Overheard at Work

[Le Barbu]

I don't understand why people think convertibles are extravagent or spendypants or anything. Until 2008 you could get a Camry convertible. Can still get a Chrysler 200 convertible, which is just a Dodge Avenger or Mitsubishi Lancer (boring, practical car). Mini Coopers, at least 2 current VW's, Mustangs and Camaro's (which are really not spendypants cars, especially in V6 form), and the Fiat are all "practical" convertibles as well, and none of them are fancy or all that expensive. Buick has one coming soon too. Why are they spendy pants?

On the sportier side of it, the S2000 is a great investment (seriously! No, it isn't VTSMX). I drove a Miata hard for 4 years and 60,000 miles and sold it for about $3,500 less than we paid for it. Not too bad, all things considered--less than $1000 a year in depreciation, and a lot of mileage on there. Corvettes don't depreciate that much if you take care of them and don't pile on miles...

I just don't understand the stuck up rich person stigma associated with a convertible.

/Rant

I think that the spendy part is when you run the A/C full blast with the roof top open...

But that really isn't that spendy, like Chris said. Especially when used only at stoplights.

Maybe, but if you summ all of these tinny differences that Chris is talking about make a huge one at the end of the year. And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

[dragoncar]

Foam alert, but I had to chime in.  Except for when you first get in a super hot (interior) car, you should always run on recirculate.  The pressure in the car's AC system is very high when it is trying to cool hot and moist outside air.  Why not give it some help by recirculating the dryer and cooler air that is inside the car?  Lower pressure in the system uses less energy, and allows your system to last longer.

For a hot car, I always drive around with the windows down and blasting non-ac outside air for a few minutes before rolling up the windows and hitting the recirc ac.  However that brings me to agree with others re:

But that really isn't that spendy, like Chris said. Especially when used only at stoplights.

I think most people don't really know what it costs and then make an assumption that it's costly.

This summer I've been driving around mostly with the windows down and no ac, except on the brutally hottest days.  My door latch was broken and I hadn't got around to fixing it so I had to roll down the window to get out of the car.  Figured I could save some gas by keeping the window down.

Most car buffs will quote the rule of thumb that you are better off with the window down if traveling slower than 40mph.  Anecdotally, my mileage was worse this summer than last summer.  I suspect my ac is actually pretty efficient due to the fact I have an un mustachian HP under the good that likely generates way too much excess power even at minimum throttle.

[mm1970]

I wish they'd find a different way to fund schools - something more universal than property tax.  There's just got to be a better way.

Property tax is fairly universal.  Even if you don't own a home, the person you rent from pays prop tax.

But property tax is not at all even, between states or even within states.  Which is why some schools have way better funding than others.

That's certainly true.  I was speaking for my own particular district, with about 10 schools.

Of course, one school about 40 miles away spends 2/3 of what we do, and the "rich" school 10 miles south spends 2x.  Yah know, where Oprah lives.

[MgoSam]

Yeah I don't know. As someone that doesn't have any children nor plans on having any, I could argue that it is unfair to pay property taxes, which go into schools, but I understand that there are societal obligations. I don't get to pick and choose what the government funds and I understand that having great schools helps the entire society.

"taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society" Oliver Wendell Holmes

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I wish they'd find a different way to fund schools - something more universal than property tax.  There's just got to be a better way.

Property tax is fairly universal.  Even if you don't own a home, the person you rent from pays prop tax.

But property tax is not at all even, between states or even within states.  Which is why some schools have way better funding than others.

That's certainly true.  I was speaking for my own particular district, with about 10 schools.

Of course, one school about 40 miles away spends 2/3 of what we do, and the "rich" school 10 miles south spends 2x.  Yah know, where Oprah lives.

Spending doesn't lead to performance. The best and worst school districts in my county spend nearly exactly the same amount per student - $14,200 per year in 2012-2013. The highest-spending district has this absurd geography (in red):


They spent $19,000 per student in 2012-13. They have the second-lowest rate in the county on instruction as a portion of expenditures, because they spend a lot of money on transportation.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia schools spend $6000 more per student each year than the best and worst districts in my county, for results that are downright dangerous. Money isn't the limiting ingredient here and it's more complicated than spending more = better results.

