Overheard at Work

[FreeBy45]

My coworker ran out to buy a brand new SUV yesterday. She was driving a 2 year old GM vehicle which she deemed a "death trap" due to the recalls that have been on the news lately. That is how she justified the purchase.

[MamaStache]

At work yesterday a coworker took off work early to go to HR Block to have his taxes reviewed due to the tax law changes. 

CW: "All I can say is that the amount we are getting back better not go down, or our power is going to get shut off in about 2 weeks.  We are 1,500 behind on our power bill because you know... of the hard winter.  (We are in MN and did experience an especially long, hard winter.)
I guess if we don't get back enough through the tax refund, I'll just have to take a withdrawal from my 401k thingy"

[wizlem]

At work yesterday a coworker took off work early to go to HR Block to have his taxes reviewed due to the tax law changes. 

CW: "All I can say is that the amount we are getting back better not go down, or our power is going to get shut off in about 2 weeks.  We are 1,500 behind on our power bill because you know... of the hard winter.  (We are in MN and did experience an especially long, hard winter.)
I guess if we don't get back enough through the tax refund, I'll just have to take a withdrawal from my 401k thingy"

I mostly understand the hard winter as I'm in IA but I still don't understand how you can be 1500 behind because thats more than 2.5 times my total bill for the last 4 months. This reminded me of a conversation I had with a coworker. I live in a slightly larger house than he does and he told me his 3 bills for Dec/Jan/Feb were 2x what mine were. Thats keeping the thermostat at 68 when we're home, 65 when we sleep, and 60 when we're gone. Guess people don't realize how much those small differences make to your bill.

[MamaStache]

At work yesterday a coworker took off work early to go to HR Block to have his taxes reviewed due to the tax law changes. 

CW: "All I can say is that the amount we are getting back better not go down, or our power is going to get shut off in about 2 weeks.  We are 1,500 behind on our power bill because you know... of the hard winter.  (We are in MN and did experience an especially long, hard winter.)
I guess if we don't get back enough through the tax refund, I'll just have to take a withdrawal from my 401k thingy"

...hope he knows that the IRS is saying up to 3 weeks to get refunds...

Well he better get started on his request to make a withdrawal from the 401k thingggy then!!!!!!!

[The Bearded Bank Builder]

Well, in the neighborhood...a neighbor paid $80 for a few ounces of super fantastic shampoo.  Rolls eyes.

Wow, must be nice stuff. Is it made of Unicorn Tears or is this the Angel's Saliva variety?

[BlueHouse]

I mostly understand the hard winter as I'm in IA but I still don't understand how you can be 1500 behind because thats more than 2.5 times my total bill for the last 4 months. This reminded me of a conversation I had with a coworker. I live in a slightly larger house than he does and he told me his 3 bills for Dec/Jan/Feb were 2x what mine were. Thats keeping the thermostat at 68 when we're home, 65 when we sleep, and 60 when we're gone. Guess people don't realize how much those small differences make to your bill.

You may have a newer, more energy efficient house.    I live in an almost new, LEED certified home and my heating costs are very low considering my square footage.   I know some people with old homes are stuffing towels in the cracks between the doors and doorjambs just to keep the wind out.  It's expensive to heat the whole outside!  ;)

[ketchup]

Well, in the neighborhood...a neighbor paid $80 for a few ounces of super fantastic shampoo.  Rolls eyes.

Yeesh, and I thought $15 for a normal-sized thingy of fancy 100% Pure shampoo that my girlfriend buys was a lot.

[CommonCents]

I mostly understand the hard winter as I'm in IA but I still don't understand how you can be 1500 behind because thats more than 2.5 times my total bill for the last 4 months. This reminded me of a conversation I had with a coworker. I live in a slightly larger house than he does and he told me his 3 bills for Dec/Jan/Feb were 2x what mine were. Thats keeping the thermostat at 68 when we're home, 65 when we sleep, and 60 when we're gone. Guess people don't realize how much those small differences make to your bill.

You may have a newer, more energy efficient house.    I live in an almost new, LEED certified home and my heating costs are very low considering my square footage.   I know some people with old homes are stuffing towels in the cracks between the doors and doorjambs just to keep the wind out.  It's expensive to heat the whole outside!  ;)

+1

We keep the house at 60 when gone, the upstairs at 60 unless we're sleeping there (65 then), the downstairs at 67 when we're up.  We also don't turn on the heat in the morning before we go to work, and don't set it on a thermostat, instead we manually turn it up when we get home (so it doesn't heat up while we aren't there and if we are later than expected it's not heated).

