Marked down salmon

[Bryan Simmons]

Three days before "Best By" date. It was nice.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/36178182@N08/albums/72177720309945534
We had a late dinner. I had a well deserved nap today. I got an MRI of my knee, and it turns out it's a torn meniscus. Then I went over to my son's house and did about an hour of string trimming. This knee thing is making the first days of my retirement not as fun as it could otherwise be, but it's getting better every day that I don't work at Target. We went in there yesterday to go to the pharmacy, and I saw a salaried assistant store manager with a cart of books. I'm sure that he's paid three times what they paid me. That was "rich."

--Bryan

[Hank Rogers]

Did you taunt him?

I'm surprised they didn't close the store the day after you left.

[Bryan Simmons]

No. I like him.

>
> I'm surprised they didn't close the store the day after you left.
>

It's just costing them a lot more to get the work done. In
retrospect, I'm glad that they gave me the insultingly small
raises, because I for sure wouldn't have semi-retired as
soon, and very likely wouldn't have totally retired until, at
earliest, April of next year. I was atypically productive,
which meant that I spent a few years being pretty much a
chump, and that's nothing to boast about. That manager
wasn't the one who gave me the insultingly small raises.
He was always really nice to me, and I wish him nothing
but well.

--Bryan

[Ed Pawlowski]

Seems they pay a fair wage and you get what you are entitled to

Salary of Target CEO Breakdown in 2022
According to Business Insider, the salary of Target CEO Brian Cornell
earned a total compensation of $17.6 million in 2022 going into 2023.
Furthermore, “Cornell's pay ratio works out to 680 times that of the
median worker, down from last year's figure of 775.”

[Bryan Simmons]

There's no entitlement. Wages and salaries are determined by
many factors. Mr. Cornell decided to raise everyone's pay rate
to a minimum of $15/hour, but didn't raise the wage of long time
employees who had skills and institutional memory to a level
much above that of new hires. Target is non-union, so they are
free to compensate and increase/decrease scheduled hours at
will.

Sure, there are parameters as far as wage increases go, but
wage increases serve the functions of both retention and
motivation--having a carrot, as well as a stick.

Target is kind of a sinking ship. Sure, it's still a much more
pleasant brick & mortar than WalMart, but folks increasingly
don't want to shop in-store, and the free order pickup thing is
so costly in labor. The whole, *I don't use self-checkout
because it takes people's jobs away* is not only quaint, but
laughable. I mean, hey, the *good* thing about capitalism is
its drive toward efficiency. My local ALDI just installed self
checkouts, and my life became incrementally better.

--Bryan

[GM]

Most excellent points...!!!

Good for ALDI, that way you don't have to fume, wasting time standing in line behind
some old lady who still wants to pay by check, lol...

Here in the People's Republik of Evanston IL, they are still mired in the old ways, this article is
about minumum wage in restos. Immediately below is my reader comment to the article. and notice
marxist "Tanya's" lame retort to me about FDR and UBI aka "Universal Basic Income" - she's still
caught up in "feelings", lol... MY personal "feeling" is that the minimum wage should be "ZERO".
**And** my career has been devoted to getting low - income peeps good jobs and careers... I always
stressed to clients, "Make yourself valuable to an employer and you'll do fine... and you are free to
move to a better job if you want... but THAT IS ON YOU..."

GREGORY MORROW comments:
July 9th, 2023 at 5:19 PM

"Notice the movement to self-checkout?

Or the kiosks that eliminate an order taking employee?

Have you seen the robotics that build vehicles or other goods, replacing a whole workforce?

Many positions have already been replaced by uncomplaining robots that don’t require an HR department, minimum wage, FICA, health benefits, vacations, or workers compensation insurance. They don’t sue for discrimination, call in sick, require accommodation or refuse to work on holidays… and with AI this trend will only accelerate…

That’s the future – fewer and fewer entry level positions when employers must pay higher minimum wage for ‘warm body’ positions…

In any case, “minimum wage” was never meant to be a “living wage”, minumum wage might more correctly be called an “entry level wage”… and it’s the responsibility of an employee to show the initiative to improve their lot in life and thus earn more…

Respectfully,
Gregory Morrow..."

TANYA THOMAS replies to GREGORY MORROW:

July 10th, 2023 at 10:02 AM

"When FDR got minium wage passed he referred to it as a living wage.

Additionally until new & inexperience landlords feel obligated to provide “entry-level” rents and grocery stores sell food at “entry-level” prices, workers simply cannot afford to work for anything less than a living wage, no matter how much gumption or effort they’re willing to give.

If a company can’t afford to pay the number of employees they need a living wage for reasonable hours that conoany has failed.

Workers are not obligated to subsidize failing business owners by working for less money than is needed to afford food, healthcare and rent.

I have no objection to the government subsiding businesses by providing UBI so that workers can afford to work for less money, how would you feel about that?..."


NEWS ARTICLE:

Town halls on proposed minimum wage hike set for Monday and Thursday

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/07/09/evanston-minimum-wage-increase-town-halls/

"Evanston residents and business owners are invited to offer their feedback to city officials and members of the Economic Development Committee on a proposed minimum wage increase during two town halls scheduled for this upcoming week.

The first meeting will be virtual at 9 a.m. Monday, July 10 and available at this Zoom link, while the second will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 13 in-person at the Civic Center.

