Overheard on Facebook

[markbike528CBX]

...
Friend: we pay $250/$300 for DirectTV
Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!...

Has no one heard of a place called a sports bar?

At $300/ month * 1month/ 4 Sundays =$75, these places serve beer and food for free with your TV!
:-)
Some limitations apply.

[mustachepungoeshere]

...
Friend: we pay $250/$300 for DirectTV
Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!...

Has no one heard of a place called a sports bar?

At $300/ month * 1month/ 4 Sundays =$75, these places serve beer and food for free with your TV!
:-)
Some limitations apply.

I'm not usually dyslexic but I definitely read that as sports bra...

Carry on.

[jinga nation]

One more for from my fb conversation:

Friend: we pay $250/$300 for Direct TV

Me: ???! Why so expansive?!

Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!

Me: what is sunday ticket??

Friend: watching live all basketball and football teams

Me: $300 *12 This is $3600 per year! This is tickets to Italy and much more for your vacation lol! I would definitely stop watching that "sunday ticket", sign up to gym instead -to go in for sports myself -and then leave for a nice vacation or invest lol

Friend: gym and watching live is different! It is very important for my husband.

Me: (deep sigh)

I'm this too! The sports I watch is when I'm in the gym. And now that I'm more weights than cardio, I watch even less.

Your friend should tell her husband that no workout = no sex. I've seen my an ex-coworker drop weight from this threat. Or no more electronic toys/games.

[MrMoogle]

Opinions on these food prices?  Sawesome on FBT and most comments were that the grocery  prices were unrealistic, or would require  driving all over town ( though clearly all labels are Walmart store brand)

Eta:  this should be raw ingredients for chicken and mashed potatoes, would be cheaper....

I lived in bay area and now am in WNY, in neither place could I get all of that, even in season for $20.

Maybe it's an old photo?  I don't know where you can get chicken breasts at $1/lb.  At Walmart, I get 5lbs for $10, and it's only that cheap because it's the big size.  Normally its $3/lb.  Even in season, peaches are usually $1.50/lb.  The rest is either about right or I don't know.  My COL is pretty low too.

The $2-3/lb chicken sounds like it's frozen.  We only recently noticed that the fresh chicken breasts tend to be less expensive.  And price matching goes a *long* way.

My local grocery store has "fresh" chicken breasts for $1.50-2.50/lb, depending on the sale.  Maybe it's previously frozen, I don't know.  Costco has it for like $2.30/lb so sometimes "fresh" is cheaper

I've never seen this at my Walmart.  I basically get the Walmart brand of what is in the picture.  It's not currently frozen.

[bebegirl]

I'm this too! The sports I watch is when I'm in the gym. And now that I'm more weights than cardio, I watch even less.

It amazes me - pay $3600 for sedentary life style watching sports instead of going in for sports himself. Either for free by jogging outside or paying just $30 per month for gold's gym  ))

[gimp]

...
Friend: we pay $250/$300 for DirectTV
Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!...

Has no one heard of a place called a sports bar?

At $300/ month * 1month/ 4 Sundays =$75, these places serve beer and food for free with your TV!
:-)
Some limitations apply.

Fuck me, when a sports bar is the frugal option, you know things are weird.

[kayvent]

I'm not sure why a kid needs a smartphone. Most kids are around safe adults (teachers at school, parents at home, teachers/coaches at sports/other activities) and can always ask the adult to look up something online or call parents if needed. Why do they need a phone? Even kids that travel alone (maybe a teen that takes a public train or bus) at best needs a dumb phone. Why do they need a smartphone? And tablets are even worse.

To add, almost all kids I know have laptops or Chromebooks for school work. So I'm not sure why a smartphone is needed. I'm genuinely curious

I got my daughter a phone when she and her brother started walking home to our house with some other kids.  I wanted her to be able to have access to a phone for safety reasons.  My son had one at age 9 for the same reason (his sister was no longer walking with him as she was in junior high by then).  But they had flip phones and didn't get smartphones until several years later.

