Overheard on Facebook

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

if he doesn't collect the boxes and packages, you could suggest selling them! apparently, there's a real market for them. i sold the box for my iphone really quickly on ebay.

what? WHAT? For EMPTY boxes?

And people COLLECT them?

There are a lot of absurd things in this thread, but man...that one really gets to me. Excuse me, I need to go list something on ebay (don't worry, I didn't buy it, it's from my work phone).

I think it's because when you have the box you can sell the iPhone or whatever gadget for more. So if the box is $5 but you get an extra $15 it's worth it. Maybe there's another reason but I doubt it...

Maybe people sell the fakes in the real boxes.

[mustachepungoeshere]

When I was helping my in-laws downsize last year I discovered one of their linen cupboards was full of every box for every phone and every laptop and every tablet every member of the family had owned for more than 10 years.

This included the period where FiL went through four in a year (dropped one in the pool, had another come out of a shirt pocket while riding his motorbike, etc).

Shocking waste of space and money.

[ducky19]

if he doesn't collect the boxes and packages, you could suggest selling them! apparently, there's a real market for them. i sold the box for my iphone really quickly on ebay.

what? WHAT? For EMPTY boxes?

And people COLLECT them?

There are a lot of absurd things in this thread, but man...that one really gets to me. Excuse me, I need to go list something on ebay (don't worry, I didn't buy it, it's from my work phone).

I think it's because when you have the box you can sell the iPhone or whatever gadget for more. So if the box is $5 but you get an extra $15 it's worth it. Maybe there's another reason but I doubt it...

Maybe people sell the fakes in the real boxes.

I went to eBay once to buy a new lighter, buy they only had 12,479 matches...

[Joggernot]

We save all the boxes for our UPSs (uninterruptable power supplies) because to get them replaced after damage from a lightning strike, you have to send them back in the "original box".  We've used two boxes so far to return damaged units for replacement.

[AlanStache]

...

Buying an elephant for a dime is a good deal ONLY if

a) you need an elephant AND
b) you have a dime

Maybe I have been watching to may Netflix documentarys about subsistence hunters in Alaska but my first thought was that you could feed a family for a year on that much meat.

[cheapass]

Maybe I have been watching to may Netflix documentarys about subsistence hunters in Alaska but my first thought was that you could feed a family for a year on that much meat.

Life below zero? The wife and I enjoy watching that show and fantasize about living that way post-FI/RE. Certainly not in Alaska but in the mountains, pretty remote.

[jinga nation]

if he doesn't collect the boxes and packages, you could suggest selling them! apparently, there's a real market for them. i sold the box for my iphone really quickly on ebay.

what? WHAT? For EMPTY boxes?

And people COLLECT them?

There are a lot of absurd things in this thread, but man...that one really gets to me. Excuse me, I need to go list something on ebay (don't worry, I didn't buy it, it's from my work phone).

I think it's because when you have the box you can sell the iPhone or whatever gadget for more. So if the box is $5 but you get an extra $15 it's worth it. Maybe there's another reason but I doubt it...

Maybe people sell the fakes in the real boxes.

3rd party Apple product refurbishers buy these. A lot of these are sold overseas in developing nations where there's no official Apple sales and support.

Even used iPhone/iPad buyers want the unboxing "feel".

Some refurbishers spray the inside of the sealing bags with the "new product scent".

I learnt all this on my travels last year going home to East Africa and browsing the local malls.

[LeRainDrop]

Here is a POSITIVE one.  George Takei's page linked to an article about early retirement.  Most of the commenters gave the usual sob stories about how saving is impossible.  But riding in on a unicorn were a couple commenters who linked to MMM!  (I wonder if they'll see this post...)

[dandarc]

Here is a POSITIVE one.  George Takei's page linked to an article about early retirement.  Most of the commenters gave the usual sob stories about how saving is impossible.  But riding in on a unicorn were a couple commenters who linked to MMM!  (I wonder if they'll see this post...)

