Overheard at Work

[rocksinmyhead]

If you are ever in London the Greenwich observatory is worth a visit.  You can stand with one leg in the Western Hemisphere and one in the East!

For a long time, French maps used Paris as 0 degrees, because, well, they were French

Trivia question(s) for the meridian buffs:

If you stand on the North Pole (or the South pole), what time is it?

"There is no permanent human presence at the North Pole and no particular time zone has been assigned. Polar expeditions may use any time zone that is convenient, such as Greenwich Mean Time, or the time zone of the country from which they departed."

"There is no a priori reason for placing the South Pole in any particular time zone, but as a matter of practical convenience the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station keeps New Zealand Time. This is because the US flies its resupply missions ("Operation Deep Freeze") out of McMurdo Station which is supplied from Christchurch, New Zealand."

awesome! I actually was gonna guess something like that. thanks for the info.

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

Oh, hey! That's me! I ended up with a PhD because of it... haha

yeah, I was born in '88 but graduated college in 2009. I can tell ya I was glad that I had already been planning on going to grad school regardless of the economy :)

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I got a job making $50k right out of college (in 2010) at a place that I'd had several internships at, but I showed up and there was nothing at all to do. I openly studied for the GRE at my desk and left when I got into grad school.

[johnny847]

I got a job making $50k right out of college (in 2010) at a place that I'd had several internships at, but I showed up and there was nothing at all to do. I openly studied for the GRE at my desk and left when I got into grad school.

Out of curiosity, did you actually have stuff to do when you interned there? I'm guessing yes because it seems unlikely that you'd choose to work full time there otherwise...?

[Sibley]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

[Sibley]

Two CWs talking right by my desk. CW1 works out almost every day, at a gym across the street. CW2 asks how much it costs. $100 a month.

Here's the kicker. The office building has a full gym in the basement. This place is nice, I've been in there. Classes, weights, everything. $20 a month I believe. The only difference - the one across the street you can play basketball.

CW1 has a shoulder injury, he can't play basketball for at least 3 months.

[boarder42]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree. 

[galliver]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree.

http://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors

http://education-portal.com/articles/What_Jobs_Can_You_Get_With_an_Art_Major.html

You'd think Mustachians would know how to google...

History majors are taught to critically analyze events and the sequences thereof. They can apply that to teaching young minds and giving them perspective, to preserving, displaying, and otherwise working with historical artifacts, to analyzing current events with a historical perspective. They could go into law and government. Among other things, I'm sure.

Everything with any kind of aesthetic appearance has to be created by someone. Every book cover, every logo, every gadget, every ad, every cartoon, every website, every picture book. Someone has to make paintings and vases for hotels, corporate, offices, and homes. And that's just from the creative side...if you put a marketing/business spin on that education with a few classes, doing research on what KINDS of vases and paintings people want these days and being a supplier/distributor/middleman for such things is feasible. If you can program/work with computers, you can do digital animation or game design.

Not to be mean, but it seems really narrow-minded  and unimaginative to me to say these majors are unemployable. They may be harder to market well than "I can use AutoCAD" or "I can program in Java" but there is work for non-STEM majors to do.

[bigalsmith101]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree.

I was born in 86, wifey was born in early 89. I had a job in the transportation industry on the side (driving a truck) when I graduated college (2010 with International Business major, Economics/Spanish minors)

The Monday following the Saturday graduation and I was working full time at an excellent wage. Was I honing my skills as a Manager/Importer-Exporter/Economist? No, I was driving a rigid semi truck for damn near $50/hr.

I still drive trucks and now run half of the business, honing my management skills and practicing economies of scale :)

[Timmmy]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree.

http://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/careers-for-history-majors

http://education-portal.com/articles/What_Jobs_Can_You_Get_With_an_Art_Major.html

You'd think Mustachians would know how to google...

History majors are taught to critically analyze events and the sequences thereof. They can apply that to teaching young minds and giving them perspective, to preserving, displaying, and otherwise working with historical artifacts, to analyzing current events with a historical perspective. They could go into law and government. Among other things, I'm sure.