Both discussions will revolve around Eighth Ward Council Member Devon Reid’s referral to hike the minimum wage from the existing $13.35 per hour up to $15 or $16 an hour depending on the size of the organization. If adopted, the increase would involve the following details:

For small employers with four to 50 employees
Increase to $15 per hour in 2023 and $15.50 per hour in 2024

For large employers with 51 or more employees
Increase to $16 per hour in 2023 and $16.25 per hour in 2024

For youth workers under the age of 18
Increase to $14 per hour in 2023 and $15 per hour in 2024

For tipped workers
Eliminate hourly pay below minimum wage for tipped employees
Scheduled increases in 2023 and 2024 equivalent to the above proposals for small and large employers (from the existing $7.40 per hour)

“The launch date would likely be delayed based on the delay in scheduling this request on the Economic Development Committee agenda,” Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmezak wrote in a memo included in the May 24 Economic Development Committee meeting packet.

At that meeting, Reid said he proposed the hike to bring Evanston more in line with Chicago, which recently increased its minimum wage to $15.80 an hour for companies with 21 or more workers and $15 an hour for small businesses. After 2024, his proposal would also increase the minimum wage annually by the inflation rate or 2.5%, whichever number is lower, which Chicago has already done, as well.

At the current minimum wage of $13.35 per hour, an Evanstonian working 40 hours per week and all 52 weeks of the year, without any time off, would make $27,768 before taxes, which is below the 2023 federal poverty level for a family of four. A $16 an hour minimum wage would bring that total to $33,280 annually before taxes.

The real value of the federal minimum wage has also fallen by 40% since 1968, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. If wages had kept up with inflation and Gross Domestic Product increases since then, the federal minimum wage in 2020 would have been nearly $21.50 an hour, which does not even account for the sky high inflation the country saw over the last two years.

At their meeting in May, Evanston’s Economic Development Committee members said they wanted to be extra careful to gather enough feedback from the business community before making any decisions on wage increases. That discussion came on the heels of City Council passing a new Fair Workweek ordinance, and some business owners at the time were “feeling very hurt” about not getting enough of a say on the matter, Third Ward Council Member Melissa Wynne said..."

</>

[Sqwertz]

On Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:06:22 -0700 (PDT), Bryan Simmons wrote:

> Three days before "Best By" date. It was nice.
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/36178182@N08/albums/72177720309945534

Why don't you just print yourself up a few rolls of red and yellow
"50% Off" stickers and mark it down yourself?

-sw

[Thomas]

Better yet, "paid" stickers.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 3:06:22 AM UTC-5, GM wrote:

>
> Bryan Simmons wrote:
> >
> > The whole, *I don't use self-checkout
> > because it takes people's jobs away* is not only quaint, but
> > laughable. I mean, hey, the *good* thing about capitalism is
> > its drive toward efficiency. My local ALDI just installed self
> > checkouts, and my life became incrementally better.
> >
> Most excellent points...!!!
>
> Good for ALDI, that way you don't have to fume, wasting time standing in line behind
> some old lady who still wants to pay by check, lol...
>

I LOVE self-checkout! Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Kroger, and any other stores
that have them I make a beeline to them. Not only am I out of the store sooner, but
when it comes to groceries, I can pack them back into my shopping bags how I like
them packed. I just wish my local Aldi would install some self-checkout registers.

[Michael Trew]

On 7/22/2023 1:48 AM, Bryan Simmons wrote:
>
> Target is kind of a sinking ship. Sure, it's still a much more

> pleasant brick& mortar than WalMart, but folks increasingly

> don't want to shop in-store, and the free order pickup thing is
> so costly in labor. The whole, *I don't use self-checkout
> because it takes people's jobs away* is not only quaint, but
> laughable. I mean, hey, the *good* thing about capitalism is
> its drive toward efficiency. My local ALDI just installed self
> checkouts, and my life became incrementally better.

I always looked at Target as "rich people Walmart". Personally, I don't
shop at either store. The only thing I liked about Target as a kid were
the soft bread pretzels and the slushy machine. It seems they are all
replaced with Starbucks in store, now.

I don't do the self-checkout thing, either... Not unless I'm getting an
"employee discount", which some people think of as theft. Anyway, my
grocer doesn't have any kind of self check-out, so it's moot.

[Michael Trew]

On 7/22/2023 4:06 AM, GM wrote:
>
> Good for ALDI, that way you don't have to fume, wasting time standing
> in line behind some old lady who still wants to pay by check, lol...

ALDI doesn't take checks, cash/card only. I learned that lesson the
hard way the first time I went to an ALDI, and didn't have enough cash
for $170 of groceries.

[Bruce]

Didn't checks go out of fashion before you were born?

[dsi1]

Your life is going to become shitloads better when you don't have to even check out. You'll be monitored by AI cameras that tally up your purchases as you place them in your cart and then deduct the funds from your account. You just waltz out of the store like you're looting the place. My guess is that large stores will be operated by one or two humans - if any at all. Things are going to be just swell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R57cfRscNyM

[Thomas]

I just ordered 4 books x 20 checks. Cost me 58 bucks, no add-ons.

[Ed P]

In the past year, I wrote one check. Still has the name of the bank
before it changed two years ago.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

Dang! Why so much??

The last time I ordered checks (5 or 6 years ago??) the bank price was
ridiculous. I got online and ordered from one of those places I used to
see ads for in the coupon section of the newspaper when I subscribed
to a paper. Plain blue checks, nothing fancy at all and the total was less
than $10 and checks arrived within about 7-10 days.

[Thomas]

I was at the pa dmv for a real id license.
My citi visa was hacked and account closed the same morning.
Glad I had a check.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:25:23 AM UTC-5, Ed P wrote:
>
> In the past year, I wrote one check. Still has the name of the bank
> before it changed two years ago.
>

I think I've written one check this year, maybe two, but my bank changed
names about 2-3 years ago. My checks still have the old bank name on
them as well! I *think* I've got two or three books of checks left and if
it bothers the new bank, then they can send replacements at their expense.

[Graham]

I always write cheques for city and federal taxes, that way I have a
paper trail. The only other time I write a cheque is to pay the lawn
guy or the window cleaner.

