Overheard at Work

[conpewter]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

[infogoon]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

That's what my city does with the Christmas trees they collect.

[LennStar]

"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!"

Yeah and then they aren't even trying.
I mean its a shit strategy to aim for a big lottery win, but if you do, WTF aren't you putting in 500$+ every month and only buy one ticket each weekend???

I also like black mulch, so I need to figure out how to tint my own.

A small fire can do wonders.
I don't know how you make this stuff, but I would not be surprised if that is actually what they do. Half-charred charcoal.

[Joggernot]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

We get free mulch and composted mulch from the transfer station (dump) in our area. 

[CptCool]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

Isn't the mulch you buy usually non-organic material, or at least something that doesn't break down into soil? I thought the purpose of the mulch was to discourage growth in the area it was placed so only the intended plants grow instead of weeds?

[mtn]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

Isn't the mulch you buy usually non-organic material, or at least something that doesn't break down into soil? I thought the purpose of the mulch was to discourage growth in the area it was placed so only the intended plants grow instead of weeds?

Not quite. It is all organic material (at least in my experience), and its intent is to suppress weed growth. It also theoretically will trap moisture.

Since it is organic, it does eventually break down and become part of the soil.

[BTDretire]

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

  My 20's something kids camera phoned me this weekend, we talked and then one of their mothers collections came up, I refererenced, we should just call her Imelda, both kids were clueless. Of course one of them Googled it.
It clicked when they read 3000 pairs...

[BTDretire]

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

  My 20's something kids camera phoned me this weekend, we talked and then one of their mothers collections came up, I refererenced, we should just call her Imelda, both kids were clueless. Of course one of them Googled it.
It clicked when they read 3000 pairs...

[zephyr911]

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

I had a weird season and actually bought three new pairs of running shoes... apparently my feet are still growing here in my late 30s (??) so two pairs became unusable and the others just plain wore out. (three because I do enough trail running to have trail shoes, and it's better for both the shoes and the feet if you rotate your road shoes)
Then I realized that even as an aspiring millionaire, I should pay more attention to those things, because my shoes were all so thrashed that it was making running harder. While I plan to semi-FIRE this year, I have about five years till ANG retirement so that annual test is worth a lot of $$.

[zolotiyeruki]

craiglepaige, keep an eye out in your area for free mulch.  Several cities I live in/near have a pile of free mulch all year long

That is certainly the case where I live--due to emerald ash borer, our local public works department has a HUGE pile of mulch that's free for the taking, as much and whenever you want.  It's not as "nice" as the retail packaged mulch, but after a year, you can't tell the difference :) (well, except for maybe the color)

[paddedhat]

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)?

Sorry, my comment about not being an adult is strictly addressing his insurance mess, as he was 18, and seven years away, assuming a greatly improved driving record, from qualifying for reasonable insurance rates for a crotch rocket in this state. Other than that the bike and the loan were perfectly legal and stupid.

[mustachepungoeshere]

... But this is the same person who recently asked if I had done my Easter shopping so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

My colleagues!

I work in a small team but the majority have done their Easter shopping at a specialty chocolate shop near our work.

One spent $300.

Another bought a $35 egg for her adult daughter and a smaller version ($27) for daughter's housemate. Daughter complained that the flatmate's egg was smaller and that it made her mother look cheap. :o

[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.

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.

Those responses to the motorcycle ad are pretty accurate with most of the sportbike riding crowd, unfortunately.  Makes us look like we all have half a brain.  Sucks for the kid's dad though.  Btw, the one co-worker that had the Harley traded it in yesterday and purchased the brand new BMW S1000RR.  Sigh.

[Kevin S.]

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.

Those responses to the motorcycle ad are pretty accurate with most of the sportbike riding crowd, unfortunately.  Makes us look like we all have half a brain.  Sucks for the kid's dad though.  Btw, the one co-worker that had the Harley traded it in yesterday and purchased the brand new BMW S1000RR.  Sigh.

Ugh...so very true. I had multiple stories like that when trying to sell my last motorcycle. The best one was what the bike was worth in stock in his "weed business" . I drove by his shop 2 months ago (one of the many on Colfax here) - sure enough it's closed up and currently has a lease sign on the front window haha. Turds...

