Overheard at Work

[Dicey]

One of my guilty little pleasures is looking up what my co-workers paid for their homes. I feel downright giddy when I see that they've paid $100k to $200k more than me for the privilege of owning a piece of the real estate pie in this very high cost of living metro area. Sure, our house is small and not in the fancy school district, but for me, it's our golden ticket out of the cube farm.

Oooh, the nosey person in me wants to do that too! How does one go about this?

Zillow is easier. Just type in the address and scroll down to the Price History tab. It also shows you how much over the asking price they paid. Sometimes their listing photos are still up, for added voyeuristic thrills.

[Dicey]

She smokes about 2 packs a week at $50 a pop ($1/cig). Plus her partner smokes even more. Total: $800/month

Cigarettes come in packs of 50 and are $50 there?  Not sure which of those numbers is weirder..

OMG, I looked this up, and yes, there is a $40+ tax on a pack of cigarettes in Australia. And they are sold in packs of 20-50 with various increments in between.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3572446/Budget-2016-cigarettes-40-packets-make-Australia-world-s-expensive.htmlu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_pack (source for packs of 50)

I have to come out here as a smoker, which is totally un-mustachian, as it is pretty clearly destroying my health (and even though I equate smoking with pleasure, it's not really the pursuit of happiness). But, I roll my own and use pipe tobacco, which is the same as cigarette tobacco, just cut differently, as I understand it -- and it is not taxed at the rate cigarettes are in the U.S.  It costs me $1 per pack!

You're killing yourself, but you're doing it frugally? #Getthefuckouttahere!

[marielle]

Got a coworker some snacks from the international food store since he's not close to one. He said he can't pay me until Friday (payday). The total is $5...

He only makes $12/hour but still!

He also just bought an SUV for $6000 (with a loan of course) despite being 20, single, and no kids. At least he drove the last car past 300k miles. I really don't get people and their SUVs, especially in the south where it snows MAYBE once a year.

[BlueHouse]

Got a coworker some snacks from the international food store since he's not close to one. He said he can't pay me until Friday (payday). The total is $5...

He only makes $12/hour but still!

He also just bought an SUV for $6000 (with a loan of course) despite being 20, single, and no kids. At least he drove the last car past 300k miles. I really don't get people and their SUVs, especially in the south where it snows MAYBE once a year.

I just cannot understand how someone could expect you to cover them until payday, regardless of how much it was.  Now, I'm assuming that they asked you to pick these items up knowing that they couldn't repay you immediately.  If that is so, that is so so wrong.  Who made you their bank?

[marielle]

Got a coworker some snacks from the international food store since he's not close to one. He said he can't pay me until Friday (payday). The total is $5...

He only makes $12/hour but still!

He also just bought an SUV for $6000 (with a loan of course) despite being 20, single, and no kids. At least he drove the last car past 300k miles. I really don't get people and their SUVs, especially in the south where it snows MAYBE once a year.

I just cannot understand how someone could expect you to cover them until payday, regardless of how much it was.  Now, I'm assuming that they asked you to pick these items up knowing that they couldn't repay you immediately.  If that is so, that is so so wrong.  Who made you their bank?

Nah, that wasn't really the case. I wasn't going to go to the store until after payday anyway, but ended up being able to go a week early and asked if he wanted them now. I posted the story because he can't cover a $5 expense unless it's after payday...

[BlueHouse]

Got a coworker some snacks from the international food store since he's not close to one. He said he can't pay me until Friday (payday). The total is $5...

He only makes $12/hour but still!

He also just bought an SUV for $6000 (with a loan of course) despite being 20, single, and no kids. At least he drove the last car past 300k miles. I really don't get people and their SUVs, especially in the south where it snows MAYBE once a year.

I just cannot understand how someone could expect you to cover them until payday, regardless of how much it was.  Now, I'm assuming that they asked you to pick these items up knowing that they couldn't repay you immediately.  If that is so, that is so so wrong.  Who made you their bank?

Nah, that wasn't really the case. I wasn't going to go to the store until after payday anyway, but ended up being able to go a week early and asked if he wanted them now. I posted the story because he can't cover a $5 expense unless it's after payday...

Ahhh, got it.  not being able to cover $5 is not great. But I'm glad they weren't also taking advantage of your generosity. 

