Overheard at Work

[MgoSam]

Well, I got called a "minimalist" at work today. It actually hurt more than I thought. My mental strength just isn't what I thought it was. I have had to defend myself before or deflect some thing before, but this one hurt because it was nonchalant and not actually spoken directly to me.

Been there - first from family, then from friends.  Definitely hurt the first time around because I thought we were living a good life, but being smart with purchases.  Funny part is that I now think we have way too much stuff and need to streamline what we already own. 

With recent knowledge, I agree with the poster who would 100% owe up to it.  It is our identity - buy what you need and what makes you happy, forget the rest.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
-Gandhi

[hdatontodo]

Well, I got called a "minimalist" at work today. It actually hurt more than I thought. My mental strength just isn't what I thought it was. I have had to defend myself before or deflect some thing before, but this one hurt because it was nonchalant and not actually spoken directly to me.
..

Someone attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that for something to bother you, YOU had to believe some of it is true. My question would be, if you are a minimalist, why would it bother you to be called one?

[rocketpj]

Helped a person at my work shop for and buy a new couch to replace his old one (part of purging his home after a bedbug thing - ick).  We had a truck so we helped him.  Small budget, but we found him a dirt cheap, nice enough new couch and chair for $450.  He asks to borrow the extra money, and one of my coworkers lends it to him.

IMMEDIATELY after borrowing the money we go for lunch at a Subway (I know, but it was a social context and I was prepared to drop $2 on a veggie sub).  Mr. Bigshot, who just borrowed $125 from my coworker to pay for the couch we were all helping him to acquire, magnanimously pays for everybody's sub.  I almost fell over from shock.  Desperate need of a facepunch, and to be honest I'm surprised that the guy who loaned him the cash didn't in fact smack him.

[GardenFun]

Well, I got called a "minimalist" at work today. It actually hurt more than I thought. My mental strength just isn't what I thought it was. I have had to defend myself before or deflect some thing before, but this one hurt because it was nonchalant and not actually spoken directly to me.
..

Someone attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that for something to bother you, YOU had to believe some of it is true. My question would be, if you are a minimalist, why would it bother you to be called one?

It was the snarky tone used when making the comment.  A combination of "Are you having money issues?", "You're weird", and "You don't understand society expectations" all rolled into one statement.  Being it was initially from family, I was floored - we weren't a flashy family but since DH and I had good jobs, I think there was some expectation of lifestyle inflation that we were not achieving.  So I would agree with the Roosevelt comparison, part of me wondered if there was something wrong with me.  Fortunately DH is stubborn and embraced it as a compliment.  This was way pre-MMM, so the groundwork was already forming. 

[Lookilu]

My former workplace was a goldmine of tragicomedy.

After receiving her first paycheck, one  of our new admin assistants went to the local 'outlet' mall and purchased: a pair of sunglasses that cost her entire paycheck (around $600). I did not know that sunglasses--even with a designer label--could cost that much unless they granted the wearer x-ray vision.

As I sat there, stunned, the rest of the admin assistants congratulated her on making such a smart buy.

just for sun or actual sight correctoin?
If its the sight correction you can get easily above that.

And you can easily get below that as well, even if for correction.   I got my prescription sunglasses from Zenni for less than $30, and I have horrible eyes and serious prescription.

Nope. Not prescription lenses. Just to be "fashionable." Meanwhile, she was holding her work trousers together with safety pins.

[secondcor521]

Anyone else notice that this thread has made it past 1 million views?

Wowzers.

[Pooperman]

Anyone else notice that this thread has made it past 1 million views?

Wowzers.

This thread can RE. :D

[HappierAtHome]

Listened to a ten minute long rant about the incompetence of a pool cleaning company :-/

People with super spendy lives sure seem to have a lot to complain about.

[Goldielocks]

So, I finally have a story.  My supervisor took a bunch of us out to lunch at a nice sushi place, and somehow money came up in the conversation.  One of the fellows said something like "even if you got a million dollars you couldn't retire - the interest isn't enough to live on and with the way inflation is, it'll be worth less and less as time goes on".  So I asked him how much interest he figured you'd get, and he said 'about 50k yearly'.  So I asked him how much he was living on per year.  He didn't answer, but here's the punchline; we're all engineering grad students (masters or PhD).  NONE of us are making over 20K per year, except the prof.  Take away tuition and I'd be surprised if we're clearing 12K (of course almost no taxes...).  This guy doesn't own a car and lives with roommates to save money.  But somehow he hasn't figured out the logic here.  Hilarious.  On the plus side, when I finish, I figure I can live a posh life on 20k per year...

