Overheard at Work

[RetiredAt63]

It is the joie de vivre of the province - a bunch of us were in St.-Andre-Avellin, which is tiny, and we had an amazing lunch for $15 each.  Right across from the Subway on the main street (Rue Principal).  The cafe had a tiny front yard, with a potted tomato plant and potted herbs, so some of their food was grown on site.

Just for future reference, if you are in Montreal again. Chinatown has some great restaurants, one being the Noodle Factory, where we had lunch for less than $20 for the 2 of us. They also have some wonderful bakeries that are cheap, we would often pick up snacks or lunch from one called Harmonie. And also the grocery shops in that area would have cheap fruit and veggies to snack on.

[DrowsyBee]

There are more words that break the 'I before E' rule than follow it, because screw logic.

I before E except after C and in words like neighbor and weight.  Works pretty well.

"I before E, except after C and when it sounds like 'a'" is how I remember it.

But the rule still fails for feisty, heist, weird, foreign and a great many others.

Maybe just think of it in a heavy Scottish Billy Connelly style accent? There is kind of an "a" sound in there.

[RetiredAt63]

Going OT here, and a bit of a rant.

TL:DR - not all purebreds are overpriced and horrible - see why!

All the discussion about pure-breeds versus mixed breeds?  It all depends on the genetics!  Mutt from the shelter - cute puppy - how big is it going to get? What is its temperament? What is its previous health history?  Intentional cross (i.e. golden doodle) - what are the genetics of the parents?  If both parents are from breeds with the same known genetic issues (i.e. golden retriever, standard poodle) then the cross may also have those issues, depends on the parents.
Backyard breeder =/= hobby breeder.  Backyard breeder - in it to make money, no genetic testing of parents, often horrible socialization of puppies.  Or thought that because their bitch is so cute, they can breed her and make money.
Hobby breeder - pays attention to genetics, will have shown the parent, puppies are in the home, well socialized. 
Responsible breeder/kennel - has more than one dog but only one breed (may be two breeds if husband and wife each have own breed), shows, knows genetics, does the genetics testing, those $1000 - $1500 puppies are being sold at a net loss. They are in it because they love the breed, ad are happy/relieved if they break even
Puppy mill - lots of different breeds, no genetics testing, horrible living conditions, puppies will be expensive but low quality, health issues, no socialization.  Puppies usually sold on-line or at pet stores.  No guarantee that the pedigree that comes with the pet store dog is that dog's pedigree, since dogs and paperwork tend to be shipped separately.

How do you tell a good breeder? First, they will grill you about the suitability of your home for their precious puppy.  Their dogs will be good representatives of the breed - (depending on the breed this may mean CKC/AKC titles, working titles, whatever is appropriate). They have done the appropriate genetics/health testing for their breed.  The puppies are properly vaccinated.  They know the good and bad developmental periods for a puppy to move to a new home.  The puppies are used to being in a house and are socialized.  There are no hassles about registration, they will have registered the litter with the appropriate group (CKC, AKC, whoever) and will do the transfer to the new owner.  If they ask extra $ for this, they are not reputable.  Also, many breeders have strict policies about restricted breeding (i.e. you agree to not breed unless certain conditions are met, if they are not met you will spay/neuter the dog, if they are met they will mentor you and you have just become a hobby breeder). They will take the dog back if there are problems instead of it going to a shelter.

The more popular the breed is, the more careful you have to be about your source. Purebreds at shelters may be wonderful, but they may also be puppy mill dogs with all the attendant issues.  Breed rescues will do the care to bring these dogs to the best health and behaviors status they can, but some things can't be fixed.

Why all this?  Because humans have spent several thousand years breeding dogs for various uses, and problems have crept in because of the limited gene pool.  But then we know what we are getting.  Border collies want to herd. Shelties want to herd.  They will give you the eye - you can see they are trying to figure out how to herd you.  Terriers are scrappy -what sensible dog will go down a badger hole or take on a rat that is bigger than it is?  Working dogs want to work.  101 Dalmatians did Dalmatians such a disservice - they are carriage dogs, meant to run under a carriage for 10 hours a day - and then they are house pets and sit around and get fat because this is the wrong environment for them.