[KittyCat]

I'm in the market for a new phone (my current phone is in bad shape) and since I plan to buy a used phone I've been looking at other people's phones and asking questions about their experiences. We set aside $200 in the budget for this back in January. However, if I want to go over budget for a fancy pants phone (tech is my weakness) I need to cover the rest from my personal allowance.

I explained all this to one of my co-workers who asked why I didn't just order one of the new iPhone 6s phones and be done.

He said, "But Metta, you and your husband have money. Why do you have to talk about purchases with him at all? Just buy it and tell him after the fact. If I had enough money to retire, I would never discuss purchases with my wife."

Other co-worker: "Yeah, I'd come home one day with a boat and no questions asked or answered."

Both men laughed.

I just looked at them, speechless. My husband and I discuss all purchases above about $25 except those we cover from our allowance (usually books, games, perfume). Financial transparency seems foundational to relationships to me.

A bit off-topic, but have you looked into the Moto G?

[FatCat]

I was homeschooled. I probably won't have kids. If I do have kids I would prefer to homeschool them. I don't mind paying taxes for the schools because I want school to be an available option for everybody because I want to live in an educated society. However, I don't believe that spending more money equates to a better education.

I don't like the way some of the schools spend the money that they receive. A friend of mine just got a job at a public school and he said they are giving every student an ipad mini this year. The students have to return the ipads at the end of the year, but still. That just seems like they are trying to think up ways to spend money.

[Chris22]

But that really isn't that spendy, like Chris said. Especially when used only at stoplights.

I think most people don't really know what it costs and then make an assumption that it's costly.

Exactly.  I drive that car maybe 2k miles/yr.  Let's say not running the A/C is worth an extra 1mpg.  2000/22 = 91 gal x $3 = $273.  2000/21 = 95 gal x $3 = $285.  $285 - $273 = $12.  A year.  Wow.

[ohyonghao]

I wish they'd find a different way to fund schools - something more universal than property tax.  There's just got to be a better way.

Have children assembling iPhones
School uniforms with sponsor's logos
Start student loans early
Close all schools and import future scientists and engineers from China

Maybe it's a lack of cross culture exposure, but recently I've ran into a lot of people on the internet lacking in understanding of Asian culture, and confusing Japanese, Korean, and Chinese culture as sort of the same thing.   Looking through Wikipedia it would seem that Asian countries vary as much as their culture does in the funding of public schools, China funding only through the 9th grade, whereas the article on Japan did not mention if primary school is covered, but that high school is not.

With my vast experience being in Taiwan, public and private schools alike are not free, they pay tuition for each child they have in school.  In some families this can become a large burden with multiple children in school, but also as a part of culture they have a strong desire (and incentive) to have their kids get ahead and encourage them to have good careers.  The incentive being that the eldest child takes care of the parents during their retirement (essentially kids are their retirement plan), traditionally the eldest son, but in more recent times could be shared amongst all children, and a family without sons may rely on the daughter, but I digress.

My point being that it is ironic to claim the failure to provide free K-12 education would mean to import scientists from countries that also don't provide free K-12 education.

[Chris22]

And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

Yeah, sorry, that's stupid.  If we're supposed to be optimizing stuff, why are we wasting energy doing something for the "idea" of it if the numbers don't work out?  Isn't that the exact opposite of the whole point?

[LeRainDrop]

And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

Yeah, sorry, that's stupid.  If we're supposed to be optimizing stuff, why are we wasting energy doing something for the "idea" of it if the numbers don't work out?  Isn't that the exact opposite of the whole point?

Yes, I agree with Chris22.  For goodness sake, running the AC with the car windows (or convertible top) down is not that big of a deal!

