time, mostly about working long after 65. Then she'll make us choose which financing method is best for a new car.

[MgoSam]

I'm back at school, so this isn't at work, but my Engineering Economy professor constantly makes snide comments about how long we'll work, despite admitting she owns no investments. She would write a problem like this:

"Sally wants to retire with 1 million 40 years from now. How much should she save each year with an interest rate of 10% to achieve this."

But then she'll say something like, "But to be honest you guys will be working long after 70 so this isn't very realistic for your generation." Yet she owns no investments and says how debt isn't a bad thing. I agree with that but only if the debt allows you to make more returns via investments (which she doesn't own) than the loan payments are. No wonder people stay employed long after they should be.

I came up with $2,054.02 to that problem, which seems easy to achieve. The 10% interest is probably unrealistic though. Why is she even teaching economics if she doesn't appear to believe what she teaches?

Yeah the problem I made up. It's more general comments she makes all the time, mostly about working long after 65. Then she'll make us choose which financing method is best for a new car.

Perhaps she's a sensai mustachian? Trying to teach you the follies of commercial while you are still wrong and impressionable, reverse psychology at its finest!