Overheard at Work

[russianswinga]

Not overheard, but overseen. In line with coworkers and a VP for a food truck outside our office (company catered. Yay free food!). VP always dresses super sharp - blazer, funky pocket square, brand-name sunglasses. Coworker spots the VP's sunglasses and watch.
CW to VP - you look like you're ready to hit the club, man. You're not waiting for a sandwich, you're waiting for bottle service!
Vp plays it off coy,
CW - it's the shades and watch that seal the deal! You into watches?
VP - yep. Shows it off. It's a Breitling Bentley Super Speed. (Takes it off, turns it over, the automatic pendulum behind the back glass is actually the shape of a Bentley wheel)
CW (jokingly) - You must have a Breitling to go with every one of your blazers!
VP (not joking) - not every one, but I have them in all the colors to match any blazer. I'm up to 7. (He then proceeds to mention his other watches in his collection, Longines, Omega, etc...)

I had to look it up. Here's his Breitling, one of 7: http://www.amazon.com/Breitling-Bentley-Super-Sports-E2736522/dp/B00FGH6D3A/


Excuse me while I go pick my jaw up off the floor.

[dragoncar]

You still have to esign an efiling.  So it can't be "nobody signs" but it can be "husband fraudulently signs for wife"

Do you really?  What do you do to esign?  Is it just click a button? If so, my husband has always done that for me...
I guess I figured if we were filing jointly he signed for the household.

If you are a paid tax preparer, you are required to obtain signatures (for your files only) of both spouses. I've often had a hunch many husbands were forging their wives signatures, but more out of laziness than anything fraudulent or inappropriate.

But, when you have access to a software that can efile tax returns, you can file without a signature. Yes this is how tax fraud (ID theft) occurs. Getting signatures is the rule, by so is driving 55 MPH and that rule is broken all the time. I'm just saying, most people follow the rules, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to drive 95 MPH. It happens.

Either way, you have to esign with a PIN.  It's a legal signature, but obviously doesn't look like pen and paper.  See:

As with an income tax return submitted to the IRS on paper, the taxpayer and paid preparer (if applicable) must sign an electronic income tax return. Taxpayers must sign individual income tax returns electronically. There are currently two methods for signing individual income tax returns electronically (see Electronic Signature Methods, below).

...

Both methods allow taxpayers to use a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to sign the return and the Declaration of Taxpayer.

(http://www.irs.gov/uac/Signing-an-Electronic-Tax-Return)

So if your wife doesn't type the PIN herself, you are forging her signature, and are likely guilty of any crimes related thereto (technically, it probably wouldn't come up unless you go through a nasty divorce!)

[gimp]

Nice watch. Very cool. I'll pass, though! I'll enjoy looking from afar. I am (unlike some here) glad that some people have the money to fund ... well, functional art.

[russianswinga]

Nice watch. Very cool. I'll pass, though! I'll enjoy looking from afar. I am (unlike some here) glad that some people have the money to fund ... well, functional art.

Oh, it's absolutely fabulous. Work of art. If you can afford several of those, more power to you. I'm not even blaming the VP of anything, he didn't start the conversation, played it totally cool.

[lifejoy]

Not overheard, but overseen. In line with coworkers and a VP for a food truck outside our office (company catered. Yay free food!). VP always dresses super sharp - blazer, funky pocket square, brand-name sunglasses. Coworker spots the VP's sunglasses and watch.
CW to VP - you look like you're ready to hit the club, man. You're not waiting for a sandwich, you're waiting for bottle service!
Vp plays it off coy,
CW - it's the shades and watch that seal the deal! You into watches?
VP - yep. Shows it off. It's a Breitling Bentley Super Speed. (Takes it off, turns it over, the automatic pendulum behind the back glass is actually the shape of a Bentley wheel)
CW (jokingly) - You must have a Breitling to go with every one of your blazers!
VP (not joking) - not every one, but I have them in all the colors to match any blazer. I'm up to 7. (He then proceeds to mention his other watches in his collection, Longines, Omega, etc...)

I had to look it up. Here's his Breitling, one of 7: http://www.amazon.com/Breitling-Bentley-Super-Sports-E2736522/dp/B00FGH6D3A/


Excuse me while I go pick my jaw up off the floor.