[merula]

Advertisement at my workplace's Credit Union:

"Vacation Loans -starting at 6.5% interest, have the vacation you have always wanted!"
"Limit up to $5000"

Ugghhh

Yeah, that is ridiculous. "The vacation I always wanted" is definitely more than $5,000. ;)

In the overall world of unsecured consumer debt, though, 6.5% is a comparative bargain.

[FatCat]

Advertisement at my workplace's Credit Union:

"Vacation Loans -starting at 6.5% interest, have the vacation you have always wanted!"
"Limit up to $5000"

Ugghhh

Yeah, that is ridiculous. "The vacation I always wanted" is definitely more than $5,000. ;)

In the overall world of unsecured consumer debt, though, 6.5% is a comparative bargain.

That's sadly true. I think most people charge the vacation expenses to their credit card and just make payments on it forever. This would be a much better idea than using the cc to finance your trip.

[dragoncar]

But that really isn't that spendy, like Chris said. Especially when used only at stoplights.

I think most people don't really know what it costs and then make an assumption that it's costly.

Exactly.  I drive that car maybe 2k miles/yr.  Let's say not running the A/C is worth an extra 1mpg.  2000/22 = 91 gal x $3 = $273.  2000/21 = 95 gal x $3 = $285.  $285 - $273 = $12.  A year.  Wow.

I know my manual says that I should run the AC every few weeks to keep it properly oiled.  If you drive 2000 miles per year, that could be pretty close to everytime you drive somewhere.

[Le Barbu]

And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

Yeah, sorry, that's stupid.  If we're supposed to be optimizing stuff, why are we wasting energy doing something for the "idea" of it if the numbers don't work out?  Isn't that the exact opposite of the whole point?

ok then, leaving the lights on when you dont need it is a big deal so, lets do it. Do you shut it off to save few pennies? When you say "don't work out" you mean "not enough to bother" or "result is the oposite of what I think it should be"?

[mtn]

And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

Yeah, sorry, that's stupid.  If we're supposed to be optimizing stuff, why are we wasting energy doing something for the "idea" of it if the numbers don't work out?  Isn't that the exact opposite of the whole point?

ok then, leaving the lights on when you dont need it is a big deal so, lets do it. Do you shut it off to save few pennies? When you say "don't work out" you mean "not enough to bother" or "result is the oposite of what I think it should be"?

Both. You're forgetting that everything has a cost. Comfort, time, etc.

I turn the lights off when I leave the room. Over a year, or a month, it can add up. I don't turn the lights off when I'm going to be back in the room in a minute or two, because the switches are really inconvenient. The 30* seconds extra to go turn off the lights and then turn them on when I get back is not worth it for me; I just leave them on. That would add up to probably a dollar a year saved on my electric bill with the lights that I use (currently all CFL in that room), so I don't turn them off if I'll be back in that room within 5 minutes.

Similarly, for me (and probably Chris) the cost of having the AC on at a stoplight was for me maybe an extra half gallon a tank. If that. $2 a month for 3 months for added comfort and not showing up to my destination covered in sweat? Yeah, that is worth it, and the result is the opposite of what I expected--it costs me more to have the AC off than on. I value my comfort pretty highly once my clothes are on the verge of getting wet.

*It really is 30** seconds to turn on/off the lights in my bedroom right now. That is a temporary thing; I am moving into the place and the room is a mess of boxes around a bed. I can't get to the light switch.
**Ok, probably only about 10 or 15. Still, really annoying.

[Chris22]

Yes, not turning lights off in an EMPTY room is not a valid comparison to blowing cold air on myself and then have it go into the atmosphere. 

[dragoncar]

Yes, not turning lights off in an EMPTY room is not a valid comparison to blowing cold air on myself and then have it go into the atmosphere.

Don't forget to close all your window blinds whenever you turn on the lights.  Can't have those photons being wasted outside.

[Le Barbu]

And sometime, the difference may be neglictible but the whole idea behind is more important.

