Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[Mr. Green]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

Hah! We're the same way. We'd come up with dumb stuff like, "Hey, let's buy $30 worth of music on iTunes." Or we'd be stretching to come up with something just for the sake of meeting the goal, but nothing we really want or need.

[sui generis]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

Are donations not allowed?

Maybe I would be a nice-ish bike with a cushy seat that doesn't make my butt hurt after 20 minutes.  My current bike was free from a friend and only has the middle 7 of 21 gears, so I don't love riding anywhere that's not pretty much flat...which is not super easy where I live.

[MudPuppy]

If I had $1000 to spend, I’d get my sister to build a set of built in cabinets in my entryway. She does great work and I get the family rate.

[eyesonthehorizon]

Having just been presented the $1000 problem in the form of the covid-19 stimulus check, I realized the answer was fewer people dying of preventable malaria infections, and donated it. I had a do-over opportunity with an unexpected windfall from another source right after, and still couldn't think of anything else I wanted.

I did have a brief moment I thought my beloved headphones were about to die, but it turned out the L/R balance on my computer had been knocked askew somehow - a one-click fix - so I'm right back where I started: in position to give, but warring over how much to while I'm still not yet comfortable leaving an exhausting day job.

[dragoncar]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

Ten one-hundred dollar bills?

[Paul der Krake]

WTF are $1000 bucks

[Roger D]

WTF are $1000 bucks

For some strange reason, it has become really common nowadays for people to include the dollar symbol as well as the word. For example "$10 million dollars", "$50 bucks".

[sherr]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

[GreenSheep]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one. Everyone I knew at the time thought I was being ridiculous. I used to joke about the idea that maybe it was a $5 venison sandwich.

[RetiredAt63]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one. Everyone I knew at the time thought I was being ridiculous. I used to joke about the idea that maybe it was a $5 venison sandwich.

Good one!

[dragoncar]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one. Everyone I knew at the time thought I was being ridiculous. I used to joke about the idea that maybe it was a $5 venison sandwich.

Good one!

Don’t get me started on the $.99 cent store

[Linea_Norway]

I moved to a new place. The nearest grocery store is at walking distance, is the local post office in shop, and is beside the library. Very convenient to visit often, but it is not the cheapest shop. It is well assorted and therefore more expensive. So once a week or so, I still drive to the other, cheaper store to buy some bigger quantities of staples and other stuff.

[ysette9]

I moved to a new place. The nearest grocery store is at walking distance, is the local post office in shop, and is beside the library. Very convenient to visit often, but it is not the cheapest shop. It is well assorted and therefore more expensive. So once a week or so, I still drive to the other, cheaper store to buy some bigger quantities of staples and other stuff.

Similarly we just moved and are a quick bike ride from a little neighborhood grocery store. Good selection and convenient but more expensive. I haven’t worked out yet how I will balance this two competing values out.

[Dollar Slice]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one. Everyone I knew at the time thought I was being ridiculous. I used to joke about the idea that maybe it was a $5 venison sandwich.

I used to proofread for a magazine where the editor did this all the time. I fixed this error about a million times and tried to explain it repeatedly. Never got through to him. Worked together for 19 years.

[jps]

WTF are $1000 bucks

The Dairy Queen near me had giant printed advertisements for a long time advertising their new "$5 buck lunch". Drove me nuts. One or the other, but both makes no sense.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only one. Everyone I knew at the time thought I was being ridiculous. I used to joke about the idea that maybe it was a $5 venison sandwich.

I used to proofread for a magazine where the editor did this all the time. I fixed this error about a million times and tried to explain it repeatedly. Never got through to him. Worked together for 19 years.

Wishing your user name was $ Dollar Slice now

[lemanfan]

The Buck Stops Here?

[Dollar Slice]

Wishing your user name was $ Dollar Slice now

I'm sure there are a thousand signs in NYC advertising a "$1 Dollar Slice" of pizza. (Or "$.99 Cent Pizza" where they charge you $1 anyway. I've also seen a sign advertising a 99 cent item as $99.)

You can spell it Dollar $lice if you like to aggravate the grammarians. :-D ("Doesn't that say Dollar Dollar Lice???")

[LennStar]

Wishing your user name was $ Dollar Slice now

I'm sure there are a thousand signs in NYC advertising a "$1 Dollar Slice" of pizza. (Or "$.99 Cent Pizza" where they charge you $1 anyway. I've also seen a sign advertising a 99 cent item as $99.)

You can spell it Dollar $lice if you like to aggravate the grammarians. :-D ("Doesn't that say Dollar Dollar Lice???")

"$1 Dollar Slice" is correct. It is the price offer that for $1 you get a thing called "dollar slice". Pizza, potato, doesn't matter what that is.