That's a perfect teachable moment.  If he's at that stage in life, he's clearly just parroting things he's heard about it not being enough to live on.. so you can tell him that, believe it or not, that 40-50k annually is enough (and in fact, is what the median household lives on).

Perfect!  I was just chatting with my Dad, today, who recently turned 72, and has to now make mandatory RRSP withdrawls (on top of his pension).  He mentioned that although he was making >$300k, Gross, in his final years as an airline Pilot, and bringing home 44% of that total, he and my mom now spend for their day to day lives only $40k per year as retirees (plus elective travel they can cancel at any time.)  This includes the utilities, top shelf insurance, two newish vehicles including a F250, and a large expensive house to maintain.

So -- someone who used to make a TON of money, has discovered the truth -- without even trying, they have a lifestyle of $40k per year, (with a paid off house).   A typical challenge is deciding what to do with their money.

And, he still works a side business as a carpenter (cabinet maker) for the enjoyment of it, and likely brings in $30k a year, net, in income.

[Metta]

Listened to a ten minute long rant about the incompetence of a pool cleaning company :-/

People with super spendy lives sure seem to have a lot to complain about.

It is so true. Their lives are endlessly complicated by the evil machinations or incompetence of their hired help and contractors. :)

[DSKla]

Listened to a ten minute long rant about the incompetence of a pool cleaning company :-/

People with super spendy lives sure seem to have a lot to complain about.

I can't find it now, but this reminds me of an example Nassim Taleb gave where people who paid a great deal of money to fly first-class complained about every little inconvenience in the food, seats, service,metc, whereas those who flew coach were laughing and drinking beers without a care. He concluded that the only way to enjoy being wealthy is never to spend it.

[dragoncar]

Anyone else notice that this thread has made it past 1 million views?

Wowzers.

This thread can RE. :D

No way, that's only like 50k views per year.  Nobody can live on that.

[auntie_betty]

100% match?!?! Only putting in $500 a month?!?! (MIND EXPLODES) I think I'm cutting a fat hog at 6% match.

In order to share the pain from the UK - what is the IRS max? I don't think I'm going to like the answer!

[jordanread]

100% match?!?! Only putting in $500 a month?!?! (MIND EXPLODES) I think I'm cutting a fat hog at 6% match.

In order to share the pain from the UK - what is the IRS max? I don't thunk I'm going to like the answer!

$17,500 in 2014...

[Paul der Krake]

To make it even worse, this guy's wife has a 100% match up to the IRS maximum on her 401k, and they are only putting in about $500/month.

Care to share the employer's name? Are they hiring?

[zephyr911]

Care to share the employer's name? Are they hiring?

No shit! I've had a few jobs with what I thought were decent bennies, but I don't think I've ever seen a match over 6%. TSP only matches 1-to-1 on the first 3% and half up to 5%.

I'd suck up some serious pain to get a deal that sweet.

[merula]

I'm confused. I was thinking a 6% match meant "My employer will match what I put in dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of my salary." So 100% match isn't 94% better than a 6% match; it'd be something around 11% better on a $100,000 salary. Still, $11,500 tax-free is nothing to scoff at.

On topic: my in-laws moved 10 blocks away from me to be closer to the grandkids. They ROUTINELY drive those 10 blocks. Not only that, they bought an SUV "to make it easier to fit the carseats". They drive my kids places MAYBE once a month.

[pbkmaine]

Well, I got called a "minimalist" at work today. It actually hurt more than I thought. My mental strength just isn't what I thought it was. I have had to defend myself before or deflect some thing before, but this one hurt because it was nonchalant and not actually spoken directly to me.

Treat it as a compliment. Own it. Teach it. Be the change you want to see in the world.

[ScooterMac]

Had a former student who was back visiting brag about how stupid his cell phone company was because, despite being two months behind on his cell phone bill, only the "main line" for the account had been shut off, but his was still active.  He proudly declared that since he didn't have the money to pay his cell phone bill out of either of his last two paychecks, he'd bought Christmas presents with them instead of saving it to pay off his bill. Generational poverty makes my head hurt.

[Travis]

100% match?!?! Only putting in $500 a month?!?! (MIND EXPLODES) I think I'm cutting a fat hog at 6% match.

In order to share the pain from the UK - what is the IRS max? I don't thunk I'm going to like the answer!

$17,500 in 2014...

And $18k for next year.  One more week and I can revamp all my auto-investments for 2015.

[Timmmy]

Care to share the employer's name? Are they hiring?