But our house was built in 1933 and we have a ton of large windows that overlook the pond in the backyard.  (That's why we bought the home, so we're ok with it, but it does make it more expensive to heat.)  We are lucky the prior owners redid a bunch of the windows, but historically, you don't make your money back by doing it.  Our kitchen was formerly a sunroom and we think very poorly insulated when it was converted - but a kitchen reno is way more expensive than high heating bills.  We also live in the Northeast, with a supply pipe problem, so our rates went up. 

Don't get me wrong, we're well under an average bill of $375 (1500/4 months), but I just wanted to post because it may not always be possible or worthwhile to fix some aspects.

[wizlem]

I mostly understand the hard winter as I'm in IA but I still don't understand how you can be 1500 behind because thats more than 2.5 times my total bill for the last 4 months. This reminded me of a conversation I had with a coworker. I live in a slightly larger house than he does and he told me his 3 bills for Dec/Jan/Feb were 2x what mine were. Thats keeping the thermostat at 68 when we're home, 65 when we sleep, and 60 when we're gone. Guess people don't realize how much those small differences make to your bill.

You may have a newer, more energy efficient house.    I live in an almost new, LEED certified home and my heating costs are very low considering my square footage.   I know some people with old homes are stuffing towels in the cracks between the doors and doorjambs just to keep the wind out.  It's expensive to heat the whole outside!  ;)

I guess you are right. My house is 21 years newer having been built in 1941. My previous house was built in 1923 and I had lower heating bills there. 1923 house was almost identical in size to coworkers house.

[Eric]

23 y.o. Co-worker -- I just finished my taxes last night.  I feel like such an adult!
Me -- Nice job.  You are getting old!
CW -- No kidding.  I started thinking that I should put my refund money towards my CC, then I'm like 'No, I'm going to Cabo!' (starts doing a little dance)
Me -- [headdesk]

[Albert]

It's only a facepalm if the said soon to be retired co-worker can't afford all those purchases.

A good friend of mine is shelling out 700k for the second apartment in the mountains, but I believe it's well within her budget plus is likely to appreciate.

[mjs111]

(He took college classes at one of those for profit online schools aimed at military, I forget which one.)

The for-profit colleges are heavily targeting military folks since military education benefits don't fall under the Federal Title IV financial aid program funds. Education financial aid to military members is a different pool of money. 

Colleges are legally prevented from getting more than 90% of their cash-basis revenue from Title IV funds and many of the for-profit colleges are starting to get near that ceiling.  If a college goes over that 90% and stays there then the college won't be allowed to accept any Title IV funding, effectively putting it out of business.  Here are some excerpts from Apollo Group's 10-K (Apollo Group is the parent company of University of Phoenix):

90/10 Rule
To remain eligible to participate in Title IV programs, proprietary institutions of higher education must comply with the so-called “90/10 Rule” under the Higher Education Act, as reauthorized, and must derive 90% or less of their cash basis revenue, as defined in the rule, from Title IV programs. The 90/10 Rule percentage for University of Phoenix for fiscal year 2013 was 83%. The 90/10 Rule percentage for University of Phoenix remains high and could exceed 90% in the future depending on the degree to which its various initiatives are effective, the impact of future changes in its enrollment mix, and regulatory and other factors outside our control, including any reduction in military benefit programs or changes in the treatment of such funding for purposes of the 90/10 Rule calculation.

In addition to Title IV student financial aid, qualifying U.S. active military and veterans and their family members are eligible for federal student aid from various Department of Defense programs, including under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The decrease in the University of Phoenix 90/10 Rule percentage is attributable to changes in student mix and their associated available sources of tuition funding. As the University’s enrollment has declined in recent years, the proportion of its student body that uses a lower percentage of Title IV funds for eligible tuition and fees, such as students that receive tuition assistance from employers or that participate in military benefit programs, has increased.

Apollo Group 10-K:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/929887/000092988713000150/apol-aug312013x10k.htm


Mike

[mozar]

Co-worker: My rent is going up 500 a month!
Me: How much is your rent now?
Co-worker: $1,721 for a one bedroom
Me: Headdesk

[nikki]

I haven't received my electricity bill yet (I've lived in this new apartment 1.5 months now and should have seen one...), so I was asking my co-workers/neighbors (faculty apartment building). One person said she got it, but when I looked I had to inform her she was looking at a gas bill, not an electricity bill. Person #2 was bragging about how he never checks his mail, so he has no idea.

