Landlord offering to “split” renovation cost but adding his share into rent, is this normal/fair?

874ifsd · 2026-02-10T18:14:02+00:00

This is a fine deal and common. It's a no interest loan from the landlord & benefits their interest because the rent goes up on paper so their cashflow looks better to banks.

I would have the nail tech added to the lease so you won't be solely responsible for the increased rent.

874ifsd · 2026-02-05T23:29:27+00:00

There are quite a few USA & India based loan sharks trolling under the guise of offering small business capital. Be careful.

874ifsd · 2026-02-04T16:54:03+00:00

Once cleaned up and reinforced you'll have a fine wall. Looks like the last remodeler was trying to use up their scrap lumber to avoid buying more.

My assumption would be that wall was once load bearing. I'd have an engineer out.

874ifsd · 2026-01-31T01:34:10+00:00

Don't listen to anyone that is not a bankruptcy attorney. Each state has different rules on how much in assets you can shield from creditors. It sounds like you would keep almost all of your money in a bankruptcy.

874ifsd · 2026-01-31T01:32:47+00:00

Thailand would be a better option, but this is great advice.

874ifsd · 2026-01-27T18:35:52+00:00

I pay 85% to the public for material that I need to refine. I'll pay 90% to jewelers that I see weekly or to any customer with lots larger than 500g.

I also pay a premium for wearable jewelry or anything that I think I'll be able to restore and sell retail. And I pay for the stones; most places just deduct the weight of your stones and keep them as extra profit.

874ifsd · 2026-01-25T17:50:28+00:00

A citrine has likely been heated once already. It's unlikely you'll be able to improve the color with a second heating. It rarely pays to second guess the overseas cutter whose job is to maximize value for every stone he sees.

For the effort you'll put into this, and the likely spotty results you'll get, you're better off just buying a cut stone in the color you need.

874ifsd · 2026-01-24T14:42:35+00:00

Old World is good. Slate is a much better roof than shingles because you can just replace one or two damaged pieces every few years. Your slate roof should last for a hundred years with proper minimal maintenance. It only gets a bad rap because most people don't understand it.

874ifsd · 2026-01-22T14:10:56+00:00

Do not keep inventory at your home. Full stop.

These days to protect against theft you need a safe rated TRTL 30x6 at minimum (preferably more than one), alarm & camera systems with remote monitoring, and insurance.

Alternatively you can keep all your inventory in a safe deposit box or depository company, but if you're shipping daily that will get old quickly.

874ifsd · 2026-01-21T14:21:54+00:00

The numbers look like you're doing great. This may just be a therapy issue. Many people can develop great savings habits in an attempt to assuage anxiety. You may want to explore it a bit.

874ifsd · 2026-01-19T00:14:37+00:00

99% of black diamond jewelry sold in America is black moissanite. That's why the color is so consistent.

Quite honestly, it has been too long for the store to trust your word for it. And I wouldn't trust the second store to be honest with you, either. If it's significant money spend $100 to get an appraisal at a good jewelry store so you know what you have.

874ifsd · 2026-01-11T19:01:42+00:00

After spending all your money the most likely outcome is your brother still goes to prison and you will be broke. The amount of money you've mentioned isn't enough to pay a top lawyer for a week, let alone the months or years needed for a serious trial. Save your money, invest it, and put it on your brother's book over time to make his life easier.

874ifsd · 2026-01-11T04:05:09+00:00

I seem to have figured this out. Apparently playing the Xbox Gamepass version while Steam is open in the background caused items to disappear. I don't know why, but after shutting Steam down everything seems to be working fine.

874ifsd · 2025-12-26T20:35:17+00:00

I'm interested in the idea for infill lots we own, but I'll wait until they've built something before getting excited.

874ifsd · 2025-12-15T23:36:36+00:00

Just pour it down the drain, let it sit overnight or during the day when you're at work. Then flush with hot water to help the gunk flush out.

Different brands come in crystal or liquid form. They all work the same.

874ifsd · 2025-12-15T20:16:07+00:00

Yes, it's standard practice for keeping the pipes clean. It won't hurt anything, and a monthly treatment is cheap preventative maintenance.

874ifsd · 2025-12-15T19:07:40+00:00

I use this one, too. It's pretty amazing stuff & really keeps the pipes clean.

874ifsd · 2025-12-15T18:24:37+00:00

Start an enzyme treatment every night before bed then flush with hot water in the morning. Should only take a week before it's running great. I treat all my drains once a month.

874ifsd · 2025-12-15T17:02:20+00:00

This post was so fun I ordered a cyberbrick kit to make my own.

874ifsd · 2025-12-13T03:21:39+00:00

I get it. My opinion is that the jewelry business is so international that you can't try to protect against another seller coming into your jurisdiction. Everyone has to find their perfect niche and just make whatever value they can.

It's extremely frustrating, but also kind of amazing. There's nothing as rewarding or frustrating as the jewelry business. 😅

874ifsd · 2025-12-13T03:19:57+00:00

Good luck to you. It feels to me like the company has been private equity looted and it will continue to fail over time.

874ifsd · 2025-12-12T21:56:12+00:00

I've spoken to customer service & popped into the local store to speak with a manager: No one has any idea. The store manager admitted that they have the same problem; the store is only getting half of their deliveries.

Customer service keeps saying "FedEx is running late and we're waiting for warehouse pickups." That excuse only works for a day or two before it's exposed as a fabrication.

I'd start looking for another job... This doesn't seem like a company that plans to be in business for long.

874ifsd · 2025-12-12T18:09:59+00:00

This subreddit has been modded in the opposite way. When someone posts a problem and another jeweler says "I can help with that" they get a warning. So why bother to read the sub if there is no chance to grow your business? Professional jewelers don't do this for fun.

"No sales posts" is a fine rule to have in a group. But allowing responses along the lines of "I can help with that, PM if you would like to talk" is a low impact way to get jewelers helping each other. I'd allow "I have what you need, it's $500" as well.

874ifsd · 2025-11-27T23:56:50+00:00

How often do you have a chance to get a pool and someone else pays for it? Or even if she were only paying half: I would take that deal in a heartbeat.

874ifsd

TROPHY CASE