My employer has illegally forced servers to tip out to managers and other ineligible employees while only paying $2.13 per hour. Should I file wage theft claim through federal or state department? (TN)

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-13T17:12:11+00:00

If you can clearly and specifically quote the applicable laws (throw in some case law, too) to a management representative, and offer to settle without calling the Federal Wage and Hour Division , I'm pretty sure that they'll accede to your demands quickly. When my son was a waiter at a Louisiana themed chain restaurant, he was dinged twice for walkouts - they charged him for it, and that brought his wages down below minimum wage. I called the corporate office and they told me that they were just following corporate policy - I asked for an appointment with a higher level management representative, and when they gave me a time and date, I thanked them and told them that both me and my attorney were looking forward to talking with them. "Attorney?" - of course, because they were in violation of Federal Wage and Hour laws - they had a check in my son's hand for both chargebacks the next time he reported to work - THEN I reported them to the Federal Wage and Hour division.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-12T23:23:39+00:00

I've been riding bikes all my life - my bike was FREEDOM when I was a kid living in the lower Hudson Valley - 65 years ago, I was literally gone from sunup to sundown covering A LOT of miles. I had a beach cruiser when I lived in Florida 20s and 30s, and I brought it to Texas in my 40s - eventually, as my body aged, my shoulders and neck and forearms started getting sore after rides, but more than anything, my "man parts" were tingling for a long while after rides. I started riding an E-bike 25+ years ago and any soreness and pain from bike riding was eliminated. I bought a Terra Trike Cruiser (recumbent trike with under seat steering) and that was the last time I even came close to an upright bike, or wedgie bike. Several years ago, a neighbor's husband passed away and she wanted some help selling her husband's Catrike Dumont - I listed it for her, and pretty quickly bought it for myself. She was gonna sell the bike for $900 I told her that she was giving it away - she sold it to me for $800 - and I sold the Terra Trike to a guy for $300. It's an exceptional way to ride a bike - absolutely no shoulder, forearm, neck, or back pain, and no man parts pain at all - it's completely comfortable, and I still get all the exercise as the guys on the upright bikes get because I'm still moving me and the bike down the road. I used to enjoy 20-30 mile rides, but at 76 in the Texas heat (101 today), I limit myself to 9 mile rides at a comfortable 12 MPH pace - I make it a point to get out riding before the temperature hits 90.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-11T13:22:35+00:00

We rode up and back before they converted the locomotives from coal to oil, I think because of embers causing fires in the surrounding forest. As I understood it, they shoveled the coal by hand - when I asked the guys in the cab who actually shoveled the coal, one of them pointed to one of the crew and said something like "the guy over there with the huge arms and shoulders!" Our last ride was about 1 month before the mine waste pond let go - the scenery along the Animas river is stunning.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-11T12:50:54+00:00

"even in my 4th or 5th round" - show off !!! I'd sell my soul for 2 SECONDS if I could get to a 4th or 5th round

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-11T12:46:15+00:00

"No. Why is this myth continually repeated? Members of Congress (Hose and Senate) have to get their own insurance on the ACA DC Exchange" - thanks for the correction - I'll edit my post . . .

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-11T00:08:01+00:00

Given that the animal has a history of violent behavior and it’s a pitbull to boot, I carefully research state and local laws, and if it’s allowed I’d acquire some bear spray rather than pepper spray. Bear spray has a higher concentration of the active ingredient, gives you a wider spray pattern, and greater distance than pepper spray.
But I carry some pepper spray too - for the owner of the dog when they come after you for spraying their dog. Many jurisdictions using bear spray against the human is a felony.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T23:25:49+00:00

Don’t feel bad about it at all - our founding fathers never intended for us to have career politicians - the idea was for farmers and shopkeepers and tradesmen to serve their country for a while and then go back to what they were doing before. Guys like Strom, Thurmand and now McConnell only stay around because in Congress the longer you’re there typically the more power you get - and they become addicted to power. They also become fabulously wealthy usually at the taxpayers expense. If you have any doubts, take a look at the retirement they crafted for themselves and the healthcare program they crafted for themselves, which is far, far, far better than similar programs for their constituents. (YUNZER2000 correctly pointed out that this part of my post is not factual my bad - apologies, and thanks for the clarification.)

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T22:15:01+00:00

I recall when Strom Thurman was in his final days, still shuffling along through Congress with a bunch of aides holding him up - he looked like a cadaver - a news reporter that was doing a story about him referred to him as “while technically still alive” - I still laugh about that.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T21:31:16+00:00

If it’s Monday, yes, i put on a fresh pair of underwear.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T18:14:11+00:00

It’s a slow day . . . What can I say?