How old are your children? Smartphones have only been mainstream for say six or less years. (I believe for youths age 18-24 they only broke a majority holding in 2013 in the USA.) I say this because "they had flip phones and didn't get smartphones until several years later" may just be an observation of reality instead of a conscious choice you made. In other words, if you son was 9 right now would they have a smartphone?

[Inaya]

Baby steps?

[LeRainDrop]

One more for from my fb conversation:

Friend: we pay $250/$300 for Direct TV

Me: ???! Why so expansive?!

Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!

Me: what is sunday ticket??

Friend: watching live all basketball and football teams

Me: $300 *12 This is $3600 per year! This is tickets to Italy and much more for your vacation lol! I would definitely stop watching that "sunday ticket", sign up to gym instead -to go in for sports myself -and then leave for a nice vacation or invest lol

Friend: gym and watching live is different! It is very important for my husband.

Me: (deep sigh)

Just to clarify, NFL Sunday Ticket is $270 per season, not per month.  Sunday Ticket is probably less expensive than the sports bar route if the husband really plans to spend that much time watching so many games and would want refreshments during that time.

[Metric Mouse]

...
Friend: we pay $250/$300 for DirectTV
Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!...

Has no one heard of a place called a sports bar?

At $300/ month * 1month/ 4 Sundays =$75, these places serve beer and food for free with your TV!
:-)
Some limitations apply.

Fuck me, when a sports bar is the frugal option, you know things are weird.

One of the sports bars near me has free hot wings and sides. an $8 pitcher of beer ($11 for craft) and all the wings one can eat make for a pretty affordable afternoon, in my opinion.

[I'm a red panda]

One more for from my fb conversation:

Friend: we pay $250/$300 for Direct TV

Me: ???! Why so expansive?!

Friend: my husband watches sports and only Direct TV gives Sunday tickets!

Me: what is sunday ticket??

Friend: watching live all basketball and football teams

Me: $300 *12 This is $3600 per year! This is tickets to Italy and much more for your vacation lol! I would definitely stop watching that "sunday ticket", sign up to gym instead -to go in for sports myself -and then leave for a nice vacation or invest lol

Friend: gym and watching live is different! It is very important for my husband.

Me: (deep sigh)

Just to clarify, NFL Sunday Ticket is $270 per season, not per month.  Sunday Ticket is probably less expensive than the sports bar route if the husband really plans to spend that much time watching so many games and would want refreshments during that time.

Isn't it on TOP of a Direct TV subscription though? You can't just get Sunday Ticket, right?   So if you could cut the Direct TV entirely...especially since football is only half the year.  My MIL's Direct TV is $181 a month, because she HAS to have Longhorn Network.  That's over $2000 a year on television.

[Just Joe]

How old are your children? Smartphones have only been mainstream for say six or less years. (I believe for youths age 18-24 they only broke a majority holding in 2013 in the USA.) I say this because "they had flip phones and didn't get smartphones until several years later" may just be an observation of reality instead of a conscious choice you made. In other words, if you son was 9 right now would they have a smartphone?

Note that you can buy a smartphone now for $10 new if you shop hard. Mine is an Android Samsung Centurion (I think). Several years old and thus kind of slow at times.

Also note that you are potentially handing your child a portable porn viewer. I have had mixed feelings about that ever since a relative decided our eldest needed a tablet.

[markbike528CBX]

$270/16 Sunday's = 16.75 per Sunday , enough for two microbrews and a tip for free at the sports bar. 
Not as extravagant as my previous posts.

[MgoSam]

$270/16 Sunday's = 16.75 per Sunday , enough for two microbrews and a tip for free at the sports bar. 
Not as extravagant as my previous posts.

When I go to a sports bar to watch the game, I usually spend $15-20 after tax and tip. It is more money than I like to spend, but I don't mind because it is the bulk of my entertainment budget for the week generally and a good chance to see some friends.

[Chris22]

Isn't it on TOP of a Direct TV subscription though? You can't just get Sunday Ticket, right?   So if you could cut the Direct TV entirely...especially since football is only half the year.  My MIL's Direct TV is $181 a month, because she HAS to have Longhorn Network.  That's over $2000 a year on television.

