Overheard on Facebook

[martyconlonontherun]

It amazes me how much people think saving money and having fun is mutually exclusive.
My friend group all makes anywhere from 60k-100k and just turning 30. We had a blast in college and had a blast when I was making 30k less right out of college. Not sure why it got more expensive?

[dragoncar]

My favorite comment: "Make happy memories or pay off the mortgage on number 4 Privet Drive. I know which one I choose."

I guess if you don't go out for kabobs you're automatically the Dursleys?! What about making happy memories AT number 4 Privet Drive?

I bought a home at 24 without an inheritance, a well paying job or rich parents. And I hope we're more fun than the Dursleys ... The large cupboard under the stairs was a huge selling point for me though.

We just put an offer in on a house and when touring it, I found the closet under the stairs and exclaimed "That's where Harry Potter will live!"

Definitely get a dog or cat, call him harry, set that up as his room

[Rowellen]

Posted by a friend who is raising money for charity by organising a raffle with multiple prizes. This is one of the prizes.

"Summer drinks for your dog."

I'm pretty certain the only appropriate drink for a dog is tap water. I can't believe there is a market for this.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Posted by a friend who is raising money for charity by organising a raffle with multiple prizes. This is one of the prizes.

"Summer drinks for your dog."

I'm pretty certain the only appropriate drink for a dog is tap water. I can't believe there is a market for this.

Mine likes the garden hose and has a positive fascination from the output of the rain catchment barrels. She's never sampled the toilet since she's a teacup Chihuahua who would probably die if she fell in by accident and couldn't get out. However she's also a Venomous Spaz Beast, possibly from outer space, so YMMV.

[Fomerly known as something]

Posted by a friend who is raising money for charity by organising a raffle with multiple prizes. This is one of the prizes.

"Summer drinks for your dog."

I'm pretty certain the only appropriate drink for a dog is tap water. I can't believe there is a market for this.

Mine likes the garden hose and has a positive fascination from the output of the rain catchment barrels. She's never sampled the toilet since she's a teacup Chihuahua who would probably die if she fell in by accident and couldn't get out. However she's also a Venomous Spaz Beast, possibly from outer space, so YMMV.

"Wild water"  The best water there is.  One of my cats loves the water in that has drained through the flower pots into the catch basin.

[paddedhat]

Our Cairn Terrier will walk past a bowl of cold fresh filtered water, just filled from the fridge door, and head for the toilet. Clearly toilet water is superior, as it's quite an effort for the little bugger to get a drink. It involves standing on her toenails, stretching over the rim, armpits hooked on the edge, while barely being able to reach the water to lap.

[shelivesthedream]

My parents barely bother to change the cats' water bowl. The cats prefer either "human water" (any half-full glass left around will acquire a cat diligently dipping in and licking a paw - this is, of course, the exact same tap water that goes into their bowl) or the mouldering algae-green water that accumulates in a bowl left outside the back door, originally by accident but now for this express purpose.

[jinga nation]

So... based on the last few posts... cats like their water flavored... albeit natural flavors.

[LeRainDrop]

"Wild water"  The best water there is.  One of my cats loves the water in that has drained through the flower pots into the catch basin.

My cats do, too!  They were staying with my mom while I was out of town recently, and she has a plant that is just in water for now sitting on her kitchen table.  She caught them several times going up there and drinking out of the plant water, despite their filtered water bowl being like 5 feet away.  At my home, they strongly prefer to turn on the kitchen sink and drink from there -- even over the pet drinking fountain I bought for the express purpose of getting them away from the habit of turning on the kitchen sink.

[Rural]

Great Danes very much prefer to drink from human tumblers. Next best is the toilet, then any available muddy puddle, and last their water "bowl" (a 5-gallon bucket).

[Sibley]

My cats are happy to drink from the 2 water fountains, toilets, and whatever puddles they can find outside. Mud is not a problem. Puddles are the #1 preferred source of course. They aren't generally interested in glasses. I've given up and just hope they get enough water.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Apparently my in-laws' cat was a special snowflake.

