Overheard at Work

[theadvicist]

A funeral director friend told me once that bodies last a lot longer before decaying than they used to, because of preservatives in the food we eat.

That... doesn't sound right.

I've actually also heard something similar from a funeral director friend (presumably a different one, since this one is in the UK).

He said that bodies are 'lasting' longer, but instead of preservatives in food, he thought it was down to ingredients in skin care products. So I don't know if it is mainly the faces of female clients or what... but yeah, he's been in this game a while and he says decay is being delayed.

Ugh, sorry, that was gross.

[arebelspy]

A funeral director friend told me once that bodies last a lot longer before decaying than they used to, because of preservatives in the food we eat.

That... doesn't sound right.

I've actually also heard something similar from a funeral director friend (presumably a different one, since this one is in the UK).

He said that bodies are 'lasting' longer, but instead of preservatives in food, he thought it was down to ingredients in skin care products. So I don't know if it is mainly the faces of female clients or what... but yeah, he's been in this game a while and he says decay is being delayed.

Ugh, sorry, that was gross.

I'd need a citation on either before accepting, because they both sound like BS.

First hit on Google for "bodies decaying slower" was:
https://modernlegends.net/2012/07/17/preservatives-slow-down-the-decomposition-of-bodies/

The URL (domain, and page) probably tell you all you need to know.

The page says:

I contacted dr. György Dunai, research fellow of the National Forensic Medical Institute in Budapest.

According to Dunay, their institute performs an autopsy on 2500-2600 bodies – from a wide spectrum of causes and backgrounds – every year, but they have never encountered the above mentioned phenomenon.

It's specifically targeted at the preservatives rumor, which is way more prevalent, but also debunks the skin care one, because the fact is, bodies aren't decaying slower.

[theadvicist]

Good research ARS. It made sense to me because the things put in skincare products are to preserve the product, to stop it going off. Since decay is just a natural process, more anti-bacterial elements in skincare could result in slowing that natural process, because it's bacteria that undertake that process.

But I'd never cared enough to look into - it was just something I was told. Thanks for debunking. I'm seeing the guy for New Year, I'll challenge him on it!

[Primm]

I've worked in health care with close contacts in the funeral industry for 30 years. Anecdotally, from what I've seen, your friend is spinning you bullshit.

[merula]

I'm not sure if this qualifies - you be the judge.  I overheard one co-worker telling another "I keep telling my wife that home insurance is a rip-off.  Who cares if anyone steals our stuff?  We can just buy new stuff.  Plus, our house was built in the 60's.  Has it burned down ever?  No!  We could be saving more than $1000/year if we stopped buying insurance!"

The kicker?  WE WORK FOR AN INSURANCE COMPANY.

Plenty of people work for insurance companies and know jack about insurance. Source: I work for a property & casualty insurance company.

Obviously it's possible to be in HR or Finance or facilities in an insurance company without having any need to know anything about how insurance works. But just yesterday, I had to explain to an underwriter who has been here for 5+ years that the standard GL form pays defense costs outside of the limits.

Most people can't self-insure for liability, though.

The property is the expensive part of a homeowner's policy, though. Liability only would be on the order of 1/10th the cost.

[budgetjones]

So I'm filling out my travel voucher at work today and saw a charge for $96 for "tolls" on my company credit card.  I look into it and two months ago I passed through a toll portion of a highway in North Carolina in a rental car.  It turns out that rather than just bill me for the tolls I incurred the rental company added an "administrative fee" of $15 per toll.  When I called the company that processes these claims for the rental agency they said if I had entered the toll agreement when I rented the car (which they never mentioned) the processing fees would have dropped to make it a $63 bill. I about snapped at the woman on the phone. Apparently the right answer is to go to the state's toll website and pay right away.  As a visitor to the state renting one of their cars this entire system (I say scam) wasn't listed anywhere at the rental office.  Lucky for me I'm not the one paying the bill, but it was very infuriating nonetheless.

Rental companies fucking love tolls. $2? That's $2 + $25. Per toll, not for all the tolls combined. Fuck You, that's why.