Everything with any kind of aesthetic appearance has to be created by someone. Every book cover, every logo, every gadget, every ad, every cartoon, every website, every picture book. Someone has to make paintings and vases for hotels, corporate, offices, and homes. And that's just from the creative side...if you put a marketing/business spin on that education with a few classes, doing research on what KINDS of vases and paintings people want these days and being a supplier/distributor/middleman for such things is feasible. If you can program/work with computers, you can do digital animation or game design.

Not to be mean, but it seems really narrow-minded  and unimaginative to me to say these majors are unemployable. They may be harder to market well than "I can use AutoCAD" or "I can program in Java" but there is work for non-STEM majors to do.

I think the problem stems from the fact that a lot of students are graduating with no ability to market their skills.  I've an accounting degree from a school known for it's accounting program.  My last year there they were really pushing the non-accounting skills on us because they were graduating fantastic accountants that couldn't formulate a decent letter/resume and couldn't interview for crap. The result was an inability to land a job. 

IMO when an art history major can't market their skills it becomes way more difficult to land a job than if an engineer can't market themselves. 

[Sibley]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree.

I get the argument that there's underlying skills there. And there are - I completely agree. However, its much harder to convince potential employers to take a chance on that. My sister has a "useless" degree, and I think her best hope is that Congress changes the bankruptcy laws so she can discharge her student loans. A good friend has a dead end and deadening clerical job. She's looking for a new job, knows what she wants, and just doesn't have the ambition to find it. Meaning, she's stuck.

I'm of the camp that I don't care what your major is, but you have to be able to support yourself. So either figure it out ahead of time or pick a major has a more defined career path. You can double major after all.

[arebelspy]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

I was a philosophy major. She was English.

[Apples]

I have a coworker who always complains that our health insurance doesn't cover any medical expenses and is too expensive.  The employer pays the full premium each month, and it's a HDHP but an HRA and they get reimbursed after the first $400 in deductible expenses.  The copays are higher than the last plan, and these guys are solidly working-class to middle class if a two income household, but seriously it shouldn't break the bank.  And we handed out a chart with expected copays for different kinds of visits so they know what to expect.  Anyway, this guy complains EVERY TIME there's any medical expense.

So, last week he and his wife bought a new car to replace hers, which is 7-10 years old and only 2 wheel drive, which sucks in winter.  And they "would never have the money for good snow tires and rims".  The new car is a brand new SUV crossover vehicle, I think a Honda or Hundai (but not actually sure).  Brand new.  Brought it to work to show it off to all of us.  Bought b/c it is new, has 4 wheel drive, and is bigger than a car.  And he says he got a good deal on the financing.  So obviously, they can afford hundreds of dollars in car payments each month buy not health care costs?  Of which they might pay $2,000 a year-IF they go to the hospital and get a zillion large copays or something?  Insanity.

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I got a job making $50k right out of college (in 2010) at a place that I'd had several internships at, but I showed up and there was nothing at all to do. I openly studied for the GRE at my desk and left when I got into grad school.

Out of curiosity, did you actually have stuff to do when you interned there? I'm guessing yes because it seems unlikely that you'd choose to work full time there otherwise...?

Yes, though not as much as I now know there should be at a well-run company in my industry. But I didn't know that at the time.

[arebelspy]

I was a philosophy major. She was English.

Would you mind elaborating how you found jobs with those majors? My experience has been that it's completely doable, but difficult. I graduated in 07 with a business major, but most of my friends were from the social sciences. One of their advisors was handing out a brochure entitled "What Can You Do With An Anthropology Degree?" It was basically "You understand people, so you'll be in high demand in HR, psychology, marketing, etc." But why would someone looking for an HR person choose your average Anthropology major over an HR major? And ditto for psychology, marketing, etc.?

We decided to teach for two years with Teach for America to try and close the education gap, and then move onto real (aka profitable) jobs.

Then (unfortunately for us, financially) we fell in love with teaching, so we stayed.  But I can say that I am grateful that I did a job I loved for almost a decade, rather than the alternative.  Now I wouldn't take any job I didn't love.

