Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[Dollar Slice]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

[TomTX]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

[Dollar Slice]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

His brother is going to call his employer and ask if there's anything they can do, but I doubt it unless he is very lucky and it's open enrollment. It's not cancer - it's some kind of vascular thing (I heard it all over the phone via a third party so I don't have the exact details). Sounded sort of similar to an aneurysm, but not that - some kind of defect in the artery behind his eye. His confusion etc. was probably due to something that happened suddenly like a clot or bleeding in the brain.

[Morning Glory]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

His brother is going to call his employer and ask if there's anything they can do, but I doubt it unless he is very lucky and it's open enrollment. It's not cancer - it's some kind of vascular thing (I heard it all over the phone via a third party so I don't have the exact details). Sounded sort of similar to an aneurysm, but not that - some kind of defect in the artery behind his eye. His confusion etc. was probably due to something that happened suddenly like a clot or bleeding in the brain.

It's possible that the AVM was pressing on his frontal lobe so it could have been affecting his executive functioning. If he can get a note from a doctor to back this up he has a good case with the insurance company. The hospital social worker is a good resource too.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

[Dicey]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Ultimately, the payment of taxes is your responsibility and the Tax Assessor is not known for showing any degree of leniency.  Missing out on 2% is a damn sight better than the penalty for being late.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Ultimately, the payment of taxes is your responsibility and the Tax Assessor is not known for showing any degree of leniency.  Missing out on 2% is a damn sight better than the penalty for being late.

Well I'm anxious about it (of course!)! But they have 90 days before any penalties and I should get notified when they pay.  I'll set a reminder to check on... and hope for the best! 

It would be so much easier to walk down to the courthouse and drop a check in their drop box...

On the bright side, our house is small and isn't worth a whole lot, and the taxes are low, much lower than what we've been putting in to escrow, so a 2% discount or even the 20% penalties really don't add up to much... definitely not breaking the bank and we should get a nice chunk back from escrow. 

[frugalnacho]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

[sherr]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

To state it more directly: you can just pay it yourself and let your mortgage company refund your escrow. I'm not an expert, but I think there's really three scenarios:

• You pay, and you tell your mortgage company to refund you. They should cut you a check.
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and they were unaware of the tax bill. They may get confused about why the tax bill never came and reach out, or maybe they'll just automatically re-adjust your escrow payment to be lower to only cover the insurance (plus a year or two of you now having to pay in since you already have enough there to cover the insurance for a while).
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and then they double-pay. The state should cut you an over-payment check.

[talltexan]

In France (~75% nuclear electricity ) they do, using Westinghouse-style Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR).

France often has to buy huge amounts of Energy from Germany (regeneratives) during winter and summer. Whenever the weather gets somehow extreme.
So it's not as if those reactors are making a stable energy grid.

Especially with higher and longer high temepratues due to climate change nuclear has a big problem getting cooling water since the rivers can get so warm they can't use any of it.

I don't understand blaming climate change for the problems.  It's not something that has happened suddenly.  According to NOAA, we're about two degrees Fahrenheit warmer than 150 years ago, and temperatures have actually been sorta flat the last five years.  Power plants get built a whole lot faster :)

Sure, you can spin out a 12 MW CT in fifteen months, but building the kind of serious Coal or Nuclear power plant talked about up-thread takes a long time. Five years is a very short cycle in that business.

[dragoncar]

You don’t have to wait until open enrollment if you have a “life event”.  Some of these life events are completely voluntary

[Paul der Krake]

Yeah whenever I feel like resetting my deductible I just spin up a temporary kid instance.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

To state it more directly: you can just pay it yourself and let your mortgage company refund your escrow. I'm not an expert, but I think there's really three scenarios:

• You pay, and you tell your mortgage company to refund you. They should cut you a check.
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and they were unaware of the tax bill. They may get confused about why the tax bill never came and reach out, or maybe they'll just automatically re-adjust your escrow payment to be lower to only cover the insurance (plus a year or two of you now having to pay in since you already have enough there to cover the insurance for a while).
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and then they double-pay. The state should cut you an over-payment check.

