Bogleheads Home Bogleheads
Investing Advice Inspired by Jack Bogle
 
  WikiWiki    FAQFAQ    SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Craigslist Meets WallStreet…Classic

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bogleheads Forum Index -> Personal Finance (Not Investing)
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
gbs
Librarian


Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 558

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:45 pm    Post subject: Craigslist Meets WallStreet…Classic Reply with quote

Sounds so diehard-ish Smile

http://newyork.craigslist.org/....83703.html

What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I’m tired of beating around the bush. I’m a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I’m articulate and classy.
I’m not from New York . I’m looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don’t think I’m overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a business man who makes average around 200 - 250. But that’s where I seem to hit a roadblock. 250,000 won’t get me to central park west. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker and lives in Tribeca, and she’s not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? How do I get to her level?

Here are my questions specifically:

- Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics- bars, restaurants, gyms

-What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won’t hurt my feelings

-Is there an age range I should be targeting (I’m 25)?

- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the upper east side so plain? I’ve seen really ‘plain jane’ boring types who have nothing to offer married to incredibly wealthy guys. I’ve seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the east village. What’s the story there?

- Jobs I should look out for? Everyone knows - lawyer, investment banker, doctor. How much do those guys really make? And where do they hang out? Where do the hedge fund guys hang out?

- How you decide marriage vs. just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY

Please hold your insults - I’m putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial; at least I’m being up front about it. I wouldn’t be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn’t able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice home and hearth.

it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 432279810

THE ANSWER
Dear Pers-431649184:

I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament.
Firstly, I’m not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here’s how I see it.

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simple a crappy business deal. Here’s why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here’s the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity…in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won’t be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain, you’re 25 now and will likely stay pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy and hold…hence the rub…marriage. It doesn’t make good business sense to “buy you” (which is what you’re asking) so I’d rather lease. In case you think I’m being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It’s as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as “articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful”
as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn’t found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then we wouldn’t need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you’re going about it the right way.
Classic “pump and dump.”
I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, let me know.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
harland



Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 181
Location: Virginia

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shocked wow, man. that ad is a doozy.

good reply though.
_________________
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bob90245



Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 3616

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

heh heh. Tom Leykis would be proud. Twisted Evil
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
modal



Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 1032
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also enjoyed the other response not included in your post.

I wish the best of luck on your sales project. As for me, I am also available for a short-term lease. However, for marriage I wouldn't consider a women unless she can bring beauty, brains and self-motivation to the table. I do not want to dilute my gene pool and end up raising a bunch of Paris Hiltons.


Did this make it to the best of section? If it did, it's one of the cleaner posts out there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ryuns



Joined: 07 Aug 2007
Posts: 1318
Location: Santa Barbara. Age: 25

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hilarious.

A good woman who's a "buy and hold" who won't pollute my gene pool is all I've ever wanted Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ted Valentine



Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 1011
Location: Music City USA

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as “articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful” as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn’t found you, if not only for a tryout


Ka-ching! Laughing
_________________
“A bear market is an extended period of time during which people who think this time is different sell all their investments to people who understand that this time is never different.”
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
mlebuf



Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 739
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A wise man once recounted this important life lesson:

I grew up as a poor kid without any money. Then, I went to work and made lots of money. I bought a boat. I bought an airplane. And I went through a few very expensive marriages/divorces too. From this I learned a very important lesson: If it floats, flies or flirts, lease it. Laughing

Best wishes,
Michael
_________________
Best wishes,
Michael

Invest your time actively and your money passively.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
SoonerSunDevil



Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 2001
Location: The desert

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe she's not as good looking as she thinks???
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DaveS



Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 398
Location: Reno, NV

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:49 am    Post subject: Not me Reply with quote

I don't make enough to qualify. Further I recall being told by my parents. "When you marry into money, you earn it. Dave
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Grandma



Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 225

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:13 am    Post subject: Embarassed and Ashamed Reply with quote

I hope this is a joke. Otherwise, as a female lawyer, who taught my "spectacularly beautiful" lawyer daughter the importance of more esoteric qualities and values, you give us all a bad name. I am embarassed and ashamed for you. Maybe match.com is the place for you?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Grandma



Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 225

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:22 am    Post subject: It IS a Joke Reply with quote

Glad I had my second cup of coffee, Librarian, to see that YOU were not the original poster, merely the MESSENGER. However, my sentiments are obvious. Values are instilled, or not, male or female. Best.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Valuethinker



Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 11410

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:36 am    Post subject: Re: Craigslist Meets WallStreet…Classic Reply with quote

gbs wrote:
Sounds so diehard-ish Smile

http://newyork.craigslist.org/....83703.html

What am I doing wrong?
.


There is quite a bit of psychological research that shows that if you make people pay for something, they are far less likely to be honest about using it (eg 50 cent deposit for borrowing a cup, do they return it?) than if you make it free.