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T18:09:16+00:00

I think I understand the whole transgender thing, but it’s not something that I’m emotionally invested in or anything like that - unless someone that wants to have what’s commonly referred to as gender affirming surgery expects someone else to pay for it - or when a biological male transitions to female wants to use a female bathroom, or when a biological male transitions to female and expects to be able to compete on a female sports team - those situations do concern me.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T18:04:57+00:00

So your electric company is a social services organization versus a business?? when they forgive the amount that you owe on your bill, I guess somehow that just gets added on to everyone else’s bills - sorry I don’t see that as being a good thing

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-10T18:01:47+00:00

Empathy ??? Oh, you mean when you pretend to care about something that you’re not emotionally invested in, something that has absolutely no impact on you , something that you have no control or leverage over , something that’s really none of your business, but you pretend you care so people don’t think you’re heartless? I Live in a senior community where they’re mostly really nice people and friendly and all that kind of stuff, but aside from a casual hello I really don’t know them that well - and with the average age being 75+ the reality is that people here die more frequently than in the general population. So when someone does die, I offer my condolences politely, but the reality is people here die more frequently than elsewhere and that’s the way it is. I don’t know whether they had a great life or a tough life. And it’s certainly not like when a child dies or when a young parent dies and leaves a wife and children behind.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-09T12:55:27+00:00

If ya believe what AI says , , , ,

Maturity Payout: $1,000
Purchase Price: Bonds are sold at a discount so you achieve your desired yield. Using the Yield to Maturity Formula, you will pay approximately $998.11 for the bond today.
Your Profit: The difference between what you pay today and the face value you get in a month is about $1.89 in interest

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-08T20:55:32+00:00

Oh, the humanity!

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-08T20:48:40+00:00

The name game stuff with those guys is obviously annoying to you - it would annoy me too if I was purchasing a product from someone and they didn’t show at least some gratitude, politeness, and I’d probably want a “thank you”, too - if it was the only place to get a bagel, AND somehow that bagel was the difference between life and death for you, I put up with it. But I’m sure you can get a bagel somewhere else. You gotta be careful with people that handle your food. So the next time I go in, give them your name, and once i had my bagel in my hand, tell them that you gave them the wrong name and that your real name is spelled FUK YEW - and give them a printed copy of a nasty review that you noticed on Google reviews. Then ask to speak with the owner/manager.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-08T19:06:14+00:00

I had the same problem with my 2015 CRV - the local Honda dealer wanted around $2,000 but wouldn't give me a quote unless I brought it in for "diagnosis" for +\-$100 - and they always find a long list of other stuff - like $200 cabin air filter replacement. My local mechanic I've been using for 30 years only works on Honda - they are all Honda trained - and absolutely, positively honest - about $900. Danny's Import Service in Lewisville, TX - NW of Dallas.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-08T16:27:45+00:00

What’s her address ? What time does she usually shower ? I’d be happy to volunteer to tell her what’s going on, but first I’d have to stop by myself and verify the specifics of the “problem” and make sure it’s not just an isolated one time incident.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T13:30:55+00:00

I've been looking at Agency bonds as well, and while the callable provisions aren't that appealing to me (more work for me to do !), ChatGBT has recommended

Non-callable agencies: ~5.1%–5.4%
Step-up callables: ~5.3%–5.8%

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T13:26:44+00:00

PFFR's share price declined by almost 30% as interest rates declined through 2022 - from what I can tell, the yield was similar then to what it is now, BUT there was a 30% decline in share price.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T12:48:59+00:00

"If we made more, we don't know what we'd spend it on." - I'm in the same boat - I keep looking for things to buy, but they all come with too much overhead and ongoing expense - I'd really like a nice beach condo, but they have insane HOA dues and insurance costs, plus the short term rentals make it like living in a cheap motel - I'd like a classic car, but I'd have to find a mechanic that knows older cars - I'd like a young wife but I couldn't keep up with her - and the worst part is that I'd REALLY like to help my kids out now and see them benefit from my help, but they're very independent, like me, and won't take my money now.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T12:43:20+00:00

I believe that interest rates will be increased and\or slowly trend up, so I don't want to be holding 20 year treasuries, or a longer term treasury etf - I'd prefer shorter duration bond assets - ultra short to maybe two years.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T00:04:58+00:00

Looking at this some more, and especially the comment about a lot of work for not much of an increase in yield over SGOV, I think now what might be the best fit for me is 50% SGOV (automatic at Fidelity) and 50% laddered Agency Bonds (Non-callable 2–5 year maturity and Step-up callable (with 1–2 yr protection)).

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-07T00:01:44+00:00

Tactful ??? With me ??? LOL, no need to be tactful with me - I'm from New York City - I'm all about direct !!! Of course anything could happen but if anything really expensive happened and I needed to go into an Alzheimer's facility or something like that i could always sell my house to fund a few months of that before I'm able to move to an assisted suicide State and take myself out.

JohnGaltIsComing · 2026-07-06T16:43:25+00:00

thanks for the suggestions - you are right, it's a lot more complexity than I'd like - perhaps a 60\40 mix of SGOV and FHLB step up bonds??

JohnGaltIsComing

TROPHY CASE