Overheard at Work

[Patrick A]

I haven't personally tried it, but I have a co-worker that says that the Ikea milk frother works really well. Not a bad idea to see if it would work for you for 2.50.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10076320/

A large measuring cup and a whisk works splendid as well (and you don't have to buy anything).  I don't actually drink much coffee but my wife seems to love my frugal coffee making skillz. 

[going2ER]

Years ago (when the exchange was very favorable) on my way in to Canada I was asked if I had more than 10K in Canadian currency.  I chuckled and said "not sure, I haven't counted up the change in the ash tray".  That got me a lengthy stop and search...
[/quote]

One way to get stopped into the US is to have a stamp in your passport from visiting Cuba. My husband has been hassled and questioned about why he would even "visit that country", noting the multiple stamps. I don't get my passport stamped.

[going2ER]

Some of my coworkers were told this morning that they will no longer be recieving a travel allowance, we get $90 per pay plus mileage or you can get a higher milage rate. They are losing their minds, how can we stop this, what are we going to do, can we grieve it?

The positons they are in used to require a vehicle and they had to do home visits, they were also told that they no longer have to do home visits and actually have to get a home visit approved by a supervisor if they feel it is necessary. The home visits stop today, but they will still get their $90 biweekly for 6 months.

Not one of them has mentioned that now they have the ability to car pool, and most of them live in the same area, how they don't have to go into homes they feel uncomfortable in and will still be getting this payment for 6 months when they are not using their vehicle.

[eyePod]

My boss handed me an envelope to put money in for a co-worker who is leaving the company.  It lists everyone in the department's name and you write how much you donated- so everyone can see it.  The envelope says "$50 minimum".

This happens at least once a month.  I am astonished at how many peole willingly give money to co-workers simply because they are retiring/got a new job.  Some people give upwards of $100.  I don't even know 90% of the people I work with and I would never consider giving them $10.  I might take 1 or 2 of my co-workers to lunch but thats it.  Everytime it comes around I put a big fat zero by name.  The frusterating thing is this time the boss came around and handed it to me personally saying "It's not required but you should really consider it".  Kind of unprofessional tbh- as they really pressure you to "donate" and I am pretty sure it is reflected in rankings and the management opinion of you.

Unbelievable! I don't think I could bite my tongue on this. Would have to bring it up to HR. Granted, it would be pretty obvious it was you....

[Rollin]

I went from working at a small non-profit where everyone brought their lunch to work and carpooled (and rarely complained about money) to working with a bunch of attorneys who live in huge houses, drive financed cars, send their kids to private schools, and go out to eat for lunch EVERY DAY. The stuff I've heard here has been crazy: 

One of the higher paid attorneys at my work was looking notably down in the dumps, so I asked her if she was okay. Her response: "My student loan officer called me. My monthly payment is increasing from $565/mo to $925/mo. There's no way we can afford that! I'm going to have to sell my house!" She looked like she was about to cry. Not only does she go out to eat every day, but she's in her mid 40s and is still paying on her law school loan that she took out when she was 22!

I heard another attorney say, "Money's been tight lately. At the end of the month, there's nothing left. It started to get bad when I bought the new KIA. Then, of course, my wife was jealous that I got a new car so I had to get her the new Honda CRV. You know how it goes..."

This is amazing!

Also, while I am at it, most all of these are amazing.  However, if I posted what I thought after each one (and everyone else did too) we'd never get through all the posts!

Keep em' coming - comments or not...

[Albert]

We also do the card, presents and money for those retiring and/or moving to another job. There is no pressure to sign or donate anything, though. I only do so for people I liked and have worked together with. Standard amount people leave is 20 franks (ca 22$). If someone is retiring after a long career it's a bit more official with some company money being spent as well.

Honestly I don't mind as long as money involved is not ridiculously large and there is no pressure to sign the card or buy presents.

[Rollin]

"It must be a USDA loans: they exist to encourage people to buy homes out in the sticks."