I've had that happen to me in California, where I was paying for it myself. When renting a car in the UK earlier this year, at the desk the agent asked me if I wanted to upgrade to a gps with my car at 15 UKP a day. I declined and then went out to my car to find it had a gps built in.  At the end I was charged almost 200 UKP for a gash in a tire that I have no recollection of causing.  My most recent trip, I used uber and a local bus everytime I needed a car. Done with rental cars.

[I'm a red panda]

So I'm filling out my travel voucher at work today and saw a charge for $96 for "tolls" on my company credit card.  I look into it and two months ago I passed through a toll portion of a highway in North Carolina in a rental car.  It turns out that rather than just bill me for the tolls I incurred the rental company added an "administrative fee" of $15 per toll.  When I called the company that processes these claims for the rental agency they said if I had entered the toll agreement when I rented the car (which they never mentioned) the processing fees would have dropped to make it a $63 bill. I about snapped at the woman on the phone. Apparently the right answer is to go to the state's toll website and pay right away.  As a visitor to the state renting one of their cars this entire system (I say scam) wasn't listed anywhere at the rental office.  Lucky for me I'm not the one paying the bill, but it was very infuriating nonetheless.

This happened to us in Colorado. It was a $25 per toll fee, and one of those highways where it charges you tiny tolls all the freaking time instead of one big one at the entrance or exit.  We had $200 in fees (which I think was their daily 'cap'. It would have been even higher otherwise). 

They never mentioned this fee, and the rental agency gave us the directions (it was nearing midnight, and we just wanted to get to sleep; it had been a horrible day, so we didn't think to question their directions).  There was, of course, no option to pay the tolls in person- you had to use the provided toll tag.

On the way home, we figured out if we had gone about 5 minutes out of the way we could have gone toll free on another road, which we did on the way back.  We were pretty furious, but it was an all around horrible, and expensive, trip that we went out there for, so we just chalked it up to the universe hated us and everything sucked that week anyway.

[I'm a red panda]

Oh- and since we are talking tolls.  I work in a satellite office about 4 hours from Chicago.  It costs about $25 in tolls to make the trip; half that if you have an easy pass.  Since we don't live in a state with toll roads, no one has one. 

We've suggested getting one or two for the office, since people constantly make the trip to Chicago. Thus far, it has been a no-go.  They'd rather we pay the tolls individually, and then reimburse on an expense report. 

So the office is always paying double tolls.

This seems to be fine with the budget.

But if you want a black pen instead of the standard purple ones- that you'll need to write a business case for.

[mtn]

Oh- and since we are talking tolls.  I work in a satellite office about 4 hours from Chicago.  It costs about $25 in tolls to make the trip; half that if you have an easy pass.  Since we don't live in a state with toll roads, no one has one. 

We've suggested getting one or two for the office, since people constantly make the trip to Chicago. Thus far, it has been a no-go.  They'd rather we pay the tolls individually, and then reimburse on an expense report. 

So the office is always paying double tolls.

This seems to be fine with the budget.

But if you want a black pen instead of the standard purple ones- that you'll need to write a business case for.

Buy the ipass for yourself, then send in the reimburssment for the regular tolls and profit?

[ysette9]

The I-70 toll system around Denver also take a million years to charge your credit card. I rarely take the toll road because going I-25 to the airport usually is just as fast. For some reason I did though and the toll charges showed up on my corporate credit card something like three moths later. Not only that, the charge d'exemption had nothing to do with tolls and the location was some state on the east coast, so I thought it was a fraudulent charge. What a pain!

[MgoSam]

Oh- and since we are talking tolls.  I work in a satellite office about 4 hours from Chicago.  It costs about $25 in tolls to make the trip; half that if you have an easy pass.  Since we don't live in a state with toll roads, no one has one. 

We've suggested getting one or two for the office, since people constantly make the trip to Chicago. Thus far, it has been a no-go.  They'd rather we pay the tolls individually, and then reimburse on an expense report. 

So the office is always paying double tolls.

This seems to be fine with the budget.

But if you want a black pen instead of the standard purple ones- that you'll need to write a business case for.

Buy the ipass for yourself, then send in the reimburssment for the regular tolls and profit?