[shelivesthedream]

I figured I should reply to this, seeing as how I'm sitting on the toilet.  It varies from only a few minutes up to maybe 30 minutes.  I poop like 6 times a day, every day.  I eat plenty of fruits and veggies, I just poop a lot.  The drs have no idea what's up.

Worth trying the Squatty Potty. It works, your mileage may vary.

That's not the issue at all.  It's digestive.  Frequent diarrhea and loose stool along with stomach cramps.

I had a conversation with my wife when she was constipated, but I can't relate to her because I don't understand what being constipated is like.  I've never been constipated so i've never experienced that sensation.

And now you all know more about my digestive tract and bathroom habits than you ever wanted to.

Do you have Crohn's or something?

No.  No crohn's, celiacs, allergies, ibs or anything.  I've been to several doctors.  As far as they can tell I am perfectly healthy, I just get stomach cramps and diarrhea a lot.  I have tried various diet changes, and absolutely nothing helps.  Not eating meat, not eating gluten, not eating dairy, not eating sugar, etc has no effect.  There appears to be no rhyme or reason to it.  It just flares up bad about twice a week, and nearly daily on a smaller scale.  Half the time there is no cramping, but still frequent pooping.

Have you tried the FODMAPS program? (The real medical one, not the stupid internet version.) It's based on unusual food groups that contain particular sugars that are hard to digest. You don't eat any of those foods (incl. broccoli, apples, onions) for eight weeks then reintroduce them one at a time. I was sceptical but after four weeks not eating the banned foods I felt AMAZING and as soon as I reintroduced onions and garlic I knew what my 'trigger foods' were. The elimination phase is a bitch but I figured that it's only eight weeks and if it works I'll feel better for the rest of my life.

No I haven't, but I'm very skeptical it's one specific food triggering it.  I have food journaled and never found a consistent pattern.  I went round and round with some people on specific triggers, most specifically gluten and dairy.  I kept trying to tell them that my issues were sporadic and not related to any specific food.  Sometimes i'll eat something with gluten and get terrible cramps and diarrhea.  Other times I will eat an entire large pizza by myself and have no issues for days afterwards.   Sometimes I have different reactions to the exact same meal prepared the same way.

Well, I won't go on about it but I couldn't identify a pattern by food journaling either, because mine is such a common food and such a non-standard one to be intolerant to, and (I have since discovered when I say "oh heck, I'll eat it anyway this one time") my reaction can take between twelve and forty eight hours to show. My philosophy is that you have nothing to lose by giving it a go, and it's only a temporary inconvenience that could make you feel better for the rest of your life. Personally, it's done wonders for me. If you don't think it's worth trying, then that's fine, but if you do want more information feel free to PM me.

[Merrie]

I thought of another one! I'm not sure if it's anti-Mustachian or just math stupid, though. Last year my work switched our pay periods. They are 2 weeks and used to run Saturday-Friday but we switched over to Thursday-Wednesday to match the other divisions of the company. During the transition we had a shortened pay period that ran from Saturday through only the following Wednesday. A lot of people tried to make sure to work more shifts during that shortened pay period so their check would be the same size as usual. That's not the dumb part... the dumb part is that a lot of people were absolutely convinced they were being cheated out of two days' pay. They couldn't seem to understand the concept that they were still getting paid for all the days they worked, but Thursday and Friday of that week would now be on the next check! I guess technically they would get caught up at the end of time, i.e. on their very last check from the company, there would be 2 more days' worth of pay than if the switchover hadn't happened, assuming they worked the same number of days in both instances. But jeez.

[Sibley]

Have you tried the FODMAPS program? (The real medical one, not the stupid internet version.) It's based on unusual food groups that contain particular sugars that are hard to digest. You don't eat any of those foods (incl. broccoli, apples, onions) for eight weeks then reintroduce them one at a time. I was sceptical but after four weeks not eating the banned foods I felt AMAZING and as soon as I reintroduced onions and garlic I knew what my 'trigger foods' were. The elimination phase is a bitch but I figured that it's only eight weeks and if it works I'll feel better for the rest of my life.

No I haven't, but I'm very skeptical it's one specific food triggering it.  I have food journaled and never found a consistent pattern.  I went round and round with some people on specific triggers, most specifically gluten and dairy.  I kept trying to tell them that my issues were sporadic and not related to any specific food.  Sometimes i'll eat something with gluten and get terrible cramps and diarrhea.  Other times I will eat an entire large pizza by myself and have no issues for days afterwards.   Sometimes I have different reactions to the exact same meal prepared the same way.