With the commensurate super high transportation costs making up and savings due to distance ~ sticks.

[dandarc]

CW: "I've got 2 dvrs and one regular box - total is $220 / month".  Discussing cable plans with other CW.

If I cared at all, I might jump in with a "Internet + Netflix - $58" suggestion.  Which by this forum's standards still sucks, but relatively speaking, not so bad.

[Rollin]

Yes, I drink water all day and it tastes just fine to me.  I also drink tea, brewed from whole tea leaves, purchased in bulk quite inexpensively at my indian grocery store. I don't drink much alcohol at all.  I just happen to like cappuccinos - fell for it after a trip to Italy many moons ago.  I don't have to have it everyday, though I go through phases when I do.  Currently in that phase :)  You can facepunch me all you want, but I am not giving it up.
So no hacks for the foam then?

It's not a hack if it costs $100, but my Nespresso Aeroccino makes great foam. And that crema on my espresso from the Nespresso coffee maker...yum. Takes me back to Italy w/every cup!

You can get foam on espresso by using a measuring cup, sugar, and strong arms. Yes you can! Cubans have perfected the technique. I'm not sure if it works with non-Cuban espresso beans, but try this trick to get a nice foam on your coffee. Plus, it wins you badass points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQVzWfB_Ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_espresso

Add warm milk to it to get cafe con leche, aka cafe latte (but much cheaper). Come to Miami if you want to see it done in person.

The trick is to get the first few drops of coffee that come out of the moka pot into the sugar and whisk away with a spoon. For some reason, those first few drops are the only ones that get you a really good foam. The texture you want before adding the whole pot in is a nice creamy sticky gook that is so thick you can lift it with the spoon (before the rest of the liquid is added). It's definitely an art to learn, but once you do you will never go pay fancypants money for one at Starbucks.

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

[Rollin]

My boss handed me an envelope to put money in for a co-worker who is leaving the company.  It lists everyone in the department's name and you write how much you donated- so everyone can see it.  The envelope says "$50 minimum".

This happens at least once a month.  I am astonished at how many peole willingly give money to co-workers simply because they are retiring/got a new job.  Some people give upwards of $100.  I don't even know 90% of the people I work with and I would never consider giving them $10.  I might take 1 or 2 of my co-workers to lunch but thats it.  Everytime it comes around I put a big fat zero by name.  The frusterating thing is this time the boss came around and handed it to me personally saying "It's not required but you should really consider it".  Kind of unprofessional tbh- as they really pressure you to "donate" and I am pretty sure it is reflected in rankings and the management opinion of you.

That happened here recently for the person getting a new job - that was for more money!  I did not contribute.  I do for close to me employee retirements, but not for new jobs.

[seanc0x0]

My hack is to suck it up and drink it black.

My hack is to just not drink it.

Water is delicious, and free.

I did laugh at Nords' story.  :D

This. I never started drinking coffee in the first place. Same with alcohol. I figured if I ever got hooked on either it'd be too expensive. I haven't enjoyed the small amounts I've tried, so I figure I'm not missing out anyway.

I enjoy me some alcohol. In moderation, of course.

My hack for booze is to make it myself.  My favourite drink is mead, which if you can even find it in a liquor store, is usually $25/bottle or more.  Honey, on the other hand, is about $40 for 15lbs, which makes ~30 bottles. Add in yeast, yeast nutrients, and corks and you're looking at under $50 for 30 bottles. Given I drink about 2-3 bottles a week, at $1.66 per bottle I'm out less than 5 dollars a week, on average, for adult beverages. Totally worth it to me.

Wait, what's the standard drink equivalent of a bottle? Like 1bottle=1 beer?  Or 1 bottle = 5 glasses of wine?

It's 750mL.  A standard wine bottle, in other words.

[Cheddar Stacker]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

How about "Rollin"? Like rolling off topic here?

[jordanread]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

How about "Rollin"? Like rolling off topic here?