Which is only really relevant in comparison to husband's other hobbies/spending.  There are guys out there who love watching sports and that's all they really do with their hobby time.  Watch sports and maybe attend some games.  So if that's their hobby, $2k/yr doesn't seem like an insane amount to spend on it.  Now, if he's also spending lots of money on lots of other things, that could be a different story. 

[MgoSam]

Isn't it on TOP of a Direct TV subscription though? You can't just get Sunday Ticket, right?   So if you could cut the Direct TV entirely...especially since football is only half the year.  My MIL's Direct TV is $181 a month, because she HAS to have Longhorn Network.  That's over $2000 a year on television.

Which is only really relevant in comparison to husband's other hobbies/spending.  There are guys out there who love watching sports and that's all they really do with their hobby time.  Watch sports and maybe attend some games.  So if that's their hobby, $2k/yr doesn't seem like an insane amount to spend on it.  Now, if he's also spending lots of money on lots of other things, that could be a different story.

That's a good point. The rest depends on the person's income (if they can afford it while being responsible with debt/investments/savings,ect), and another is if that is truly the extent of the cost of their hobby.

For instance, I have been going to a MMA gym for a little over a year for classes. I have dropped a ton of weight and have learned a lot. The gym's fees are not cheap, but I consider them to be money well-spent. As I don't plan on going pro (I would like to fight someday) I haven't bought private lessons nor do I buy much equipment beyond what is necessary, nor do I go overboard on supplements or other things. There are many in my gym that do. I get flack because I have a bunch of shirts that I wear all the time (they are always washed but predictable I guess), but oh well. I do feel bad for not going out with the gym to see live fights as I don't like spending $30-40+ at least once a month (that's just for tickets). This is my way of keeping my hobby manageable.

[MrMoogle]

Saw this ad on Facebook, and I want it now:
https://www.facebook.com/awesometeesfunny/photos/ms.c.eJw9zMENwDAMQtGNKrCdgPdfrGrd9Pr0gaGQkugi7br4QnQ~_0OAHCU~_xTyFvyMt5wGsm~;X~;UAG4XGBSO.bps.a.1272772769411918.1073741834.1226463017376227/1272773089411886/?type=3&theater

[JLee]

Can't remember if I've posted this before, but one of my issues about kids who have their own devices or unlimited access to their parents' devices is their sense of entitlement around other adults' phones.

Ugh, yes. At Thanksgiving I was at my brother's house, and I had my phone out a lot because a close friend of mine was in the hospital and I was waiting for news from her husband. I put it on the table in front of me and my nephew (8 years old) just grabbed it and started trying to unlock it, but since it's not an iPhone like his parents have, he didn't know how. He asked me how to unlock it and I said "Hon, I actually don't want you to play with that, it's not a toy. I don't have any games or movies on it for you." And he didn't even look at me, much less put it down, and repeated that he wanted me to tell him how to unlock it while frantically poking at it every which way. Grr.

Still not as bad as the parents I saw on the subway the other day who were letting their infant play with a new iPhone. Barely at the "ooh, pretty flashing colors" stage of smartphone fascination. They kept having to grab it and say "NO!" when she would try to throw it or drop it off the side of the stroller.

Get a phone with a fingerprint sensor and say "all I have to do is touch this to unlock it." Then see how long before he gives up.  :D

[I'm a red panda]

Oh man. I would freak out if someone tried to unlock my phone. Because of the work security app, it factory resets with 5 wrong attempts!

[Metric Mouse]

$270/16 Sunday's = 16.75 per Sunday , enough for two microbrews and a tip for free at the sports bar. 
Not as extravagant as my previous posts.

But then you have to add the price of the microbrews back into the equation, if one enjoys them while watching the game at home, instead of drinking them while watching at the bar for free.

[Megma]

I saw this post on a local Facebook resale group "i only wore these leggings once, have to get rid of them so i can buy more." What?

