Overheard on Facebook

[zolotiyeruki]

I hope they meant that it was barely sat on due to age, and not due to lack of use. Because that means someone bought a $2700 couch just to look pretty.

Would that really surprise you though?

DW and I were at a furniture store some years back, and the salesman mentioned that most of their clients were people who regularly, like every 5-8 years, bought new furniture to "freshen the look of their house".

Well, depending on what it is, that makes sense.  I mean, a couch used daily is only going to last so long.  A table probably lasts longer, same with a hutch.  A mattress probably similar to a couch.  At some point for most people, things with upholstery are going to look so shabby that people will want to replace them.

I wonder if they have 6 kids?  If their kids are anything like mine, those sofas may *need* to be replaced after 5 years. 

[MgoSam]

I hope they meant that it was barely sat on due to age, and not due to lack of use. Because that means someone bought a $2700 couch just to look pretty.

Would that really surprise you though?

DW and I were at a furniture store some years back, and the salesman mentioned that most of their clients were people who regularly, like every 5-8 years, bought new furniture to "freshen the look of their house".

Well, depending on what it is, that makes sense.  I mean, a couch used daily is only going to last so long.  A table probably lasts longer, same with a hutch.  A mattress probably similar to a couch.  At some point for most people, things with upholstery are going to look so shabby that people will want to replace them.

I wish I could find out who these people are just so I could take their "old" couches off their hand. I'm still steamed at one of my mom's friends who a few weeks before I was closing was getting all new couches and so was happy to allow me to pick them up, but then decided it wasn't worth the hassle of picking up the phone (I was trying to get a hold of her to find out when I could pick them up) and so instead called and paid a company to dispose of them. They were beautiful couches too!

[JordanOfGilead]

I hope they meant that it was barely sat on due to age, and not due to lack of use. Because that means someone bought a $2700 couch just to look pretty.

Would that really surprise you though?

DW and I were at a furniture store some years back, and the salesman mentioned that most of their clients were people who regularly, like every 5-8 years, bought new furniture to "freshen the look of their house".

Well, depending on what it is, that makes sense.  I mean, a couch used daily is only going to last so long.  A table probably lasts longer, same with a hutch.  A mattress probably similar to a couch.  At some point for most people, things with upholstery are going to look so shabby that people will want to replace them.

I wonder if they have 6 kids?  If their kids are anything like mine, those sofas may *need* to be replaced after 5 years.

My grandma makes furniture slips for this exact reason. She has had the same couch/loveseat set for over 20 years.

[dragoncar]

Seems like a good deal... I'm actually surprised they were able to buy anything from Raped over a Barrel for under $4k.

Couches are like the one furniture item I consider semi-disposable.  I'll treat most furniture as BIFL and pay extra for solid wood, timeless designs, etc.  But as far as I know there is no such thing as a BIFL couch.  The padding and fabric will need to be replaced every so often.  I'd rather buy a cheaper version that can be "trendy" with the knowledge that it'll only last 5-10 years.

[jorjor]

If this even sells for what they're listing for, that's a $1450 loss for a 5-month old couch that was "barely sat on". Maybe more if it was on credit?

Why did you buy it if it was barely sat on...

We bought a sectional off someone on Nextdoor last fall. I don't know if it qualified as "barely sat on" but it was in pristine condition. Little wear and they professionally cleaned/maintained it.  It was a $4k couch from C&B and we bought it for $1k or a little less. The seller was gutting the interior of their house to redecorate and wanted something new. The interior of the house was already gorgeous.

[marielle]

If this even sells for what they're listing for, that's a $1450 loss for a 5-month old couch that was "barely sat on". Maybe more if it was on credit?

Why did you buy it if it was barely sat on...

We bought a sectional off someone on Nextdoor last fall. I don't know if it qualified as "barely sat on" but it was in pristine condition. Little wear and they professionally cleaned/maintained it.  It was a $4k couch from C&B and we bought it for $1k or a little less. The seller was gutting the interior of their house to redecorate and wanted something new. The interior of the house was already gorgeous.