No shit! I've had a few jobs with what I thought were decent bennies, but I don't think I've ever seen a match over 6%. TSP only matches 1-to-1 on the first 3% and half up to 5%.

I'd suck up some serious pain to get a deal that sweet.

DW gets a match up to 5%.  If you hit 5% they throw an extra 3% on top of that.  So she gets 8% for her 5%.  It's pretty sweet but it's a government job so the rest of the benefits package is pretty good as well.

[golden1]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

[Threshkin]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

Sounds like she is getting ready to file for divorce.

[ketchup]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

Wow, that's terrifying.  That's a sign of some *serious* issues.

[Le Barbu]

We challenge each other for 100$ expenses, I would bring it back to the dealer in a blink!

[vivophoenix]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?
[/quoti wonder if she used the 'household' income to qualify for it.

if she works part time,  i doubt the dealership let her buy this brand new car with credit alone.

either way that bad boy would be going back. and i would seriously consider divorce. this is mroe than just the money. its about trust and thinking about the family as well

[Elderwood17]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

Agree.  That is some serious communication problem going on!

[RWD]

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.

If only it were that easy...
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/when-you-buy-a-car-the-three-day-cool-off-period-is-a-1616831555/all

[Pooperman]

So, SO and I went to the local social security office to take care of stuff from our recent move. While sitting with the very nice lady putting the numbers into the computer for us, a couple things happened. First, a person behind us was complaining about overdraft fees of $35 each, and said it was the 3rd or 4th time it had happened recently because he didn't get enough money. The other thing was that I had to tell the woman I lost my job earlier this year and she asked how I paid for it. I told her savings (5 months of not being employed). She was a little shocked by that, but then she asked how much I had in my bank account, and I said 6.5k. She was super surprised by that given that SO and I recently moved, I was unemployed for 5 months this year, and somehow made it through without any debt whatsoever.

[Timmmy]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

If I were him, I'd tell her she better like sleeping in the car. 

[Le Barbu]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

If I were him, I'd tell her she better like sleeping in the car.

wah! XD

she can get some cloths and stuff in that roomy car as well. finaly, 37K is not to bad for a place to live

[auntie_betty]

100% match?!?! Only putting in $500 a month?!?! (MIND EXPLODES) I think I'm cutting a fat hog at 6% match.

In order to share the pain from the UK - what is the IRS max? I don't thunk I'm going to like the answer!

$17,500 in 2014...

And $18k for next year.  One more week and I can revamp all my auto-investments for 2015.

Oh. That's all, just Oh.

[LennStar]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

If I were him, I'd tell her she better like sleeping in the car.

wah! XD

she can get some cloths and stuff in that roomy car as well. finaly, 37K is not to bad for a place to live

Right, a tiny house costs 5K more!!!

[BlueHouse]

On topic: my in-laws moved 10 blocks away from me to be closer to the grandkids. They ROUTINELY drive those 10 blocks. Not only that, they bought an SUV "to make it easier to fit the carseats". They drive my kids places MAYBE once a month.

I feel sad whenever I hear something like this.  In many cases, I honestly don't think it's about the money or the car.  I think grandparents will do just about anything to spend more time with their grandkids and they want to remove any possible objection ahead of time. 
I think a lot of people spend many years believing "someday, my life will be better and everyone will love me and want to spend time with me".  Sometimes material things fill those voids, and sometimes material things are used to entice others to spend time with them.  Either way, it's sad.  Consider giving your in-laws a specific job that requires time with your kids.  Ask them to bring your kids to the park every Thursday, or have game day every other Friday night, or Library day once per month.  Anything that makes them feel useful will typically mean that they spend less money trying to fill a void and more time feeling better about themselves.

[Goldielocks]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

I have seen how spouses with low income can indeed get large loans, but if I were the bank, I would insist that the persons with the income backing the loan are required to sign.

Why is it so easy for spouses without personal income to be qualified for such large loans based on their credit rating only?

[Rural]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

I have seen how spouses with low income can indeed get large loans, but if I were the bank, I would insist that the persons with the income backing the loan are required to sign.

Why is it so easy for spouses without personal income to be qualified for such large loans based on their credit rating only?

Because a married person is half of a legal economic unit. Why is this a question? They aren't qualifying on "credit rating only"; they're qualifying on their joint income, same as the other spouse would.

[Goldielocks]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

I have seen how spouses with low income can indeed get large loans, but if I were the bank, I would insist that the persons with the income backing the loan are required to sign.

Why is it so easy for spouses without personal income to be qualified for such large loans based on their credit rating only?

Because a married person is half of a legal economic unit. Why is this a question? They aren't qualifying on "credit rating only"; they're qualifying on their joint income, same as the other spouse would.