I drive to Chicago from MN about 6-8 times a year and use the Ipass. My predecessor didn't, he took an odd delight in ensuring that he had exact change for all the tolls and would always comment on how the attendants seemed to like him because he always had exact change, and he refused to consider the Ipass. Once I took over the drive I immediately got it, as it is half the price for tolls, saves me times in getting through them, and it's one less thing to fumble around for while driving.

[Cadman]

I was hit by similar charges last year for delinquent tolls on a rental for work. It seems the more popular rental car agencies include an iPass in an RF hardened box on the windshield whether you order it or not. The idea is you leave the box closed if you have your own iPass, which our department does. Despite the box being closed, I was still charged for several tolls (with lots of inflated 'processing fees') which took months to get through the rental's system and show up in expense reporting.

Rental agency pointed the finger at the Illinois tollway, IT pointed the finger back at the Rental agency. Lost way too much time on the phone and got nowhere. Without tying the rental license plate to the department iPass, there was no way to reconcile the time and date of the charges against the rental's iPass. If you do enter the rental's plate, you better be damn sure to pull it before turning the car back in.

[mtn]

I was hit by similar charges last year for delinquent tolls on a rental for work. It seems the more popular rental car agencies include an iPass in an RF hardened box on the windshield whether you order it or not. The idea is you leave the box closed if you have your own iPass, which our department does. Despite the box being closed, I was still charged for several tolls (with lots of inflated 'processing fees') which took months to get through the rental's system and show up in expense reporting.

Rental agency pointed the finger at the Illinois tollway, IT pointed the finger back at the Rental agency. Lost way too much time on the phone and got nowhere. Without tying the rental license plate to the department iPass, there was no way to reconcile the time and date of the charges against the rental's iPass. If you do enter the rental's plate, you better be damn sure to pull it before turning the car back in.

As someone who lives in Illinois,  I am very happy with the IPass system. I have never had an issue with the tolls, and I probably drive through them at least once a week. Plus, I don't even have to have the ipass in the car--as long as I have my plates linked up, I'm good to go. The only issue I've ever had was when my credit card expired and I forgot to get a new one in there. Somehow I was able to get out of the charges.

[dragoncar]

the charge d'exemption had nothing to do with tolls and the location was some state on the east coast, so I thought it was a fraudulent charge. What a pain!

Oh my, did you call the fraud l'partment?

[Cadman]

MTN, I agree! And this is clearly a case of H*rtz working the system, IMO.

I'm glad the tollway is finally replacing their (frequently burnt out) incandescent bulbs with LEDs at the off ramps around Chicago. Makes it a lot easier to see if it missed a read.

[frugalnacho]

MTN, I agree! And this is clearly a case of H*rtz working the system, IMO.

Along with this you should decline the Hertz donut they offer.  Totally not worth it.

[aboatguy]

i just got a new desktop - for the kid hitting high school. $500 for a machine that will do for 4 years is fine by me.

the one it replaced was 7 years old so i have a benchmark!

Thinking about replacing my laptop but its only 5 years old...

If your laptops harddrive isn't solid state, it is probably past its life expectancy.

I like replacing my computers every 3-4 years with whatever the latest deal is. Since I got a smartphone though, I've found that to be less and less of a necessity.

"life expectancy" seems like a really un-mustachian way to treat things. Mine is a 9 year old mac laptop.  It was my high school graduation gift.  Does that mean I win?

I agree though that smartphones/tablets/etc. fill in some of the gaps.  I do have a tablet as well that works for games, which my computer probably can't do.  Probably would have upgraded a while ago if I didn't.

My 19 year old Fujitsu laptop still works with its original hard drive.  I did upgrade it to windows 98 a while back (2000?).  Do I win the interwebz?

[dragoncar]

i just got a new desktop - for the kid hitting high school. $500 for a machine that will do for 4 years is fine by me.

the one it replaced was 7 years old so i have a benchmark!

Thinking about replacing my laptop but its only 5 years old...

If your laptops harddrive isn't solid state, it is probably past its life expectancy.

I like replacing my computers every 3-4 years with whatever the latest deal is. Since I got a smartphone though, I've found that to be less and less of a necessity.

