Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[Freedomin5]

Jars of good jam made from real fruit usually cost $6 a jar. One jar usually lasts us about a month. To save money, I decided to start making my own jam. I spent $4 and made three jars. Two days later, and I am down to two jars because apparently we eat a lot more jam when it’s homemade using fresh fruit. I’m not sure I’m going to save any money here.

[AMandM]

Jars of good jam made from real fruit usually cost $6 a jar. One jar usually lasts us about a month. To save money, I decided to start making my own jam. I spent $4 and made three jars. Two days later, and I am down to two jars because apparently we eat a lot more jam when it’s homemade using fresh fruit. I’m not sure I’m going to save any money here.

I have had the same effect with fresh homemade bread.

[LennStar]

Jars of good jam made from real fruit usually cost $6 a jar. One jar usually lasts us about a month. To save money, I decided to start making my own jam. I spent $4 and made three jars. Two days later, and I am down to two jars because apparently we eat a lot more jam when it’s homemade using fresh fruit. I’m not sure I’m going to save any money here.

I have had the same effect with fresh homemade bread.

At least teh piggy bank around your waist will get real fatty!

[Alternatepriorities]

Jars of good jam made from real fruit usually cost $6 a jar. One jar usually lasts us about a month. To save money, I decided to start making my own jam. I spent $4 and made three jars. Two days later, and I am down to two jars because apparently we eat a lot more jam when it’s homemade using fresh fruit. I’m not sure I’m going to save any money here.

I have had the same effect with fresh homemade bread.

At least teh piggy bank around your waist will get real fatty!

I’ve had both of these problems with making bread. DW is good at saving berries we pick and any homemade jam though.

[MissNancyPryor]

I am in the Northwest USA.  I should have a resolution early next week and if they haven't got their act together I will be taking it further.  Logic dictates this should be zero problem for them and it strikes me as odd (and is a silly Mustachian People Problem) that they are fumbling around at all.  I feel like some weird unicorn, do people really never walk away from paychecks?  Of course they do.   

I will give an update once this is done.     

As usual my worrying is all for naught.  They called and approved me first thing this morning.  They offered $200K without my asking for it which is probably why I have stayed with them for 30+ years. 

My MPP was only a P for a few days after all.   It was anxiety on my part when the credit union was flopping around about my weirdness but it is all good now.

Kids, get your HELOCs set up pre-FIRE.  Don't be like Nancy.     

[Sibley]

Glad it all worked out. Deep breath!

[jinga nation]

too many mangoes.

TS Elsa is bearing down on us today; picked 30-ish mango on Saturday to take to a friend's house for a football/futbol/soccer viewing party (2 Euro and 2 Copa America matches). Then picked 150 on Sunday. A few more Monday and today. Prior to the holiday weekend, must have picked some 100 over the past month. Had to get most of them picked on Sunday otherwise Elsa would fling them far and wide and what a waste. And I had help from my dad.

The 150 mango haul got split, my dad took half to distribute to family friends. Going to make my 4th batch of mango pickle during the storm. And share some with a few neighbors. And eat the rest.

We don't freeze them, this variety changes taste and texture if frozen. Best eaten slightly raw with a nice tart and sweet balance.

This is the first year the tree yielded fruit. Next year will be crazy, and we have a smaller tree (which gave about 30 mango this year).

[BicycleB]

I am in the Northwest USA.  I should have a resolution early next week and if they haven't got their act together I will be taking it further.  Logic dictates this should be zero problem for them and it strikes me as odd (and is a silly Mustachian People Problem) that they are fumbling around at all.  I feel like some weird unicorn, do people really never walk away from paychecks?  Of course they do.   

I will give an update once this is done.     

As usual my worrying is all for naught.  They called and approved me first thing this morning.  They offered $200K without my asking for it which is probably why I have stayed with them for 30+ years. 

My MPP was only a P for a few days after all.   It was anxiety on my part when the credit union was flopping around about my weirdness but it is all good now.

Kids, get your HELOCs set up pre-FIRE.  Don't be like Nancy.   

Yay!

[GreenSheep]

too many mangoes.

TS Elsa is bearing down on us today; picked 30-ish mango on Saturday to take to a friend's house for a football/futbol/soccer viewing party (2 Euro and 2 Copa America matches). Then picked 150 on Sunday. A few more Monday and today. Prior to the holiday weekend, must have picked some 100 over the past month. Had to get most of them picked on Sunday otherwise Elsa would fling them far and wide and what a waste. And I had help from my dad.

The 150 mango haul got split, my dad took half to distribute to family friends. Going to make my 4th batch of mango pickle during the storm. And share some with a few neighbors. And eat the rest.

