Overheard at Work

[the fixer]

The people on the $160 AT&T plans would consider the cheaper plans to have plenty of catches. Republic Wireless: you can't get an iPhone. Airvoice: the $10 plan will cut off service if you run down your balance. None of these MVNOs have roaming agreements with other carriers (to my knowledge). Some of these companies' websites and phone support leave much to be desired.

To us these sorts of things aren't a big deal, but other people are used to the cushiness of the Big 4 and arguing purely based on price won't get you anywhere. You first have to convince people that the things that differentiate the Big 4 from the cheap players don't have much value, then the alternatives will seem appealing.

[CommonCents]

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.

Yeah we sold a condo with no mortgage (bought w/o one).  Briefly had two places and a coworker was commiserating saying how we must be so happy to get rid of the mortgage bill.  I evaded, and said, yes, we'd be happy to not have two sets of bills, like utilities, etc.

[AlanStache]

The people on the $160 AT&T plans would consider the cheaper plans to have plenty of catches. Republic Wireless: you can't get an iPhone. Airvoice: the $10 plan will cut off service if you run down your balance. None of these MVNOs have roaming agreements with other carriers (to my knowledge). Some of these companies' websites and phone support leave much to be desired.

To us these sorts of things aren't a big deal, but other people are used to the cushiness of the Big 4 and arguing purely based on price won't get you anywhere. You first have to convince people that the things that differentiate the Big 4 from the cheap players don't have much value, then the alternatives will seem appealing.

Roaming, international agreements and data tethering can be compelling reasons to stick with the big 4 for some people.  It is all about seeing your options and knowing what choices can be made and what those choices cost.  But yes 160$/month should be reexamined.

[Daley]

The people on the $160 AT&T plans would consider the cheaper plans to have plenty of catches. Republic Wireless: you can't get an iPhone. Airvoice: the $10 plan will cut off service if you run down your balance. None of these MVNOs have roaming agreements with other carriers (to my knowledge). Some of these companies' websites and phone support leave much to be desired.

To us these sorts of things aren't a big deal, but other people are used to the cushiness of the Big 4 and arguing purely based on price won't get you anywhere. You first have to convince people that the things that differentiate the Big 4 from the cheap players don't have much value, then the alternatives will seem appealing.

And this is exactly why I'm so picky about which MVNOs I namecheck in the guide. Roaming agreements aren't that big a deal if you know what sort of coverage is actually available, but customer support and reasonable terms of service go a long way towards end users.

I would also say that Republic has far more catches than most people here realize as well. There is such a thing as caring too much about getting the cheapest monthly deal that you start entering into contracts that you probably shouldn't and ignore the very real added cost of being able to do business at that price in the first place.

[skunkfunk]

The people on the $160 AT&T plans would consider the cheaper plans to have plenty of catches. Republic Wireless: you can't get an iPhone. Airvoice: the $10 plan will cut off service if you run down your balance. None of these MVNOs have roaming agreements with other carriers (to my knowledge). Some of these companies' websites and phone support leave much to be desired.

To us these sorts of things aren't a big deal, but other people are used to the cushiness of the Big 4 and arguing purely based on price won't get you anywhere. You first have to convince people that the things that differentiate the Big 4 from the cheap players don't have much value, then the alternatives will seem appealing.

And this is exactly why I'm so picky about which MVNOs I namecheck in the guide. Roaming agreements aren't that big a deal if you know what sort of coverage is actually available, but customer support and reasonable terms of service go a long way towards end users.

I would also say that Republic has far more catches than most people here realize as well. There is such a thing as caring too much about getting the cheapest monthly deal that you start entering into contracts that you probably shouldn't and ignore the very real added cost of being able to do business at that price in the first place.

I've had great luck with Ting. You can have almost any phone you want, roam on Verizon's network, and customer support has a no waiting and no computer systems policy (they pick up the phone).

[BlueHouse]

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?