Yeah, sorry, that's stupid.  If we're supposed to be optimizing stuff, why are we wasting energy doing something for the "idea" of it if the numbers don't work out?  Isn't that the exact opposite of the whole point?

ok then, leaving the lights on when you dont need it is a big deal so, lets do it. Do you shut it off to save few pennies? When you say "don't work out" you mean "not enough to bother" or "result is the oposite of what I think it should be"?

Both. You're forgetting that everything has a cost. Comfort, time, etc.

I turn the lights off when I leave the room. Over a year, or a month, it can add up. I don't turn the lights off when I'm going to be back in the room in a minute or two, because the switches are really inconvenient. The 30* seconds extra to go turn off the lights and then turn them on when I get back is not worth it for me; I just leave them on. That would add up to probably a dollar a year saved on my electric bill with the lights that I use (currently all CFL in that room), so I don't turn them off if I'll be back in that room within 5 minutes.

Similarly, for me (and probably Chris) the cost of having the AC on at a stoplight was for me maybe an extra half gallon a tank. If that. $2 a month for 3 months for added comfort and not showing up to my destination covered in sweat? Yeah, that is worth it, and the result is the opposite of what I expected--it costs me more to have the AC off than on. I value my comfort pretty highly once my clothes are on the verge of getting wet.

*It really is 30** seconds to turn on/off the lights in my bedroom right now. That is a temporary thing; I am moving into the place and the room is a mess of boxes around a bed. I can't get to the light switch.
**Ok, probably only about 10 or 15. Still, really annoying.

The sun is damn hot where you guys live! I guess motocycle comes with AC as well. Or maybe "convertible" are not convenient at all, just fun and flashy toys

[Tigerpine]

Maybe it's a lack of cross culture exposure, but recently I've ran into a lot of people on the internet lacking in understanding of Asian culture, and confusing Japanese, Korean, and Chinese culture as sort of the same thing.   Looking through Wikipedia it would seem that Asian countries vary as much as their culture does in the funding of public schools, China funding only through the 9th grade, whereas the article on Japan did not mention if primary school is covered, but that high school is not.

With my vast experience being in Taiwan, public and private schools alike are not free, they pay tuition for each child they have in school.  In some families this can become a large burden with multiple children in school, but also as a part of culture they have a strong desire (and incentive) to have their kids get ahead and encourage them to have good careers.  The incentive being that the eldest child takes care of the parents during their retirement (essentially kids are their retirement plan), traditionally the eldest son, but in more recent times could be shared amongst all children, and a family without sons may rely on the daughter, but I digress.

My point being that it is ironic to claim the failure to provide free K-12 education would mean to import scientists from countries that also don't provide free K-12 education.

FYI, compulsory education in Japan is 6 years of elementary school and 3 years of middle school.  It's publicly funded, but they don't hire janitors or have central heating, cooling, etc.  They might central heating up north in Hokkaido, though.  I only know central and western Japan through direct experience.

[gimp]

I'm trying to decide if it's morally acceptable for me to drive a mile round-trip to get free food.

I always walked in the past, but my knee got blown from a too-strenuous hike. I walked two miles yesterday, thinking it was healed, and it hurts again.

Hmph.

[MoonShadow]

Maybe it's a lack of cross culture exposure, but recently I've ran into a lot of people on the internet lacking in understanding of Asian culture, and confusing Japanese, Korean, and Chinese culture as sort of the same thing.   Looking through Wikipedia it would seem that Asian countries vary as much as their culture does in the funding of public schools, China funding only through the 9th grade, whereas the article on Japan did not mention if primary school is covered, but that high school is not.

With my vast experience being in Taiwan, public and private schools alike are not free, they pay tuition for each child they have in school.  In some families this can become a large burden with multiple children in school, but also as a part of culture they have a strong desire (and incentive) to have their kids get ahead and encourage them to have good careers.  The incentive being that the eldest child takes care of the parents during their retirement (essentially kids are their retirement plan), traditionally the eldest son, but in more recent times could be shared amongst all children, and a family without sons may rely on the daughter, but I digress.

My point being that it is ironic to claim the failure to provide free K-12 education would mean to import scientists from countries that also don't provide free K-12 education.