[eyePod]

This is interesting talk to me. As someone who was born in the mid-80s, I feel like there's a huge difference between pre-internet kids and post-internet kids. Then again, there are crazies on facebook who I have unfriended because I don't need to see another selfie or hear another tirade about how the world is against them. I think there are tons of people like this in every generation, but there's never been a generation that had the capability to yell it from the rooftops efficiently as the current younger kids.

I agree with this.  I was born in 91, and though I grew up with a computer in my bedroom, I played math games and Oregon Trail on it.  Didn't have Facebook until freshman or sophomore year of high school, didn't have a smartphone until I was 19.  I already feel like I'm out of touch with 'kids these days,' lol.  My little sister was born in 95 and things are so different for her.

I also think that being old enough to be aware of finances during the 2008 recession is a huge factor that divides Millennials.  I turned 18 in 2009 and I remember older friends basically pioneering the 'boomerang kid' thing, or going on to get Master's and PhD's because there just wasn't anything out there for new grads.  Everyone in my freshman class was so thankful we still had 4 years of college and praying that things would get better by the time we graduated.  I don't think Millennials who are more than a couple years younger or older than I am had that sobering experience, which I think shapes a lot of my world view and financial habits.   The ones that are older are probably more likely to have realized it and have it affect their behavior, but the younger kids have no idea.

I was born in '89. I remember sitting in my freshman economics class when SHTF. Probably a good class to be in when that happened. Anyway, It took until your class graduated from college to get a full time position (2013). I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess. Of the internet, it was in my home as long as I've been alive (10+ years earlier than most). Still, the internet didn't become a thing until YouTube happened (2004?). By this point you and I were early teens. Very different!

I was born in 85 and my wife in 86 same as arebelspy's situation. We are fine, only have mortgage debt (just bought the house last year), and are saving 50% of our income.

[BlueHouse]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

Aw, man... Here I thought I liked you, and then you had to go and ruin it by telling me you were born THE YEAR I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

Harrumph...

Same here.  Got my driver's license the year arebelspy was born.

[eyePod]

yeah, I was born in '88 but graduated college in 2009. I can tell ya I was glad that I had already been planning on going to grad school regardless of the economy :)

Maybe it was my major but only one or two people from my graduating class had issues getting jobs, and they weren't the brightest bulbs. This just seemed foreign to me.

[johnny847]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

Aw, man... Here I thought I liked you, and then you had to go and ruin it by telling me you were born THE YEAR I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

Harrumph...

Same here.  Got my driver's license the year arebelspy was born.

If it makes you feel any worse, I was born in 91.

[Apples]

CW:  I'm gonna get a dog this weekend!
Me:  Oh wow, that's fun!  What kind?
CW:  [tells me the breed but I didn't recognize it but I don't know breeds, so nbd]
Me:  Nice!  You're all ready to take care of it? (Single guy, so can't be sure)
CW:  Well sure, I just gotta get some paperwork so the bank will approve me so I can get the dog.
Me:  Wait, why does a bank have the dog you want?
CW:  No, I need a loan for the dog.
Me:  How much is this dog?!?
CW:  $1500, down from $2200, getting to be a good deal.  But the bank has to let me get that much.
Me:  That's a really expensive dog; and what will you do if it needs to go to the vet b/c it's injured or sick?  That gets expensive really fast!  Idk if you can buy a dog with a loan?
CW:  I'm not sure.  But I really want this dog.

WHAT.  I know some dogs are that expensive, but not one that will just be a pleasure dog (no hunting, no work of any sort, no shows).  We just got a puppy; I tried to warn him that it's several hundred dollars in vet visits the first few months.  And I've never heard of taking out a loan to get a puppy!  Can they repossess the dog if you don't pay on time?  Poor little guy!  The CW in question makes approx. $12/hr.  He's not rolling in dough, nor saving at the moment, so idk how he'd handle a vet bill.  Insanity.

[2ndTimer]

so the bank will approve me so I can get the dog.

Apples wins the thread!

[infogoon]

I was a philosophy major. She was English.