I see many parts in this group for clothes being sold after 1 wear or new with tags. I don't think I've literally ever bought an article of clothing that i never wore.

[JAYSLOL]

A friend on Facebook posted the question "how much do you pay for your cell phone?"

Here in Canada, if you have a smart phone with data, you are going to be paying $40-$100 depending on what phone/plan/amount of data etc.  I pay $50, pay as you go on an iPhone 4s, with unlimited call (canada wide) and text (world wide) and 2 gigs of data included.  It's pretty much the cheapest thing I can find that still gets me on a good network. (Also, my work covers the vast majority of my bill anyway). 

Some of the responses were staggering to me, one person said they were paying over $250 a month for 2 iPhones!!  Gaahhghhhh!!!  That's a million dollars in 45 years, in other words, retirement @ 65 for a 20 year old couple who saves the $250 instead of spending of that on the phones.

[kayvent]

A friend on Facebook posted the question "how much do you pay for your cell phone?"

Here in Canada, if you have a smart phone with data, you are going to be paying $40-$100 depending on what phone/plan/amount of data etc.  I pay $50, pay as you go on an iPhone 4s, with unlimited call (canada wide) and text (world wide) and 2 gigs of data included.  It's pretty much the cheapest thing I can find that still gets me on a good network. (Also, my work covers the vast majority of my bill anyway). 

Some of the responses were staggering to me, one person said they were paying over $250 a month for 2 iPhones!!  Gaahhghhhh!!!  That's a million dollars in 45 years, in other words, retirement @ 65 for a 20 year old couple who saves the $250 instead of spending of that on the phones.

My dear countryman, you are severely misinformed I think. The prices vary wildly by area and provider. For example, in my province Bell Mobility's price for a iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, Google Pixel, or a Samsung 7 variety is a 125$/month contract for two years. Minimal. On top of that there would be a one-time 0-400$ fee "for the phone". (Bell Mobility also pushes offers 15$/month insurance for there top-line phones. The insurance doesn't cover water damage or broken screens.)

From everything I've ever heard or read online, the average monthly cost of a smartphone is a hundred plus.

[JAYSLOL]

A friend on Facebook posted the question "how much do you pay for your cell phone?"

Here in Canada, if you have a smart phone with data, you are going to be paying $40-$100 depending on what phone/plan/amount of data etc.  I pay $50, pay as you go on an iPhone 4s, with unlimited call (canada wide) and text (world wide) and 2 gigs of data included.  It's pretty much the cheapest thing I can find that still gets me on a good network. (Also, my work covers the vast majority of my bill anyway). 

Some of the responses were staggering to me, one person said they were paying over $250 a month for 2 iPhones!!  Gaahhghhhh!!!  That's a million dollars in 45 years, in other words, retirement @ 65 for a 20 year old couple who saves the $250 instead of spending of that on the phones.

My dear countryman, you are severely misinformed I think. The prices vary wildly by area and provider. For example, in my province Bell Mobility's price for a iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, Google Pixel, or a Samsung 7 variety is a 125$/month contract for two years. Minimal. On top of that there would be a one-time 0-400$ fee "for the phone". (Bell Mobility also pushes offers 15$/month insurance for there top-line phones. The insurance doesn't cover water damage or broken screens.)

From everything I've ever heard or read online, the average monthly cost of a smartphone is a hundred plus.

I'm not saying you can't spend that much with a couple iPhone 7's, i'm just astounded that people do.  I've had several smartphones in Canada, and even while paying the 2 year plan rate with the cost of the phone included, i've never paid more than $80 a month for a new phone (for $0).  Why would anyone buy insurance on a phone that didn't include the 2 most common things that happen?  Thats nuts. 

[Goldielocks]

A friend on Facebook posted the question "how much do you pay for your cell phone?"

Here in Canada, if you have a smart phone with data, you are going to be paying $40-$100 depending on what phone/plan/amount of data etc.  I pay $50, pay as you go on an iPhone 4s, with unlimited call (canada wide) and text (world wide) and 2 gigs of data included.  It's pretty much the cheapest thing I can find that still gets me on a good network. (Also, my work covers the vast majority of my bill anyway). 

