KeepItReal

Getting the tread back on track: I have never not paid when hiring. Even if the experience was less than satisfactory. The only time payment went sideways (in a funny way) was when the companion left without taking the envelope with his Benjamins. He was a regular and we were perhaps too comfortable. I texted him right after he left and he came back to pick it up. I teased him about it "Back for round 2??" 😆

Dave Ramsey.

In my experience the link provided is dead. 😎 (If you want a serious reply, provide an active link!)

Oh, the irony. A recent report cited that there is a 99% chance that we will lose control of AI and it will kill us all. So yeah, Mr Tech - glad you are planning ahead. https://futurism.com/the-byte/researcher-99-percent-chance-ai-destroy-humankind I have enough canned food and bottled water to help me get through a few weeks (hurricane etc). My long term outlook if society collapses is not good.

Palm Springs FL or Palm Springs CA?

I love your name - brought back fond memories from one of my favorite movies. https://youtu.be/m-rNxnf55a0 Also glad that you are able to be open with your doctor about your life and wellness. Keep it up. 👍

There may be some of that (stigma, bias), but the science is clear: antibiotics use should be a last resort not a routinely used item. Big pharma is happy to make a profit today even if it leads to long term problems. We should know better and I will stick to the advice from my doctor.

I've apologizes 3 times already! Will you please stop throwing it in my face? It was Pride. We were drinking a lot of gin and tonics and a severe case of the hornies came over us. We used condoms and didnt make a mess. I promise - it won't happen again!

With father's day coming up, I have to wonder: what do you get for your father when he is a convicted felon awaiting sentencing? 🤔

It is my understanding that banks and card providers (visa/mastercard) prohibit charging a fee for card use. At least that was the case when I was in banking. A merchant can be fined and the bank can stop offering you banking services if you do it. If I recall correctly, New York state law allows for a cash discount, but the price on the menu is what you need to use for cards. Maybe @rvwnsd can comment - he is more knowledgeable about banking than I am.

Keep in mind, CNBC reported that a number of large organizations are backing down on their claims (majority cutting by half) and admitting the losses are not from theft/shrinkage but bad inventory management. That is a big difference.

I agree. @jmichaeliii Take him by his word. He knows you are aware of boundaries since you asked the question. He will tell you to stop if he is uncomfortable. That is my take.

Would be my assumption that most of us would like this standard gratuity fee to be disclosed ahead of time. I usually tip so the amount of the fee included wouldn't be a big deal for me. Haven't run across this yet, but no doubt I will eventually. My bigger concern is whether the "gratuity" is now reaching the staff or if it is being shared with the business/owners/managers.

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"? Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it.

Oh, not this topic again. Pizza...pizza please! At least most people will be happy with pizza - this topic leaves everyone unhappy.

Take a look here for context: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-21/column-it-wasnt-just-the-endless-shrimp-red-lobsters-corporate-owners-drove-it-into-bankruptcy

You said you are in the UK - why wouldn't it be free from the NHS? Did you ask? That will also give you an opportunity to ask your questions of someone qualified to answer correctly.

Okay. Stop. Now you are just confusing everybody with jibber jabber. In the USA we use Consumer Price Index (primary) and Personal Consumption Expenditure (secondary) to measure inflation. We do NOT use core price indexing to measure inflation...at all.

I'll ask again: if you compare Jan 2020 to Jan 2024 on the chart you selected...where do you end up? Please don't avoid the question - after all; you are the one who brought it up? Since I know nothing about economics, perhaps you could explain it to me like I am a small child...or a golden retriever?

Great chart...but did you actually look at it? Covid stimulus was paid in March 2020 so of course you will pick April 2020 when there is an artificial high! 🙄 When you start with January 2020 instead it looks a bit different, yes? How about you compare Jan 2020 to Jan 2024 instead?

No, they have not! Tax brackets and deductions are adjusted every year. Ask your CPA!

Nope, it is not. Hyperinflation is what most economists and accountants would consider "sky rocketing." Hyperinflation is 50% increase every month. Now THAT is sky rocketing! 🤓

The chart you provided is for change in personal income. That is not the same as disposable income. Ask your CPA.

Per capital disposable income in higher today ($50,789) than it was in 2019 ($47,226). [IBIS]

Everyone agrees: prices have gone up. They always do. More now than in recent years, but let's not get too dramatic about "sky rocketing". It's been far worse in other countries and they have not benefitted from wage increases like most Americans. Take a moment to count your blessings.