Whenever I read mainstream comments on financial stuff, I'm always amazed at how so many people are handling their money perfectly efficiently.  Cannot find another dime to save on expenses.  Or another minute to work or get some education to earn more.  I must be doing something very wrong, because there is so much more I could be doing better, I'm paralyzed by choices of where to optimize.

[Alfred J Quack]

Lol, it was 35 degrees C out here last week and I still have my winter blanket without an AC :D
We also stayed at my BIL in China (equator region) with 30+ degrees C and 70%+ humidity. We set the Aircon to 25C for 20 minutes when we went to bed, I was asleep when it switched off and never woke up because I was hot :)

Here is a POSITIVE one.  George Takei's page linked to an article about early retirement.  Most of the commenters gave the usual sob stories about how saving is impossible.  But riding in on a unicorn were a couple commenters who linked to MMM!  (I wonder if they'll see this post...)

I think George Takei has some really good advice on lots of things :)

[mustachepungoeshere]

BiL just told me a friend of ours, "Rob", has unfollowed my husband on Facebook because he "can't handle it anymore".

Husband has quite a nice job, but rarely posts about it because he doesn't want to seem like a wanker.

I find it odd that Rob felt the need to share this with the one person he knew would repeat it to my husband, but he is a grown man who can unfollow anyone he likes, and I do understand the need for self-preservation.

[Warlord1986]

It might not be your husband's job that he couldn't handle. Politics, etc. could also have been a factor.

[cheapass]

It might not be your husband's job that he couldn't handle. Politics, etc. could also have been a factor.

Snowflakes will be snowflakes. I've observed that snowflakes on both sides of the spectrum melt at the same temperature :).

[MgoSam]

It might not be your husband's job that he couldn't handle. Politics, etc. could also have been a factor.

Snowflakes will be snowflakes. I've observed that snowflakes on both sides of the spectrum melt at the same temperature :).

Could be that as well. I know I have unfollowed countless "friends" for various reasons. A few because they are unhinged politically (some too far to the left, the other too far to the right), I've unfollowed a friend because she would constantly post TMI details about her baby. My point is that absent more information we have no way of knowing why anyone unfollows anyone.

[mustachepungoeshere]

It might not be your husband's job that he couldn't handle. Politics, etc. could also have been a factor.

Snowflakes will be snowflakes. I've observed that snowflakes on both sides of the spectrum melt at the same temperature :).

Could be that as well. I know I have unfollowed countless "friends" for various reasons. A few because they are unhinged politically (some too far to the left, the other too far to the right), I've unfollowed a friend because she would constantly post TMI details about her baby. My point is that absent more information we have no way of knowing why anyone unfollows anyone.

He actually said it was because of my husband's job. Sorry if that was unclear.

I talked to Marty about it last night.

It's absurd to me, because Rob splashes everything on Facebook - the McMansion, shopping, private school, brunches, shows, etc. Our Facebook pages have none of that because our life doesn't have that.

But, he's a big boy. His call.

[TartanTallulah]

No shaming or laughing, just a little smile.

Facebook tipped me off a few days ago that someone I've known for a long time, and who has always had a much higher standard of living than mine and given the faint impression of looking down on me (they're honest and generous and were around for me in some rough times, and I can't begrudge them a feeling of being superior, though it did at one point become so tiresome that I drifted out their orbit), had a birthday. I went to post a happy birthday message, and their age and occupation were stated.

"I may have one shabby little house, and one second-hand car, and no boats or horses, and a palate on which fine dining is wasted, and clothes that I've had since we first met almost 30 years ago, but by the time I'm your age I'll be able to fund my current level of expenditure without going to work and I'll have been retired for a year," I thought.

What I wrote, of course, was, "Happy birthday."

[AlanStache]

Can someone explain the 'happy birthday' thing on FB to me?  It seems so entirely 100% fake and forced.  If you really want to send me an email or a card great but to just point and click a few emoji after being prompted by some software is dumb ...

