Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[crocheted_stache]

Bravo!

This feels a bit like the times I've unloaded fistfuls of accumulated coins by feeding them to the grocery store self-check machine when nobody was waiting. (And unlike Coinstar, buying groceries with the coins from the jar on the dresser counts for 100%.)

I collect all the change from the house and put it in the self checkouts too. Whenever my wallet is too bulgy I unload it (at the debit only grocery store as to not waste valuable credit rewards). I've never accumulated fist fulls! I do check the coin stars for discarded change that other people can't be bothered to collect.

I mostly manage to unload change by looking to see if I have the $0.45 or any partial combination that will result in fewer coins coming back. I've occasionally confused/astounded cashiers by handing them 17¢ if the total was something and 67¢. ("Yep, just key it in like that.")

Sometimes they still stack up, or DH ends up with a bunch. The most I've ever unloaded at a go is still something under $5. I have relatively small fists.

I occasionally pay cash for privacy, rewards and discounts be damned.

[ATtiny85]

We have our emergency fund sitting in a series of CDs at a local Credit Union. I might have to siphon off a couple thousand dollars off the one maturing next week before renewing. Checking account is going to be very low and property taxes are due next month. Why no money? Well, I have my 401k contribution set to 75% (the max allowed in my plan) and still one more HSA contribution left. After four paychecks of $55.60 the balance is down just a tad.

[ChpBstrd]

We have our emergency fund sitting in a series of CDs at a local Credit Union. I might have to siphon off a couple thousand dollars off the one maturing next week before renewing. Checking account is going to be very low and property taxes are due next month. Why no money? Well, I have my 401k contribution set to 75% (the max allowed in my plan) and still one more HSA contribution left. After four paychecks of $55.60 the balance is down just a tad.

Sounds like you need to file taxes and get your massive refund.

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

[solon]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

[Metalcat]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

[solon]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

[Metalcat]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

[Sibley]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

[Metalcat]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

Lol, right??

I wrote my last reply just in case you were feeling self conscious or like someone might be responding from a "must be nice" kind of position. I know you can sometimes take things as criticism and wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasn't laughing *at* you.

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

Lol, right??

I wrote my last reply just in case you were feeling self conscious or like someone might be responding from a "must be nice" kind of position. I know you can sometimes take things as criticism and wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasn't laughing *at* you.

Thanks Metal.

I know that you mean well - even if it took me like several years to figure that out, lol.

[Dicey]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

Lol, right??

I wrote my last reply just in case you were feeling self conscious or like someone might be responding from a "must be nice" kind of position. I know you can sometimes take things as criticism and wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasn't laughing *at* you.

Thanks Metal.

I know that you mean well - even if it took me like several years to figure that out, lol.

Wait! Did you used to be someone else? :-)

[406MtnFire]

When you ask for help at work, and your boss responds with, what is your 3-5 year goal? Does it include building a team underneath you (which would require you recruiting, interviewing, training, and managing the team) ?

And you reply no thanks, I just need to pass off a few things to others. and they don't know how to respond because you're 1-2 decades younger than them.

#consulting

[AuspiciousEight]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

Lol, right??

I wrote my last reply just in case you were feeling self conscious or like someone might be responding from a "must be nice" kind of position. I know you can sometimes take things as criticism and wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasn't laughing *at* you.

Thanks Metal.

I know that you mean well - even if it took me like several years to figure that out, lol.

Wait! Did you used to be someone else? :-)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dD12aw5KYug

:D

[RWD]

I got a nice raise and bonus today at work.

I felt sort of sad because, even though the raise and bonus are both thousands of dollars each, the impact is basically meaningless in the grand scheme of things because we're already multimillionaires.

I make more money now but, money doesn't really motivate me much anymore like it used to.

Dang. I hate that for you.

Lol!