"life expectancy" seems like a really un-mustachian way to treat things. Mine is a 9 year old mac laptop.  It was my high school graduation gift.  Does that mean I win?

I agree though that smartphones/tablets/etc. fill in some of the gaps.  I do have a tablet as well that works for games, which my computer probably can't do.  Probably would have upgraded a while ago if I didn't.

My 19 year old Fujitsu laptop still works with its original hard drive.  I did upgrade it to windows 98 a while back (2000?).  Do I win the interwebz?

If it's your primary computer, then yes

[Travis]

The I-70 toll system around Denver also take a million years to charge your credit card. I rarely take the toll road because going I-25 to the airport usually is just as fast. For some reason I did though and the toll charges showed up on my corporate credit card something like three moths later. Not only that, the charge d'exemption had nothing to do with tolls and the location was some state on the east coast, so I thought it was a fraudulent charge. What a pain!

My trip was in mid-October and the charge appeared two weeks ago.  I only noticed because I was filing the voucher for the trip I just finished this weekend. Otherwise it would have been a couple more months before I even saw it.  Thankfully our system allows for amendments to vouchers to be created months later.

[Tjat]

Can you guys just not pay the rental fees on tolls? The tolls are being paid, it's just their bs fees that you're not paying. I imagine your cc can dispute for you.

[gimp]

You might be able to do it once, but you might be put on the "DNR" list, and then next time you need to rent a car you're fucked.

Also, $200 for a gash in a tire? That I would dispute. Drivers aren't responsible for normal wear and tear. Unless they can prove it wasn't just something that happens from driving, they can go get fucked. Besides, tires on cheap-ass rental cars cost like $50. Labor ain't $150.

[The Fake Cheap]

I heard this one today after a bit of snow we had recently:

"I never scrape the snow off my car, I just let it warm up until the snow is all melted off it"

Today it was about -5C, how warm does your car need to be to melt snow when it is -5C???

Plus I would be willing to bet this person has a truck or SUV.

Just take the 2 minutes and scrape off the bloody vehicle! 

[LeRainDrop]

I heard this one today after a bit of snow we had recently:

"I never scrape the snow off my car, I just let it warm up until the snow is all melted off it"

Today it was about -5C, how warm does your car need to be to melt snow when it is -5C???

Plus I would be willing to bet this person has a truck or SUV.

Just take the 2 minutes and scrape off the bloody vehicle!

Here's what to do:  Mix up a solution of 1/3 water and 2/3 isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.  Put it in a spray bottle.  You can also store a spray bottle of this stuff in your car.  Spray your windshield (and other car windows).  Instant melt, frost all gone :-)

[Playing with Fire UK]

Also, $200 for a gash in a tire? That I would dispute. Drivers aren't responsible for normal wear and tear. Unless they can prove it wasn't just something that happens from driving, they can go get fucked. Besides, tires on cheap-ass rental cars cost like $50. Labor ain't $150.

I expect any repair on a rental to be inflated. The rate of $2 for a toll and $25 for a processing fee seems typical. So the GBP 200 repair bill would be less than GBP 20 and the rest would be padding for the rental company.

[Just Joe]

I heard this one today after a bit of snow we had recently:

"I never scrape the snow off my car, I just let it warm up until the snow is all melted off it"

Today it was about -5C, how warm does your car need to be to melt snow when it is -5C???

Plus I would be willing to bet this person has a truck or SUV.

Just take the 2 minutes and scrape off the bloody vehicle!

Here's what to do:  Mix up a solution of 1/3 water and 2/3 isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.  Put it in a spray bottle.  You can also store a spray bottle of this stuff in your car.  Spray your windshield (and other car windows).  Instant melt, frost all gone :-)

Cheap windshield washer wiper fluid has this in it already. Press the car's "wash" button and its done. Doesn't work well on snow but frost - okay.

Otherwise idle for 25 minutes letting the engine oil be diluted by excess fuel and wear out your engine prematurely.

I worry about buying a car whose previous owner was not being smart and was doing things like this.

[I'm a red panda]

Oh- and since we are talking tolls.  I work in a satellite office about 4 hours from Chicago.  It costs about $25 in tolls to make the trip; half that if you have an easy pass.  Since we don't live in a state with toll roads, no one has one. 

