Overheard on Facebook

[Freedomin5]

I’ve seen two people post on the neighborhood chat today asking the following:

Please can someone add me to the ayi group? Someone knows an ayi staying in town for Chinese New Year?

This year is the first year since the start of the pandemic that the government has allowed travel during Chinese New Year, arguably the most important holiday in China, and for many ayis, it’s the only time they can see their family in their hometown. But apparently, this expat can’t function without her household helper, so she would rather have her ayi set aside her cultural traditions and her time with her own family, because the expat can’t clean her own home, cook her own food, or take care of her own kids.

To be fair though, this one is an outlier. Most employers are very understanding and accommodating.

[dragoncar]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

[eyesonthehorizon]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

[SwordGuy]

Representative Rick Scott (Republican- GA) wants to raise the social security age even more because "people want to work more" so we should raise the retirement age as "an incentive" for them to do just that.

https://twitter.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1615080979042893825?

Any of y'all want to work more and wait longer to get the social security you've paid for?

[Kris]

Representative Rick Scott (Republican- GA) wants to raise the social security age even more because "people want to work more" so we should raise the retirement age as "an incentive" for them to do just that.

https://twitter.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1615080979042893825?

Any of y'all want to work more and wait longer to get the social security you've paid for?

Wait, I thought according to Republicans no one wants to work anymore?

[ixtap]

Representative Rick Scott (Republican- GA) wants to raise the social security age even more because "people want to work more" so we should raise the retirement age as "an incentive" for them to do just that.

https://twitter.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1615080979042893825?

Any of y'all want to work more and wait longer to get the social security you've paid for?

Wait, I thought according to Republicans no one wants to work anymore?

See, kids these days don't want to work.

Never you mind how many baby boomers and older gen X left the work force over the last couple of years. The problem is the kids, the adults just need a nudge. One magically wants to work once over 40, but SS is just so very tempting at 62 that it is impossible to resist its pull.

[JAYSLOL]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

I rotate out every year.  Seasonal job, 9 months on, and 3 months off.  It’s like a mini-FIRE every year.  I love it.  I’ve actually had a few work seasons now where I haven’t had any new coworkers with crazy money stuff going on, some usual unmustachian behaviour, but nothing crazy.  It’s been very disappointing lol.

[eyesonthehorizon]

I rotate out every year.  Seasonal job, 9 months on, and 3 months off.  It’s like a mini-FIRE every year.  I love it.  I’ve actually had a few work seasons now where I haven’t had any new coworkers with crazy money stuff going on, some usual unmustachian behaviour, but nothing crazy.  It’s been very disappointing lol.

I need to find a way to do this. I'm used to the cushy life working a dozen feet from my own kitchen with the good coffee, though. Wonder if there's a way to make that happen?

[JAYSLOL]

I rotate out every year.  Seasonal job, 9 months on, and 3 months off.  It’s like a mini-FIRE every year.  I love it.  I’ve actually had a few work seasons now where I haven’t had any new coworkers with crazy money stuff going on, some usual unmustachian behaviour, but nothing crazy.  It’s been very disappointing lol.

I need to find a way to do this. I'm used to the cushy life working a dozen feet from my own kitchen with the good coffee, though. Wonder if there's a way to make that happen?

That sounds pretty good already, my winters are easy, but my work season is 9 months of long days doing hard work far from the comfort of home outside in the elements.  I think I’d trade my seasonal work for year round if it was in comfy clothes by the fireplace a few steps from the kitchen

[Siebrie]

I rotate out every year.  Seasonal job, 9 months on, and 3 months off.  It’s like a mini-FIRE every year.  I love it.  I’ve actually had a few work seasons now where I haven’t had any new coworkers with crazy money stuff going on, some usual unmustachian behaviour, but nothing crazy.  It’s been very disappointing lol.
[/quote]

I volunteered once with a lady in her 40s who told me she consulted 1 month per year, and lived off of that money for the rest of the year; she spent those 11 months volunteering and travel, mainly.

I was too young to ask more questions, even though I lived on a low income, worked only parttime, went to university parttime, volunteered and travelled, and enjoyed life!

[JAYSLOL]

After the student loan forgiveness made the news, this was said by a 55 year old woman, unironically:

"After 34 years of paying on this, now I can finally start saving for retirement!"