Did she specify who was buying?  It's not uncommon to go out to ladies' nights and other happy hour events for free food when you know someone will buy drinks for you.  I've gone out to eat many times because I didn't have food at home.  Doesn't mean I paid.  I used to do this a lot when I was in college (a long time ago)  Not sure if the world still works this way.

[nikki]

Co-worker said she was interested in saving money, too (it always comes up when I interact with new people--saying "no" to going out all the time usually requires a polite explanation). Cool. So why do you get coffee and cake out at least once a day? Why do you go out to eat at Western restaurants (more expensive) several times a week? Why do you pay someone else to clean up your 225ish sq. ft. apartment? Why do you pay someone else to walk your dog when you work less than 20 hours a week? Siiiigh...

We meet at a coffee shop every Friday in a reflective practices group. Even when I announce that I'm bringing muffins, cookies, whatever, she has a slice of ~$4 cake and a coffee when I show up. I know it's not an anti-home-baking thing because she eats my goodies, too. But seriously--why buy it if you know something to eat is on its way?

She also just got a scooter. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from one end of our campus to the other, but there are hills and stairs everywhere. I see it as a built-in workout!

I mentioned that I found a puppy pee pad when I moved in and offered to give it to her. She said her dog doesn't use them anymore. Well, he does, actually. Several a day. She lied because she didn't want to walk to my apartment (2 buildings away from hers) to pick it up, even though it would save her a bit of money. As soon as I had plans to visit others in her building, she asked if I'd bring it.

But she sure did walk over here to get a carrot cake cupcake Sunday night.

I just don't understand this woman.

Also: her dog sucks. Worst behaved dog I've ever met.

[zataks]

We meet at a coffee shop every Friday in a reflective practices group. Even when I announce that I'm bringing muffins, cookies, whatever, she has a slice of ~$4 cake and a coffee when I show up. I know it's not an anti-home-baking thing because she eats my goodies, too. But seriously--why buy it if you know something to eat is on its way?

But she sure did walk over here to get a carrot cake cupcake Sunday night.

I think some people are uncomfortable entering business places, using the space, and not buying anything.  I used to be this way. 

[nikki]

We meet at a coffee shop every Friday in a reflective practices group. Even when I announce that I'm bringing muffins, cookies, whatever, she has a slice of ~$4 cake and a coffee when I show up. I know it's not an anti-home-baking thing because she eats my goodies, too. But seriously--why buy it if you know something to eat is on its way?

But she sure did walk over here to get a carrot cake cupcake Sunday night.

I think some people are uncomfortable entering business places, using the space, and not buying anything.  I used to be this way.

Ya, I get the drink part. I personally don't order coffee when we meet, but I'm an ass and don't care. The part I don't get is adding the unnecessary $4 cake to the order.

[mikecorayer]

It's funny seeing so many similarities with expat teachers at my school as well. Constant meals out, maids for tiny one-bedroom apartments, $500 electric vespas that never go beyond the campus gate, and of course, predictable complaints regarding money by the end of every month.

[AlanStache]

Co-worker said she was interested in saving money, too (it always comes up when I interact with new people--saying "no" to going out all the time usually requires a polite explanation). Cool. So why do you get coffee and cake out at least once a day? Why do you go out to eat at Western restaurants (more expensive) several times a week? Why do you pay someone else to clean up your 225ish sq. ft. apartment? Why do you pay someone else to walk your dog when you work less than 20 hours a week? Siiiigh...

We meet at a coffee shop every Friday in a reflective practices group. Even when I announce that I'm bringing muffins, cookies, whatever, she has a slice of ~$4 cake and a coffee when I show up. I know it's not an anti-home-baking thing because she eats my goodies, too. But seriously--why buy it if you know something to eat is on its way?

She also just got a scooter. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from one end of our campus to the other, but there are hills and stairs everywhere. I see it as a built-in workout!

I mentioned that I found a puppy pee pad when I moved in and offered to give it to her. She said her dog doesn't use them anymore. Well, he does, actually. Several a day. She lied because she didn't want to walk to my apartment (2 buildings away from hers) to pick it up, even though it would save her a bit of money. As soon as I had plans to visit others in her building, she asked if I'd bring it.