Sad that your co worker bought that bmw. Cool motorcycle but you never finance a toy ! It's just asking for trouble - ask me how I know lol

[SeaEhm]

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, the other a 2015 Ford Focus with 12k miles. They'll be traded on a Subaru WRX/FullCab Sierra and a Toyota RAV4, respectively. 

Reason why? Safety and space. They want their baby to be safe and need the space to haul him/stuff around.

I would guess he makes about $45-55k a year. I don't know what she makes but from the conversations we have had, I believe she has a receptionist job.

And he also told me he got a quote over the weekend of $200 for landscaping work around his house. 

WTF???

I laughed when he said that because on my lunch break I went to Lowe's and bought 15 bags of mulch for the front flower bed. It cost $41 and took me less than an hour to lay it all down last night.

Bet your car smelled delicious after work, haha.  (Actually like the smell of manure/mulch for some odd reason)

So the couple makes maybe $100k and are upgrading their cars? Wow! I love hearing that story.  Helps me justify my next car purchase quite easily, haha.

[Chris22]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200. 

[Tjat]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200.

Agreed. I've had various quotes over the years like $350 to remove a stump, $800 to trim some high trees, etc. that I can't imagine what limited service could be done for $200. I feel that's the not much over the price of a bag of grass seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dragoncar]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200.

Agreed. I've had various quotes over the years like $350 to remove a stump, $800 to trim some high trees, etc. that I can't imagine what limited service could be done for $200. I feel that's the not much over the price of a bag of grass seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ony thing that cheap is unskilled labor.  You could get 2-3 solid days of weeding done, or holes dug and refilled

[Jubes]

Coworker who makes about 85K/year. Recently sold her duplex which was only a couple miles from work because she was getting married and going to start a family (her unit was a 2 bed/2 bath, probably 1100 sf). Bought a 400K+ "dream house" in the countryside with space for her two horses to live in the backyard (or whatever you call your backyard when it has horses living in it).

"We'll be making a monthly payment to the hospital for, like, the rest of our lives. No, seriously. For like the next 50 years. It's an $80K bill."

This bill is for anti venom for a snake bite that her now husband incurred at their OLD, awesome duplex house, before they got married, when he didn't have health insurance. And they STILL bought the far-away, big dream house. Bummer.

[farfromfire]

Coworker who makes about 85K/year. Recently sold her duplex which was only a couple miles from work because she was getting married and going to start a family (her unit was a 2 bed/2 bath, probably 1100 sf). Bought a 400K+ "dream house" in the countryside with space for her two horses to live in the backyard (or whatever you call your backyard when it has horses living in it).

"We'll be making a monthly payment to the hospital for, like, the rest of our lives. No, seriously. For like the next 50 years. It's an $80K bill."

This bill is for anti venom for a snake bite that her now husband incurred at their OLD, awesome duplex house, before they got married, when he didn't have health insurance. And they STILL bought the far-away, big dream house. Bummer.

Seems like the right decision, if they expect 5 more snake bites at their old duplex

[Fomerly known as something]

"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

And it's converse, I'm in the GOV so will likely stay another 8 years to keep my health benefits and retire are the ripe old age of 47.  But things are kind of crazy in my division so I've made the comment that I might just walk out the door on the 17th, (that is the day I will always quit since my pension is calculated by the month).  I'd get a smaller respectable pension starting at 62.  I get the comment but how would you live without a pension.  Um investments and retirement accounts.

[Abooki]

it is indeed sad that some people can't imagine a life without a pension or in my case the most they will get is social security and whatever is in their 401ks. Some have actually borrowed from their 401ks to buy Mcmansions in my area that is about 350k+ and most of them have no kids(not that is a reason for a mcmansion).

"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

And it's converse, I'm in the GOV so will likely stay another 8 years to keep my health benefits and retire are the ripe old age of 47.  But things are kind of crazy in my division so I've made the comment that I might just walk out the door on the 17th, (that is the day I will always quit since my pension is calculated by the month).  I'd get a smaller respectable pension starting at 62.  I get the comment but how would you live without a pension.  Um investments and retirement accounts.

[CptCool]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200.

Agreed. I've had various quotes over the years like $350 to remove a stump, $800 to trim some high trees, etc. that I can't imagine what limited service could be done for $200. I feel that's the not much over the price of a bag of grass seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ony thing that cheap is unskilled labor.  You could get 2-3 solid days of weeding done, or holes dug and refilled

I had an 3ft x 5ft stump ground up for $80. The guy had a special machine for it and it took about 20min. It left a lot of sawdust (which would have cost an extra $80 to dispose of), but I just threw part of it away, burned some of it, and put some in a garden/compost area.