[Vindicated]

I really enjoy my coworkers.  They're a fun bunch.  But when I leave the group outing at 7pm to get home in time to tuck my son in, they stay out.  LATE.

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

I'm sure I'll have some more stories to share.

[Sibley]

I have a work issue today.  After reading about all the shame and comedy when employees complain that their paychecks are late, I feel a bit selfish for this...

I quit work on March 10th, last day, with over 6 weeks of notice given.   HR has failed to enter my final paperwork twice now, so that I have have to wait an extra 4 (FOUR!) weeks to get my vacation payout.   This was intended to be my self-created severance pay, representing 5 weeks of work.


Am I crazy to feel put out that they made mistakes and delaying payout by 4 weeks?   I don't NEED the money today.  I would just sleep better if I had control over it.

While it is sad when a delayed check completely screws up someone's life because they are so financially on the edge, I don't think it's non-Mustachian to complain when a paycheck it late.  An employer expects the employees to be on time (or have projects in on time if they work from home).  Employees should expect to be paid on time.  In general the pay schedule to explained during orientation or in the employee manual.

and depending on where you are, that's beyond inconvenient, it may actually be illegal. Some states have specific rules about how long an employer has to pay you.

[marielle]

I really enjoy my coworkers.  They're a fun bunch.  But when I leave the group outing at 7pm to get home in time to tuck my son in, they stay out.  LATE.

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

I'm sure I'll have some more stories to share.

Wow. Please share. Maybe I just have low energy or something, but I'm not a morning person so I have to go to bed pretty early and get 9+ hours of sleep to not feel useless at work. I would be fine if I was moving around a lot, but I mainly just have a desk job so I absolutely cannot stay awake on too little sleep.

[zolotiyeruki]

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

Please don't tell me they're doing clerical work, programming, or operating heavy machinery.....

[udpokey]

Former co-worker - always thought they were a closet mustachian and I was wrong - single early 50's - make about $100,000 and drove 10 year old car.  Broke down and bought a new car - sensible Honda CRV - then posted how they were upset to have a car payment that they could barely afford!  Come on now....save some of those car payments you did not have to make for 5 years.

[LennStar]

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

Please don't tell me they're doing clerical work, programming, or operating heavy machinery.....

No, dont worry, they have a talking job. Air traffic control.

[jordanread]

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

Please don't tell me they're doing clerical work, programming, or operating heavy machinery.....

No, dont worry, they have a talking job. Air traffic control.

Whew.

[Vindicated]

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

Please don't tell me they're doing clerical work, programming, or operating heavy machinery.....

No, dont worry, they have a talking job. Air traffic control.

Whew.

Haha, not quite.

Most of them are salesmen and applications engineers.  Although, the two biggest spenders, and the guys that skips sleep sometimes, are both Operations Managers.

[zolotiyeruki]

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

Please don't tell me they're doing clerical work, programming, or operating heavy machinery.....

No, dont worry, they have a talking job. Air traffic control.

Whew.

... Although, the two biggest spenders, and the guys that skips sleep sometimes, are both Operations Managers.

Ah, managers, so nothing of value is lost then? :P

[Goldielocks]

I have a work issue today.  After reading about all the shame and comedy when employees complain that their paychecks are late, I feel a bit selfish for this...

I quit work on March 10th, last day, with over 6 weeks of notice given.   HR has failed to enter my final paperwork twice now, so that I have have to wait an extra 4 (FOUR!) weeks to get my vacation payout.   This was intended to be my self-created severance pay, representing 5 weeks of work.f


Am I crazy to feel put out that they made mistakes and delaying payout by 4 weeks?   I don't NEED the money today.  I would just sleep better if I had control over it.

While it is sad when a delayed check completely screws up someone's life because they are so financially on the edge, I don't think it's non-Mustachian to complain when a paycheck it late.  An employer expects the employees to be on time (or have projects in on time if they work from home).  Employees should expect to be paid on time.  In general the pay schedule to explained during orientation or in the employee manual.

and depending on where you are, that's beyond inconvenient, it may actually be illegal. Some states have specific rules about how long an employer has to pay you.

Update --

So I (politely) updated the issue and accounting expedited a money transfer to my account for the payout, which landed today!   Only 3 weeks later than it should have, but I am quite happy to know the money is in my control, now.

Now I need to see why my last business expenses ($3500) did not go through -- likely held back, as it often is,  for a single $200 receipt or something that was not legible or in the format they wanted -- tough to check now that I no longer work there...I wish they could have paid out the remainder, and just rejected the one line on the expense form instead of the whole thing....