But she sure did walk over here to get a carrot cake cupcake Sunday night.

I just don't understand this woman.

Also: her dog sucks. Worst behaved dog I've ever met.

Sounds more like laziness than anything else.  And yeah if I am going to meet in some commercial place I am going to buy something.  Some people dont like exercise.

[Nudelkopf]

I was commenting to a coworker that I have no idea when I'm going to get Easter dinner made, and she said I should cater it because, "it was just as cheap." In what universe? My mother is doing the lamb roast, I'm making whipped potatoes, asparagus and some kind of dessert. Oh, and a cheese board. The whole affair should set me back less than $40, with a lavish cheeseboard.

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out. Also.. Cheese platters are just about the best thing that's ever been invented!

[paddedhat]

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.

I spent the last seven years building fairly modest vacation cottages in a local resort, and currently live in one as my primary, only, paid cash for, residence. One of life's unexpected lessons was starting this adventure with absolutely zero expectation that most of my buyers would be making extraordinarily bad financial decisions when they bought one of my homes. With little exception, these folks are middle age to early AARP, middle class, and insist on creating a massive drain on their financial future by satisfying a 100% "want" which they have zero need for.

My typical customer spent $140-180K for a new home. They are a mix of those that needed various levels of financing, to ones that drain their retirement savings to pay cash. On the financed side, I had two that borrowed 100%  to close the deal. One used FHA, needed sale price inflated seller's assist to cover the 3% down, and wrote less than $400 in checks at the table to cover small fees. Another got a 1st for 90%, and a co-signed super high rate second to cover the remainder, including all closing costs. On the cash down side, one guy emptied his small retirement account, (after losing half of it at the bottom of the market) and threw his $60K total savings at the deal, he then financed with BOA. Oven the next few years the home declined in value by 10-15% and, so far, there has been almost zero appreciation.

These homes typically have a $2800-$3000 yearly tax bill, an annual $400 HOA Fee, and at least $1500-1800 in utilities, minimum. A typical buyer drops $5-10K on interior furnishings and often an equal amount in landscaping.

The story got even more interesting when I developed a relationship with a Real Estate broker who had been doing business in the neighborhood for many decades. She told me that, absent the ongoing recession, a typical second home property in the area will turn over every five years, on average. Her personal record was selling the same home five times, since the 1980s. This is particularly horrifying once you factor in the fact that a five year old home will bring roughly 80% of the sale price. ( one of my customers recently sold a place that was $189K new, in 2004, he got $150K) When you add up all the closing costs X2, fees, taxes, expenses, improvements, interest, depreciation, etc... I could easily see one of my customers selling their home in five years at an out of pocket loss of $60-80K.  I'm sure there are dumber moves to be made, but WOW, when it comes to the stupid Olympics, buying a vacation home can earn you a gold medal.

[kimmarg]

I was commenting to a coworker that I have no idea when I'm going to get Easter dinner made, and she said I should cater it because, "it was just as cheap." In what universe? My mother is doing the lamb roast, I'm making whipped potatoes, asparagus and some kind of dessert. Oh, and a cheese board. The whole affair should set me back less than $40, with a lavish cheeseboard.

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out. Also.. Cheese platters are just about the best thing that's ever been invented!

Hmmm didn't realize Easter dinner was NOT a thing some places! :) here in the Northeast US it's pretty common. Not as big a deal as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but all our stores will close Easter Sunday. Ham is the sterotypical choice. Sometimes it's Easter brunch rather than dinner with quiche, ham, pasteries etc. I'll be making a 2 hr drive to eat with my family, however when I lived a plane ride away I typically didn't go home.

[notquitefrugal]

One of life's unexpected lessons was starting this adventure with absolutely zero expectation that most of my buyers would be making extraordinarily bad financial decisions when they bought one of my homes.

You should see some of the seller financing agreements that I see. They are typically set up as "lease option" agreements with a 10-20% down payment, 15-30 year amortization, 8-10% interest, and a balloon payment due in about 5 years. Like a buy here, pay here car lot, I've seen the same property given back to the original owner and resold multiple times. It's expensive to be poor.