My MIL recently found out that she's allergic to garlic...and then found out that garlic is in everything. Something like that could explain why it seems intermittent. Garlic is in things you wouldn't expect it to be in and not consistently (as in one brand of canned black beans has it and another doesn't)

Ex boyfriend was allergic to onion. Onion is also everywhere. Luckily, he wasn't severe, but would have to remember which brand of whatever was ok and which was not.

[tofuchampion]

The hospital where I work has a main cafeteria and several cafes in different places on the campus. There is only one cafe open late (till 2 AM), and that's where a lot of night shift crew get their mid-shift meal. It's a deli-type setup with made-to-order sandwiches & salads, as well as a bunch of pre-made things and a different hot option every night.

Well, last night and tonight, the mechanism that keeps the sandwich/salad bar cold is broken, so there are no made-to-order sandwiches or salads. This means that the hot special sold out earlier than usual (at 11:15, and most of us don't even take a lunch break till at least midnight), and the pre-made stuff was running really low. Basically all that was left was things like chips, cookies, etc. Junk. There are a few healthier options, but they're expensive - $2.59 for a single-serving greek yogurt!!

...or so I was told. That was my original understanding of the situation, based on what I told. Turns out that while the hot special was sold out, the other hot food items - including quiche, premade fried chicken sandwiches, and chicken wings - were not. There were also several premade deli sandwiches & salads left, and they didn't look "limp and gross," as was claimed.

People are pissed. I listened to one nurse rant for a good 5 minutes about how the hospital is "obligated" to provide food, this is unacceptable, etc.

I brought food from home. Cheaper and healthier. I don't think my employer is obligated to feed me; I'm an adult and perfectly capable of feeding myself.

Yes, it's inconvenient, and there are ways they could have avoided this, but at the end of the day, I don't think it's something to be outraged over. And it's one more reason to pack a lunch!

EDITED to include information that I didn't know at first.

[Tallgirl1204]

The hospital where I work has a main cafeteria and several cafes in different places on the campus. There is only one cafe open late (till 2 AM), and that's where a lot of night shift crew get their mid-shift meal. It's a deli-type setup with made-to-order sandwiches & salads, as well as a bunch of pre-made things and a different hot option every night.

Well, last night and tonight, the mechanism that keeps the sandwich/salad bar cold is broken, so there are no made-to-order sandwiches or salads. This means that the hot special sold out earlier than usual (at 11:15, and most of us don't even take a lunch break till at least midnight), and the pre-made stuff was running really low. Basically all that was left was things like chips, cookies, etc. Junk. There are a few healthier options, but they're expensive - $2.59 for a single-serving greek yogurt!!

People are pissed. I listened to one nurse rant for a good 5 minutes about how the hospital is "obligated" to provide food, this is unacceptable, etc.

I brought food from home. Cheaper and healthier. I don't think my employer is obligated to feed me; I'm an adult and perfectly capable of feeding myself.

Yes, it's inconvenient, and there are ways they could have avoided this, but at the end of the day, I don't think it's something to be outraged over. And it's one more reason to pack a lunch!

I can see myself on the other side here.. I'm working the night shift, my routine is to get my food here, maybe for me it's my one hot meal of the day or whatever, and they are shut down.  There's no time to go somewhere else, and I have been on my feet for hours and have hours to go.  I would absolutely not be happy either.  Maybe I would bring my food after that, but in the moment it would burn my bacon (no pun intended).  Plus, as a patient in said hospital, I want my caregivers happy and on top of their games.  Administration could have at least called in a food truck.

[tofuchampion]

Yes, but it's not like there was no food. There was and is, just not what ppl wanted. I don't know why they didn't just open up the cafeteria instead.

I was mostly wtf-ing at the idea that an employer is obligated to feed their employees. Last time I checked, that's what your paycheck is for.

[merula]

An employer isn't obligated to feed their employees, but if they make a food source available such that their employees count on it and then it's suddenly not available and there are no nearby alternatives, they're going to have hungry, upset employees. And the employer isn't providing free food, just making a cafe available in the building, which is not out of the ordinary.