I vote for some noun that will confuse everyone. Like cupcake or something completely unrelated to anything. And we must just drop the word, without any context. :)

[LennStar]

I vote for some noun that will confuse everyone. Like cupcake or something completely unrelated to anything. And we must just drop the word, without any context. :)

COLLATERAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS

[Cheddar Stacker]

I vote for some noun that will confuse everyone. Like cupcake or something completely unrelated to anything. And we must just drop the word, without any context. :)

COLLATERAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS

Incompl te!

[hazelkate]

How about we say "There's an ingrown hair in this mustache!" Or maybe just, "Ingrown hair."?

[NoraLenderbee]

Yes, I drink water all day and it tastes just fine to me.  I also drink tea, brewed from whole tea leaves, purchased in bulk quite inexpensively at my indian grocery store. I don't drink much alcohol at all.  I just happen to like cappuccinos - fell for it after a trip to Italy many moons ago.  I don't have to have it everyday, though I go through phases when I do.  Currently in that phase :)  You can facepunch me all you want, but I am not giving it up.
So no hacks for the foam then?

It's not a hack if it costs $100, but my Nespresso Aeroccino makes great foam. And that crema on my espresso from the Nespresso coffee maker...yum. Takes me back to Italy w/every cup!

You can get foam on espresso by using a measuring cup, sugar, and strong arms. Yes you can! Cubans have perfected the technique. I'm not sure if it works with non-Cuban espresso beans, but try this trick to get a nice foam on your coffee. Plus, it wins you badass points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQVzWfB_Ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_espresso

Add warm milk to it to get cafe con leche, aka cafe latte (but much cheaper). Come to Miami if you want to see it done in person.

The trick is to get the first few drops of coffee that come out of the moka pot into the sugar and whisk away with a spoon. For some reason, those first few drops are the only ones that get you a really good foam. The texture you want before adding the whole pot in is a nice creamy sticky gook that is so thick you can lift it with the spoon (before the rest of the liquid is added). It's definitely an art to learn, but once you do you will never go pay fancypants money for one at Starbucks.

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

In the spirit of the latest off-topic tangent, how about "foam"?

"This thread's getting foamy."

"I like the foam, but getting back to the original topic . . ."

[NoraLenderbee]

"We wanted to get our daughter something special for her sixth birthday, something she'll always remember. We found these adorable diamond earrings for under a thousand, but we figured she may be too young for that type of responsibility. Maybe for her eighth..."

For my sixth birthday, I had a small party (6-8 kids?) with games and ice-cream cones from Baskin-Robbins. I still remember it. Earrings? Would have lost them in a week.

[jordanread]

How about we say "There's an ingrown hair in this mustache!" Or maybe just, "Ingrown hair."?

Growing the wrong way. Fun!! I'd just say "ingrown"...

In the spirit of the latest off-topic tangent, how about "foam"?

"This thread's getting foamy."

"I like the foam, but getting back to the original topic . . ."

And then it's this big inside joke. :) I love it!

For my sixth birthday, I had a small party (6-8 kids?) with games and ice-cream cones from Baskin-Robbins. I still remember it. Earrings? Would have lost them in a week.

It's not quite Mustachian, since it's still consuming stupid plastic, but I've found that the cake, and dollar store squirt guns are the best bet. Usually, they come in packs of two. Last time I spent $4, and the kids at the party ignored the freaking bouncy house, because BATTLE!! :-)

[Lis]

"We wanted to get our daughter something special for her sixth birthday, something she'll always remember. We found these adorable diamond earrings for under a thousand, but we figured she may be too young for that type of responsibility. Maybe for her eighth..."

For my sixth birthday, I had a small party (6-8 kids?) with games and ice-cream cones from Baskin-Robbins. I still remember it. Earrings? Would have lost them in a week.

Completely agree. I got a pair of diamond earrings from some family member when I turned 16, and I was never allowed to wear them for fear of losing them. I'm 24 and have moved out now, and I think they're still hiding in my parent's safe. Most kids that young haven't learned consumerism (read: MOST! Not all, unfortunately). Ice cream, cheap water guns, friends... that's what you need to make a party memorable at that age. Heck, now I'm thinking water balloon fight for my 25th birthday! (which is in the winter, unfortunately... time for plan b...)