Ugh, I feel like some of these people just get bored with certain looks/arrangements over time. I get it, I'm like that too. But I don't spend thousands on new furniture when I get bored. I'd rather just move to a new place or rearrange some furniture...

[Kitsune]

I hope they meant that it was barely sat on due to age, and not due to lack of use. Because that means someone bought a $2700 couch just to look pretty.

Would that really surprise you though?

DW and I were at a furniture store some years back, and the salesman mentioned that most of their clients were people who regularly, like every 5-8 years, bought new furniture to "freshen the look of their house".

Well, depending on what it is, that makes sense.  I mean, a couch used daily is only going to last so long.  A table probably lasts longer, same with a hutch.  A mattress probably similar to a couch.  At some point for most people, things with upholstery are going to look so shabby that people will want to replace them.

I wonder if they have 6 kids?  If their kids are anything like mine, those sofas may *need* to be replaced after 5 years.

My grandma makes furniture slips for this exact reason. She has had the same couch/loveseat set for over 20 years.

The IKEA Ektorp is the modern version ;) cheap, surprisingly comfortable and durable, and the slipcover can be removed/washed due to milk/baby-related fluids/sticky toddler hands/food/etc.

[ariapluscat]

i get bored but i am both young and, like marielle, move regularly

[mustachepungoeshere]

The IKEA Ektorp is the modern version ;) cheap, surprisingly comfortable and durable, and the slipcover can be removed/washed due to milk/baby-related fluids/sticky toddler hands/food/etc.

I love the Pancakes and French Fries review of the Ektorp in white.

http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2013/06/revie-ektorp-sectional/

The Mister didn’t want a white sofa because it would show the dirt. I have never, ever understood this argument... Of course the dirt will show! But here’s the thing. Even if you buy a black sofa and therefore never see the dirt, newsflash Inspector: THE DIRT IS STILL THERE.

Can't argue with that logic.

She also explains in detail her process for washing the slipcovers.

[theadvicist]

This is one thing I've never understood about MMM's yearly spending reports.

I mean, we can all agree that spending £2k on a sofa to 'barely' sit on it is ridiculous. I have never replaced a piece of furniture to 'freshen' the look of anything.

But, being now 34, the furniture I bought for my first place (aged 22) is getting near replacement. Mainly a sofa and mattress. Actually, the mattress was a hand-me-down from my parents... who knows how old that is.

MMM never seems to have these big one-off purchases. Is he buying everything used? I did once own a used mattress (was living abroad at University, I didn't have much choice, it was buy used or sleep on the wooden floor - I slept on the mattress on the floor instead). But now I have a significant net worth... nah, I'm not going to buy a used mattress.

Now, table? Sure, I'd PREFER used, more character, less environmental impact. But sofa and mattress? I will buy new. How does MMM do it?

[Kitsune]

This is one thing I've never understood about MMM's yearly spending reports.

I mean, we can all agree that spending £2k on a sofa to 'barely' sit on it is ridiculous. I have never replaced a piece of furniture to 'freshen' the look of anything.

But, being now 34, the furniture I bought for my first place (aged 22) is getting near replacement. Mainly a sofa and mattress. Actually, the mattress was a hand-me-down from my parents... who knows how old that is.

MMM never seems to have these big one-off purchases. Is he buying everything used? I did once own a used mattress (was living abroad at University, I didn't have much choice, it was buy used or sleep on the wooden floor - I slept on the mattress on the floor instead). But now I have a significant net worth... nah, I'm not going to buy a used mattress.

Now, table? Sure, I'd PREFER used, more character, less environmental impact. But sofa and mattress? I will buy new. How does MMM do it?

I'd need to live in an area with less bedbug issues to be comfortable with a used mattress or upholstered furniture. (Ok, I have 2 hand-me-down couches from houses I know and can confirm were bedbug-free.)

But yeah, "buy used" is the running theme.

Of course, even buying used will cost some. We've spent the past 2 years setting up a house and decorating and whatnot, and even building/buying used/sewing/etc only cuts down costs so far.

[horsepoor]

New couches and mattresses don't have to be very expensive.  I'm sure MMM can absorb say $1K per 5 years in furniture replacements into his budget.