For example, when a daycare centre began to charge professional parents for late pickups of their kids, the percentage of late pickups soared.

The short answer is, once humans turn something into a monetary transaction, very different rules apply than the normal human ones of fairness and swaps of equal value. psychologically, humans value fair exchange very highly.

This woman is the stereotype of the money-grubbing New York broad, who checks your bank balance before she continues the conversation. She doesn't want to find true love and live in a loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, no she wants the Upper West Side.

She has therefore massively lowered her chances of achieving same.

She should hang out in bars in Greenwich Connecticut though: highest concentration of hedge fund managers in the world.

As to the reply, what was it someone once told me: 'New Yorkers are not ruder than other Americans, but they are blunter' Very Happy Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Valuethinker



Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 11410

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:40 am    Post subject: Re: Craigslist Meets WallStreet…Classic Reply with quote

gbs wrote:
Sounds so diehard-ish Smile

http://newyork.craigslist.org/....83703.html

What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I’m tired of beating around the bush.


PS the woman should read New York magazine. Her impression of what (most) doctors earn in New York is inflated, I suspect, and NY Mag would tell her where these highly paid men hang out.

She should also consider business school. High male to female ratio, and the men in a top B School have a high chance of making those kinds of salaries.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
matt



Joined: 04 Mar 2007
Posts: 914

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Valuethinker wrote:
Quote:
For example, when a daycare centre began to charge professional parents for late pickups of their kids, the percentage of late pickups soared.


The issue here wasn't honesty, it was about perceived value. Once the daycare started charging, it seemed more acceptable to the busy parent to be late since the daycare would get extra money for it. The busy parent valued his/her time at a greater dollar amount than the extra charge, so it turned into an economic decision. Beforehand, there was social pressure not to be late, but not much in terms of financial penalties unless you were frequently late and they threatened to no longer accept your child.

Just another example of unintended consequences. The "punishment" made the problem worse. This is a lot more common than we'd all like it to be, but it just shows that human decision making is not as obvious as certain behavior books and studies would like us to believe.

P.S. I'm just sitting here today wondering about human decision making and why equity investors are so excited about U.S. jobs data that is always subject to subtantial revision. The previous month's jobs data that made everyone gloomy has been completely reversed in this month's revision, so in fact it wasn't as gloomy as it appeared. But maybe this month's numbers are not as they appear either, yet the traders keep moving the market on this noise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
linenfort



Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 397

PostPosted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This story made the Howard Stern show this morning.
Artie Lange wants to reply.
Everyone loved the investment banker's response, in which he referred to the Craigslist OP as a depreciating asset.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
docneil88



Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Posts: 491
Location: Taxable

PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:48 pm    Post subject: Re: Craigslist Meets WallStreet…Classic Reply with quote

investment banker to possible trophy wife wrote:
So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. ...It doesn’t make good business sense to “buy you” (which is what you’re asking) so I’d rather lease. In case you think I’m being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It’s as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.


That same banker probably would be happy to plunk down a cool half mill for a magnificent car that would depreciate heavily over the first couple decades. So, I sincerely ask why he'd probably buy the car, but avoid a depreciating trophy wife? BTW, I asked this question to a friend, and he said, "Because the car will never say 'no' when the bankerman wants to ride, baby!" (OK, over the top, but I couldn't resist sharing that. Apologies in advance to anyone who may be offended.)

The banker forgot to mention that his body too will be steadily depreciating as well. I hope against hope that both their minds will be appreciating over time.

The marriage/purchase analogy seems odd. The main upfront costs are for the wedding and rings, and those costs are usually shared. A high-earner's marriage to a trophy wife seems more like he has a lifetime lease with high monthly costs and a penalty clause for cancellation, with the penalty increasing as the assets bought with his earnings grow.

Cheers, Neil
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
junger



Joined: 17 May 2007
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's classic!
_________________
Automatic Finances
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
zhiwiller



Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 1166
Location: New York

PostPosted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Posts like these remind me how lucky I am to have a sweet girlfriend who couldn't care less what I drive or what I have in the bank. Anyone who refers to themselves as "beautiful (spectacularly beautiful)" needs some humility knocked into them.

/1 year anniversary next weekend!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
MDIndexer



Joined: 06 Apr 2007
Posts: 40

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And the story continues as seen below.

Rebuttal from the women

To the gentleman who called me a depreciating asset

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2007-10-11, 8:23AM EDT


Dear Sir,

I must confess that I was somewhat taken aback upon reading your email. Indeed, it has taken some time for me to sufficiently recuperate from my surprise. Lest your confidence quickly inflate for little reason (as we know is the predisposition for Wall St. types), allow me to hasten to reassure you that the source of my surprise was neither your candor nor the accuracy of your perception. Indeed, it is your "claimed" success in light of your poor grasp of economics which has me baffled. If the standards required to meet with financial success on Wall St. have sunk so low, perhaps I should indeed "make my own money", except for the fact that the effort/reward ratio is far too high for my liking - especially when so many of your ilk have displayed a far more cogent grasp of market realities than you have.