It would only drink from the ceramic bowl on the dining table, which also held floating candles.

[marty998]

Apparently my in-laws' cat was a special snowflake.

It would only drink from the ceramic bowl on the dining table, which also held floating candles.

I'm surprised your in-laws hadn't broken the bowl - you've told me they've broken virtually everything in your place >_<

[mustachepungoeshere]

Apparently my in-laws' cat was a special snowflake.

It would only drink from the ceramic bowl on the dining table, which also held floating candles.

I'm surprised your in-laws hadn't broken the bowl - you've told me they've broken virtually everything in your place >_<

It is an unfortunately long list! :D They're expensive guests...

[I'm a red panda]

Not facebook, but we don't have a YouTube thread.

This is one of the saddest frugal challenges ever. So much eating out!
https://youtu.be/wemkO8Aaj3U

[druth]

Not facebook, but we don't have a YouTube thread.

This is one of the saddest frugal challenges ever. So much eating out!
https://youtu.be/wemkO8Aaj3U

Most of them learned something, the one guy that went over just seemed to totally not get it.  At the end he kind of said the words he thought he was supposed to say, but you could tell he didn't really buy it.  Exhibit A) Buying 30$ of canned tea?  what?  That Yerba Mate Guyaki tea comes as bags for like 5$ for 40 servings.  He really didn't get the point that he doesn't need stupid shit.

[Just Joe]

My favorite comment: "Make happy memories or pay off the mortgage on number 4 Privet Drive. I know which one I choose."

I guess if you don't go out for kabobs you're automatically the Dursleys?! What about making happy memories AT number 4 Privet Drive?

Hopefully they'll still be able to hang out with their friends. With so many crazy spenders out there, being frugal can be socially isolating.

Good for them!!!

Looked at the YT video. 8.3M subscribers. Then go looking for serious videos about making good financial choices and nobody's watching.... :)

Its like people might be thinking there is something to learn about frugality but they are just scratching the surface with the $50 challenge video.

[zephyr911]

Mine likes the garden hose and has a positive fascination from the output of the rain catchment barrels. She's never sampled the toilet since she's a teacup Chihuahua who would probably die if she fell in by accident and couldn't get out. However she's also a Venomous Spaz Beast, possibly from outer space, so YMMV.

Wharrgarbl?

[zephyr911]

This showed up today:


Link: https://www.facebook.com/jakelikesonions/photos/a.1979459829000876.1073741829.1704653189814876/1982867701993422/

#Choices

Argh. So, I know I'm not going to do this (the lifelong trap), but I have slid into this mode repeatedly during my MMM-ish time. I'm two months from the endpoint and my marriage sucks, and I'm pretty sure my failure to maintain a healthy balance and a clear, stress-free mindset are huge contributors.

It's hard to find the right level of commitment and output.

[dandarc]

Argh. So, I know I'm not going to do this (the lifelong trap), but I have slid into this mode repeatedly during my MMM-ish time. I'm two months from the endpoint and my marriage sucks, and I'm pretty sure my failure to maintain a healthy balance and a clear, stress-free mindset are huge contributors.

It's hard to find the right level of commitment and output.

When in doubt, work less.  At least I try to tell myself that.  Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking "if I work all of the hours allotted in my contract, we can send wife to school, pay for everything, and still max out retirement to the tune of $60K every year (self employed)".  While that would be nice, reality is I am a horrible person when I work too much.  So the solution is to work less.

[zephyr911]

When in doubt, work less.  At least I try to tell myself that.  Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking "if I work all of the hours allotted in my contract, we can send wife to school, pay for everything, and still max out retirement to the tune of $60K every year (self employed)".  While that would be nice, reality is I am a horrible person when I work too much.  So the solution is to work less.

I'm pretty shitty too, but my side business has grown to consume all my free time and I'm still not quite in the cash position to quit FT. I feel stuck.
She is actually staying across town right now, that's how bad it is. And I'm so spun up about shit that I can't sleep even when I do get it all done.