Our couches are about 10 years old, and even with dogs spending plenty of time on them, they're fine, and I expect another 5-10 years out of them.  They're microfiber and weren't particularly expensive (Ashley furniture, and we even paid retail!).  I think the queen mattress and box spring that now resides in our guest bedroom was ~$400 new on sale.  Amortized over a 10 year lifespan, it's pretty insignificant.

[FIREwoman]

The IKEA Ektorp is the modern version ;) cheap, surprisingly comfortable and durable, and the slipcover can be removed/washed due to milk/baby-related fluids/sticky toddler hands/food/etc.

I love the Pancakes and French Fries review of the Ektorp in white.

http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2013/06/revie-ektorp-sectional/

The Mister didn’t want a white sofa because it would show the dirt. I have never, ever understood this argument... Of course the dirt will show! But here’s the thing. Even if you buy a black sofa and therefore never see the dirt, newsflash Inspector: THE DIRT IS STILL THERE.

Can't argue with that logic.

She also explains in detail her process for washing the slipcovers.

i bought an ektorp in the fall and love it. i bought it with the cheapest slipcover and timed it with a sale, an ikea coupon, and 5% cash back on one of my cards to furniture stores (ikea counts).

also, over two visits i found a complete set of matching slipcovers in the "as-is" section for way less than half price. nothing wrong with them except a scuff mark on one that completely washed out.

[theadvicist]

New couches and mattresses don't have to be very expensive.  I'm sure MMM can absorb say $1K per 5 years in furniture replacements into his budget.

Oh I'm not saying he can't afford it! I'm saying I've followed his spending reports for, like, 5 years, and I've never noticed big one-off expenditures like this. I was wondering how he avoided the inevitable "my soft furnishings need replacing" since he talks of having a lovely home and from what I've seen in pictures it looks very nice. I don't think he is amortising the cost, from what I recall.

[barbaz]

After 7 years, we replaced the used couch we bought for 1€ with an 8-month-old Ektorp for 80€. If we continue at this rate, we'll have to buy a 6400€ sofa in a few years.

[JordanOfGilead]

After living on my own for 7 years, I have a fully furnished house and have only ever paid for my mattress/box spring set. Everything else was given to me from friends or family that were clearing out space or upgrading their furnishings.

[mm1970]

New couches and mattresses don't have to be very expensive.  I'm sure MMM can absorb say $1K per 5 years in furniture replacements into his budget.

Oh I'm not saying he can't afford it! I'm saying I've followed his spending reports for, like, 5 years, and I've never noticed big one-off expenditures like this. I was wondering how he avoided the inevitable "my soft furnishings need replacing" since he talks of having a lovely home and from what I've seen in pictures it looks very nice. I don't think he is amortising the cost, from what I recall.

We bought our sofa 10 years ago.
Our last mattress was 20 years old.

[cheapass]

We bought our sofa 10 years ago.
Our last mattress was 20 years old.

What!!! They said on TV that you have to "replace every eight" (mattress)

Of course, this was an advertisement from a mattress company. I'm sure they just have our best interests at heart.

[mustachepungoeshere]

We bought our sofa 10 years ago.
Our last mattress was 20 years old.

What!!! They said on TV that you have to "replace every eight" (mattress)

Of course, this was an advertisement from a mattress company. I'm sure they just have our best interests at heart.

This is interesting. My mattress is eight next month.

I had always heard 10 years for a mattress but figured I would just reassess when we got there.

[MrMoogle]

Just realized my mattress is about 8 years old.  It feels brand new to me.  I'm not getting a new one any time soon...

[Just Joe]

We just replaced ours. Was 17-18 years old. Looked good. Smelled fine. Was lumpy. New mattress helps us sleep REALLY well. No more morning aches.

[MgoSam]

My mattress is about 7 years old and I'm toying with buying a new one. I'm going to flip it this weekend when I am washing my sheets and see if it helps.

[Kitsune]

We just replaced ours. Was 17-18 years old. Looked good. Smelled fine. Was lumpy. New mattress helps us sleep REALLY well. No more morning aches.