[Bruce]

I don't even want to know what a paper trail is.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

Awwwwww, come on. If someone or some company or government
agency says you didn't pay such and such bill, you have a canceled check
to prove you did pay.

It's just like dealing with someone or company online through e-mail. You
always reply with a BCC (blind carbon copy) back to yourself.

[Bruce]

On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:24:37 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
<itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:

>On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:11:22 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:56:36 -0600, Graham <g.st...@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> >
>> >I always write cheques for city and federal taxes, that way I have a
>> >paper trail. The only other time I write a cheque is to pay the lawn
>> >guy or the window cleaner.
>> >
>> I don't even want to know what a paper trail is.
>>
>Awwwwww, come on. If someone or some company or government
>agency says you didn't pay such and such bill, you have a canceled check
>to prove you did pay.

If I pay something, I'll do it online and the bank will have proof
that I did that.

>It's just like dealing with someone or company online through e-mail. You
>always reply with a BCC (blind carbon copy) back to yourself.

I've never done that, but I have a Sent folder, of course.

[Dave Smith]

Food idea. My wife had trouble with CRA this year. We each owed about
$2500. She took the two bills in and paid them at the bank. The teller
stamped one and stapled it to the second on along with the print out.
She assumed it was done. About a month ago she got a nastygram from CRA
about her taxes not being paid and there was interest added to the bill.
We went to the bank to get it sorted out. I suppose she should have
checked and not taken the teller's word because he had only done the
one transaction and then stapled everything together. She talked to the
manager who immediately got it sorted out and credited her account for
the interest she had to pay.

One might have expected that dealing with the teller and paying at the
bank in person would be foolproof.


The former tax entity hassled my mother over a payment. There had been
a foul up and she immediately pair but the problem was sorted out and
she was to get a refund. They were after her for quarterly remittances.
She had paid by cheque and had the cancelled cheque, so they had her
money but had lost it, and they actually owed her more than the amount
the were hounding her for.

[Graham]

Actually, I not only pay the income tax by cheque but I take to the bank
for payment. That way I have a double paper trail. The CRA has screwed
up twice by assigning the money to the previous year. In one case, they
paid me interest on the overpayment, taxed that interest and charged me
a penalty for the year where the payment was supposed to go. My
accountant phoned them and they admitted the error but wouldn't correct
it until I sent in the evidence with several government forms.

[Ed P]

My lawn guy and cleaning lady get paid in the universal currency most
prefer. CASH. Easy for them to count out and record so they can pay
their taxes properly.

As for taxes, there is a bank record and statement they got the money.

[Cindy Hamilton]

It's worth mentioning that electronic money transfer is more highly
developed and more frequently used in other countries. The U.S.
is far behind the rest of the world in that area. The Federal Reserve
has just released an instant money-transfer service:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/01/what-is-fednow-and-how-will-the-payment-system-work/6a6dae82-0070-11ee-9eb0-6c94dcb16fcf_story.html

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Bruce]

Good one.

[S Viemeister]

On 24/07/2023 22:02, Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> It's worth mentioning that electronic money transfer is more highly
> developed and more frequently used in other countries. The U.S.
> is far behind the rest of the world in that area.
>

True.
The only payment I've made in the last several years in Scotland, was to
the mason who worked on our garage conversion, and that was because he
preferred it that way.
Everything else has been by electronic transfer to the the recipient's
bank account, even the casual labourer we hired to do some
weed-whacking/strimming.

[S Viemeister]

That should read 'the only _check_ payment'

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:37:04 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>
> On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:24:37 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
> <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>
> >On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:11:22 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
> >>
> >> I don't even want to know what a paper trail is.
> >>
> >Awwwwww, come on. If someone or some company or government
> >agency says you didn't pay such and such bill, you have a canceled check
> >to prove you did pay.
> >
> If I pay something, I'll do it online and the bank will have proof
> that I did that.
>

I've posted here in the past several times about me paying my property taxes
with a check. Yes, they will accept a debit or credit card, but I'm not giving
them a $50 fee for that convenience. Thus a paper check.

> >
> >It's just like dealing with someone or company online through e-mail. You
> >always reply with a BCC (blind carbon copy) back to yourself.
> >
> I've never done that, but I have a Sent folder, of course.
>

Yes, of course we all have a Sent folder, but my bike wreck last year was a perfect
example of me replying back to the adjuster with a BCC to myself. I created a
special folder just to store those e-mails in so, if necessary, I could find them instantly.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

> Cindy Hamilton
>
I don't have a clue what this is you've posted as I don't have a subscription to the
"Washington Post" nor am I going to subscribe to read this article.

However, I'm sure my property taxes would be instantly credited if I paid with a
debit/credit card. But I'm not giving the city a $50 gift for accepting either of
those payment methods. A check is free, it incurs no fees.

[Bruce]

On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:16:21 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"

<itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:

>On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:37:04 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:24:37 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
>> <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>>
>> >On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:11:22 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I don't even want to know what a paper trail is.
>> >>
>> >Awwwwww, come on. If someone or some company or government
>> >agency says you didn't pay such and such bill, you have a canceled check
>> >to prove you did pay.
>> >
>> If I pay something, I'll do it online and the bank will have proof
>> that I did that.
>>
>I've posted here in the past several times about me paying my property taxes
>with a check. Yes, they will accept a debit or credit card, but I'm not giving
>them a $50 fee for that convenience. Thus a paper check.

I pay just about everything through online banking, from the fencer
(not the sport) to the septic tank emptier. There are no fees
involved. Only the mobile ride-on mower repair man gets cash.

