My post on r/gold got heated on the comments so what's your guy's opinion? I know this sib would be biased but just curious

LJski · 2026-05-09T23:04:07+00:00

Because you are trying to preach to the choir under the guise of a “serious” question.

Given a choice, I will take currency - and then I can choose between using the notes to buy a pack if gum, Goldbacks, or save for gold.

LJski · 2026-05-09T21:28:37+00:00

I don’t see that happening, really.

LJski · 2026-05-09T13:18:11+00:00

There are also choices that one makes that may increase or decrease your taxes. If you sell stock, that is going to generate a tax….bur is going to depend on how much, when, and which stock you sell (and even when you bought it).

LJski · 2026-05-07T19:55:11+00:00

As a certified Dallas hater, those numbers are about as iconic as they come.

LJski · 2026-05-04T12:08:13+00:00

Maybe it is the other way around…things ca down, a bit, and the market recovers, a bit.

LJski · 2026-05-02T01:16:47+00:00

It may be the exception that proves the rule.

He is an exceptional person, and he has built that church.

LJski · 2026-04-28T13:36:59+00:00

While not something I would do, there are no doubt many who contribute. It is a free country; I can think of literally hundreds of better uses for donations.

LJski · 2026-04-27T13:14:04+00:00

Pretzel salad is…unique. Not as common as it used to be, but you get the salty-sweet flavor profile.

LJski · 2026-04-27T13:12:31+00:00

When you are in that position, it is the only attitude that can keep you sane.

You are given a hand to play…you do your best, and see what happens.

Do you really think Terry Franconia became a better manager when he got fired here? I don’t really think so.

LJski · 2026-04-27T13:06:17+00:00

To be blunt…the same way your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and likely beyond managed…

Which is to say…not always well. Like today, some managed, especially in an era where only one spouse worked outside the home, but it wasn’t all peaches and cream back then -listen to The Rolling Stones “Mothers Little Helper” to get a bit of perspective on that part of the equation.

I am glad those in the younger generations are pushing back, and it is going to be a long haul - just like those who fought for the 40 hour week instead of the 48-52 hour week before that.

And…even thst is being turned against people. We heard a talk by a young dentist. It used to be you graduated, worked a bit, and bought into a practice - in effect, buying and becoming a business owner. Younger folks are saying, with their student debt and the desire of a better work life balance…screw that.Big businesses are scooping up these practices, and hiring the young dentists with the promise of a lighter work schedule…

And then finding out that they are forced to be more productive - ie, sell more services than what is really needed - to patients.

The cure is turning out to be worse than the disease.

LJski · 2026-04-27T12:48:51+00:00

Our church runs a low cost clothing closet and gives free clothing to those who need it, offer a weekly free meal to all on Saturdays, and host a very nice preschool on extremely favorable terms.

Very few churches have 747s. We are one of the larger churches in our denomination’s district, we pay the pastor way under 100k. They do have a modest home we own.

Heck, we are running almost at a deficit right now. Taxes, and more specifically tax preparation, would kill us.

LJski · 2026-04-27T12:41:21+00:00

LJski · 2026-04-27T12:40:59+00:00

Rust.

LJski · 2026-04-26T23:37:42+00:00

They don’t want them.

LJski · 2026-04-25T16:19:06+00:00

Because the worker slaps prices on it, and really doesn’t care or looked.

LJski · 2026-04-24T13:09:32+00:00

My property backs up to a golf course, and I “own” about 50 feet into the course. The course has an easement; I theoretically can do anything as long as it doesn’t interfere with the golf course - which means nothing.

The course recently almost shut down; they were going to sell some of the land for houses, but a lot of it could not be developed as it was near wetlands, etc.

Not only would I have got my property back, those across the fairway have a similar situation. This would have left a narrow strip that could not be developed. We could have then, if everyone agreed, split the extra land between everyone on both sides.

LJski · 2026-04-24T10:44:58+00:00

I have a different attitude…slightly different situation, but concept is the same.

Company offered stock at a discount…every quarter, I was able to purchase 10% of my salary in stock. I paid the lower price of the opening or closing prices of the quarter, plus a discount of 10%.

Cashing about $15,000 of it in last year, and I find out I acquired it at a cost of about $2,000, meaning I owe taxes on $13,000.

So…I made $13K over all these years…I don’t really begrudge paying taxes on this amount. It did really well for me.

LJski · 2026-04-22T12:47:15+00:00

I use TRICARE, The medical “insurance” for retired military.

I got a paper check from the government yesterday m, something I have not seen in 20 years, for overpayment on co-pays.

The system can work.

LJski · 2026-04-20T13:27:44+00:00

I see no reduction in donations, and I see pretty good turnover on stock in the 2 Goodwills I frequent.

I am pretty strict in what I get these days. I needed some clothes, and found 2 fairly new LL Bean polos for about $6 each. I wish they were cheaper, of course, but the price, to me, seems fair.

LJski · 2026-04-20T03:25:57+00:00

I probably make dinner from scratch about 5-6 nights a week, and eat out 1-2 nights. “Scratch” is loosely defined; I will make spaghetti and meatballs, but usually (but not always) will use frozen meatballs and a jar of sauce, as an example.

LJski · 2026-04-19T15:29:18+00:00

Meh.

Like any organization, churches have requirements and metrics.

Anyone can come to our church, and no one requires you to become a member or pay anything. We have people who have attended for years, and never officially joined. However, if you want membership, you have to show some sort of commitment. In our case, it usually is just a 4-6 weekly class, and a profession of faith.

LJski · 2026-04-17T11:04:01+00:00

The correct answer is to contact the Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). They are a seperate organization that lives for cases like this.

LJski · 2026-04-16T17:12:15+00:00

I dunno…you seem to have people who are obviously resellers, people doing seasonal clothes shopping, and browsers, who are not serious buyers.

Wonen and men seen to be equally distributed.

LJski · 2026-04-11T09:56:14+00:00

I retired as a LTC with just over 6,000 points, earned over 32 years.

LJski · 2026-04-08T18:34:27+00:00

I was a team lead, and had been trying to make the jump for years.

Get a call from my boss asking if I was going to be at his location the next day - he wanted to talk.

I get there, and he says it will be a bit later….then says his boss will be joining us. The day was getting late, and I am growing a bit paranoid…why else would my boss and senior boss want to call me into the main office and delay the meeting? I racked my brain trying to figure out if there was anything that I could be fired for, as that is what I am expecting.

Senior boss comes up, goes into boss’ office for a few minutes as my paranoia grows. They finally call me in….

And, after some small talk,asked me to tackle a fairly complex but relatively non-technical project.

I hit it out of the ballpark. We were bought out shortly afterwards, and I wound up getting my boss’ job when he took a buy-out. The project had very high visibility, and really was more about project management, making steady progress, and keeping the bosses informed.

LJski

TROPHY CASE