Some of the responses were staggering to me, one person said they were paying over $250 a month for 2 iPhones!!  Gaahhghhhh!!!  That's a million dollars in 45 years, in other words, retirement @ 65 for a 20 year old couple who saves the $250 instead of spending of that on the phones.

My dear countryman, you are severely misinformed I think. The prices vary wildly by area and provider. For example, in my province Bell Mobility's price for a iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, Google Pixel, or a Samsung 7 variety is a 125$/month contract for two years. Minimal. On top of that there would be a one-time 0-400$ fee "for the phone". (Bell Mobility also pushes offers 15$/month insurance for there top-line phones. The insurance doesn't cover water damage or broken screens.)

From everything I've ever heard or read online, the average monthly cost of a smartphone is a hundred plus.

DH's pay as you go Koodoo plan costs him less than $30 per month, but he does not use a lot of data, 500 MB maybe per month.  Many other plans are at the $40-$50 range, for a lot of data (not sure what is in Quebec, though).  I have only looked at BC / ON / NS  with a peek at MB for their even lower rates... All are bring your own phone.

[kayvent]

I'm not saying you can't spend that much with a couple iPhone 7's, i'm just astounded that people do.  I've had several smartphones in Canada, and even while paying the 2 year plan rate with the cost of the phone included, i've never paid more than $80 a month for a new phone (for $0).  Why would anyone buy insurance on a phone that didn't include the 2 most common things that happen?  Thats nuts.

Even the iPhone SE, the poor man's iPhone, comes with the 125$/month plan. I found that surprisingly when looking it up this morning for this convo. A lot of these plans, as you know, are made to recoup and more the bundled phone's price. For example, the base iPhone 7Plus is 1200$ retail in my area. Bell or any other major provider isn't getting a large discount and therefore has to charge many dozens of dollars extra per month. As Goldielocks says above, BYOD plans are much cheaper as a result.

As per why people get insurance that doesn't cover anything: Bell Mobility pushes it hard. When one knows the base model for some of these phones are 1000$ plus (Google Pixel for example) and the sales rep tells you it will only cost 15$/month to get their premium insurance plan, it sounds intelligible to take it. Especially if the sales rep doesn't mind lying to you because even they don't understand the contract and therefore don't even know what it covers.

[Kitsune]

A friend on Facebook posted the question "how much do you pay for your cell phone?"

Here in Canada, if you have a smart phone with data, you are going to be paying $40-$100 depending on what phone/plan/amount of data etc.  I pay $50, pay as you go on an iPhone 4s, with unlimited call (canada wide) and text (world wide) and 2 gigs of data included.  It's pretty much the cheapest thing I can find that still gets me on a good network. (Also, my work covers the vast majority of my bill anyway). 

Some of the responses were staggering to me, one person said they were paying over $250 a month for 2 iPhones!!  Gaahhghhhh!!!  That's a million dollars in 45 years, in other words, retirement @ 65 for a 20 year old couple who saves the $250 instead of spending of that on the phones.

My dear countryman, you are severely misinformed I think. The prices vary wildly by area and provider. For example, in my province Bell Mobility's price for a iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, Google Pixel, or a Samsung 7 variety is a 125$/month contract for two years. Minimal. On top of that there would be a one-time 0-400$ fee "for the phone". (Bell Mobility also pushes offers 15$/month insurance for there top-line phones. The insurance doesn't cover water damage or broken screens.)

From everything I've ever heard or read online, the average monthly cost of a smartphone is a hundred plus.

DH's pay as you go Koodoo plan costs him less than $30 per month, but he does not use a lot of data, 500 MB maybe per month.  Many other plans are at the $40-$50 range, for a lot of data (not sure what is in Quebec, though).  I have only looked at BC / ON / NS  with a peek at MB for their even lower rates... All are bring your own phone.