By now you are likely scratching your ever-vanishing hairline in confusion, so allow me to elaborate, dear man. To build some credibility I will tell you a bit more about yourself. Though you did not mention the details of your occupation, it is clear that you are an investment banker and not a trader, as any good trader would understand that human courtships are based upon a semi-efficient open market, and not an investment banking cartel. However, your inability to grasp the realities of the dating market is not surprising, given that you have successfully employed the tools of collusion and market manipulation rather that true acumen in your supposed wealth generation.

If your grasp of finance were not a minority partner with your ego, you would realize that the "outflows" associated with my depreciating "assets" are quite certain, and therefore subject to a low discount rate when determining their present value. In addition, though your concept of economics evidentially failed to move past the 1950s, advancement in plastic surgery is not subject to the same limitation. Thus, with some additional capital expenditure, the overall lifetime of "outflows" generated by these assets is greatly increased. Sad that Ashton Kutcher has demonstrated understanding of the female asset class which you, in all of your financial "wisdom", have not.

You, on the other hand, are, given the uncertainty of the Wall St. job market, more of an inflation-indexed junk bond with an underwater nested call option. Though you may argue that you are more of an equity investment, my monetary minimums required from you do not change, and if you are unable to pay them, I will liquidate you without the benefit of a chapter 11, just as you would me.

Because your outflows are so much more uncertain with respect to mine, I require additional compensation in the form of a underwater nested call option on your future assets. I say underwater because, even taking into account the value of your junk bond coupon payment to me, the value of my "outflow" is in excess of the market price of your equity (which is quite low due to its riskiness associated with your poor grasp of finance and my existing claim upon your junk bond coupon).

I must thank you though for raising the question, despite the reputation cost of subjecting your weak logic to such widespread scrutiny. This took either considerable courage or ignorance on your part- and we'll give you the benefit of doubt, just this once. My current boyfriend (a trader who lives in Central Park West, of course) and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing your response and we wish you the best of luck in your unhappy pursuit of that elusive market inefficiency.


This message is in response to:


I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully
about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament.
Firstly, I'm not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your
bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here's how I
see it.

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simple a
crappy business deal. Here's why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you
suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring
my money. Fine, simple. But here's the rub, your looks will fade and my
money will likely continue into perpetuity...in fact, it is very likely
that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won't
be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning
asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation
accelerates! Let me explain, you're 25 now and will likely stay pretty
hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in
earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy
and hold...hence the rub...marriage. It doesn't make good business sense
to "buy you" (which is what you're asking) so I'd rather lease. In case
you think I'm being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were
to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It's
as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So,
I wonder why a girl as "articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful"
as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to
believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K
hasn't found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then
we wouldn't need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you're going about it the right way.
Classic "pump and dump."
I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of
lease, let me know.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
zhiwiller



Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 1166
Location: New York

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MDIndexer wrote:
My current boyfriend (a trader who lives in Central Park West, of course) and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing your response and we wish you the best of luck in your unhappy pursuit of that elusive market inefficiency.


"Honey, will you write a rebuttal to this guy and use big fancy money words?"
"What's it about?"
"Oh, I'm looking for someone who makes more money."
"Oh."

I can't tell where the big fat lie is - is she a tr0ll on the original post or is she simply a liar about her situation on the second post?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
modal



Joined: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 1032
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

She fails to mention that's she's a Rent A Girlfriend (one of Cash American's new businesses) and that the man she is with has had his tubes tied.

Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
VictoriaF



Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 2467
Location: Arlington, VA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

zhiwiller wrote:
MDIndexer wrote:
My current boyfriend (a trader who lives in Central Park West, of course) and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing your response and we wish you the best of luck in your unhappy pursuit of that elusive market inefficiency.


"Honey, will you write a rebuttal to this guy and use big fancy money words?"
"What's it about?"
"Oh, I'm looking for someone who makes more money."
"Oh."

I can't tell where the big fat lie is - is she a tr0ll on the original post or is she simply a liar about her situation on the second post?


Why do you think she could not write it herself? A well educated woman could be more articulate than a trader.

My guess is that this is a research project.

Victoria
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
SoonerSunDevil



Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 2001
Location: The desert

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's a zero percent chance that the original woman in question wrote that rebuttal. In fact, I'm pretty confident that some intelligent, sarcastic, and witty individual decided to write that for the original woman. The original woman's writing style, vocabulary, and attitude are nothing like the response.

John
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bogleheads Forum Index -> Personal Finance (Not Investing) All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group