[BlueHouse]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket. 

[CommonCents]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket.

The best is the Easter bunny on the ski slopes, scattering chocolate as s/he skies!

Yes, it's not as widely celebrated (as um, not as many are Christian as are American celebrating Thanksgiving...or just like presents at Christmas and heck, even more Christians celebrate Christmas than Easter), but yes, a chunk still do Easter dinner.  I am not particularly religious although my family is, so we do it.  My old church pastor used to call folks who only showed up on Easter and Christmas the "Lily and Pointsetta crowd". 

[dragoncar]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket.

Damn, you gotta get on it, Nudelkopf.  I'm agnostic, but I'll feast just about anything: Easter, Passover, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Canadian Thanksgivingm you name it!  Wine and cheese every day!

[Nudelkopf]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket.

When I was a kid, we used to have chocolate eggs hidden around the yard & we'd have to find them. Buut.. Then it was a normal day. Actually, my bootcamp instructor gave me a chocolate rabbit yesterday at the end of training, which was pretty awesome. But I've never heard of people having an Easter dinner, similar to a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner! That's cool!

[renaite]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket.

When I was a kid, we used to have chocolate eggs hidden around the yard & we'd have to find them. Buut.. Then it was a normal day. Actually, my bootcamp instructor gave me a chocolate rabbit yesterday at the end of training, which was pretty awesome. But I've never heard of people having an Easter dinner, similar to a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner! That's cool!

Easter dinner is definitely big here in western new york! My grandmother always makes a ham, and we have Butter Lambs. I didn't realize until recently that butter lambs are only a thing HERE. :-)

[rocksinmyhead]

My family does Easter brunch. unfortunately I live several states away from them now, I don't really go to church anymore and my boyfriend is very non-religious... but you bet I'm still making my Grandma's egg bake on Sunday!!! god damn it is so good. definitely one of my favorite foods of all time. I mean, when you combine a dozen eggs, a pint of cottage cheese, a pound of monterey jack, and a healthy portion of diced ham... how can you go wrong?!?

[Melody]

Coworker A to Coworker B: I can't believe co-worker C spent $9,000 just on his wedding photographer. Our whole wedding only cost that much!
Me [silently in my head]: WTF???? (Or as Co-worker A put it, you can have a really fancy pants wedding for $9k. I've been to 3K and 5K weddings and they were still pretty good - especially the 5k one, it didn't feel like a "budget wedding" at all.)

[Anatidae V]

Coworker A to Coworker B: I can't believe co-worker C spent $9,000 just on his wedding photographer. Our whole wedding only cost that much!
Me [silently in my head]: WTF???? (Or as Co-worker A put it, you can have a really fancy pants wedding for $9k. I've been to 3K and 5K weddings and they were still pretty good - especially the 5k one, it didn't feel like a "budget wedding" at all.)

I'm not sure, as I really hope I misheard it, but I think a coworker spent $1800 on her photographer. I really really hope that she said "18 hundred" and not the "18 thousand" that I thought I heard, which I was too nervous what the answer would be to query what she actually said.

[BlueHouse]

Easter dinner is definitely big here in western new york! My grandmother always makes a ham, and we have Butter Lambs. I didn't realize until recently that butter lambs are only a thing HERE. :-)

What is a butter lamb?  Never heard of it.  Easter Dinner is such a big thing where I'm from (Northeast US), that most schools used to get "Easter Monday" off.  To this day, my mom still exclaims "you have to work on Easter Monday?" When I say I have to leave.

[renaite]

Easter dinner is definitely big here in western new york! My grandmother always makes a ham, and we have Butter Lambs. I didn't realize until recently that butter lambs are only a thing HERE. :-)

What is a butter lamb?  Never heard of it.  Easter Dinner is such a big thing where I'm from (Northeast US), that most schools used to get "Easter Monday" off.  To this day, my mom still exclaims "you have to work on Easter Monday?" When I say I have to leave.

