Overheard at Work

[Mairuiming]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

[Metric Mouse]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

LMAO!

[theadvicist]

Not work technically my house share.  I live in a filthy cheap all bills/utilities 7 bedroom house for £320 a month, which attracts 5 poorer people, one non medical doctor suprisingly and me.  Flat mate next door works in a chainsaw factory, find out he is walking to the petrol station 300m away every day to get a 'costa' coffee made by one of the machines.  Its not much change out of £3.00.  We only pay £11.00 a day to have a roof over our house, electricity, water, gas a council tax.  He complains of being 'skint' and thats why savings doesnt matter.  He is also about a to be laid off as an agency worker but is doing nothing to save and thinks a combination of job seekers allowance and pay day loans will help him.  He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he is walking? Most other stories on this board would involve a 300m drive to buy overpriced coffee! (but yeah, seriously, £3 on coffee a day with an unstable job... ugh, people).

[Nickyd£g]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

LMAO!

That is NOT funny. Not the way I'm feeling today :(   I'm Scottish, so that should tell you something.

[mustachepungoeshere]

I'm pregnant now, and have been playing with a landline.  I think if we end up doing a nanny or nanny share, I'll definitely look in to it.  We don't own a TV, so I doubt a "bundle" would make sense, but it may still be worth it.

We actually got a landline after having a kid and moving to the country... mostly because having a 'family' line meant that child-related things went to the family, and NOT only to The Mom who would then be expected to coordinate EVERYTHING.

We got rid of that problem after I answered the phone while traveling for work a few times: "Sorry, I'm in Brussels and won't be home until Sunday. I can't bring the kid's rain clothes to school right now. Could you please call the father? You will find his name in the contact list, next to the comment "father is primary contact person, please only call mom if you can't get hold of dad".

I get that with our property manager who defers to my husband on everything, even though my husband has never attended an inspection, never submitted a maintenance request, and didn't meet the PM for the first two years we lived there.

But still, property manager only calls me when he can't get through to my husband.

PM: I tried to call him and got a funny dial tone.
Me: Yeah, he's in Germany.
PM: Oh.
Me: ... can I help with something? (You've been our PM for five years, mate. He travels. You know this. Even if you do get through to him, he won't be around to deal with whatever it is that you're calling about.)

[Papa Mustache]

A few years ago we set our grandparents up with a mobile phone and found we could never get through to them on it. Turns out they'd turn it on to make a call, then shut it down completely afterwards. It was a delightful misunderstanding of how they're used. Makes a lot of sense to be honest. Why would you want to be 100% available all the time?

We have a landline and a trio of cellphones. On the weekends I put mine on charge and ignore it. My wife and our teenager both have them close at hand all the time.

Frankly I'd be happy to forget I have a cellphone most of the time. Luckily it is the $10 a month version.

Wife turns her ringer off at work and then leaves it off (forgets) so we end up conversing via a landline anyhow... ;)

Our house is in an iffy part of the county and the cell reception could be better.

Anyone that knows me knows how to find me - am at work or home next to landlines most of the time. Leave a message if I'm not there. ;)

[ringer707]

I'm pregnant now, and have been playing with a landline.  I think if we end up doing a nanny or nanny share, I'll definitely look in to it.  We don't own a TV, so I doubt a "bundle" would make sense, but it may still be worth it.

We actually got a landline after having a kid and moving to the country... mostly because having a 'family' line meant that child-related things went to the family, and NOT only to The Mom who would then be expected to coordinate EVERYTHING. And because the landline doesn't drop a signal when there's crappy weather. Yay spotty cell coverage!

We don't bundle, though - we have internet (special company, because we are in the middle of nowhere), have cheap cell phones with another place, and the cheapest no-frills landline with a third company. Any company that offers bundling either doesn't do internet where we live (seriously, middle of nowhere) OR only uses it to push cable TV packages, which we never listen to, so NOPE.

Can I ask who you use for internet? While not in the middle of nowhere, I am in the "country" and have very limited internet options. Most of which are astronomically expensive and include a data cap.

[Papa Mustache]

Indirectly through another friend: guys at work calculating the depreciation on their cars/trucks that were just a few years old. In was hundreds of dollars per month. They are apparently car hoppers?