Cats on the other hand - a nice domestic sort-hair from the shelter (or some one's kittens) will be fine, usually.  Just make sure you have the vet checkup before you lose your heart.

Background - my adult life has been enriched by three cats from rescue, and three pure-bred dogs from responsible breeders.  No major health issues.  My parents' first 2 dogs were, we think, puppy mill dogs - one had obviously had parvo virus before we got her (adult teeth gave it away) but was otherwise wonderful, the other had epileptic fits which got worse and worse, we had her euthanised at 2, and it broke our hearts to do it.

[Cheddar Stacker]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

The terminology I've always known as 'proper' is bi-weekly for every other week, and semi-monthly for twice/month. This is the first I've heard of any valid use of bi-monthly. I hear people say/write it all the time, but I always thought it was incorrect. Different strokes I guess.

[attica]

There are more words that break the 'I before E' rule than follow it, because screw logic.

I before E except after C and in words like neighbor and weight.  Works pretty well.

"I before E, except after C and when it sounds like 'a'" is how I remember it.

But the rule still fails for feisty, heist, weird, foreign and a great many others.

I before E EXCEPT after C, AND when sounding like A as in neighbor and weigh, and on weekends and holidays and all throughout May, and you'll always be wrong no matter WHAT you say!

Thanks for clearing that up comedian Brian Regan.

[Halfar]

Cop cars idle... all the time. On one hand, it annoys me, but on the other, I understand the need. Though I do laugh when I see one idling empty outside a donut shop.

I'll be glad when they're using newer engines that can start on a dime and give you power pretty much immediately. (How those work without drastically reducing the engine life is another question, but a different topic. I don't know enough so I'm pretty curious.)

But when normal people idle... bleh. A lot of towns/cities these days are putting in no-idle ordinances.

I don't really understand the need. For the most part, I haven't found cops to be all that timely, or useful by the time they actually do show up. That however, is neither here nor there.

My little brother is a commercial truck driver, and for a while was over the road. One of the things that I thought was really cool was the way the engines were setup. There is like a 'sleep' mode for sleeping in the cab. It keeps the engine off, but when the temp drops, it starts it up in some weird mode just to make sure the driver doesn't freeze. Just a really neat piece of technology that I didn't even know existed.

Also, don't the newer Priuses (Prius', Pri-i, Priusi?) or some other hybrid have that 'feature' where they turn off at stoplights?

YES! It's really eery. The first few times I drove my FIL's car I thought it died. You get used to it after a while though. It also uses a generator to help you slow down if you shift to the "B" mode. Helps recharge the battery and use less gas!

You might want to check your manual,  when I looked up why the B mode was for my Prius I read that it is an engine break,  that means you are actually wasting energy by using your engine as a break,  not a mode that charged your battery quicker.

[frugalnacho]

Because you are using the exact same prefix to mean opposite things. 

What's worse than using the same prefix to mean opposite things?  Use an opposite prefix to mean the same thing. 

See flammable/inflammable, and remember English doesn't like rules.

Dr. Nick is the only one i've ever seen tripped  up by that.

[Joggernot]

The terminology I've always known as 'proper' is bi-weekly for every other week, and semi-monthly for twice/month. This is the first I've heard of any valid use of bi-monthly. I hear people say/write it all the time, but I always thought it was incorrect. Different strokes I guess.

Me, too.  But I checked my favorite dictionary site, http://www.onelook.com/ and learned that bi-monthly can be either nowadays.  Things change, and I'm having to check things before answering.  Oh well.

[SwordGuy]

Dictionaries work on the principle that if enough people are wrong about a word, the word changes meaning, because the people are obviously too ignorant to change. :)

So, you're right about bi-weekly and semi-monthly.  Bi-monthly would be every two months. 

But, just like spending more than one makes is the norm, so is being clueless about what bi-monthly means.

Or the difference between their, there, and they're.   Or to, too and two.   Or if-then and greater than, instead of if-than.