And that's when a mattress is worth replacing. Good sleep matters.

[Cherry Lane]

I think MMM just hasn't been reporting expenses long enough to have such purchases.  He's certainly not one to buy a new sofa just to update a look. And sofas can last a very long time.

My sofa will be 20 years old this fall.  I sit on it every single day, and it is still just fine.  It wasn't trendy at the time of purchase, so isn't horribly dated looking now.  I just looked up that purchase (yes, my spending records go back that far), and I bought it from Montgomery Ward (anyone remember them?) in 1997 for $701.42.

[dragoncar]

We just replaced ours. Was 17-18 years old. Looked good. Smelled fine. Was lumpy. New mattress helps us sleep REALLY well. No more morning aches.

And that's when a mattress is worth replacing. Good sleep matters.

I'm a fan of good quality 100% foam mattresses.  They can last 20 years.  Other fibers/springs will compact and become lumpy.

[Just Joe]

I suspect that foam in 2017 is not the same as foam in 1982 but my foam mattress from when I was a kid eventually had a human shaped dip in the middle of the mattress after about ten years. 

I have not tried a modern foam mattress as an adult.

[CptCool]

I'm a big fan of just getting a super cheap, extra firm mattress and getting a topper that is super comfy. Much easier and cheaper to replace just the topper when the time comes (going on 6th year of the topper now)

[dragoncar]

I'm a big fan of just getting a super cheap, extra firm mattress and getting a topper that is super comfy. Much easier and cheaper to replace just the topper when the time comes (going on 6th year of the topper now)

I think the base will inevitably deform and you'll have to replace it.

Fwiw I have a 10 year old foam mattress that hasn't deformed at all.  Don't know about 90s era.

I also have a fancy conventional mattress that's 15 years old and did get some deformation but it mostly acceptable still.  But it cost like 2x as much, is not more comfortable, and degraded faster

Of course it all depends on the foam quality and that's hard to know 20 years in advance (how many manufacturers have been in business 20 years and still use the same formula?)  20 years is a guess based on quality testing.

[briesas]

Have a recent ex-roommate that I have lots of stories about, but here is a recent one from FB. Ex-roomate posts that she missed a week of work due to caring for her boyfriend. Boyfriend is disabled, and usually has a paid caregiver, so legitimately needs care at times. Ex roommate and boyfriend live in his parents house. Apparently ex-roommate never discussed the caregiving with the parents, and now due to missing one week of work (30 hours a week at 11/hr, according to her she can't work more or she "gets sick"), "now  won't be able to afford part of my rent, car insurance, gas, phone bill and food until my next paycheck. " Can anyone please help?

AFAIK, she did not get any takers, but one person asked why she hadn't made alternate rent arrangements with the parents for the time she was doing the caregiving.

[Well Respected Man]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group, and it is a goldmine of shameful consumerism! The minimum price to post is $200, which seems kind of arbitrary, but whatever. Today I saw a post for a pair of Adidas sneakers for $600. I looked them up (Yeezy is the model), and they are $1400 on jet.com. WTF? This particular pair is also size 6 men's. Good luck with that, sir.

A few people posted pictures of their recent receipts, I guess to prove that the item is not stolen or fake, but really just shows what a dumbass the person is. One showed that someone paid $3250 for a purse. She wanted $2500 for the thing. Hahahahahahaha!

I so much want to troll these poor/soon to be poor folks, but I would probably get banned from the page. How can people not see that there is no pair of shoes or piece of leather on earth that is worth that much of their hard-earned cash? Or see that the difference between the price of these "luxury" goods and regular goods is a blatant ripoff going directly to the shareholders of the corporations? How can these companies possibly be in business selling at those prices?

[marielle]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group, and it is a goldmine of shameful consumerism! The minimum price to post is $200, which seems kind of arbitrary, but whatever. Today I saw a post for a pair of Adidas sneakers for $600. I looked them up (Yeezy is the model), and they are $1400 on jet.com. WTF? This particular pair is also size 6 men's. Good luck with that, sir.