>> >It's just like dealing with someone or company online through e-mail. You
>> >always reply with a BCC (blind carbon copy) back to yourself.
>> >
>> I've never done that, but I have a Sent folder, of course.
>>
>Yes, of course we all have a Sent folder, but my bike wreck last year was a perfect
>example of me replying back to the adjuster with a BCC to myself. I created a
>special folder just to store those e-mails in so, if necessary, I could find them instantly.

I archive important emails too. Somehow important emails are always
emails I receive, never emails I send :)

[Bruce]

On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:23:52 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
<itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:

>On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 4:02:51 PM UTC-5, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> It's worth mentioning that electronic money transfer is more highly
>> developed and more frequently used in other countries. The U.S.
>> is far behind the rest of the world in that area. The Federal Reserve
>> has just released an instant money-transfer service:
>>
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/01/what-is-fednow-and-how-will-the-payment-system-work/6a6dae82-0070-11ee-9eb0-6c94dcb16fcf_story.html
>>
>> Cindy Hamilton
>>
>I don't have a clue what this is you've posted as I don't have a subscription to the
>"Washington Post" nor am I going to subscribe to read this article.

I can read it without a subscription: "How the Fed Will Make Bank
Transfers Truly Instant".

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-07-24, itsjoan...@webtv.net <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
> On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 4:02:51 PM UTC-5, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> On 2023-07-24, itsjoan...@webtv.net <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 2:11:22 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> I don't even want to know what a paper trail is.
>> >>
>> > Awwwwww, come on. If someone or some company or government
>> > agency says you didn't pay such and such bill, you have a canceled check
>> > to prove you did pay.
>> >
>> > It's just like dealing with someone or company online through e-mail. You
>> > always reply with a BCC (blind carbon copy) back to yourself.
>> >
>> It's worth mentioning that electronic money transfer is more highly
>> developed and more frequently used in other countries. The U.S.
>> is far behind the rest of the world in that area. The Federal Reserve
>> has just released an instant money-transfer service:
>>
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/01/what-is-fednow-and-how-will-the-payment-system-work/6a6dae82-0070-11ee-9eb0-6c94dcb16fcf_story.html
>>
>> Cindy Hamilton
>>
> I don't have a clue what this is you've posted as I don't have a subscription to the
> "Washington Post" nor am I going to subscribe to read this article.

Sometimes you can read those articles for free. If you're curious about
the program, here it is:

https://www.frbservices.org/financial-services/fednow

The Washington Post article provided additional context.

> However, I'm sure my property taxes would be instantly credited if I paid with a
> debit/credit card. But I'm not giving the city a $50 gift for accepting either of
> those payment methods. A check is free, it incurs no fees.

Free-ish. You have to pay to have them printed and possibly to mail it.

My township also charges a fee for electronic payment. I pay by check
and drop it off at township hall, since I don't trust the post office.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[cshenk]

Ouch. Warning, some won't take debit cards. I'm not sure why.

[cshenk]

Nope. BTW, I see a resurgence in their use at grocery stores.

[cshenk]

I had to use about 8 since retirement. My dental and vision plans
didn't have any other method to pay premiums until my retirement was
finalized. That took 3 months. Others were the rare companies that
use only checks

[cshenk]

I'll take the slower system with fraud protection. My bank is fine.
Overnight wait is ok for making a creditcard transfer to pay a balance
down or off. All regular bills are paid online through my bank (Navy
Federal).

Some banks are slower. I also have an account at another bank
(Southernbank). It was located well to our apartment on arrival, then
house when we bought it. They are slower.

We now have a Navy Federal less than a mile from our house.

[Michael Trew]

On 7/24/2023 10:25 AM, Ed P wrote:
> On 7/24/2023 4:08 AM, Thomas wrote:
>> On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:01:10 AM UTC-4, Bruce wrote:
>>> On Sun, 23 Jul 2023 23:59:41 -0400, Michael Trew
>>> <michae...@att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 7/22/2023 4:06 AM, GM wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Good for ALDI, that way you don't have to fume, wasting time standing
>>>>> in line behind some old lady who still wants to pay by check, lol...
>>>>
>>>> ALDI doesn't take checks, cash/card only. I learned that lesson the
>>>> hard way the first time I went to an ALDI, and didn't have enough cash
>>>> for $170 of groceries.
>>> Didn't checks go out of fashion before you were born?
>> I just ordered 4 books x 20 checks. Cost me 58 bucks, no add-ons.

That seems kinda pricey. I used to order them through the bank, but if
you go to www.checks.com you can get them made for a fraction of the
price. The first time, I ordered from a publisher advertised in the
newspaper, but they coerced me to re-order online instead of via mail
for an additional discount.

> In the past year, I wrote one check. Still has the name of the bank
> before it changed two years ago.

I go through about a dozen checks per month.

[Michael Trew]

Your area may vary, but around here, most handymen prefer cash. Many
more established businesses want cash or check. I suspect that some of
them pay a fee for taking money via a card. Some might cheat on their
taxes with a cash payment, but that's none of my business.

In recent years, with some sort of de-regulation, vendors and merchants
can now pass the card fee onto the consumer. At the antique mall where
I work, a number of regular customers have learned to pay with cash or
check. It still amazes me that some out of town people come in, pay for
$300 of merchandise, and it doesn't bother them when I inform them that
paying with their card will add on another $10.50 to their bill (3.5%
card fee).

[Michael Trew]

I'm curious, has the post office regularly messed up your mail, or are
you paranoid? In 10+ years of paying bills via check in the mail, I've
never once... not *once*... had a lost payment in the mail.

With property tax, I could just as easily mail it, but since it's only
once or twice annually (your choice), I head to the court house and have
them double check my math and stamp it "paid" in person. It's a 25
minute drive, so I find another reason to be there (maybe a trip to the
DMV or whatever). As with Joan, my only other option is an expensive
card/on-line payment, which I won't do.