[zolotiyeruki]

Can someone explain the 'happy birthday' thing on FB to me?  It seems so entirely 100% fake and forced.  If you really want to send me an email or a card great but to just point and click a few emoji after being prompted by some software is dumb ...

Users feel like they're contributing, Facebook gets more clicks, users feel loved by their friends, and zero effort is actually put forth by anyone :)

[Warlord1986]

I actually like the birthday feature on FB. It's a way to reach out to someone you may not have spoken to in a while. 'Oh, so and so is turning 30? I haven't spoken to her in a while. This is the perfect time to catch up.'

Of course, then people just respond to my attempts at communication by clicking 'like'. -.-

[theadvicist]

I actually use the birthday feature differently. Whenever I get a notification it's someone's birthday I think, "Is their feed adding to my life?" and decide whether or not to unfollow them. I don't actually unfriend, just hide their posts.

Top offenders are: people who repost stuff from the past. The pictures of your kids were pretty boring two years ago. They are definitely not more interesting now with a, "Look how little they were!" attached.

[Vindicated]

I think the Birthday feature is kind of fun.  Gives me a warm fuzzy to see who cares enough to post something, especially when it's someone I like that I've fallen out of touch with.  Like others have mentioned, it takes little to no effort, so it's nothing to build the foundation of your self-worth upon.

I don't post on FB much, but one year I went to Japan and had posted a few pictures the few days prior to my Birthday.  Unsurprisingly, I received twice as many "Happy Birthdays" as in a typical year.  I felt so popular :-D

[rockstache]

I actually use the birthday feature differently. Whenever I get a notification it's someone's birthday I think, "Is their feed adding to my life?" and decide whether or not to unfollow them. I don't actually unfriend, just hide their posts.

Top offenders are: people who repost stuff from the past. The pictures of your kids were pretty boring two years ago. They are definitely not more interesting now with a, "Look how little they were!" attached.

This is exactly what I do! I also use it as a reminder to check my settings/categories for that person to ensure that I don't have them seeing things I would rather they didn't. Mostly, I just don't post anything though, so it's probably a silly paranoia. 

[MgoSam]

I actually use the birthday feature differently. Whenever I get a notification it's someone's birthday I think, "Is their feed adding to my life?" and decide whether or not to unfollow them. I don't actually unfriend, just hide their posts.

Top offenders are: people who repost stuff from the past. The pictures of your kids were pretty boring two years ago. They are definitely not more interesting now with a, "Look how little they were!" attached.

This is exactly what I do! I also use it as a reminder to check my settings/categories for that person to ensure that I don't have them seeing things I would rather they didn't. Mostly, I just don't post anything though, so it's probably a silly paranoia.

I like the Birthday reminder as I'm terrible at remembering birthday's as it is and use it as a way to connect with them. Most people I'll just post on their wall, but for people that I'm closer to I'll call or text a message.

[TartanTallulah]

I actually like the birthday feature on FB. It's a way to reach out to someone you may not have spoken to in a while. 'Oh, so and so is turning 30? I haven't spoken to her in a while. This is the perfect time to catch up.'

Of course, then people just respond to my attempts at communication by clicking 'like'. -.-

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

I'm a bit hit and miss about birthdays in real life too.

[cavewoman]

Please forgive me for not searching to see if there is an "anti-anti-mustachian facebook" thread, because this would probably be a better fit there...

I have a long-time friend (since kindergarten) who has a brother about 4 years younger than us.  It naturally follows that I saw this kid grow up.  He was always super smart, but quite strange as a kid (or maybe being the older sister's friend colored my view on that).  Anyway, as he got out of high school and went to college, he really grew into himself, pursued engineering, and got a good friend circle that was like minded.  He was recruited right out of college and started making good money.