If each forum member listed all the fundamental grammar or word-meaning errors they saw or heard at work, we would never have time to discuss anything else on this thread. :(

[Primm]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

I had no idea it had two meanings until I had almost this exact same conversation on another forum and realised that bi- for every 2nd / every two somethings isn't the only reason. It seems (from what I've seen) that using bi-monthly for twice a month is a peculiarly North Americanism.

[arebelspy]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

I had no idea it had two meanings until I had almost this exact same conversation on another forum and realised that bi- for every 2nd / every two somethings isn't the only reason. It seems (from what I've seen) that using bi-monthly for twice a month is a peculiarly North Americanism.

That makes sense.

[KodeBlue]

And here I thought "bi-weekly" meant that once a week you went both ways!

[Primm]

Reason = definition by the way, not sure how that one happened. Can't really blame autocorrect, can I?

[Silverado]

Or the difference between their, there, and they're.   Or to, too and two.   Or if-then and greater than, instead of if-than.

If each forum member listed all the fundamental grammar or word-meaning errors they saw seenor heard at work, we would never have time to discuss anything else on this thread. :(

Fixed it for you. Ouch my ears hurt reading it.

Anyways is my new favorite, though people seem to write it more often than say it.

I ain't perfection, just has my peeves.

[wepner]

Is "they seen or heard at work" really right?

Seems like "they've seen or heard at work" is fine, and what swordguy originally wrote sounds better to me as well.

Or is this a joke and its too early in the morning for me to tell?

[Primm]

I was writing the same reply as wepner and Cathy. Seen? No. Never.

Maybe "had seen". Or "heard and saw" to sound better than "saw and heard".

[valk001]

I am sitting in a military transition class and the instructor just said that a proper budget should have 70% of your monthly pill going to your expenses.

They also gave an example budget of a single SSgt (E-5) that had a monthly bill for food for 500$!!!!  The teacher said it was a good budget.

I had to walk out.  I almost face punched the teacher. 

[LennStar]

I am sitting in a military transition class and the instructor just said that a proper budget should have 70% of your monthly pill going to your expenses.

They also gave an example budget of a single SSgt (E-5) that had a monthly bill for food for 500$!!!!  The teacher said it was a good budget.

I had to walk out.  I almost face punched the teacher.

A savings rate of 30% isnt that bad, and you can always choose to not eat out to get it up to 40%. So yes, for the average person that is a good budget.
good != best ;)

[sarah8001]

Going OT here, and a bit of a rant.

TL:DR - not all purebreds are overpriced and horrible - see why!

This.
Puppies come about two ways: your dog got preggers on accident because you screwed up, and because you chose this female dog for desirable traits, chose a male dog for desirable traits, and carefully paired them up. A mixed breed shelter pup is just as likely to be inbred as a purebred because many times when a dog is accidently bred, she is bred by the dogs closest to her - her brothers or father. Pretty much all mixed breed puppies are accidents, and the vast majority are created by grossly irresponsible owners. NO thought is put into how the offspring will look, behave, or what health issues they will have. At least with a breeder you have a chance that the dog was bred for traits that you find desirable. Bad breeders exist, but some breeders are responsible, and care for the genetic integrity of the dog's offspring. No accidental breeders are responsible, and none of them care about the genetic integrity of the offspring. Also, a mixed breed puppy from the local shelter here will cost 500$, come with a long list of conditions, probably have kennel cough, and might still have some genetic health issue. Not that Mustachian, compared to a responsible breeder who can tell you about the health and temperment of the last three or four generations, make certain health guarentees, and guarentees a healthy pup on delivery.
Not going to even get into how sometimes inbreeding can actually create a healthier, better animal. You're concentrating genes, not creating mutants. Bad genes can get worse, good genes can get better.

[robotclown]

It's that time of year again where people are discussing all the TVs and Xboxes and computers they're going to buy once they get their tax returns.  I have nothing to contribute to the conversation since I actually claim all my exemptions.

[BlueHouse]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

I had no idea it had two meanings until I had almost this exact same conversation on another forum and realised that bi- for every 2nd / every two somethings isn't the only reason. It seems (from what I've seen) that using bi-monthly for twice a month is a peculiarly North Americanism.

I will report back on all the strange looks I get once I start using "fortnightly".  I'm North American, and that's not really a word you hear much in these parts, but I'm going to start using it presently. 

