Author Topic: TV anti-mustachianism  (Read 10687 times)

tukk323

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 12
TV anti-mustachianism
« on: April 11, 2016, 12:30:42 AM »
So I was watching the Big Bang Theory the other night and Leonard and Penny got into an argument about money because Leonard had been secretly saving, the exchange went like this when asked how much

Leonard "$6800"
Penny "Do you know what I could do with $6000?!"
She was totally in shock as if that amount of money was some magical fairy that could never exist in a persons bank account.

« Last Edit: April 11, 2016, 10:33:58 PM by tukk323 »

Cyaphas

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 493
  • Age: 41
  • Location: DFW, TX
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2016, 04:05:31 AM »
I work on a massive campus literally filled with people making over $100k per year. Most of them live on credit cards, have the latest gadget, drive new vehicles with 7 year loans, spend stupid amounts of money on homes that are half empty and brag about how Christian they are while never helping a soul, not even their own family. This forum, for me, truly is an island in a sea of insanity.

Syonyk

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4610
    • Syonyk's Project Blog
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2016, 10:10:40 AM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2016, 10:31:41 AM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.
Even a car...  Even old cars. 

"I bet you haven't had car payments in a while."

I've never had a car payment in my life, but thanks for assuming I'm a moron.

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2016, 10:37:08 AM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.
Funny little story.  I live in So Cal, so...housing prices suck here.

But I was writing a card this weekend to an uncle who is in the hospital.  I looked up his address online - a mid-sized town in NW PA, about 45 minutes from the rural area that I grew up in.

There are two houses a block away from his, same size (~1200sf) for sale right now, for $39,000.

My neighbor here said "get the credit card!"  Which I'm sure most people thought was funny.  But credit card?  Get the checkbook.  (We are in our mid-40s with high paying jobs.)

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2016, 11:54:43 AM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

Vanguards and Lentils

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 288
  • Age: 33
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2016, 12:06:30 PM »
I was pretty disappointed with Jessica Jones when it was implied she was living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Travis

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4214
  • Location: California
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2016, 12:11:01 PM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

I've seen many articles pick apart how unrealistic home economics are on most television shows - especially the ones that take place in NYC.  Bottom line is that most tv show characters don't have the income or spending habits to live where they're portrayed to.

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2016, 12:13:46 PM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

I've seen many articles pick apart how unrealistic home economics are on most television shows - especially the ones that take place in NYC.  Bottom line is that most tv show characters don't have the income or spending habits to live where they're portrayed to.

I don't disagree, and completely understand why sitcoms have large apartments in high-rent areas (you can't really film a show in a NYC broom closet apartment). I just hate how acceptable it is for characters like Penny to be working as a waitress (not a lucrative job) while hoping for her 'break,' and meanwhile she spends as if she is got a ton of money laying around, and yet talks about being broke.

There was an episode where Sheldon shows her his stash and says that he calculated that his financial needs are less than his income and Penny is shocked that anyone could be in such a position. I also shudder that Sheldon was keeping it in a stash can in his apartment instead of investing it but whatever.

Dollar Slice

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9598
  • Age: 46
  • Location: New York City
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2016, 12:22:45 PM »
But I was writing a card this weekend to an uncle who is in the hospital.  I looked up his address online - a mid-sized town in NW PA, about 45 minutes from the rural area that I grew up in.

There are two houses a block away from his, same size (~1200sf) for sale right now, for $39,000.

My neighbor here said "get the credit card!"  Which I'm sure most people thought was funny.  But credit card?  Get the checkbook.  (We are in our mid-40s with high paying jobs.)

Yeah, but you get 2% cash back if you use a credit card. Then write the check to pay it off at the end of the month. ;-)

In re: the OP, I had a pretty similar conversation with a friend last year. I can't remember how it came up but he made some kind of wistful "I wonder what it would be like to have that much money, I've never had that much money in my whole life" type comment about a dollar amount that was less than the contents of my checking account at the time. Eek.

Ceridwen

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 237
  • Location: Canada
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2016, 12:55:07 PM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

I've seen many articles pick apart how unrealistic home economics are on most television shows - especially the ones that take place in NYC.  Bottom line is that most tv show characters don't have the income or spending habits to live where they're portrayed to.

I don't disagree, and completely understand why sitcoms have large apartments in high-rent areas (you can't really film a show in a NYC broom closet apartment). I just hate how acceptable it is for characters like Penny to be working as a waitress (not a lucrative job) while hoping for her 'break,' and meanwhile she spends as if she is got a ton of money laying around, and yet talks about being broke.

