Overheard on Facebook

[marty998]

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.

This story keeps getting worse.  Facebook post about 30 days after, got her nails done again.  Again a week or so after that, going to near by city to stay in fancy pant hotel and see my friend. 

Last night she posted that she has bought a dog.  Not just any dog, one that was a rescue and will require surgery in 3-6 months out of her pocket.

This morning, complaining starts again about how broke she is, and she cannot find a job for the life of her.

My God, why do people keep burning themselves like this?

It's almost addict-like behaviour - they know it'll kill them but they still keep doing it.

[JAYSLOL]

On our towns FB community page this morning someone asked

"Do you know if you can return a new vehicle to the dealership after 9 days when shit hits the fan?"

[paddedhat]

From a FB group for Housing/jobs/etc.:
A $6,000 chair that you are paying to store?!?!?

I'm curious what the $6,000 chair looks like.  And, I'm sorry, but those $569 shelves are hideous :-D

I also like the way they request: "NO SCAMMERS" like that is going to stop people. Is this a thing that I've missed? It reads the same as "No Burglars" on a locked door.

Oh, don't forget my two favorites, the "caution baby on board", and "caution show dogs on board"   stickers on the back of idiot's cars. Thank God for the warning, I was just about to drive like a moron and smash into your car, then I spotted the sign. That sign surely saved your baby, AND your prized show mutt.

[dragoncar]

From a FB group for Housing/jobs/etc.:
A $6,000 chair that you are paying to store?!?!?

I'm curious what the $6,000 chair looks like.  And, I'm sorry, but those $569 shelves are hideous :-D

I also like the way they request: "NO SCAMMERS" like that is going to stop people. Is this a thing that I've missed? It reads the same as "No Burglars" on a locked door.

Oh, don't forget my two favorites, the "caution baby on board", and "caution show dogs on board"   stickers on the back of idiot's cars. Thank God for the warning, I was just about to drive like a moron and smash into your car, then I spotted the sign. That sign surely saved your baby, AND your prized show mutt.

[Goldielocks]

I was told that the Baby on board sign was to help first responders in a crash know to look for little kid parts. (or whole kids thrown from the vehicle that can be saved)

[Paul der Krake]

[Playing with Fire UK]

From a FB group for Housing/jobs/etc.:
A $6,000 chair that you are paying to store?!?!?

I'm curious what the $6,000 chair looks like.  And, I'm sorry, but those $569 shelves are hideous :-D

I also like the way they request: "NO SCAMMERS" like that is going to stop people. Is this a thing that I've missed? It reads the same as "No Burglars" on a locked door.

Oh, don't forget my two favorites, the "caution baby on board", and "caution show dogs on board"   stickers on the back of idiot's cars. Thank God for the warning, I was just about to drive like a moron and smash into your car, then I spotted the sign. That sign surely saved your baby, AND your prized show mutt.

These signs give me valuable information about the drivers. Both that they think I'm interested in their baby and that they are more likely distracted.

[Playing with Fire UK]

I was told that the Baby on board sign was to help first responders in a crash know to look for little kid parts. (or whole kids thrown from the vehicle that can be saved)

I spoke to first responders about when these things became popular, they spent a lot of time looking for kids that were never in the car. In our area, they look for car seats, not signs.

[dragoncar]

I was told that the Baby on board sign was to help first responders in a crash know to look for little kid parts. (or whole kids thrown from the vehicle that can be saved)

A common and enduring myth

[frugalnacho]

I keep a full inventory of all stuff in my car/house for just such an occasion.

[I'm a red panda]

A neighbor posted about how it was national insurance month or something like that and reminded people to check their life insurance.

I asked him a question about it, and in his response he recommended a 30-year term policy.  One of his rationales was "would be helpful if you hadn't reached your retirement goal yet".

Then I smiled, because I already have.

[RWD]

A neighbor posted about how it was national insurance month or something like that and reminded people to check their life insurance.