[dandarc]

That sucks zephyr - hope things turn around for you.

[BJacks]

Someone on one of the Dave Ramsey groups I'm on is bragging about their 'dream house'. It's a 9,000 sq ft.

I mean they put down 50% down and have a 15 year loan; but 9,000 square feet?

Just the thought of keeping it clean . . .

[Xlar]

When in doubt, work less.  At least I try to tell myself that.  Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking "if I work all of the hours allotted in my contract, we can send wife to school, pay for everything, and still max out retirement to the tune of $60K every year (self employed)".  While that would be nice, reality is I am a horrible person when I work too much.  So the solution is to work less.

I'm pretty shitty too, but my side business has grown to consume all my free time and I'm still not quite in the cash position to quit FT. I feel stuck.
She is actually staying across town right now, that's how bad it is. And I'm so spun up about shit that I can't sleep even when I do get it all done.

I second working less! Getting to the end faster isn't worth it if you don't get there with who you want to be with!!!

[Just Joe]

I keep thinking of the maintenance beyond keeping it clean.

I mean it could have a leaky roof for days or weeks and you might not never know about it until it was a big problem.

I dream about interior space but mostly empty space.

A HUGE garage for our cars (still mostly empty). Like 40x60 for cars plus the family bicycles.

A HUGE covered and screened in porch again mostly empty.

A small den to use daily but a HUGE den to entertain in - mostly couches and chairs and a big fireplace. Make it to function as a dining room too.

Everything would have ten feet of space or more to maneuver around the furniture or the cars or the porch.

Then reality pops back into focus and I don't want to pay for all that space. It would just be nice to never feel cramped or crowded.

[zephyr911]

Someone on one of the Dave Ramsey groups I'm on is bragging about their 'dream house'. It's a 9,000 sq ft.

I mean they put down 50% down and have a 15 year loan; but 9,000 square feet?

Just the thought of keeping it clean . . .

I don't care if you have a billion dollars and pay cash for it, that is muh-fuggin' retarded.

[MgoSam]

Someone on one of the Dave Ramsey groups I'm on is bragging about their 'dream house'. It's a 9,000 sq ft.

I mean they put down 50% down and have a 15 year loan; but 9,000 square feet?

Just the thought of keeping it clean . . .

I don't care if you have a billion dollars and pay cash for it, that is muh-fuggin' retarded.

True story, I know someone that is insanely wealthy (not a billionaire but still insanely wealthy) and he owns a house that's bigger than 9k sf and he regrets the hell out of it. I've been in it, he has a waterfall that he doesn't use because it's maintenance is a pain and half the rooms would be covered in dust if he didn't have a maid service clean the house on a regular basis. He knows that he won't be able to sell it for anywhere near what he wants, and will still need to pay property taxes until he does end up dumping it.

[AlanStache]

I just looked on zillow for >7000sqft and the first things that came up where a marina warehouse with a studio apartment and a church.   Zooming out I found some really nice looking huge houses, one has been on zillow for almost 1000 days.  I dont know how many hours per month you would have to spend dealing with contractors just for upkeep but even ignoring the money side it seems a huge house would be a lot of work; except for the marina warehouse - that could be fun :-)

[With This Herring]

When in doubt, work less.  At least I try to tell myself that.  Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking "if I work all of the hours allotted in my contract, we can send wife to school, pay for everything, and still max out retirement to the tune of $60K every year (self employed)".  While that would be nice, reality is I am a horrible person when I work too much.  So the solution is to work less.

I'm pretty shitty too, but my side business has grown to consume all my free time and I'm still not quite in the cash position to quit FT. I feel stuck.
She is actually staying across town right now, that's how bad it is. And I'm so spun up about shit that I can't sleep even when I do get it all done.

I second working less! Getting to the end faster isn't worth it if you don't get there with who you want to be with!!!

Are your side business clients demanding too much time?  Increase your rates.  Increase your rates until the demand decreases to the hours you want to work.