[dandarc]

"We wanted to get our daughter something special for her sixth birthday, something she'll always remember. We found these adorable diamond earrings for under a thousand, but we figured she may be too young for that type of responsibility. Maybe for her eighth..."

For my sixth birthday, I had a small party (6-8 kids?) with games and ice-cream cones from Baskin-Robbins. I still remember it. Earrings? Would have lost them in a week.

Completely agree. I got a pair of diamond earrings from some family member when I turned 16, and I was never allowed to wear them for fear of losing them. I'm 24 and have moved out now, and I think they're still hiding in my parent's safe. Most kids that young haven't learned consumerism (read: MOST! Not all, unfortunately). Ice cream, cheap water guns, friends... that's what you need to make a party memorable at that age. Heck, now I'm thinking water balloon fight for my 25th birthday! (which is in the winter, unfortunately... time for plan b...)

Snowball fight - like a water balloon fight, but you don't even need the balloons!

[Daisy]

Yes, I drink water all day and it tastes just fine to me.  I also drink tea, brewed from whole tea leaves, purchased in bulk quite inexpensively at my indian grocery store. I don't drink much alcohol at all.  I just happen to like cappuccinos - fell for it after a trip to Italy many moons ago.  I don't have to have it everyday, though I go through phases when I do.  Currently in that phase :)  You can facepunch me all you want, but I am not giving it up.
So no hacks for the foam then?

It's not a hack if it costs $100, but my Nespresso Aeroccino makes great foam. And that crema on my espresso from the Nespresso coffee maker...yum. Takes me back to Italy w/every cup!

You can get foam on espresso by using a measuring cup, sugar, and strong arms. Yes you can! Cubans have perfected the technique. I'm not sure if it works with non-Cuban espresso beans, but try this trick to get a nice foam on your coffee. Plus, it wins you badass points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQVzWfB_Ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_espresso

Add warm milk to it to get cafe con leche, aka cafe latte (but much cheaper). Come to Miami if you want to see it done in person.

The trick is to get the first few drops of coffee that come out of the moka pot into the sugar and whisk away with a spoon. For some reason, those first few drops are the only ones that get you a really good foam. The texture you want before adding the whole pot in is a nice creamy sticky gook that is so thick you can lift it with the spoon (before the rest of the liquid is added). It's definitely an art to learn, but once you do you will never go pay fancypants money for one at Starbucks.

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Why? I think the comments add to the discussion and enjoy reading them personally.

Thank you.

Hey, you can let one request go by, but after two desperate calls for espresso-foam-help from crazyworld, what am I to do? Just let it pass when I have the answer to their lifelong search for cheap foamed espresso?

I guess I just wasn't raised that way. ;-) If I see someone desperately calling for help and I have the answer, then I am going to jump in and help. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it! ;-)

BTW, I learned the "first few drops of coffee" trick from someone at work, so technically this knowledge was "overheard at work". :-)

And, everyone needs a good bit of espresso to get through the 92 pages of this thread.

[RetiredAt63]

That depends a bit on circumstances - when my daughter was competitive in Irish Dance, we went to Rochester once - there must have been lots of Moms and daughters already through at that point, because when we were asked where we were going and I said Rochester for an Irish Dance competition, the US border officer smiled and waved us through, no more questions.

1. Everyone in the car is not either 100% US or 100% Canadian passport holders, AND there are children in the car, AND especially if both parents of the kids are not in the car.
2. Variations thereof are almost as likely.  This makes sense -- are you abducting children?  Are you planning on illegal immigration?

[jordanread]

Hey, you can let one request go by, but after two desperate calls for espresso-foam-help from crazyworld, what am I to do? Just let it pass when I have the answer to their lifelong search for cheap foamed espresso?