I have a Samsung S4 with a 2G data plan, in Quebec - 55$/month plus taxes (buying the phone vs cost split out over 24 months was identical cost, so it's on a plan but not taking a loss there). My husband uses a paid-off Samsung phone - same plan but bring-your-phone price: around 44$/month. We're in Quebec, and use Virgin. Oh, and bought the phones and plans at Costco - almost 200$ back in Costco cash cards each time.

It is totally possible to spend less than 125$ on phones... if your criteria is "decent smart phone that takes decent pictures and meets all my needs with a decent data plan". If your criteria is "this years model, and ideally Apple", then yeah, you're gonna pay through the nose. Depends on what you're looking for and what you get talked into.

[mustachepungoeshere]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

I estimate my annual lip expenditure at $12 worth of plain and tinted lip balm.

Lipstick makes me feel like I'm playing dress-ups with my mum's make-up, but even if it didn't, I'm not paying $74 for a brand I've never heard of.

[Adventine]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

I estimate my annual lip expenditure at $12 worth of plain and tinted lip balm.

Lipstick makes me feel like I'm playing dress-ups with my mum's make-up, but even if it didn't, I'm not paying $74 for a brand I've never heard of.

I never realized you needed a specific product to remove lipstick from your face...

[Kitsune]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

I estimate my annual lip expenditure at $12 worth of plain and tinted lip balm.

Lipstick makes me feel like I'm playing dress-ups with my mum's make-up, but even if it didn't, I'm not paying $74 for a brand I've never heard of.

I never realized you needed a specific product to remove lipstick from your face...

You do, to remove 'waterproof' make-up.

Um, the secret is that you need something oil-based that's not going to make your skin break out, and DON'T use super-harsh soap-based cleaners because they'll mess up your skin and then you'll need like 17 layers of cream to fix THAT (see the racket?) In other words... coconut oil, or canola or olive oil on a kleenex, will do a super decent job removing waterproof make-up. And then a nice hot washcloth to remove the oil residue so your skin doesn't break out, and... voila? *shrugs* Works better for me than ANY commercial solution I've tried, for the times I use things like mascara (rare. I like bright-red lipstick and eyebrow pencil and nothing else, so...)

[Adventine]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

I estimate my annual lip expenditure at $12 worth of plain and tinted lip balm.

Lipstick makes me feel like I'm playing dress-ups with my mum's make-up, but even if it didn't, I'm not paying $74 for a brand I've never heard of.

I never realized you needed a specific product to remove lipstick from your face...

You do, to remove 'waterproof' make-up.

Um, the secret is that you need something oil-based that's not going to make your skin break out, and DON'T use super-harsh soap-based cleaners because they'll mess up your skin and then you'll need like 17 layers of cream to fix THAT (see the racket?) In other words... coconut oil, or canola or olive oil on a kleenex, will do a super decent job removing waterproof make-up. And then a nice hot washcloth to remove the oil residue so your skin doesn't break out, and... voila? *shrugs* Works better for me than ANY commercial solution I've tried, for the times I use things like mascara (rare. I like bright-red lipstick and eyebrow pencil and nothing else, so...)

Yes, exactly, I've always used coconut oil for the rare times when I have to wear makeup. Just never realized there was a specific product targeted to remove lipstick... then again, why am I surprised? The beauty industry has a "solution" for every makeup-related "problem" haha

[mustachepungoeshere]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

She just posted an infographic explaining how it's going to save me money.

Oh well, now I'm all in!

>.<

[dragoncar]

Holy crap, that lipstick costs almost as much as official inkjet ink

How long does that last? 

[Playing with Fire UK]

And the maths doesn't even make sense because when you use a separate lip colour and gloss you get through it twice as quickly, and that's before you count the cost of the special remover.

[BlueHouse]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

I estimate my annual lip expenditure at $12 worth of plain and tinted lip balm.

Lipstick makes me feel like I'm playing dress-ups with my mum's make-up, but even if it didn't, I'm not paying $74 for a brand I've never heard of.

I never realized you needed a specific product to remove lipstick from your face...

I never realized there was lipstick that would stay on through dinner.