We've suggested getting one or two for the office, since people constantly make the trip to Chicago. Thus far, it has been a no-go.  They'd rather we pay the tolls individually, and then reimburse on an expense report. 

So the office is always paying double tolls.

This seems to be fine with the budget.

But if you want a black pen instead of the standard purple ones- that you'll need to write a business case for.

Buy the ipass for yourself, then send in the reimburssment for the regular tolls and profit?

Haha- that would be awesome. Except if I got caught and lost my job for falsifying expense reports.  My job pays a lot more than I'd make off of the difference in tolls, so won't risk it!

[mtn]

Oh- and since we are talking tolls.  I work in a satellite office about 4 hours from Chicago.  It costs about $25 in tolls to make the trip; half that if you have an easy pass.  Since we don't live in a state with toll roads, no one has one. 

We've suggested getting one or two for the office, since people constantly make the trip to Chicago. Thus far, it has been a no-go.  They'd rather we pay the tolls individually, and then reimburse on an expense report. 

So the office is always paying double tolls.

This seems to be fine with the budget.

But if you want a black pen instead of the standard purple ones- that you'll need to write a business case for.

Buy the ipass for yourself, then send in the reimburssment for the regular tolls and profit?

Haha- that would be awesome. Except if I got caught and lost my job for falsifying expense reports.  My job pays a lot more than I'd make off of the difference in tolls, so won't risk it!

Still get the ipass and expense the actual ipass cost. Much quicker. And easier.

[BuffaloStache]

Overhead at work this morbing from an older coworker who constantly talks about his "pension" (which has dwindled in recent years, and may not even exist when he retires) when discussing retirement:

"Why would I ever save more than the 8% into my 401k (max amount required to get max employer match) across any accounts? I don't get any benefits for saving anything above that."

At least he is taking advantage of the employer match, I'm sure there are many people who don't.

[TallFrodo]

Here's what to do:  Mix up a solution of 1/3 water and 2/3 isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.  Put it in a spray bottle.  You can also store a spray bottle of this stuff in your car.  Spray your windshield (and other car windows).  Instant melt, frost all gone :-)

Plus if you ever get in a traffic accident, be sure to discretely spritz a little on the other party before the police show up to save hundreds in insurance premiums! /s

Back on topic: My office is open 50 weeks a year. For union voodoo reasons everyone gets a set rate over those 50 weeks and then signs a form to have it reduced slightly and annualised so they don't "miss" a paycheque at Christmas. Today the HR lady was chasing my boss down because he hadn't filled in his form (he's near retirement, has his shit together, presumably values the money sooner in the year so it can be invested and just live on savings for the Christmas break*)

My coworker told her "Oh, he didn't return it because he doesn't want to."

HR lady: "But if I don't get this form in he won't be getting paid!"

I reassured her too but eventually she had to call the boss and even then it was such an edge case that she needed to pull him back from where he was to come into her office and confirm it in person too. I thought it was funny that the "default" option is the one that requires a multi-page contract printed in duplicate and handed in person to all 300 members of staff and returned by a set date.

*Since we had our conversation I've realised that mathematically I should be doing this too. I'm still new to the Mustachianism thing so I still feel like I'll just overspend the "extra" money and not come out any further ahead. Whats the future value of an extra couple bucks a week (lets say $40) spread over a year if just my bank gives 3% p.a.?

[Prairie Stash]

Back on topic: My office is open 50 weeks a year. For union voodoo reasons everyone gets a set rate over those 50 weeks and then signs a form to have it reduced slightly and annualised so they don't "miss" a paycheque at Christmas. Today the HR lady was chasing my boss down because he hadn't filled in his form (he's near retirement, has his shit together, presumably values the money sooner in the year so it can be invested and just live on savings for the Christmas break*)

My coworker told her "Oh, he didn't return it because he doesn't want to."

HR lady: "But if I don't get this form in he won't be getting paid!"

I reassured her too but eventually she had to call the boss and even then it was such an edge case that she needed to pull him back from where he was to come into her office and confirm it in person too. I thought it was funny that the "default" option is the one that requires a multi-page contract printed in duplicate and handed in person to all 300 members of staff and returned by a set date.