I returned to the apartment building at the same time as Person #2 and pushed him to check his mail then and there. What did he find? Lots of junk, some things not even meant for him, and FIVE MONTHS OF OVERDUE GAS BILLS. He seemed enraged that his bill was so high for just one month until I explained to him that it was for five months. "Well I don't even use the gas that much!!! Wait... is the heating gas?" ...indeed.

Adult 101.

PS: This man is my mentor at work. He actually is a wonderful teacher, but not great at paying bills, apparently.

No one has any idea about the electricity bills still, by the way. And no one else seems to care...

[aetherie]

Not at work, but in the student lounge where I was doing homework:
"I have $7 in my account because I bought new boots."

I guess coming from a college student whose parents are probably still paying for everything it's not as bad, but I shudder to think of the habits she's setting up for the rest of her life.

[GuitarStv]

It's only a facepalm if the said soon to be retired co-worker can't afford all those purchases.

I disagree.  A cottage is nearly always a tremendous financial drain for no good reason.  You want to vacation somewhere in the woods for a few weeks a year?  Rent a cottage.  You're not tied to the same tiny plot of land so you can experience different places, don't have to pay for the maintenance, taxes, and upkeep on a building that you're not living in for more than half the year, and can probably afford to rent for a short period a much fancier place than you could afford to buy.

[johnintaiwan]

I haven't received my electricity bill yet (I've lived in this new apartment 1.5 months now and should have seen one...),

I used to get bills every month in Taipei, but since moving south we only get them once every 2 months.

[401Killer]

Co-Worker - So I bought a 1995 Hummer a few months ago.

Me - Holy hell, thats a beast, how much did that cost you if you don't mind me asking.

CW - $25,000, I'm saving up to put a ton of money into it because I want to make it a show truck and bring it to events. I want a custom paint job and new interior.

CW - Wow

CW - Once I get it done I'll buy another one that I can drive daily.

[exranger06]

Co-Worker - So I bought a 1995 Hummer a few months ago.

Me - Holy hell, thats a beast, how much did that cost you if you don't mind me asking.

CW - $25,000, I'm saving up to put a ton of money into it because I want to make it a show truck and bring it to events. I want a custom paint job and new interior.

CW - Wow

CW - Once I get it done I'll buy another one that I can drive daily.

Wow. That makes me feel a LOT better about my car hobby. I may be spending a lot fixing up my project car, but it's nowhere near even the purchase price of that one, let alone the money for the modifications.

[nikki]

I haven't received my electricity bill yet (I've lived in this new apartment 1.5 months now and should have seen one...),

I used to get bills every month in Taipei, but since moving south we only get them once every 2 months.

Hmm... I will wait a little longer and see if that's the case here. It's pretty awkward that not many people in the building know what goes on with their bills, though.

[ThatsMyOtter]

CW1: Any plans for the weekend?
CW2: I have to pick up my dry cleaning.
CW1: Doesn't that take like five minutes?
CW2: Well, I usually have to make at least two trips.

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

(Note: This is the same man I posted about a month or two ago who owns several laptops because he doesn't like carrying them from one room to another.)

[ketchup]

Does he also drive ten different cars so that he only has to get the oil changed in all of them every two years?

[rocksinmyhead]

CW1: Any plans for the weekend?
CW2: I have to pick up my dry cleaning.
CW1: Doesn't that take like five minutes?
CW2: Well, I usually have to make at least two trips.

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

(Note: This is the same man I posted about a month or two ago who owns several laptops because he doesn't like carrying them from one room to another.)

holy shit, how much does that cost?!? just for the dry cleaning, let alone the purchase price of all the clothes!!! and where does he keep them?!?!

Does he also drive ten different cars so that he only has to get the oil changed in all of them every two years?

ROFL

[jba302]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

[ThatsMyOtter]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

I'm not sure what a normal dry cleaning routine would be (the only thing I ever dry clean is my winter coat) but CW also has a desk job, so I'm sure he pays to have things dry cleaned way more often than he should.

No idea where he keeps it all. He lives by himself, I think in a 2 bedroom? So maybe all of his clothes live in the other bedroom.

[GuitarStv]

(Note: This is the same man I posted about a month or two ago who owns several laptops because he doesn't like carrying them from one room to another.)

holy shit, how much does that cost?!? just for the dry cleaning, let alone the purchase price of all the clothes!!! and where does he keep them?!?!

Does he also drive ten different cars so that he only has to get the oil changed in all of them every two years?