Friend couldn't decide if it was commiseration or a badge of honor.

[BlueHouse]

I called to drop our cable, since we don't watch it. It was cheaper for me to keep [a lower level of] cable than to drop it. Seriously, internet alone costs more than the same internet plus cable. WTF?

Continue checking your bills. Every year, my rate suddenly changes again. I call the company, and they explain to me that that "special deal" was only for one year (or two if I was on contract). So then I remove e service. I'm in my fifth year here and I've had internet only, then internet with basic cable bundle, then back to Internet only, then back to the bundle.  I'm still paying the same $54 per month with or without, but I have to keep making the call once per year to keep the same rate. I hooked up the cable once, but now have my cable jacks connected to an outside antenna, so too much bother to hook up cable again. Plus the  OTA channels get a better picture than cable.

[ender]

I called to drop our cable, since we don't watch it. It was cheaper for me to keep [a lower level of] cable than to drop it. Seriously, internet alone costs more than the same internet plus cable. WTF?

Continue checking your bills. Every year, my rate suddenly changes again. I call the company, and they explain to me that that "special deal" was only for one year (or two if I was on contract). So then I remove e service. I'm in my fifth year here and I've had internet only, then internet with basic cable bundle, then back to Internet only, then back to the bundle.  I'm still paying the same $54 per month with or without, but I have to keep making the call once per year to keep the same rate. I hooked up the cable once, but now have my cable jacks connected to an outside antenna, so too much bother to hook up cable again. Plus the  OTA channels get a better picture than cable.

We've got two main internet providers here and I expect that when our two year contract is up ($40/month or so after taxes/fees) that they will be more than happy to find creative ways to keep our rates low. Since their competitor has comparable offers fairly often too...

[TomTX]

Something I found out today at work, so it counts, right?

Another team in my department was supposed to have a new person start this week. Orientation Monday, then first day in the department Tuesday. He wasn't here yesterday. Today, I found out why. Monday, he emailed HR and said that he wasn't taking the job, and was going to stay with his current company. He'd accepted the job offer 2-3 weeks ago.

He's blacklisted with HR - will never even get an interview here again.

I experienced something similar to this as a grad student.  The department was interviewing for  new tenure track position and was interviewing different candidates.  As part of the process they invited the few finalists to the campus o give lectures, a general one for the undergraduates and a much more technical lecture for grad students.  As part of the process, the chair asked the grad students for input based on whom we would like to learn from.  In the end they offered the position to someone who appeared to enthusiastically want the job and did a great job interviewing.  Turns out at the last moment he turned it down because he just wanted an offer from prestigious university X to use for negotiating a position at university Y where he really wanted to work. 

That is ok and all I guess, but kind of a dick move since they had to start the whole recruiting process over again.

What a stupid process. Call up the #2 choice when #1 declines.

[TomTX]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

[Joggernot]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

I like this idea...if it could be done.

[MoonShadow]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

I have one of the last old farmhouses in the area.  I'm surrounded on 3 sides by subdivided neighborhoods, all less than 10 years old.  The last real farm is actually behind my property, and my 13 acres of woods sits between us, so any grazing that could be had would require a herd be 'herded' around the streets; which would only happen once before the newest neighbors called the city.  The guy that owns that farm is getting old, and reducing his cattle anyway.  But you did touch on an idea I had some weeks ago.  I learned about a tiny species of sheep, called a "Baby Doll".  I looked into buy a pair of non-breeding sheep (neutered males, basicly) as new household pets.  They are adorable.  Then I discovered that in order to actually reduce the need for grass cutting, I'd have to get about a dozen just for my 2 acres of cut lawn.  It would still work if I were willing to buy a young flock in spring, and then sell them for slaughter come fall, but I don't think I have the heart and I know that my family would revolt.  Still thinking about surprising my wife with a pair for her birthday though.  (They are social animals, and don't do well individually)

http://www.mylittlesheep.com/

And yes, that little black one on the front page is full grown.  The white one at the bottom of that same page is the young one.