Look at it like this: your employer provides a fridge and microwave, right? Not obligatory on their part, but a good idea for employee morale. You've come to expect that they'll be available. You plan on it. You pack perishable items that need reheating knowing that the necessary appliances will be there for you. Until suddenly, one day, they're not. Yeah, sure, you could have packed a PBJ and an apple. Maybe that would have been a better option for other reasons. But you couldn't be expected to know that the employer-provided aids to feeding yourself at work would be suddenly unavailable.

[tofuchampion]

But there ARE alternatives! There are pre-made sandwiches & salads, a ton of snack food items, plus they had hot wings and hot pre-made fried chicken sandwiches, quiche, and other stuff. The ONLY thing not available is made-to-order sandwiches and salads, and the regular hot special sold out earlier than it usually does.

I stand by my original claim that this was an overreaction. There was/is plenty of food options, just not the handful of ones that some people wanted.

[Cheddar Stacker]

I stand by my original claim that this was an overreaction. There was/is plenty of food options, just not the handful of ones that some people wanted.

I'm with tofu. It's ridiculous. Self-reliance trumps entitlement. If I brought nothing and relied on the cafe it's my fault. If I brought something that needed a microwave and it was broken, oops. Looks like a little fasting is what the doctor ordered today. Water. Water. And patience. Problem solved.

[Tallgirl1204]

But there ARE alternatives! There are pre-made sandwiches & salads, a ton of snack food items, plus they had hot wings and hot pre-made fried chicken sandwiches, quiche, and other stuff. The ONLY thing not available is made-to-order sandwiches and salads, and the regular hot special sold out earlier than it usually does.

I stand by my original claim that this was an overreaction. There was/is plenty of food options, just not the handful of ones that some people wanted.

If I recall the original post, it said that all of the things you're listing here were running very low and all that was left was junk food, chips, candy etc. and maybe yogurt.  Very different scenario.   I would be upset in this scenario, if I was planning on a hot meal and couldn't even get a sandwich.  My blood sugar does not deal well with candy for lunch. 

[tofuchampion]

I was told - the original rant was - that there was nothing but junk left. Turns out that was not the case. The ranter also said she was going to email the CEO o complain, and I don't doubt she did.

[Tallgirl1204]

I was told - the original rant was - that there was nothing but junk left. Turns out that was not the case. The ranter also said she was going to email the CEO o complain, and I don't doubt she did.

It would be nice for you to acknowledge that your original post misrepresented the situation.  And even though it now sounds like there was more food that you originally said, I still want my hospital caregivers well fed and happy.  Get the dang situation fixed please, administrators. 

[tofuchampion]

I was told - the original rant was - that there was nothing but junk left. Turns out that was not the case. The ranter also said she was going to email the CEO o complain, and I don't doubt she did.

It would be nice for you to acknowledge that your original post misrepresented the situation.   And even though it now sounds like there was more food that you originally said, I still want my hospital caregivers well fed and happy.  Get the dang situation fixed please, administrators.

Pretty sure I just did, in the post that you quoted. ;) At the time I posted, I posted my understanding of the situation, based on what I had been told. Later, I went down to the cafe myself, to get coffee, and saw that yes, stock was lower than usual, everything was not gone. Running low =/= sold out.

I stand by my original claim that this was an overreaction. There was/is plenty of food options, just not the handful of ones that some people wanted.

I'm with tofu. It's ridiculous. Self-reliance trumps entitlement. If I brought nothing and relied on the cafe it's my fault. If I brought something that needed a microwave and it was broken, oops. Looks like a little fasting is what the doctor ordered today. Water. Water. And patience. Problem solved.

Thank you! We also have some snack items on the units. Technically they're for patients, but no one minds if staff eats them. If I hadn't brought lunch and didn't want what was available, I would have heated up a Lean Cuisine, or had some crackers + peanut butter, or cereal, or a can of soup. Or, barring that, ordered pizza or Chinese delivery.

What I would not do was freak out about the horrible injustice of the situation, refuse to consider my options, and moan that I "had to eat potato chips" because there wasn't anything else available. I also would not email the CEO of the damn hospital, because I'm pretty sure he has better things to worry about than a minor food service hiccup.

Anyway, this wasn't really avoidable. Stuff breaks. Repairs generally can't be done on weekends. The hospital is doing what they can, but it is not a tragedy and I don't see how it could impact patient care.