A few people posted pictures of their recent receipts, I guess to prove that the item is not stolen or fake, but really just shows what a dumbass the person is. One showed that someone paid $3250 for a purse. She wanted $2500 for the thing. Hahahahahahaha!

I so much want to troll these poor/soon to be poor folks, but I would probably get banned from the page. How can people not see that there is no pair of shoes or piece of leather on earth that is worth that much of their hard-earned cash? Or see that the difference between the price of these "luxury" goods and regular goods is a blatant ripoff going directly to the shareholders of the corporations? How can these companies possibly be in business selling at those prices?

Wow! It would be really hard to bite my tongue. I guess those things are worth the money (to them) because they boost their self esteem and self worth in the eyes of others.

[joleran]

I so much want to troll these poor/soon to be poor folks, but I would probably get banned from the page. How can people not see that there is no pair of shoes or piece of leather on earth that is worth that much of their hard-earned cash? Or see that the difference between the price of these "luxury" goods and regular goods is a blatant ripoff going directly to the shareholders of the corporations? How can these companies possibly be in business selling at those prices?

All just status symbols and/or art.  Some paint on a canvas is worth maybe $50 in materials retail, but if it's the right paint from the right person, it becomes worth millions.

[JordanOfGilead]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group, and it is a goldmine of shameful consumerism! The minimum price to post is $200, which seems kind of arbitrary, but whatever. Today I saw a post for a pair of Adidas sneakers for $600. I looked them up (Yeezy is the model), and they are $1400 on jet.com. WTF? This particular pair is also size 6 men's. Good luck with that, sir.

A few people posted pictures of their recent receipts, I guess to prove that the item is not stolen or fake, but really just shows what a dumbass the person is. One showed that someone paid $3250 for a purse. She wanted $2500 for the thing. Hahahahahahaha!

I so much want to troll these poor/soon to be poor folks, but I would probably get banned from the page. How can people not see that there is no pair of shoes or piece of leather on earth that is worth that much of their hard-earned cash? Or see that the difference between the price of these "luxury" goods and regular goods is a blatant ripoff going directly to the shareholders of the corporations? How can these companies possibly be in business selling at those prices?

The thing that I have a hard time understanding is that the actual build quality on a lot of these "luxury" items is straight up garbage. Put them through any real use and they fall apart. They are solely designed to look pretty.

[mm1970]

We just replaced ours. Was 17-18 years old. Looked good. Smelled fine. Was lumpy. New mattress helps us sleep REALLY well. No more morning aches.

Same here.  New one much more comfy.  But memory foam.  And I'm at the age where...I get hot.  I end up on the couch a lot.

[trashmanz]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group

Therein lies your first mistake :P

[mm1970]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group, and it is a goldmine of shameful consumerism! The minimum price to post is $200, which seems kind of arbitrary, but whatever. Today I saw a post for a pair of Adidas sneakers for $600. I looked them up (Yeezy is the model), and they are $1400 on jet.com. WTF? This particular pair is also size 6 men's. Good luck with that, sir.

A few people posted pictures of their recent receipts, I guess to prove that the item is not stolen or fake, but really just shows what a dumbass the person is. One showed that someone paid $3250 for a purse. She wanted $2500 for the thing. Hahahahahahaha!

I so much want to troll these poor/soon to be poor folks, but I would probably get banned from the page. How can people not see that there is no pair of shoes or piece of leather on earth that is worth that much of their hard-earned cash? Or see that the difference between the price of these "luxury" goods and regular goods is a blatant ripoff going directly to the shareholders of the corporations? How can these companies possibly be in business selling at those prices?