[BeautifulDay]

I'm at a technology conference and this site was mentioned in a workshop...
http://thisiswhyimbroke.tumblr.com

Funny stuff

[mustachepungoeshere]

Boss: "I was audited a couple of years ago after I got a letter from the ATO saying I was owed a $14,000 refund. Apparently payroll at [former employer] had been massively over-taxing me... it was great!"

[MostlyBearded]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

LMAO!

Both hilarious and tragic at the same time!

[Kitsune]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

I have one of the last old farmhouses in the area.  I'm surrounded on 3 sides by subdivided neighborhoods, all less than 10 years old.  The last real farm is actually behind my property, and my 13 acres of woods sits between us, so any grazing that could be had would require a herd be 'herded' around the streets; which would only happen once before the newest neighbors called the city.  The guy that owns that farm is getting old, and reducing his cattle anyway.  But you did touch on an idea I had some weeks ago.  I learned about a tiny species of sheep, called a "Baby Doll".  I looked into buy a pair of non-breeding sheep (neutered males, basicly) as new household pets.  They are adorable.  Then I discovered that in order to actually reduce the need for grass cutting, I'd have to get about a dozen just for my 2 acres of cut lawn.  It would still work if I were willing to buy a young flock in spring, and then sell them for slaughter come fall, but I don't think I have the heart and I know that my family would revolt.  Still thinking about surprising my wife with a pair for her birthday though.  (They are social animals, and don't do well individually)

http://www.mylittlesheep.com/

And yes, that little black one on the front page is full grown.  The white one at the bottom of that same page is the young one.

Oh my lord, I can't even stand the cuteness! Now I want sheep, thanks a lot Moonshadow!

We've got 4 lambs currently grazing a piece of land the size of a small city lot, and not keeping up with it. If your aim is lamb on the table, that's fine, but if you want to avoid mowing, you'll need a fair lot of them.

Also, dear lord, but they're stupid animals. Right up there with chickens.

[Digital Dogma]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

Watch out for farmers running equipment that leaks oil all over the place, had one guy show up to do this with a constant spray of oil coming out the bottom of his tractor. It pays to take a look at what sort of equipment they'll be using before it enters your property. A hydraulic line can blow on anybody, but continuing to use faulty equipment till it goes is a farmer thing to do.

[MoonShadow]

Oh I won't be getting any - we're not really animal people, don't own a house (or plan to), and enjoy travel too much to get any sort of farm animal. I just like looking at the cute baby faces. I have heard that they are pretty dumb though!

I can't say if it's true or not, but I've conversed (by email) with several Baby Doll breeders, and they all say that the Baby Doll isn't nearly as stupid and danger prone as other breeds of sheep.  I've been told that they won't constantly challenge fences, and that they learn to trust their humans, but they are still not as smart as most dogs.  I've also been told that they can jump a whole lot higher than most other breeds of sheep as well, and that's saying something; or if not actually higher, higher by comparison to their actual size.  Most say they can jump a 4 foot fence, but won't generally try it.

[Daleth]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

LMAO!

That is NOT funny. Not the way I'm feeling today :(   I'm Scottish, so that should tell you something.

Christ I feel your pain. I so hope the UK manages to quite literally hold itself together and stay in the EU. And failing that, I hope Scotland and Northern Ireland manage to remain in the EU no matter what happens to idiotic England and Wales.

[deadlymonkey]

I almost forgot, with all of the above - he pays someone to mow his lawn.

Hey now!  I pay a service to mow my lawn too!  But that is because it would take me 3+ years to pay for a large enough lawn mower to manage my 2.2 acre of grassland in about an hour.  So, am I doing it wrong?

Yes. You should be letting a farming neighbor graze or bale on the land for $1/year, then file for an agricultural exemption on your taxes.