Seriously, if you have enough of a savings cushion to survive a bout of unemployment, don't lose your wife over this.  Even if you are in the red on the side gig for a while, there's nothing stopping you from getting another job if the side gig fails, right?

[Shalamar]

Seen on FB this morning - a co-worker friend, "Tracey", had proudly posted photos of her brand-new car.

Friend:  Wow, nice!
Tracey:  Yeah, I felt like treating myself.
Friend:  So, are you going to drive that bad boy down here and visit me?
Tracey:  No can do - I gotta work to pay for it!

The kicker is that Tracey is working two jobs (one in I.T., and a part-time gig as a grocery clerk).

[AMandM]

I'm pretty shitty too, but my side business has grown to consume all my free time and I'm still not quite in the cash position to quit FT. I feel stuck.
She is actually staying across town right now, that's how bad it is. And I'm so spun up about shit that I can't sleep even when I do get it all done.

I am so sorry!
If the side gig is so busy, could quitting your ft job make room for the side gig to grow to enough to keep you afloat so you have time to give to your wife?  Alternatively, could you cut back on the side gig, just do the FT job, and have time for your marriage?  If it's a choice between retiring early and alone vs retiring later together....
Good luck. I really wish you and your wife the best.

[squirrel]

So a FB friend has just posted that he got "scammed" by a binary trading group for £2k following promises of gains around 160x higher than UK base rate.

Somehow he still managed to make it sound as if it was just his bad luck, like getting pooped on by a passing pigeon, instead of a combination of greed, bad judgement and lack of research. I sadly suspect that this was also most of his savings.

It's kind of sad. Also in our non FB life over a decade ago, I did teach him for a while, so I know that he would respect any suggestion offered and take it in the spirit it was meant, but I just haven't figured out how to deliver a gently corrective face punch yet!

[marty998]

2k is actually quite a small price to pay for falling for these spruikers.

People tend to be out of pocket in the tens of thousands after paying for "courses" and "seminars" to learn the "secrets"

[dragoncar]

I just looked on zillow for >7000sqft and the first things that came up where a marina warehouse with a studio apartment and a church.   Zooming out I found some really nice looking huge houses, one has been on zillow for almost 1000 days.  I dont know how many hours per month you would have to spend dealing with contractors just for upkeep but even ignoring the money side it seems a huge house would be a lot of work; except for the marina warehouse - that could be fun :-)

The idea of a >9k sqft warehouse made me google a ride-on vaccum cleaner:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya5n1qvVdWc

honestly it looks pretty awesome

[dragoncar]

So a FB friend has just posted that he got "scammed" by a binary trading group for £2k following promises of gains around 160x higher than UK base rate.

Somehow he still managed to make it sound as if it was just his bad luck, like getting pooped on by a passing pigeon, instead of a combination of greed, bad judgement and lack of research. I sadly suspect that this was also most of his savings.

It's kind of sad. Also in our non FB life over a decade ago, I did teach him for a while, so I know that he would respect any suggestion offered and take it in the spirit it was meant, but I just haven't figured out how to deliver a gently corrective face punch yet!

"BINARY TRADING" is just gambling, right?

[Playing with Fire UK]

So a FB friend has just posted that he got "scammed" by a binary trading group for £2k following promises of gains around 160x higher than UK base rate.

Somehow he still managed to make it sound as if it was just his bad luck, like getting pooped on by a passing pigeon, instead of a combination of greed, bad judgement and lack of research. I sadly suspect that this was also most of his savings.

It's kind of sad. Also in our non FB life over a decade ago, I did teach him for a while, so I know that he would respect any suggestion offered and take it in the spirit it was meant, but I just haven't figured out how to deliver a gently corrective face punch yet!

"BINARY TRADING" is just gambling, right?

It's gambling for amateurs, but a SURE FIRE WIN for professionals who have completed my premium training course and ELITE TRAINING PACKAGE. WORK FROM HOME!! EARN $10k PER DAY!!