I suppose... I already sent it off the mortgage company so we’ll see what happens. I don’t anticipate it being a big deal but it is a bother.

[Alfred J Quack]

In windows there are security settings that have to be set correctly to get the camera and microphone to work with zoom and other web apps.    You'll have to google it.

I worked as IT help desk support for a small biz for 18 years alongside many other job titles, so I don't really need the "google it" level of advice... but thanks anyway. I did try to set the settings correctly, but it didn't do what it was supposed to and I didn't have a lot of time to figure it out pre-meeting (and I haven't needed it since). I'll give it another shot at some point before actually spending money on something.

Knowing me, I probably unchecked the option to include a webcam when I ordered it to save $7... :-P  Who knew we'd all be spending our lives in video conferences in 2020.

Reminds me of all the DOD contractor laptops i've seen where they paid someone to take the camera out... I wonder if they had to pay someone to put some of them back in this year...

Not DOD, but within DHS.  Pre Covid, we had limited non blue line access with our laptops.  No video and only 10% of the work force could be use it at the same time.  Miraculously over the course of a weekend in March the system was upgrade so we could massively work from home and use video too.  Which mean the CIO’s office had the solution already and somebody kept saying we don’t need to do that.

Probably just the cost that "couldn't be justified".

At work we work from home too. Basically anyone with an account can login from home but certain departments have managers that appearently think that day-to-day work is more important than staying healthy. I gently reminded those coworkers that the facilities are available and the rule from the board is to work from home where possible and if they have any technical issues to call me.

To my mustachian problem. Bought a used Nissan Leaf with subsidy from the state (2k off). Drives great, is silent but my workplace did something funny with the chargers because I'm charging for free (with my private, not company, card). I now feel obliged to ask them whether this was on purpose and happy charging, or an error which they need to correct. I'd hate to lose that chargepoint since I don't have a garage/parking place where I can mount my own...

[jinga nation]

Unsure if this qualifies for a MPP or maybe a Mustachian's Pet Peeve:

I'm clearing out my garage and getting rid of things I don't need. I placed a Craigslist ad a few months back giving away some car parts for free. No takers even though I renewed the ad weekly. Last night decided to price each item for a buck, $3 total. 

Today a guy messages me saying he can pick it up ASAP. I don't give my address, but I used the CL relay reply email as well as my Google Voice number to message him to meet me at the cul-de-sac (bag-end) on my street for the items. No reply.

I'm assuming people use the term ASAP without a feckin clue. Never had issues selling on CL in 15 years, maybe I was lucky.

Ad: https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/d/tampa-honda-parts/7208198526.html

[secondcor521]

Unsure if this qualifies for a MPP or maybe a Mustachian's Pet Peeve:

I'm clearing out my garage and getting rid of things I don't need. I placed a Craigslist ad a few months back giving away some car parts for free. No takers even though I renewed the ad weekly. Last night decided to price each item for a buck, $3 total. 

Today a guy messages me saying he can pick it up ASAP. I don't give my address, but I used the CL relay reply email as well as my Google Voice number to message him to meet me at the cul-de-sac (bag-end) on my street for the items. No reply.

I'm assuming people use the term ASAP without a feckin clue. Never had issues selling on CL in 15 years, maybe I was lucky.

Ad: https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/d/tampa-honda-parts/7208198526.html

That's the CL pattern, as far as I can tell.  Many, many people will ping you with a text asking if it's still available and that they'll be by to pick it up ASAP.  As soon as you reply in a positive fashion, then they suddenly can't find the time to stop by.

My CL policy is that the first person to show up with cash gets it.  So I don't worry about no-shows or flakes, and I don't hold items for people or worry about being fair.  It's available until someone is on my doorstep and trading me greenbacks for the item.

[LennStar]

That's the CL pattern, as far as I can tell.  Many, many people will ping you with a text asking if it's still available and that they'll be by to pick it up ASAP.  As soon as you reply in a positive fashion, then they suddenly can't find the time to stop by.