I knew from my friend that he was quite frugal, to the point of offering to pay off his sister's student loans (she had a shitty situation where her dad took out loans in her name and didn't tell her until she graduated).  For a few years, I kept thinking "I should really tell T about MMM, I think he could retire in less than 10 years without really changing anything, except maybe where he keeps his money."  But I didn't, because it felt awkward.  (I definitely feel like an older aunt posting on his page like "you look so handsome, and I'm so proud of you" lol.)

So I asked my friend about it offhandedly, and she said DO IT and T thinks of me as another older sister and of course he wouldn't be offended.  So I sent him a private message with a link to the Simple Math of Early Retirement.  He messaged me back saying that it is the second time this week that someone suggested he read the site!!  And that he trusted my judgement and would definitely check it out.  It was just funny how, after hemming and hawing about sending it, the week I decide to do it coincided with a like minded individual doing the same :)  So, whoever you are, other MMMer who knows T, thanks :)

I don't have anything more related to the thread, I've unfollowed so many people that most of my feed is group posts from YNAB and Mustachians on Facebook and Instant Pot recipes :)

[solon]

"And so ends another week without me becoming unexpectedly rich."

 - actual meme seen on Facebook

[zolotiyeruki]

"And so ends another week without me becoming unexpectedly rich."

 - actual meme seen on Facebook

Wow.  I'd counter with "and so ends another week of becoming incrementally richer because I actually save my money"

[solon]

"And so ends another week without me becoming unexpectedly rich."

 - actual meme seen on Facebook

Wow.  I'd counter with "and so ends another week of becoming incrementally richer because I actually save my money"

Yeah, I'm thinking about it. The trouble is, people on facebook know me, and I don't want to be an asshole.

[dycker1978]

I just saw on my cousins Face book, her congratulating her 18 year old daughter for the purchase of her 2017 Hyundai elantra.  This kids just graduated, 2 weeks ago... may as well start them young I guess.

[cheapass]

I just saw on my cousins Face book, her congratulating her 18 year old daughter for the purchase of her 2017 Hyundai elantra.  This kids just graduated, 2 weeks ago... may as well start them young I guess.

"Congratulations on not having horrible credit! Congratulations on the lost wealth-building opportunity you'll be paying in depreciation!"

[fruitfly]

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

A software developer showed me webpage to do exactly this a couple of years ago (see who hadn't wished you a happy bday on fb). Seemed incredibly petty.

[Ann]

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

A software developer showed me webpage to do exactly this a couple of years ago (see who hadn't wished you a happy bday on fb). Seemed incredibly petty.

And the do WHAT with that information?  Carefully make a list and purposefully NOT wish them a happy birthday on THEIR birthdays?  A lot of work for something they probably wouldn't notice.  Unfriend them?  Well, that sounds like that might just be better for both of them.

[dragoncar]

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

A software developer showed me webpage to do exactly this a couple of years ago (see who hadn't wished you a happy bday on fb). Seemed incredibly petty.

And the do WHAT with that information?  Carefully make a list and purposefully NOT wish them a happy birthday on THEIR birthdays?  A lot of work for something they probably wouldn't notice.  Unfriend them?  Well, that sounds like that might just be better for both of them.

I bet this guy also runs a program to notify him when he is unfriended (there's no notification, but you can check your friend list each day and compare it to the day before)

[MgoSam]

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

A software developer showed me webpage to do exactly this a couple of years ago (see who hadn't wished you a happy bday on fb). Seemed incredibly petty.

And the do WHAT with that information?  Carefully make a list and purposefully NOT wish them a happy birthday on THEIR birthdays?  A lot of work for something they probably wouldn't notice.  Unfriend them?  Well, that sounds like that might just be better for both of them.

I bet this guy also runs a program to notify him when he is unfriended (there's no notification, but you can check your friend list each day and compare it to the day before)

These sites might be able to turn into a nice little side hustle for the developer. There's bound to be plenty of people that obsess enough about Facebook to use the site.