It's a flavour of gambling where your losses can exceed your stake, so perfect for amateurs who click on Facebook ads.

[Goldielocks]

So a FB friend has just posted that he got "scammed" by a binary trading group for £2k following promises of gains around 160x higher than UK base rate.

Somehow he still managed to make it sound as if it was just his bad luck, like getting pooped on by a passing pigeon, instead of a combination of greed, bad judgement and lack of research. I sadly suspect that this was also most of his savings.

"BINARY TRADING" is just gambling, right?

It's gambling for amateurs, but a SURE FIRE WIN for professionals who have completed my premium training course and ELITE TRAINING PACKAGE. WORK FROM HOME!! EARN $10k PER DAY!!

That was very funny.  Best this week. Thanks.

[zephyr911]

I'm pretty shitty too, but my side business has grown to consume all my free time and I'm still not quite in the cash position to quit FT. I feel stuck.
She is actually staying across town right now, that's how bad it is. And I'm so spun up about shit that I can't sleep even when I do get it all done.

I am so sorry!
If the side gig is so busy, could quitting your ft job make room for the side gig to grow to enough to keep you afloat so you have time to give to your wife?  Alternatively, could you cut back on the side gig, just do the FT job, and have time for your marriage?  If it's a choice between retiring early and alone vs retiring later together....
Good luck. I really wish you and your wife the best.

Yes, that is the actual plan. It's just not paying me anything yet and I've been trying to maximize funds INTO it for the sake of future income. I have a deal in Jan that will net me the equivalent of 3 months' pay (not from the company, a seller-paid commission, as our buying agent) and I think I'm golden after that. Plan to quit FT by Xmas.

We are talking all the time and I think we're going to be OK. Just have to make it through the next couple of months.

[Beard N Bones]

I woke up this morning to the following post on my Facebook feed.  I'm not going to post the picture the poster refers to - but the vehicle he is driving is a fairly new Hummer.  I found this whiny-pants-rant hard to understand and fathom.

Has anyone had any issues with the management of our local Canadian tire? I’ve had a issue with the manager when I had some rims and wheels bought and installed. Long story short, they couldn’t honour the 12 month payment plan I was offered so the manager called and screamed at me a day after me and the automotive manager worked out a deal. I went to talk to him and he demanded I pay up the $2800 on the spot. I don’t have the kinda money just laying around. So he called the police on me while I was in his office in Canadian tire. The police came and all she said this is a civil matter. Work it out or take it to court I can’t do anything. Finally me and the store manger work out a deal after 1.5 hours of him screaming at me, which was 4 Cheques each on a payday of $1000, $500, $500 and $787. These are steep payments I could barely make anyway but wanted this to just be over. Since then he has issued a small claim court order because he has only been around to receive one cheque, it is not my fault he is incredibly difficult to contact and never at the store. He has taken to court the full amount and has since cashed one of the Cheques too. I finally managed to see him today after almost ten attempts to contact him and gave him post dated Cheques which initially I didn’t want to do as he has given me many reasons to not trust him. He then kicked me out of Canadian tire and told me to never come back. He refused me a receipt for the first cheque and gave me photocopy’s of the 3 he received today.

Now on top of his incredibly rude behaviour he told my girlfriend while she was holding our daughter to “shut her mouth” and he boxed in my vehicle and denied it was his vehicles (photo attached). This has been going on since sept 19th when he called and screamed at me over phone. I contacted corporate some time ago and they promised to get back to me and never did. Frankly I am not impressed and Canadian tire is a place I shop frequently and him blacklisting me is stupid. He takes my money and is taking me to court. He gets his Cheques and then blacklists me?