*Since we had our conversation I've realised that mathematically I should be doing this too. I'm still new to the Mustachianism thing so I still feel like I'll just overspend the "extra" money and not come out any further ahead. Whats the future value of an extra couple bucks a week (lets say $40) spread over a year if just my bank gives 3% p.a.?

50 weeks, $40 per week at 3%. you would get roughly $32. Basically divide the total saved in half and multiply by the rate (quick and dirty). So $2000/2=1000 at 3% gives you $30, the mental math is easier that way. Is it worth $30 to you to set up the automatic savings transfer?

On the flip side the company could collect $30*300 people in interest; $9,000. It might be union voodoo or it might be the company being smart. In todays low rate environment its not as lucrative, back when I could get 4% on savings I made a few dollars off expense claims; I'd get reimbursed for credit cards that I paid off 4 weeks later. Having money sit in my savings added up, usually enough for a beer or two a month.

[kayvent]

Here's what to do:  Mix up a solution of 1/3 water and 2/3 isopropyl/rubbing alcohol.  Put it in a spray bottle.  You can also store a spray bottle of this stuff in your car.  Spray your windshield (and other car windows).  Instant melt, frost all gone :-)

Plus if you ever get in a traffic accident, be sure to discretely spritz a little on the other party before the police show up to save hundreds in insurance premiums! /s

Back on topic: My office is open 50 weeks a year. For union voodoo reasons everyone gets a set rate over those 50 weeks and then signs a form to have it reduced slightly and annualised so they don't "miss" a paycheque at Christmas. Today the HR lady was chasing my boss down because he hadn't filled in his form (he's near retirement, has his shit together, presumably values the money sooner in the year so it can be invested and just live on savings for the Christmas break*)

My coworker told her "Oh, he didn't return it because he doesn't want to."

HR lady: "But if I don't get this form in he won't be getting paid!"

I reassured her too but eventually she had to call the boss and even then it was such an edge case that she needed to pull him back from where he was to come into her office and confirm it in person too. I thought it was funny that the "default" option is the one that requires a multi-page contract printed in duplicate and handed in person to all 300 members of staff and returned by a set date.

*Since we had our conversation I've realised that mathematically I should be doing this too. I'm still new to the Mustachianism thing so I still feel like I'll just overspend the "extra" money and not come out any further ahead. Whats the future value of an extra couple bucks a week (lets say $40) spread over a year if just my bank gives 3% p.a.?

In Canada there is the debate about having a large return or filing T1213 to reduce the amount of tax deducted from one's paycheque. I've tended to go with maximizing my paycheques. For me the different is around 300$ per paycheque though.

I do get what you mean about feeling "like I'll just overspend the 'extra' money and not come out any further ahead." The words of _The Wealthy Barber_ may help. "Pay yourself first" he says. If you have any debts (myself student loans), assign that 40$/week to the debt before you plan to spend it. Heck, some lovely lunatics ;) adventurous individuals on this forum would even try to gamify your situation and not spend anything in the two weeks.

[canuck_24]

I had a shocking conversation the other day while driving home from work with a couple of colleagues:
CW1:  "I see Ford is having a sale, I think I might go get a new truck."
me: "Oh, is your old one pretty worn out?  Were you planning to buy something soon anyways?"
CW1: "No, actually, my truck is only ... ummm... I'm not sure maybe 2 years old?  I was planning to mile it out, but this is a really good sale, and my truck doesn't have as many features as the new ones.  I think if they will buy me out of what's left owing on my current truck I'll take the deal today and have a new truck!"
me: "Wow.  I think I'd have a really hard time making a decision so fast on such a big purchase.  We got burned when we had to sell our last new vehicle quickly because we decided to move overseas, and lost quite a bit of money.  I don't think I'll ever purchase another new car because of that."

Now, if the above convo wasn't bad enough... here was the part that shocked me:

CW1: "Oh, that's too bad.  Yeah, I actually only had my last new truck for a couple of years too, and when I got my current truck they bought out the remainder of my existing loan.  It was great!  I have never lost money on a vehicle!"

