Overheard on Facebook

[JAYSLOL]

Saw this anti-mustachain post of a Suburban for sale in the local buy and sell group...

"2014 Suburban for sale, $41500 obo, low mileage only 84k, great for any family"

What I don't get is how 41,500 is even close to a good price. When I was a dumb early 20s person, I bought my Toyota Matrix with ZERO MILES at $23,000.

The average 2014 Suburban on Autotrader is $31k with roughly 50-60k miles. This one definitely sounds overpriced.

Oh, sorry in fairness, that was Canadian Dollars, so something like $33-34k US, but yeah still overpriced.  My guess is they are trying to get more than what they still owe on it. 

[Smokystache]

Saw this anti-mustachain post of a Suburban for sale in the local buy and sell group...

"2014 Suburban for sale, $41500 obo, low mileage only 84k, great for any family"

What I don't get is how 41,500 is even close to a good price. When I was a dumb early 20s person, I bought my Toyota Matrix with ZERO MILES at $23,000.

The average 2014 Suburban on Autotrader is $31k with roughly 50-60k miles. This one definitely sounds overpriced.

Of course, $31k won't pay off the previous car loan they rolled into this one though......

[JAYSLOL]

Saw this anti-mustachain post of a Suburban for sale in the local buy and sell group...

"2014 Suburban for sale, $41500 obo, low mileage only 84k, great for any family"

What I don't get is how 41,500 is even close to a good price. When I was a dumb early 20s person, I bought my Toyota Matrix with ZERO MILES at $23,000.

The average 2014 Suburban on Autotrader is $31k with roughly 50-60k miles. This one definitely sounds overpriced.

Of course, $31k won't pay off the previous car loan they rolled into this one though......

Yup, exactly.  Type of people that buy a car like this brand new are likely to be the type to trade in a vehicle or even 2 that they are still underwater on and roll it into the financing of a brand new one

[merula]

To my wife’s great dismay, I say “one of the perks of being an adult is that I don’t have to make my bed each morning.”

Of course I was proven wrong quickly

To add a tiny bit of balance, I don't make the bed. My husband does it every day, completely voluntarily, because he says that it makes the house look neater for less effort than any other task.

Can confirm, house does not typically look neat, but the bedroom does.

[ysette9]

Making the bed is one of those tasks that get you a lot of bang for your buck if you are trying to make the house look neat.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Making the bed is one of those tasks that get you a lot of bang for your buck if you are trying to make the house look neat.

Agreed, except then the Venomous Spaz Beast can't burrow into it while I'm at the office. She's too teeny to move the bedspread and pillows.

[markbike528CBX]

Making the bed is one of those tasks that get you a lot of bang for your buck if you are trying to make the house look neat.

Unless the bedroom is on a main guest traffic path why bother?

If the bedroom is on a main guest traffic path, my mental image is:
   a)swingers pad
   b)really poorly designed house bedroom
   c)unfortunate / ill conceived bedroom choice

[ysette9]

Personably, because I care about having a neat house. A messy house causes me stress.

[horsepoor]

Making the bed is one of those tasks that get you a lot of bang for your buck if you are trying to make the house look neat.

Unless the bedroom is on a main guest traffic path why bother?

If the bedroom is on a main guest traffic path, my mental image is:
   a)swingers pad
   b)really poorly designed house bedroom
   c)unfortunate / ill conceived bedroom choice

It can be annoying getting into bed and finding the sheets/blankets are tangled/misaligned.  My first house was 800 SF, so the door to the master BR opened to the living room.  Some genius decided to install a glass-pane door.  When I bought it, I at least put a curtain on the door, but the bed would be visible from the living room seating area if the door and curtain weren't both completely closed.

I'll occasionally make the bed because I suspect the dog sneaks up there and naps during the day, and at least this way the quilt is covering the pillows.

[AlanStache]

Google is saying mites prefer beds that are made everyday.  And if I were going to wear a shirt everyday I would prefer to hang if up when not in use vs ball it up where it cant breathe.  I do get the mental arguments for bed making but there seems to be some health reasons not to.

[RetiredAt63]

Google is saying mites prefer beds that are made everyday.  And if I were going to wear a shirt everyday I would prefer to hang if up when not in use vs ball it up where it cant breathe.  I do get the mental arguments for bed making but there seems to be some health reasons not to.