[sherr]

You can spell it Dollar $lice if you like to aggravate the grammarians. :-D ("Doesn't that say Dollar Dollar Lice???")

I'd vote for reading it as "Dollar Lice Dollar", given that $5 is "five dollars". ;)

[frugalnacho]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

I do have $1000 and already chose to save it, which is why I have $1000.

I feel like the same conversations come up every year with family.  What is it you want frugalnacho, socks, music, a t-shirt? What small item can we purchase you for a gift?  Well, nothing - I already have money and if I needed any of those things then I already bought them, like who the fuck is in needs of socks and can't just purchase it themselves?  If you insist on getting me a gift just do something nice for me, or have us over for dinner, or do something that shows thought but isn't expensive. 

[sui generis]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

I do have $1000 and already chose to save it, which is why I have $1000.

Yeah but the question posed is "and you had to spend it" which is what makes it a challenge.

I had to dig deep, other than donating it, to come up with something that I would actually be a little interested in having.

[ixtap]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

I do have $1000 and already chose to save it, which is why I have $1000.

I feel like the same conversations come up every year with family.  What is it you want frugalnacho, socks, music, a t-shirt? What small item can we purchase you for a gift?  Well, nothing - I already have money and if I needed any of those things then I already bought them, like who the fuck is in needs of socks and can't just purchase it themselves?  If you insist on getting me a gift just do something nice for me, or have us over for dinner, or do something that shows thought but isn't expensive.

MIL needs a Christmas list. So we start thinking in July. Luckily, we asked for a pair of something last year and she only got us one. Actually, we could still use a pair, so if she only gets us one again, we are already good for next year, as well.

[Sugaree]

My wife and i had the following discussion.  If I have you $1000 cash right now and you had to spend it what would you buy?

DW - "I can't think of anything"

Me - "I'd rather have the $1000 bucks"

End of conversation.

I do have $1000 and already chose to save it, which is why I have $1000.

Yeah but the question posed is "and you had to spend it" which is what makes it a challenge.

I had to dig deep, other than donating it, to come up with something that I would actually be a little interested in having.

Travel.  I can always find somewhere that I want to go.  $1000 could easily be a long weekend in NOLA with dinner at Galatoire's and Antoine's.


I mean, maybe not right this minute, but soon.

[shelivesthedream]

I dunno, I could easily spend £1000 on our garden. I choose not to right now and to accumulate things slowly and to get plants young or free and grow them up myself, but I have a long list and £1000 could do a lot towards getting things right now! Fruit trees, bushes, larger pots, etc etc.

[mspym]

I feel like the same conversations come up every year with family.  What is it you want frugalnacho, socks, music, a t-shirt? What small item can we purchase you for a gift?  Well, nothing - I already have money and if I needed any of those things then I already bought them, like who the fuck is in needs of socks and can't just purchase it themselves?  If you insist on getting me a gift just do something nice for me, or have us over for dinner, or do something that shows thought but isn't expensive.

This is basically exactly what the boys have said about gifts for us. But now they know that delicious consumables are always a hit so that is awesome.

[Sun Hat]

I dunno, I could easily spend £1000 on our garden. I choose not to right now and to accumulate things slowly and to get plants young or free and grow them up myself, but I have a long list and £1000 could do a lot towards getting things right now! Fruit trees, bushes, larger pots, etc etc.

I see this in my spending habits too. Where spending money on clothes and the interior of the house seems frivolous, there's little limit to my wants for the garden (and dog). The result of this pattern is that I'm perpetually shabbily dressed, a bit muddy, and quite happy.

[penguintroopers]

Since I'm guessing this $1000 can't go to things like "3-4 months of minimum student loan payments", I'd say we'd choose a new gaming computer for Mr. Penguintroopers or an iPhone upgrade for myself. Both are items that we've wanted for over a year but have delayed. Depending on how the rest of the year goes (COVID, finishing our SL debt, what sales/promotions are offered closer to Black Friday/Christmas), we will see what we end up doing.

[Sugaree]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus. 

[Sibley]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MudPuppy]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

congratulations!!!!

[Playing with Fire UK]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Awesome news!! Congratulations!!

[mspym]

High fives @Sugaree! 🙌

[Plina]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Congratulations!

I understand the annoyance. I am getting a larger lump sum of money in the fall and if I accept a job offer I will not need the money. I have already spent time playing with my excel file of finances and thinking of how I should invest the money. When I tell my family that I will save the money they will probably consider me a bit crazy and question what I will do with all that money saved. :) My family has already figured that I am not riding the struggle bus.

[soccerluvof4]

@Sugaree WEll done!

