Random thoughts....
2-Mar-22 10:17pm
#1 shadyfozzie
Post your random thoughts, questions, ideas here... I'll start
1) Have you ever watched America's Funniest Videos and wonder why the winning video is almost NEVER funny AT ALL?? We were watching some older episodes on Disney Plus and the final 3 videos are always stupid and not funny, and the worst one ALWAYS wins.. WTF..
2) How have cereal bags NOT been made with zip lock technology??
3) They need to make a container that can keep to-go french fries from getting soggy...
#1 shadyfozzie
| This topic had many older posts which were moved here: https://gametz.com/G... |
Post your random thoughts, questions, ideas here... I'll start
1) Have you ever watched America's Funniest Videos and wonder why the winning video is almost NEVER funny AT ALL?? We were watching some older episodes on Disney Plus and the final 3 videos are always stupid and not funny, and the worst one ALWAYS wins.. WTF..
2) How have cereal bags NOT been made with zip lock technology??
3) They need to make a container that can keep to-go french fries from getting soggy...
15-Feb-24 11:51pm
#2 BucketofJustice
Can’t say I did much homework. I decided yesterday I was going to actually do it and today they got done. I did put actual thought into the two designs, both Pearl Jam tattoos. One is the Stickman that’s on the front of a hoodie I got in 2009 and that hoodie is in rough shape. That’s on my wrist/inner forearm area. The second one is on my outer forearm and it’s the 3 hearts from their song Smile. I suck at making images appear here so I apologize if they’re all wonky. I’ll link the images I used as reference for my ink today.
https://www.pinteres...
https://www.pinteres...
Edit fudging 48: apparently I suck at image tagging things so I left the links. God help me if I figure out how to share the pictures of my actual arm.
#2 BucketofJustice
Can’t say I did much homework. I decided yesterday I was going to actually do it and today they got done. I did put actual thought into the two designs, both Pearl Jam tattoos. One is the Stickman that’s on the front of a hoodie I got in 2009 and that hoodie is in rough shape. That’s on my wrist/inner forearm area. The second one is on my outer forearm and it’s the 3 hearts from their song Smile. I suck at making images appear here so I apologize if they’re all wonky. I’ll link the images I used as reference for my ink today.
https://www.pinteres...
https://www.pinteres...
Edit fudging 48: apparently I suck at image tagging things so I left the links. God help me if I figure out how to share the pictures of my actual arm.
16-Feb-24 12:30am
#3 nonamesleft
What's the worst thing to hear while you're getting a tattoo? "Oops"
#3 nonamesleft
What's the worst thing to hear while you're getting a tattoo? "Oops"
16-Feb-24 6:55am
#4 BucketofJustice
Hahahaha probably. I distinctly remember thinking that the stencils the guy created looked like crap but I trusted the process and they came out amazing.
#4 BucketofJustice
Hahahaha probably. I distinctly remember thinking that the stencils the guy created looked like crap but I trusted the process and they came out amazing.
16-Feb-24 7:21pm
#5 MrBean
Never owed IRS for taxes, ever. This year I owe $8k, FML. I knew changing from a 0 to 3 for withholdings was a dumb move. Gahhhh
#5 MrBean
Never owed IRS for taxes, ever. This year I owe $8k, FML. I knew changing from a 0 to 3 for withholdings was a dumb move. Gahhhh
17-Feb-24 8:15am
#6 Tony
MrBean wrote:
Never owed IRS for taxes, ever. This year I owe $8k, FML. I knew changing from a 0 to 3 for withholdings was a dumb move. Gahhhh
I always tried to plan my tax withholding to be close to even or to owe a bit without owing so much I got penalized. I've heard so many people say, "I want them to take out as much as possible through the year so that I get a big refund". I would ask them if they understood that by doing it that way they were simply having a savings account with the government that didn't pay them interest? Get your money through the year, earn interest on the money (or use it to make some tax free income with a side hustle), and then pay back a little if you need to.