I leave the covers down so the bed can air out, then make it after breakfast.  Best of both worlds.

[ketchup]

I don't sleep with a blanket.  Problem solved.

[Just Joe]

It can be annoying getting into bed and finding the sheets/blankets are tangled/misaligned.  My first house was 800 SF, so the door to the master BR opened to the living room.  Some genius decided to install a glass-pane door.  When I bought it, I at least put a curtain on the door, but the bed would be visible from the living room seating area if the door and curtain weren't both completely closed.

I'll occasionally make the bed because I suspect the dog sneaks up there and naps during the day, and at least this way the quilt is covering the pillows.

You can always get a sign or glass company to come add vinyl to the glass so it looks frosted.

[shadowmoss]

Home Depot has static cling frosted style window covers that you can put on with just water, and they peel right off.  I keep meaning to get one for the door of the RV where no curtain seems to last.  I like that they are not permanent.  Other places may have them as well. 

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Home Depot has static cling frosted style window covers that you can put on with just water, and they peel right off.  I keep meaning to get one for the door of the RV where no curtain seems to last.  I like that they are not permanent.  Other places may have them as well.

I'm such a huge fan of self adhesive vinyl! I have the brushed aluminium one that makes my old white fridge look like stainless, I have marble on the horrible green formica bathroom countertops, I have frosted on my windows, and I covered some old shoe boxes with a battered old wood grain vinyl to make some cheap storage boxes. I'm thinking of getting some maple to retro-fy my car dash board! Honestly, it's really cheap and easy to apply if you make sure you take a little time and do it very gradually, just peeling off the portion of the backing that you're working to apply at the time.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Home Depot has static cling frosted style window covers that you can put on with just water, and they peel right off.  I keep meaning to get one for the door of the RV where no curtain seems to last.  I like that they are not permanent.  Other places may have them as well.

I'm such a huge fan of self adhesive vinyl! I have the brushed aluminium one that makes my old white fridge look like stainless, I have marble on the horrible green formica bathroom countertops, I have frosted on my windows, and I covered some old shoe boxes with a battered old wood grain vinyl to make some cheap storage boxes. I'm thinking of getting some maple to retro-fy my car dash board! Honestly, it's really cheap and easy to apply if you make sure you take a little time and do it very gradually, just peeling off the portion of the backing that you're working to apply at the time.

Wow, McLaren and Koenigsegg carbon fibre videos would be like porn for you.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Home Depot has static cling frosted style window covers that you can put on with just water, and they peel right off.  I keep meaning to get one for the door of the RV where no curtain seems to last.  I like that they are not permanent.  Other places may have them as well.

I'm such a huge fan of self adhesive vinyl! I have the brushed aluminium one that makes my old white fridge look like stainless, I have marble on the horrible green formica bathroom countertops, I have frosted on my windows, and I covered some old shoe boxes with a battered old wood grain vinyl to make some cheap storage boxes. I'm thinking of getting some maple to retro-fy my car dash board! Honestly, it's really cheap and easy to apply if you make sure you take a little time and do it very gradually, just peeling off the portion of the backing that you're working to apply at the time.

Wow, McLaren and Koenigsegg carbon fibre videos would be like porn for you.

I don't know what those are, but I'm completely willing to accept that I AM a vinyl-nerd.

[MsGuided]

Hey AnnaGrowsAMustache, I'm really wanting some self stick vinyl for several projects, but have found it to be very expensive.  Any sources you would be willing to share to get a great deal on it?

Thanks!

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Hey AnnaGrowsAMustache, I'm really wanting some self stick vinyl for several projects, but have found it to be very expensive.  Any sources you would be willing to share to get a great deal on it?

Thanks!

I get mine from AliExpress. It doesn't seem to be a big site in the states, but it's huge for the rest of the world. It's the small scale purchase arm of Alibaba. It's a site that manufacturers advertise products on directly, all based in China. Each manufacturer has a sales and product review and star system so you can see if they're reputable and easy to deal with. Just about anything in the world can be purchased on here. Couple of things to check - whatever you search, there will be MANY different varieties, qualities and prices, so make sure you've got what you want. Second, check and doublecheck the shipping rate, and also any import duties you might incur at your end. In my country, you don't get stung unless you order over a certain dollar value. Third, there are things available for purchase that may be illegal to bring into your country - I don't imagine vinyl is one of them, but you never know. Third, you're purchasing from a Chinese manufacturer, not from a site like Amazon, so IF there are issues you may have problems resolving them. I've used AliExpress hundreds of times, with no issues, but I've also never purchased anything over $50. You do use your CC through the site and that's completely reputable, so no worries there.