I then had someone regrade the 15x35ft yard for another $250 after the stump was gone. Just one guy with a bobcat & probably a shovel & chalk line (i didn't watch the whole process).

This was in the fall of last year in the twin cities MN for reference, so a medium-low COL area. Also, the yard was just a bunch of dirt after doing all this, so I spent an afternoon with a tiller and spreader for some grass seed which is coming in nice. Not all landscaping needs to be expensive, you just need to find the right people for the job

[Chris22]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200.

Agreed. I've had various quotes over the years like $350 to remove a stump, $800 to trim some high trees, etc. that I can't imagine what limited service could be done for $200. I feel that's the not much over the price of a bag of grass seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ony thing that cheap is unskilled labor.  You could get 2-3 solid days of weeding done, or holes dug and refilled

What threw me off was the phrase "had a quote done" suggesting a professional landscaping firm.  Around here, no way I get a firm for a job that small, just not worth their time.  I think even buying plants/trees from the local nursery, they want minimum $500 of work to come out and plant them for you.  Now if it's two guys, possibly of questionable "documentation", and a couple shovels, sure, but they're not coming out to "give quotes" either. 

[Cyanne]

Interested in what sort of landscaping one can get done for $200.  Around here, a couple yards of mulch delivered is probably $100+, or you can spend around the same buying it bag by bag.  I then have to pay $2/bag to have yard waste taken away (no place to dump it).  So $200 could be a really good deal depending on what was being done.  I'm pretty sure aside from just a pure mowing, I couldn't even get a landscaping crew to come out for a job that was only going to cost $200.

Agreed. I've had various quotes over the years like $350 to remove a stump, $800 to trim some high trees, etc. that I can't imagine what limited service could be done for $200. I feel that's the not much over the price of a bag of grass seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ony thing that cheap is unskilled labor.  You could get 2-3 solid days of weeding done, or holes dug and refilled

I had an 3ft x 5ft stump ground up for $80. The guy had a special machine for it and it took about 20min. It left a lot of sawdust (which would have cost an extra $80 to dispose of), but I just threw part of it away, burned some of it, and put some in a garden/compost area.

I then had someone regrade the 15x35ft yard for another $250 after the stump was gone. Just one guy with a bobcat & probably a shovel & chalk line (i didn't watch the whole process).

This was in the fall of last year in the twin cities MN for reference, so a medium-low COL area. Also, the yard was just a bunch of dirt after doing all this, so I spent an afternoon with a tiller and spreader for some grass seed which is coming in nice. Not all landscaping needs to be expensive, you just need to find the right people for the job

I don't think that the Twin Cities counts as a medium-low cost of living area. We are above the national average although below the HCOL on the east and west coasts.

http://www.areavibes.com/minneapolis-mn/cost-of-living/

[Fomerly known as something]

Anyone who is not looking for a new job when they are eligible to retire is lying (pension position).

My thoughts, unless they actually are planning to retire.

[paddedhat]

Coworker who makes about 85K/year. Recently sold her duplex which was only a couple miles from work because she was getting married and going to start a family (her unit was a 2 bed/2 bath, probably 1100 sf). Bought a 400K+ "dream house" in the countryside with space for her two horses to live in the backyard (or whatever you call your backyard when it has horses living in it).

"We'll be making a monthly payment to the hospital for, like, the rest of our lives. No, seriously. For like the next 50 years. It's an $80K bill."

This bill is for anti venom for a snake bite that her now husband incurred at their OLD, awesome duplex house, before they got married, when he didn't have health insurance. And they STILL bought the far-away, big dream house. Bummer.

The bigger story here is that they are being raped by the American medical machine. A few hundred bucks in cost of the actual antivenom, and a few thousand in mark-up if there is an insurer involved. Private pay? Oh, that's gonna' be an $80k bill. Will you be paying in full, or will you be paying on our plan? $800 a month for the next eight years sounds fair, right?  It's just stunning that we are the only country on the planet that allows health care providers to commit crimes like this.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Coworker who makes about 85K/year. Recently sold her duplex which was only a couple miles from work because she was getting married and going to start a family (her unit was a 2 bed/2 bath, probably 1100 sf). Bought a 400K+ "dream house" in the countryside with space for her two horses to live in the backyard (or whatever you call your backyard when it has horses living in it).