Would you mind elaborating how you found jobs with those majors? My experience has been that it's completely doable, but difficult. I graduated in 07 with a business major, but most of my friends were from the social sciences. One of their advisors was handing out a brochure entitled "What Can You Do With An Anthropology Degree?" It was basically "You understand people, so you'll be in high demand in HR, psychology, marketing, etc." But why would someone looking for an HR person choose your average Anthropology major over an HR major? And ditto for psychology, marketing, etc.?

My first undergrad degree was in English. I supported myself in college working in IT jobs, and that eventually became my career after I graduated -- as it turns out, there's a lot of demand for technologists who can actually communicate well.

[ketchup]

CW:  I'm gonna get a dog this weekend!
Me:  Oh wow, that's fun!  What kind?
CW:  [tells me the breed but I didn't recognize it but I don't know breeds, so nbd]
Me:  Nice!  You're all ready to take care of it? (Single guy, so can't be sure)
CW:  Well sure, I just gotta get some paperwork so the bank will approve me so I can get the dog.
Me:  Wait, why does a bank have the dog you want?
CW:  No, I need a loan for the dog.
Me:  How much is this dog?!?
CW:  $1500, down from $2200, getting to be a good deal.  But the bank has to let me get that much.
Me:  That's a really expensive dog; and what will you do if it needs to go to the vet b/c it's injured or sick?  That gets expensive really fast!  Idk if you can buy a dog with a loan?
CW:  I'm not sure.  But I really want this dog.

WHAT.  I know some dogs are that expensive, but not one that will just be a pleasure dog (no hunting, no work of any sort, no shows).  We just got a puppy; I tried to warn him that it's several hundred dollars in vet visits the first few months.  And I've never heard of taking out a loan to get a puppy!  Can they repossess the dog if you don't pay on time?  Poor little guy!  The CW in question makes approx. $12/hr.  He's not rolling in dough, nor saving at the moment, so idk how he'd handle a vet bill.  Insanity.

I drove by a pet store once with a big sign saying "$0 down puppies!" and it made me want to scream.

[dragoncar]

I was a philosophy major. She was English.

Would you mind elaborating how you found jobs with those majors? My experience has been that it's completely doable, but difficult. I graduated in 07 with a business major, but most of my friends were from the social sciences. One of their advisors was handing out a brochure entitled "What Can You Do With An Anthropology Degree?" It was basically "You understand people, so you'll be in high demand in HR, psychology, marketing, etc." But why would someone looking for an HR person choose your average Anthropology major over an HR major? And ditto for psychology, marketing, etc.?

My first undergrad degree was in English. I supported myself in college working in IT jobs, and that eventually became my career after I graduated -- as it turns out, there's a lot of demand for technologists who can actually communicate well.

What would you say you do here?

[clarkfan1979]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I think this is a really good point. When I was finally ready to buy a house, there was a massive housing recession. Without the recession, I doubt that I could get a good deal on a house.

[pancakes]

I was bone in 1986

We shared a grad ceremony with the film and TV students and their head of school opened his speech with: "Welcome to the wonderful world of retail and hospitality"...

[SwordGuy]

If you are ever in London the Greenwich observatory is worth a visit.  You can stand with one leg in the Western Hemisphere and one in the East!

For a long time, French maps used Paris as 0 degrees, because, well, they were French

Trivia question(s) for the meridian buffs:

If you stand on the North Pole (or the South pole), what time is it?

Easy peasy.

"It's time to head to Hawai'i and the beach..."

[Goldielocks]

Perhaps the millenials will "look" financially more like the generation who lived through the great depression, rather than generation x or the baby boomers.

Not from what I've seen!  They're at the bar buying craft brews and expensive, fancy cocktails while taking selfies on their iPhones.  The recession in Canada (which nobody seems to remember) between 89-93 was devastating.  You'd never see us GenX punk rockers and grungers with craft brews.  We were all wearing clothes from the second-hand shop and you'd only see us out on $1 draft night.  :(

I remember..  At university the students had this saying.. "Alive in '95".. Meaning more employment likely by 1995 take grad studies for now....   It was also the era of the original " Barista"  stories, about highly educated 20 something's that inhabited basement suites or still lived with parents. And not much opportunity and they are 28 already....   Same stories, different justifications....

[willow]

Most recently my favorite anecdote is a guy starting off a story like this: "I noticed Amazon had increased the limit on my credit card, so I bought...."