I have one of the last old farmhouses in the area.  I'm surrounded on 3 sides by subdivided neighborhoods, all less than 10 years old.  The last real farm is actually behind my property, and my 13 acres of woods sits between us, so any grazing that could be had would require a herd be 'herded' around the streets; which would only happen once before the newest neighbors called the city.  The guy that owns that farm is getting old, and reducing his cattle anyway.  But you did touch on an idea I had some weeks ago.  I learned about a tiny species of sheep, called a "Baby Doll".  I looked into buy a pair of non-breeding sheep (neutered males, basicly) as new household pets.  They are adorable.  Then I discovered that in order to actually reduce the need for grass cutting, I'd have to get about a dozen just for my 2 acres of cut lawn.  It would still work if I were willing to buy a young flock in spring, and then sell them for slaughter come fall, but I don't think I have the heart and I know that my family would revolt.  Still thinking about surprising my wife with a pair for her birthday though.  (They are social animals, and don't do well individually)

http://www.mylittlesheep.com/

And yes, that little black one on the front page is full grown.  The white one at the bottom of that same page is the young one.

Another option is that you can get wallabies.  They are also social so they need to be in pairs and are good jumpers.  But can also be housetrained.  They only need a shelter outside (heated if it gets cold) and are freaking mini kangaroos....how awesome is that?  They graze as well so offer the same benefits as sheep.

http://www.needcoffee.com/2010/07/03/your-new-pet-wallaby/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1181951/Meet-lawnmower-legs-Why-wallabies-taking-Englands-gardens-leaps-bounds.html

[fattest_foot]

Just received an email about an upcoming lunch seminar and the message made me shudder to think about working that long:

"You will spend over 100,000 hours at work in your lifetime, so you may as well enjoy as many as them as possible!"

Yikes, I keep a running tab on about how much time I have left.

And here I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at another 11,000 hours or so.

[Daleth]

Just received an email about an upcoming lunch seminar and the message made me shudder to think about working that long:

"You will spend over 100,000 hours at work in your lifetime, so you may as well enjoy as many as them as possible!"

Over 100,000? Dude, that's more than 50 years. WTF?

[mtn]

Just received an email about an upcoming lunch seminar and the message made me shudder to think about working that long:

"You will spend over 100,000 hours at work in your lifetime, so you may as well enjoy as many as them as possible!"

Over 100,000? Dude, that's more than 50 years. WTF?

I started working at 13... I don't plan to work much (if any) past 50, but still...

[mustachepungoeshere]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

[MoonShadow]

Another option is that you can get wallabies.

I'm pretty sure that I'd have a hard time getting wallabies in Kentucky, and I'm fairly certain that species from the Australian continent require as special animal license in this state anyway.  Also, barely domesticated animals, prone to aggression towards children, and can jump a huge fence.  So no thanks.

[LeRainDrop]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

Eww, gross!  I hate the sound of someone clipping their nails.  It freaks me out that I might find someone's nail clippings lying around somewhere.  So creepy!

[Paul der Krake]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

Eww, gross!  I hate the sound of someone clipping their nails.  It freaks me out that I might find someone's nail clippings lying around somewhere.  So creepy!

Why are people so grossed out by finger nails? Sure, doing it in public isn't great, but to some people it's just a step removed from taking a dump on someone else's desk.

[boarder42]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

Eww, gross!  I hate the sound of someone clipping their nails.  It freaks me out that I might find someone's nail clippings lying around somewhere.  So creepy!

Why are people so grossed out by finger nails? Sure, doing it in public isn't great, but to some people it's just a step removed from taking a dump on someone else's desk.

yeah its just fingernails. 

[Nickyd£g]

He also thinks his poor situation in life is the results of us being in the EU.

At least he doesn't have to worry about that anymore

Thanks Daleth, I'm still upset but hoping to diety that the trigger is never pulled.  Failing that, Sturgeon performs a miracle and gets us into the EU and out of the UK.
LMAO!

That is NOT funny. Not the way I'm feeling today :(   I'm Scottish, so that should tell you something.

Christ I feel your pain. I so hope the UK manages to quite literally hold itself together and stay in the EU. And failing that, I hope Scotland and Northern Ireland manage to remain in the EU no matter what happens to idiotic England and Wales.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

Eww, gross!  I hate the sound of someone clipping their nails.  It freaks me out that I might find someone's nail clippings lying around somewhere.  So creepy!

Why are people so grossed out by finger nails? Sure, doing it in public isn't great, but to some people it's just a step removed from taking a dump on someone else's desk.

I'm not going to collect his nail clippings and force-feed them to him as punishment. I just think there is a time and a place. The place is, obviously, not work*, and the time is not when you're being paid to do a job.