I guess I just wasn't raised that way. ;-) If I see someone desperately calling for help and I have the answer, then I am going to jump in and help. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it! ;-)

BTW, I learned the "first few drops of coffee" trick from someone at work, so technically this knowledge was "overheard at work". :-)

And, everyone needs a good bit of espresso to get through the 92 pages of this thread.

Don't take that as an attack. It's more poking fun at how great we Mustachians are at finding the awesome in everything, regardless of the actual topic. :-) The comments above are pretty tongue in cheek. ;-)

That being said, I have an espresso machine, and need a good frothing cup. I'm totally trying the things mentioned. Also, my NutriBullet and bullet proof coffee makes some wonderful goodness.

[dragoncar]

Yes, I drink water all day and it tastes just fine to me.  I also drink tea, brewed from whole tea leaves, purchased in bulk quite inexpensively at my indian grocery store. I don't drink much alcohol at all.  I just happen to like cappuccinos - fell for it after a trip to Italy many moons ago.  I don't have to have it everyday, though I go through phases when I do.  Currently in that phase :)  You can facepunch me all you want, but I am not giving it up.
So no hacks for the foam then?

It's not a hack if it costs $100, but my Nespresso Aeroccino makes great foam. And that crema on my espresso from the Nespresso coffee maker...yum. Takes me back to Italy w/every cup!

You can get foam on espresso by using a measuring cup, sugar, and strong arms. Yes you can! Cubans have perfected the technique. I'm not sure if it works with non-Cuban espresso beans, but try this trick to get a nice foam on your coffee. Plus, it wins you badass points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQVzWfB_Ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_espresso

Add warm milk to it to get cafe con leche, aka cafe latte (but much cheaper). Come to Miami if you want to see it done in person.

The trick is to get the first few drops of coffee that come out of the moka pot into the sugar and whisk away with a spoon. For some reason, those first few drops are the only ones that get you a really good foam. The texture you want before adding the whole pot in is a nice creamy sticky gook that is so thick you can lift it with the spoon (before the rest of the liquid is added). It's definitely an art to learn, but once you do you will never go pay fancypants money for one at Starbucks.

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

[MikeBear]

Yes, I drink water all day and it tastes just fine to me.  I also drink tea, brewed from whole tea leaves, purchased in bulk quite inexpensively at my indian grocery store. I don't drink much alcohol at all.  I just happen to like cappuccinos - fell for it after a trip to Italy many moons ago.  I don't have to have it everyday, though I go through phases when I do.  Currently in that phase :)  You can facepunch me all you want, but I am not giving it up.
So no hacks for the foam then?

It's not a hack if it costs $100, but my Nespresso Aeroccino makes great foam. And that crema on my espresso from the Nespresso coffee maker...yum. Takes me back to Italy w/every cup!

You can get foam on espresso by using a measuring cup, sugar, and strong arms. Yes you can! Cubans have perfected the technique. I'm not sure if it works with non-Cuban espresso beans, but try this trick to get a nice foam on your coffee. Plus, it wins you badass points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CQVzWfB_Ok
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_espresso

Add warm milk to it to get cafe con leche, aka cafe latte (but much cheaper). Come to Miami if you want to see it done in person.

The trick is to get the first few drops of coffee that come out of the moka pot into the sugar and whisk away with a spoon. For some reason, those first few drops are the only ones that get you a really good foam. The texture you want before adding the whole pot in is a nice creamy sticky gook that is so thick you can lift it with the spoon (before the rest of the liquid is added). It's definitely an art to learn, but once you do you will never go pay fancypants money for one at Starbucks.

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

[jordanread]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

[MikeBear]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

[dragoncar]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyixC9NsLI

[Beric01]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

What did I just listen to? :P

[LennStar]

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

We germans call that "Ohrwurm", literally ear worm, because it eats into your ear and sits there forever ;)

[Gmullz]

Just heard a coworker talk about financing a Suburu WRX STI. He told another coworker how much the monthly payment was @ 1.9 APR, and his response was: "Oh yea, that's a good payment".