I know there have been explanations of how to insert an image, but I am not figuring it out right now. But these are butter lambs! http://www.buffalobutterlambs.com/ 

[BlueHouse]

I know there have been explanations of how to insert an image, but I am not figuring it out right now. But these are butter lambs! http://www.buffalobutterlambs.com/

my god, those butter lambs are huge!  Is it solid butter?  I love the idea, but that looks like a square foot of solid butter.  How many people attend Polish Easter dinner?  Or does it last all year?

[dragoncar]

My family does Easter brunch. unfortunately I live several states away from them now, I don't really go to church anymore and my boyfriend is very non-religious... but you bet I'm still making my Grandma's egg bake on Sunday!!! god damn it is so good. definitely one of my favorite foods of all time. I mean, when you combine a dozen eggs, a pint of cottage cheese, a pound of monterey jack, and a healthy portion of diced ham... how can you go wrong?!?

Want... can we get a recipe up in here?  The first few google hits did not include cottage cheese.

[rocksinmyhead]

My family does Easter brunch. unfortunately I live several states away from them now, I don't really go to church anymore and my boyfriend is very non-religious... but you bet I'm still making my Grandma's egg bake on Sunday!!! god damn it is so good. definitely one of my favorite foods of all time. I mean, when you combine a dozen eggs, a pint of cottage cheese, a pound of monterey jack, and a healthy portion of diced ham... how can you go wrong?!?

Want... can we get a recipe up in here?  The first few google hits did not include cottage cheese.

I'm out of town but when I get home I'll totally post it. the only copy I have is in my church cookbook :) forgot to add it also includes a stick of butter... it's a real artery-clogger BUT SO GOOD

[Squirrel away]

We used to have ham at Easter dinner and my family is Irish Catholic.

Coworker A to Coworker B: I can't believe co-worker C spent $9,000 just on his wedding photographer. Our whole wedding only cost that much!
Me [silently in my head]: WTF???? (Or as Co-worker A put it, you can have a really fancy pants wedding for $9k. I've been to 3K and 5K weddings and they were still pretty good - especially the 5k one, it didn't feel like a "budget wedding" at all.)

My sister-in-law spent about £30,000 on her wedding, I could probably write a whole thread about her spending!

[ender]

More of a positive story, was talking to an older coworker and somehow the conversation about our companies retirement program came up.

Basically, unless they change it, I have stellar benefits - a generous 401k match to a 401k with great options. We also have a pension which you become vested in after a few years which costs me nothing.

In this conversation, we talked about how important saving is - it gives you so much flexibility when you get to be his age. It was nice to have someone else at work at least seem positive about saving in your 20s/30s. Though... I didn't tell him just how much I am saving :)

[MsSindy]

Background: I worked for one of the big consulting firms, as did my "old boss".  I now work for my client with my "new boss" - but we all still work on the same floor together and have known each other for years.

My New Boss tells me that Old Boss has just announced that he is retiring next month at 42! ...and he can't understand how that is possible and that the Consulting Firm must pay extremely well.

Me: Well, actually you guys make about the same amount.  But think about Old Boss, he doesn't have children, he doesn't dress fancy, no fancy cars, normal size house, and other than a few wine trips out West, he doesn't do fancy vacations - he's kind of a no-nonsense guy.  His only vice is that he buys lunch in the Cafe everyday (of course, this is completely opposite to how my New Boss lives, he's bought into the upscale lifestyle).

New Boss - Hmm, what about you?  You don't have kids, don't buy lunch, and I know you do a lot of that 'gardening stuff'

Me: (grinning) Yeah, and have you seen the 12 year old car that I drive?    ....and then I walk away before I boldly announce that I only have a couple more years and then I too, will be just like Old Boss!!

So happy for Old Boss.  I understand that he and his wife are going to 'slow travel' to various vineyards both here in the US and abroad.

[CommonCents]

We used to have ham at Easter dinner and my family is Irish Catholic.