[frugalnacho]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

I had no idea it had two meanings until I had almost this exact same conversation on another forum and realised that bi- for every 2nd / every two somethings isn't the only reason. It seems (from what I've seen) that using bi-monthly for twice a month is a peculiarly North Americanism.

I will report back on all the strange looks I get once I start using "fortnightly".  I'm North American, and that's not really a word you hear much in these parts, but I'm going to start using it presently.

You don't hear it used much here, but I think everyone (most) knows what it means.  I'm gonna start using it too.  I'll report back in a fortnight.

[Pooperman]

I'm flabbergasted there are multiple people here who didn't know that bi-monthly (or bi-weekly) can mean every other month or twice a month, and sometimes one has to clarify if context doesn't make it clear.  I thought that was common knowledge.

I had no idea it had two meanings until I had almost this exact same conversation on another forum and realised that bi- for every 2nd / every two somethings isn't the only reason. It seems (from what I've seen) that using bi-monthly for twice a month is a peculiarly North Americanism.

I will report back on all the strange looks I get once I start using "fortnightly".  I'm North American, and that's not really a word you hear much in these parts, but I'm going to start using it presently.

You don't hear it used much here, but I think everyone (most) knows what it means.  I'm gonna start using it too.  I'll report back in a fortnight.

Score!

[MgoSam]

I am sitting in a military transition class and the instructor just said that a proper budget should have 70% of your monthly pill going to your expenses.

They also gave an example budget of a single SSgt (E-5) that had a monthly bill for food for 500$!!!!  The teacher said it was a good budget.

I had to walk out.  I almost face punched the teacher.

Seeing as the savings rate for the average person is a negative amount, any amount is a good start and for a group of average people (not mustachians) 30% is downright excellent. According to MMM's chart, someone that is 30 years old that is saving 30% should be able to retire at 58, which is a lot sooner than 65.

[frugalnacho]

I am sitting in a military transition class and the instructor just said that a proper budget should have 70% of your monthly pill going to your expenses.

They also gave an example budget of a single SSgt (E-5) that had a monthly bill for food for 500$!!!!  The teacher said it was a good budget.

I had to walk out.  I almost face punched the teacher.

Seeing as the savings rate for the average person is a negative amount, any amount is a good start and for a group of average people (not mustachians) 30% is downright excellent. According to MMM's chart, someone that is 30 years old that is saving 30% should be able to retire at 58, which is a lot sooner than 65.

I think the point is that better than the average consumerist sucka is not necessarily "proper", it's just better than the average consumerist sucka. 

It would be like me saying eating mcdonalds twice a week is a proper diet, and then being scolded, and then me saying "but it's a better diet than the average american!".  Limiting yourself you mcdonalds twice a week may indeed be better than the average american diet, but that doesn't make it a proper diet.

[frugalnacho]

And even more to the point, labeling your budget and savings rate as "proper" with no other factors taken into consideration is stupid.  Is a young man with a wife and 3 kids, all with medical problems, and who is making $22k a year not have a "proper" budget if his savings rate is below 30%?  If you are a professional athlete making $10M/yr and saving 30%, is that a "proper" budget?  The whole concept of 30% being a proper savings rate is completely arbitrary.

[Albert]

And even more to the point, labeling your budget and savings rate as "proper" with no other factors taken into consideration is stupid.  Is a young man with a wife and 3 kids, all with medical problems, and who is making $22k a year not have a "proper" budget if his savings rate is below 30%?  If you are a professional athlete making $10M/yr and saving 30%, is that a "proper" budget?  The whole concept of 30% being a proper savings rate is completely arbitrary.

Proper or not proper, who cares? A guy making 10M/year and saving 30% is in a fantastic shape financially. I'd sign up to that.

[arebelspy]

And even more to the point, labeling your budget and savings rate as "proper" with no other factors taken into consideration is stupid.  Is a young man with a wife and 3 kids, all with medical problems, and who is making $22k a year not have a "proper" budget if his savings rate is below 30%?  If you are a professional athlete making $10M/yr and saving 30%, is that a "proper" budget?  The whole concept of 30% being a proper savings rate is completely arbitrary.