Good...payment......such a misnomer. :(

[Timmmy]

Just heard a coworker talk about financing a Suburu WRX STI. He told another coworker how much the monthly payment was @ 1.9 APR, and his response was: "Oh yea, that's a good payment".

Good...payment......such a misnomer. :(

But it's such an awesome car to drive.  I had a WRX wagon for a while, greatest car for Michigan winters.

[jordanread]

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyixC9NsLI

Now the badger song. That I can get behind. Same with the Llama song.

This Muskrat thing is...odd, but kind of fun.

[DecD]

My work is located in a very nice suburb: low COL, nice houses, excellent schools.  So when a coworker moved here, I found it mind boggling that he and his wife (elementary teacher who didn't yet have a job: could work anywhere) chose to live in an equally nice, equally low COL suburb 40 miles away.  Our city is not known for pleasant traffic patterns, either.

But I didn't feel compelled to post here until he showed up at work DELIGHTED with his brand new, financed Dodge Ram 1500 enormous pickup truck, fully decked out, for his commute. 80 miles per day at 15-18 mpg....when he had his pick of about 5 neighborhoods within 5 miles of work. 

Insane.  He is so proud of his truck.

(I've watched his habits over the year he's been here of making moderately bad financial decisions.  They're not devastating- he makes a good salary, he can "afford" the truck.  He chose a moderately priced home.  They like to go to target and buy stuff on the weekends.  But the small things will add up.  He will work until he's 68. When the alternative is staring him in the face.)

[HairyUpperLip]

Just heard a coworker talk about financing a Suburu WRX STI. He told another coworker how much the monthly payment was @ 1.9 APR, and his response was: "Oh yea, that's a good payment".

Good...payment......such a misnomer. :(

But it's such an awesome car to drive.  I had a WRX wagon for a while, greatest car for Michigan winters.

Lol - I was about to post the same thing earlier but decided not too because of a fear of face punches.

I had a Subaru WRX STi before and I don't regret any penny or second of it. In fact, I wish I still had it. I fucking loved that car. But I also love cars more than life itself so I actually enjoy my time with and around vehicles.

On the same note, I'm all in favor of biking and walking for local stuff. Walking to work is the best thing in the world and not even for the money savings. It's just nice to have that relaxing time to walk and think or listen to some music you love. Can't beat it.

[tmac]

Just heard a coworker talk about financing a Suburu WRX STI. He told another coworker how much the monthly payment was @ 1.9 APR, and his response was: "Oh yea, that's a good payment".

Good...payment......such a misnomer. :(

But it's such an awesome car to drive.  I had a WRX wagon for a while, greatest car for Michigan winters.

Lol - I was about to post the same thing earlier but decided not too because of a fear of face punches.

I had a Subaru WRX STi before and I don't regret any penny or second of it. In fact, I wish I still had it. I fucking loved that car. But I also love cars more than life itself so I actually enjoy my time with and around vehicles.

On the same note, I'm all in favor of biking and walking for local stuff. Walking to work is the best thing in the world and not even for the money savings. It's just nice to have that relaxing time to walk and think or listen to some music you love. Can't beat it.

My super-non-mustachian friend has a WRX. She bought it new and and has driven it for 10 years. Considering her usual rapid-fire spending and discarding habits, I think that's the best recommendation for a car I've ever seen.

[nawhite]

CW1: Looks like the stock market is taking a beating today.
Me: Meh, as long as people keep buying our company's stuff so I keep a job, I don't mind buying a portion of other companies' profits for less money.
CW2: The stock market is a scam anyway.
CW1: So no 401k for CW2?
CW2: Nope I used to have one but it was my worst investment by far.
Me: Well in the past 5 years its been really good to me. I'm pretty sure if you count company matches in my returns I'm over 30%/year for the past 3 years?
CW2: Winning the lottery beats company match every time.
Me: I don't know, I know people who are millionaires because of company matches and 401k's. I don't know anyone who became a millionaire with the Lottery.
CW1: Looks like you need to add to your "poor and desperate" friends list.