I actually have one of those long lasting ones that if I put it on in the evening and don't eat or drink much, will still have a tint left by the next morning. I see that as a bonus and look great until about 10am. Why would I want to take that off? 

[infogoon]

Holy crap, that lipstick costs almost as much as official inkjet ink

How long does that last?

You could always save money by using something less expensive as lipstick. Like interferon or caviar.

[BFGirl]

I'm not sure why a kid needs a smartphone. Most kids are around safe adults (teachers at school, parents at home, teachers/coaches at sports/other activities) and can always ask the adult to look up something online or call parents if needed. Why do they need a phone? Even kids that travel alone (maybe a teen that takes a public train or bus) at best needs a dumb phone. Why do they need a smartphone? And tablets are even worse.

To add, almost all kids I know have laptops or Chromebooks for school work. So I'm not sure why a smartphone is needed. I'm genuinely curious

I got my daughter a phone when she and her brother started walking home to our house with some other kids.  I wanted her to be able to have access to a phone for safety reasons.  My son had one at age 9 for the same reason (his sister was no longer walking with him as she was in junior high by then).  But they had flip phones and didn't get smartphones until several years later.

How old are your children? Smartphones have only been mainstream for say six or less years. (I believe for youths age 18-24 they only broke a majority holding in 2013 in the USA.) I say this because "they had flip phones and didn't get smartphones until several years later" may just be an observation of reality instead of a conscious choice you made. In other words, if you son was 9 right now would they have a smartphone?

My kids are currently in the 18-24 demographic.  If my son was 9 and was walking home he would likely have the least expensive phone/plan so that the phone could be used primarily for communication.  When their friends all started getting iphones, they still had flip phones until they were in high school and could be better trusted with them.

[With This Herring]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

She just posted an infographic explaining how it's going to save me money.

Oh well, now I'm all in!

>.<

Wet N Wild Color Icon™ Metallic Liquid Lipstick - on sale $1.49 for 0.23 oz (6.8 mL) = $0.22/mL

Wet N Wild also has a new matte line for those willing to splurge, MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick - $4.99 for 0.21 oz (6.2 mL) = $0.80/mL

Let's add that to the infographic!

[HairyUpperLip]

I have dropped a ton of weight and have learned a lot.

Great job man. I know you have been going for awhile, so I'm glad you are seeing results. :)

[I'm a red panda]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

She just posted an infographic explaining how it's going to save me money.

Oh well, now I'm all in!

>.<

Wet N Wild Color Icon™ Metallic Liquid Lipstick - on sale $1.49 for 0.23 oz (6.8 mL) = $0.22/mL

Wet N Wild also has a new matte line for those willing to splurge, MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick - $4.99 for 0.21 oz (6.2 mL) = $0.80/mL

Let's add that to the infographic!

How  long is that $1.50 lipstick going to stay on your lips though? 

I just don't wear any. Except the super super expensive stuff I've never found any that doesn't come off within a few minutes. I apparently have difficult lips.

[Just Joe]

Maybe you just have a slippery kisser? Ever had a boyfriend/girlfriend go to kiss you and fall on the floor after lip contact? Slid right off! Teflon involved?

[merula]

I have a really, really good friend who lives far away. He's got some job-restructuring drama going on right now and the future is uncertain. In addition, his toddler son has health problems and his wife isn't working (and doesn't qualify for paid maternity leave). It's a tough time and I feel for him. Really.

So his birthday rolls around, and he tells me that his wife gave him a trip to a city a thousand miles from where they live. In another country, and the state of his country's currency relative to the currency in that city has literally never been worse.

"[Wife] seems to find a new way to make me gush about her online every birthday and this year is no exception. She's whisking the three of us to [city] for a few days' little trip. Thank you to all family members she secretly secured contributions from."

Just....jeez. And I really hope that this was not his sole way of thanking those people, but I kinda suspect it was.

[With This Herring]

A girl I went to school with, who I've not spoken to in over a decade and who I've never communicated with on Facebook (why are we even Facebook friends???) just added me to a group for her latest 'business venture'.

It's a MLM scam for lipstick.