I've read several articles in the last few years saying how, since the government has our income information, they could simply send everyone a tax bill that they can pay or send in forms showing why the amount should be adjusted. Many other countries already do income taxes this way. HR Block and Turbo Tax have lobbied the US government to keep the current system that makes us pay tax preparation services to prepare and file our tax returns. The government agreed to this as long as the companies offer "free" tax preparation.
#6 Tony
MrBean wrote:
Never owed IRS for taxes, ever. This year I owe $8k, FML. I knew changing from a 0 to 3 for withholdings was a dumb move. Gahhhh
I always tried to plan my tax withholding to be close to even or to owe a bit without owing so much I got penalized. I've heard so many people say, "I want them to take out as much as possible through the year so that I get a big refund". I would ask them if they understood that by doing it that way they were simply having a savings account with the government that didn't pay them interest? Get your money through the year, earn interest on the money (or use it to make some tax free income with a side hustle), and then pay back a little if you need to.
I've read several articles in the last few years saying how, since the government has our income information, they could simply send everyone a tax bill that they can pay or send in forms showing why the amount should be adjusted. Many other countries already do income taxes this way. HR Block and Turbo Tax have lobbied the US government to keep the current system that makes us pay tax preparation services to prepare and file our tax returns. The government agreed to this as long as the companies offer "free" tax preparation.
17-Feb-24 8:22am
#7 MrBean
Yep, it's some bs that we still manage taxes the way we do. Others have figured it out but there's too much money in taking advantage of the customers.
#7 MrBean
Yep, it's some bs that we still manage taxes the way we do. Others have figured it out but there's too much money in taking advantage of the customers.
17-Feb-24 8:43am
#8 benstylus
Tony wrote:
I've heard so many people say, "I want them to take out as much as possible through the year so that I get a big refund". I would ask them if they understood that by doing it that way they were simply having a savings account with the government that didn't pay them interest?
With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of interest.
https://www.bankrate...
0.58% on average.
So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate.
(5,000 X 0.58%, then divide by two since your withholdings are probably taking place regularly throughout the year so the average time the government held it for would be 6 months.)
Obviously you could probably do better with investments rather than a savings account, but for people who use the IRS as a temporary storage, they may not have great money management/discipline skills. So if they had gotten that extra money in their paychecks it would probably have been spent anyway instead of saved.
#8 benstylus
Tony wrote:
I've heard so many people say, "I want them to take out as much as possible through the year so that I get a big refund". I would ask them if they understood that by doing it that way they were simply having a savings account with the government that didn't pay them interest?
With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of interest.
https://www.bankrate...
0.58% on average.
So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate.
(5,000 X 0.58%, then divide by two since your withholdings are probably taking place regularly throughout the year so the average time the government held it for would be 6 months.)
Obviously you could probably do better with investments rather than a savings account, but for people who use the IRS as a temporary storage, they may not have great money management/discipline skills. So if they had gotten that extra money in their paychecks it would probably have been spent anyway instead of saved.
17-Feb-24 5:13pm
#9 HybridCRoW
I just found out after everyone was telling me I could deduct mileage and car maintenance on my taxes for my commute ended up not being true. The reason is because of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Only if I'm self employed or own a business can I deduct my mileage and car maintenance on the taxes.
Of course, even if I was able to do that, plus donations I made in 2023, and other stuff I could write off, it just wasn't enough to be more than the standard deduction.
#9 HybridCRoW
I just found out after everyone was telling me I could deduct mileage and car maintenance on my taxes for my commute ended up not being true. The reason is because of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Only if I'm self employed or own a business can I deduct my mileage and car maintenance on the taxes.
Of course, even if I was able to do that, plus donations I made in 2023, and other stuff I could write off, it just wasn't enough to be more than the standard deduction.
17-Feb-24 9:35pm
#10 John
benstylus wrote:
With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of interest. https://www.bankrate... 0.58% on average. So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate.