[Alfred J Quack]

I only hope that the people on my Facebook friends list don't keep a tally of who I bother posting "happy birthday" to and who I don't, because there's nothing at all personal about it, it just depends whether I've got the time and inclination for adding a drop of cyberwarmth to someone's life that day.

A software developer showed me webpage to do exactly this a couple of years ago (see who hadn't wished you a happy bday on fb). Seemed incredibly petty.

And the do WHAT with that information?  Carefully make a list and purposefully NOT wish them a happy birthday on THEIR birthdays?  A lot of work for something they probably wouldn't notice.  Unfriend them?  Well, that sounds like that might just be better for both of them.

I bet this guy also runs a program to notify him when he is unfriended (there's no notification, but you can check your friend list each day and compare it to the day before)

These sites might be able to turn into a nice little side hustle for the developer. There's bound to be plenty of people that obsess enough about Facebook to use the site.

What is this Face Book you are talking about?
Seriously, I dropped whatsapp and facebook years ago because everyone kept spouting nonesense and calling me out when I didn't respond to them sepcifically. When I told them I didn't respond to anyone, ever, they got angry. When I dropped the accounts they got angry again, as in how could I keep up to date with their antics so I told them to e-mail me.

My wife is the only one with a facebook account now, only thing we do is browse a specific supportgroup and exchange pics with 1 friend who our son has playdates with :)

[coolistdude]

I just saw on my cousins Face book, her congratulating her 18 year old daughter for the purchase of her 2017 Hyundai elantra.  This kids just graduated, 2 weeks ago... may as well start them young I guess.

"Congratulations on not having horrible credit! Congratulations on the lost wealth-building opportunity you'll be paying in depreciation!"

Seriously. The reasoning blows my mind sometimes. My young friend who had just gotten married had an annoying car repair ($1-2k) on an 6-8 year old Subaru. He was so annoyed about it he decided to lease a brand new car. His wife was also leasing a new car. How I found out about this is that he was bragging about his insurance being only like $200-$225 a month since someone hooked him up. A different friend was there with me when he said that and we just looked at each other. We both have 10-15 year old vehicles and have no plans to upgrade. Our insurance was around half of that.

Later, I learned from Facebook (see! I'm not hijacking!) that they are moving from renting a 2 bedroom apartment to renting a house for $2500/month. Since their rent will double, I imagine they will need to keep the current roommates (2?), and maybe get more. From my limited perspective, this is all to live in a nice area. I just shake my head. I would not want to stomach a $2500/month. This is one of the most expensive towns in the area.

[geekette]

Friend of a friend posted "Last night I thought I heard water running, and figured I'd check on it in the morning".

Uh, yeah.  The next morning he found that a pipe in the crawl space had been spraying water up into his insulation all night.

Unexpected running water is pretty high on my list of "things you don't wait to investigate".

[dragoncar]

Friend of a friend posted "Last night I thought I heard water running, and figured I'd check on it in the morning".

Uh, yeah.  The next morning he found that a pipe in the crawl space had been spraying water up into his insulation all night.

Unexpected running water is pretty high on my list of "things you don't wait to investigate".

Thank goodness it was all a dream!  My underwear was soaked through, though.

[Sibley]

Friend of a friend posted "Last night I thought I heard water running, and figured I'd check on it in the morning".

Uh, yeah.  The next morning he found that a pipe in the crawl space had been spraying water up into his insulation all night.

Unexpected running water is pretty high on my list of "things you don't wait to investigate".

Thank goodness it was all a dream!  My underwear was soaked through, though.

I heard a pop and water running and ran to find that the hot water line on the utility sink broke. All fixed now, and the floor got washed!

[sw1tch]

Friend of a friend posted "Last night I thought I heard water running, and figured I'd check on it in the morning".

Uh, yeah.  The next morning he found that a pipe in the crawl space had been spraying water up into his insulation all night.