[Elderwood17]

CW1: Looks like the stock market is taking a beating today.
Me: Meh, as long as people keep buying our company's stuff so I keep a job, I don't mind buying a portion of other companies' profits for less money.
CW2: The stock market is a scam anyway.
CW1: So no 401k for CW2?
CW2: Nope I used to have one but it was my worst investment by far.
Me: Well in the past 5 years its been really good to me. I'm pretty sure if you count company matches in my returns I'm over 30%/year for the past 3 years?
CW2: Winning the lottery beats company match every time.
Me: I don't know, I know people who are millionaires because of company matches and 401k's. I don't know anyone who became a millionaire with the Lottery.
CW1: Looks like you need to add to your "poor and desperate" friends list.

???   That conversation went from crazy to hyper crazy real quickly.  The statement about winning the lottery beating company match is the only thing that made any sense, because WINNING the lottery truly does, but PLAYING the lottery almost for certain does not, but that is a word play technicality.  Does CW2 know people who are millionaires because of the lottery?

[AlanStache]

CW1: Looks like the stock market is taking a beating today.
Me: Meh, as long as people keep buying our company's stuff so I keep a job, I don't mind buying a portion of other companies' profits for less money.
CW2: The stock market is a scam anyway.
CW1: So no 401k for CW2?
CW2: Nope I used to have one but it was my worst investment by far.
Me: Well in the past 5 years its been really good to me. I'm pretty sure if you count company matches in my returns I'm over 30%/year for the past 3 years?
CW2: Winning the lottery beats company match every time.
Me: I don't know, I know people who are millionaires because of company matches and 401k's. I don't know anyone who became a millionaire with the Lottery.
CW1: Looks like you need to add to your "poor and desperate" friends list.

???   That conversation went from crazy to hyper crazy real quickly.  The statement about winning the lottery beating company match is the only thing that made any sense, because WINNING the lottery truly does, but PLAYING the lottery almost for certain does not, but that is a word play technicality.  Does CW2 know people who are millionaires because of the lottery?

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

[Cheddar Stacker]

CW1: Looks like the stock market is taking a beating today.
Me: Meh, as long as people keep buying our company's stuff so I keep a job, I don't mind buying a portion of other companies' profits for less money.
CW2: The stock market is a scam anyway.
CW1: So no 401k for CW2?
CW2: Nope I used to have one but it was my worst investment by far.
Me: Well in the past 5 years its been really good to me. I'm pretty sure if you count company matches in my returns I'm over 30%/year for the past 3 years?
CW2: Winning the lottery beats company match every time.
Me: I don't know, I know people who are millionaires because of company matches and 401k's. I don't know anyone who became a millionaire with the Lottery.
CW1: Looks like you need to add to your "poor and desperate" friends list.

???   That conversation went from crazy to hyper crazy real quickly.  The statement about winning the lottery beating company match is the only thing that made any sense, because WINNING the lottery truly does, but PLAYING the lottery almost for certain does not, but that is a word play technicality.  Does CW2 know people who are millionaires because of the lottery?

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

That's the best line I've heard today. I'd love to see the actual statistics. I think suicide by commercial airline flight might be more statistically probable than rich by lottery winnings.

[arebelspy]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

That's the best line I've heard today. I'd love to see the actual statistics. I think suicide by commercial airline flight might be more statistically probable than rich by lottery winnings.

Someone needs to dig into random statistics for odds of death and find one that as (un)likely as winning the lotto, so we can tweak that phrase for accuracy.

Maybe something like: "Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by riding up and down elevators"?

[CheapskateWife]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.

Muskrat

GREAT!, now I have that stupid song stuck in my head...

Oh, how I want to Google a muskrat song, but I'm scared...

Oh, you are so young... Here, it's the kind of song that you think you hate, but your brain secretly likes it and makes it run in your head until you go insane, or think the only way out is to eat a bullet, lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

And now I miss my grandparents...

[geekette]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

And either way, you'll probably run out of money before achieving your goal.