Proper or not proper, who cares? A guy making 10M/year and saving 30% is in a fantastic shape financially. I'd sign up to that.

And when their earning power is gone in 5 years and they've only saved 2-3x their annual expenses (after 5 years of saving 30%)?   

Are they still in fantastic shape?

[frugalnacho]

And even more to the point, labeling your budget and savings rate as "proper" with no other factors taken into consideration is stupid.  Is a young man with a wife and 3 kids, all with medical problems, and who is making $22k a year not have a "proper" budget if his savings rate is below 30%?  If you are a professional athlete making $10M/yr and saving 30%, is that a "proper" budget?  The whole concept of 30% being a proper savings rate is completely arbitrary.

Proper or not proper, who cares? A guy making 10M/year and saving 30% is in a fantastic shape financially. I'd sign up to that.

Until he loses his job and has $7M/yr in expenses to cover.  That's gonna eat his savings very fast.  That's my entire point, it's foolish for the guy making $10M/yr to inflate his expenses to what anyone deems a "proper" budget.   

[Albert]

And even more to the point, labeling your budget and savings rate as "proper" with no other factors taken into consideration is stupid.  Is a young man with a wife and 3 kids, all with medical problems, and who is making $22k a year not have a "proper" budget if his savings rate is below 30%?  If you are a professional athlete making $10M/yr and saving 30%, is that a "proper" budget?  The whole concept of 30% being a proper savings rate is completely arbitrary.

Proper or not proper, who cares? A guy making 10M/year and saving 30% is in a fantastic shape financially. I'd sign up to that.

And when their earning power is gone in 5 years and they've only saved 2-3x their annual expenses (after 5 years of saving 30%)?   

Are they still in fantastic shape?

Correction = he is in fantastic shape as long as he is capable of reducing his spending to normal affluent person's level once his spending power is gone. I think I could do that hence my comment on signing up. Percentages is all good and nice, but absolute numbers matter too. 

[mm1970]

Your formulation ("errors they seen") is categorically wrong (i.e. not standard English).

and it makes my eyes burn and my  ears hurt.  "I seen, you seen, they seen, we seen!"  AHHHHH MAKE IT STOP.

[dragoncar]

Your formulation ("errors they seen") is categorically wrong (i.e. not standard English).

and it makes my eyes burn and my  ears hurt.  "I seen, you seen, they seen, we seen!"  AHHHHH MAKE IT STOP.

[Pooperman]

So this weekend, I was helping out a friend of SO's Aunt fix his 401k. Saved him $300/yr in fees and gave him a better portfolio than he had for the low cost of $25 as well as letting him know his options with regards to getting that money out. He's still "employed" but not getting paid 'cause he can't do carpentry any more from an injury. He can't get unemployment unless his company lets him go, but they are willing to spend money retraining him to do office work by taking some classes. He wants to get SSDI, which he may or may not get. Anyways, I went through his basic options with the 401k (not much, sadly, but far better than your average person). So after we're done, he says he's got to go drive an hour+ to go have barbecue at some flea market or whatever. Him talking about it means he goes there kinda often, at least 2x a month. He's considering taking out money from his 401k, paying penalties and all of that, so he can pay living expenses... he's not looking at the other end of the equation! I will have another meeting with him when he figures out what he's going to be doing (have company let him go for unemployment he's "entitled" to, get SSDI, etc). I may have to kindly suggest that he learn how to play defense sooner rather than later.

AAAAAAAAAH!

So wanted to head-table when he said that. HE also mentioned some dumb conspiracy theory about Illuminati or somesuch bullshit. There may be no helping this guy from himself.

[MayDay]

I'm working a seasonal job at a retail company's shipping/logistics center.  We basically put on shipping labels, and load the packages into Fedex trucks for 10.20 an hour.  You can imagine the quality of employee that this generally attracts.  Almost no one has a college degree.

One of my coworkers graduated May with a publishing degree from a small private liberal arts college (for all I know she had a full scholarship).  I asked if she was hunting for publishing jobs.  She said no.  She hasn't bothered because she needs to save up money BEFORE SHE EVEN BOTHERS TO APPLY because she wants to get a job in NY and it will cost a lot to move.  And she'll need a car. 