Count my blessings to have gotten the pay today, though.   I will only think happy thoughts...

[Fomerly known as something]

I have a work issue today.  After reading about all the shame and comedy when employees complain that their paychecks are late, I feel a bit selfish for this...

I quit work on March 10th, last day, with over 6 weeks of notice given.   HR has failed to enter my final paperwork twice now, so that I have have to wait an extra 4 (FOUR!) weeks to get my vacation payout.   This was intended to be my self-created severance pay, representing 5 weeks of work.


Am I crazy to feel put out that they made mistakes and delaying payout by 4 weeks?   I don't NEED the money today.  I would just sleep better if I had control over it.

While it is sad when a delayed check completely screws up someone's life because they are so financially on the edge, I don't think it's non-Mustachian to complain when a paycheck it late.  An employer expects the employees to be on time (or have projects in on time if they work from home).  Employees should expect to be paid on time.  In general the pay schedule to explained during orientation or in the employee manual.

This.  It appears that within the next 30 days 537 babies (I count the executive branch too) may cause me to get an IOU instead of a paycheck because the can't pass a fucking budget.  I bitch just as much as my paycheck to paycheck co-workers.  Why the fuck should I have to move money from my savings, or delay a scheduled investment movement because they haven't done their job that should have been done 9 months ago.  Just because I have an emergency fund does not mean I want to use it.  I do enjoy the "we swear neverrun has a job that will pay her at some point" letter they give me to provide to creditors.

[SeaEhm]

I really enjoy my coworkers.  They're a fun bunch.  But when I leave the group outing at 7pm to get home in time to tuck my son in, they stay out.  LATE.

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

I'm sure I'll have some more stories to share.

Just curious -what is the salary range of said coworkers? 
I am just curious to know what type of money do people make that spend like this.

[Vindicated]

I really enjoy my coworkers.  They're a fun bunch.  But when I leave the group outing at 7pm to get home in time to tuck my son in, they stay out.  LATE.

My workplace is made up of serious gamblers and strip club connoisseurs.  It's not unusual to hear about someone dropping $800 on blackjack the night before, or having a coworker tell me he didn't sleep the night before because he went from restaurant, to bar, to strip club, to casino, home to shower, then to work.

I'm sure I'll have some more stories to share.

Just curious -what is the salary range of said coworkers? 
I am just curious to know what type of money do people make that spend like this.

My best estimate is $80k - $110k.  I don't know for sure though.

[BrightFIRE]

Co-worker noticed a nearby housewares store having a 50% off sale. She asked me and another co-worker if we wanted to go over at lunch. Co-worker 2 said maybe. I said no. She was like, "Oh, come on, it'll be fun." Co-worker 2 wavered. I said, "I don't think I need anything, thanks." Her response was, "I don't need anything either." (!)

When I continued to decline, co-worker 2 toughened up and said she would also skip it. Co-worker then said, "I can't believe I can't get anyone to go shopping with me. That's sad!" She's always complaining about money. Yes, I'm the one who's sad. :-/

This was one of the most surreal conversations I've ever been a part of.

[Playing with Fire UK]

I have a work issue today.  After reading about all the shame and comedy when employees complain that their paychecks are late, I feel a bit selfish for this...

I quit work on March 10th, last day, with over 6 weeks of notice given.   HR has failed to enter my final paperwork twice now, so that I have have to wait an extra 4 (FOUR!) weeks to get my vacation payout.   This was intended to be my self-created severance pay, representing 5 weeks of work.


Am I crazy to feel put out that they made mistakes and delaying payout by 4 weeks?   I don't NEED the money today.  I would just sleep better if I had control over it.

While it is sad when a delayed check completely screws up someone's life because they are so financially on the edge, I don't think it's non-Mustachian to complain when a paycheck it late.  An employer expects the employees to be on time (or have projects in on time if they work from home).  Employees should expect to be paid on time.  In general the pay schedule to explained during orientation or in the employee manual.

This.  It appears that within the next 30 days 537 babies (I count the executive branch too) may cause me to get an IOU instead of a paycheck because the can't pass a fucking budget.  I bitch just as much as my paycheck to paycheck co-workers.  Why the fuck should I have to move money from my savings, or delay a scheduled investment movement because they haven't done their job that should have been done 9 months ago.  Just because I have an emergency fund does not mean I want to use it.  I do enjoy the "we swear neverrun has a job that will pay her at some point" letter they give me to provide to creditors.