Well, ASAP means as soon as possible. If it isn't possible this month...

[talltexan]

@jinga nation , is your street really named "Bag End"?

I'd seriously put up with a sub-optimal house if my address could have any of about a dozen places from those books in the street name.

[chaskavitch]

@jinga nation , is your street really named "Bag End"?

I'd seriously put up with a sub-optimal house if my address could have any of about a dozen places from those books in the street name.

Oooh!  In undergrad my husband lived on Hobbit Street for a year, and then moved to Underhill Drive.  I always thought it was awesome, until I had to explain WHY so often, haha.  I'd love it if there was really a Bag End.

[jinga nation]

@jinga nation , is your street really named "Bag End"?

I'd seriously put up with a sub-optimal house if my address could have any of about a dozen places from those books in the street name.

i don't like the term 'cul-de-sac'. One syllable too many. Sadly I live on just another 'Lane'.
Bag End sounds much better. Hobbitish too.

[jinga nation]

Unsure if this qualifies for a MPP or maybe a Mustachian's Pet Peeve:

I'm clearing out my garage and getting rid of things I don't need. I placed a Craigslist ad a few months back giving away some car parts for free. No takers even though I renewed the ad weekly. Last night decided to price each item for a buck, $3 total. 

Today a guy messages me saying he can pick it up ASAP. I don't give my address, but I used the CL relay reply email as well as my Google Voice number to message him to meet me at the cul-de-sac (bag-end) on my street for the items. No reply.

I'm assuming people use the term ASAP without a feckin clue. Never had issues selling on CL in 15 years, maybe I was lucky.

Ad: https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/d/tampa-honda-parts/7208198526.html

That's the CL pattern, as far as I can tell.  Many, many people will ping you with a text asking if it's still available and that they'll be by to pick it up ASAP.  As soon as you reply in a positive fashion, then they suddenly can't find the time to stop by.

My CL policy is that the first person to show up with cash gets it.  So I don't worry about no-shows or flakes, and I don't hold items for people or worry about being fair.  It's available until someone is on my doorstep and trading me greenbacks for the item.

At least he was polite to message me this morning apologizing. Have given him tomorrow morning to pick up. No other takers, so beggar me can't choose.

[gaja]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.
 

[SwordGuy]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

@gaja ,  check out the blog "No More Harvard Debt".   Guy got tired of $95k in student loans on a $65k salary, so he decided to pay them off in a year.   Sold his expensive toys, rented out 3 bedrooms in his house, quit going out drinking with his buds, and worked a succession of 2nd jobs to raise more money.   Did it in less than a year.

[Alternatepriorities]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

This is awesome! Good job.

[Steeze]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

This is awesome! Good job.

Read: Teacher wrote a case study to her freshman class, got offended when told they could save 2/3 of their income. Gave student a bad grade.

The correct answer is, “consolidate the loans at a lower interest rate and make minimum payments to continue lifestyle. Complain about debt while at Starbucks.” For this you get an ‘A’

[shelivesthedream]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score

Your kid ROCKS. Can you please follow up and tell us what grade she got and what the "correct" solution turned out to be?

ETA: typos which sounded weirdly aggressive...

[Sanne]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score

Your kid ROCKS. YOU CAN please follow up and tell us what grade she got and what the  correct" solution turned out to be.

Ha, this is awesome! Would love to know the outcome too!

[LennStar]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

@gaja ,  check out the blog "No More Harvard Debt".   Guy got tired of $95k in student loans on a $65k salary, so he decided to pay them off in a year.   Sold his expensive toys, rented out 3 bedrooms in his house, quit going out drinking with his buds, and worked a succession of 2nd jobs to raise more money.   Did it in less than a year.

That's awesome. Not something I could make.

To the kid (or better parents): Nicely done! Education through explanation and example!

[Loren Ver]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

This is good for so many reasons!  Your kid is learning that others do not accept big cut backs as an option to reaching ones goals.  She might also be learning that many people don't understand what an actual goal is (something you are willing to work or even sacrifice for to achieve).  Wonderful life lessons.  Once you learn and accept that you are different, it frees you.