I didn't try to explain that perhaps she might at least consider looking for publishing jobs locally so that she could get some experience, some interview practice, etc.  And perhaps make more than 10.20 an hour in a seasonal job that's about to end.  Instead I focused on the car.  I started off with "You probably don't need a car in NYC".  Then I segued into "if you rent an apartment, it'll be much cheaper if you don't need parking".  Then I finished with suggesting Zipcar.

She had never heard of Zipcar and was not convinced that she could live without a car.  In NYC.  Head::desk.

[Pooperman]

I'm working a seasonal job at a retail company's shipping/logistics center.  We basically put on shipping labels, and load the packages into Fedex trucks for 10.20 an hour.  You can imagine the quality of employee that this generally attracts.  Almost no one has a college degree.

One of my coworkers graduated May with a publishing degree from a small private liberal arts college (for all I know she had a full scholarship).  I asked if she was hunting for publishing jobs.  She said no.  She hasn't bothered because she needs to save up money BEFORE SHE EVEN BOTHERS TO APPLY because she wants to get a job in NY and it will cost a lot to move.  And she'll need a car. 

I didn't try to explain that perhaps she might at least consider looking for publishing jobs locally so that she could get some experience, some interview practice, etc.  And perhaps make more than 10.20 an hour in a seasonal job that's about to end.  Instead I focused on the car.  I started off with "You probably don't need a car in NYC".  Then I segued into "if you rent an apartment, it'll be much cheaper if you don't need parking".  Then I finished with suggesting Zipcar.

She had never heard of Zipcar and was not convinced that she could live without a car.  In NYC.  Head::desk.

Try living WITH a car in NYC. It's actually quite hard.

[gimp]

Right? Living with a car in older big cities tends to be hard. In NYC though, pain in the ass, even out in Brooklyn or wherever. (I guess not so bad in Queens.)

[thd7t]

I'm working a seasonal job at a retail company's shipping/logistics center.  We basically put on shipping labels, and load the packages into Fedex trucks for 10.20 an hour.  You can imagine the quality of employee that this generally attracts.  Almost no one has a college degree.

One of my coworkers graduated May with a publishing degree from a small private liberal arts college (for all I know she had a full scholarship).  I asked if she was hunting for publishing jobs.  She said no.  She hasn't bothered because she needs to save up money BEFORE SHE EVEN BOTHERS TO APPLY because she wants to get a job in NY and it will cost a lot to move.  And she'll need a car. 

I didn't try to explain that perhaps she might at least consider looking for publishing jobs locally so that she could get some experience, some interview practice, etc.  And perhaps make more than 10.20 an hour in a seasonal job that's about to end.  Instead I focused on the car.  I started off with "You probably don't need a car in NYC".  Then I segued into "if you rent an apartment, it'll be much cheaper if you don't need parking".  Then I finished with suggesting Zipcar.

She had never heard of Zipcar and was not convinced that she could live without a car.  In NYC.  Head::desk.

I've bolded what I think might be the important bit, here.  She might not know about living in a city with a car, but she seems to be doing the responsible thing regarding her lifestyle.  Looks more like long-term thinking.  It will probably also give her a chance to find out what she really needs.

[merula]

I've bolded what I think might be the important bit, here.  She might not know about living in a city with a car, but she seems to be doing the responsible thing regarding her lifestyle.  Looks more like long-term thinking.  It will probably also give her a chance to find out what she really needs.

It seems to me that long-term thinking would be focused on maximizing earning potential, especially when in the short term, her job opportunity is seasonal and coming to an end.

[aetherie]

One of my coworkers just bought a Tesla. I don't know much about his financial situation, other than that he's an upper-level engineer who probably makes $150-200k, so it's possible this was a well thought out, responsible purchase... but I doubt it.

However, he took us all for short rides around the parking garage today and man, that is the coolest, most futuristic car I've ever seen.

[thd7t]

I've bolded what I think might be the important bit, here.  She might not know about living in a city with a car, but she seems to be doing the responsible thing regarding her lifestyle.  Looks more like long-term thinking.  It will probably also give her a chance to find out what she really needs.