That is assuming that you'd keep it in a normal bank account -- which makes little sense. The reality is that you can fairly easily get about 5% these days from very safe high yield savings accounts at Schwab, Fidelity, and other major players.
Now we're talking about $250 -- which matters a bit more. (Even if we divide by two to $125.)
Obviously you could probably do better with investments rather than a savings account, but for people who use the IRS as a temporary storage, they may not have great money management/discipline skills. So if they had gotten that extra money in their paychecks it would probably have been spent anyway instead of saved.
This is the real reality. The fact is that overpaying your taxes and getting a refund is more like forced savings for people who otherwise would not do anything special with it through the year.
Also, don't forget that we're all paying more because Trump signed things into law that would continue to hurt the non-rich for years when it comes to paying taxes. Makes the current President look bad for something that the previous President enacted...
#10 John
benstylus wrote:
With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of interest. https://www.bankrate... 0.58% on average. So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate.
That is assuming that you'd keep it in a normal bank account -- which makes little sense. The reality is that you can fairly easily get about 5% these days from very safe high yield savings accounts at Schwab, Fidelity, and other major players.
Now we're talking about $250 -- which matters a bit more. (Even if we divide by two to $125.)
Obviously you could probably do better with investments rather than a savings account, but for people who use the IRS as a temporary storage, they may not have great money management/discipline skills. So if they had gotten that extra money in their paychecks it would probably have been spent anyway instead of saved.
This is the real reality. The fact is that overpaying your taxes and getting a refund is more like forced savings for people who otherwise would not do anything special with it through the year.
Also, don't forget that we're all paying more because Trump signed things into law that would continue to hurt the non-rich for years when it comes to paying taxes. Makes the current President look bad for something that the previous President enacted...
18-Feb-24 6:16am
#11 benstylus
John wrote:
benstylus wrote:> With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of> interest.> > https://www.bankrate...> > 0.58% on average.> > So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you> would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate. That is assuming that you'd keep it in a normal bank account --
That is my assumption for people who would go this route. They see Schwab/Fidelity and they think complicated/too many choices/not FDIC insured.
Especially if they got burned on a 'hot stock tip' or crypto or other get rich quick promise previously.
#11 benstylus
John wrote:
benstylus wrote:> With the rate most banks are giving on savings accounts, it's a trifling amount of> interest.> > https://www.bankrate...> > 0.58% on average.> > So if you were having the IRS withhold extra so you could get a $5,000 refund, you> would have lost out on just $14.50 in interest at that rate. That is assuming that you'd keep it in a normal bank account --
That is my assumption for people who would go this route. They see Schwab/Fidelity and they think complicated/too many choices/not FDIC insured.
Especially if they got burned on a 'hot stock tip' or crypto or other get rich quick promise previously.
18-Feb-24 2:50pm
#12 KCPenguins
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
#12 KCPenguins
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
18-Feb-24 5:50pm
#13 loztdogs
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
Saw this guy across the street last weekend.
image
#13 loztdogs
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
Saw this guy across the street last weekend.
image
18-Feb-24 6:50pm
#14 KCPenguins
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
Wondered why this would be negged. Bucks naturally shed antlers every year, doesn't hurt them. The mice usually eat them. I was looking for them for my dogs. They like to chew on them. The deer carcasses were natural, coyotes ate them as did my doggoes.
#14 KCPenguins
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family. Found two dead carcasses picked fairly clean by coyotes, but no antlers. About to pull into the driveway and see 15-20 deer in the field across from my place, probably 150 yards away. SMH! They likely cut through my property.
Wondered why this would be negged. Bucks naturally shed antlers every year, doesn't hurt them. The mice usually eat them. I was looking for them for my dogs. They like to chew on them. The deer carcasses were natural, coyotes ate them as did my doggoes.
18-Feb-24 8:57pm
#15 citizen_zane
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family.
At first I though that you and the family were heading out to Home Depot and Lowe's, looking for a new shed.