Loren

[SwordGuy]

[Wonderful life lessons. Once you learn and accept that you are different, it frees you.
/quote]

@Loren Ver , you are spot on correct.

My wife and son used to suffer from what I call "Un-coolitus", the fear of not being seen to be cool.

It took awhile, but they finally learned that the coolest thing in the world is someone having a truly awesome time whilst not harming anyone in the process.   So much happier!

[Linea_Norway]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

This is awesome! Good job.

Read: Teacher wrote a case study to her freshman class, got offended when told they could save 2/3 of their income. Gave student a bad grade.

The correct answer is, “consolidate the loans at a lower interest rate and make minimum payments to continue lifestyle. Complain about debt while at Starbucks.” For this you get an ‘A’

Maybe the imaginary guy kalled Kalle was in real life the teacher herself...

Gaja, can you find a reference budget that your daughter can refer to? Or maybe she did that already.

[gaja]

Thank you all for your kind words - DD really appreciates them :) And thank you for the tip about the Harvard debt blog, @SwordGuy . She loved it!

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

This is awesome! Good job.

Read: Teacher wrote a case study to her freshman class, got offended when told they could save 2/3 of their income. Gave student a bad grade.

The correct answer is, “consolidate the loans at a lower interest rate and make minimum payments to continue lifestyle. Complain about debt while at Starbucks.” For this you get an ‘A’

Maybe the imaginary guy kalled Kalle was in real life the teacher herself...

Gaja, can you find a reference budget that your daughter can refer to? Or maybe she did that already.

She used the SIFO reference budget (https://www.oslomet.no/om/sifo/referansebudsjettet), and listed it in her sources. But she cut his clothes budget a bit lower than the reference budget, since she thought he had enough clothes after a long time of over spending. On the other side, she did spend some money on buying him a decent electric bike, and after he had saved up for the down payment on the apartment he got a luxurious $1000 vacation to England where he could go biking in the countryside and visit the Shambles in York.

[okisok]

Can't get excited about payday because the money is already spent*

*allocated to savings and bills, not debt :)

[Alternatepriorities]

Can't get excited about payday because the money is already spent*

*allocated to savings and bills, not debt :)

That might be the quintessential MMP.

I was truly excited by payday the very first first paycheck I earned after graduating university. Without it, I would have had to pay interest on a CC. Payday came in time and I paid the balance in full. Every paycheck since has been a little less exciting as it amounts to a smaller and smaller part of my assets. Occasionally I wonder what "paycheck Friday" feels like.

[TomTX]

The oldest kid (14 y.o.) had a project at school where she was supposed to fix the budget of an imaginary guy called Kalle. He spends more than he makes, and wants to save up $40 000 for the down payment on an apartment. My kid took the task seriously; sold his car, got rid of all the loans, and soon had him at a comfortable 63 % savings rate.

Her MPP: the teachers tried telling her that her budget was too extreme, and she had a really hard time convincing them that everything was based on science and experience
My MPP: normally, I let most things glide with the school. But this time I think I'll put in a protest if they give her a lower score.

Nice. When I did this back in early High School a few *ahem* years ago, I had to cut out newspaper clippings to show where I got my values (apartment rent, food, etc) - I also had my dude join the National Guard for extra cash (supported by newspaper clipping.) High savings rate, though I don't remember exactly what it was.

[Zaga]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

My car hasn't started in like 3 months, there's a minor fault in the electrical system that drains the battery and I just gave up.  I might get that fixed then sell it.

[RetiredAt63]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

Right now I am driving several days a week to my community garden.  Once it is put to bed for the winter all my driving will be within a few km of home, and most likely once a week or less.  I see some random highway driving in my future.

[Steeze]

Can't get excited about payday because the money is already spent*

*allocated to savings and bills, not debt :)

That might be the quintessential MMP.