It seems to me that long-term thinking would be focused on maximizing earning potential, especially when in the short term, her job opportunity is seasonal and coming to an end.

Agreed, but given that she's planning a move and recently out of college, she's likely minimizing expenses while preparing for that.  The seasonal job highlights that.  I just don't think that saving money is something to criticize, in the context of this forum.  I agree with others that she's naive about needing a car, but otherwise, there are lots of ways to make money on a short term basis and if you know you're moving, tying yourself up in a permanent position doesn't help anyone.

[geekette]

A friend of mine's father bought a Tesla.  He's 87.  Financially, it's a "why not" for him, and when he passes it down a generation, it'll probably be pretty low mileage!

My friend's husband helped him "program" the darn thing.  Apparently there are pages of options, including a "creep" mode to get into the garage without ramming the back wall.  And what happens when they update the OS? 

[gimp]

When they update the OS... you keep your settings but get bugs fixed and maybe new features. What're you getting at?

[dandarc]

When they update the OS... you keep your settings but get bugs fixed and maybe new features. What're you getting at?

That's not what happened with my wife's Macbook Pro - much much slower.  Be a shame if that happened to a Tesla.

[frugalnacho]

A friend of mine's father bought a Tesla.  He's 87.  Financially, it's a "why not" for him, and when he passes it down a generation, it'll probably be pretty low mileage!

My friend's husband helped him "program" the darn thing.  Apparently there are pages of options, including a "creep" mode to get into the garage without ramming the back wall.  And what happens when they update the OS?

Hopefully they don't take the MS approach.  We know your car was functioning just fine, but we totally changed the OS and it's not compatible with your current car.  Also you owe us more money.  Also we arbitrarily changed the location of every setting you have memorized, even though it offers no advantage to do so, and no you don't have the option to customize it like it was before.  Also we added tons of bugs to make it significantly less stable.  We found 1 security hole too, so instead of fixing it we changed the whole OS to one with 10 security holes.  Also you owe us more money.

[homehandymum]

I've bolded what I think might be the important bit, here.  She might not know about living in a city with a car, but she seems to be doing the responsible thing regarding her lifestyle.  Looks more like long-term thinking.  It will probably also give her a chance to find out what she really needs.

It seems to me that long-term thinking would be focused on maximizing earning potential, especially when in the short term, her job opportunity is seasonal and coming to an end.

Agreed, but given that she's planning a move and recently out of college, she's likely minimizing expenses while preparing for that.  The seasonal job highlights that.  I just don't think that saving money is something to criticize, in the context of this forum.  I agree with others that she's naive about needing a car, but otherwise, there are lots of ways to make money on a short term basis and if you know you're moving, tying yourself up in a permanent position doesn't help anyone.

As someone who was a career 'groundbreaker' in my family (finished high school was the groundbreaking bit, let alone the going to university and getting a post-grad), I can say it if f*cking hard to make good decisions.  You don't know what you don't know, and if no-one in your family can slip you that information in a way that makes real, believable sense to your young brain, then it doesn't happen.

There are plenty of things that I can look back and say "huh, would have done that differently", but you just do the best you can with what you've got.

[AlanStache]

Two CWs, both want puppies. I'm all for rescue. We're in Chicago, Illinois.
...
Another one, visiting from Texas office (when there's staff with nothing at all to do in the Chicago office), leaving today after a week here:
CW1: My flight doesn't leave until 9pm.
Me: Can you change it?
CW1: I don't know. It's ok.
CW2: How are you getting to the airport?
CW1: I don't want to take the Blue Line [inexpensive transit which goes directly to the airport], I'm going to take a cab.
CW2: I understand, a cab is safer.
Me: ......


Oh dear lord, I was under the impression that my coworker's were semi-decent with money.

I'd take a cab too if I was traveling on business.  Flying is enough of an ordeal I think it's fair for my employer to minimize inconvenience

Mass transit can be very intimidating for those who have not used it much, as can plain old walking.  With my phone or someone to read a paper map I would not think twice about driving anywhere-anytime in the right side of the road world on a moments notice in most any car.  Few months ago I spent probably 45min online working out how to take the subway from down town DC to National, subways are just something I have not done much of.  Also had to make a cheat sheet.  Here it was 45$ vs 4$ of my own money so clearly I put in the time.