Have a look and see what you can find.

https://www.aliexpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AliExpress

PS, also check what you're buying. It's listed in price per "unit". But a unit can be 1m for one manufacturer and 10m for another.

[shadowmoss]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

AliExpress is bloody brilliant. I got toothbrush heads for an Oral B electric toothbrush for 50 cents each, landed. They're identical to the branded ones except for the stenciled brand. And I really like the way you can buy one of, or 200 of. You can also get the branded products if you want them - razor blade refills are particularly well priced. And if you're a canner who recycles jars? You just hit the jackpot for all kinds of lids in all sizes, for pennies. The other thing I regularly seem to buy is drawer knobs and handles.

Just goes to show you the mark up that some of the big brand stores put on things, really, when you can buy direct from the Chinese manufacturer yourself. God Bless the Internet!

[mustachepungoeshere]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

AliExpress is bloody brilliant. I got toothbrush heads for an Oral B electric toothbrush for 50 cents each, landed. They're identical to the branded ones except for the stenciled brand. And I really like the way you can buy one of, or 200 of. You can also get the branded products if you want them - razor blade refills are particularly well priced. And if you're a canner who recycles jars? You just hit the jackpot for all kinds of lids in all sizes, for pennies. The other thing I regularly seem to buy is drawer knobs and handles.

Just goes to show you the mark up that some of the big brand stores put on things, really, when you can buy direct from the Chinese manufacturer yourself. God Bless the Internet!

A friend of mine is a huge devotee of AliExpress (she calls it Chinese eBay).

Every few weeks I get texts like, "Need a new blanket scarf? They're $1.50 each, and the minimum order is 10." No, no I don't! :D

[MrDelane]

This isn't even funny to me, but I literally just saw this on FB from someone.
It was posted along with a celebratory gif, as if this was good news:

"We got Hamilton tickets!  Expensive, but WORTH IT. Really need to find full time work now.  I guess we're going without health insurance for a few months."

And no, this was not a joke or an exaggeration.
They have been out of work for a few months already and have continually posted about their job search.

[marty998]

This isn't even funny to me, but I literally just saw this on FB from someone.
It was posted along with a celebratory gif, as if this was good news:

"We got Hamilton tickets!  Expensive, but WORTH IT. Really need to find full time work now.  I guess we're going without health insurance for a few months."

And no, this was not a joke or an exaggeration.
They have been out of work for a few months already and have continually posted about their job search.

Amazing how broke unemployed people seem to have the cash for these things. Drives me mental!

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

AliExpress is bloody brilliant. I got toothbrush heads for an Oral B electric toothbrush for 50 cents each, landed. They're identical to the branded ones except for the stenciled brand. And I really like the way you can buy one of, or 200 of. You can also get the branded products if you want them - razor blade refills are particularly well priced. And if you're a canner who recycles jars? You just hit the jackpot for all kinds of lids in all sizes, for pennies. The other thing I regularly seem to buy is drawer knobs and handles.

Just goes to show you the mark up that some of the big brand stores put on things, really, when you can buy direct from the Chinese manufacturer yourself. God Bless the Internet!

A friend of mine is a huge devotee of AliExpress (she calls it Chinese eBay).

Every few weeks I get texts like, "Need a new blanket scarf? They're $1.50 each, and the minimum order is 10." No, no I don't! :D

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

[Step37]

This isn't even funny to me, but I literally just saw this on FB from someone.
It was posted along with a celebratory gif, as if this was good news:

"We got Hamilton tickets!  Expensive, but WORTH IT. Really need to find full time work now.  I guess we're going without health insurance for a few months."

And no, this was not a joke or an exaggeration.
They have been out of work for a few months already and have continually posted about their job search.

Amazing how broke unemployed people seem to have the cash credit card space for these things. Drives me mental!

There, I fixed it! (People are bonkers.)

[Rowellen]

I just bought the static cling window cover that looks like stained glass from Aliexpress.  I'll use that for awhile, and change it out if I get bored with it.  With shipping an approx 18"x40" piece was under $4.00.  At that price I can change the window covering out every month.