*Makes a mental note to not complain about having too much money in therapy*

Lol. :p

I'm a little bit jealous. I have no doubt what you're feeling is real, but I don't have much hope of reaching that level :( If anything I'll be the guy that drops out of the rat race too soon and has to live meagerly for the rest of my life.

Oh - sorry. I always wonder sometimes at what point I should stop mentioning my networth.

My original plan was to retire much sooner, on a much lower budget. Life has a funny way of ruining the best plans though.

It's also taken me 23 years of working constantly to get to this point. So - there was a certain cost involved in saving this much money.

Absolutely no one is judging you and I laughed because I didn't take the response to be a bitter "must be nice" but more of a supportive teasing knowing that this is one of the only places where people get why that would be an MPP.

Seconded. There are multiple people with LOTS of money on this forum. If you can't handle discussion of money, then you shouldn't be on this forum. And there's a reason why the thread is called "Mustachian People Problems". The lack of interest in a raise is very much in line with this thread.

These are some really really weird interpretations of my posts....

I was teasing @Metalcat because she was teasing me. It was like a 'well, if even the mustachian therapist is teasing me about this problem and not offering sympathy then I definitely should not mention this 'problem' to my non-mustachian therapist, lol.

Metalcat works as a therapist. That's why I was teasing her about it. I added an 'lol :p' to the post but I guess I should have worded this better to indicate that I was just playfully teasing Metalcat, because she was teasing me.

I'm perfectly comfortable talking about money. I've been talking about money on various forums and in real life for decades. Even my manager knows my networth.

At a certain point though it does feel sort of like I'm bragging, and I'm not sure how other people see this. So it's just something I have wondered about at times (like right now).

Maybe I shouldn't always just think out loud....or maybe I should think out loud more often....I'm not even sure anymore....

Lol, right??

I wrote my last reply just in case you were feeling self conscious or like someone might be responding from a "must be nice" kind of position. I know you can sometimes take things as criticism and wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasn't laughing *at* you.

Thanks Metal.

I know that you mean well - even if it took me like several years to figure that out, lol.

Wait! Did you used to be someone else? :-)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dD12aw5KYug

:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXPQLXjC_KA

[AuspiciousEight]

Lol - that seems to be a playful reference to my previous username here - TreeLeaf - if anyone is curious.

I used to post much more personal information on this forum (because I was anonymous) and then figured out later that it may not be the best idea, so created this account.

[erp]

@AuspiciousEight We're all glad you stuck around though :)

[AuspiciousEight]

@AuspiciousEight We're all glad you stuck around though :)

Thanks!

[crocheted_stache]

I flunked a screener survey. There's a market research outfit that does focus groups and surveys, and they pay decently well, so I've signed up in the past to go offer my opinion on this or that.

The latest survey was about "beverages," and after the usual demographic questions and a few about who decides what groceries to buy and where, they asked, "Which of these [bottled] drinks have you bought in the past month?"

I do not buy bottled drinks. I last bought a bottled drink when I traveled to Europe last summer. (I applaud the concern behind the tethered bottle caps, by the way, but I'm not coordinated in the right way, and using them drives me up a wall.) At home, I drink tap water, brew tea, and occasionally use an overdue banana in a smoothie or make lemonade with lemons from my tree. DH brews coffee at home, and he refuses to drink coffee with anything but coffee in it.

They were, of course, looking for people who actually spend money.

[LennStar]

They were, of course, looking for people who actually spend money.

Oh yes, my problem 10 years back. They tell you they send you qustionaires about politics (in the broader sense) but 90% are just market research and I never got anywhere there.
Either I was under their "at least average income" threshold to start with, or I never bought the stuff they wanted to hear about.
What really made me angry, and ultimately to stop, was that they don't ask the money or "have you bought" question first, even though that is the decider, but let you enter demographics data every single time.
Which doesn't make sense (the company that sends the mail has that) and wastes your time, especially if you don't get paid at the end.

[GuitarStv]

They were, of course, looking for people who actually spend money.