ROFL
[/quote]

PLEASE suggest that to him the next time you see him!

[dragoncar]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

To be honest, I dry-clean my slacks about once a year.  They are dark, and never get visibly dirty.  They air out a week between wearings, and so far that's been enough to keep them fresh. 

Dress shirts I launder after two wearings.  For now, for me, ironing is indeed a waste of time.  I spend about $15/mo on laundry.  They have big fancy machines that press the shirts much better than a home iron ever could (I've tried).

[marblejane]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

Honestly, if you are talking about pants or suits, I only dry clean those once a season (every 3 months or so), or if I've spilled something on them. Suits should not be dry cleaned frequently, it wears the fabric. Hang them up right after wearing, and use a steamer or iron to remove wrinkles as needed.

[dragoncar]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

To be honest, I dry-clean my slacks about once a year.  They are dark, and never get visibly dirty.  They air out a week between wearings, and so far that's been enough to keep them fresh. 

Dress shirts I launder after two wearings.  For now, for me, ironing is indeed a waste of time.  I spend about $15/mo on laundry.  They have big fancy machines that press the shirts much better than a home iron ever could (I've tried).

Another good option are Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts, which can be pretty consistently had on eBay. They even have that little crease down the sleeve. It's some kind of chemical magic.

That's good advice for someone just building their wardrobe.  Unfortunately, I don't think I would get my investment back factoring in alterations (necessary for me to look professional).

[Stacheintraining]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

To be honest, I dry-clean my slacks about once a year.  They are dark, and never get visibly dirty.  They air out a week between wearings, and so far that's been enough to keep them fresh. 

Dress shirts I launder after two wearings.  For now, for me, ironing is indeed a waste of time.  I spend about $15/mo on laundry.  They have big fancy machines that press the shirts much better than a home iron ever could (I've tried).

Another good option are Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts, which can be pretty consistently had on eBay. They even have that little crease down the sleeve. It's some kind of chemical magic.

That's good advice for someone just building their wardrobe.  Unfortunately, I don't think I would get my investment back factoring in alterations (necessary for me to look professional).

Yeah. We have to put $15 in tailoring into every shirt my husband wears, and I can't buy skirts OTR. It's such a pain, but I'm very popular with my tailor.

Check out Banana Republic slim fit non-iron. Great investment, great fit.

[brewer12345]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

To be honest, I dry-clean my slacks about once a year.  They are dark, and never get visibly dirty.  They air out a week between wearings, and so far that's been enough to keep them fresh. 

Dress shirts I launder after two wearings.  For now, for me, ironing is indeed a waste of time.  I spend about $15/mo on laundry.  They have big fancy machines that press the shirts much better than a home iron ever could (I've tried).

Another good option are Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts, which can be pretty consistently had on eBay. They even have that little crease down the sleeve. It's some kind of chemical magic.

That's good advice for someone just building their wardrobe.  Unfortunately, I don't think I would get my investment back factoring in alterations (necessary for me to look professional).

Yeah. We have to put $15 in tailoring into every shirt my husband wears, and I can't buy skirts OTR. It's such a pain, but I'm very popular with my tailor.

Heh, one of the many small dividends of FIRE:  Fuck you, dress code.  I shop at goodwill and don't bother with those haircut things.

[Hedge_87]

Yep dress code is one thing I don't have to mess with being a blue collar guy. Which is good because I feel SO uncomfortable in the one suit I own anyways. I don't know how you all do it everyday lol.

[grantmeaname]

I'm thrilled every time I get to throw a suit on...

[Daleth]

Turns out CW2 bought 60+ pairs of dress pants and 60+ dress shirts (all of which could be machine washed) so that he only has to go to the dry cleaner every two months. He won't wash and iron his clothes himself because ironing is "a waste of time."

What is a normal cleaning routine for dry-clean only? I figure I can get a minimum of 2 weeks of wear per pair between washes if I don't spill shit all over them. But I also have a desk job so it's not like I'm sweating or anything.

To be honest, I dry-clean my slacks about once a year.  They are dark, and never get visibly dirty.  They air out a week between wearings, and so far that's been enough to keep them fresh. 

Dress shirts I launder after two wearings.  For now, for me, ironing is indeed a waste of time.  I spend about $15/mo on laundry.  They have big fancy machines that press the shirts much better than a home iron ever could (I've tried).

Another good option are Brooks Brothers non-iron dress shirts, which can be pretty consistently had on eBay. They even have that little crease down the sleeve. It's some kind of chemical magic.