FFS.  I'm guessing it was actually 34 years of not paying for it.

I kind of have to know, you know?  I'm only a couple years younger than she is, so how do you actually pay for 34 years?  I mean, yeah, interest rates on my student loans were 8% and 10%, so that maybe didn't help her.  But wow...how much did she borrow?

Anyhoo...

My financial-train-wreck Facebook friend posted an inspirational poster looking quote that said something along the lines of “I will ignore anything that doesn’t get me closer to my goals this year”, followed almost immediately by another post of a picture of a new $50 Starbucks cup that’s coming out that they want.  I guess debt servitude is their ongoing goal.

Hope your coworker is ok today

Apparently they are surviving.  Three new Starbucks cups in the last 24 hours though. Made a special trip at 7am to make sure they would get them before they sold out on “release day”.  They must have like two full cupboards with just those cups at this point.  They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

I swear I just come back to this thread for these updates.

It’s been a while, but guess who just got another new Starbucks Cup!?

[JAYSLOL]

After the student loan forgiveness made the news, this was said by a 55 year old woman, unironically:

"After 34 years of paying on this, now I can finally start saving for retirement!"

FFS.  I'm guessing it was actually 34 years of not paying for it.

I kind of have to know, you know?  I'm only a couple years younger than she is, so how do you actually pay for 34 years?  I mean, yeah, interest rates on my student loans were 8% and 10%, so that maybe didn't help her.  But wow...how much did she borrow?

Anyhoo...

My financial-train-wreck Facebook friend posted an inspirational poster looking quote that said something along the lines of “I will ignore anything that doesn’t get me closer to my goals this year”, followed almost immediately by another post of a picture of a new $50 Starbucks cup that’s coming out that they want.  I guess debt servitude is their ongoing goal.

Hope your coworker is ok today

Apparently they are surviving.  Three new Starbucks cups in the last 24 hours though. Made a special trip at 7am to make sure they would get them before they sold out on “release day”.  They must have like two full cupboards with just those cups at this point.  They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

I swear I just come back to this thread for these updates.

It’s been a while, but guess who just got another new Starbucks Cup!?

Wait, actually make that two!

[dragoncar]

Wait, actually make that two!

Not that you should enable this, but maybe it’s time for a Starbucks themed display shelf?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/826631266/starbucks-tumbler-cup-cold-cup-holder

[JAYSLOL]

Wait, actually make that two!

Not that you should enable this, but maybe it’s time for a Starbucks themed display shelf?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/826631266/starbucks-tumbler-cup-cold-cup-holder

I’d be pretty surprised if she couldn’t fill at least one of those already, might even be two

[sonofsven]

From a fishing forum, a poster was looking for "good credit card interest rates" for spending, and also shared that they recently did a cash out re-fi on their 2019 truck to the tune of $20k.
I pointed out that any rate above 0% was too high to me, and that the truck re-fi was a red flag of a debt emergency.
OP: "I'm doing some home upgrades, ya'll are crazy".
I resisted the urge to write "Yeah, but with whose money?".

[Dicey]

From a fishing forum, a poster was looking for "good credit card interest rates" for spending, and also shared that they recently did a cash out re-fi on their 2019 truck to the tune of $20k.
I pointed out that any rate above 0% was too high to me, and that the truck re-fi was a red flag of a debt emergency.
OP: "I'm doing some home upgrades, ya'll are crazy".
I resisted the urge to write "Yeah, but with whose money?".

Duh, because home upgrades always have a great ROI. [Insert eyeroll.]

[JAYSLOL]

From a fishing forum, a poster was looking for "good credit card interest rates" for spending, and also shared that they recently did a cash out re-fi on their 2019 truck to the tune of $20k.
I pointed out that any rate above 0% was too high to me, and that the truck re-fi was a red flag of a debt emergency.
OP: "I'm doing some home upgrades, ya'll are crazy".
I resisted the urge to write "Yeah, but with whose money?".

“Home upgrades” = lift kit and big tires for the truck, probably lol

[trc4897]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

[ixtap]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual.

Yeah, doesn't really work for me, either, but it serves a purpose to describe those who choose to work beyond FI.