Oh yes, my problem 10 years back. They tell you they send you qustionaires about politics (in the broader sense) but 90% are just market research and I never got anywhere there.
Either I was under their "at least average income" threshold to start with, or I never bought the stuff they wanted to hear about.
What really made me angry, and ultimately to stop, was that they don't ask the money or "have you bought" question first, even though that is the decider, but let you enter demographics data every single time.
Which doesn't make sense (the company that sends the mail has that) and wastes your time, especially if you don't get paid at the end.

So just lie then.  I don't see any moral reason to tell someone the truth when their goal is to use the truth to extract wealth from people in an immoral manner.  Fuck with their figures and collect your paycheck.  Depending on your perspective, lying could be the most moral thing to do.

[Dicey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXPQLXjC_KA

❤️

A8, glad you're still here.

[AuspiciousEight]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXPQLXjC_KA

❤️

A8, glad you're still here.

Thanks!

[AerynLee]

DH's work struggles with the math behind maxing HSA contributions. He forwarded and email from HR saying we were overcontributing and they are adjusting the amount per paycheck. While they were right, we were set to go over by $148*, they reduced his contribution by enough that we would be short by $1250.

They did this once before too and I had to go back and forth a couple of times to explain how their math was wrong.

*This was also silly because we forgot to update his contribution at open enrollment and it randomly changed to about half of what it should have been. When I went back later to update it I selected the "maximize amount" option and that's what we were at.

[BicycleB]

Lol - that seems to be a playful reference to my previous username here - TreeLeaf - if anyone is curious.

I used to post much more personal information on this forum (because I was anonymous) and then figured out later that it may not be the best idea, so created this account.

Ohhh!

Also glad you're around. Best wishes in all of your auspicious activities!

[crocheted_stache]

They were, of course, looking for people who actually spend money.

Oh yes, my problem 10 years back. They tell you they send you qustionaires about politics (in the broader sense) but 90% are just market research and I never got anywhere there.
Either I was under their "at least average income" threshold to start with, or I never bought the stuff they wanted to hear about.
What really made me angry, and ultimately to stop, was that they don't ask the money or "have you bought" question first, even though that is the decider, but let you enter demographics data every single time.
Which doesn't make sense (the company that sends the mail has that) and wastes your time, especially if you don't get paid at the end.

So just lie then.  I don't see any moral reason to tell someone the truth when their goal is to use the truth to extract wealth from people in an immoral manner.  Fuck with their figures and collect your paycheck.  Depending on your perspective, lying could be the most moral thing to do.

Like all "problems" here, this wasn't really a problem. I didn't particularly want to get called in for this one, anyway. I don't need the money, and I didn't have the time or energy last week. I wouldn't mind if they'd shorten such surveys by putting the key question first, though. Maybe they're actually trying to figure out which demographics buy "enhanced" water or whatever in the first place.

[SwordGuy]

You always gather demographics first, that way, you've got a database of folks you might want to contact later.   

[LennStar]

You always gather demographics first, that way, you've got a database of folks you might want to contact later.

But that is not how those platforms work. The people from the platform already have that data (the platform even sends out a "is that still correct" mail every 1-2 month), and they send out the mails according to that.
The people paying for the mails already know it goes to the requested demographic. And if they want to confirm that, they can always do it after the important question (like "how much do you earn", which kicked me out 90% of the time).

And that aside: What effectivly happened is not paying you for your information and/or time even though that is the promise.

[NorthernIkigai]

You always gather demographics first, that way, you've got a database of folks you might want to contact later.

But that is not how those platforms work. The people from the platform already have that data (the platform even sends out a "is that still correct" mail every 1-2 month), and they send out the mails according to that.
The people paying for the mails already know it goes to the requested demographic. And if they want to confirm that, they can always do it after the important question (like "how much do you earn", which kicked me out 90% of the time).

And that aside: What effectivly happened is not paying you for your information and/or time even though that is the promise.