It's formaldehyde, actually. That's why I avoid them. :(

[Daleth]

Merely long-term mustachian thinking. I'm saving my heirs the cost of embalming. =P

Har! :)

[zataks]

Unfortunately my CW story is not funny like so many in this thread.  It makes me sad/embarrassed for CW.

CW bought a bubba truck over a year ago. (They have at least 2 other cars)(And immediately after purchase the truck was decked out with video screens, in front and back, sound system, special head lights, etcetc) It was used, at least, and he said he got a 'great deal' with 10k down but payments are $700-something/month.
At the time, he lived 80 miles from work. 
In the Fall he stopped paying on his mortgage and moved into a rental 40 miles from work.  One morning around that time he got a call and answered with "you're not getting your money," and promptly hung up!
Has a 13 y/o and a 2 or 3 y/o; wife does not work.
Now he's hustling to get as much OT as possible because he owes $13k to IRS.
Still driving the bubba truck more often than not.  Wife still not working.

[horsepoor]

DH's coworker says he is going to retire in a year, but isn't going to crunch the numbers on what his retirement income will be.  He is self-described as living paycheck to paycheck, and has "no disposable income", but apparently has the biggest cable package (like over $200 a month) because his wife doesn't work and sits on her butt watching TV much of the day.  He is also helping to support his mother and his grown son + grandson, and every unexpected expense is a financial calamity.

But when overtime is offered, he says he hates work so much that he refuses to work the OT.

[mm1970]

Light fixtures, decorative home goods, that kind of thing.

If it had been a car, I'd be sharing their badassity :P

I guess I should brag on my coworker! He buys, fixes up, and then sells early 90's ford festivas, all for under $1000. They get 40 mpg if you're normal, 60+ if you are him. He drives it to work. Unfortunately his commute is over 20 miles, but hey, at least he has the least expensive and most efficient car that I have ever heard of.

I used to have a Festiva, great little cars. I'd recommend one to almost anybody, you'd be surprised what you can haul in one.

My mom had one in the late 80's.  87?  I remember it was the first and only stick shift I ever tried to drive.  Swore me off of them for life.

[mpbaker22]

I'm buying a house with cash on Thursday.  I told my manager I had to leave early to go to the closing.  He said something like, "Are you getting a thirty year note?"  I didn't want to tell him I was paying with cash, so I gave an awkward answer that was neither yes nor no.  Then he said something like, "welcome to the life of American debt."

Thought it was just a pretty funny interaction.

[littleone]

Girlfriend told me that someone at her work said they do not have money to buy food from the grocery store until payday. So instead they go out to eat at restaurants until payday.

What? How does this make sense to anyone?

[notquitefrugal]

Girlfriend told me that someone at her work said they do not have money to buy food from the grocery store until payday. So instead they go out to eat at restaurants until payday.

What? How does this make sense to anyone?

Maybe they have gift cards for the restaurants? It's still pretty dumb, but makes slightly more sense.

[wizlem]

Girlfriend told me that someone at her work said they do not have money to buy food from the grocery store until payday. So instead they go out to eat at restaurants until payday.

What? How does this make sense to anyone?

Wonder if she works with a friend of mine. He did the exact same thing a few years back. I know he didn't have any gift cards. Might explain why he's always having financial problems

[lithy]

Girlfriend told me that someone at her work said they do not have money to buy food from the grocery store until payday. So instead they go out to eat at restaurants until payday.

What? How does this make sense to anyone?

I think this sort of stuff usually falls under the "I can't possibly get together 100 bucks for groceries, but I can scrounge for 5-10 bucks for lunch each day" kind of logic that works for so many other 'expensive' needs. 

[Target2018]

Wow - buying a house with cash!  Truly awesome.  Congratulations!

I'm buying a house with cash on Thursday.  I told my manager I had to leave early to go to the closing.  He said something like, "Are you getting a thirty year note?"  I didn't want to tell him I was paying with cash, so I gave an awkward answer that was neither yes nor no.  Then he said something like, "welcome to the life of American debt."

Thought it was just a pretty funny interaction.

[Zikoris]

Girlfriend told me that someone at her work said they do not have money to buy food from the grocery store until payday. So instead they go out to eat at restaurants until payday.

What? How does this make sense to anyone?

I think this sort of stuff usually falls under the "I can't possibly get together 100 bucks for groceries, but I can scrounge for 5-10 bucks for lunch each day" kind of logic that works for so many other 'expensive' needs.