I asked him a question about it, and in his response he recommended a 30-year term policy.  One of his rationales was "would be helpful if you hadn't reached your retirement goal yet".

Then I smiled, because I already have.

A reasonable suggestion though, as far as life insurance goes. At least he's not trying to sell you whole life insurance or something.

[Goldielocks]

I was told that the Baby on board sign was to help first responders in a crash know to look for little kid parts. (or whole kids thrown from the vehicle that can be saved)

A common and enduring myth

Well, you would know, dragoncar.

[dragoncar]

I was told that the Baby on board sign was to help first responders in a crash know to look for little kid parts. (or whole kids thrown from the vehicle that can be saved)

A common and enduring myth

Well, you would know, dragoncar.

Fun fact, dragoncars need a special sign to alert responders to potential explosions:

[markbike528CBX]

I always wondered how dragons could carry enough gas.  Next question, do you have onboard compressors and chillers?


UN 1075   2.1   Petroleum gases, liquefied or Liquefied petroleum gas

[With This Herring]

A neighbor posted about how it was national insurance month or something like that and reminded people to check their life insurance.

I asked him a question about it, and in his response he recommended a 30-year term policy.  One of his rationales was "would be helpful if you hadn't reached your retirement goal yet".

Then I smiled, because I already have.

A reasonable suggestion though, as far as life insurance goes. At least he's not trying to sell you whole life insurance or something.

This is very kind of him.  What a good PSA.

[I'm a red panda]

A neighbor posted about how it was national insurance month or something like that and reminded people to check their life insurance.

I asked him a question about it, and in his response he recommended a 30-year term policy.  One of his rationales was "would be helpful if you hadn't reached your retirement goal yet".

Then I smiled, because I already have.

A reasonable suggestion though, as far as life insurance goes. At least he's not trying to sell you whole life insurance or something.

This is very kind of him.  What a good PSA.

I have 10 year term and wish I had 20. I don't think 30 is necessary. 

He's a really good insurance guy. I don't think he does sales, just manages the rest.  They are a family that is spendypants, but reasonable with their money.

It was mostly just the "if you haven't met your retirement goal" that made me laugh.

[Imma]

I'm not sure if this counts as 'overheard on facebook' because it's a news article someone shared.

The article is about some research done into people who are in a negative equity situation. They followed people whose homes were underwater and found that people in that situation took a lot less time to find a new job after being laid off than people who paid off their homes. On average they were prepared to accepted lower wages. So far, very understandable. People in a hair on fire debt situation are desperate and need to take any job they can get. If you've paid off your house and have an emergency fund, you can take your time to find a job that really suits you.

Then, the conclusion of the article: apparantly people having high debts find it easier to get a job than people with no or low debts, so maybe banks should consider higher loan-to-value ratios, bbecause apparantly people with high debts are more employable. Of course everyone else thinks this is a brilliant idea, because why wouldn't you want to buy a bigger house? And what about all those poor young people who have to buy small cheap homes before they can buy a proper home?  These people need facepalms with sledgehammers.

[barbaz]

I'm not sure if this counts as 'overheard on facebook' because it's a news article someone shared.

The article is about some research done into people who are in a negative equity situation.

Do you still have the link? Share the fun with us!

[JAYSLOL]

A friend on Facebook who drives an older toyota wrote last week "Anyone change brakes for cheap, mine are toast, can't drive anymore".  At least 10 friends of his commented and offered to do it for cheap, or guide him through the process of changing brakes for free.  He replied "dude, if I knew how to change brakes I would do it, but also I don't have a jack".  People then suggested he buy one since you need one for the car anyway, but today on Facebook he wrote "Yay! #newcar #jetta".  I have no words

[zolotiyeruki]

A friend on Facebook who drives an older toyota wrote last week "Anyone change brakes for cheap, mine are toast, can't drive anymore".  At least 10 friends of his commented and offered to do it for cheap, or guide him through the process of changing brakes for free.  He replied "dude, if I knew how to change brakes I would do it, but also I don't have a jack".  People then suggested he buy one since you need one for the car anyway, but today on Facebook he wrote "Yay! #newcar #jetta".  I have no words

Wow.  He got rid of a reliable, efficient car that needs only standard (inexpensive) maintenance and is easy to work on...for a German brand that has a reputation for expensive and/or complicated repairs, all because he didn't want to spend $100.