*Sydney Trains also not the place, but that didn't stop the three separate people I've encountered doing just that...

[Miss Piggy]

Currently overhearing a co-worker clip his fingernails at his desk.

At least, I was overhearing it. I grabbed my headphones as soon as I realised what I was hearing.

(Not money-related but I had to share the horror with someone.)

Eww, gross!  I hate the sound of someone clipping their nails.  It freaks me out that I might find someone's nail clippings lying around somewhere.  So creepy!

Why are people so grossed out by finger nails? Sure, doing it in public isn't great, but to some people it's just a step removed from taking a dump on someone else's desk.

I'm not going to collect his nail clippings and force-feed them to him as punishment. I just think there is a time and a place. The place is, obviously, not work*, and the time is not when you're being paid to do a job.


*Sydney Trains also not the place, but that didn't stop the three separate people I've encountered doing just that...

For the record, the place and time is NEVER, EVER on an airplane while letting your nail clippings simply drop to the floor, without cleaning them up.

[deadlymonkey]

Another option is that you can get wallabies.

I'm pretty sure that I'd have a hard time getting wallabies in Kentucky, and I'm fairly certain that species from the Australian continent require as special animal license in this state anyway.  Also, barely domesticated animals, prone to aggression towards children, and can jump a huge fence.  So no thanks.

Different strokes......you would need a license but there are several Kentucky based breeders.  They are not prone to aggression, can be kept indoors, they can jump but not crazy high (6 foot fence recommended) and can be quite friendly especially if hand raised.  Just a suggestion if you wanted something more unique than a sheep or goat.

[Torran]

In the office today:-

"Once you've bought all the ingredients, it works out just as cheap to get takeaway than to cook at home"

I am very suspicious of their claim that they have ever actually bought ingredients and cooked at home.

[RyanAtTanagra]

In the office today:-

"Once you've bought all the ingredients, it works out just as cheap to get takeaway than to cook at home"

I am very suspicious of their claim that they have ever actually bought ingredients and cooked at home.

I think this is a common (and understandable) misconception by people that have never really cooked and are trying to start.  If you don't already have a fully stocked kitchen, then the first several meals are very expensive as you have to go out and buy every little thing like spices, condiments, butter, etc.  Recipe calls for 2 Tbsp of flour to thicken?  Well shit now I have to buy a whole bag.  That kind of thing.

If you can direct them to a place to buy things in bulk ('bulk' as in ability to buy just a little, bring your own container, etc, not 'mass quantity') that helps a lot, especially for spices.  Going from zero spices to a full spice rack by trying to buy mccormick jars at the grocery store will break the bank quick.

[mtn]

In the office today:-

"Once you've bought all the ingredients, it works out just as cheap to get takeaway than to cook at home"

I am very suspicious of their claim that they have ever actually bought ingredients and cooked at home.

I think this is a common (and understandable) misconception by people that have never really cooked and are trying to start.  If you don't already have a fully stocked kitchen, then the first several meals are very expensive as you have to go out and buy every little thing like spices, condiments, butter, etc.  Recipe calls for 2 Tbsp of flour to thicken?  Well shit now I have to buy a whole bag.  That kind of thing.

If you can direct them to a place to buy things in bulk ('bulk' as in ability to buy just a little, bring your own container, etc, not 'mass quantity') that helps a lot, especially for spices.  Going from zero spices to a full spice rack by trying to buy mccormick jars at the grocery store will break the bank quick.

This. Ever go out and try to stock a kitchen with the basics of cooking? Butter, milk, eggs, flour, sugar, garlic, garlic powder, chile powder, salt, pepper, onion, yeast, etc. Most of these things you buy once a year or so, and rarely at the same time. But if you're buying them all at once it looks like a lot--and we haven't even gotten to the main dish, just the seasonings.

One thing that I'm not convinced on is always cheaper at home is alfredo sauce. But I think that has more to do with the fact that mine is so good so when I make it we eat too much of it in one sitting. Another thing that is impossible to do as cheap as a restaurant is pizza. (What you call pizza and what I call pizza are probably not the same quality--you can tell me you make a good pizza for cheap, and I'd agree with you if it didn't make us both be wrong)

[Tjat]

I think what also happens is that most people really don't know how to "cook at home." Homemade spaghetti and meatballs turns into frozen pre-packaged meatballs and boboli pasta. People want the convenience of fast food/take-out but have no idea how to cook or common sense.