I was truly excited by payday the very first first paycheck I earned after graduating university. Without it, I would have had to pay interest on a CC. Payday came in time and I paid the balance in full. Every paycheck since has been a little less exciting as it amounts to a smaller and smaller part of my assets. Occasionally I wonder what "paycheck Friday" feels like.

Paycheck Friday has been replaced with update the spreadsheet Saturday. Very exciting.

[dragoncar]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

You might want to consider adding gas stabilizer or draining it out.  I have no real idea how big a problem it could be but I didn’t want to risk it.

I also use a battery tender although it’s still a good idea to drive a little so the tires rotate and try to burn off any moisture in the oil.

[Sandi_k]

Can't get excited about payday because the money is already spent*

*allocated to savings and bills, not debt :)

That might be the quintessential MMP.

I was truly excited by payday the very first first paycheck I earned after graduating university. Without it, I would have had to pay interest on a CC. Payday came in time and I paid the balance in full. Every paycheck since has been a little less exciting as it amounts to a smaller and smaller part of my assets. Occasionally I wonder what "paycheck Friday" feels like.

Paycheck Friday has been replaced with update the spreadsheet Saturday. Very exciting.

So true. ;)

This week we got word of furloughs happening, so I sat down and plotted out the budget for each month of 2021. Nerds unite!

[Travis]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

My car hasn't started in like 3 months, there's a minor fault in the electrical system that drains the battery and I just gave up.  I might get that fixed then sell it.

The beater I'm driving here in Korea had a similar problem. I drive it so infrequently that I didn't bother to get it fixed and I let it sit in the garage for five months. I finally got it jumped and took it in. The next day (and one hour of labor charged) I had it back working fine. Alarm system wire had a short.  I drive it maybe a couple miles per week.  This week I'll fill it up again (or maybe just half way). The last time I put fuel in it was probably around February as well.

[TomTX]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

You might want to consider adding gas stabilizer or draining it out.  I have no real idea how big a problem it could be but I didn’t want to risk it.

I also use a battery tender although it’s still a good idea to drive a little so the tires rotate and try to burn off any moisture in the oil.

Gosh, since I replaced the gasoline mower with a nice Ryobi electric a few years ago, I don't have any stabilizer.

[GuitarStv]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

You might want to consider adding gas stabilizer or draining it out.  I have no real idea how big a problem it could be but I didn’t want to risk it.

I also use a battery tender although it’s still a good idea to drive a little so the tires rotate and try to burn off any moisture in the oil.

Gosh, since I replaced the gasoline mower with a nice Ryobi electric a few years ago, I don't have any stabilizer.

I last purchased gas in March.  Probably a good idea to look for some fuel stabilizer.  Thanks for the reminder!

[PhilB]

MPP:  My spending is so far under budget this year that I had to make that column wider in Excel.

[Sibley]

Now that we work from home and don't go any where unless it is necessary I have to remember to make effort to drive my car once a while so the car battery won't go dead.

A few weeks ago I had to drive my car aimlessly for an hour or so to re-charge the battery. 

I am still using the gas that I filled up in February.

You might want to consider adding gas stabilizer or draining it out.  I have no real idea how big a problem it could be but I didn’t want to risk it.

I also use a battery tender although it’s still a good idea to drive a little so the tires rotate and try to burn off any moisture in the oil.

Gosh, since I replaced the gasoline mower with a nice Ryobi electric a few years ago, I don't have any stabilizer.

I last purchased gas in March.  Probably a good idea to look for some fuel stabilizer.  Thanks for the reminder!

I thought about this, and did buy some fuel stabilizer. For the lawn mower gas if nothing else! Now the problem is I need to remember to actually use it (and figure out how to use it, but that's a matter of reading the instructions).

[Taran Wanderer]

I always put the fuel stabilizer in the gas can as soon as I get home. Funny story, though... my ten year old daughter had to show me an easier way to get the stabilizer liquid into the measuring part of the container. You open the lid and squeeze the main bottle. It’s like magic. I had been playing this tilt and shake game for years.

Sometimes I feel like an idiot...