[Magnum58]

I've been stalking this forum and thread for years and finally have something I just had to share. So, CW and her husband earn about the same as me and my partner, which is to say, not super big bucks but comfortably in the top third of Australian household income. We're all around 30 years old, but they actually reached that paygrade a couple years before me/us so ought to be better off than us, eh?

CW frequently talks about wanting to buy their own home, but it's just 'impossible to save a deposit while you're renting'. (Err, that's exactly what we did.)

They would like a 2nd kid, but they 'can't afford to take maternity leave again'. This is despite a very generous mat leave scheme with 20 weeks at full pay and 18 weeks at federal minimum pay, and you can even take it at half pay to minimise tax and actually stretch it out over a full year! I goggled at that and couldn't resist probing. Turns out CW's husband's still paying off two loans, so that's like half of each of his pay in repayments.

However, being actually on the same pay as them currently - in fact quite a bit less until very recently - I know for a fact that it's entirely possible for them to live off only one pay and throw the other pay (nearly  $2000 per fortnight) into debt and then a house deposit. Especially as they get free childcare from their parents! (Childcare costs a bomb where we are.)

Instead, CW is an avid shopper and often spends lunch breaks shopping - often at the kinds of stores I might venture into once every few years to find something spiffy for a really nice occasion (like my own wedding). She'll give her mother cash to buy gift cards for her (or some complicated money swapping arrangement) so she can buy things without husband knowing how much she has spent, and proudly tells us how she pulls the 'this old thing? I've had it for ages' trick with her husband. Her rationale is that she sees buying nice clothes as 'an investment in herself, since she's earning such good money'. I guess the good thing is she's shopping in cash, as she doesn't want her purchases on their joint credit card statement so at least she's not running up debt for shoes.

CW also buys cafe coffee at work nearly every day, easily to a tune of $20 a week. I pointed out she could save money by bringing her own coffee pods to use with the Nespresso machine at work, or even just bring a coffee plunger as our office provides free milk, sugar, tea, instant coffee and ground coffee!!! No, apparently she's trying to cut back on coffee and thinks having to walk out and spend money on coffee will help reduce consumption...

I'm just about to give up on the conversation at this point, when CW throws in the doozy that buying a house wouldn't be a problem if her parents would just sell the house they inherited from her grandparents, which would be more than enough to provide her with a deposit. Because her parents have always intended to share that inheritance with her anyway, so she'd rather they shared it now when she could actually use it, instead of dragging their feet on for years.

Seriously, if they'd just knuckle down to it they really could clear the debt and save up a 20% deposit within 2-3 years, then use the eventual inheritance to pay off the house early and be well set then. But I guess they're just going to continue throwing money away in rent while waiting for her parents to finally hand over the inheritance for a deposit... at which point they'll probably also just continue to throw away another 30 years worth of mortgage interest payments at 7% - 8%. Sigh. I am occasionally bit by envy at her beautiful wardrobe, but clothes can't compare to being mortgage-free so I'm hanging in there.

[MgoSam]

so she can buy things without husband knowing how much she has spent, and proudly tells us how she pulls the 'this old thing? I've had it for ages' trick with her husband.

I'm absolutely not a fan of this. Poor spending habits aside, I dislike when a spouse constantly lies to their partner.

[cavewoman]

Wasn't at work, but it was off-topically related to goodwill, and I was buying work clothes...

I saw a young man talking to a worker about buying a couch, how he could get slip covers, he is moving out on his own for the first time (so far, so good, right?)

Then I hear him say "Yeah, but I'm going to need to get a loan from the bank for this because I just bought a new truck so I can move my stuff"


At least he was at goodwill?  But it's yard sale season, and end of college curb find season, and a truck just to move?  aw, man.

[MgoSam]

Then I hear him say "Yeah, but I'm going to need to get a loan from the bank for this because I just bought a new truck so I can move my stuff"

Why not rent a car for a few days, or better yet, make friends with someone that owns a truck.

[RWD]

Then I hear him say "Yeah, but I'm going to need to get a loan from the bank for this because I just bought a new truck so I can move my stuff"

Why not rent a car for a few days, or better yet, make friends with someone that owns a truck.