This! A few years ago I had a co-worker who was injured and off work for about a month, during which time he ran out of money (I think his insurance claim got delayed or something, he eventually got some money, but not as much as regular pay). In Vancouver you have three options for transit - monthly pass, book of 10 tickets, or individual tickets. Obviously individual tickets are the most expensive. He was buying individual tickets both ways every day, came in with Starbucks coffee and a pastry every day, and talking constantly about how he couldn't afford groceries, of even a book of 10 bus tickets. Got a co-worker to pick up some fancy cut of meat for him from a specialty store for $20 or something, but had to transfer money around from multiple accounts to be able to pay her for it. Obviously a smoker as well, etc etc.

My boyfriend used to look forward to Financial Trainwreck Storytime everyday when I got home.

[FreeBy45]

My CW over the cube was telling my other coworkers that he just switched to Republic Wireless and was telling them about what a great deal it is. The other coworkers with their expensive Iphone plans dismissed it as a scam and said he better watch his credit card closely because he will probably start seeing fraudulent charges.

[nawhite]

My CW over the cube was telling my other coworkers that he just switched to Republic Wireless and was telling them about what a great deal it is. The other coworkers with their expensive Iphone plans dismissed it as a scam and said he better watch his credit card closely because he will probably start seeing fraudulent charges.

I tried explaining Republic Wireless to someone on the train the other day and she just refused to believe it because her new ATT family plan cost $160/month and that was "the best deal ANYONE is offering right now." When I got to explaining that she could get unlimited talk and text to her kids for $10/month with Republic, she just sat there like a fish with her mouth open for a couple seconds. I thought I had broken her brain.

[Gen Y Finance Journey]

My CW over the cube was telling my other coworkers that he just switched to Republic Wireless and was telling them about what a great deal it is. The other coworkers with their expensive Iphone plans dismissed it as a scam and said he better watch his credit card closely because he will probably start seeing fraudulent charges.

I tried explaining Republic Wireless to someone on the train the other day and she just refused to believe it because her new ATT family plan cost $160/month and that was "the best deal ANYONE is offering right now." When I got to explaining that she could get unlimited talk and text to her kids for $10/month with Republic, she just sat there like a fish with her mouth open for a couple seconds. I thought I had broken her brain.

I think it's a case of "sounds-too-good-to-be-true". We're (rightfully) wary of things that are so far better than every other available option because we assume there has to be a catch.

[dragoncar]

My CW over the cube was telling my other coworkers that he just switched to Republic Wireless and was telling them about what a great deal it is. The other coworkers with their expensive Iphone plans dismissed it as a scam and said he better watch his credit card closely because he will probably start seeing fraudulent charges.

I tried explaining Republic Wireless to someone on the train the other day and she just refused to believe it because her new ATT family plan cost $160/month and that was "the best deal ANYONE is offering right now." When I got to explaining that she could get unlimited talk and text to her kids for $10/month with Republic, she just sat there like a fish with her mouth open for a couple seconds. I thought I had broken her brain.

I think it's a case of "sounds-too-good-to-be-true". We're (rightfully) wary of things that are so far better than every other available option because we assume there has to be a catch.

That and not wanting to admit you didn't get the best deal.  If I heard about republic from somewhere else, without the benefit of the countless endorsements on this forum, I would be wary too.  Probably not rude as above, but silently wary.  Iran I've never heard of the company outside this forum!

[mpbaker22]

My CW over the cube was telling my other coworkers that he just switched to Republic Wireless and was telling them about what a great deal it is. The other coworkers with their expensive Iphone plans dismissed it as a scam and said he better watch his credit card closely because he will probably start seeing fraudulent charges.

I tried explaining Republic Wireless to someone on the train the other day and she just refused to believe it because her new ATT family plan cost $160/month and that was "the best deal ANYONE is offering right now." When I got to explaining that she could get unlimited talk and text to her kids for $10/month with Republic, she just sat there like a fish with her mouth open for a couple seconds. I thought I had broken her brain.

I think it's a case of "sounds-too-good-to-be-true". We're (rightfully) wary of things that are so far better than every other available option because we assume there has to be a catch.

But it's not that much better than other deals.  For example, I have Virgin Mobile which is less than half the price of a comparable plan at a major carrier.  My service isn't as good, but it's more than half as good.

I haven't had time to look into Republic Wireless, but the point is that there are options all the way down the scale.  It's not a straight $160 vs $10.  It just happens to be that everyone does what they know and are comfortable with.  I'm the same way; I haven't had time to look into Republic Wireless.