We don't freeze them, this variety changes taste and texture if frozen. Best eaten slightly raw with a nice tart and sweet balance.

This is the first year the tree yielded fruit. Next year will be crazy, and we have a smaller tree (which gave about 30 mango this year).

So, so, so jealous! Mangoes are my favorite fruit, and it's just not quite warm enough here to grow them (or not enough hours of sunlight? something like that). Hope things go all right with Elsa, though.

[dragoncar]

Is mango wine a thing? 

[Morning Glory]

You could get a dehydrator. I love dried mango!!

[Dicey]

I am in the Northwest USA.  I should have a resolution early next week and if they haven't got their act together I will be taking it further.  Logic dictates this should be zero problem for them and it strikes me as odd (and is a silly Mustachian People Problem) that they are fumbling around at all.  I feel like some weird unicorn, do people really never walk away from paychecks?  Of course they do.   

I will give an update once this is done.     

As usual my worrying is all for naught.  They called and approved me first thing this morning.  They offered $200K without my asking for it which is probably why I have stayed with them for 30+ years. 

My MPP was only a P for a few days after all.   It was anxiety on my part when the credit union was flopping around about my weirdness but it is all good now.

Kids, get your HELOCs set up pre-FIRE.  Don't be like Nancy.   

Hooray!

[GuitarStv]

Is mango wine a thing?

Yes, I was first exposed to it the first time my son doesn't get the last mango.

[Fomerly known as something]

My house is slow to sell because it is the smallest house in the neighborhood.

[Sibley]

My house is slow to sell because it is the smallest house in the neighborhood.

Smallest house in the neighborhood + not selling = asking too much.

Really, not selling = asking too much.

[dragoncar]

My house is slow to sell because it is the smallest house in the neighborhood.

Smallest house in the neighborhood + not selling = asking too much.

Really, not selling = asking too much.

[Gerard]

too many mangoes.

Years back there was a reader profile in Organic Gardening magazine about a woman who lived in Florida with a yard full of mango trees, near the Ringling Brothers Circus winter facility. She made compost out of mangoes and elephant poop.

[Fomerly known as something]

My house is slow to sell because it is the smallest house in the neighborhood.

Smallest house in the neighborhood + not selling = asking too much.

Really, not selling = asking too much.

Well yes but, I technically have a work guaranteed offer so will sell on August 18 no matter what.  Guaranteed offer is within 2% of asking, still getting lots of showings, I’m mostly tired of living in a house on the market.  I’m also tired of the feedback on size, it is smaller than normal for the area, but that is evident on the listing SQ footage.

[dragoncar]

I was thinking more that higher price = slower to sell, but that doesn’t mean overpriced.  It means it’s priced to sell slowly to the right buyer

And yes I think it’s ridiculous when I see a house that’s been on the market for a year without a price drop.  In my area motivated sellers drop the price every few weeks until they sell

[talltexan]

They're also good eatin' -

In pod we trust.

Reminds me of Ramona Quimby, playing Hansel and Gretel, sticking her rubber doll into her sister's birthday cake baking in the oven.

Ah, yes, I remember her and Beezus cackling over "Hansel is sooo hot right now!"

[pasadenafr]

I was on FaceTime with my sister this morning and told her I was happy because today's paycheck maxed out my mega backdoor for the year (I maxed out my 401(k) in March). She looked at me like I was an alien just landed from Mars and told me I was crazy - both because I saved all that money and because it made me happy.

Then she said it was great because she was counting on  me to pay for her luxury nursing home in 40 years 😂

[Visitation]

I was on FaceTime with my sister this morning and told her I was happy because today's paycheck maxed out my mega backdoor for the year (I maxed out my 401(k) in March). She looked at me like I was an alien just landed from Mars and told me I was crazy - both because I saved all that money and because it made me happy.

Then she said it was great because she was counting on  me to pay for her luxury nursing home in 40 years

Do you get a company match on your 401k?  If so, you may be leaving money on the table. 

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

[markbike528CBX]

MPP:
My capital gains harvesting isn't going to plan.
Sold at 75 , now at 72, so I'm missing out on 3 dollars of capital gains harvest in the future.

[whines, stomps foot, temper tantrum worthy of a 5 year old]

[DaMa]

MPP:
My capital gains harvesting isn't going to plan.
Sold at 75 , now at 72, so I'm missing out on 3 dollars of capital gains harvest in the future.

[whines, stomps foot, temper tantrum worthy of a 5 year old]

I just LOL-ed!  Then thought how much I love this forum, because there is no one in my real life who would understand this much less think it funny.