[anotherAlias]

Yesterday I logged in to Vanguard to invest in my after tax account.  I got a prompt to transition my Roth and rollover ira to the new brokerage account structure.  Since I'll have to do it eventually, I went ahead and kicked off the transition process.  Today I logged i to Personal Capital to see where this weeks market gyrations put me net worth-wise.  I about had a heart attack when I saw my total was over a million.  I completely forgot about yesterday's transactions. It took me a minute to realize it was because Vanguard was still in the middle of switching my accounts and my Roth and Rollover IRAs were being counted twice.  Being a fake millionaire was nice for that minute before my memory kicked in ;)
I can't wait to join the double comma club for real!

[SwordGuy]

Yesterday I logged in to Vanguard to invest in my after tax account.  I got a prompt to transition my Roth and rollover ira to the new brokerage account structure.  Since I'll have to do it eventually, I went ahead and kicked off the transition process.  Today I logged i to Personal Capital to see where this weeks market gyrations put me net worth-wise.  I about had a heart attack when I saw my total was over a million.  I completely forgot about yesterday's transactions. It took me a minute to realize it was because Vanguard was still in the middle of switching my accounts and my Roth and Rollover IRAs were being counted twice.  Being a fake millionaire was nice for that minute before my memory kicked in ;)
I can't wait to join the double comma club for real!

I felt your excitement about a week ago.   I set up my accounts in Quicken and downloaded the balances and recent transactions.   For one 401K provider, it entered my current balance as the starting balance and then created additional transactions to add my current balance to the account, doubling those balances.   An extra half a million showed up!   

[Alternatepriorities]

Yesterday I logged in to Vanguard to invest in my after tax account.  I got a prompt to transition my Roth and rollover ira to the new brokerage account structure.  Since I'll have to do it eventually, I went ahead and kicked off the transition process.  Today I logged i to Personal Capital to see where this weeks market gyrations put me net worth-wise.  I about had a heart attack when I saw my total was over a million.  I completely forgot about yesterday's transactions. It took me a minute to realize it was because Vanguard was still in the middle of switching my accounts and my Roth and Rollover IRAs were being counted twice.  Being a fake millionaire was nice for that minute before my memory kicked in ;)
I can't wait to join the double comma club for real!

I felt your excitement about a week ago.   I set up my accounts in Quicken and downloaded the balances and recent transactions.   For one 401K provider, it entered my current balance as the starting balance and then created additional transactions to add my current balance to the account, doubling those balances.   An extra half a million showed up!   

DW and I have our separate retirement accounts at Vanguard, and last year we opened a joint account for taxable savings. The joint account is visible to either of us when we log into Vanguard... Which means Mint sees it twice. It didn't really matter at first, but the account has grown to a relevant percentage of our net worth and Mint is doubling that. Eventually I created a manual "debt" to correct for it.

[SwordGuy]

Yesterday I logged in to Vanguard to invest in my after tax account.  I got a prompt to transition my Roth and rollover ira to the new brokerage account structure.  Since I'll have to do it eventually, I went ahead and kicked off the transition process.  Today I logged i to Personal Capital to see where this weeks market gyrations put me net worth-wise.  I about had a heart attack when I saw my total was over a million.  I completely forgot about yesterday's transactions. It took me a minute to realize it was because Vanguard was still in the middle of switching my accounts and my Roth and Rollover IRAs were being counted twice.  Being a fake millionaire was nice for that minute before my memory kicked in ;)
I can't wait to join the double comma club for real!

I felt your excitement about a week ago.   I set up my accounts in Quicken and downloaded the balances and recent transactions.   For one 401K provider, it entered my current balance as the starting balance and then created additional transactions to add my current balance to the account, doubling those balances.   An extra half a million showed up!   

DW and I have our separate retirement accounts at Vanguard, and last year we opened a joint account for taxable savings. The joint account is visible to either of us when we log into Vanguard... Which means Mint sees it twice. It didn't really matter at first, but the account has grown to a relevant percentage of our net worth and Mint is doubling that. Eventually I created a manual "debt" to correct for it.

Interesting!   Quicken was smart enough not to do that for us.