[Michael Trew]

I don't have a debit card. The local gas station stopped taking checks
recently, also. It's easier to just carry cash, because everyone
accepts that.

[Cindy Hamilton]

$10.50 is nothing. I couldn't even buy lunch at my favorite restaurant
for that much.

That said, I pay cash wherever they pass along the charges. Right now,
that's only our favorite Chinese spot, and the butcher shop. I also
pay cash if I think the margins at a locally owned business are so
tight that the fees charged by the bank would eat their profits.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-07-25, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:

> On 7/25/2023 4:50 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>> On 2023-07-24, itsjoan...@webtv.net<itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>>
>>> However, I'm sure my property taxes would be instantly credited if I paid with a
>>> debit/credit card. But I'm not giving the city a $50 gift for accepting either of
>>> those payment methods. A check is free, it incurs no fees.
>>
>> Free-ish. You have to pay to have them printed and possibly to mail it.
>>
>> My township also charges a fee for electronic payment. I pay by check
>> and drop it off at township hall, since I don't trust the post office.
>
> I'm curious, has the post office regularly messed up your mail, or are
> you paranoid? In 10+ years of paying bills via check in the mail, I've
> never once... not *once*... had a lost payment in the mail.

We did this recently.

The post office advises not to send checks through the mail unless
you post them right at the post office. If they don't trust the
mail, why should I?

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/u-s-postal-service-warning-checks-mail/

In any event, I write very few checks. Most of my regular bills
(utilities, insurance, etc.) are billed to my credit card or are
auto-paid from my checking account. I pay my credit card online.

> With property tax, I could just as easily mail it, but since it's only
> once or twice annually (your choice), I head to the court house and have
> them double check my math and stamp it "paid" in person. It's a 25
> minute drive, so I find another reason to be there (maybe a trip to the
> DMV or whatever). As with Joan, my only other option is an expensive
> card/on-line payment, which I won't do.

There's no math involved for me. They send me a statement and I write
the check for that amount. I own only one house.

My township hall is about 4 miles from my house, and it's on the
way to several places to which I regularly drive.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Bruce]

Everything's debit card here. Or Internet banking.

[Bruce]

I only carry cash for the ALDI shopping trolley. Or what's that in
American, go-kart?

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 3:50:39 AM UTC-5, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> On 2023-07-24, itsjoan...@webtv.net <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
> >
> > I'm sure my property taxes would be instantly credited if I paid with a
> > debit/credit card. But I'm not giving the city a $50 gift for accepting either of
> > those payment methods. A check is free, it incurs no fees.
> >
> Free-ish. You have to pay to have them printed and possibly to mail it.
>

In another thread I had posted I ordered checks a couple of years ago on the
cheap from an online site that specializes in check printing. WAAAAY cheaper
than what my bank would have charged. Since I only write 2-3 checks per year
I think I'm set until I reach the age of 90 if I'm lucky to make it that long.

>
> My township also charges a fee for electronic payment. I pay by check
> and drop it off at township hall, since I don't trust the post office.
>

> Cindy Hamilton
>
The tax accessors office is 3 miles from my house. I drop by there at the
end of February to pay my taxes and it's a day I will be out shopping, too.
I try to combine several trips into one day as I know my couch is missing
me if I'm gone from home too frequently.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 11:31:00 AM UTC-5, Michael Trew wrote:
>
> > On 7/24/2023 4:08 AM, Thomas wrote:
> >>
> >> I just ordered 4 books x 20 checks. Cost me 58 bucks, no add-ons.
> >>
> That seems kinda pricey. I used to order them through the bank, but if
> you go to www.checks.com you can get them made for a fraction of the
> price.
>

I think that's where I ordered mine from as well. Lots of assorted styles,
colors, carbon copies, etc. to choose from. I just opt for the plain blue
ones. Whoever gets the rare check from me is only interested in getting
the money and not how pretty my checks are.

[Bruce]

:) And your cat.

[Ed P]

On 7/25/2023 4:58 PM, itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:

>>
> In another thread I had posted I ordered checks a couple of years ago on the
> cheap from an online site that specializes in check printing. WAAAAY cheaper
> than what my bank would have charged. Since I only write 2-3 checks per year
> I think I'm set until I reach the age of 90 if I'm lucky to make it that long.
>>

Order some now. You don't want to be 95 and not able to remember what
bank you use.

[Bruce]

Even in the US cheques must have gone out of fashion by the time
Joan's 90.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 3:03:31 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>
> I only carry cash for the ALDI shopping trolley. Or what's that in
> American, go-kart?
>

Depending on what area the country you are in and your age. Some
call it a trolley, shopping cart, even a buggy. In my area, lots of older
folks just call them buggies.

A go-kart is a small, low to the ground gas powered vehicle. Used to be
they were powered by lawn mower engines. I don't know what type of
engine or how fast they go now.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

Absolutely! If I happen to be gone all day, she looks at me like "who are you??"

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

Har-har-har-har!!! Or be so shaky that I can't even hold a pen to write a check!

[Bruce]

Ah yes, cart not kart. Here it's trolley, or cart if you insist, but
not buggie.

[Bruce]

On Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:12:18 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"

<itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:

>On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 4:03:37 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:58:06 -0700 (PDT), "itsjoan...@webtv.net"
>> <itsjoan...@webtv.net> wrote:
>> >>
>> >The tax accessors office is 3 miles from my house. I drop by there at the
>> >end of February to pay my taxes and it's a day I will be out shopping, too.
>> >I try to combine several trips into one day as I know my couch is missing
>> >me if I'm gone from home too frequently.
>> >
>> :) And your cat.
>>
>Absolutely! If I happen to be gone all day, she looks at me like "who are you??"
>

Yes, they don't like that :)

[Bruce]

I asked my artificially intelligent friend which people call shopping
trolleys/carts 'buggies':
"People in the Southern United States, Appalachian English, and parts
of Canada call a shopping trolley a buggy. This term is mainly spoken
and understood in these regions. It is not as common in other parts of
the United States."