[StartingEarly]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

[pasadenafr]

I was on FaceTime with my sister this morning and told her I was happy because today's paycheck maxed out my mega backdoor for the year (I maxed out my 401(k) in March). She looked at me like I was an alien just landed from Mars and told me I was crazy - both because I saved all that money and because it made me happy.

Then she said it was great because she was counting on  me to pay for her luxury nursing home in 40 years

Do you get a company match on your 401k?  If so, you may be leaving money on the table. 

Yes, it's a % of contributions. I get the full match irrespective of how many paychecks it takes to max out.

[Steeze]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

Nothing worse than having piles of cash everywhere and no where to put it. Not comfortable to sleep on, smells funny, gets moldy when it’s piled up, it’s awkward when people come over. Just make sure the floors are solid before you stack too much in a single bedroom. Might need to reinforce the floor.

[Sibley]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

What are you doing that generates so much cash?

[zolotiyeruki]

DW and I opted out of the advance child tax credit payments--she a week ago, I about a week before that.  Yesterday, we got the first check anyway.  Grrr.  Now we have to keep it in the bank account until next April.

Although, I suppose it's the government giving us an interest-free loan, for a change...

[Taran Wanderer]

I looked for how to opt out, and it was a royal pain to do so, plus DW would have to opt out also. We got the first payment. I’m giving up. We will just take all six payments and settle up before next April 15. Why we are getting a credit when we do not appear to be eligible is a whole ‘nother issue. Oh well, MPP’s…

[Trifle]

I had an appointment yesterday and chose to put on a dress for it.  My 15 year old son took one look at me and doubled over laughing.  He said “You look hilarious!”

I didn’t take offense.  Because of Coronavirus and FIRE, he hasn’t seen me in anything except jeans or overalls for over two years.  Great MPP to have.  (But I will definitely be working with him on his social niceties. :/)

[Sibley]

I had an appointment yesterday and chose to put on a dress for it.  My 15 year old son took one look at me and doubled over laughing.  He said “You look hilarious!”

I didn’t take offense.  Because of Coronavirus and FIRE, he hasn’t seen me in anything except jeans or overalls for over two years.  Great MPP to have.  (But I will definitely be working with him on his social niceties. :/)

The 15 year old daughter of one of my coworkers is doing some filing/boring admin work for the office this summer. I'm having a blast listening to her - she swings between very childish and very adult behavior and sometimes the craziest things come out of her mouth. She's a good kid overall. Social niceties are definitely in the works for her at times too!

[ixtap]

Thought about starting an August buy nothing thread, then remembered that the stove we have been waiting on since January is finally back in stock at some stores and we may be buying one if our local store has it.

[BicycleB]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

What are you doing that generates so much cash?

Based on the screen name, the early bird is getting the worm

[nessness]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

What are you doing that generates so much cash?

Based on the screen name, the early bird is getting the worm

Lol. He's said in other posts that he's a professional gambler.

[Sibley]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

What are you doing that generates so much cash?

Based on the screen name, the early bird is getting the worm

Lol. He's said in other posts that he's a professional gambler.

Oh duh, I think I knew that. I don't always look at usernames!

Well, pay for stuff in cash, that will help. Can you buy money orders with cash and then deposit the money order? Also, ask the casino/etc can send the money electronically rather than paying in cash. If that works some of the time that would help.

[dragoncar]

I have to put actual effort into thinking about making sure I'm getting checks for things when possible so I can move money into savings without additional paperwork and other issues with the bank from depositing too much cash regularly. Right now I have way too much of my money in physical cash due to this issue.

What are you doing that generates so much cash?

Based on the screen name, the early bird is getting the worm

Lol. He's said in other posts that he's a professional gambler.

Oh duh, I think I knew that. I don't always look at usernames!

Well, pay for stuff in cash, that will help. Can you buy money orders with cash and then deposit the money order? Also, ask the casino/etc can send the money electronically rather than paying in cash. If that works some of the time that would help.

Have you considered opening a business account?  They are far more likely to expect cash deposits and the monthly fee is probably insignificant if you are depositing over $10k regularly

Business accounts are available for sole proprietorships, and you can just use your personal SSN without an ITIN

[Fomerly known as something]

I’m moving and downsizing.  My current MPP, getting rid of stuff (namely my guest room furniture aka my bedroom set from when I was 4, and 2 chairs and a sofa).  It’s hard work to give things away/for a nominal fee.  It’s all still in pretty decent shape some ware and tear but dang someone please that my stuff.