#15 citizen_zane
KCPenguins wrote:
Went out shed hunting with the family.
At first I though that you and the family were heading out to Home Depot and Lowe's, looking for a new shed.
18-Feb-24 9:25pm
#16 BucketofJustice
Yeah I thought they were going to build a small backyard structure too.
#16 BucketofJustice
Yeah I thought they were going to build a small backyard structure too.
18-Feb-24 10:36pm
#17 Foxhack
They gotta keep the shed populations low before they grow into man-eating gazebos.
#17 Foxhack
They gotta keep the shed populations low before they grow into man-eating gazebos.
19-Feb-24 12:13am
#18 MrBean
"everything bubble" sounds scary, wonder if I should sell my stocks and hide my money for awhile...
#18 MrBean
"everything bubble" sounds scary, wonder if I should sell my stocks and hide my money for awhile...
19-Feb-24 8:17am
#19 Tony
bill wrote:
{imgt}https://i.imgur.com/... 600 314{imgt}
This is true for most everyone. Unless we are being lied to, for any given 10 year period, the US Stock Market has outperformed every other type of investment. I've read Market analyses that say even someone who invested in the Stock Market the day before the crash that started the Great Depression was better off 10 years later than if they hadn't.
Every time there is a short term lull or drop in the Market, my financial counselor says "let it ride". Unless you are invested in a single stock that can be lost if the company fails, you want to be there when the market bounces back. The only individual stocks the average investor should buy are in companies that you know will be around in 5 years.
In 2008, my 401K lost about 40%. In 2018, it was up by 50% or more over where it had been before the drop. I had a co-worker who pulled his 401K money out of stocks and put it into guaranteed return investments. He actually made about 2% in 2008. I don't know when (or if) he went back to stocks, so I don't know how that move turned out for him in the long run.
#19 Tony
bill wrote:
{imgt}https://i.imgur.com/... 600 314{imgt}
This is true for most everyone. Unless we are being lied to, for any given 10 year period, the US Stock Market has outperformed every other type of investment. I've read Market analyses that say even someone who invested in the Stock Market the day before the crash that started the Great Depression was better off 10 years later than if they hadn't.
Every time there is a short term lull or drop in the Market, my financial counselor says "let it ride". Unless you are invested in a single stock that can be lost if the company fails, you want to be there when the market bounces back. The only individual stocks the average investor should buy are in companies that you know will be around in 5 years.
In 2008, my 401K lost about 40%. In 2018, it was up by 50% or more over where it had been before the drop. I had a co-worker who pulled his 401K money out of stocks and put it into guaranteed return investments. He actually made about 2% in 2008. I don't know when (or if) he went back to stocks, so I don't know how that move turned out for him in the long run.
19-Feb-24 8:36am
#20 John
Indeed. I'm a Boglehead when it comes to retirement investing. Lots of fun reading, but the simple summary (at least, what I do based on my reading):
1. Don't try to time the market.
2. Hold long-term without worrying about lots of changes. Don't worry about the day to day (or even month-to-month or year-to-year in most cases).
3. Extremely diversified portfolio -- often recommended (and used by me) is the "3-fund portfolio" consisting of: a Total US Stock Market Index, a Total International Stock Index, and a Total US Bond Market Index.
I'd get into it more, but this is the Random Thoughts thread and it'll all be lost in a day anyhow.
#20 John
Indeed. I'm a Boglehead when it comes to retirement investing. Lots of fun reading, but the simple summary (at least, what I do based on my reading):
1. Don't try to time the market.
2. Hold long-term without worrying about lots of changes. Don't worry about the day to day (or even month-to-month or year-to-year in most cases).
3. Extremely diversified portfolio -- often recommended (and used by me) is the "3-fund portfolio" consisting of: a Total US Stock Market Index, a Total International Stock Index, and a Total US Bond Market Index.
I'd get into it more, but this is the Random Thoughts thread and it'll all be lost in a day anyhow.
Random thoughts....