[MrMoogle]

I think what also happens is that most people really don't know how to "cook at home." Homemade spaghetti and meatballs turns into frozen pre-packaged meatballs and boboli pasta. People want the convenience of fast food/take-out but have no idea how to cook or common sense.

When "cook at home" = frozen dinner, it's worse and almost as expensive as fast food.  Cook from scratch = cheaper and better.

[Digital Dogma]

In the office today:-

"Once you've bought all the ingredients, it works out just as cheap to get takeaway than to cook at home"

I am very suspicious of their claim that they have ever actually bought ingredients and cooked at home.

I think this is a common (and understandable) misconception by people that have never really cooked and are trying to start.  If you don't already have a fully stocked kitchen, then the first several meals are very expensive as you have to go out and buy every little thing like spices, condiments, butter, etc.  Recipe calls for 2 Tbsp of flour to thicken?  Well shit now I have to buy a whole bag.  That kind of thing.

If you can direct them to a place to buy things in bulk ('bulk' as in ability to buy just a little, bring your own container, etc, not 'mass quantity') that helps a lot, especially for spices.  Going from zero spices to a full spice rack by trying to buy mccormick jars at the grocery store will break the bank quick.

Its funny, as a general rule the IGA stores near me are more expensive than your Stop and Shop style stores for nearly everything thats not on sale or an IGA generic brand. But they have 2.99, 3.99 and 4.99 large containers of spices (maybe 2 cups worth per bottle). I make a lot of BBQ rubs which require large quantities of chili powder and paprika, I've saved an ungodly amount of money by purchasing the larger IGA spice containers over the years.

[MrMoogle]

In the office today:-

"Once you've bought all the ingredients, it works out just as cheap to get takeaway than to cook at home"

I am very suspicious of their claim that they have ever actually bought ingredients and cooked at home.

I think this is a common (and understandable) misconception by people that have never really cooked and are trying to start.  If you don't already have a fully stocked kitchen, then the first several meals are very expensive as you have to go out and buy every little thing like spices, condiments, butter, etc.  Recipe calls for 2 Tbsp of flour to thicken?  Well shit now I have to buy a whole bag.  That kind of thing.

If you can direct them to a place to buy things in bulk ('bulk' as in ability to buy just a little, bring your own container, etc, not 'mass quantity') that helps a lot, especially for spices.  Going from zero spices to a full spice rack by trying to buy mccormick jars at the grocery store will break the bank quick.

Its funny, as a general rule the IGA stores near me are more expensive than your Stop and Shop style stores for nearly everything thats not on sale or an IGA generic brand. But they have 2.99, 3.99 and 4.99 large containers of spices (maybe 2 cups worth per bottle). I make a lot of BBQ rubs which require large quantities of chili powder and paprika, I've saved an ungodly amount of money by purchasing the larger IGA spice containers over the years.

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

[infogoon]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

[JLee]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

[onlykelsey]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

I used to live in a house and help integrate refugees that my local congregation was "fostering" (long story).  I lived with a pregnant Burmese woman who would put on latex gloves and goggles (quite the sight!) to happily eat peppers so hot that they blistered your skin and irritated your eyes from a distance. 

I used to think of myself as having NO tolerance for spice, but moving back to the northeast out of Texas reminded me it's all relative. 

[JLee]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

I used to live in a house and help integrate refugees that my local congregation was "fostering" (long story).  I lived with a pregnant Burmese woman who would put on latex gloves and goggles (quite the sight!) to happily eat peppers so hot that they blistered your skin and irritated your eyes from a distance. 

I used to think of myself as having NO tolerance for spice, but moving back to the northeast out of Texas reminded me it's all relative.

Yeah, I moved from Phoenix to NJ and I can't find spicy foods at restaurants here. "Thai hot" should be hotter than 'hot' and it is, well, not.  In AZ, medium (3 on a 1-5 scale) is about as much as I can handle.