There was an episode where Sheldon shows her his stash and says that he calculated that his financial needs are less than his income and Penny is shocked that anyone could be in such a position. I also shudder that Sheldon was keeping it in a stash can in his apartment instead of investing it but whatever.

With all due fairness to Penny, she's no longer a waitress.  She's now a pharmaceutical sales rep ;)

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2016, 01:43:03 PM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

I've seen many articles pick apart how unrealistic home economics are on most television shows - especially the ones that take place in NYC.  Bottom line is that most tv show characters don't have the income or spending habits to live where they're portrayed to.

I don't disagree, and completely understand why sitcoms have large apartments in high-rent areas (you can't really film a show in a NYC broom closet apartment). I just hate how acceptable it is for characters like Penny to be working as a waitress (not a lucrative job) while hoping for her 'break,' and meanwhile she spends as if she is got a ton of money laying around, and yet talks about being broke.

There was an episode where Sheldon shows her his stash and says that he calculated that his financial needs are less than his income and Penny is shocked that anyone could be in such a position. I also shudder that Sheldon was keeping it in a stash can in his apartment instead of investing it but whatever.

With all due fairness to Penny, she's no longer a waitress.  She's now a pharmaceutical sales rep ;)

Fair enough. I only watch the show when I'm traveling for work and reruns are on TV.

Watching it is a great example as to why I don't need cable. I miss sports but oddly it doesn't seem like ESPN or any sports channels airs sports anymore, each time I turn to their channel all I can ever see is ads and I certainly don't enjoy paying for ads....

pdxbator

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 229
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2016, 03:07:18 PM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.

I mistakenly told a couple friends that my house is paid off. One friend in particular practically every time I see him says something about how right I am since my house is paid off. I advise not to let on to people you are going towards FI.

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2016, 03:13:27 PM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.

I mistakenly told a couple friends that my house is paid off. One friend in particular practically every time I see him says something about how right I am since my house is paid off. I advise not to let on to people you are going towards FI.
,

Yeah I let slip that I plan to retire before I'm 40 and someone I know keeps bringing it up whenever he can and mention how lucky I am. Thankfully one time when I wasn't there another person shut him up by saying, "If you stop wasting money then maybe you could as well." Either way I'm done sharing plans with anyone unless they are exceptionally close to me. I'm not even going to be telling family until I'm extremely close to pulling close to leaving the workforce entirely.

KodeBlue

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 212
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2016, 06:45:52 PM »
I keep thinking the same thing about Penny. She seems like a fun person to hang out with, but man is she a spender.
 
She mouches food off the boys, borrows from Sheldon all the time and splurges on many things. She admits that she'll buy tops and other clothes when she's down and when that doesn't work, she'll buy new shoes.

I've seen many articles pick apart how unrealistic home economics are on most television shows - especially the ones that take place in NYC.  Bottom line is that most tv show characters don't have the income or spending habits to live where they're portrayed to.

I don't disagree, and completely understand why sitcoms have large apartments in high-rent areas (you can't really film a show in a NYC broom closet apartment). I just hate how acceptable it is for characters like Penny to be working as a waitress (not a lucrative job) while hoping for her 'break,' and meanwhile she spends as if she is got a ton of money laying around, and yet talks about being broke.

There was an episode where Sheldon shows her his stash and says that he calculated that his financial needs are less than his income and Penny is shocked that anyone could be in such a position. I also shudder that Sheldon was keeping it in a stash can in his apartment instead of investing it but whatever.
Yeah, like "Friends"...nice apts., flashy clothes, trips...I guess NYC is a LCOL area?

Paul der Krake

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5854
  • Age: 16
  • Location: UTC-10:00
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2016, 06:57:48 PM »
Don't read too much into the lines of characters of TBBT. It's CBS show with a laugh track. Jim Nantz dies a little every time they have him hype it up while the refs are reviewing a play.

Of course it plays to the largest possible audience.

tukk323

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #16 on: April 11, 2016, 10:33:40 PM »
I should throw this in too. Cracked did an article about the portrayal of money in Hollywood Films and how unrealistic it is
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-ways-hollywood-tricked-you-into-hating-poor-people/

To be fair to the Hangover at least the guys in that were up $80,000 in chips so they could pay off the damages they caused.

slugline

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1175
  • Location: Houston, TX USA
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2016, 07:47:06 AM »
The TV world is on another plane of existence, with only tenuous links to reality. The opening chapter of Stanley and Danko's book The Millionaire Next Door talks about how the lifestyle of a typical American millionaire would make wholly uninteresting TV.

