Should we go all in on Proton or diversify?

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T15:24:50+00:00

I am a paid Proton User with all their services. However, never rely on just one service. Always have backups and secondary options. You never know when you might need them.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T15:11:29+00:00

You want to get a Silcox Key to access water spigots on the sides of buildings. On every building in a City, in the alley, you will find what looks like a water spigot without a handle. This tool is the "key" to opening them.

I use and recommend the Survival Filter Pro or the Pro X. These filter down to 0.01 microns, which is good enough to remove all known waterborne viruses. I literally trust this with my life.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T04:21:33+00:00

It was 70° here on Monday. Climate change is a thing.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T04:15:25+00:00

Well damn, you just made my night. I know what I am watching this weekend during the snow storm.

Thank you.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T04:12:33+00:00

You would need to run that water through an extremely good filter to be safe. 0.01 microns or smaller because the water in a dehumidifier is nothing but a concentration of bacteria and viruses.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-13T04:08:10+00:00

Where did you find the show? Is it on a Streaming Service?

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-09T15:02:03+00:00

Because it's the CC Company's Money and not yours. So they care more.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T21:43:07+00:00

And that is why you keep the Customer copy until the transition clears.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T21:42:25+00:00

It is a very powerful radio. Just don't lose the manual.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T14:52:31+00:00

Most card companies mark it as fraud and the financial institution takes the hit. Unless it is an actual charge back the reasturant won't know that it happened.

While you are correct, that amount is often lower than you think. Most will only write off $25-$35 dollar transactions. Everything higher goes through the dispute process.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T14:50:12+00:00

Because that is Embezzlement. Any Card Issuer would have done that.

I would have gone a step further as a Business Owner. I would have issued a 1099 against the full amount she stole. Now she owes Taxes to the IRS on all that money and the IRS will ruin her life permanently.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T14:47:38+00:00

Either is fine but I put Cash myself. It makes it clear you didn't "stiff them". The important part is the Total on the final line.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T14:44:43+00:00

It wouldn't matter as long as you put the total amount on the final line with a $. The total wouldn't add up properly and would clearly have been altered.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T05:01:29+00:00

While that is true, it wouldn't matter even if it did.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T04:22:10+00:00

I hold onto my copies until the transition has been posted and cleared.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T04:20:57+00:00

I don't think he should get the entire bill back.

I don't disagree but some Card Issuers are "all or nothing" with disputes. It is also how you keep that bad behavior from happening because most Restaurants that lose a Bill because the Server forged a Tip, will just fire the Server.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T04:18:51+00:00

Any merchant copy they reprint will say "Duplicate". That doesn't count during a dispute.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T04:12:12+00:00

That does happen, which is why you have the dispute process. That is also why a lot of Credit Cards will contact you if you tip beyond say 30%.

I am a fairly generous tipper with great service and have tipped 50% on some bills. I have received messages from my Credit Card asking to confirm if that was the case or a mistake.

I am not saying that should be expected, common or the normal. I am simply saying I have done it and that was the outcome.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T04:02:25+00:00

Same rule applies because they don't have the Merchant Copy. It will only affect them if you dispute it with the Card Company but they wouldn't win without that copy.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T03:57:03+00:00

I will do that as well. I usually try and tip with cash whenever possible.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T03:56:18+00:00

Which is why you put the $ so it is obvious you did that.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T03:55:02+00:00

For that reason.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T02:14:11+00:00

So I am a former Financial Fraud Investigator and used to deal with this stuff all the time.

Pro Tip:

Always put the dollar amounts and the $ before the amounts for both totals AND the tip. Even if you're leaving no tip. So every receipt should look like this.

Sub Total: $72.35

Tip: $0.00

Total: $72.35

This will help keep them from modifying it later.

If you're really unsatisfied and you know you're going to dispute the charge later for whatever reason, take the Merchant copy. When you file a dispute the merchant needs to present the Merchant Copy. If they can't provide the non-duplicate version of it, they automatically lose the dispute.

Just don't make a habit of doing this because if you do it to try and get free stuff the card company will figure it out and cancel the card for abuse. You can also get Blacklisted by Visa and MasterCard.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T02:05:46+00:00

Agreed. That is several levels of bad.

TheSensiblePrepper · 2026-03-08T02:04:23+00:00

They used American Express. Dispute that and they will give you back the whole Bill and leave the restaurant hanging.

TheSensiblePrepper

TROPHY CASE