"We'll be making a monthly payment to the hospital for, like, the rest of our lives. No, seriously. For like the next 50 years. It's an $80K bill."

This bill is for anti venom for a snake bite that her now husband incurred at their OLD, awesome duplex house, before they got married, when he didn't have health insurance. And they STILL bought the far-away, big dream house. Bummer.

The bigger story here is that they are being raped by the American medical machine. A few hundred bucks in cost of the actual antivenom, and a few thousand in mark-up if there is an insurer involved. Private pay? Oh, that's gonna' be an $80k bill. Will you be paying in full, or will you be paying on our plan? $800 a month for the next eight years sounds fair, right?  It's just stunning that we are the only country on the planet that allows health care providers to commit crimes like this.

Worse still: instead of identifying correcting the abuses, the public continues to obsess over the means of payment (single vs multi-) and on whether healthy people should be forced to pay into a system that accommodates the grotesque overbilling.

[Dicey]

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

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

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

[dragoncar]

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

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

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Although tobacco isn't necessarily healthy, home grown doesn't have the same terrible additives as commercial, right?

[Linea_Norway]

Although tobacco isn't necessarily healthy, home grown doesn't have the same terrible additives as commercial, right?

That sounds plausible. To chewing tobacco, the type that you put under your lip, they add small pieces of glass. This is supposed to cut up your mouth a bit, so that the tobacco gets more effect. I would think that the original tobacco leaves are slightly safer than commercial tobacco. The only thing is that you don't have control of the amount of effective substance. It could vary.

[geekette]

Although tobacco isn't necessarily healthy, home grown doesn't have the same terrible additives as commercial, right?

That sounds plausible. To chewing tobacco, the type that you put under your lip, they add small pieces of glass. This is supposed to cut up your mouth a bit, so that the tobacco gets more effect. <snip>

Nope, just an urban legend.

[zephyr911]

And it's converse, I'm in the GOV so will likely stay another 8 years to keep my health benefits and retire are the ripe old age of 47.  But things are kind of crazy in my division so I've made the comment that I might just walk out the door on the 17th, (that is the day I will always quit since my pension is calculated by the month).  I'd get a smaller respectable pension starting at 62.  I get the comment but how would you live without a pension.  Um investments and retirement accounts.

I'm doing FERS training this Thursday and Friday along with my director and DCG, both of whom are retired full-bird colonels and have been civil service longer than I have. I'm sure I'll raise an eyebrow or two just by being in the class. The closest I've come to disclosing my actual plan to anyone here was when I was convincing the trainer to let me register ("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

I'll be out of here for 20+ years before the paycheck shows up, and honestly, I don't expect to pick up a whole lot of new information in these courses, but getting out of my normal mind-numbing routine for two days and still getting paid was just too good to pass up.

[BlueHouse]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

[BuffaloStache]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

Ditto- congrats!
-------
The morale has been pretty low at my company for a while, so one of my coworkers is trying to organize an afterwork event for some of the people in my working group. He asked me what we should do, and I recommended going for a walk in one of the nearby parks or on a hike. Then he said that some of the other guys were interested in going golfing, to which I said I would prefer not. I then spent the next 10 min explaining that I don't like to golf, and I view it as an expensive hobby...

[Just Joe]

You could just go along and not actively golf. I tried that b/c I don't golf. The group I went with didn't like it.

[RyanAtTanagra]

You could just go along and not actively golf. I tried that b/c I don't golf. The group I went with didn't like it.

That's what I'd do.  To me, golfing is just something you do while drinking.  Same with fishing, or bowling.  Those activities bore me, so I opt out and just hang out and drink and watch everyone else.

[Goldielocks]

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

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

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Although tobacco isn't necessarily healthy, home grown doesn't have the same terrible additives as commercial, right?

Tobacco seeds are so tiny, they get everywhere and into everything.  Yet when they grow, they look like many other "desired" annuals for the first couple of months.  I remember once weeding and I ripped out everything BUT the tobacco plants.     Therefore, I do not recommend growing your own tobacco due to the challenges wind-spread tobacco seeding brings.