[arebelspy]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

And either way, you'll probably run out of money before achieving your goal.

NICE!

[ketchup]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

That's the best line I've heard today. I'd love to see the actual statistics. I think suicide by commercial airline flight might be more statistically probable than rich by lottery winnings.

Someone needs to dig into random statistics for odds of death and find one that as (un)likely as winning the lotto, so we can tweak that phrase for accuracy.

Maybe something like: "Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by riding up and down elevators"?

I looked up the numbers, and you're about 20 times more likely to die by getting on an airplane (one way) than win the Powerball jackpot.  In case anyone was curious.

[DeepEllumStache]

In a prior role, the group used to throw baby showers or retirement parties and have a "Money Tree" where people would tie cash to a small twiggy tree for the honoree.

One of the people that reported to me decided to throw herself a dog shower complete with a Money Tree. She had gotten an expensive puppy from the breeder and wanted one for herself since everyone else got to have them for babies or retiring.  She had even registered her new furry family member at Target. 

She had organized and was planning to throw the dog shower on company time.  Tragically she didn't invite her boss (but did invite some of my peers).  Interesting woman. 

My boss's boss stopped her after the invitations went out.  No Money Tree for her.

[Rollin]

We need to come up with a quick code word when we get too far down a follow up thread, or off topic.
[/quote]

Muskrat
[/quote]

I liked (and laughed at) Rollin...off topic and some of the others, but Muskrat is cool.  Still though, rollin might be good for those that don't know what Muskrat means.  "Hey, there they go rollin again!"  "Would you stop rollin and get back on topic?"  Keep movin', movin', movin' rollin, rollin, rollin, Though they're disapprovin', Keep them doggies movin' rollin' Rawhide! (sorry to add to the Muskrat song in your heads :)

[LennStar]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

That's the best line I've heard today. I'd love to see the actual statistics. I think suicide by commercial airline flight might be more statistically probable than rich by lottery winnings.

Someone needs to dig into random statistics for odds of death and find one that as (un)likely as winning the lotto, so we can tweak that phrase for accuracy.

Maybe something like: "Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by riding up and down elevators"?

Winning a lottery - which one?
The most played german one has a propability of 1:45 Million to win, which on average gives around a million.
one website says 2010 was first year with 5 billion people flying. A newspaper says 3 billion in 2013 and 265 dead, lowest number for long time (= one in 11 million). Another one says 1 dead for 2,4 million flyers. For europe you can have that
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/File:Air_transport_accidents_-_number_of_fatalities,_annual_average_2007-2009_%281%29_%28persons_killed%29-de.png

So, eve with fairly different numbers, one can say that flying is more likely to kill you than playing a lottery makes you a millionaire. Of course, you can play 10 times for ten bucks (or a hundret, if you wish), flying is a bit more expensive.

[dragoncar]

Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by flying on commercial airlines.

That's the best line I've heard today. I'd love to see the actual statistics. I think suicide by commercial airline flight might be more statistically probable than rich by lottery winnings.

Someone needs to dig into random statistics for odds of death and find one that as (un)likely as winning the lotto, so we can tweak that phrase for accuracy.

Maybe something like: "Trying to get rich by playing the lottery is like trying to commit suicide by riding up and down elevators"?

Winning a lottery - which one?
The most played german one has a propability of 1:45 Million to win, which on average gives around a million.
one website says 2010 was first year with 5 billion people flying. A newspaper says 3 billion in 2013 and 265 dead, lowest number for long time (= one in 11 million). Another one says 1 dead for 2,4 million flyers. For europe you can have that
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/File:Air_transport_accidents_-_number_of_fatalities,_annual_average_2007-2009_%281%29_%28persons_killed%29-de.png

So, eve with fairly different numbers, one can say that flying is more likely to kill you than playing a lottery makes you a millionaire. Of course, you can play 10 times for ten bucks (or a hundret, if you wish), flying is a bit more expensive.

The vast majority of lottery winner win $1.