[Kris]

Most recently my favorite anecdote is a guy starting off a story like this: "I noticed Amazon had increased the limit on my credit card, so I bought...."

Wh... ?

Wow.

Funny, that reminds me of when I was in my twenties, with my first credit card of my very own.  After a while, the company decided to raise my credit limit.  I actually called them and made them put it back where it was.

High five to my twenty-five (or so) year-old self!  (Not that it makes a real difference one way or another -- I would never even come close to spending the limit on my card.)

[mm1970]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

Wow, arebelspy, you are impressively wise and measured for such a young'un.

I was thinking the same thing. 

[mm1970]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

Aw, man... Here I thought I liked you, and then you had to go and ruin it by telling me you were born THE YEAR I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

Harrumph...

LOL.  One of my coworkers turned 30 last year and was moaning about how "old" she was getting. 

"Do you know what I was doing in 1984?" I asked her.

"No, what?"

"Graduating from high school."

Immediate end to the "I'm old" moans.  :D

ha ha. I work with some  younger engineers and one of them just got married.  Some of the guys were talking about how old she was "she's only 24".  I said "nope, she's at least 26".  "Can't be."  "She was born the year I graduated HS, so yep." (1988)

[mm1970]

I am glad I wasn't born in 1986 and graduating into that mess.

I was born in 85, my wife in 86and graduated into the recession.  We survived.

I was born in '85 as well. For my class, there were certain majors (accounting, nursing, etc) that they had no trouble getting a good job. Others (English, political science, etc) were screwed. I think that only intensified, as my sister was a few years behind me and her entire class was in trouble, including the accountants and nurses.

not to come across as mean but WTF do you do with those degrees that had trouble finding jobs even if its a good economy.  its like getting a general history degree or an art degree.

Yeah, you know, I used to think that too, seeing how I was an engineering major at a mostly engineering school and was dating a history major for awhile.  One of my roommates asked him "what do you do besides teach?"

There are lots of things to do with such a major.  He's a commander in the Navy.  Hm.  Maybe a Capt?  Probably not quite yet.  Some of my ROTC classmates JUST started making CAPT.

[SwordGuy]

He's a commander in the Navy.  Hm.  Maybe a Capt?  Probably not quite yet.  Some of my ROTC classmates JUST started making CAPT.

Navy Captain = Army, Marine or Air Force Colonel, just in case your ROTC classmates weren't in the Navy. 

[mm1970]

He's a commander in the Navy.  Hm.  Maybe a Capt?  Probably not quite yet.  Some of my ROTC classmates JUST started making CAPT.

Navy Captain = Army, Marine or Air Force Colonel, just in case your ROTC classmates weren't in the Navy.

Well, mostly Navy, a few Marines.  Not sure how many of the Marines are still in though...

[willow]

Most recently my favorite anecdote is a guy starting off a story like this: "I noticed Amazon had increased the limit on my credit card, so I bought...."

Wh... ?

Wow.

Funny, that reminds me of when I was in my twenties, with my first credit card of my very own.  After a while, the company decided to raise my credit limit.  I actually called them and made them put it back where it was.

High five to my twenty-five (or so) year-old self!  (Not that it makes a real difference one way or another -- I would never even come close to spending the limit on my card.)

We have a lot in common! I'm actually in my 20s now ~ And my bank did that to me about a year ago. I called them and asked why on earth they would do such and thing and to put it back. Also, never touch my credit limit without asking me ever again :)

[RyanAtTanagra]

I called them and asked why on earth they would do such and thing and to put it back. Also, never touch my credit limit without asking me ever again :)

Good luck with that.  I kept having to do that when I was starting to get out of debt.  I tried lowering my CC limits as I paid them down, but 3 months later they would do some automatic increase again.  I gave up after a couple tries.  Plus the reps I talked to never seemed to understand what I was asking 'you want to increase your limit?'  'no, decrease'  'yes, i will put in a request to have in increased' 'no, damnit'  Wasn't worth it.