Ha ha.  I spent some time at the "premium outlets" near our recent vacation spot, because we had 4 hours in between hotels.  And: one of my kid needed new pants.  Anyway, said kid got new pants and shoes.  Other kid got socks.  Here's how the rest of the trip went:

me: hey, look, Kate Spade!  Maybe I should get myself a new purse.  (*snicker*)
me: I could use some new leggings.  (My pants were falling down because I lost a few "stomach flu" pounds.)  Hubs: that store over there has leggings.  Sign says "Buy 2 get 1 free."  First tag: $48.  Nope.  I'll just keep hiking up my pants for 2 days till I get home.

me: I forgot to bring my comb and a razor (we left rushed because of the oncoming Lucifer).  Drug store: $3.69 for a comb and $5 for razors.  I used my hubby's brush and just decided to shave a few days later when I got home

hubby: on drive home, Waze tries to direct us to the 73.  I look it up, $7.61, which will save us approximately 11 minutes travel time out of 3 to 3.5 hours.  Nope. Sorry.

[mm1970]

So, there's a woman I follow on FB.  I've never met her.  She was a Beachbody coach.  She was fit and funny and had good recipes. 

Over the years she sold her business that she'd owned for years (a small vo-tech business) to focus on BB.  She posted lots of uplifting new-agey things sometimes too.  Anyway, she quit BB (too saturated, had a hard time maintaining income), and moved on to some other health based MLM.

Anyway, yesterday she posts some "Cashflow Quadrant" thing that I think came from "Rich Dad, Poor Dad".  Talking about how WEALTH is derived from investing and being a business owner, but not from being an employee or self-employed.  Some exerpts:

"Ever wonder why we are conditioned from an early age to go to college and get a good JOB while very little wealth is derived from that box?"

"If we are every going to be wealthy, we have to think like wealthy people do.  That means replacing old, limiting beliefs with more effective and useful ones.  We have to get CRYSTAL CLEAR on our vision to create a better future, to create success and be free!  We have to COMMIT to move over from the left side of the quadrant to the right side of the quadrant as quick as possible."

"I'm excited to have a system that my team and I are using to leverage our time and money to build true time and financial freedom.  Do you?"


Now.  While I don't disagree with all the points (naturally, investing is good.  Being a business owner can also be good, depending on the person, business, and industry).  One way to *become* an investor is to work a JOB and INVEST.

I did not respond to the post, but here's the funniest thing.  When I went to look it up again, the first thing that popped up was her personal page.  This is on her business page.

Her personal page?  Guess who just started a new JOB this morning - like a regular 9-to-5 working for someone else job?  Yeah.

Color me surprised.  Maybe MLMs don't work for most?

[horsepoor]

I joined a "high-end yardsale" group

Therein lies your first mistake :P

I disagree. Sounds like a goldmine for this thread.

Not on Facebook, but on a horse forum, someone posted a poll on how much people are budgeting *per horse* annually for a certain level of showing and training/lessons.  One option was >$45,000, and like 6 people have chosen that option.  OMG.

[VeggieTable]

Her personal page?  Guess who just started a new JOB this morning - like a regular 9-to-5 working for someone else job?  Yeah.

Color me surprised.  Maybe MLMs don't work for most?

All of the people I know who are into MLMs (they always seem to be into several) still have full-time jobs.  Gee...guess begging your friends to buy your lame product isn't as lucrative as you though!

[VeggieTable]

Someone I know on FB just posted a meme that says the following:

"Saving 20-odd dollars a week by not going to Dunkin Donuts for coffee isn't going to help when the working poor's real problem is worrying about being able to still make rent if they miss work due to the flu, so let's stop pretending like this "junior piggyback savers/guilt the poor out of simple comforts" technique is a viable solution to the problem of stagnating wages and skyrocketing living cost."

"Also, sometimes that cup of coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is the best goddamn part of the day. The poor deserve small pleasures, too."

Yeah...except $80/month, or $960/year, is not a small pleasure. It makes me so mad to see people post things like this. I worry it'll make someone else think cutting back on that $4/day (not even including the gas/time costs to stop and buy it) isn't worth it and won't make a difference. Plus perpetuating the myth that they only way to live a good life is by spending money. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do like Diet Coke - sometimes the only way I could get through the day without buying a DC at work when I felt like I *deserved* it was by knowing that I could drink it much cheaper at home. A $1.50 2L bottle could last me whole week, but if I bought a can at work, that would've been $0.75/day.