[briesas]

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

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

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Growing my own tobacco is totally going to be my retirement hobby.

[dragoncar]

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

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

That quote was from me to someone else, but since you've chosen to quote it, I would ask you the same question.

Hint: the part after the hash tag would stay the same.

Growing my own tobacco is totally going to be my retirement hobby.

tastes like grandma!

[jinga nation]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

[zephyr911]

Tax season deadline in the US... every year I have to hear this, in a military (with contractors and civilians) environment:

• Taxes are too damn high
• Bad roads and infrastructure
• IRS are assholes/thieves
• Bitch Whine Moan

These are the same people who

• buy used luxury cars/trucks on a 6 year loan
• moan about the traffic (the metro is in the top 10-20 worst traffic rankings in North America)
• whine that the Tampa and St. Pete Mayors spend public money to improve their downtowns yet they go downtown for the food/drink/art festivals and free parks
• and stuff we Mustachians are used to hearing

Headphones ON, Music ON, Tune OUT.

There's a lot of stuff I respect and genuinely admire about military culture, like the loyalty and work ethic, but on some issues (see above) so many just don't get it... and what's with everyone loving soldiers/cops/first-responders/etc, and hating the IRS? They're just the soldiers and cops of the financial world, implementing policy created by legislators... don't like tax code, bitch to your Congressman. Meanwhile, obey the fuckin' law. And don't get me started on infrastructure. There's just nothing good to say about our collective myopia thereon. We cost ourselves more money in car damage and public health than we save by not inflation-indexing our gas tax, but NOOO MUH TAXEZZZ :P

/rant

[Chris22]

("this is only for people retiring within five years" / me - "well, I do plan on going within five" - *to self* "months").

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats Zephyr911

Ditto- congrats!
-------
The morale has been pretty low at my company for a while, so one of my coworkers is trying to organize an afterwork event for some of the people in my working group. He asked me what we should do, and I recommended going for a walk in one of the nearby parks or on a hike. Then he said that some of the other guys were interested in going golfing, to which I said I would prefer not. I then spent the next 10 min explaining that I don't like to golf, and I view it as an expensive hobby...

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses. 

[merula]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

[Chris22]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

Oh come on, that's like saying biking is expensive because you have to run out and buy a bike. 

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

I forgot that anything that costs more than $ZERO is "expensive".  Christ. 

[mtn]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

With what clubs?

You're right that golf doesn't have to be as expensive as some people make it, but if you contrast it with soccer, basketball or tennis, which can often be played for free in public parks with less expensive equipment, golf is more costly.

Used clubs. I have a total of $300 into my golf clubs. More than half of that is in my two putters--but I can get a superb putter for $10, and I'm very unusual in carrying 2. Actually, a full 1/2 of that is in one putter.

I could buy, and have bought, a set of excellent golf clubs including bag, driver, putter, wedges, and irons, for less than $75--and unless you play 100 rounds a year, your clubs will usually last 10-30 years, unless your swing speed changes dramatically in that time.

I'll say that my golf addiction is cheaper than my hockey, racing, and fishing addictions. The only reason my Guitar addiction is cheaper is because they are legitimately appreciating investments.

[Vindicated]

People don't like what they don't like, that's fine, but golf does not have to be an expensive hobby at all.  Plenty of good golf to be played for <$20/round on public courses.

I agree with this.

I bought my clubs for $75 used (Not counting the $110 putter my parents got me for Christmas), and typically spend <$20 per round.  I only played 4 times last year, and will probably only play 4-6 again this year.  It's worth it to me, even if there are cheaper options for hobbies.

[Paul der Krake]

Seconding the used golf clubs. They last for DECADES.

[Pooperman]

Seconding the used golf clubs. They last for DECADES.

Agreed. My used set is older than I am haha. It has a wood wood.

[Chris22]

I started with one of those "all in one" department store sets for $200, and gradually swapped clubs out here and there, mostly used or last season's model on eBay.  Haven't bought a new club in years.  Basically, golf costs me a $20 case of balls 1-2x a season (depending on how badly I suck), a new $7 golf glove once a year (they get stinky and wear through) and maybe a new $50 pair of golf shoes every 5 years.  And then whatever I want to pay as far as greens fees and the park district courses nearby charge ~$16 for 9 holes after 1PM.