I bought a truck when I knew I was going to have to move four times in the span of about a year and a half. All I needed was a truck bed so I bought a nearly decade old, 2WD, 4-cylinder, Nissan pickup for $1500. I sold it for $1700. Not sure if it ended up being cheaper than renting, but it worked out pretty well overall. I don't understand buying a new truck just for the sake of moving stuff.

[cavewoman]

Then I hear him say "Yeah, but I'm going to need to get a loan from the bank for this because I just bought a new truck so I can move my stuff"

Why not rent a car for a few days, or better yet, make friends with someone that owns a truck.

Are you asking me?  Because I really don't know! :)

I started eavesdropping because I actually ran into this guy at the library earlier (so he's got some things right), and he caught my attention (and anger) because he was such a loud talker I had to put in earbuds and listen to music.

[JLee]

Then I hear him say "Yeah, but I'm going to need to get a loan from the bank for this because I just bought a new truck so I can move my stuff"

Why not rent a car for a few days, or better yet, make friends with someone that owns a truck.

Haha I sold a truck years ago because I realized that most of what I did with it was move other peoples' shit...

[Sibley]

A coworker probably should be on this forum, but I doubt he is, not that type. He's got a couple of rentals, and has been showing a unit for a week or so. He was telling me about a woman who wanted to rent the unit.

Over the year's lease, rent is $10k, and the resident also pays electric.

The woman:
-has 2 kids
-has a car payment on a 2015 SUV of some sort
-gets monthly child support
-makes $20k a year
-currently lives with her aunt, rent free

He's not going to rent to her. She had absolutely no idea why.

[mtn]

Sibley, I see you're in Chicago... Where is that rental unit in question?

[ender]

He's not going to rent to her. She had absolutely no idea why.

To be fair child support could be a lot of money.

[DTaggart]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

[greenmimama]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

[DTaggart]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

[LennStar]

Why not rent a car for a few days, or better yet, make friends with someone that owns a truck.

When my mother moved we rented one of the white boxes for a day. Cost us 103€. 100€ rent, 3€ fuel, was only a one-mile-move.
Simply the difference between a small car and the truck in one month will be more O.o


@fridges:
We bought a new one to save energy. So it was not broken and we had time. Got one for 300€ instead of the usual 500-700€. Saves at least 70€ energy costs a year compared to the last one.


So I cant understand how you can pay so much. Its like money wasnt soemthing valuable. For the difference you could do so much better things.

[Camarillo Brillo]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

Hmmmphhhh . . . $3,400.  That's nothing.  Check out this $14,000 bad boy.  http://www.subzero-wolf.com/~/media/images/frame%20images/vr_frame_sz_pro48.jpg?quality=80&width=1900

[Pooperman]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

Hmmmphhhh . . . $3,400.  That's nothing.  Check out this $14,000 bad boy.  http://www.subzero-wolf.com/~/media/images/frame%20images/vr_frame_sz_pro48.jpg?quality=80&width=1900

Awesome kitchen design-- no counter space to actually prepare anything :D.

[dycker1978]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

Hmmmphhhh . . . $3,400.  That's nothing.  Check out this $14,000 bad boy.  http://www.subzero-wolf.com/~/media/images/frame%20images/vr_frame_sz_pro48.jpg?quality=80&width=1900

Awesome kitchen design-- no counter space to actually prepare anything :D.

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

[mtn]

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

Devils advocate: how could they make their food if the stuff was out of order?

If I ever get stupid rich, I will have a sub-zero. A few relatives have had them. It is silly, but they really are nice.

[dragoncar]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

Hmmmphhhh . . . $3,400.  That's nothing.  Check out this $14,000 bad boy.  http://www.subzero-wolf.com/~/media/images/frame%20images/vr_frame_sz_pro48.jpg?quality=80&width=1900

Awesome kitchen design-- no counter space to actually prepare anything :D.

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

That nothin.  $48k stove (if you're willing to settle for the pleb base model, that is):


http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcellefischler/2013/07/16/a-47000-stove-and-other-amazingly-expensive-kitchen-appliances/

[dycker1978]

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

Devils advocate: how could they make their food if the stuff was out of order?

If I ever get stupid rich, I will have a sub-zero. A few relatives have had them. It is silly, but they really are nice.

Lol... Freezer not making ice... everything else still worked... so could have made what ever they wanted.

[mtn]

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

Devils advocate: how could they make their food if the stuff was out of order?