[Vindicated]

Yeah...except $80/month, or $960/year, is not a small pleasure. It makes me so mad to see people post things like this. I worry it'll make someone else think cutting back on that $4/day (not even including the gas/time costs to stop and buy it) isn't worth it and won't make a difference. Plus perpetuating the myth that they only way to live a good life is by spending money.

You should really comment that making coffee at home for $100/yr vs spending $1000/yr ($900 savings) compounds to $13,300 at 7% over 10 years.  If you stop contributing your $900/yr at that point, the interest on the savings (still 7%) will make you $900/yr.  So, not buying something for 10 yrs can make you enough interest on year 11 that you could buy that coffee again for the rest of your life virtually "free".

At least this is the logic I try to use with my friends and family, but they don't seem to be listening.

[merula]

Someone I know on FB just posted a meme that says the following:

"Saving 20-odd dollars a week by not going to Dunkin Donuts for coffee isn't going to help when the working poor's real problem is worrying about being able to still make rent if they miss work due to the flu, so let's stop pretending like this "junior piggyback savers/guilt the poor out of simple comforts" technique is a viable solution to the problem of stagnating wages and skyrocketing living cost."

"Also, sometimes that cup of coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is the best goddamn part of the day. The poor deserve small pleasures, too."

Yeah...except $80/month, or $960/year, is not a small pleasure. It makes me so mad to see people post things like this. I worry it'll make someone else think cutting back on that $4/day (not even including the gas/time costs to stop and buy it) isn't worth it and won't make a difference. Plus perpetuating the myth that they only way to live a good life is by spending money. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do like Diet Coke - sometimes the only way I could get through the day without buying a DC at work when I felt like I *deserved* it was by knowing that I could drink it much cheaper at home. A $1.50 2L bottle could last me whole week, but if I bought a can at work, that would've been $0.75/day.

OMFG, IS THAT PIECE OF GARBAGE GOING AROUND AGAIN?!?!!?

See, here's the thing. $1040/year ($20/week times 52 weeks), post-tax, is $1,286 pre-tax (7.65% SSA, 1.45% Medicare, 10% federal). That, ladies and gentlemen, is more than TWO WEEKS PAY, 40 hours/week, $15/hour. That's paid sick leave. That's paid vacation. That's "take time off to interview for a better job" money.

Everyone "deserves" small pleasures, sure. When your indulgence is more than two weeks' pay per year, that is no longer a "small pleasure".

The math doesn't lie.

[barbaz]

And even if you are not paid fairly and deserve more, this does not free you from being responsible with the money you have.

It's like saying "I worked so hard, I deserve not having to take a shower"

[Kitsune]

And even if you are not paid fairly and deserve more, this does not free you from being responsible with the money you have.

It's like saying "I worked so hard, I deserve not having to take a shower"

This. Like, even if the system is a mess and needs improving, what's wrong with doing what you can to succeed/survive in the system that you're stuck in? Isn't doing better preferable, no matter how messed up the system is?

[BabyShark]

And even if you are not paid fairly and deserve more, this does not free you from being responsible with the money you have.

It's like saying "I worked so hard, I deserve not having to take a shower"

This. Like, even if the system is a mess and needs improving, what's wrong with doing what you can to succeed/survive in the system that you're stuck in? Isn't doing better preferable, no matter how messed up the system is?

Because it removes agency. "it's not my fault I can't save money, it's everybody else's."  I saw the meme the other day and all of my most intelligent friends were falling over themselves about how it is SO TRUE.

[Just Joe]

"Ever wonder why we are conditioned from an early age to go to college and get a good JOB while very little wealth is derived from that box?"

"If we are every going to be wealthy, we have to think like wealthy people do.  That means replacing old, limiting beliefs with more effective and useful ones.  We have to get CRYSTAL CLEAR on our vision to create a better future, to create success and be free!  We have to COMMIT to move over from the left side of the quadrant to the right side of the quadrant as quick as possible."

"I'm excited to have a system that my team and I are using to leverage our time and money to build true time and financial freedom.  Do you?"

That's such a vague description of what a person needs to do! It says nothing with the maximum number of words. Imagine trying to get a start in adult life without a wise elder coaching you a little and noticing a stream of articles or ads like this. It would be so frustrating!