[zolotiyeruki]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

"Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual" i.e. someone whose finances are well in-control, with a high savings rate, and who is still working and fine with it.  They may or may not have reached financial independence.  If they haven't hit FI, they have a plan and a timeline and aren't looking to escape a bad situation.  If they *are* FI, they are working because they want to, not because they need to.

[trc4897]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual.

Yeah, doesn't really work for me, either, but it serves a purpose to describe those who choose to work beyond FI.

Thanks!

[trc4897]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

"Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual" i.e. someone whose finances are well in-control, with a high savings rate, and who is still working and fine with it.  They may or may not have reached financial independence.  If they haven't hit FI, they have a plan and a timeline and aren't looking to escape a bad situation.  If they *are* FI, they are working because they want to, not because they need to.

Thanks!

[Fomerly known as something]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

"Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual" i.e. someone whose finances are well in-control, with a high savings rate, and who is still working and fine with it.  They may or may not have reached financial independence.  If they haven't hit FI, they have a plan and a timeline and aren't looking to escape a bad situation.  If they *are* FI, they are working because they want to, not because they need to.

Or they are like me and hanging around for “reasons”.  I have a pension I can collect at 47 by sticking around.  My inner bag lady won’t let me FIRE before then.

[sonofsven]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

"Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual" i.e. someone whose finances are well in-control, with a high savings rate, and who is still working and fine with it.  They may or may not have reached financial independence.  If they haven't hit FI, they have a plan and a timeline and aren't looking to escape a bad situation.  If they *are* FI, they are working because they want to, not because they need to.

Or they are like me and hanging around for “reasons”.  I have a pension I can collect at 47 by sticking around.  My inner bag lady won’t let me FIRE before then.

Yes, I like to work and might not ever RE.
I'm an IBL-OMY.

[theninthwall]

Saw this today:

"I know it’s not Christmas but I wanted to offer our new Hoilday payment plan to future residential or commercial clients. I understand many people want Christmas lights but it’s hard to work that in the budget durning the holidays. If you would like to know more about our holiday payment plan please feel free to send me a massage. We do have a business Facebook page to see more photos."

If you need to finance Christmas lights...well, you guys know the rest.

[Dave1442397]

Saw this today:

"I know it’s not Christmas but I wanted to offer our new Hoilday payment plan to future residential or commercial clients. I understand many people want Christmas lights but it’s hard to work that in the budget durning the holidays. If you would like to know more about our holiday payment plan please feel free to send me a massage. We do have a business Facebook page to see more photos."

If you need to finance Christmas lights...well, you guys know the rest.

Do you have to send a massage with a happy ending?

[ixtap]

Saw this today:

"I know it’s not Christmas but I wanted to offer our new Hoilday payment plan to future residential or commercial clients. I understand many people want Christmas lights but it’s hard to work that in the budget durning the holidays. If you would like to know more about our holiday payment plan please feel free to send me a massage. We do have a business Facebook page to see more photos."

If you need to finance Christmas lights...well, you guys know the rest.

At least this isn't financing, it is just letting someone else hold your sinking fund. When the banks used to offer this, they at least paid the going rates for savings.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Saw this today:

"I know it’s not Christmas but I wanted to offer our new Hoilday payment plan to future residential or commercial clients. I understand many people want Christmas lights but it’s hard to work that in the budget durning the holidays. If you would like to know more about our holiday payment plan please feel free to send me a massage. We do have a business Facebook page to see more photos."

If you need to finance Christmas lights...well, you guys know the rest.

Do you have to send a massage with a happy ending?

There's no happy ending possible in this story. It's like that musical "Chess" but without the genius. Just pure self-destructive drama...

[lemanfan]

They aren’t actually a coworker, former classmate

WHAT?  But this is the OVERHEARD AT WORK thread.  What kind of idiot.... oh.... oh wait.  Nevermind.

In theory people should rotate out of eligibility to post in the Overheard at Work thread after a few years anyway, right? Unless SWAMIs, I guess.