Do you get the pay for the days during the baby-throwing-things-out-the-pram phase neverrun? I never fully understood that? Also, good luck and I hope the babies sort things out quickly.

[Dollar Slice]

Me and my co-workers became eligible to sign up for a 401(k) plan today. I was formerly the HR/benefits person so my co-workers still tend to ask me questions about stuff like this. One of them was filling it out and asked me one or two things, then wondered aloud about whether it would accept a percentage lower than 1%, because it said you could fill in a number from 1 to 100. I'm hoping it was a hypothetical/rhetorical question, but I was afraid to ask. :-/ 

[Marty]

As soon as I walked into work to start my 12 hour shift today I experienced something noteworthy for this discussion!  My two coworkers know that I ride motorcycles and so do they.  CW1 yells my name and excitedly asks if I want to ride to the BMW dealership this weekend with him and CW2 so they can both buy BMW S1000RRs ($19,000 brand new).  I politely decline saying I have to work noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday (truth).  They’ve been talking about getting new motorcycles for the past week and even tried getting me to buy a new one with them.  I’m perfectly happy with my $6000 bike that I paid for in cash :)

What makes this even worse is that CW1 had his motorcycle stolen a few months ago and never reported the incident to his insurance company because he owes more on the bike than it’s worth.  So he is still paying insurance/payments on his stolen motorcycle.  CW2 was freaking out last year about his re-enlistment (we’re in the Marine Corps) taking longer than it should and how he can’t afford to be out for even a week because he lives paycheck to paycheck and wouldn’t be able to afford his mortgage payment.  On top of that, CW2 just recently bought (financed) a brand new $14,000 Harley-Davidson about 5 months ago and is already “bored” of it so he is willing to trade it in to the BMW dealership and roll his negative equity into the new motorcycle.  FML this is why the military gets a bad rep when it comes to personal finance and buying flashy vehicles with deployment money, re-enlistment money, or flat-out no money.

[stoaX]

As soon as I walked into work to start my 12 hour shift today I experienced something noteworthy for this discussion!  My two coworkers know that I ride motorcycles and so do they.  CW1 yells my name and excitedly asks if I want to ride to the BMW dealership this weekend with him and CW2 so they can both buy BMW S1000RRs ($19,000 brand new).  I politely decline saying I have to work noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday (truth).  They’ve been talking about getting new motorcycles for the past week and even tried getting me to buy a new one with them.  I’m perfectly happy with my $6000 bike that I paid for in cash :)

What makes this even worse is that CW1 had his motorcycle stolen a few months ago and never reported the incident to his insurance company because he owes more on the bike than it’s worth.  So he is still paying insurance/payments on his stolen motorcycle.  CW2 was freaking out last year about his re-enlistment (we’re in the Marine Corps) taking longer than it should and how he can’t afford to be out for even a week because he lives paycheck to paycheck and wouldn’t be able to afford his mortgage payment.  On top of that, CW2 just recently bought (financed) a brand new $14,000 Harley-Davidson about 5 months ago and is already “bored” of it so he is willing to trade it in to the BMW dealership and roll his negative equity into the new motorcycle.  FML this is why the military gets a bad rep when it comes to personal finance and buying flashy vehicles with deployment money, re-enlistment money, or flat-out no money.

"..roll negative equity into the new motorcycle..."   So sad.

[Debts_of_Despair]

Financing a motorcycle... I seriously feel bad for those people.  On a similar note, some of the people I ride bikes with have $10k+ bicycles.  I have a hunch that some of them were financed.  Just brutal.

[SwordGuy]

Overheard in the hallway at work:

"I guess I'll have to sell my AR-15 to pay for the car repair."

[Paul der Krake]

Overheard in the hallway at work:

"I guess I'll have to sell my AR-15 to pay for the car repair."

I have heard that January-February is a great time to find deals on firearms, because people are overextended from Christmas and still need to pay their rent before their tax refunds arrive.

[LennStar]

Overheard in the hallway at work:

"I guess I'll have to sell my AR-15 to pay for the car repair."

I have heard that January-February is a great time to find deals on firearms, because people are overextended from Christmas and still need to pay their rent before their tax refunds arrive.