Coworker A to Coworker B: I can't believe co-worker C spent $9,000 just on his wedding photographer. Our whole wedding only cost that much!
Me [silently in my head]: WTF???? (Or as Co-worker A put it, you can have a really fancy pants wedding for $9k. I've been to 3K and 5K weddings and they were still pretty good - especially the 5k one, it didn't feel like a "budget wedding" at all.)

My sister-in-law spent about £30,000 on her wedding, I could probably write a whole thread about her spending!

$30k (not pounds) is the average wedding here in the US, up from $25k about 2 years ago.  It's seen as a sign that the economy is recovering.

The photographer costs are pretty crazy.  When we looked, we discovered that $2k was the start for a "wedding photographer."  (We opted instead to go with a friendor instead - still paying more than I'd have liked though.)  The sister of a friend of mine spent $9k on a photographer.  She's a doctor, he's a hostage negotiator.

[Setruss]

Not overheard at work, but I have a lot of stories of my housemates.

One such gem:

I wake up at 6:30 am to go to work (usually to beat people to the bathroom and kitchen). 7:00am rolls around and one of my working housemates isn't up...

I come back from a full day of work to find her dining on fine cheese, bread, meat and wine, celebrating her quitting her terrible job (that she's worked in for all of 1 week and barely finished training).

Too bad she has a $1,200 college debt payment due, plus ~$500 due to various sources... all due soon. She has $26 left in her checking and savings accounts. All of her credit cards are maxed out. And no income at all. Her poor parents...

[Angie55]

Listening to co-worker in front of me telling everyone how he got a great deal on antigravity recliner. They are normally $2,500 each but my friend cut me a deal to get TWO for $2,500. This guy lives by himself...

No wonder why I always wear my headphones. Engineers who got their way through college paid for waste their money to no end. It literally puts a pit in my stomach every time I listen to them talk about the latest crap they got.

[CommonCents]

$30k (not pounds) is the average wedding here in the US, up from $25k about 2 years ago.  It's seen as a sign that the economy is recovering.

The photographer costs are pretty crazy.  When we looked, we discovered that $2k was the start for a "wedding photographer."  (We opted instead to go with a friendor instead - still paying more than I'd have liked though.)  The sister of a friend of mine spent $9k on a photographer.  She's a doctor, he's a hostage negotiator.

Emphasis mine
I'm so glad my wedding was last minute, I think everything combined was less than $2k.
You'd think he could have negotiated a better price :D

hahaha.  Good point.  :)  There's a great story actually, about him meeting the three big male cousins that are all police officers and them trying to "interogate" him to see if he was good enough for their cousin.  Needless to say, it didn't phase him that they "subtly" sat and exposed their guns for the conversation, etc.

In this case though, the story I heard was that the bride *really* wanted this photographer.  Can't say if he negotiated them down on price at all, but he may have at least opted for hiring them in order to have a happy wife (and happy life thereafter)...

[eil]

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.

Hope this post isn't too old to dredge up (only a few days!), but I just had to give it my thumbs up.

Most of the time, when I tell people that my phone on Ting costs less than $14 per month, all I get is dead air. No reponse at all... Not even a patronizing hand-waving acknowledgement. It's like speaking those words causes me to cease to exist and the universe forgets I'm there for the five seconds it takes to say them.

It's not often that I volunteer my frugality techniques to people, but I wonder if I wouldn't fit in better with the rest of society if I just made up stories about how much debt I'm in and complained about how expensive necessities like SUVs and televisions are these days.

[Rural]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Please tell me that the Easter Bunny visits you.  This is not only a thing here in the US, it's huge.  And as much as I hate over-commercialization, I never turn my nose up at my Easter Basket.

When I was a kid, we used to have chocolate eggs hidden around the yard & we'd have to find them. Buut.. Then it was a normal day. Actually, my bootcamp instructor gave me a chocolate rabbit yesterday at the end of training, which was pretty awesome. But I've never heard of people having an Easter dinner, similar to a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner! That's cool!

This thread was the first I'd ever heard of a specific Easter Dinner, too, though I was aware that a lot of people eat ham. New Easter clothes are a thing here, and egg hunts.