[dragoncar]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

I used to live in a house and help integrate refugees that my local congregation was "fostering" (long story).  I lived with a pregnant Burmese woman who would put on latex gloves and goggles (quite the sight!) to happily eat peppers so hot that they blistered your skin and irritated your eyes from a distance. 

I used to think of myself as having NO tolerance for spice, but moving back to the northeast out of Texas reminded me it's all relative.

Yeah, I moved from Phoenix to NJ and I can't find spicy foods at restaurants here. "Thai hot" should be hotter than 'hot' and it is, well, not.  In AZ, medium (3 on a 1-5 scale) is about as much as I can handle.

How to you look?  I swear whenever they say "how hot do you want it on a scale from 1-10?" they also do an adjustment, like if you look super white they subtract two, and if you look Thai they add three.

edit: I developed this theory based on a single data point once when me and a friend ordered the same hotness level but received different amount of hot.

[Papa Mustache]

Coworker tells me about her daughter's ex odd boyfriend who was into reel mowers and coupon clipping... I just kept a straight face...

[onlykelsey]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

I used to live in a house and help integrate refugees that my local congregation was "fostering" (long story).  I lived with a pregnant Burmese woman who would put on latex gloves and goggles (quite the sight!) to happily eat peppers so hot that they blistered your skin and irritated your eyes from a distance. 

I used to think of myself as having NO tolerance for spice, but moving back to the northeast out of Texas reminded me it's all relative.

Yeah, I moved from Phoenix to NJ and I can't find spicy foods at restaurants here. "Thai hot" should be hotter than 'hot' and it is, well, not.  In AZ, medium (3 on a 1-5 scale) is about as much as I can handle.

How to you look?  I swear whenever they say "how hot do you want it on a scale from 1-10?" they also do an adjustment, like if you look super white they subtract two, and if you look Thai they add three.

edit: I developed this theory based on a single data point once when me and a friend ordered the same hotness level but received different amount of hot.

Are you and your friend of the same gender?

Several male to female transgender friends have confirmed that when they order food a certain level of spiciness, they get significantly LESS spicy food now.  Fascinating.

[Rural]

Kroger here has a small selection of large quantities of spices for like 2x the price of their small stuff, but at least 10x the quantity.  For a few things I use constantly, I'll drive to Kroger to get these, instead of walking to the Target behind my apartment.

I buy as many spices as I can at the local Indian grocery. A helpful hint: when they say "extra-hot", they mean "weapons-grade".

I should probably get some of those for my roommate.  He ate a slice of ghost pepper the other day and said it was 'warm.'

I used to live in a house and help integrate refugees that my local congregation was "fostering" (long story).  I lived with a pregnant Burmese woman who would put on latex gloves and goggles (quite the sight!) to happily eat peppers so hot that they blistered your skin and irritated your eyes from a distance. 

I used to think of myself as having NO tolerance for spice, but moving back to the northeast out of Texas reminded me it's all relative.

Yeah, I moved from Phoenix to NJ and I can't find spicy foods at restaurants here. "Thai hot" should be hotter than 'hot' and it is, well, not.  In AZ, medium (3 on a 1-5 scale) is about as much as I can handle.

How to you look?  I swear whenever they say "how hot do you want it on a scale from 1-10?" they also do an adjustment, like if you look super white they subtract two, and if you look Thai they add three.

edit: I developed this theory based on a single data point once when me and a friend ordered the same hotness level but received different amount of hot.

Are you and your friend of the same gender?

Several male to female transgender friends have confirmed that when they order food a certain level of spiciness, they get significantly LESS spicy food now.  Fascinating.

Ask if their Thai hot is Bangkok hot or Phuket hot. They'll decide you know what you're asking for.

[limeandpepper]

Or just be specific and say you want x number of bird's eye chillies in the dish if you're having Thai food. That'll do it. (When my partner and I were in Thailand, every now and then a vendor would ask how many chillies we want, which I thought was a good idea, because saying mild, spicy, or very spicy leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation. I find bird's eye chillies tend to be fairly consistent with their spiciness, unlike some other types of chillies, so that worked well. Though you do also need to have a rough idea of the approximate size of the dish, of course.)