I guess its also a great time to shop for "slightly used" household items.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Overheard in the hallway at work:

"I guess I'll have to sell my AR-15 to pay for the car repair."

I have heard that January-February is a great time to find deals on firearms, because people are overextended from Christmas and still need to pay their rent before their tax refunds arrive.

I guess its also a great time to shop for "slightly used" household items.

This is incredibly sad.

[Tom Bri]

[/quote]
You're killing yourself, but you're doing it frugally? #Getthefuckouttahere!
[/quote]

I grow my own tobacco, and roll cigars and chew some of it.

[lifejoy]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

Don't worry, she probably only has to work 25 more years.

(This quote makes me feel bad for her and her inability to quit, but also motivates ME so I don't have to be around people like her who turn everything into a "poor me" sob-fest).

[Playing with Fire UK]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

Don't worry, she probably only has to work 25 more years.

(This quote makes me feel bad for her and her inability to quit, but also motivates ME so I don't have to be around people like her who turn everything into a "poor me" sob-fest).

But the sad thing is it is most likely your CW's choices that had led to needing the job. And I bet they don't see it that way.

[Spiffy]

I have two overheard at work stories today!
1. I was talking to my co worker last week about my upcoming trip to Italy (I'm so excited!). I wasn't even bragging about the great deals I got on our hotel or about how much "free money" I will get to use from credit card rewards. We were just talking about the sites to see and she volunteered that she is still paying off her trip to Europe from last year. I was shocked. She is married to a military vet, so they have three paychecks between them and no kids to support (though I am pretty sure she pays for a lot of stuff for her grown children and grandchildren). But this is the same person who recently asked if I had done my Easter shopping so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.
2. A married couple that we work with recently bought a house to fix up in a town that is 30 miles away from where we all work. I thought that since they both work at the same place, at least they could drive in together. Just found out that, Nope, they each take their own car because one drives home in the middle of the day to let their little dog out.

[Reynold]

2. A married couple that we work with recently bought a house to fix up in a town that is 30 miles away from where we all work. I thought that since they both work at the same place, at least they could drive in together. Just found out that, Nope, they each take their own car because one drives home in the middle of the day to let their little dog out.

Assuming that person doesn't then stay home all afternoon and just work half a day, couldn't they still share a car?  The one staying at work while the car is round tripping wouldn't need it while working, unless they are a delivery person or something.  Alternatively, maybe it would save them money to put in a climate conditioned dog house? :)

[cheapass]

But the sad thing is it is most likely your CW's choices that had led to needing the job. And I bet they don't see it that way.

If you're able to mentally decouple actions from consequences, and maybe blame it on "the economy" or "the rich" or whatever scapegoat is convenient at the time, then you don't have to take any responsibility or change any behaviors! YOLO!!!

[BDWW]

2. A married couple that we work with recently bought a house to fix up in a town that is 30 miles away from where we all work. I thought that since they both work at the same place, at least they could drive in together. Just found out that, Nope, they each take their own car because one drives home in the middle of the day to let their little dog out.

Assuming that person doesn't then stay home all afternoon and just work half a day, couldn't they still share a car?  The one staying at work while the car is round tripping wouldn't need it while working, unless they are a delivery person or something.  Alternatively, maybe it would save them money to put in a climate conditioned dog house? :)

My thoughts too, isn't the whole reason to live that far away from work... space? i.e. suburbia? Just leave the dog outside! I suppose there's a few places/dog combinations where that might not work, but that probably indicates you have the wrong dog(chihuahua in alaska, or husky in fl/az).

[HappierAtHome]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

Don't worry, she probably only has to work 25 more years.

Depressing.

[paddedhat]

As soon as I walked into work to start my 12 hour shift today I experienced something noteworthy for this discussion!  My two coworkers know that I ride motorcycles and so do they.  CW1 yells my name and excitedly asks if I want to ride to the BMW dealership this weekend with him and CW2 so they can both buy BMW S1000RRs ($19,000 brand new).  I politely decline saying I have to work noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday (truth).  They’ve been talking about getting new motorcycles for the past week and even tried getting me to buy a new one with them.  I’m perfectly happy with my $6000 bike that I paid for in cash :)

What makes this even worse is that CW1 had his motorcycle stolen a few months ago and never reported the incident to his insurance company because he owes more on the bike than it’s worth.  So he is still paying insurance/payments on his stolen motorcycle.  CW2 was freaking out last year about his re-enlistment (we’re in the Marine Corps) taking longer than it should and how he can’t afford to be out for even a week because he lives paycheck to paycheck and wouldn’t be able to afford his mortgage payment.  On top of that, CW2 just recently bought (financed) a brand new $14,000 Harley-Davidson about 5 months ago and is already “bored” of it so he is willing to trade it in to the BMW dealership and roll his negative equity into the new motorcycle.  FML this is why the military gets a bad rep when it comes to personal finance and buying flashy vehicles with deployment money, re-enlistment money, or flat-out no money.