The question then is..how can you qualify on joint income with only one signature?  Mortgages don't work that way, so why do cc and car loans?

[Rural]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

I have seen how spouses with low income can indeed get large loans, but if I were the bank, I would insist that the persons with the income backing the loan are required to sign.

Why is it so easy for spouses without personal income to be qualified for such large loans based on their credit rating only?

Because a married person is half of a legal economic unit. Why is this a question? They aren't qualifying on "credit rating only"; they're qualifying on their joint income, same as the other spouse would.

The question then is..how can you qualify on joint income with only one signature?  Mortgages don't work that way, so why do cc and car loans?

Ah. Fair question, that. Don't know why I didn't see it before.

[Sanne]

We have work weeks of 36 hours (that's normal where I work). This means you have one day off every other week. A co-worker applied to work more, this means he now has to work 5 days every week. He says he likes it better this way, otherwise the 5 day work week seems to long compared to the one with 4 days. So his solution.. to have only 5 day work weeks..

[Timmmy]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

If I were him, I'd tell her she better like sleeping in the car.

wah! XD

she can get some cloths and stuff in that roomy car as well. finaly, 37K is not to bad for a place to live

Comically, 37K is exactly what I paid 6 years ago for my house. 

[zephyr911]

I'm confused. I was thinking a 6% match meant "My employer will match what I put in dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of my salary." So 100% match isn't 94% better than a 6% match; it'd be something around 11% better on a $100,000 salary. Still, $11,500 tax-free is nothing to scoff at.

Would it be better if I said "I've never seen a 100% match on more than 6% of my salary"? :)
The comparison is all in how you do the math. My current employer match tops out at 5% of my base pay, or roughly $4k; $17,500 would be 337% more money.
/digression

On topic: my in-laws moved 10 blocks away from me to be closer to the grandkids. They ROUTINELY drive those 10 blocks. Not only that, they bought an SUV "to make it easier to fit the carseats". They drive my kids places MAYBE once a month.

UGH. *headdesk* that kind of thinking drives me nucking futs!

[vivophoenix]

My co-worker is livid.  He went to Germany with his dad for a week.  When he got back, his wife had bought a brand new $37000 Jeep grand Cherokee without telling him she was doing it.  She put it in her name only, but since she is only working 2-3 days a week at minimum wage,the vast majority of the families wages comes from his paycheck. 

If I were him, I'd have her drive it right back to the dealership.  Seriously, who buys a brand new car without at least talking it over with your spouse?!?

is it safe to assume that mortgages require the signature of both financials parties as opposed to a vehicle due to the almost  log difference in price. also its easier to rip that car back should they fall behind in payments.


I have seen how spouses with low income can indeed get large loans, but if I were the bank, I would insist that the persons with the income backing the loan are required to sign.

Why is it so easy for spouses without personal income to be qualified for such large loans based on their credit rating only?

Because a married person is half of a legal economic unit. Why is this a question? They aren't qualifying on "credit rating only"; they're qualifying on their joint income, same as the other spouse would.

The question then is..how can you qualify on joint income with only one signature?  Mortgages don't work that way, so why do cc and car loans?

[zephyr911]

is it safe to assume that mortgages require the signature of both financials parties as opposed to a vehicle due to the almost  log difference in price. also its easier to rip that car back should they fall behind in payments.

Your reply is lost in the quote haze.
The amount shouldn't change the legal principles at play. If qualifying based on joint credit, consent of both parties should be required.
Of course, it's entirely possible they just ran her credit and qualified her based on the joint accounts listed, and car loans generally don't require proof of income so she could easily have given their combined numbers to ensure approval.

[I'm a red panda]

I'm confused. I was thinking a 6% match meant "My employer will match what I put in dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of my salary." So 100% match isn't 94% better than a 6% match; it'd be something around 11% better on a $100,000 salary. Still, $11,500 tax-free is nothing to scoff at.

Would it be better if I said "I've never seen a 100% match on more than 6% of my salary"? :)
The comparison is all in how you do the math. My current employer match tops out at 5% of my base pay, or roughly $4k; $17,500 would be 337% more money.

My employer puts in 13% and requires employees put in 2%. It isn't really a match, since it is mandatory.
The place I worked before here puts in 10% and requires the employee to put in 5%.

(A previous employer put in 12% without the employee putting in anything. Then they would match an additional 3% if the employee also put in 3%.  However that incredible benefit has eroded over time, and they now put in 6%, and match an additional 3%.)