This might work differently across the pond, though. I'm in Europe, as you are, and here they work the way you describe it. Usually, they start by asking "do you or does anyone in your household work in sectors X, Y, and Z", to exclude people who would be too involved in the topic they are going to ask you about (and who would be honest about it...). Then come the questions, and only at the end they double check the demographic stuff.

[Catbert]

Due to the cancellation of GPO, I'm now eleibile for spousal Social Security.  After applying a month ago, 10K of back pay has appeared in my checking account.  The MPP?  I have no need of this money and now have to figure out what to do with it, not to mention what to do with the $1500 which I'll get every month from now on.

[LennStar]

Due to the cancellation of GPO, I'm now eleibile for spousal Social Security.  After applying a month ago, 10K of back pay has appeared in my checking account.  The MPP?  I have no need of this money and now have to figure out what to do with it, not to mention what to do with the $1500 which I'll get every month from now on.

Pay the medication for someone who would die now, now that Medicaid will get Musked.

[SwordGuy]

Due to the cancellation of GPO, I'm now eleibile for spousal Social Security.  After applying a month ago, 10K of back pay has appeared in my checking account.  The MPP?  I have no need of this money and now have to figure out what to do with it, not to mention what to do with the $1500 which I'll get every month from now on.

Pay the medication for someone who would die now, now that Medicaid will get Musked.

I like the way you think.

[Catbert]

Due to the cancellation of GPO, I'm now eleibile for spousal Social Security.  After applying a month ago, 10K of back pay has appeared in my checking account.  The MPP?  I have no need of this money and now have to figure out what to do with it, not to mention what to do with the $1500 which I'll get every month from now on.

Pay the medication for someone who would die now, now that Medicaid will get Musked.

That's actually a good idea.  Maybe in the form of more QCDs to charities providing health care to low-income or immigrant patients.

Just to be clear since LennStar isn't in the US, abolishment of the GPO and my SS windfall had nothing to do with Musk or Trump.

[Taran Wanderer]

GPO = government pension offset.

I had to look it up.

[Alfred J Quack]

Well, this is a first for me. Got a message yesterday from my dad whether he could borrow 25k to finish renovations on their new house. First thought was my mom saying, years ago, that he was boasting he would be a millionaire before 30 but that he only got the spend part down, not the income and savings.
So I just replied that we just got a "new" (i.e. 2nd hand) car and all our money is locked into stock and realestate. All we have is our bare minimum emergency fund, which is at minimum a years income but he doesn't have to know that part either.

I suspect he only asked me since we had a conversation ~10 years ago where I mentioned I was working on downpaying the mortage. I assume he thinks we are pretty far along and have cash to spare. He's right about the mortgage, it's been gone since 2018. Not the cash part though, when the emergency fund is reached, I start tanking the stocks :D And even then, we saved up for the "new" car rather than tap into the emergency fund.

[LennStar]

How the hell can you start renovations and end up with 25K missing? What are they doing? New roof while also putting in new in-wall cables?

[Alfred J Quack]

How the hell can you start renovations and end up with 25K missing? What are they doing? New roof while also putting in new in-wall cables?

I heard my BIL last month talking about whether a wall he wanted to remove was load bearing or not. I expect that it was indeed load bearing and thus the required countermeasures a lot more expensive.

Regardless, he's out of work at the moment and waiting for a new project so I doubt he's going to get it fixed any time soon...

[PMG]

It’s spring. Mild rainy weather. Hardly need to use the hvac. Makes it really difficult to air dry laundry.

[Sibley]

It’s spring. Mild rainy weather. Hardly need to use the hvac. Makes it really difficult to air dry laundry.

Put a fan on the wet clothes. The extra air movement will help.

[PMG]

It’s spring. Mild rainy weather. Hardly need to use the hvac. Makes it really difficult to air dry laundry.

Put a fan on the wet clothes. The extra air movement will help.

Yup, I have a small fan that lives at the end of my clothes drying rack. But I figured this was the only place I could really complain about it!