Coworker's older teenage son shows up at home with a brand new crotch rocket. He tells dad, "no worries, it's only $100 a month". Problem #1, it's a teaser rate, and jumps several hundred a month in a year. Problem #2, there is no full coverage insurance that the kid can afford, since he is a punk with a shit driving record, and he isn't even an adult yet. The only reason this stupidity was even possible is that the manufacturer was also the lender. Problem #3 the kid is an award winning motocross racer who isn't smart enough to not end up dead, or in a wheelchair, while operating a street bike that can go in excess of 160MPH.  Problem #4, dad quickly has enough of this crap, and tells son that it's getting sold,and dad will come up with the cash to bridge the deficit, and make this horror story go away. Shit deal for dad, but better than a late night trip to the morgue. Final problem, when selling a fairly new crotch rocket, you will not only lose your ass, but you will attract a universe worth of dreamers, idiots, and liars.

     "Dude, I can spot you $2000 down, if you can do a personal loan for the balance. I'm solid, YO"

   " Dude, my student loan comes through in a few weeks, can I give you a hundred to hold it"

   "Will you take a trade? I have an Xbox and a 400 YZ that's totally badass. That cool bro.?

It was painful to watch. The bike was finally liquidated, and dad was out $4k.   

[Playing with Fire UK]

It was painful to watch. The bike was finally liquidated, and dad was out $4k.

Brutal, but a bargain as it avoids the trip to the morgue.

[Malum Prohibitum]

Coworker's older teenage son shows up at home with a brand new crotch rocket. He tells dad, "no worries, it's only $100 a month". Problem #1, it's a teaser rate, and jumps several hundred a month in a year. Problem #2, there is no full coverage insurance that the kid can afford, since he is a punk with a shit driving record, and he isn't even an adult yet.

  In what legal jurisdiction can a person who is not yet an adult contract for goods (the motorcycle) and financial services (the loan)?

[zephyr911]

I babysit occasionally for friends of mine with 4 kids.  I know they buy lots of junk food, toys, and of course, have the expenses of 4 kids.  They laugh about the expense of groceries and how it matches their mortgage payments.... she works a government job in accounting or something related and he is a school teacher.

He has (at last count) 3 utility shelves (the metal/garage style ones) filled FULL (think, stacked from shelf to the bottom of the next shelf)  of Jordans and fancy Nike shoes.  The top of their wall length closet is also packed from shelf to ceiling with such shoes.  They are still in the boxes, he rotates wearing them, and if it rains, he has a back up pair of "crappy" (aka, normal) shoes to wear instead, and carries his Jordans in his backpack.

He likely has over 300 pairs of these things.  And he is over 6 foot, so I'm sure his size is unusual and potentially more expensive (I wouldn't know...I've never bought Jordans). 

If that were all, I'd be like "whatever, thats his thing".  NOPE.  He also has almost a full basement (2 small rooms are kids rooms, that main living space and extra room in the basement are his) FULL of cardinal baseball stuff.

Collectibles, signed stuff, autographed balls, etc.  FULL, as in, no wall space, most of the floor space taken up with the displays....shelves everywhere full.

The amount of money spent on his "collections" makes me wince...particularly since I get their mail for them too, and I know they still owe on student loans, and they are in their early/mid 30s.

That's some straight-up Imelda Marcos shit right there... xD

[Just Joe]

The ridiculous part is that I see nice bikes around here for less than $4K all the time. Not the fastest or coolest bikes but plenty of fun.

[jinga nation]

I babysit occasionally for friends of mine with 4 kids.  I know they buy lots of junk food, toys, and of course, have the expenses of 4 kids.  They laugh about the expense of groceries and how it matches their mortgage payments.... she works a government job in accounting or something related and he is a school teacher.