[Monerexia]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

i can't tell you how much I wish I had crafted a similar illusion. My ego wouldn't let me--the damn thing. It may not be too late though--Maybe I can craft an illusory catastrophe..

[Sugaree]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Congratulations!

I understand the annoyance. I am getting a larger lump sum of money in the fall and if I accept a job offer I will not need the money. I have already spent time playing with my excel file of finances and thinking of how I should invest the money. When I tell my family that I will save the money they will probably consider me a bit crazy and question what I will do with all that money saved. :) My family has already figured that I am not riding the struggle bus.

One of the best things I did for myself was to sit down and create a written plan, kind of a flowchart, for where "extra" money would go.  That was OT, side jobs, stimulus checks, tax refunds, whatever.  Now that the first item on that list has been knocked off, I just move on to the next one. 

[Sugaree]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

i can't tell you how much I wish I had crafted a similar illusion. My ego wouldn't let me--the damn thing. It may not be too late though--Maybe I can craft an illusory catastrophe..

Sadly, I didn't have to create one.  2018 did that for me.  Tornado in March dropped two trees on my house.  In May, my husband blew the engine in his car and in November he totaled mine in a wreck.  The following February, he lost his job (which was for the best anyway).  We're just now getting caught up with all that and back to where we were in February 2018.

[MasterStache]

I was enjoying my pool today, like I do every day, but went back to this MMM post just for fun.  I am in my pool every day, even in the winter, and it brings me a whole new lease on life.  I don't think I'd be outside in the Houston summer, our kids wouldn't be outside with their friends, and we wouldn't enjoy the view of the pool outside our window if the pool were not there.  I guess, if I'm paying $20 a day, then this 'latte habit' is my downfall and I'll just have to work that extra year.  Egads!  I appreciate the awareness, but life is so complicated, this is one area I'm more than happy to have paid for and moved on.  Whew, cheers to paid off extravagance.

I miss our pool, sometimes. With this ridiculous string of hot weather, I miss it more. The pool came with the (previous) house. Kids were excited and we used it extensively the first probably 3 years or so. Then seemingly everyone just stopped using it. I was the proverbial pool man as no one wanted to take care of it. Everyday balancing the chemicals and cleaning. Had to replace the pool pump and the liner was going to need to be replaced. It just wasn't worth the cost anymore. I know folks who have a salt water pool and are in it damn near everyday. Certainly worth it for folks like that.     

[maisymouser]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

i can't tell you how much I wish I had crafted a similar illusion. My ego wouldn't let me--the damn thing. It may not be too late though--Maybe I can craft an illusory catastrophe..

Sadly, I didn't have to create one.  2018 did that for me.  Tornado in March dropped two trees on my house.  In May, my husband blew the engine in his car and in November he totaled mine in a wreck.  The following February, he lost his job (which was for the best anyway).  We're just now getting caught up with all that and back to where we were in February 2018.

It's impressive that it took you less than 2 years to recover, though! I guess that even when those kinds of things happen, it pays to be mindful with your money. Hopefully the new (?) car will last longer...!

[Sugaree]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

i can't tell you how much I wish I had crafted a similar illusion. My ego wouldn't let me--the damn thing. It may not be too late though--Maybe I can craft an illusory catastrophe..

Sadly, I didn't have to create one.  2018 did that for me.  Tornado in March dropped two trees on my house.  In May, my husband blew the engine in his car and in November he totaled mine in a wreck.  The following February, he lost his job (which was for the best anyway).  We're just now getting caught up with all that and back to where we were in February 2018.

It's impressive that it took you less than 2 years to recover, though! I guess that even when those kinds of things happen, it pays to be mindful with your money. Hopefully the new (?) car will last longer...!

I got a new, old car.  I bought something so similar that most people don't realize it's not the same vehicle.  Only it had 60k fewer miles.  I'm not kidding when I say that I buy what I love and drive it forever.  I drove my old one for 12 years (that's the one that DH blew the engine in). 

[Plina]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Congratulations!

I understand the annoyance. I am getting a larger lump sum of money in the fall and if I accept a job offer I will not need the money. I have already spent time playing with my excel file of finances and thinking of how I should invest the money. When I tell my family that I will save the money they will probably consider me a bit crazy and question what I will do with all that money saved. :) My family has already figured that I am not riding the struggle bus.

One of the best things I did for myself was to sit down and create a written plan, kind of a flowchart, for where "extra" money would go.  That was OT, side jobs, stimulus checks, tax refunds, whatever.  Now that the first item on that list has been knocked off, I just move on to the next one.