FYI, compulsory education in Japan is 6 years of elementary school and 3 years of middle school.  It's publicly funded, but they don't hire janitors or have central heating, cooling, etc.  They might central heating up north in Hokkaido, though.  I only know central and western Japan through direct experience.

Also, it's fairly typical for even the publicly funded schools to expect a regular 'work day' from students.  The kids clean the classrooms and organize the library shelves, as an example.

[Seppia]

I'm trying to decide if it's morally acceptable for me to drive a mile round-trip to get free food.

I always walked in the past, but my knee got blown from a too-strenuous hike. I walked two miles yesterday, thinking it was healed, and it hurts again.

Hmph.

Unless you drive a dragster or they give you baked potatoes only, it's certainly cost effective.

[MishMash]

I normally order in the office supplies...I've gone on strike this past week and we are out of paper cups.  My theory was, if we don't have paper cups, of which we were going through 2-3 per person, per day, people will use the FULL cabinet of ceramic mugs, and then place them in the dishwasher when they are done (seriously they don't even have to wash them by hand, the office kitchen has a dishwasher).  As of 10 minutes ago, day 2 of being out of cups...they just took an "office order" to go get coffee from McDonalds down the way because they "were dragging without their coffee". 

I looked at them and went seriously...you are going to go BUY coffee, instead of washing a mug out (they've been in the cabinet forever) and using it?  Apparently that's a big fat yes.

[FatCat]

I'm guessing there were enough mugs for everybody? Do they know that they are permitted to use the mugs?

I find this really strange. But then, I bought my own mug to keep at work for coffee because I felt wasteful throwing using those cups.

[MgoSam]

Tragedy of the masses. Because the first people simply tossed them in the sink instead of the dishwasher, no one else is going to do it. It's frankly pathetic.

[HairyUpperLip]

One of my jobs had free coffee but it was disgusting.

I would walk to McD's every morning after the morning team meeting and get a coffee from there. After it was about a 1/4 full, I'd top it off with the free stuff for my 2nd cup.

$1 everyday at McD. You spendypants bastard!

If Chris can let his AC go at the stop lights with support, then I can get support for $1 coffee. :P For what it's worth, I also walked to and from work everyday to begin with.

[KittyCat]

I normally order in the office supplies...I've gone on strike this past week and we are out of paper cups.  My theory was, if we don't have paper cups, of which we were going through 2-3 per person, per day, people will use the FULL cabinet of ceramic mugs, and then place them in the dishwasher when they are done (seriously they don't even have to wash them by hand, the office kitchen has a dishwasher).  As of 10 minutes ago, day 2 of being out of cups...they just took an "office order" to go get coffee from McDonalds down the way because they "were dragging without their coffee". 

I looked at them and went seriously...you are going to go BUY coffee, instead of washing a mug out (they've been in the cabinet forever) and using it?  Apparently that's a big fat yes.

Perhaps more people would utilize the cups if there was a prominent sign with instructions. It'd only help if they didn't know that they could use it though.

[Chris22]

One of my jobs had free coffee but it was disgusting.

I would walk to McD's every morning after the morning team meeting and get a coffee from there. After it was about a 1/4 full, I'd top it off with the free stuff for my 2nd cup.

$1 everyday at McD. You spendypants bastard!

If Chris can let his AC go at the stop lights with support, then I can get support for $1 coffee. :P For what it's worth, I also walked to and from work everyday to begin with.

Drove to work this AM, top down.  Don't remember the A/C being on, but I didn't intentionally turn it on.  I dunno.  Daughter insisted we take "Red car" to preschool instead of normal "black car."  (Preschool at the end of the block, I understand I'm putting her life in grave danger driving 200yds at 17mph without a car seat and near the airbag, I accept it, blah blah). 

[nawhite]

The place I used to work had a fantastic ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan). The way it worked was you would have them deduct up to 15% of your paycheck (pre-tax) which would be placed into a special account for you. At the end of 6 months, the money in that account would be used to buy shares of the company at a 15% discount (there were some other provisions about price of the stock at start and end of the 6 month period that could make it WAY more valuable but worst case, you got 15% off the price). You could then set it up to automatically sell those shares immediately. So no risk, no chance of loosing money, it would be taxed the same as your normal paycheck income.