He has (at last count) 3 utility shelves (the metal/garage style ones) filled FULL (think, stacked from shelf to the bottom of the next shelf)  of Jordans and fancy Nike shoes.  The top of their wall length closet is also packed from shelf to ceiling with such shoes.  They are still in the boxes, he rotates wearing them, and if it rains, he has a back up pair of "crappy" (aka, normal) shoes to wear instead, and carries his Jordans in his backpack.

He likely has over 300 pairs of these things.  And he is over 6 foot, so I'm sure his size is unusual and potentially more expensive (I wouldn't know...I've never bought Jordans). 

If that were all, I'd be like "whatever, thats his thing".  NOPE.  He also has almost a full basement (2 small rooms are kids rooms, that main living space and extra room in the basement are his) FULL of cardinal baseball stuff.

Collectibles, signed stuff, autographed balls, etc.  FULL, as in, no wall space, most of the floor space taken up with the displays....shelves everywhere full.

The amount of money spent on his "collections" makes me wince...particularly since I get their mail for them too, and I know they still owe on student loans, and they are in their early/mid 30s.

That's some straight-up Imelda Marcos shit right there... xD

Dang Zephyr! I thought I was the only one who equated a shoe collecting fetish with The Imelda.

Collections... for what? To sit and stare at? Fuck that, that's the equivalent of a garage queen that is never taken out for a spin.

I think collecting is an American illness. Pairs well with Diabeetus. http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/diabeetus

[Abooki]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

I can't count how many times I have heard this. And everytime I have heard this from my colleagues I try to introduce them to the concept of FIRE and all they say "that is stupid". We are all in our early- late 20s - they have time to change things over but most likely won't

[RetiredAt63]

My mid twenties co-worker has a baby on the way and told me yesterday he and his wife(they kinda got married just cause the baby but whatever) are going to be trading in both their cars. Car number one is a 2013 Mazda 3 with 70k miles,

I have a 2010 Mazda3 hatchback.  Plenty of room for a baby seat.  Of course if they have a sedan instead of a hatchback they won't have as much room for "stuff" but they will still have lots. If this were a third baby I could maybe see the need but for the first?

[seanc0x0]

My mid twenties co-worker has a baby on the way and told me yesterday he and his wife(they kinda got married just cause the baby but whatever) are going to be trading in both their cars. Car number one is a 2013 Mazda 3 with 70k miles,

I have a 2010 Mazda3 hatchback.  Plenty of room for a baby seat.  Of course if they have a sedan instead of a hatchback they won't have as much room for "stuff" but they will still have lots. If this were a third baby I could maybe see the need but for the first?

No kidding.  We took a trip to the coast (1500km away) and back with our Honda Fit and 2 kids. Only problem was going up a few steep mountain hills, where the car was a bit underpowered. No problem with space, and my wife doesn't really do 'packing light'.

[cheapass]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

Reminds me of a quote from the movie BASEketball.

"Dude, I swear, you guys rip on me like 13 or 14 more times and I'm outta here!"

"Yeah, whatever ya 'lil bitch."

[gReed Smith]

Coworker's older teenage son shows up at home with a brand new crotch rocket. He tells dad, "no worries, it's only $100 a month". Problem #1, it's a teaser rate, and jumps several hundred a month in a year. Problem #2, there is no full coverage insurance that the kid can afford, since he is a punk with a shit driving record, and he isn't even an adult yet.

  In what legal jurisdiction can a person who is not yet an adult contract for goods (the motorcycle) and financial services (the loan)?

Under 18 and the kid could most likely have repudiated the contract.

[Debts_of_Despair]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"

Don't worry, she probably only has to work 25 more years.

(This quote makes me feel bad for her and her inability to quit, but also motivates ME so I don't have to be around people like her who turn everything into a "poor me" sob-fest).

The other version of this that I frequently hear is "as soon as I win the lottery I am out of here!"

[Playing with Fire UK]

"I'm so tired of people shitting on me! If I didn't need this job, I would be SO out of here!!"
Don't worry, she probably only has to work 25 more years.
(This quote makes me feel bad for her and her inability to quit, but also motivates ME so I don't have to be around people like her who turn everything into a "poor me" sob-fest).

The other version of this that I frequently hear is "as soon as I win the lottery I am out of here!"

I hear this as they are turning down the offer of a pensions seminar. It burns my ears.