I debated for a bit if I should say anything... CW1 is very intelligent.  I quite like CW1 and didn't want her to lose money on another deal, so I tossed caution to the wind and mentioned, "Well, if you didn't sell it for what you paid, AND you were paying interest... unless you made capital gains on an equivalent amount of money you were investing while the bank loaned you the money for the truck... you definitely lost money on your last truck."
CW1: "No, I don't think like that.  I think that if I got rid of the truck and the loan at the same time, I'm basically breaking even!"
me: "but... the math?"  (this goes back and forth for a bit with us both trying to be polite)
CW1: "I guess we just think differently about these things!"

at which point CW2 begins commenting about their vehicle, joining CW1: "Oh I made sure to buy brandX because they NEVER lose value.  I'm sure I'll be able to sell it for the same price as what I bought it for new no matter how long I drive it."

I just smiled and nodded for the remainder of the conversation.  I know there's been a ton of car-conversation on here, but until this convo I don't know if I entirely "got" it.  It astounded me.

[mustachepungoeshere]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

[gimp]

canuck:

Oddly enough, in rare cases, the dealer incentives can push the price of certain brand new pickup trucks noticeably below their lightly used (~25k miles) value.

I assume they weren't exactly talking about this, though.

[canuck_24]

canuck:

Oddly enough, in rare cases, the dealer incentives can push the price of certain brand new pickup trucks noticeably below their lightly used (~25k miles) value.

I assume they weren't exactly talking about this, though.

Nope, definitely not talking about a deal like this. 

[marty998]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

[Playing with Fire UK]

CW1: "Oh, that's too bad.  Yeah, I actually only had my last new truck for a couple of years too, and when I got my current truck they bought out the remainder of my existing loan.  It was great!  I have never lost money on a vehicle!"
...
CW1: "No, I don't think like that.  I think that if I got rid of the truck and the loan at the same time, I'm basically breaking even!"
me: "but... the math?"  (this goes back and forth for a bit with us both trying to be polite)
CW1: "I guess we just think differently about these things!"

This sort of logic baffles me. You don't get to define what words mean because you think differently about something. It sounds like CW1 means they've never been in negative car equity that a dealer wouldn't wrap into a new loan. Or that they've been able to drive a new truck by making monthly payments and never paying off a lump sum. This is better than the way some people buy trucks but doesn't mean you've been driving cars for free!

[kayvent]

CW1: "Oh, that's too bad.  Yeah, I actually only had my last new truck for a couple of years too, and when I got my current truck they bought out the remainder of my existing loan.  It was great!  I have never lost money on a vehicle!"
...
CW1: "No, I don't think like that.  I think that if I got rid of the truck and the loan at the same time, I'm basically breaking even!"
me: "but... the math?"  (this goes back and forth for a bit with us both trying to be polite)
CW1: "I guess we just think differently about these things!"

This sort of logic baffles me. You don't get to define what words mean because you think differently about something. It sounds like CW1 means they've never been in negative car equity that a dealer wouldn't wrap into a new loan. Or that they've been able to drive a new truck by making monthly payments and never paying off a lump sum. This is better than the way some people buy trucks but doesn't mean you've been driving cars for free!

I think I can understand the viewpoint. I think. If you assume that you'll always have a car payment, economically a company buying out your loan and giving you a discount on a new vehicle is a gain of money.

[marty998]

CW1: "Oh, that's too bad.  Yeah, I actually only had my last new truck for a couple of years too, and when I got my current truck they bought out the remainder of my existing loan.  It was great!  I have never lost money on a vehicle!"
...
CW1: "No, I don't think like that.  I think that if I got rid of the truck and the loan at the same time, I'm basically breaking even!"
me: "but... the math?"  (this goes back and forth for a bit with us both trying to be polite)
CW1: "I guess we just think differently about these things!"

This sort of logic baffles me. You don't get to define what words mean because you think differently about something. It sounds like CW1 means they've never been in negative car equity that a dealer wouldn't wrap into a new loan. Or that they've been able to drive a new truck by making monthly payments and never paying off a lump sum. This is better than the way some people buy trucks but doesn't mean you've been driving cars for free!