Each colours is $34, but new customers need a kit including colour, gloss and remover for just $74.

She just posted an infographic explaining how it's going to save me money.

Oh well, now I'm all in!

>.<

Wet N Wild Color Icon™ Metallic Liquid Lipstick - on sale $1.49 for 0.23 oz (6.8 mL) = $0.22/mL

Wet N Wild also has a new matte line for those willing to splurge, MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick - $4.99 for 0.21 oz (6.2 mL) = $0.80/mL

Let's add that to the infographic!

How  long is that $1.50 lipstick going to stay on your lips though? 

I just don't wear any. Except the super super expensive stuff I've never found any that doesn't come off within a few minutes. I apparently have difficult lips.

I wear Covergirl Outlast lipstick when I want all day coverage. Between $6-8 depending on the colour you want and I can usually find a coupon to take another $1 off. I'm still working my way through a kit that I bought a year and a half ago.

My point was that the MLM lipstick isn't making that good a claim, price-wise, as is reinforced with Marcela's CG lipstick.  I haven't tried the WNW lipsticks, but I've had luck with some of the other products that they and similarly cheap brands like New York Color carry.

I have Teflon lips as you do, iowjes, and also Teflon fingernails.  Polish starts flaking in an hour or so, so I just don't bother.  For lips, I might start experimenting with products that leave a true stain.

[solon]

[Nederstash]

Came across this pic of a Dutch McDonald's. I've decided to dub this picture "Schrodinger's Mustache"; the people inside are simultaneous fat and not fat until they are observed.

[Just Joe]

The homeless in a hammock is a result of vacations a person can't afford - right?

I REALLY wish people here in my town were motivated to bicycle all over.

[frugledoc]

Came across this pic of a Dutch McDonald's. I've decided to dub this picture "Schrodinger's Mustache"; the people inside are simultaneous fat and not fat until they are observed.

lol.

I have observed in Holland they are not fat.

Fat people in US and UK are expected to somehow stay thin,  if only there was a way, maybe some kind of clue in this photo?

[mustachepungoeshere]

Not strictly anti-Mustachian (apart from me wanting to tell them all, if you hate it so much then stop buying shoes and start saving for early retirement), but...

All the teachers I know have been complaining on Facebook (plus in phone calls and texts with me) about having to go back to work today.

A relative phone last night and it was all she had to talk about!

Always great when people who get six or seven weeks off over Christmas complain to people who get two weeks off.

>.<

[JordanOfGilead]

It wasn't necessarily overheard on facebook so much as directly requested on messenger, but ...

I have a friend from high school that has been having a hard time making ends meet lately. With cold weather coming up a couple weeks ago, she was afraid the old tires on her car wouldn't hold up to the cold/rain/snow/ice of an unpredictable Ohio winter, and asked me to borrow a couple hundred dollars for new tires with the promise of paying me back by the end of the month (December). Did a little digging and found out that her boyfriend has been "unexpectedly" unemployed for a couple months and she has been supporting him. He has a house with a mortgage and all of the normal bills (doesn't seem to be too wasteful) but she still stays with her parents until such a time that she is "financially stable" enough to move out.

I was kind of uncomfortable letting somebody borrow money when they are spending their own money supporting somebody else, but figured what the hell. It's just money, and I would rather her be safe than me have the couple hundred dollars. There is kind of a complicated story behind it, but let's just say I feel very passionately about y friends and family not driving with old/bald tires.

Fast forward to the end of the month. It's been a fairly mild winter, not much snow. She still hadn't gotten her tires because her "friend" at the shop kept cancelling on her. Ok, whatever, as long as she gets them.

Fat forward again to last weekend. She has had new tires for a few weeks. has been offering to take me out to dinner as a "thank you." I would rather just have my money back, but whatever. I politely decline for the time being. She asks if she can pay me back at the beginning of February. We will see if it actually happens, but I'm not holding my breath.

Oh well. A couple hundred dollars isn't very much to learn what type of person somebody is I guess.

[Taran Wanderer]

<head shake>