[SweetLife]

Easter dinner is a thing?? I'm clearly missing out.

Damn, you gotta get on it, Nudelkopf.  I'm agnostic, but I'll feast just about anything: Easter, Passover, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Canadian Thanksgivingm you name it!  Wine and cheese every day!

Ha ha ha .... wine and cheese ... you have these things down pat!!! :)

[renaite]

I know there have been explanations of how to insert an image, but I am not figuring it out right now. But these are butter lambs! http://www.buffalobutterlambs.com/

my god, those butter lambs are huge!  Is it solid butter?  I love the idea, but that looks like a square foot of solid butter.  How many people attend Polish Easter dinner?  Or does it last all year?

BlueHouse, the funniest part is that my grandmother always has a butter lamb there but we're never allowed to use it - she has sticks of butter for the rolls! It just sits there and looks at us through dinner, being decorative. Those ones are giant but the ones she gets are more like maybe 1 cup of butter. They are solid butter though.

... And we're not even Polish. I think you've inspired me to ask how this thing became a "tradition" at our Easter dinner in the first place. My family is Irish!

[PMG]

I know there have been explanations of how to insert an image, but I am not figuring it out right now. But these are butter lambs! http://www.buffalobutterlambs.com/

my god, those butter lambs are huge!  Is it solid butter?  I love the idea, but that looks like a square foot of solid butter.  How many people attend Polish Easter dinner?  Or does it last all year?

BlueHouse, the funniest part is that my grandmother always has a butter lamb there but we're never allowed to use it - she has sticks of butter for the rolls! It just sits there and looks at us through dinner, being decorative. Those ones are giant but the ones she gets are more like maybe 1 cup of butter. They are solid butter though.

... And we're not even Polish. I think you've inspired me to ask how this thing became a "tradition" at our Easter dinner in the first place. My family is Irish!

I bet it's the same lamb, year after year.  She freezes it... very mustachian. ;-)

In my family Easter dinner stems from the increased mobility that cars brought and families moving farther from each other.  It's not a holiday that seems to inspire long distance travel, but semi local family (or the black sheep of the family who abandoned religion) head to the family church Easter morning, then back to Grandma's for Easter dinner.

We had a butter sculpture one year, perhaps a swan?  I don't think it was a lamb.  I think it was a mini trend (with grandma and friends at least) in the 90s.  I almost think grandma had a mold that she melted and made her own...

The youngest grandchild is 21 and we only just convinced Grandma that she didn't have to have an egg hunt...

[renaite]

I bet it's the same lamb, year after year.  She freezes it... very mustachian. ;-)

Ha!

We had a butter sculpture one year, perhaps a swan?  I don't think it was a lamb.  I think it was a mini trend (with grandma and friends at least) in the 90s.  I almost think grandma had a mold that she melted and made her own...

That's awesome too!

I didn't realize butter lambs were so compelling that they would hijack the thread a bit. :-P I feel like I should share an "overheard at work" story to make up for it but I just don't have one. I guess that's a good thing to be able to say!

[Tempe]

The day I compared loudoun virginia to my hometown with this made me shake my head. http://www.costofwedding.com Couples that live in or travel to Loudoun, VA (County) spend between $31,283 and $52,139 on average for their wedding. However, most couples spend between $10,000 - $19,999.
My hometown in MN  spend between $15,548 and $25,914 on average for their wedding. However, most couples spend less than $10,000.

I had some 2 cousins spend 10k on weddings at the same venue with plated food when they had no money or 30k in student debt, and their parents didn't fund the wedding. My stepdad spent maaaybe 1k on the wedding, most of it on alcohol and my brothers suit. Mom's wedding outfit was 100$. The cake cost 100$ or so including the pans. He overbought the marshmallows and some other stuff when he bought ingredients. The cake pans and stand were 80$ish (I made the cake, chocolate with white fondant) Though it was so inexpensive because mom put her foot down on crazy weddings stuff, and we had a potluck brought by my family. I also made some birthday cakes and pans of brownies for that day as well. It was a multi celebration.