I plan to contact cooperate again today. And the better Business Bureau. Has anyone else had issues with him? I am just not impressed with the grief he has cause me and my family over some tires I bought to keep my family safe over winter. It’s incredibly unprofessional and when he boxed in my vehicle my alarm went off which is how I noticed this. He denied it’s his vehicles until the very end of our talk. I have never seen my alarm go off randomly so I believe he attempted to enter it with force

[dandarc]

BnB - on the one hand, buying crap like rims on credit puts you in this kind of situation.  On the other, if the story is true, the folks at the tire shop are the ones who screwed up big here.

[Paul der Krake]

Funny how some people always seem to be running into situations like this.

[BDWW]

I woke up this morning to the following post on my Facebook feed.  I'm not going to post the picture the poster refers to - but the vehicle he is driving is a fairly new Hummer.  I found this whiny-pants-rant hard to understand and fathom.

Has anyone had any issues with the management of our local Canadian tire? [snip]

Interesting that it got that far, does Canada not have mechanic's liens? Or perhaps they let him/her take it without payment at first?  In the US, generally if you don't pay you don't get your car back.

[ixtap]

I think a lot hinges on "They couldn't honour the 12 month payment plan I was offered."

Does that mean the plan was mentioned, but the customer didn't qualify? Or was he given the plan, then they asked for additional payment.

I wish we could get the other side of this one.

[Beard N Bones]

I woke up this morning to the following post on my Facebook feed.  I'm not going to post the picture the poster refers to - but the vehicle he is driving is a fairly new Hummer.  I found this whiny-pants-rant hard to understand and fathom.

Has anyone had any issues with the management of our local Canadian tire? [snip]

Interesting that it got that far, does Canada not have mechanic's liens? Or perhaps they let him/her take it without payment at first?  In the US, generally if you don't pay you don't get your car back.

I have no idea if Canada has mechanic's liens - but I would suspect so.  I'd guess that both the tire shop messed up in their business with this guy, and this guy isn't telling the whole story.
I'll be honest, when I read "12 month payment plan", and "don't have that kinda money just laying around", and "These are steep payments I could barely make", and "its not my fault", and noticing the guy is riding around in a Hummer, I zoned out into gobbsmacked-and-bewildered-land. 

[Roe]

... some tires I bought to keep my family safe over winter....

That poor hard working family man! I do hope that despite the burdening circumstances he manages to keep his family fed and well hydrated.

[gooki]

His problem was trying to work out a deal. He'd already had the car/tires at home, and should have never gone back to that store, just kept paying per the agreement.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Sounds to me like there was a sign for "12 month payment plans [subject to status]" for which our esteemed protagonist didn't qualify (because the system is against them), and didn't ask about prior to deciding whether to buy an extravagant purchase, to go with the ridiculous car. Our valiant, caring parent orders the wheels and rims that they cannot afford, without a care in the world, because the universe owes them and they deserve it. The mechanic asks to be paid for goods and services provided. Then carnage ensues.

[Freedomin5]

This is Canadian Tire we're talking about. It's a large corporation with stores the size of Walmart all throughout Canada. If they have a 12-month payment plan, it would have been through corporate and it would be a standard offer throughout all of their stores, likely with official paperwork that you have to sign. It wouldn't be a contract that you spit in your hand and shake on to seal the deal. If he was offered the 12-month payment plan, he could have just pulled out the official paperwork, scanned and emailed it to the manager. Something is very fishy with this situation. I don't think he's telling the whole story.

[kaypinkHH]

I had to reread the original post about these tires to make sure it wasn't my BIL/SIL..but then I remember they don't have a hummer any more...but stuff like this "happens" to them ALL THE TIME. Some people have the worst luck. {Insert sarcasm font}.

[Step37]

This is Canadian Tire we're talking about. It's a large corporation with stores the size of Walmart all throughout Canada. If they have a 12-month payment plan, it would have been through corporate and it would be a standard offer throughout all of their stores, likely with official paperwork that you have to sign. It wouldn't be a contract that you spit in your hand and shake on to seal the deal. If he was offered the 12-month payment plan, he could have just pulled out the official paperwork, scanned and emailed it to the manager. Something is very fishy with this situation. I don't think he's telling the whole story.

Yes, this.