So lets say you make 100k/year, 50k/6 months. Lets say the stock is trading at $100/share. You take your 15% of 50k ($7500) buy 88.24 shares at $85/share and auto sell them for $8823.53. Your profit is $1323.53 every 6 months or $2647 every year WORST CASE. (I had one year I profited close to $10,000 because of the other provisions).

I was completely unable to convince a singe person on my team (all young single guys making more than $100k/year) to sign up. Every 6 months I would have a conversation like:

Me: Wow, I just made X thousand dollars with the ESPP!
CW: Cool! I should sign up for that, how does it work?
Me: <explains above> (Setting this up required filling out one online form with 3 questions every 6 months.)
CW: "That sounds complicated, not worth it to me" or "You mean your paycheck is 15% less every week? How do you manage that? I could never do it." or "There must be some catch. Next time I'm sure you'll lose money. Let's see how you do in 6 months"

It was so frustrating. Here I was telling my co-workers how to get a 2.5% raise and no one would fill out the form to make it happen. At least I'm pretty sure they all were maxing their 401k match because that was another 3.5% free raise.

Eventually the company ditched the ESPP program for lack of participation and I found a new job a little later. In my exit interview I said "when they took away the ESPP program that was effectively a 2.5% pay cut for me." My manager thought I was making up numbers so I then had to explain how the program worked to him too. He at least said "oh I guess you're right, sorry about that."

[MishMash]

I'm guessing there were enough mugs for everybody? Do they know that they are permitted to use the mugs?

I find this really strange. But then, I bought my own mug to keep at work for coffee because I felt wasteful throwing using those cups.

There are enough mugs for everyone in the office to have 2, and they ALL know they are there for the using as I have pointed them out, placed signs on the doors etc.  They were left over marketing stock from when our company changed logos, we all took some of the old ones home and put the last couple of cases in the kitchen for everyone to use.

We have a Keurig, and, I kid you not, 15 different types of coffee pods, so it's not the coffee being gross as there have been zero complaints about it before.  We also have a FULL size regular coffee pot that I donated to the kitchen (DH and I don't drink it and we somehow ended up with 2 as wedding gifts) along with a whole tub of Gevalia coffee that I brought in.  Everyone is too lazy to put in the coffee filter and water and turn it on, so industrial Keurig it is.  Now, if I make a pot of coffee it gets gobbled up, but then no one ever refills it, empties the grounds, cleans it, or even turns the damn thing off so I gave up on making pots, especially when I don't drink the stuff.

[Chris22]

I had an ESPP at an old employer too.  Similar deal, I think we could either do 5% or 10%, I forget which, but ours ran quarterly.  However, since I was in finance, and considered to have privileged information, I had to wait for the earnings release to sell.  One quarter in 2008, we lost enough from the end of the buying period to the end of the quiet period when I could sell that we lost all of the gains, plus the 15% discount, and then some.  Instead of paying $100 and getting $115, you got something like $92.  Sucked.

[mtn]

We've got a KSOP--401k and ESOP in one. Ours sucks--the only part of it that is ESOP is the company match.

[mm1970]

The place I used to work had a fantastic ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan). The way it worked was you would have them deduct up to 15% of your paycheck (pre-tax) which would be placed into a special account for you. At the end of 6 months, the money in that account would be used to buy shares of the company at a 15% discount (there were some other provisions about price of the stock at start and end of the 6 month period that could make it WAY more valuable but worst case, you got 15% off the price). You could then set it up to automatically sell those shares immediately. So no risk, no chance of loosing money, it would be taxed the same as your normal paycheck income.

So lets say you make 100k/year, 50k/6 months. Lets say the stock is trading at $100/share. You take your 15% of 50k ($7500) buy 88.24 shares at $85/share and auto sell them for $8823.53. Your profit is $1323.53 every 6 months or $2647 every year WORST CASE. (I had one year I profited close to $10,000 because of the other provisions).