For an actual overheard at work, my coworkers were recently lamenting the cost of cars and how the payments were so expensive, and that leasing a car could be a very good monthly deal, uh wth. What kind of cars do they finance? .o.

[PMG]

I've got a coworker...

Last week as I walked by her she started singing "Oh I am so miserable, miserable...."

Later that day she told me "ugh.  I saw that the dogwoods are blooming and I just know I'm going to be miserable for the next two weeks..."

Sure enough, she is.  Allergies aren't fun but wow, her projections of misery made me pity her.  Life is what you make it and she is not very happy.

[Vitai Slade]

So this one happened last night at work:

CW #1: ....and it cost her $40,000 to put in the pool.

Me: $40,000 for a backyard pool?! Is the neighborhood pool right down the street that you pay the HOA fees for not good enough?

CW #2: Yeah, I'd love a pool in my backyard.

Me: I'd rather the $40,000 in my bank account.

CW #1: What good is money if you don't spend it and enjoy it?

Me: It's good for making you even more money so that eventually you don't have to work anymore.

CW #1: How is that? Interest in a bank account isn't going to make you anything.

Me: The stock market.

CW #1: That's gambling.

Me: Yes, there's risk, but it's far from what most people would consider gambling.

CW #1: You're not guaranteed to make money. It's gambling.

Me: Uhh, what do you think your 401k is then?

CW #1: -Awkward silence-

[warfreak2]

CW #1: How is that? Interest in a bank account isn't going to make you anything.

It's incredible how many people will readily believe that pensions are financially impossible.

[Pave]

Our company is going through restructuring, and people keep guessing what's going to happen...

CW1: They're going to cut some projects.
Me: Aha.
CW1: But they wouldn't cut your project. You're safe.
Me: I don't want to be safe. I'd prefer the (severance) package.
CW2: Yea, you could have a long holiday and then start looking for a new job.
Me: I could start with 10 or 20 years.
CW1: Seriously, you got enough savings for 20 years?
Me: If I move to low cost area and don't increase my spending, I never need to find another job.
CW1&CW2: *silence*

[Trouble]

I caught up with an old friend this weekend, he's been in Financial Planning for about 10 years now (he and I both just turned 30).
He's earning definitely over $100k, although probably not too much over.

I love talking about money with anyone, so as a good friend I asked him "so you've been doing this gig for 10 years now, when are you going to retire?"

His response "oh well I probably won't retire until I'm about 55" (granted that is 10 years before normal here in Australia).
WTF dude? You've been helping people plan their financial lives for 10 years and you don't think you'll be able to retire for another 25 years? He also said "I like my job, and what would I do with all that spare time anyway!"

I'm not FI, not even close (am a SAHM) but man when I was working I was ploughing all my money into the mortgage with the intention of saving A LOT.

[AlanStache]

Update... The guy with $200,000 in his checking account listened to me and put money in stocks.

This could have easily been me, can be hard to give up the 'certainty' of cash in a checking account for the 'uncertainty' of investments.  I hope he at least has no debt? 

Am working on a guy at work now and trying to get him to read up on investing.  He has relatively little invested (most all in 401k) but is aggressively paying down debt (after taking more on to buy some wicked cool toys) and is looking to buy a home in a year or so.  So not being in the market is probably not the worst thing but still something he should educate himself on.

[dragoncar]

$200K bought his $2500 in stocks from some place that charges 1% fees, and said he will put more money in stocks... only if his money does well the next couple months.

Let it go man, you don't want to be "responsible" when the next 20% correction comes and he freaks out.

[dan@themadrealworld]

I had a coworker telling me how he needed his tax return to hit his bank account because he had bills to pay.  I saw him after he got his return and he was telling me how he bought a new TV and he was telling me he paid some crazy amount for an HDMI cable-like $100.

FYI- most people probably already know this but you should pretty much buy the cheapest HDMI cable you can. No difference in quality.  They work or they don't.

This guy was whining about needing his return to pay bills and then goes and blows it on a new TV and a $100 HDMI cable.