If I ever get stupid rich, I will have a sub-zero. A few relatives have had them. It is silly, but they really are nice.

Lol... Freezer not making ice... everything else still worked... so could have made what ever they wanted.

(Because I am in a contrarian mood today): Maybe they just bought ice at McD's... That is what we do when we need to fill a cooler, $1 a bag.

[Apples]

He's not going to rent to her. She had absolutely no idea why.

To be fair child support could be a lot of money.

I don't know the age of her kids, but so can daycare.

[skunkfunk]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Children don't require an extra large fridge and $1200 isn't even an expensive one, the last one I priced out at Home Depot I wanted was $3400, I almost choked, then found a used one on CL for $1200 and was super happy with it, it's my most favorite fridge I've ever used :) But one of the houses we looked at buying had a cool side by side, like each side is a full sized fridge and a freezer, I thought that was a neat feature, so I priced it out for the foreclosure we bought and it literally came with nothing, they were $10k We didn't get one, but wow.

Holy cow! What does a $3400 fridge do, cook your meals for you? :) This is roughly the fridge we have: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my food cold.

I have a ridiculous fridge! This stainless, enormous, fancy-pants fridge was acquired for free when the previous owner had a tech out to fix it and the repair bill was going to be at least $800. My dad disassembled it and redid some of the wire connectors (twice, first time it broke again) and it has worked flawlessly for 18 months, now.

Everybody should have a free ridiculous fridge, it's too easy and anyone who doesn't is just a sucker. Get your dad to fix one up. /s

[paddedhat]

What kind of situation or state of mind would you have to be in NOT to open mail like that?

I believe it's called denial, and it's quite common. You wouldn't believe the number of people who don't open bills and just hope they go away.

I was helping a friend move once and they had a box full of unopened credit card bills. Apparently they never checked them, they just paid what they could and tried not to think about it.  I can't imagine that ended well. Fell out of touch with them though, so I hope they eventually smartened up.

A few years ago my younger sister was laid up with a major surgery. I knew that she is a total F-up, but didn't really comprehend how extreme it had gotten. By the time I got involved, she hadn't touched a piece of mail for five or six months. In the end she had to HIDE a nearly new car, in her friend's barn. This was to keep it from being repossessed, until she had a chance to work it out with the lender. Not only did she have no real expenses, since she was leaching off of her mother, but she had plenty of income to pay the note, which was $125/month. Depression, denial, mental illness......... it can really make for one hell of a low credit score, and huge amounts of needless stress.

[dycker1978]

I used to own an appliance repair business, Believe it $14000 is not the super high end stuff that you can buy(in CAD dollars anyways).  I remember there was one I was working on, I got the receipt because it was warranty.  It had the fridge, freezer, and stove on it.  They were an all fridge and all freezer side by side.  Sub zero ridge freezer, and wolf oven. 

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

Devils advocate: how could they make their food if the stuff was out of order?

If I ever get stupid rich, I will have a sub-zero. A few relatives have had them. It is silly, but they really are nice.

Lol... Freezer not making ice... everything else still worked... so could have made what ever they wanted.

(Because I am in a contrarian mood today): Maybe they just bought ice at McD's... That is what we do when we need to fill a cooler, $1 a bag.

Hmm.... that would be the first time I have ever seen ice in a big mac container... 

[Sibley]

Sibley, I see you're in Chicago... Where is that rental unit in question?

Not sure, but he rented it yesterday to someone.

[Sibley]

He's not going to rent to her. She had absolutely no idea why.

To be fair child support could be a lot of money.

I don't know the age of her kids, but so can daycare.

They way he told me, she really didn't have her finances together and was too ignorant to realize it.

[mm1970]

I don't even know where to start. I work for the government and the combination of good pay, job security, and defined benefit plans seem to make otherwise intelligent and responsible people desperate to spend every last cent they earn.

One time my supervisor was lamenting about his refrigerator was broken. He had a repair guy out to give an estimate on fixing it. I thought, "Good for you - seeing if it can be fixed instead of running out to immediately buy a new one."

Then he said the repair estimate was $400, which was a lot, but still much cheaper than a replacement.

I said, "Wait, what? That can't be right. Granted it was a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure we only paid like $400 when we bought our last fridge. How much did your fridge cost?"

He said "$1200."