[dcheesi]

I recently succumbed to peer pressure and bought a Fitbit only to find that it wouldn't work with my older phone or computer (nor will it work as a standalone device). It had been so long since I bought electronics that I didn't think to consider compatability, since I thought that the thing was just a pedometer. I briefly considered the idea of upgrading my tech to allow me to use the gizmo, but balked at the cost and hassle. Fortunately the store manager took pity on me and allowed me to return it despite a policy against returns on electronics (which I also feel is a win for being nice to retail staff). I'll stick to my tried and true method of tracking my exercise and just stopping when tired.

IIRC there is at least one model that's designed to be more standalone, but then you're still limited to doing everything on that little tiny screen. So maybe not worth it for you?

I got my fitbit as part of a concerted fitness plan a few years ago. But since then my involvement in that program has waned. TBH I mostly keep mine around as cheap smartwatch; it tells time, and buzzes me when I have a call, alarm, or text message (and displays the latter) --useful if you're prone to losing track of your phone like I am. But if your phone doesn't work with it, then all of that is moot.

[Dicey]

I got a FB for Christmas. I have the app, but it's kind of bullshit because they keep bugging me to upgrade/subscribe/whatever. Um, no. I just use it as a daily tracker. Which makes me wonder: if I forget to wear it, did I walk at all? Now that's an MPP.

[Mighty Eyebrows]

Fitbit is now owned by Google. Its days are numbered before google gets bored and kills the online services.

https://arstechnica.com/series/google-kills-product/

[Fomerly known as something]

Fitbit is now owned by Google. Its days are numbered before google gets bored and kills the online services.

https://arstechnica.com/series/google-kills-product/

Even more reason to keep my loyalty to Garmin.  (Since the basically pioneered the GPS watch and I’m a longtime runner.)

[TomTX]

Have you considered opening a business account?  They are far more likely to expect cash deposits and the monthly fee is probably insignificant if you are depositing over $10k regularly

Business accounts are available for sole proprietorships, and you can just use your personal SSN without an ITIN

Better yet, many banks (for example Wells Fargo and Chase) offer a signup bonus for setting up a business account, on the order of $300-$500. You do typically need to deposit something like $10k-$25k for 2-4 months and may need to do some debit card or other transactions. I've done this with just my personal SSN (business name identical to my legal name) and used Amazon virtual gift card reloads at the ~$1 level (each) to execute the transactions. I do increment each one by $0.01 for ready tracking (ie first reload is $1, second is $1.01, etc)

[dragoncar]

Have you considered opening a business account?  They are far more likely to expect cash deposits and the monthly fee is probably insignificant if you are depositing over $10k regularly

Business accounts are available for sole proprietorships, and you can just use your personal SSN without an ITIN

Better yet, many banks (for example Wells Fargo and Chase) offer a signup bonus for setting up a business account, on the order of $300-$500. You do typically need to deposit something like $10k-$25k for 2-4 months and may need to do some debit card or other transactions. I've done this with just my personal SSN (business name identical to my legal name) and used Amazon virtual gift card reloads at the ~$1 level (each) to execute the transactions. I do increment each one by $0.01 for ready tracking (ie first reload is $1, second is $1.01, etc)

Good point I totally forgot I did that with chase.  Worth it!

[Steeze]

MPP: I accidently contributed $850 more to my son's 529 than I can deduct on my state taxes.

[frugalnacho]

I got a FB for Christmas. I have the app, but it's kind of bullshit because they keep bugging me to upgrade/subscribe/whatever. Um, no. I just use it as a daily tracker. Which makes me wonder: if I forget to wear it, did I walk at all? Now that's an MPP.

If a tree falls in a forest, but it's not wearing its FB, does it gain any steps?

[FireLane]

I got a coupon from my grocery store for $8 off an order of $150. That's a pretty good discount, but I don't usually spend that much on groceries! I'd have to plan a big stockup trip to use it.

[By the River]

I have a heavy-duty 75 foot extension cord which would let my weed-eater just get to the far fence corner.  My wife was using the cord to trim hedges but nicked the cord in one spot and cut it in another trying to stop the nick.  I of course, just shortened the cord by 18 inches but now it won't reach the corner.  I alternate between skipping the corner and using two cords now.   Not buying a new cord just for that area. 

[dragoncar]

I have a heavy-duty 75 foot extension cord which would let my weed-eater just get to the far fence corner.  My wife was using the cord to trim hedges but nicked the cord in one spot and cut it in another trying to stop the nick.  I of course, just shortened the cord by 18 inches but now it won't reach the corner.  I alternate between skipping the corner and using two cords now.   Not buying a new cord just for that area.

If you already spliced it, you could just add another couple feet in the middle.  Just find some scrap wire of the correct gauge

[Rural]

Our HR director keeps forgetting to check to see what's going to happen when I get into over-50 catchup territory in my 403b in October.