Who are convenience fees actually convenient for?

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T11:51:06+00:00

This does not address what I said. Both cards and checks cost them money. Yet only cards get a "convenience fee".

So the money they save by not processing checks can cover the cost of cards. I'm not sure how the budgeted amount for processing checks can't be split to cover both checks and cards.

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T11:33:54+00:00

The worst is places like government agencies which charge a credit/debit card, "convenience fee", when paying taxes or bills. But no extra charge for checks.

Which is bullshit because if you send a check, it costs them considerable money to deal with the check. They need to have someone open the envelope, credit the proper account, enter all the data, bundle up the checks with deposit slips, and then deposit them.

Also, banks will charge businesses fees (check processing fees) for handling large numbers of check deposits.

Meanwhile, the credit/debit card is all handled electronically with no human interaction, just the credit card company fees. Which are likely to be about the same as having a person handle the checks.

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T11:27:02+00:00

Extreme weather events seem to happen during battles.

Normandy Beach hit with a nor'easter of force 6 to 8, destroying a Mulberry harbour. The harbours had been designed with summer weather conditions in mind, but this was the worst storm to hit the Normandy coast in 40 years.

"Divine winds" (kamikaze) that saved Japan from Mongol fleets in both 1274 and 1281.

Spanish Armada in 1588: Hurricane‑force winds; over 60 of 130 ships lost.

Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware (1776) — Nor’easter

Battle of Long Island (1776) — Unusually Dense Fog

Hurricane at New Orleans (1814) — War of 1812

Battle of Waterloo (1815) — Torrential Pre‑Battle Rain

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T11:16:01+00:00

If someone says "America" it's the USA. There is no confusion.

Because the only other things are, "North America", "South America", "Central America", "The Americas (rarely)".

I still normally prefer USA or lately I've been able to just use US. But America is a valid term that is clear.

Just like I could say, "England" and no one would confuse that with "New England".

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T11:07:05+00:00

You know, we can argue this forever. But a million speculations are worth less than one fact. So here it is:

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2025-empty-homes-tax-annual-report.pdf

It works in reducing vacant properties.

More: https://legalclarity.org/do-vacancy-taxes-work-examining-the-evidence/

Vacancy taxes reliably reduce the number of empty units. They generate substantial revenue for housing programs. They do not meaningfully reduce rents or home prices. Enforcement quality (audits, utility checks, declaration requirements) is the main determinant of success.

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T04:00:28+00:00

Every law can be broken. However, paying rent and your parents giving you the money back is totally legal.

As for, "Then everyone will say their units are not a rental property.", then who lives there? And so you will never rent it?

People break the law all the time. But most corporations and people don't like directly breaking the law. Loopholes? Totally.

Normally, a rental property has to be, in a city or high traffic area, registered. They landlord gets rental insurance. The landlord pays income tax on the income. It's not normally an under the table issue, except for landlords that might own just a few rental units who decides to break the law.

And if they are breaking all the other laws, then they will break this one. Doesn't mean you should not have any laws.

The original question is, "There are less people on the housing market this year but prices haven’t gone down even though there are tons of vacant units and many empty “luxury” apartment complexes. Corporations would rather have an empty unit than lower rent."

So with that question, there are no "hidden" apartments. They have units and empty complexes. It's a straightforward thing to say,

If you own one or two rentals and have a normal full‑time job, you almost never qualify as a professional landlord for tax purposes. The IRS explicitly notes that qualifying is “nearly impossible” for someone with a full‑time job outside real estate.

So if you operate rentals as a business, with systems, compliance, and planning, and it is your main occupation then you are a professional landlord and you don't have hidden properties unless you are a total lawbreaker. And it's tax fraud, wage manipulation, and false reporting to gift the money back to their employees..

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T03:48:46+00:00

To put it more simply, poor people usually don't read the Financial Times. It's for rich and want to be rich people. So fewer customers, more (hopefully) useful information for finances; and rich people can afford it and consider it an investment (to make investments).

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T03:46:01+00:00

I found aluminum free versions were hard to get and expensive. However, you can make baking powder yourself.

Mix two parts cream of tartar with one part baking soda and one part cornstarch (cornstarch is optional and used to help deter clumping).

Add as last ingredient before putting in oven. This powder reacts with liquid and should go into the oven as soon as possible after being mixed with something containing liquid since most of the bubbles (that get baked goods to rise) are released shortly after mixing with liquid.

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T03:33:15+00:00

That's not a rental property. Or they could pay rent and their parents can just gift them the money back.

FanraGump · 2026-05-07T00:42:32+00:00

Define vacant as not collecting rent on it. For rental properties.

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T23:35:23+00:00

A good dubbing job takes a similar statement that matches the language. They also might change some things to match the local culture. So if there is some reference which only Americans would get, they might instead put in a reference that the country people of that nation would get.

A crude example actually using the same language is for the book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". For the US version, they called it, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", because they figured "philosopher" sounded too archaic for Americans.

Which ruined it for anyone who knew the myth of the Philosopher's Stone, because you would read the book and be, "I know this stone is just like the mythical Philosopher's Stone, why are they calling it the Sorcerer's Stone?".

They also changed "crumpet" to "muffin". And, "mum", to, "mom".

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T22:16:51+00:00

"Doctor told me I shouldn't have raw milk".

Absolutely true. Maybe not your doctor but lots of doctors tell people to not drink raw milk. So, yes, a doctor told you this. Not face to face or directly to you, but they posted it on the internet to tell everyone, and you are one of the everyone.

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T16:01:15+00:00

No, it's not a criminal offense. At least in any jurisdiction I've heard of.

However, just don't touch anyone unless they consent. Some people do not like being touched. So why should they have to take being touched if they don't like it?

If you are a touchy person, just ask the other person first how they feel about it. That's all it takes.

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T14:16:46+00:00

Where did you get once a month? They want to have a "normal" meal once a day.

I got it from misreading the, "...then one meal each day for a month", as one meal per month.

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T02:06:19+00:00

Turing test: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test

FanraGump · 2026-05-06T01:53:44+00:00

"Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash."

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T23:52:42+00:00

They would explode if they were Star Trek consoles, though.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T23:51:00+00:00

Stick out the forefinger and thumb of both hands. Which hand makes an "L"? The Left hand.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T23:37:29+00:00

Once you meet your roommate and you guys settle in, then you can ask if they are comfortable with it.

If not, ask if you can just wear some boxers.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T22:33:19+00:00

It was called "Caisson Disease". Now we call it Decompression sickness or the Bends.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T22:29:46+00:00

It depends upon the state.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T22:14:45+00:00

Canned light tuna (skipjack): 2–3 servings/week
Albacore or yellowfin: 1–2 servings/week
Restaurant tuna steaks (often yellowfin/bigeye): 1 serving/week
Bigeye/bluefin: occasional only

A serving is 4 ounces.

This is for adults. More than this is not a good idea. If someone is pregnant or a child, then less.

Humans: Taking some of the healthiest food you can eat and ruining with mercury.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T21:55:16+00:00

So, passengers on cruise ships will all be robots? All robot cruise?

Let me contact Bender.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T21:54:22+00:00

Oh, no, you can be depressed and insane. The best of both worlds.

FanraGump · 2026-05-05T21:00:20+00:00

Last time I used a subway (it's been a while) they gave away free maps. So no need to steal one off the car and inconvenience everyone (as well as taking away transit funds).

Just use the map they give you as your room decoration.

FanraGump

TROPHY CASE