[boyerbt]

"Overheard" on Twitter but close enough:

The person posted how friends started a GoFundMe page so that she could participate in their coastal golfing trip with a goal of raising $3,000. Five hours later she posted, "Goes get groceries at HEB, still hits the salad bar at Whole Foods for dinner."

My initial thought was to reply that saving some money on dinner by eating the groceries could help you reach the goal but I'm sure it would fall on deaf ears.

[zephyr911]

Friend: Which of my friends sells Lularoe? I need leggings stat!

Me: Pretty sure if any of your friends sold it, YOU'D FUCKIN' KNOW. Ahahaha

[marielle]

Okay, not FB, but it didn't deserve it's on thread. This was on r/Frugal on Reddit.

A guy asked which car he should buy, he drives a 99 Civic but wants to get one a few years old or a 2016 for $15k with very little miles.

Everyone said get the 2016, you deserve it, it's a great deal with low miles so it's basically brand new, etc etc.

I commented saying you shouldn't buy a car you can't afford to with cash and that 10% of your income is not a bad rule of thumb (so $7k for him). Now I'm arguing with someone who says that a car payment isn't a "big risk" because you should have an emergency fund, you could always sell the car, and it IS more expensive but "you get what you pay for".

I think I should unsubscribe from r/Frugal.

[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.

This story keeps getting worse.  Facebook post about 30 days after, got her nails done again.  Again a week or so after that, going to near by city to stay in fancy pant hotel and see my friend. 

Last night she posted that she has bought a dog.  Not just any dog, one that was a rescue and will require surgery in 3-6 months out of her pocket.

This morning, complaining starts again about how broke she is, and she cannot find a job for the life of her.

My God, why do people keep burring themselves like this?

Arrg she is at it again on facebook today.  She had to drive her partner into work today with the dog.  They live in a small town with a 125km commute, each direction.  She drove in because she wanted to see if the dog likes McDonalds.

So she is driving 250km round trip to drop her wife off, then getting mcdonalds for her and the dog.  Then she will drive the 250km round trip to pick up her wife...

SMH I don't even know what to say at this point.

[ketchup]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

[frugalnacho]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

If anybody deserves mcdonalds dog diarrhea sprayed on the interior of their car it's that lady.

[dycker1978]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

I agree.  next I will hear about the expensive vet bill to fix the dog.

[mustachepungoeshere]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

I agree.  next I will hear about the expensive vet bill to fix the dog.

Or get the car detailed.

[BDWW]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

Well that may be true of designer/defective dogs, most dogs can handle varied diets just fine. The problem arises when the dog that never gets table scraps gets scraps/human food all at once. Their digestive system just isn't used to it.

Of course that in no way condones driving to purchase human food for a dog. Our dogs get scraps only when the humans are done with them or they're close to turning.

[ketchup]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

Well that may be true of designer/defective dogs, most dogs can handle varied diets just fine. The problem arises when the dog that never gets table scraps gets scraps/human food all at once. Their digestive system just isn't used to it.

Of course that in no way condones driving to purchase human food for a dog. Our dogs get scraps only when the humans are done with them or they're close to turning.

While I agree with this mindset (and our dogs do get some table scraps), McDonald's hardly even counts as human food.  I feel like shit if I eat that; I can't imagine what a dog used to kibble would feel.

[bigalsmith101]

There was some talk about home prices in our area, and how home values have sky rocketed in the past 6 years. One person mentioned refinancing for the second time in 2 years.