[GuitarStv]

It’s spring. Mild rainy weather. Hardly need to use the hvac. Makes it really difficult to air dry laundry.

Put a fan on the wet clothes. The extra air movement will help.

Yup, I have a small fan that lives at the end of my clothes drying rack. But I figured this was the only place I could really complain about it!

Heartily agree with the fan suggestion.  I have a whole corner of the house set up for air drying stuff . . . between the gis that I wear and the ones that my son wears for BJJ, there is always stuff that needs to be air drying.  Without that fan, that thick cotton would stay wet and be stinky forever.

[LennStar]

It’s spring. Mild rainy weather. Hardly need to use the hvac. Makes it really difficult to air dry laundry.

Put a fan on the wet clothes. The extra air movement will help.

Yup, I have a small fan that lives at the end of my clothes drying rack. But I figured this was the only place I could really complain about it!

Heartily agree with the fan suggestion.  I have a whole corner of the house set up for air drying stuff . . . between the gis that I wear and the ones that my son wears for BJJ, there is always stuff that needs to be air drying.  Without that fan, that thick cotton would stay wet and be stinky forever.

FunFact: In Japan its not unusual to have not much space to dry and not everyone feels happy with their underwear on display on the small balcony.
That's why modern windowless bath/shower units have a drying function build in for clothes. I thought that was a very smart way to use existing hardware.

[sonofsven]

I'm on Maui for two weeks. On day one hit up Costco for supplies and bought a rotisserie chicken.
Had the usual: chicken dinner, sliced breast for sandwiches, chicken tacos, chicken salad, but skipped the last bit: cooking down the carcass for chicken noodle soup and threw the carcass away!
Obviously I've hit peak lifestyle profligacy!
And to top it off, spent $175 on one meal for two (and two drinks for one) at Maui Ocean Distillery*, which was equal to the Costco bill that has fed us for over a week!
*the meal (poke nachos and various sushi rolls) was fabulous, and the setting (lower Kula), spectacular. It's ok to splurge now and then.

[Freedomin5]

We are repatriating and moving countries (yes, countries, not counties) in a few weeks and have been selling all our stuff. We want to hold a moving sale and give away the stuff we are still using. However, as Mustachians, most of our stuff is secondhand and we have so little stuff that we don’t have enough for a moving sale. So now I have all this random mismatched secondhand stuff and have to think of another way to get rid of it besides throwing it away.

Plan is to put everything in boxes outside our apartment and then to post a notice telling people to come take what they want.

[jeroly]

We are repatriating and moving countries (yes, countries, not counties) in a few weeks and have been selling all our stuff. We want to hold a moving sale and give away the stuff we are still using. However, as Mustachians, most of our stuff is secondhand and we have so little stuff that we don’t have enough for a moving sale. So now I have all this random mismatched secondhand stuff and have to think of another way to get rid of it besides throwing it away.

Plan is to put everything in boxes outside our apartment and then to post a notice telling people to come take what they want.

Goodwill usually works for me combined with Freecycle

[Freedomin5]

We are repatriating and moving countries (yes, countries, not counties) in a few weeks and have been selling all our stuff. We want to hold a moving sale and give away the stuff we are still using. However, as Mustachians, most of our stuff is secondhand and we have so little stuff that we don’t have enough for a moving sale. So now I have all this random mismatched secondhand stuff and have to think of another way to get rid of it besides throwing it away.

Plan is to put everything in boxes outside our apartment and then to post a notice telling people to come take what they want.

Goodwill usually works for me combined with Freecycle

That’s great for you! We live in China. Neither Goodwill nor Freecycle are available here, and the local apps are not available to foreigners because you need to register a real Chinese ID to use them (it prevents fraud and scams.) So we will have to just use the means available to us.

[aloevera1]

Can't throw out the older (but still intact) clothes. I can wear it at home! And then it can become a rag!

I'll never part with it dammit.