I think I can understand the viewpoint. I think. If you assume that you'll always have a car payment, economically a company buying out your loan and giving you a discount on a new vehicle is a gain of money.

Quantum of payment matters. Higher or lower (or better or worse vehicle).

But agree with canuck and PWFUK (thats an interesting abbreviation. sorry!). Logic doesn't bend to opinion.

Maths is either right or wrong.

[jinga nation]

...at which point CW2 begins commenting about their vehicle, joining CW1: "Oh I made sure to buy brandX because they NEVER lose value.  I'm sure I'll be able to sell it for the same price as what I bought it for new no matter how long I drive it."
...

Dummy! Depreciation Doesn't Discriminate!
Rates vary per brand/model, but on a long enough timeline, all vehicle values drop. (Unless they become classics and start appreciating.)

[onlykelsey]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

I mean, maybe it was a wedding dress???

What field do you work in?

[frugalnacho]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

I mean, maybe it was a wedding dress???

What field do you work in?

she works at acme acres

[Playing with Fire UK]

PWFUK (thats an interesting abbreviation. sorry!)

It's the noise I make when I read an amusing comment on MMM and then realise I've sprayed coffee on my keyboard. Nothing to apologise for.

[Playing with Fire UK]

I think I can understand the viewpoint. I think. If you assume that you'll always have a car payment, economically a company buying out your loan and giving you a discount on a new vehicle is a gain of money.

You are right Kayvent, but (just for fun) how many other things are true if you assume you'll always have a car payment...?

[dandarc]

I think I can understand the viewpoint. I think. If you assume that you'll always have a car payment, economically a company buying out your loan and giving you a discount on a new vehicle is a gain of money.

You are right Kayvent, but (just for fun) how many other things are true if you assume you'll always have a car payment...?

You'll always have comprehensive and collision insurance.

[Just Joe]

Perpetual debt. Now there's something depressing. It costs money to live of course but things like expensive gadgets and vehicles are optional. Buy something cheaper cash.

[mustachepungoeshere]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

I mean, maybe it was a wedding dress???

What field do you work in?

Not a wedding dress.

CW1 actually asked CW2 (a graphic designer) if she had somewhere special to wear it, and CW2 said, "It's a black dress, you always need a black dress."

[mtn]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

I mean, maybe it was a wedding dress???

What field do you work in?

Not a wedding dress.

CW1 actually asked CW2 (a graphic designer) if she had somewhere special to wear it, and CW2 said, "It's a black dress, you always need a black dress."

Meh--if she wears it a lot, regularly, then consider it money well spent--assuming (and probably a very bad assumption) that she only buys a dress like that every 10 years or so.

But I'm a dude who knows nothing of women's fashion--only that with clothes, the more I spend seems to directly correlate to the time I get out of them.

[Penny McSave]

Unless it was ball gown worthy for a special event, I think $600 seems excessive for a black dress. I always thought the beauty of the little black dress was that it need not be expensive, just find a classic style that can be dressed up or down.

I found my perfect LBD at Marshall's for $10 (!)

[mm1970]

CW1 just got back from buying lunch.

CW1: Hey CW2, I just saw this beautiful dress that would look amazing on you!

Within five minutes CW2 had found the dress online and bought it.

It was $600.

It's ok. if she timed it right then the credit card bill doesn't come due till February.

I mean, maybe it was a wedding dress???

What field do you work in?

Not a wedding dress.

CW1 actually asked CW2 (a graphic designer) if she had somewhere special to wear it, and CW2 said, "It's a black dress, you always need a black dress."

Meh--if she wears it a lot, regularly, then consider it money well spent--assuming (and probably a very bad assumption) that she only buys a dress like that every 10 years or so.

But I'm a dude who knows nothing of women's fashion--only that with clothes, the more I spend seems to directly correlate to the time I get out of them.

I spent, I think, $90 or $100 on my "black dress" (only dress I own).  I wear it once a year (sometimes twice).  I'll be wearing it tomorrow, in fact.  I'd honestly have to go back in facebook time to remember when I first got it.  (Which Christmas party, ha!)  2009?  2010?  I missed a couple of post-baby years when it didn't fit though.