[zephyr911]

My employer puts in 13% and requires employees put in 2%. It isn't really a match, since it is mandatory.
The place I worked before here puts in 10% and requires the employee to put in 5%.

(A previous employer put in 12% without the employee putting in anything. Then they would match an additional 3% if the employee also put in 3%.  However that incredible benefit has eroded over time, and they now put in 6%, and match an additional 3%.)

I often wonder why they feel the need to complicate things so much. The feds give 1% automatically, full match up to 3%, and 50% match from 3% to 5%. The diminishing returns seem to me like a good excuse to give less. I'd rather they start at 0 and give a full match all the way.
I've never set mine under 5%, usually well above that, but I do think the convoluted match scheme makes it easy to rationalize lower contributions.

[Fuzzy Buttons]

I often wonder why they feel the need to complicate things so much. The feds give 1% automatically, full match up to 3%, and 50% match from 3% to 5%. The diminishing returns seem to me like a good excuse to give less. I'd rather they start at 0 and give a full match all the way.
I've never set mine under 5%, usually well above that, but I do think the convoluted match scheme makes it easy to rationalize lower contributions.

My employer used to put in 2%, then match 100% of what you put in up to another 4% of your salary.

Now they don't put anything in to start with, and only match 25% of what you put in, up to 2% of your salary.  So, you must put in 8% to get the full match.  I still have conversations with coworkers who are confused by this, and think they're getting the full match at 2%.  Which I guess would be half a percent?

They also wait as long as possible to deposit the match - October of the following year.  So if you left the company in the nine months before that, you don't get it.  But all of this is moot, because for the last three years running they haven't bothered to put anything in at all.  Financial considerations don't allow it, and all that.  Maybe next year.

This year for the first time I put in the IRS max, which is about 25% of my gross salary.  The good news is that after that, the missing 2% from them is nothing to worry about.  :)

[zephyr911]

This year for the first time I put in the IRS max, which is about 25% of my gross salary.  The good news is that after that, the missing 2% from them is nothing to worry about.  :)

I feel like I've read something about this before... hmmm:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/11/14/doubling-your-salary/

[cs33988]

I have lurked on this website long enough.  Here is a Lose, Win, Lose situation from the same coworker in a span of about 3 days.

Lose: Coworker has been placing TSP contributions (not even 5%) into the G fund. 
Win: Coworker hears me talking and asks how to switch to another fund.  She chooses lifecycle fund and is going to "let it ride"
Big Lose: Executive order gives everybody 1% raises.  I suggest to CW to up her TSP contribution by that 1% and thus her check will only change slightly and her raise is actually 2% because she gains the match.   
   CW: How much would that change my actual paycheck
   Me: Couple of bucks probably because locality pay isn't affected
   CW: That's a lunch
   Me:  Obama is helping you save for your future
   CW: Obama is buying me lunch

[merula]

On topic: my in-laws moved 10 blocks away from me to be closer to the grandkids. They ROUTINELY drive those 10 blocks. Not only that, they bought an SUV "to make it easier to fit the carseats". They drive my kids places MAYBE once a month.

I feel sad whenever I hear something like this.  In many cases, I honestly don't think it's about the money or the car.  I think grandparents will do just about anything to spend more time with their grandkids and they want to remove any possible objection ahead of time. 
I think a lot of people spend many years believing "someday, my life will be better and everyone will love me and want to spend time with me".  Sometimes material things fill those voids, and sometimes material things are used to entice others to spend time with them.  Either way, it's sad.  Consider giving your in-laws a specific job that requires time with your kids.  Ask them to bring your kids to the park every Thursday, or have game day every other Friday night, or Library day once per month.  Anything that makes them feel useful will typically mean that they spend less money trying to fill a void and more time feeling better about themselves.

I wish it was as simple as a "need to be needed". That I could understand and work with. My m-i-l's schedule of being a stay a home mom since her first child was born apparently just doesn't permit that kind of planning. She says things like "Oh, I don't want to be restricted to just once a week", but then most of the time doesn't actually come over because "something" comes up. She has reneged on actual, firm plans to come over and watch the kids. It's not something I get involved with because my husband is a stay-at-home-dad, so it's all-around his issue to deal with.

They are always welcome to take our car plus the kids and not move the car seats at all. Or if they were willing to walk they could take them to the park, library, toy store, or one of three ice cream shops that are all within a 10 minute walk. Or they could bus or train to a million other options, including a zoo and a handful of museums.

[Le Barbu]

Why does the only civilised way to react in this kind of situation is smile and act happy? Even if inside, you feel sick to the stomach. Do normal peoples know how bad they make us thinking we are kind of hypocrite :/