I was completely unable to convince a singe person on my team (all young single guys making more than $100k/year) to sign up. Every 6 months I would have a conversation like:

Me: Wow, I just made X thousand dollars with the ESPP!
CW: Cool! I should sign up for that, how does it work?
Me: <explains above> (Setting this up required filling out one online form with 3 questions every 6 months.)
CW: "That sounds complicated, not worth it to me" or "You mean your paycheck is 15% less every week? How do you manage that? I could never do it." or "There must be some catch. Next time I'm sure you'll lose money. Let's see how you do in 6 months"

It was so frustrating. Here I was telling my co-workers how to get a 2.5% raise and no one would fill out the form to make it happen. At least I'm pretty sure they all were maxing their 401k match because that was another 3.5% free raise.

Eventually the company ditched the ESPP program for lack of participation and I found a new job a little later. In my exit interview I said "when they took away the ESPP program that was effectively a 2.5% pay cut for me." My manager thought I was making up numbers so I then had to explain how the program worked to him too. He at least said "oh I guess you're right, sorry about that."

That's terrible.  I miss the ESPP at my old company.  I definitely took a pay cut when I lost that.  Some years the starting stock price was $15 and then 6 months later it was at $25.  Those were great.

[dragoncar]

One of my jobs had free coffee but it was disgusting.

I would walk to McD's every morning after the morning team meeting and get a coffee from there. After it was about a 1/4 full, I'd top it off with the free stuff for my 2nd cup.

$1 everyday at McD. You spendypants bastard!

If Chris can let his AC go at the stop lights with support, then I can get support for $1 coffee. :P For what it's worth, I also walked to and from work everyday to begin with.

Drove to work this AM, top down.  Don't remember the A/C being on, but I didn't intentionally turn it on.  I dunno.  Daughter insisted we take "Red car" to preschool instead of normal "black car."  (Preschool at the end of the block, I understand I'm putting her life in grave danger driving 200yds at 17mph without a car seat and near the airbag, I accept it, blah blah).

Ok, guys, you were right... I guess he is a troll

[Chris22]

One of my jobs had free coffee but it was disgusting.

I would walk to McD's every morning after the morning team meeting and get a coffee from there. After it was about a 1/4 full, I'd top it off with the free stuff for my 2nd cup.

$1 everyday at McD. You spendypants bastard!

If Chris can let his AC go at the stop lights with support, then I can get support for $1 coffee. :P For what it's worth, I also walked to and from work everyday to begin with.

Drove to work this AM, top down.  Don't remember the A/C being on, but I didn't intentionally turn it on.  I dunno.  Daughter insisted we take "Red car" to preschool instead of normal "black car."  (Preschool at the end of the block, I understand I'm putting her life in grave danger driving 200yds at 17mph without a car seat and near the airbag, I accept it, blah blah).

Ok, guys, you were right... I guess he is a troll

How's that trollish?

[K-Dogg]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

[solon]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

This is one of those conversations that just gets worse and worse the longer it goes on!

[KittyCat]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

I've never even heard of 29.99% auto loans! Wow, that conversation sounds painful.

[Chris22]

$45k for a Jeep Compass??  The most expensive one I built on Edmunds just at a glance was $29k, and you should be able to get a healthy amount off of that (maybe $4-5k?)  You sure she didn't buy TWO??

[MgoSam]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

This is one of those conversations that just gets worse and worse the longer it goes on!

Is there any way that I can get in on this action? If people are dumb enough to pay 8.4% interest on a depreciating asset, I want to invest in this racket.

[mtn]

$45k for a Jeep Compass??  The most expensive one I built on Edmunds just at a glance was $29k, and you should be able to get a healthy amount off of that (maybe $4-5k?)  You sure she didn't buy TWO??

No kidding--I think they start at about $17,000 or so, give or take $2k? I'm calling foul on that post. Perhaps you meant a Grand Cherokee?