Might be a dumb question, but what is SWAMI? Google didn't help me much it says "State of Washington as a Musical Instrument" lol

"Satisfied Working Advanced Mustachian Individual"

Read more here:  https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/30/weekend-edition-retire-in-your-mind-even-if-you-love-your-job/

[Fomerly known as something]

I’m in several Facebook travel groups.  Why do people travel to a foreign country, (I see Paris and the flying dress place a lot) and hire a photographer for a photo shoot.  Not only is it an expense, but you are taking time from seeing said place to have a photo shoot for your IG I guess.

[Kris]

I’m in several Facebook travel groups.  Why do people travel to a foreign country, (I see Paris and the flying dress place a lot) and hire a photographer for a photo shoot.  Not only is it an expense, but you are taking time from seeing said place to have a photo shoot for your IG I guess.

I see this frequently too, and share your dismay.

[GuitarStv]

I’m in several Facebook travel groups.  Why do people travel to a foreign country, (I see Paris and the flying dress place a lot) and hire a photographer for a photo shoot.  Not only is it an expense, but you are taking time from seeing said place to have a photo shoot for your IG I guess.

I see this frequently too, and share your dismay.

Obviously neither of you understand travel at all.

The purpose of travel is to generate pictures.  Without pictures, people don't know how much happier you are than them.  Without pictures, people won't be envious or jealous.  You won't up your cred on the socials.  You won't project the confident image of someone who definitely doesn't cry silently into their pillow every night to hide the vast sucking empty void that was your soul back when you could still feel things and it wasn't all dead, dead, dead and bland and empty pablum - a copy of a copy of a copy of what used to be a happy person.

What possible reason could people have to travel without documenting it?

[dandarc]

I’m in several Facebook travel groups.  Why do people travel to a foreign country, (I see Paris and the flying dress place a lot) and hire a photographer for a photo shoot.  Not only is it an expense, but you are taking time from seeing said place to have a photo shoot for your IG I guess.

I see this frequently too, and share your dismay.

Obviously neither of you understand travel at all.

The purpose of travel is to generate pictures.  Without pictures, people don't know how much happier you are than them.  Without pictures, people won't be envious or jealous.  You won't up your cred on the socials.  You won't project the confident image of someone who definitely doesn't cry silently into their pillow every night to hide the vast sucking empty void that was your soul back when you could still feel things and it wasn't all dead, dead, dead and bland and empty pablum - a copy of a copy of a copy of what used to be a happy person.

What possible reason could people have to travel without documenting it?

This comes to mind: "I was supposed to be in Haiti being photographed helping people, but instead I delayed my trip by a day to come here and tell you off." - Tahani Al Jamil (character on the Good Place)

[JAYSLOL]

Another new Starbucks cup has been acquired

[ixtap]

Another new Starbucks cup has been acquired

I can't even get DH to go to his company SWAG office to pick up enough cups to have a whole set.

[JAYSLOL]

Another new Starbucks cup has been acquired

Make that two this week now

[LaineyAZ]

Another new Starbucks cup has been acquired

Make that two this week now

A young woman in our local Neighborhood Forum is now trying to sell her Starbucks cups for $10 to $25 each.  I wouldn't have even known these were "collectibles" except for your post.  But so far as I can tell she hasn't gotten any buyers yet. 
I guess we all make financial mistakes but it's painful to watch this.

[Dicey]

Another new Starbucks cup has been acquired

Make that two this week now

A young woman in our local Neighborhood Forum is now trying to sell her Starbucks cups for $10 to $25 each.  I wouldn't have even known these were "collectibles" except for your post.  But so far as I can tell she hasn't gotten any buyers yet. 
I guess we all make financial mistakes but it's painful to watch this.

Look away...

[eyesonthehorizon]

A young woman in our local Neighborhood Forum is now trying to sell her Starbucks cups for $10 to $25 each.  I wouldn't have even known these were "collectibles" except for your post.  But so far as I can tell she hasn't gotten any buyers yet. 
I guess we all make financial mistakes but it's painful to watch this.

For the metal vacuum hot cups which flip to seal shut $10 is a decent discount, & they hold up well to decades of heavy use, including drops on concrete in my case. I might bite in that situation, as they're actually very well-made. But I couldn't care less for the plastic ones.