[horsepoor]

I called them and asked why on earth they would do such and thing and to put it back. Also, never touch my credit limit without asking me ever again :)

Good luck with that.  I kept having to do that when I was starting to get out of debt.  I tried lowering my CC limits as I paid them down, but 3 months later they would do some automatic increase again.  I gave up after a couple tries.  Plus the reps I talked to never seemed to understand what I was asking 'you want to increase your limit?'  'no, decrease'  'yes, i will put in a request to have in increased' 'no, damnit'  Wasn't worth it.

I can only remember having my credit line increased once.  Like Kris, I called and had it lowered.  I was in grad school and they raised it to something around the amount of my annual stipend!  I have excellent credit and have not gotten any automatic increases on any of my several cards, so maybe they just aren't doing them without specific requests much anymore?  I also thought it was insane when I was making like $40K and had just bought my first house as a single person, then got pre-approved to buy a $32K vehicle with no down payment (and if I wanted a more expensive car, well just call).  That was circa 2004, but still.

[caliq]

I called them and asked why on earth they would do such and thing and to put it back. Also, never touch my credit limit without asking me ever again :)

Good luck with that.  I kept having to do that when I was starting to get out of debt.  I tried lowering my CC limits as I paid them down, but 3 months later they would do some automatic increase again.  I gave up after a couple tries.  Plus the reps I talked to never seemed to understand what I was asking 'you want to increase your limit?'  'no, decrease'  'yes, i will put in a request to have in increased' 'no, damnit'  Wasn't worth it.

I can only remember having my credit line increased once.  Like Kris, I called and had it lowered.  I was in grad school and they raised it to something around the amount of my annual stipend!  I have excellent credit and have not gotten any automatic increases on any of my several cards, so maybe they just aren't doing them without specific requests much anymore?  I also thought it was insane when I was making like $40K and had just bought my first house as a single person, then got pre-approved to buy a $32K vehicle with no down payment (and if I wanted a more expensive car, well just call).  That was circa 2004, but still.

They still do it randomly -- DH and I just had a joint card raised from 6K to 8K less than two months after we opened the card...it's still on the 0% interest/18 months promo for goodness sake, I *know* we're not making them any money!!

[johnny847]

I called them and asked why on earth they would do such and thing and to put it back. Also, never touch my credit limit without asking me ever again :)

Good luck with that.  I kept having to do that when I was starting to get out of debt.  I tried lowering my CC limits as I paid them down, but 3 months later they would do some automatic increase again.  I gave up after a couple tries.  Plus the reps I talked to never seemed to understand what I was asking 'you want to increase your limit?'  'no, decrease'  'yes, i will put in a request to have in increased' 'no, damnit'  Wasn't worth it.

I can only remember having my credit line increased once.  Like Kris, I called and had it lowered.  I was in grad school and they raised it to something around the amount of my annual stipend!  I have excellent credit and have not gotten any automatic increases on any of my several cards, so maybe they just aren't doing them without specific requests much anymore?  I also thought it was insane when I was making like $40K and had just bought my first house as a single person, then got pre-approved to buy a $32K vehicle with no down payment (and if I wanted a more expensive car, well just call).  That was circa 2004, but still.

They still do it randomly -- DH and I just had a joint card raised from 6K to 8K less than two months after we opened the card...it's still on the 0% interest/18 months promo for goodness sake, I *know* we're not making them any money!!

People seriously need to understand - every time you make a transaction, you are making the credit card company money. They collect a fee from the merchant for the transaction.
Yes, obviously, credit cards make a lot of money from interest payments. But anybody who consistently pays in full is still a profit maker for the company (well okay, maybe there's an exception for credit card churners. But I don't think that's the case, because if credit card churners were seriously costing CC companies money, they would all just allow only one bonus per lifetime to eliminate churning. Which Amex admittedly does. But that's even funnier because Amex charges the highest transaction fees of all payment networks).

[benjenn]

It wouldn't bother me to have my credit limit increased on my card (I've got one card now with a $35,000 limit).  I pay them off every month and never even think about reaching the limit.  Having a higher limit isn't going to entice me to add more to them.  It's a non-issue.

[solon]

They still do it randomly -- DH and I just had a joint card raised from 6K to 8K less than two months after we opened the card...it's still on the 0% interest/18 months promo for goodness sake, I *know* we're not making them any money!!