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2016, 08:18:59 AM »
+1

A huge part of my ability to consider FIREing is that I find it ok to be boring. I have stopped caring what my neighbors and most people think about me. If I want to stay in then I'll stay in, if I decline going to an event because I can't mentally justify the expense, then I will do so.

JoRocka

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2016, 09:01:49 AM »
I was pretty disappointed with Jessica Jones when it was implied she was living paycheck-to-paycheck.

she's an alcoholic self treating PTSD and depression- really?  It fits the character in the show perfectly.

Off topic- that show- in my not so humble opinion- EASILY the best show that's been aired in years. Easily.

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #20 on: April 12, 2016, 09:50:11 AM »
I was pretty disappointed with Jessica Jones when it was implied she was living paycheck-to-paycheck.

she's an alcoholic self treating PTSD and depression- really?  It fits the character in the show perfectly.

Off topic- that show- in my not so humble opinion- EASILY the best show that's been aired in years. Easily.

Yeah I agree. I haven't seen Daredevil 2 yet, but I found the first season to be awesome.

Kaspian

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1533
  • Location: Canada
    • My Necronomicon of Badassity
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #21 on: April 12, 2016, 09:57:17 AM »
I like watching those reality-based crime files shows and find it utterly boggling when an intricate murder is plotted (by decent earning people!) for some peanuts like $20K.   Or even worse--some thugs know an old lady has $2,000 stashed in her home so form a plan to break-in and beat her for it.   That shit's crazy!

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #22 on: April 12, 2016, 10:01:06 AM »
I like watching those reality-based crime files shows and find it utterly boggling when an intricate murder is plotted (by decent earning people!) for some peanuts like $20K.   Or even worse--some thugs know an old lady has $2,000 stashed in her home so form a plan to break-in and beat her for it.   That shit's crazy!

There's a great episode of Southpark where they make fun of the parents for watching these shows and the kids try to block their access to it.

JoRocka

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #23 on: April 12, 2016, 11:02:32 AM »
I was pretty disappointed with Jessica Jones when it was implied she was living paycheck-to-paycheck.

she's an alcoholic self treating PTSD and depression- really?  It fits the character in the show perfectly.

Off topic- that show- in my not so humble opinion- EASILY the best show that's been aired in years. Easily.

Yeah I agree. I haven't seen Daredevil 2 yet, but I found the first season to be awesome.

DD S1 was SO ham-fisted with the writing- I kept watching it because well- I like the story- and generally once I start a show I'll see it through till the end. (And I'm a sucker for REALLY bad TV)

I actually can't stand the main character- he's so fucking annoying- I liked Froggy though- he was awesome. And the blonde- I just really wish she would get written off the show- she needs to die and not come back.


But yes Season 2- much better (IMHO)

I'm really waiting around for JJ- I binged that in about 4 whole days.

Also- another one if you like slightly grittier darker shows- Wentworth- not sure if Orange is the New Black came first- but Wentworth is the same premise- but not nearly as funny- it's super dark.

Happy Valley- British show about a female cop. It's intense I felt like it was truly riveting.

Syonyk

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4610
    • Syonyk's Project Blog
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #24 on: April 12, 2016, 07:00:25 PM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.

I mistakenly told a couple friends that my house is paid off. One friend in particular practically every time I see him says something about how right I am since my house is paid off. I advise not to let on to people you are going towards FI.

Just figure out what your housing payment should be and mutter about that. You're paying it to your investment accounts since you paid off the mortgage, which is sort of the same... Only totally different. But close enough for casual conversation.

Squirrel away

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1041
  • Location: United Kingdom
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #25 on: April 13, 2016, 03:02:04 AM »
The TV world is on another plane of existence, with only tenuous links to reality. The opening chapter of Stanley and Danko's book The Millionaire Next Door talks about how the lifestyle of a typical American millionaire would make wholly uninteresting TV.

Haha, very true.

Hunny156

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 482
Re: TV anti-mustachianism
« Reply #26 on: April 13, 2016, 03:13:13 PM »
Try telling people you're buying a house with cash... Not something I widely advertise.

I mistakenly told a couple friends that my house is paid off. One friend in particular practically every time I see him says something about how right I am since my house is paid off. I advise not to let on to people you are going towards FI.

Just figure out what your housing payment should be and mutter about that. You're paying it to your investment accounts since you paid off the mortgage, which is sort of the same... Only totally different. But close enough for casual conversation.

That's brilliant!!  I'm so stealing and using that idea.  :)