It is harder to make a living as an employee if you find yourself working for some stingy employer where the financial reward stays with the top level management and everyone else gets lip service. Everyone ought to work for one of those companies at least once.

"I know we had the best year ever in the history of the company on the sweat and tears of your department but we aren't giving out bonuses or raises at this time..." (silently vowing to start your new job search right then and there...)

[infogoon]

Someone in a message thread on the "Trump Surge" in stock prices since the election said that it's proof that the system is rigged to only benefit the "corporate masters" and the 1%.

I amended it to include the corporate masters, the 1%, and the millions of Americans hoping to retire with the contents of their 401k, and was told that I just don't get it.

[cheapass]

Someone in a message thread on the "Trump Surge" in stock prices since the election said that it's proof that the system is rigged to only benefit the "corporate masters" and the 1%.

I amended it to include the corporate masters, the 1%, and the millions of Americans hoping to retire with the contents of their 401k, and was told that I just don't get it.

401K?? That's just wall street stealin' yer money! I've got a good ol' fashioned pension! (doesn't realize that pensions are invested are subject to the same stock market performance for their solvency)

[mm1970]

"Ever wonder why we are conditioned from an early age to go to college and get a good JOB while very little wealth is derived from that box?"

"If we are every going to be wealthy, we have to think like wealthy people do.  That means replacing old, limiting beliefs with more effective and useful ones.  We have to get CRYSTAL CLEAR on our vision to create a better future, to create success and be free!  We have to COMMIT to move over from the left side of the quadrant to the right side of the quadrant as quick as possible."

"I'm excited to have a system that my team and I are using to leverage our time and money to build true time and financial freedom.  Do you?"

That's such a vague description of what a person needs to do! It says nothing with the maximum number of words. Imagine trying to get a start in adult life without a wise elder coaching you a little and noticing a stream of articles or ads like this. It would be so frustrating!

It is harder to make a living as an employee if you find yourself working for some stingy employer where the financial reward stays with the top level management and everyone else gets lip service. Everyone ought to work for one of those companies at least once.

"I know we had the best year ever in the history of the company on the sweat and tears of your department but we aren't giving out bonuses or raises at this time..." (silently vowing to start your new job search right then and there...)

It's a lot of words to say nothing, true.  I think that's the goal.  A lot of MLMs have "scripts" that tug on your heart, and inspire you, but give no real details.  "Join my team to get the details!"

[VeggieTable]

And even if you are not paid fairly and deserve more, this does not free you from being responsible with the money you have.

It's like saying "I worked so hard, I deserve not having to take a shower"

This. Like, even if the system is a mess and needs improving, what's wrong with doing what you can to succeed/survive in the system that you're stuck in? Isn't doing better preferable, no matter how messed up the system is?

Because it removes agency. "it's not my fault I can't save money, it's everybody else's."  I saw the meme the other day and all of my most intelligent friends were falling over themselves about how it is SO TRUE.

Seriously. The person who posted this is a very smart guy & I was really surprised to see him posting such a piece of garbage. It took me mere seconds to figure out how much money that is per year, and hence what a waste it is.
 

OMFG, IS THAT PIECE OF GARBAGE GOING AROUND AGAIN?!?!!?

See, here's the thing. $1040/year ($20/week times 52 weeks), post-tax, is $1,286 pre-tax (7.65% SSA, 1.45% Medicare, 10% federal). That, ladies and gentlemen, is more than TWO WEEKS PAY, 40 hours/week, $15/hour. That's paid sick leave. That's paid vacation. That's "take time off to interview for a better job" money.

Everyone "deserves" small pleasures, sure. When your indulgence is more than two weeks' pay per year, that is no longer a "small pleasure".

The math doesn't lie.

This is what made me so mad. For someone with a well-paying job, $20/week is negligible. For someone working at Walmart making $9.50/hr, 30 hrs a week, $20/week on coffee works out to almost one month's pay! How is that a "small pleasure"?  If you insist on buying coffee every day instead of making it at home, at least get it for $1 from McDonald's.