I commented: Does anyone else feel like refinancing to pay for remodels sounds like financing your purchases for the remainder of your mortgage?

The reply:  Mortgage debt is better than any kind of debt you can have. I've rolled my car loan and credit card debt into my mortgage on my last refi. I've gained so much equity in my home that I'm essentially just utilizing money I've already garnered from the home to improve its value more.

This comment was met with much acclaim and enthusiasm.

I didn't bother to comment "You're still financing your remodel for 30 years vs simply paying for it..."

Or, "You realize that with the closing costs, your APR on that expense is like 7-8%..."

[dragoncar]

I don't think a dog will make it 125km post-McDonald's without some serious digestive issues.  There are many problems here.

Well that may be true of designer/defective dogs, most dogs can handle varied diets just fine. The problem arises when the dog that never gets table scraps gets scraps/human food all at once. Their digestive system just isn't used to it.

Of course that in no way condones driving to purchase human food for a dog. Our dogs get scraps only when the humans are done with them or they're close to turning.

While I agree with this mindset (and our dogs do get some table scraps), McDonald's hardly even counts as human food.  I feel like shit if I eat that; I can't imagine what a dog used to kibble would feel.

In a pinch, I'd give my dog the meat from a plain hamburger.  It's a little fatty and salty for him (better if you can ask for no salt), but it's just beef.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

The Venomous Spaz Beast loves a Chicken McNugget-- she considers it "play" food and attacks it. But it's pretty salty so I don't give her one very often.

The exception is near the end of a long road trip. I find it un-constipates her nicely and forces her to rehydrate.

[Fomerly known as something]

One of my cats apparently has his grandmother wrapped around his paw.  She gets KFC specifically so she can share it with him.

[mustachepungoeshere]

One of my cats apparently has his grandmother wrapped around his paw.  She gets KFC specifically so she can share it with him.

I'd love to know how Grandma decided kitty likes KFC. I'm enjoying picturing the two of them conspiring behind your back.

[markbike528CBX]

In a pinch, I'd give my dog the meat from a plain hamburger.  It's a little fatty and salty for him (better if you can ask for no salt), but it's just beef ^{(needs citation per wikipedia rules)}.

[dragoncar]

In a pinch, I'd give my dog the meat from a plain hamburger.  It's a little fatty and salty for him (better if you can ask for no salt), but it's just beef ^{(needs citation per wikipedia rules)}.

Are you one of those?

[markbike528CBX]

In a pinch, I'd give my dog the meat from a plain hamburger.  It's a little fatty and salty for him (better if you can ask for no salt), but it's just beef ^{(needs citation per wikipedia rules)}.

Are you one of those?

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

I think it was Consumer Reports that mentioned that fish DNA test did not always corespond to the label at the point of sale.

edit: Yup....    https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/05/dna-tests-find-disturbingly-widespread-seafood-fraud/index.htm

[gooki]

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

Or horse meat.

[markbike528CBX]

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

Or horse meat.

In the US, horsemeat consumption by humans is allegedly unusual.   No infrastructure.

[JordanOfGilead]

Friend: Which of my friends sells Lularoe? I need leggings stat!

Me: Pretty sure if any of your friends sold it, YOU'D FUCKIN' KNOW. Ahahaha

This reminds me of the joke: How do you know if somebody is vegan? don't worry, they'll tell you.

[zephyr911]

Friend: Which of my friends sells Lularoe? I need leggings stat!

Me: Pretty sure if any of your friends sold it, YOU'D FUCKIN' KNOW. Ahahaha

This reminds me of the joke: How do you know if somebody is vegan? don't worry, they'll tell you.

See also: Crossfit, vaping, etc....

[dragoncar]

In a pinch, I'd give my dog the meat from a plain hamburger.  It's a little fatty and salty for him (better if you can ask for no salt), but it's just beef ^{(needs citation per wikipedia rules)}.

Are you one of those?

