Posts by Danielle
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OnPoint: Easy as 1, 2, 22.8 billion, in reply to BenWilson,
I actually think the antipathy to means testing goes to our stupidly skewed addiction to real estate.
Can I have an antipathy to means testing because I think it's gross?
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Up Front: How About Now?, in reply to BenWilson,
I’ve only put the wild and wasteful ocean between myself and the in-laws – my own parents are available for babysitting.
I think I have won the day here by having my... interesting... mother-in-law 7000 miles away and my own sainted mother literally next door.
My own wedding was the least serious thing we could manage (Vegas, yadda) and I was surprised by how moving I found Standing Up There And Saying All That Stuff You Say. It was really unexpectedly meaningful. Fuck anyone who wants to deny people that, if they want it.
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to giovanni tiso,
The important thing is to save people from the horrible shock of having their lifestyle actually improved in their old age.
Yes, wouldn't that be dreadful. Happy old folk who don't have to eat cat food.
I think it's more likely that people end up with far less money than they need than otherwise (although I'd frankly love to see some pill-popping grannies wearing posh clothes and blowing all their money on stuff. Bugger the moralisers). Circumstances change. I should note that if, for example, you were divorced in middle age and ended up in dire financial straits, with a much larger mortgage than you thought you would - which happens to quite a number of people, mostly women - then retiring and trying to live solely on the pension is, well, probably a bit of a mission. It's not as if women who worked inside the home for a decade or more can count on their giant retirement savings.
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to BenWilson,
That's a harsh take on what Rik's been saying.
FFS Ben, it's an expression of frustration at this yucky entitled argument, not a *literal* take. Fifty dollar notes don't even come in two-ply, for one thing.
(Side note: I don't think tradespeople necessarily do 'easy work', either. I would find it very difficult, because I'm not practical. Horses for courses.)
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to Rik,
Good thing I’m not whining about increased taxes in the higher bracket then!
I don't understand what your point is, dude. You seem to be mildly complaining because we aren't sympathetic enough that you can't wipe your arse with fifty dollar notes every time you take a shit.
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Hard News: An inspirational record, in reply to Hadyn Green,
Ghostface Killah mixed with…
Right there. That’s where you had me.
Thin Lizzy vs Pixies – The Boys Are Back In Heaven
"Rock me, Phil". Or something.
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to Emma Hart,
Wow. I fed two people on $50 a week in 1992 and thought I was kind of a badass. I bow to you.
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to Rik,
Actually the reason I responded to you in that way is that we're in quite similar situations. We do have a mortgage and in December we will, all going well, have our second child (the first is currently 16 months old). I suppose a key difference is that we don't have to pay for childcare because I work from home, but I think it might even out because (and here's one of my "poor financial but good for my mental health" choices) I really hate supermarket shopping and get a lot of stuff delivered, so I guarantee we pay about a gazillion dollars more per week for food than you do. :) And I really do think we have an utterly luxurious lifestyle, the kind of thing I could only dream about when I was younger (were you ever hand-to-mouth? Do you remember what that's like?). I'm not entitled to this, either: it's pure dumb luck and privilege. So I couldn't possibly whine about increased taxes in the higher bracket: I would welcome them. The whining is not only embarrassing but really unjust to other people who are subsisting on so much less.
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Cracker: Another Capital Idea..., in reply to Sacha,
So is Rik saying he liked your earlier, funnier comments?
(This seems to be 'the thread in which I make dumb movie jokes', for some reason.)
(Our household income is similar to your example, Rik, and I'm afraid I think we live like fucking kings. Your 'friend' has a surplus at the end of every week! That's... not how it is for most people.)
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setting it in every red zone we can think of
Right, Emma, now you have to mention a mooncup.