[Bruce]

"Where is my pen? I'm sure it's in my bag somewhere. I found it! Oh
no, that's a peppermint."

[jmcquown]

On 7/25/2023 12:36 PM, Michael Trew wrote:
> Your area may vary, but around here, most handymen prefer cash.  Many
> more established businesses want cash or check.  I suspect that some of
> them pay a fee for taking money via a card.  Some might cheat on their
> taxes with a cash payment, but that's none of my business.
>
> In recent years, with some sort of de-regulation, vendors and merchants
> can now pass the card fee onto the consumer.  At the antique mall where
> I work, a number of regular customers have learned to pay with cash or
> check.  It still amazes me that some out of town people come in, pay for
> $300 of merchandise, and it doesn't bother them when I inform them that
> paying with their card will add on another $10.50 to their bill (3.5%
> card fee).

If people don't realize those processing fees are passed along by the
retailer at checkout they've not been paying attention.

Jill

[GM]

Cash is also "easier" to lose or steal...

--
GM

[Ed P]

When dealing with a small business owner I often ask "is there a cash
price?" and can save quite a bit. Can be from no sales tax to 20%.

[Bruce]

I don't see people pay with cash here anymore. The other day, I saw a
50-60 year old woman pay with her watch. How nifty is that? The next
step could be iris identification. You just wink at the checkout and
you've paid.

[Leonard Blaisdell]

On 2023-07-24, Ed P <e...@snet.xxx> wrote:

> In the past year, I wrote one check. Still has the name of the bank
> before it changed two years ago.

I write them for contractors and handymen, about three a year. I just
paid my neighbor for a dandy fence that he built to contain his
pit bull. He even used steel poles that extended up eight feet, two feet
taller than the six foot fence requirement, and added a net on top of the
fence to contain balls that his kids frequently kick over.
He has a shih tzu that digs under the fence. That dog doesn't scare me.
He's working on that with flagstones on his side. I'm a happy camper!

[Ed P]

I've winked at cashiers in the past. Go nowhere with it.

[Leonard Blaisdell]

On 2023-07-25, Cindy Hamilton <hami...@invalid.com> wrote:

> My township also charges a fee for electronic payment. I pay by check
> and drop it off at township hall, since I don't trust the post office.

I use BillPay for vendors and Zelle for family members. Both are quick
and free to me through Wells Fargo. I pay my property taxes with
BillPay. I pay for groceries with my Apple Watch via Apple Pay to my main
checking account.

[Bruce]

LOL, Ed!

[dsi1]

Shih tzu - why these vicious, aggressive, animals are allowed as pets is beyond me. It's not the kind of America that I want my kids to live in. Write to your Congressman today!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JMFZhiwLEFDV2oG46

[Michael Trew]

Lol. We call it a buggy, but that might vary on region.

[Michael Trew]

On 7/25/2023 2:53 PM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> The post office advises not to send checks through the mail unless
> you post them right at the post office. If they don't trust the
> mail, why should I?
>
> https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/u-s-postal-service-warning-checks-mail/

I'm glad that I don't live in a high crime urban area.

> In any event, I write very few checks. Most of my regular bills
> (utilities, insurance, etc.) are billed to my credit card or are
> auto-paid from my checking account. I pay my credit card online.

I'm assuming, many moons ago, before on-line banking, you once trusted
mailing checks for bills.

> There's no math involved for me. They send me a statement and I write
> the check for that amount. I own only one house.
>
> My township hall is about 4 miles from my house, and it's on the
> way to several places to which I regularly drive.

I am paying at least six parcels, and I don't care to cut 6 different
checks. My primary residence is also situated on two parcels.

[Michael Trew]

I didn't get to see the cat. I supposed that she sensed "strange human".

[dsi1]

Indeed. Da Hawaiians call them shopping carts. I call them "fun."

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SAyWU8aiSfz5VoUr5

[Bruce]

On Wed, 26 Jul 2023 23:44:01 -0400, Michael Trew

<michae...@att.net> wrote:

>On 7/25/2023 4:03 PM, Bruce wrote:
>> On Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:44:46 -0400, Michael Trew
>> <michae...@att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> I don't have a debit card. The local gas station stopped taking checks
>>> recently, also. It's easier to just carry cash, because everyone
>>> accepts that.
>>
>> I only carry cash for the ALDI shopping trolley. Or what's that in
>> American, go-kart?
>
>Lol. We call it a buggy, but that might vary on region.

You have that in common with Joan.

[Bruce]

Same here, with our female cat. Nobody but us and my in-laws ever get
to see her.

[Bruce]

Do you get to sit in one while your wife pushes you around the
supermarket?

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-07-27, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:
> On 7/25/2023 2:53 PM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> The post office advises not to send checks through the mail unless
>> you post them right at the post office. If they don't trust the
>> mail, why should I?
>>
>> https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/u-s-postal-service-warning-checks-mail/
>
> I'm glad that I don't live in a high crime urban area.

Don't be naive. It's happening everywhere.

>> In any event, I write very few checks. Most of my regular bills
>> (utilities, insurance, etc.) are billed to my credit card or are
>> auto-paid from my checking account. I pay my credit card online.
>
> I'm assuming, many moons ago, before on-line banking, you once trusted
> mailing checks for bills.

I'm sure you know the world isn't what it was.