Unexpected running water is pretty high on my list of "things you don't wait to investigate".

Thank goodness it was all a dream!  My underwear was soaked through, though.

Brings back memories of my childhood.  Why do I keep hearing a hose running??... Oh I'm awake now... oops my underwear's soaked..

[Cherry Lane]

Seen on facething today:

"[Due] to not having $1800.00 dollars in 2 days. i will not be having surgery on my foot tomorrow. i will be starting pain management instead."

Edit:  I should add some context here:  retired school bus driver, she and hubby live with his father for free or nearly-free, drives giant truck bought new last year.

[Inaya]

Seen on facething today:

"[Due] to not having $1800.00 dollars in 2 days. i will not be having surgery on my foot tomorrow. i will be starting pain management instead."

Edit:  I should add some context here:  retired school bus driver, she and hubby live with his father for free or nearly-free, drives giant truck bought new last year.

The 2 days thing is super strange. Like... was the surgery scheduled and they required her to pay up front? Is it a copay? If retired, there should be some financial assistance available, or at least some sort of payment plan. (Making pain stop is something I would go into debt for, personally.)

I'm mostly just sad for her because I can relate. I had a bad foot, and it was nowhere near life threatening and I couldn't even be considered disabled. It just hurt to walk all the damn time. I am very fortunate that I was on my parents' insurance and my dad could afford the surgery. Fixing that foot really changed my life--I didn't even realize how bad it truly hurt until it didn't hurt anymore. That and it's impossible to find shoes that fit now, but totally worth it. I hope she's able to get the care she needs.

[Bosco4789]

Seen on facething today:

"[Due] to not having $1800.00 dollars in 2 days. i will not be having surgery on my foot tomorrow. i will be starting pain management instead."

Edit:  I should add some context here:  retired school bus driver, she and hubby live with his father for free or nearly-free, drives giant truck bought new last year.

The 2 days thing is super strange. Like... was the surgery scheduled and they required her to pay up front? Is it a copay? If retired, there should be some financial assistance available, or at least some sort of payment plan. (Making pain stop is something I would go into debt for, personally.)

I'm mostly just sad for her because I can relate. I had a bad foot, and it was nowhere near life threatening and I couldn't even be considered disabled. It just hurt to walk all the damn time. I am very fortunate that I was on my parents' insurance and my dad could afford the surgery. Fixing that foot really changed my life--I didn't even realize how bad it truly hurt until it didn't hurt anymore. That and it's impossible to find shoes that fit now, but totally worth it. I hope she's able to get the care she needs.

That was not a bird or an airplane flying over your head.  It was simply the point Cherry Lane was making.

[Inaya]

Seen on facething today:

"[Due] to not having $1800.00 dollars in 2 days. i will not be having surgery on my foot tomorrow. i will be starting pain management instead."

Edit:  I should add some context here:  retired school bus driver, she and hubby live with his father for free or nearly-free, drives giant truck bought new last year.

The 2 days thing is super strange. Like... was the surgery scheduled and they required her to pay up front? Is it a copay? If retired, there should be some financial assistance available, or at least some sort of payment plan. (Making pain stop is something I would go into debt for, personally.)

I'm mostly just sad for her because I can relate. I had a bad foot, and it was nowhere near life threatening and I couldn't even be considered disabled. It just hurt to walk all the damn time. I am very fortunate that I was on my parents' insurance and my dad could afford the surgery. Fixing that foot really changed my life--I didn't even realize how bad it truly hurt until it didn't hurt anymore. That and it's impossible to find shoes that fit now, but totally worth it. I hope she's able to get the care she needs.

That was not a bird or an airplane flying over your head.  It was simply the point Cherry Lane was making.

Darn. I thought it was Iron Man.

[dycker1978]

This is as much as a vent as an overheard...

I will start with some back story.  A friend of mine, has been unemployed since January.  She has been unable to find work at all due to the fact that she is transgender, and as much as we like to sugar coat it, the market is very hard for transgender women.