[JAYSLOL]

A young woman in our local Neighborhood Forum is now trying to sell her Starbucks cups for $10 to $25 each.  I wouldn't have even known these were "collectibles" except for your post.  But so far as I can tell she hasn't gotten any buyers yet. 
I guess we all make financial mistakes but it's painful to watch this.

For the metal vacuum hot cups which flip to seal shut $10 is a decent discount, & they hold up well to decades of heavy use, including drops on concrete in my case. I might bite in that situation, as they're actually very well-made. But I couldn't care less for the plastic ones.

Yeah these have all been the plastic ones.  Some of them look cool, but I don’t get why anyone would spend more than $10 on one.  Or need more than one or two

[ixtap]

And here all this time I thought we were talking about ceramic mugs...

[JAYSLOL]

And here all this time I thought we were talking about ceramic mugs...

Nope, large plastic cups that look like this

[Extramedium]

While I think collecting those Starbucks tippy cups is absolutely silly and wasteful, it's not nearly as much money as I have spent on bicycles and rock climbing gear.   I admit there are many who think those are wasted dollars, down the drain, too.  I guess if they really love them (stifling a combination of giggles and gags), then who am I to say?

[SwordGuy]

While I think collecting those Starbucks tippy cups is absolutely silly and wasteful, it's not nearly as much money as I have spent on bicycles and rock climbing gear.   I admit there are many who think those are wasted dollars, down the drain, too.  I guess if they really love them (stifling a combination of giggles and gags), then who am I to say?

If I remember correctly, the family in question has already admitted they have financial problems...

That's the difference.

[JAYSLOL]

While I think collecting those Starbucks tippy cups is absolutely silly and wasteful, it's not nearly as much money as I have spent on bicycles and rock climbing gear.   I admit there are many who think those are wasted dollars, down the drain, too.  I guess if they really love them (stifling a combination of giggles and gags), then who am I to say?

If I remember correctly, the family in question has already admitted they have financial problems...

That's the difference.

Yeah, I have collections of stuff that would easily dwarf whatever physical size and financial cost they have in the Starbucks cups, hell I impulse bought a truck I didn’t even need last month. But everything I do is cash and a tiny percentage of my NW.  They constantly post about never getting out of debt, needing to win the lottery, how tired they are from the double shifts they have to work this month, and how much negative equity they keep rolling into gigantic new dodge suvs ever year or two, all the issues they keep having with their “loan place” (which turned out to be payday loans).  And it just goes on and on, all posted for the world to see on Facebook for some reason. 

[mm1970]

And here all this time I thought we were talking about ceramic mugs...

Nope, large plastic cups that look like this

I only come here for your updates

[JAYSLOL]

And here all this time I thought we were talking about ceramic mugs...

Nope, large plastic cups that look like this

I only come here for your updates

I don’t want them to keep up the stupid spending and money horror stories… but at the same time I kind of do want them to lol.

[Sibley]

The local FB page is highly amusing right now. Property tax bills came out, and they're up. Way up in a lot of cases. There are three causes. First, there was a school referendum passed this past year, which added to the tax bill. This is generally no more than $300. The second reason is the massive increases in property values the last few years.

The third reason is that there was a full reassessment done, which hadn't been done for at least 5 years previously. My town moved from one township to another, and the new township didn't trust what the previous township had done (for good reason). So they did a full assessment. This has resulted in every property being brought up to currentish value, plus the new township is actually semi-competent (less corrupt) and they apparently found a whole bunch of improvements and additions which had been "missed" before.

So now there's a ton of posts and comments of people complaining that their taxes went up. Lots of people blaming the town (said increase was about $15 of the $600 for me), the schools (attributing all of the increase to the referendum and forgetting about the value increase), etc. There appears to be no comprehension of the cause and effect here.

Anyway, I will be watching out for the mortgage increase, because there will be an escrow shortfall.

[ATtiny85]

Our assessments went out this week as well. Large increase coming on an already fairly high tax rate area. Who knows, maybe we will actually see some of the increase in a few years when we sell. Probably not since it has never worked put before for us.

[Sugaree]

Seeing that around here too.  It's kind of schadenfreude to watch the woman who complained that her neighbors were bringing down her property value because they weren't grinding their "ugly" stumps after a tornado came through the neighborhood is now loudly complaining about how much her house value has increased.