AliExpress is bloody brilliant. I got toothbrush heads for an Oral B electric toothbrush for 50 cents each, landed. They're identical to the branded ones except for the stenciled brand. And I really like the way you can buy one of, or 200 of. You can also get the branded products if you want them - razor blade refills are particularly well priced. And if you're a canner who recycles jars? You just hit the jackpot for all kinds of lids in all sizes, for pennies. The other thing I regularly seem to buy is drawer knobs and handles.

Just goes to show you the mark up that some of the big brand stores put on things, really, when you can buy direct from the Chinese manufacturer yourself. God Bless the Internet!

A friend of mine is a huge devotee of AliExpress (she calls it Chinese eBay).

Every few weeks I get texts like, "Need a new blanket scarf? They're $1.50 each, and the minimum order is 10." No, no I don't! :D

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

But doesn't everyone "need" a blanket scarf?

Um. What is a blanket scarf anyway?

/s  kidding.  I'm pretty sure I can work it out.

[zolotiyeruki]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

[Mesmoiselle]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

I've never found Grocery Store Berries to ever be worth any price. I had no idea why people in eras past even liked berries, figured it was because sugar wasn't a regular commodity yet and they were desperate.

Then at 27 someone gave me some fresh picked blueberries and they were AMAZING. <- so now I know why berries are a thing, but not why anyone would ever buy one at the store?

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Um... yeah. She needs a laminated poster on her fridge: "NOT A DEAL UNLESS YOU NEED IT"

I went grocery shopping with DW a couple weeks ago.  She bought raspberries and blueberries because they were on sale, not because we needed them for any of our planned meals.  I chose not to say anything, but inside I was screaming that to myself.

Since then, we've started using Walmart's grocery pickup service.  It's been awesome, and no more impulse purchases!

Um.... I buy bulk items, including fruit and veg, when they're on a great sale. Blueberries average $11 a kilo frozen here, and I use a little scoop of them daily in my breakfast. If they were, say $8 a kilo, I would buy several. If they were $4 a kilo, I would buy every pack they had available. It's not really impulse, as such, because I have money built into my grocery budget specifically to take advantage of these finds.

The other day, apples were $1 a kilo. I bought 10 kilos. They'll be canned as apple pie filling. Couldn't grow them myself for that price.

[ysette9]

I love love love berries. In the summer when they are fresh I buy a fair amount of them. Otherwise I buy frozen and put them in my oatmeal. I agree though that grow your own is tastier.
As a kid we had a bunch of raspberries in the yard and could pick a bunch whenever. My mother would sometimes go out with a bowl in the morning to pick a bunch to have in her cereal. I just loved eating them straight off the bushes, warm from the sun. We bought six little raspberry twigs and have them in the ground in our back yard now. I can’t wait for them to get big and give us fruit.

[Step37]

Just saw this gem on FB (because my sister was tagged and replied, “hahaha, so true!!”). Talk about mindless consumerism at its finest. Somehow she cannot make the connection that the constant acquisition of More New Stuff will A. Never lead to contentment, and B. Keep her broke and on the treadmill (despite a high income). Makes me crazy (and sad).

[redbird]

^ I've actually had that happen before, but not because I order a lot. When you're on Prime, Amazon is far more willing to just ship things separately so they can get it to you faster (when you don't have Prime, they tend to combine shipments mostly). I've had them ship things out separately, but were part of the same order, and didn't know what part of my order was in the box until I opened it.

Because Murphy's Law, it's generally the stuff you are not in a rush for that gets to you first, and the stuff that you really need NOW and can't even buy locally (recently for me it was a stove part) wants to take an extra day or two to get to you.

[Step37]

@redbird, I’ve got a month’s free trial of Prime currently and it’s happened to me, too. :) Of COURSE the thing I ordered for husband’s birthday was the shipment that didn’t arrive in one or two days (no biggie, just funny). Checking now if there are final things to order before I cancel Prime on Wednesday (definitely don’t buy enough to make it worthwhile).

In my sister’s case, I can say with 99% certainty that purchases aren’t carefully considered; and, subscription items, if no longer needed, would take months to get cancelled.