To top it all off, out of the last 30 months she has maybe worked 6 or 7.

Anyway, two nights ago she and her partner call me.  They have had their power cut off at their house.  They have not been able to pay their bills because of the lack of employment that has affected her.

Fast forward to today.  I have my freezers full of her stuff, because, that is what friends do right.  I see a post on Facebook.  Could not help myself, look at these new fake nails I just got.

Now I understand that it is very important for her to look as feminine as she possibly can, but really, you just spent $50-60 on getting your nails done when you have had your power cut off. 

[marielle]

This is as much as a vent as an overheard...

I will start with some back story.  A friend of mine, has been unemployed since January.  She has been unable to find work at all due to the fact that she is transgender, and as much as we like to sugar coat it, the market is very hard for transgender women.

To top it all off, out of the last 30 months she has maybe worked 6 or 7.

Anyway, two nights ago she and her partner call me.  They have had their power cut off at their house.  They have not been able to pay their bills because of the lack of employment that has affected her.

Fast forward to today.  I have my freezers full of her stuff, because, that is what friends do right.  I see a post on Facebook.  Could not help myself, look at these new fake nails I just got.

Now I understand that it is very important for her to look as feminine as she possibly can, but really, you just spent $50-60 on getting your nails done when you have had your power cut off.

It's hard to get away from the whole "spending money to make yourself feel better" thing...I can kinda get that, especially if your self-image is really fragile. And sure, it may have made her happy briefly (hedonic adaptation!). But nails over electricity? Yikes. How about buy some nail polish for $1 instead? Even DIY fake nails cost very little. I kinda blame society for a small part of this, transwomen (or even ciswomen a lot of times) get judged if they don't look stereotypically feminine with makeup and nice nails. Particularly if you are trying to date, but it does weed out the superficial people I guess.
I have terrible nails from a bad habit, but oh well. Not worth $50 every month to get fake ones.

I also have a similar ex-friend who is transgender and unemployed for a year, as far as I know. She and her GF are determined to be writers/film directors so they moved to CA from the east coast. The friend mainly just watches movies and shows all day from what I can see on Facebook and even made a post about how it's "research". Which I could get...if you had some other job in the mean time. She has two university degrees, GF has at least one degree. I actually recommended the teaching English online for $22 an hour side gig that was posted on this forum, but I think it fell on deaf ears. It seemed like the perfect opportunity because all you needed was a bachelor's degree, and I think they both majored in English which is even better.

[LeRainDrop]

I actually recommended the teaching English online for $22 an hour side gig that was posted on this forum, but I think it fell on deaf ears. It seemed like the perfect opportunity because all you needed was a bachelor's degree, and I think they both majored in English which is even better.

Where can I find this?  Thanks!

[FiguringItOut]

Fwiw, the Ronald McDonald house we stayed at when my son was born didn't ask about income, just asked families to pay a small amount ($5?  Can't remember), which could be waved if financial need existed.

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Ronald McDonald house is awesome!  When my daughter was 2.5 years old, she was hit by a motorcycle in Mexico and we maxed out our credit cards to the tune of $28,000 to cover almost a week of Mexican hospital bill and then air lift her to Miami, we were able to stay at RM house in Miami trauma center for over a week for free.  We literally didn't have any money for hotel at all. 

It all was worth every single penny.  She was pronounced hopeless in Mexico and was up and sitting in Miami on second day.  Some physical therapy and she is absolutely healthy and happy 15 year old now.
And eventually we ended up getting money back from insurance after prolonged battled and getting State Attorney General involved on the election year.  But that took almost a year.

[LadyStache in Baja]

LeRainDrop - (excuse this thread hijack), but it's for vipkid. There's a whole thread on here somewhere. In my signature is the link to the sign-up page. I'm making $1000/month right now through it.

[Warlord1986]

A friend of mine posted about how she's renting to own a flute. It costs $900.