[Albert]

Mass transit can be very intimidating for those who have not used it much, as can plain old walking.  With my phone or someone to read a paper map I would not think twice about driving anywhere-anytime in the right side of the road world on a moments notice in most any car.  Few months ago I spent probably 45min online working out how to take the subway from down town DC to National, subways are just something I have not done much of.  Also had to make a cheat sheet.  Here it was 45$ vs 4$ of my own money so clearly I put in the time.

Wow. Using subways is the easiest thing in the world as long as you understand the language and even without if there are signs in latin letters. Buses tend to be a lot more complicated, particularly for a first time visitor.

[solon]

Hopefully they don't take the MS approach.  We know your car was functioning just fine, but we totally changed the OS and it's not compatible with your current car.  Also you owe us more money.  Also we arbitrarily changed the location of every setting you have memorized, even though it offers no advantage to do so, and no you don't have the option to customize it like it was before.  Also we added tons of bugs to make it significantly less stable.  We found 1 security hole too, so instead of fixing it we changed the whole OS to one with 10 security holes.  Also you owe us more money.

NO! No Mac vs. PC wars! What is this, 2004?

(Besides that, you're wrong.)

[dragoncar]

Mass transit can be very intimidating for those who have not used it much, as can plain old walking.  With my phone or someone to read a paper map I would not think twice about driving anywhere-anytime in the right side of the road world on a moments notice in most any car.  Few months ago I spent probably 45min online working out how to take the subway from down town DC to National, subways are just something I have not done much of.  Also had to make a cheat sheet.  Here it was 45$ vs 4$ of my own money so clearly I put in the time.

Wow. Using subways is the easiest thing in the world as long as you understand the language and even without if there are signs in latin letters. Buses tend to be a lot more complicated, particularly for a first time visitor.

Yeah I know transit here well, which is why I would drive or shuttle since I know how much transit will add to my travel time and how hard it can be to maneuver bags out of a crowded car

[galliver]

Mass transit can be very intimidating for those who have not used it much, as can plain old walking.  With my phone or someone to read a paper map I would not think twice about driving anywhere-anytime in the right side of the road world on a moments notice in most any car.  Few months ago I spent probably 45min online working out how to take the subway from down town DC to National, subways are just something I have not done much of.  Also had to make a cheat sheet.  Here it was 45$ vs 4$ of my own money so clearly I put in the time.

Wow. Using subways is the easiest thing in the world as long as you understand the language and even without if there are signs in latin letters. Buses tend to be a lot more complicated, particularly for a first time visitor.

Yeah I know transit here well, which is why I would drive or shuttle since I know how much transit will add to my travel time and how hard it can be to maneuver bags out of a crowded car

I come from a country where most people rely on PT and don't have a car. Nonetheless, I had to spend like 30 mins+ over Thanksgiving convincing my dad that it would be quite simple (and cheap) to get to the airport via PT (they were headed out for a 5 day visit to a friend the next week). It's a 1-mi walk to the station and then 2 trains (one transfer). Easy peasy, less than an hour all told (less than driving in rush hour would have been, plus the parking savings!). He thought it would be This Huge Deal. I guess it's basically force of habit. My dad hasn't really taken transit since we moved to the US 20 years ago. Personally, I find it This Huge Deal every time I have to take the car for a day by myself, like if I have a doctor's appt or errands to run. I enjoy going out to the mountains/hiking, taking roadtrips, I like that it saves us time on errands; but I hate personally dealing with driving and parking. I genuinely prefer the bus or biking.

I realize it's a regional thing (rural areas don't have PT to speak of) but I really thing it's a shame that some people never get that experience, that it's never normalized, and they end up being irrationally afraid of it. Most fears (getting lost, being late) can be mitigated with planning or a backup plan (e.g. taxi). Also helps to talk to the drivers; if you're going somewhere new, most I have met will tell you if you're going the right direction and even tell you when your stop is coming up.