If you're using the card, you *are* making them money. They get a cut of every transaction, so the more they can talk you into using the card, the more they make. Even if you pay in full every month and don't pay any interest or fees.

[caliq]

They still do it randomly -- DH and I just had a joint card raised from 6K to 8K less than two months after we opened the card...it's still on the 0% interest/18 months promo for goodness sake, I *know* we're not making them any money!!

If you're using the card, you *are* making them money. They get a cut of every transaction, so the more they can talk you into using the card, the more they make. Even if you pay in full every month and don't pay any interest or fees.

That is true -- I forgot about the transaction fees they charge merchants.  I stand corrected :)

[Paul der Krake]

They still do it randomly -- DH and I just had a joint card raised from 6K to 8K less than two months after we opened the card...it's still on the 0% interest/18 months promo for goodness sake, I *know* we're not making them any money!!

If you're using the card, you *are* making them money. They get a cut of every transaction, so the more they can talk you into using the card, the more they make. Even if you pay in full every month and don't pay any interest or fees.

That is true -- I forgot about the transaction fees they charge merchants.  I stand corrected :)

This is why I call them at least once a week to chat about the weather and waste their reps' time. Fight the system!

[frugalnacho]

I've had my credit limit raised randomly tons of times.  Doesn't bother me since i'm not a consumer sucka and only buy what I have cash for, so my "limit" is meaningless to me.  I've never had a situation where I was even close to my limit, and it gets paid off the following month so it's no big deal.

[Raste]

I've had my cc limit raised only one time. I was going to make a large purchase on my cc to get the points so I had my limit raised. I had the cash in the bank for an immediate pay off. I've never had a company just raise mine without asking. I haven't called to have it lowered back. Heck, I use my cc so infrequently now I don't even know what the limit is.

[mydogismyheart]

I just heard one from my sales partner at work:

"I think I'm just going to start eating out to lunch every day, so much easier than trying to make a lunch all the time"

OMG... I am super lazy too, but at least I can grab a can of soup for less than $1 or maybe a lean cuisine if they're on sale (today I had a healthy choice on sale for $1.88)!!!  She just paid $10 for lunch for 1 day and now she thinks she should do that every day because it's "easier"...

I don't get it...

[FrugalNerd]

I have never understood those who get upset by the automatic credit limit increases. As others have said, my credit limit has no bearing on how much I spend. I am curious to hear the reasons of those who called to get their limits lowered again. Is it because of the impact to your credit score? Or maybe just the principle of a change being made to your account without you consent?

[Zikoris]

I'm always surprised how much my coworkers struggle to figure out "lunch". As in, they would like to bring lunch from home, but have no idea what to make, how to grocery shop with meals in mind, or how to plan even a few days ahead. Or they make things they dislike, then complain about it - why would you even cook things you hate? Argh.

I'm even more surprised when the people are in their 40s and 50s. Uh, you've been working for 20-30 years - why have you not figured this shit out by now? It's so simple. Ghaa.

[Shivan]

From my company's "bulletin board": Redesign your dining area for a fraction of the cost!



Big surprise, he's worked at the company for over 30 years.

[Kris]

I have never understood those who get upset by the automatic credit limit increases. As others have said, my credit limit has no bearing on how much I spend. I am curious to hear the reasons of those who called to get their limits lowered again. Is it because of the impact to your credit score? Or maybe just the principle of a change being made to your account without you consent?

For my early-twenties self, it was a combo of 1) knowing that the company was hoping I was a consumer sucka and that raising my credit limit was not done out of the goodness of their hearts, but to get me to spend more; and 2) yes, the principle of having this done without my consent.  It was the reflex of someone who has always had a healthy distrust of consumerism and the structures that have been created to take advantage of people's lack of self-control.  At that point in my life, I was still feeling my way, and wanted no extra opportunities to fall into a debt trap.

These days, many years later, I know myself well enough that my credit card limit doesn't affect my behavior, so I don't care if it's raised.  But back then, the horror that anyone could ever possibly put THAT much on a credit card made me have them lower it out of shock and indignation.