I only have my mortgage and studentloan. The mortgage with a 1,7 % interestrate and the studentloan with a 0,16 % interestrate. Due to the low interestrates I am not looking into paying them off rather which stocks to invest the money in but I will have it figured out when the time comes so when the money land in my account they are fast out of it according to my plan. :-)

[Sugaree]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Aaaaaand....a truck kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield of my just-paid-off Jeep.  Of course.

[RetiredAt63]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Aaaaaand....a truck kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield of my just-paid-off Jeep.  Of course.

Of course.

[frugalnacho]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Aaaaaand....a truck kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield of my just-paid-off Jeep.  Of course.

Good thing you're debt free and on your way to financial freedom.  This would suck even more if you still owed a shit ton on the Jeep and had other debt you had to service.

[Sibley]

As of five minutes ago, I officially owe absolutely nothing to anyone (except myself where I borrowed from savings to make the last payment).  And I can't tell anyone without breaking that carefully crafted illusion that I'm riding the struggle bus.

Aaaaaand....a truck kicked up a rock and chipped the windshield of my just-paid-off Jeep.  Of course.

Chipped as in you need to replace it? Or chipped as in you can repair it? Because the repair is a lot less.

[ysette9]

Our car insurance will pay to send someone to repair a chip in the windshield to avoid a replacement

[Taran Wanderer]

Or you can get your own kit for about $12 at the auto parts store. It’s an easy DIY.

[Sugaree]

I've already had it fixed.  They were able to fill it.  I just thought it was funny that this was the third vehicle that has had something minor happen to it within days of paying it off. 

[Morning Glory]

I was enjoying my pool today, like I do every day, but went back to this MMM post just for fun.  I am in my pool every day, even in the winter, and it brings me a whole new lease on life.  I don't think I'd be outside in the Houston summer, our kids wouldn't be outside with their friends, and we wouldn't enjoy the view of the pool outside our window if the pool were not there.  I guess, if I'm paying $20 a day, then this 'latte habit' is my downfall and I'll just have to work that extra year.  Egads!  I appreciate the awareness, but life is so complicated, this is one area I'm more than happy to have paid for and moved on.  Whew, cheers to paid off extravagance.

I miss our pool, sometimes. With this ridiculous string of hot weather, I miss it more. The pool came with the (previous) house. Kids were excited and we used it extensively the first probably 3 years or so. Then seemingly everyone just stopped using it. I was the proverbial pool man as no one wanted to take care of it. Everyday balancing the chemicals and cleaning. Had to replace the pool pump and the liner was going to need to be replaced. It just wasn't worth the cost anymore. I know folks who have a salt water pool and are in it damn near everyday. Certainly worth it for folks like that.   

Got rid of our pool this year too (was waiting until it needed expensive maintenance) then we had the hottest June that I can remember since living in this house. I was the pool woman too, plus my kids are little and I was worried they would fall in. And where we live we could only use it 3 months/year. Still miss it a little though.

[Sugaree]

I was enjoying my pool today, like I do every day, but went back to this MMM post just for fun.  I am in my pool every day, even in the winter, and it brings me a whole new lease on life.  I don't think I'd be outside in the Houston summer, our kids wouldn't be outside with their friends, and we wouldn't enjoy the view of the pool outside our window if the pool were not there.  I guess, if I'm paying $20 a day, then this 'latte habit' is my downfall and I'll just have to work that extra year.  Egads!  I appreciate the awareness, but life is so complicated, this is one area I'm more than happy to have paid for and moved on.  Whew, cheers to paid off extravagance.

I miss our pool, sometimes. With this ridiculous string of hot weather, I miss it more. The pool came with the (previous) house. Kids were excited and we used it extensively the first probably 3 years or so. Then seemingly everyone just stopped using it. I was the proverbial pool man as no one wanted to take care of it. Everyday balancing the chemicals and cleaning. Had to replace the pool pump and the liner was going to need to be replaced. It just wasn't worth the cost anymore. I know folks who have a salt water pool and are in it damn near everyday. Certainly worth it for folks like that.   

Got rid of our pool this year too (was waiting until it needed expensive maintenance) then we had the hottest June that I can remember since living in this house. I was the pool woman too, plus my kids are little and I was worried they would fall in. And where we live we could only use it 3 months/year. Still miss it a little though.

I live somewhere that a pool can reasonable be expected to be used at least 7 months out of the year.  My best friend, who is currently making really bad decisions with a life insurance settlement, put in a heated in-ground pool this winter.  I've never asked, but she did let it slip the other day that the first month it was ready (February, maybe?) that she got a $2000 water/gas bill from filling it and heating it.  At least she turned the heat down after that (though she thinks her brother may be coming over during the day and turning it back up...joke's on him because she's turned off the gas to the heater to stop that shit).