>> There's no math involved for me. They send me a statement and I write
>> the check for that amount. I own only one house.
>>
>> My township hall is about 4 miles from my house, and it's on the
>> way to several places to which I regularly drive.
>
> I am paying at least six parcels, and I don't care to cut 6 different
> checks. My primary residence is also situated on two parcels.

I'm not a big-time real-estate mogul.

Don't you have a calculator? I'm sure there's one built into your
computer.

Add up the column of numbers top to bottom. Then add it up again
bottom to top. If the sums agree, you've almost certainly done it
correctly.

I thought about you last night when I read the real-estate page
in a local news magazine. In the last month, the three cheapest
houses in Ann Arbor sold for just under $300,000 each. The median
selling price for a house is just under $500,000, up 13.4% since
last year.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Michael Trew]

I'm mildly disappointed... I was hoping that you would be riding down
the aisles in the basket, haha. Your granddaughter is adorable.
Starting them on Google early, though.

[dsi1]

That was quite some time ago. She's changed a bit since then.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xr1UWgMapbtgBi386

[Michael Trew]

On 7/27/2023 5:02 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On 2023-07-27, Michael Trew<michae...@att.net> wrote:
>>
>> I'm assuming, many moons ago, before on-line banking, you once trusted
>> mailing checks for bills.
>
> I'm sure you know the world isn't what it was.

I've got enough other things to be paranoid about.

>> I am paying at least six parcels, and I don't care to cut 6 different
>> checks. My primary residence is also situated on two parcels.
>
> I'm not a big-time real-estate mogul.

LOL.

> I thought about you last night when I read the real-estate page
> in a local news magazine. In the last month, the three cheapest
> houses in Ann Arbor sold for just under $300,000 each. The median
> selling price for a house is just under $500,000, up 13.4% since
> last year.

As they say in Minnesota, Uffda!

My last house cost $2,400 and change. Luckily, it's the center one, and
not the one on the left with holes in the roof. Since this Google view
in Sept 2022, that left house roof has now entirely caved in. I'll hook
a chain to my truck and flatten it for someone else to deal with (before
it falls on my house). The roofless garage on the right will get the
same treatment.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/59JLFCX

In Menlo Park, only a few rare properties sell for under $1,000,000...
They are usually small condominiums, and likely with a hefty HOA fee
(what's the point; you might as well rent).

[Bruce]

On Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:59:48 -0400, Michael Trew
<michae...@att.net> wrote:

>On 7/27/2023 5:02 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> I'm sure you know the world isn't what it was.
>
>I've got enough other things to be paranoid about.
>
>>> I am paying at least six parcels, and I don't care to cut 6 different
>>> checks. My primary residence is also situated on two parcels.
>>
>> I'm not a big-time real-estate mogul.
>
>LOL.
>
>> I thought about you last night when I read the real-estate page
>> in a local news magazine. In the last month, the three cheapest
>> houses in Ann Arbor sold for just under $300,000 each. The median
>> selling price for a house is just under $500,000, up 13.4% since
>> last year.
>
>As they say in Minnesota, Uffda!

Bloody Scandinavian!

"Uff da is a Scandinavian exclamation or interjection used to express
dismay, typically upon hearing bad news. Of Norwegian origin, the
phrase was brought by Scandinavian Americans to the Upper Midwest, New
England, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States during the
19th century, where its meaning was broadened to express also
surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, or relief."

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-07-29, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:
> On 7/27/2023 5:02 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>> On 2023-07-27, Michael Trew<michae...@att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm assuming, many moons ago, before on-line banking, you once trusted
>>> mailing checks for bills.
>>
>> I'm sure you know the world isn't what it was.
>
> I've got enough other things to be paranoid about.
>
>>> I am paying at least six parcels, and I don't care to cut 6 different
>>> checks. My primary residence is also situated on two parcels.
>>
>> I'm not a big-time real-estate mogul.
>
> LOL.
>
>> I thought about you last night when I read the real-estate page
>> in a local news magazine. In the last month, the three cheapest
>> houses in Ann Arbor sold for just under $300,000 each. The median
>> selling price for a house is just under $500,000, up 13.4% since
>> last year.
>
> As they say in Minnesota, Uffda!

About 10 properties for sale right now are over $1 million. Most
of those are condos.

> My last house cost $2,400 and change. Luckily, it's the center one, and
> not the one on the left with holes in the roof. Since this Google view
> in Sept 2022, that left house roof has now entirely caved in. I'll hook
> a chain to my truck and flatten it for someone else to deal with (before
> it falls on my house). The roofless garage on the right will get the
> same treatment.

The county in which I live has very few tax foreclosures. They
make every effort to keep people in their houses.

This was the only bank foreclosure I could find:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1418-Desoto-Ave_Ypsilanti_MI_48198_M37803-11819

That kitchen looks like the original, except for the appliances.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Bruce]

No trolling, please. Jill won't like it that you are trolling.

[Michael Trew]

On 7/29/2023 5:27 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> The county in which I live has very few tax foreclosures. They
> make every effort to keep people in their houses.

I would suspect that is a rarity for any county. Usually money is the
primary concern. Either way, I know the family who owned my most recent
house last. The old guy died, and no one wanted his house. To them, it
wasn't worth the cost of probate court. There are many houses in my
area with similar situation. People just don't want them enough to bother.

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-07-31, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:
> On 7/29/2023 5:27 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> The county in which I live has very few tax foreclosures. They
>> make every effort to keep people in their houses.
>
> I would suspect that is a rarity for any county. Usually money is the
> primary concern.

> Either way, I know the family who owned my most recent
> house last. The old guy died, and no one wanted his house. To them, it
> wasn't worth the cost of probate court.

The money can come out of the proceeds of the estate.