[vivophoenix]

$45k for a Jeep Compass??  The most expensive one I built on Edmunds just at a glance was $29k, and you should be able to get a healthy amount off of that (maybe $4-5k?)  You sure she didn't buy TWO??

No kidding--I think they start at about $17,000 or so, give or take $2k? I'm calling foul on that post. Perhaps you meant a Grand Cherokee?

maybe she got the clear coat and the road side service and the extended warranty

[RFAAOATB]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

This is one of those conversations that just gets worse and worse the longer it goes on!

Is there any way that I can get in on this action? If people are dumb enough to pay 8.4% interest on a depreciating asset, I want to invest in this racket.

There's always money in exploiting the poor.  Buy Here Pay Here, Payday Loans, and Rent to Own is the wave of the future.  My wife invests in a sustainable energy investment fund... I'm thinking we need a Fuck the Poor investment fund to add to the portfolio.

[Paul der Krake]

There's always money in exploiting the poor.  Buy Here Pay Here, Payday Loans, and Rent to Own is the wave of the future.  My wife invests in a sustainable energy investment fund... I'm thinking we need a Fuck the Poor investment fund to add to the portfolio.

There are a few publicly traded private prisons companies out there. Maybe throw in some fast food corps and gambling and you've got yourself a fund.

[Dollar Slice]

There are a few publicly traded private prisons companies out there. Maybe throw in some fast food corps and gambling and you've got yourself a fund.

Don't forget cigarettes & beer.

[dragoncar]

What is the appeal of "buy here pay here?"  Like do dealerships often force people to pay somewhere else?

As to trolling comments... If you don't see it...

[lostamonkey]

Background: CW1 texts me pictures of her new Jeep Compass she bought over the weekend. She makes around 60k/year and work is spotty this year with the recession.

CW1 – Just got this!
Me –   Wow, that looks hella expensive.
CW1 – Nah, it’s small.
Me –   My Mazda is smallish (there are smaller cars)

So Monday rolls around.

CW1 – Ya, it’s fully loaded: leather, moon roof, heated seats.
CW2 – Those are nice. Probably got a good deal on financing.
CW1 – I was surprised I got it. The dealership told me I wouldn’t qualify for 40k, but then they approved me for 45k!
Me – (head explodes)
CW2 – How much is the interest rate?
CW1 – Only 8.4%.
CW3 – That’s not bad! I was paying 29.99% for 4 years! But now I qualify for 0% so I’m going to go look at trucks tonight.

This is one of those conversations that just gets worse and worse the longer it goes on!

Is there any way that I can get in on this action? If people are dumb enough to pay 8.4% interest on a depreciating asset, I want to invest in this racket.

If you invest in an index fund, then you are already in on the action. The car companies and banks are probably listed on the index.

[LeRainDrop]

What is the appeal of "buy here pay here?"  Like do dealerships often force people to pay somewhere else?

Haha!  For those of you like me, who'd never heard of "buy here pay here" dealerships, autotrader explains:  http://buyherepayhere.autotrader.com/credit-help-center/what-is-buy-here-pay-here/5#.Vfi_DRFViko

[Hedge_87]

I normally order in the office supplies...I've gone on strike this past week and we are out of paper cups.  My theory was, if we don't have paper cups, of which we were going through 2-3 per person, per day, people will use the FULL cabinet of ceramic mugs, and then place them in the dishwasher when they are done (seriously they don't even have to wash them by hand, the office kitchen has a dishwasher).  As of 10 minutes ago, day 2 of being out of cups...they just took an "office order" to go get coffee from McDonalds down the way because they "were dragging without their coffee". 

I looked at them and went seriously...you are going to go BUY coffee, instead of washing a mug out (they've been in the cabinet forever) and using it?  Apparently that's a big fat yes.

Pure craziness! I prefer to drink coffee out of a real mug. Just like I prefer to drink (insert alcoholic beverage here) out of a real glass too. Then you throw in the whole better for the planet thing and it's hands down the better choice.