[Sibley]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

[MrMoogle]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

Basically two day shipping, and not having to wait for your shopping cart to get to a certain value before ordering.  I order something every 6 weeks or so, and don't mind waiting a week for it to arrive, so it's definitely not worth it for me. 

You can also use it for online streaming.

[Sibley]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Ah. That makes sense. I have other sources. Thanks.

[RidetheRain]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Also some people use it for EVERYTHING. My parents live in the middle of nowhere and use prime to get all their non-perishables. They basically get a package every two weeks at least. Soap, motor oil, bed linens. You name it and it comes from Amazon. For them, it makes up for the drive into the closest major town.

[Megma]

I use prime because i need to specifically search for something i want so no impulse buys for me. I cannot say the same for target which i avoid like the plague.

But look at what i saw on Facebook marketplace... Oh my. Spend that loan you gave the government!

[marty998]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

[mustachepungoeshere]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

Less than two months!

And the quotes from the wife!

She said: "There are people winning millions of pounds and we just get a bit of luck and all of a sudden, we are punished for it.

"We helped our neighbour and friends out with some cash.

"We gave it to our family and have nothing left. We paid for three family holidays - a cruise and two big trips to Benidorm.

"We got the kitchen and hall decorated and the bathroom and living room are to be done. There is nothing left.

‎ಠ_ಠ

[MrMoogle]

https://m.news-mail.com.au/news/grandpa-claims-his-140k-lottery-win-ruined-his-lif/3346455/

This popped up on my Facebook feed today via a mustachian Facebook page.

Old dude on disability pension won 80,000 pounds. Blew it all in a matter of weeks on holidays, renovations and giving away the rest to family.

Welfare department saw his bank records and cancelled his pension.

He's now complaining saying what a nightmare it is.

I am struggling to have any sympathy at all.

That sounds rough.  Really bad luck winning that lottery.

[Roe]

$142,000 gone between September and December? From that, too overdrawn?

I sympathize a tiny bit with him about not thinking about that he would loose his benefits, but mother of spendypants, that's fast!

[infogoon]

I don't have Prime. I get free shipping by ordering enough to qualify. What am I missing?

I use it for streaming since we don't have cable and also the free music and book downloads.

Also some people use it for EVERYTHING. My parents live in the middle of nowhere and use prime to get all their non-perishables. They basically get a package every two weeks at least. Soap, motor oil, bed linens. You name it and it comes from Amazon. For them, it makes up for the drive into the closest major town.

I live in a mid-sized city and still use it for just about everything. Given the choice between waiting two days for a Prime delivery and packing up three young kids for a trip to Target, Amazon wins every time.

[Just Joe]

Anyone using any of other retailers that have free shipping like WalMart?

[PMG]

I’ll chime in that if you have the Target Red Card (which can be a debit card, for the credit card averse), you get free shipping on any sized order.  I used it quite a bit for bulk and staples when I was living without a car. Also, you have to be careful to search out their brand of products as the website shows name brand items first. 

They also had an easy return policy that was extended even longer for Red Card orders, so I had a nice long window to make returns though it was inconvenient to get to the store. ETA. Most items are returnable by mail, some just in store.  It’s very easy to miss that detail. 

——
As for Prime, I’m grandfathered in on a family plan, so I get the free shipping without the media content, so I can’t comment on the content, just the shipping.  5-6 years ago it was worth it.  Now?  Not so much.  They very often require a minimum $25 spend (yes, with prime) and in my rural area 2 days shipping was promised but usually 5-7 days.


(Is it possible that the minimum spend thing is just for family members, not for the main account holder?)

[Petuniajo]

I overheard this on Facebook a few weeks ago:

Friend: You know it's Monday morning for everyone when you have to drive to three drive-thrus before someone actually has breakfast ready.

When someone mentioned she should just cook breakfast at home? "No time."

Yet there is time to visit three drive-thrus... !

[ysette9]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

[ysette9]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

[4alpacas]

We tried getting stuff shipped from Target a couple of times but I ended up putting my foot down because it took SO LONG to deliver. I’ll pick going to the store (even with the difficulty of hauling a baby/toddler along) it Amazon over waiting ten days for a box of diapers to show up.

@ysette9 Since you're in the Bay Area, have you tried Google Express?  With Target, I get same day delivery (free over $35).*

*I'm also a horrible impulse shopper, so I really shouldn't be trusted in Target.  SO many things!!!