> There are many houses in my area with similar situation.
> People just don't want them enough to bother.

I think you can probate a simple estate in Michigan just by filling
out some forms. I'll find out within a few years.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Michael Trew]

Last time I asked someone, they told me that it would cost them a few
thousand dollars to go through probate court, and since their father had
nothing of value, they didn't want to bother. That other house was
lived-in but in terrible shape, with the roof leaking. She took any
belongings of worth, and told me that I can have the house if I figure
it out. Well, it will cave in by the time it goes to tax sale. I might
go back and nab the almost new high efficiency gas furnace.

[GM]

Nab that gas furnace whilst you can, Michael, as the libtards want to ban natural gas...

This was just in my local nooze... my comment on the article is below the article:

City’s electrification working group plans to survey residents in August

by Matt Simonette July 31st, 2023

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/07/31/citys-electrification-working-group-plans-to-survey-residents-in-august/

"The city’s Building Electrification Working Group plans to survey Evanston IL residents in August about their familiarity with and concerns about prohibitions against natural gas connections in new construction. The committee, previously the _____Natural Gas Phase Out Working Group____, met for the second time July 31.

The committee’s goal is to eventually draft legislation codifying those prohibitions. But first, they’ll be issuing the surveys in August, then holding both a larger town hall and targeted stakeholder meetings in September.

In June, Oak Park became the first Illinois municipality to pass an electrification ordinance, and Evanston city officials want to check in with residents and other stakeholders about their familiarity with electrification efforts before launching a similar proposal.

Member Joel Freeman admitted “there’s a lot of fear out there” about electrification efforts, thanks to heated political rhetoric surrounding stoves and other gas appliances being under increased scrutiny.

But the electrification working group’s principal concern is legislation targeting new construction and, ultimately, properties undergoing renovations..."


Gregory Morrow says:

August 1st, 2023 at 6:22 AM [Your comment is awaiting moderation]

"Electricity grows on trees, doesn’t it? I guess that’s why our electric rates are continually diminishing…

I expect next that our city leaders will be telling us that “electricity will be too cheap too meter” if this plan is enacted…

Electric heat is *far* less efficient than gas heat. Then add in the losses involved in burning the natural gas, coal, or nuclear generation (fortunately, Illinois gets about 50% of it’s power via nuclear) to create the electricity and you’ll find that the net effect will be more consumption of these resources than the current state. None of that matters though, when you are “righteous on carbon”…

Cooking on an an electric stove? If this is enacted, it will be still *another* reason for potential restaurateurs to bypass Evanston for “friendlier climes”… and not just restaurateurs, but other developers…

For lower – income folks with electric heating/appliances, will Evanston be assisting them in paying their much higher electricity bills? How does struggling with higher energy bills fit in with all the “equity” talk that we continually hear from Evanston city government?

From The US Department of Energy:

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistance-heating

“Electric resistance heating is 100% energy efficient in the sense that all the incoming electric energy is converted to heat. However, most electricity is produced from coal, gas, or oil generators that convert only about 30% of the fuel’s energy into electricity. Because of electricity generation and transmission losses, electric heat is often more expensive than heat produced in homes or businesses that use combustion appliances…”

Respectfully,
Gregory Morrow..."

[Dave Smith]

I am not a lawyer so don't take my advice to court, but in my
experience, the executor of the will is usually instructed to divide the
estate among the heirs as per the wishes of the deceased and they are
often instructed to liquidate assets. There is usually an estate account
set up into which money and the proceeds of asset sales go. The way I
understand it is that executor has the authority to sell the property to
you. The money then goes into the estate account to be divided among the
heirs.

I heard a funny story about that from Cheap Bob's brother. Their father
had real estate holdings all over the country. Bob's brother Andre was
the executor and one of the properties was in the city in Saskatchewan
where he lived. He looked into opening up a coffee shop and was all set
to go ahead. He had the property professionally appraised and arranged
the financing. Then Cheap Bob got together with their two sisters and
they got told him they were not accepting his offer. They wanted more
money. He replied that it was not a negotiable offer. That is what he
was willing to pay and they would have had their money right away, so
they can go and screw themselves. The deal was off he would arrange to
sell it through a realtor so it was going to take a lot longer to
liquidate it and there would be real estate commission and lawyer fees.
I never did hear how it turned out.

[GM]

"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."

--
GM

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-08-01, Dave Smith <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> On 2023-08-01 12:29 p.m., Michael Trew wrote:
>> On 7/31/2023 1:38 PM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>> On 2023-07-31, Michael Trew<michae...@att.net>  wrote:
>>
>>> I think you can probate a simple estate in Michigan just by filling
>>> out some forms.  I'll find out within a few years.
>>
>> Last time I asked someone, they told me that it would cost them a few
>> thousand dollars to go through probate court, and since their father had
>> nothing of value, they didn't want to bother.  That other house was
>> lived-in but in terrible shape, with the roof leaking.  She took any
>> belongings of worth, and told me that I can have the house if I figure
>> it out.  Well, it will cave in by the time it goes to tax sale.  I might
>> go back and nab the almost new high efficiency gas furnace.
>
>
> I am not a lawyer so don't take my advice to court, but in my
> experience, the executor of the will is usually instructed to divide the

The deceased probably died intestate. Depending on state laws, that
can make things extremely complicated (i.e., expensive).

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Mike Duffy]

On 2023-08-01, Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> The deceased probably died intestate. Depending on state laws, that
> can make things extremely complicated (i.e., expensive).

Also, a retarded alcoholic brother can sign an affidavit
from a corrupt lawyer saying that all the other possible heirs
are dead and then sell the property to the same dishonest lawyer
for an annuity and die of alcohol poisoning after one or two
annuity payment binges.