Comments on: The Law of Household Economics

By: Bozo

Bozo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:22:09 +0000

We never have unexpected expenses. We always save more than we spend. All our tomato blossoms pollinate and turn into beautiful fruit. Our DSL never goes out.

Yah, you betcha.

By: Troy

Troy — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:52:52 +0000

Actually, I look at it in reverse. When something bad comes up, there is usually a windfall (or contingency plan) that is in place to offset the unexpected event…and I can keep on leaning forward

By: rubin pham

rubin pham — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:13:57 +0000

this article is funny.
i had similar experience not too long ago.

By: partgypsy

partgypsy — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:57:00 +0000

If any of you haven’t seen this blog yet, check out “We need to be debt free”.

His life is a perfect example of this, and can be painful (but entertaining) reading.

By: Joe @ Simple Debt-Free Finance

Joe @ Simple Debt-Free Finance — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:28:19 +0000

LOL!

It’s so true! I had always referred to it (semi-jokingly) as the “conservation of destitution.” But a thorn by any other name stings as much. It’s exactly what happened to my economic stimulus windfall.

http://simpledebtfreefinance.com/my-economic-stimulus-check/

It might also be a permutation of Murphy’s law. Damn Murphy.

By: Ron@TheWisdomJournal

Ron@TheWisdomJournal — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:02:28 +0000

This seems to be a law of the universe in my household. I’ve actually considered putting all windfalls into a 6 month CD so I couldn’t touch the money…but, the expense would hit 6 months and one day later!

The real moral of the story: BIG FAT EMERGENCY FUND

By: Heidi

Heidi — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:30:35 +0000

hanks for pointing out that this phenomenon has a name – I had no idea!

I really like Steve’s comment above: “The joy you express with the windfall is inversely proportional to the heartbreak you will suffer when the expense hits.” – So very true!

I wonder what happens if you simply direct all “found” money to charity?

By: Steve Braun

Steve Braun — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:03:47 +0000

The Law of Household Economics is real. I would add these important corollaries:

1. The joy you express with the windfall is inversely proportional to the heartbreak you will suffer when the expense hits.

2. The large appliance, vehicle, or major household system (i.e., heating, cooling, water heater, roof, etc.) that is closest to you when you experience the windfall is most likely to be the source of the ensuing expense. These objects have ESP!

Moral of the story? Keep your best poker face and never speak openly about your windfall and maybe, just maybe you’ll beat the odds for once — just like Charlie Brown with Lucy and kicking the football.