A Craig's List lesson in finance

[JMT]

the following exchange was on Craig's List:

Reply to: pers-439244849@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-10-03, 4:18PM CDT

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



Dear Pers-439244849:

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 cr@ppy 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.



NY Times article about the posting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/bu...ia&oref=slogin

[Mattivi]

Perfect Response!

[RzO]

this is awesome, some of these broads freak me out, and yes very eloquent response.

[yume]

nice!

[HouseJunkie]

Her problem is so simple a 6 year old could solve it.


X is equal to Y if;

X = 1 man making $500K a year
and Y = 20 men making $25K a year.

[Oni]

The funny part is that its a real ad.

[Bling]

lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funniest thing ive read in ages

[Buck White]

How many whore's baths has this funky ho taken ?

[coach]

I think she's not seeing the whole picture. Those plain janes are with the wealthy guys because they met in high school or college before the guys got the good cash.

I think the other problem is almost certainly her mouth. Or rather, her brain, which she seems inordinately proud of. Say you are some superficial up-and-coming Wall Street punk. You made it to 30 and you are making some decent dough, half a million. You're single because you've been working 90 hours a week. So, now you just want some arm candy. You still work at least 60 hours a week, so it's not like you want a real commitment. So, looking for your arm candy, do you want some pushy smart bitch, or some brainless, light-hearted bimbo, given that both are equally hot?

[Buck White]

Originally Posted by coach

do you want some pushy smart bitch, or some brainless, light-hearted bimbo, given that both are equally hot?

Whichever one can gag on that cock.