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

I think it was Consumer Reports that mentioned that fish DNA test did not always corespond to the label at the point of sale.

edit: Yup....    https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/05/dna-tests-find-disturbingly-widespread-seafood-fraud/index.htm

I think it's more likely that the dog food I buy is adulterated than that the human food is.

[Imma]

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

Or horse meat.

In the US, horsemeat consumption by humans is allegedly unusual.   No infrastructure.

In my country there is an infrastructure for horsemeat and a few years back there was a massive scandal because some horsemeat got mixed up with beef.

I can't say I was that bothered. Of course, food contamination shouldn't happen, but horses aren't kept for their meat. Horses that get butchered are all former pets. They have had a much better life than the average cow or pig. In the same way I really can't understand why people have such problems with eating game meat (if you believe in eating meat of course, and I'm not talking about endangered species).

[Carless]

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

Or horse meat.

In the US, horsemeat consumption by humans is allegedly unusual.   No infrastructure.

In my country there is an infrastructure for horsemeat and a few years back there was a massive scandal because some horsemeat got mixed up with beef.

I can't say I was that bothered. Of course, food contamination shouldn't happen, but horses aren't kept for their meat. Horses that get butchered are all former pets. They have had a much better life than the average cow or pig. In the same way I really can't understand why people have such problems with eating game meat (if you believe in eating meat of course, and I'm not talking about endangered species).

Wasn't there something about it being racehorses?  From Wikipedia "Sports horses, for example, could have entered the food supply chain, and with them the veterinary drug phenylbutazone which is banned in food animals."

[ohsnap]

I live in a HCOL suburb with a *fantastic* school system (and magnet schools in the area for high school if your child is particularly gifted/smart).  Saw on FB that a friend of a friend is looking for a private school for their child to start Kindergarten next year.  They are willing to pay $20k + per year for an "Ivy-league" quality education for the munchkin. 

Those who suggested the excellent public schools were told "that's not an option" with no reason given.

[horsepoor]

Nope, I'm not one of THEM, even though a Seattle street person once claimed I was 30 years ago..
I'm just remarking on how difficult it is to PROVE that the generic hamburger ISN'T Soylent Green.

Or horse meat.

In the US, horsemeat consumption by humans is allegedly unusual.   No infrastructure.

In my country there is an infrastructure for horsemeat and a few years back there was a massive scandal because some horsemeat got mixed up with beef.

I can't say I was that bothered. Of course, food contamination shouldn't happen, but horses aren't kept for their meat. Horses that get butchered are all former pets. They have had a much better life than the average cow or pig. In the same way I really can't understand why people have such problems with eating game meat (if you believe in eating meat of course, and I'm not talking about endangered species).

Wasn't there something about it being racehorses?  From Wikipedia "Sports horses, for example, could have entered the food supply chain, and with them the veterinary drug phenylbutazone which is banned in food animals."

Yeah, we give our horses all kinds of stuff labeled as not to be used on animals intended for food, or there is a certain waiting period specified after administering the drug.  They get dewormers, bute,  previcox, various dietary supplements, feed-through fly control, and who knows what else (not necessarily my horses, but in general).

[cheapass]

Those who suggested the excellent public schools were told "that's not an option" with no reason given.

Funny, the wife and I both went to public schools. We've got 5 college degrees between the 2 of us and are pretty successful, on track to retire by 40. I wonder what the extra value is of sending them to private school? I think a lot of a child's success depends on their level of "give a shit" (and their parents').

[zolotiyeruki]

Those who suggested the excellent public schools were told "that's not an option" with no reason given.

Funny, the wife and I both went to public schools. We've got 5 college degrees between the 2 of us and are pretty successful, on track to retire by 40. I wonder what the extra value is of sending them to private school? I think a lot of a child's success depends on their level of "give a shit" (and their parents').

I don't have a source at hand, but I've heard that parental involvement is the #1 factor in a student's academic success, far above the quality of the school itself.