Deep Prestigious Thoughts

Whilst cleaning the bathroom the other day, I was thinking to myself what kind of things do I do on a regular basis that if a stranger saw me, he would more likely think I was a common middle class bum rather than the grandiose kiss-my-feet Wall Street professional that I am.Take public transportation everywhere.Clean my own bathroom, wash my own dishes, mop my own floors.Track my expenses to the nearest penny and get annoyed when I spend $10 more than I should have in any given month.Walk around in t-shirt and shorts when I'm not working (and even some times when I am working).Play internet poker…for fake money. I used to use plastic utensils because I was too cheap to buy real ones.Used to take the Fung-Wa Chinatown bus to Boston and Washington DC until there was a riot on one trip.Still have the exact same furniture that I had 8 years ago, with the exception of a $100 desk I bought at OfficeMax, an $80 dresser and two $40 bookshelves from IKEA, and two other bookshelves that I got for free.Keep the heat at 68 and AC at 75.What habits betray your badass financial job and high standing in society?

 

I rarely eat out as I was a lead line cook in a prior life. I can make better food with higher quality ingredients than most places.

My friend from back then got a job at a top tier Michelin Star spot in LA. He texted me shortly after getting going, “This joint uses some of the same chain suppliers we used back East! I’m shocked people pay what they do for this trash.”

Pro tip by Seth Klarman, “Never trust a chef who won’t eat his own cooking.”

 

1: I've got a really nice sportscar.  Apparently I've got to change the oil every year if I drive or not? (also can write essays about the R32 Brightliners vs the redbirds)

2: Roomba, also Barkeeper's friend for the tub.

3: what are expenses? I just end up with an extra $2k lying around every month

4: If they're not work t-shirts you're doing it wrong.

5: RLLY? 

6: real cutlery is worth it.  Paper plates are fine, but get the coated ones.

7: Bolt was cheaper but eventually you upgrade to Amtrak. (watch "the rise and fall of Penn Station" for a good cry)

8: some old, some new anything not ikea should be something you like.  My Herman Miller lounge was totally worth it.

9: live on the top floor and you'll never turn the heat on.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
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I was reminded of this thread when I ate lunch at a hole in the wall not far from where I live.  They have a prime rib sandwich special with fries for $9.99 to sell off the remaining prime rib Sunday special.  It's a divey dump, but a place I can chill out with normal folks and talk sports, shop, life, or whatever.  Most of the menu items are homemade, locally sourced, and remarkable (ie not delivered in by Sysco or the like).  Dude next to me today had a heated Carhartt jacket on as he works outside in this time of year.  Heated jackets!? Who would've thought.  People ask what I do, I say I work for the organization that I do.  I just let them assume I'm one of the production people which is the majority of the headcount and what most folks do in town.  Kinda cool to turn off high finance and chill with regular folks who want to shoot the breeze, complain about gas prices, be politically incorrect at times, or predict who will win the Super Bowl.

If they only knew I was a Senior Chimp on WSO with over 5k bananas...

 

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