My eyes must have been bugging out of my head because he quickly explained, "Well we need a big fridge, we have two kids." The kids in question aren't even starving teenagers... they're elementary school age. Do children require stainless steel and french doors as well? Because those are the only $1200 refrigerators I've seen.

Seems like a lot, right?  We bought our fridge in 2001 when we moved into a rental that didn't have one. It was $600, from Sears, energy star.

Well, darn it they are so expensive now!  Our fridge started having issues a few years ago - the fan in the freezer broke (it keeps the fridge cold), and the guy who came to look at it (from Sears) said it would be $300 to fix or we could go buy the part ourselves for $75.  Which is what we did.  Also, one of our drawers/slides broke, and I found the part online for $35 and fixed it myself (I was so proud).

Occasionally we wish we had an automatic ice maker in our fridge.  There was a nice stainless fridge for sale used, locally, for $600.  I would have jumped on it except it is 33.5 inches, and our space is only 30 inches (when we bought our house, my husband built cabinets around the fridge).

So anyway, it looks like the current version of what we have is about $510 (19-20 cu ft?  I honestly don't know how big our fridge is). 
If you want freezer on the bottom, which is more practical I know, is $1000 or more.
Icemaker and french doors?  $1400 and up.

I'll just keep making my two trays of ice a day, thanks.  I guess if I were to spend $1500 on a fridge, instead of $500, and it lasted me 20 years - that's what, 50 a year for the ice feature?  Hm.

[mm1970]

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

My friends in the Bay Area have this joke they saw in a newspaper.  Their house has an expensive stove and a sub-zero fridge (there when they bought it), and the big joke up there is people having those items and eating takeout.

Whomever posted the low-end Sears white fridge link? Yep, that's my fridge.

[Hunny156]

He's not going to rent to her. She had absolutely no idea why.

To be fair child support could be a lot of money.

I don't know the age of her kids, but so can daycare.

They way he told me, she really didn't have her finances together and was too ignorant to realize it.

This landlord is considering writing a book with all the stories accumulated over a decade plus.  I've often had tenants fill out an application, and their gross monthly income barely covers the rent.  So I ask, "how will you eat?"  Most common response is that a parent is subsidizing them.

I've had prospective tenants show up early and interrupt a meeting w/another prospective tenant b/c they were busy, ones who didn't want to pay the fees to run a credit check, and ones who asked what would happen if they changed their mind about moving in after handing over the non-refundable deposit.  All were denied tenancy, and all were upset and didn't understand why.  So many people don't look at it for what it is - a job interview.  If they aren't on their best behavior now, I can only imagine what a hassle they will be once they are settled in and their real personalities show!

I am grateful to those people for showing their true colors early - makes it easy to weed out w/confidence..

[dycker1978]

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

My friends in the Bay Area have this joke they saw in a newspaper.  Their house has an expensive stove and a sub-zero fridge (there when they bought it), and the big joke up there is people having those items and eating takeout.

Whomever posted the low-end Sears white fridge link? Yep, that's my fridge.

I still keep in touch with the guys at the appliance store whom I serviced... so when I needed a fridge I got the low end one... it was $415.  They last just as long as the $5000 trust me on that.

[zolotiyeruki]

The Fridge and Freezer were $11500 each and the stove was $14250.  The best part was the McDonalds bags sat on top of the stove.  Clearly with almost 37000 worth of kitchen appliances you don't have time to make their own meals.

My friends in the Bay Area have this joke they saw in a newspaper.  Their house has an expensive stove and a sub-zero fridge (there when they bought it), and the big joke up there is people having those items and eating takeout.

Whomever posted the low-end Sears white fridge link? Yep, that's my fridge.

That's hilarious--that's the exact fridge my wife and I bought 10 years ago!  And it's still running fine!

Of course, it's now our *second* fridge--we picked up a fancy-pants french door, bottom freezer, ice maker fridge from our next door neighbors for $75 when they moved.  We've never had a single problem with that simple 30" fridge in 10 years of use, other than a deli drawer slide cracking under too much weight.

Here's the funny thing:  I swear that old 18 cu ft fridge has more capacity than our fancypants 25 cu ft french door fridge.  Case in point: simple fridge can fit 3 milk jugs front-to-back on a shelf.  Fancypants fridge can only fit 2, with a few inches to spare.