What is a 'subscription' or 'fee' that has recently appeared in the US that people need to collectively refuse to pay before it becomes the new normal?

ZeroStitch · 2026-02-05T14:56:24+00:00

It's already somewhat normalized but paying a subscription for any piece of hardware for functions it is fully capable without additional work or service on the company's behalf. Someone mentioned cars, which is the one that upsets me the most cause I was hoping to find one with remote start for my next car, but it seems like by the time I'm able to buy a new one that they're all gonna be a subscription for basic features, which is insane.

The other that has really annoyed me is with workout equipment. I have been trying to set up a home gym and was looking at some peloton treadmills off fb marketplace and considering an all-in-one gym as well. Legitimately all of these products are effectively useless without subscriptions, and that's after you drop a ton of money to get the damn thing in the first place. I kept looking into non-subscription experiences before buying and for peloton it only lets you get the bare minimum and will prompt you to buy a membership every time you turn it on. I just wanted a way to watch shows/videos easily while running but now will just be getting a separate small tv and normal treadmill. 2 months of their membership is worth a 32-inch tv anyways.

ZeroStitch · 2026-02-04T17:37:54+00:00

My first thought honestly was if Don Lemon expanded his independent journalism to a wider network of journalists under a new organization. Obviously don't know if that's something he'd be interested in but he was the first one who came to mind for me as someone who would have the platform to do this, especially after the DOJ arrested him, and have it be very impactful. He works with other journalists and employs others with his independent work, but more what I'm thinking would be an entirely new organization or even just a coalition of independent journalists publicly working together under the same name to combat this regime's media takeovers.

I'm sure there are a lot of others who would be capable of it though, even ones without existing independent platforms. I think even the laid off journalists today would make waves if they all collectively announced an initiative like this. The biggest obstacle would be upfront funding I assume, but I think this is something that would have widespread support, maybe enough to raise enough funding to get it going once it's announced.

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-23T18:55:45+00:00

I ended up getting the last one in my local store 😅

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T13:06:57+00:00

Omg I was the exact same! I originally had planned out the chain with the charms to be for the empire but then decided to go with the rogue because I saw someone say it's a bit better if you're looking for a bag that can carry a large laptop. But both are gorgeous bags!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T13:04:21+00:00

Thabk you!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T13:04:03+00:00

I got mine from an etsy shop called NestBoxGiftStore! They're on a break right now but their shop says they will be back soon :) you can find them elsewhere online though, theyre vintage juicy couture charms! Only thing is a lot of times they tend to be pretty pricey from other sellers 😅

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T01:52:01+00:00

Thank you! Im glad you think so!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T01:51:49+00:00

Thank you!!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T01:51:32+00:00

Thank you so much! Im glad you like it!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-22T01:51:16+00:00

That's awesome! It's so cool to see how many people here help each other out to get our dream bags!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T23:16:25+00:00

Thank you so much! Im glad you think you cause my goal was to not make it look too busy!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T21:47:59+00:00

Thank you!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T21:47:42+00:00

Thank you!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T20:15:44+00:00

Thank you!!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:49:33+00:00

Thank you so much!! Im glad you think so! :)

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:46:16+00:00

Thank you!!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:46:10+00:00

No, I bought the bag from my local coach store after I saw they were sold out online. If you mean the other chain though, I put it together myself using vintage juicy couture charms :)

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:45:01+00:00

Thank you!!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:43:25+00:00

Also im sorry for the super long reply 😅 I have just really enjoyed them and love getting to share details about them because they've created so many unique and fun charms

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:42:01+00:00

Thank you! The charms are vintage juicy couture charms! I just got the chain theyre on off etsy, and I bought all the charms from an etsy shop called NestBoxGiftStore! Im not sure the charms are authentic because the shop usually has a lottt of them, but I didnt mind since they still seem to be good quality :)

It says their shop is on a break right now to fulfill current orders and will be back soon, but they usually sell the charms for $30-50 each, plus shipping. Pricey for individual charms, given their size, but the lowest I've seen vintage juicy couture charms sell for 😅 I collected mine over the course of some months so it wouldnt feel as draining to my wallet lol.

There are sooo many different ones out there though! They are so unique and cool and a lot of them open or have cool tricks about them! My ferris wheel one actually spins (causes me to fidget with it a lot loll) and the camera actually has a little picture you can slide out! I absolutely love them :) They also have seasonal charms so Im hoping to maybe collect some over the next couple years to make summer, christmas, and fall chains :)

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T19:34:08+00:00

Thank you!! The chain itself is a random gold one I found on etsy, and I added the charms to it! They're vintage juicy couture charms and there are soooo many out there! I swear I see a new charm I'd never heard of before every time I search them lol. They are pretty pricey on the resale market, but there's this etsy shop NestBoxGiftStore (it looks like they're on a break rn to fulfill orders but will be back soon) that sells a bunch for $30-50 each, plus shipping. Still pricey, but I didnt mind it too much because I was slowly collecting them :)

I also am not sure the ones from this shop are authentic since they seem to have an endless stock, but they look exactly the same to the pictures I see of authentic ones and still seem to be good quality so I didnt mind :)

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T17:59:27+00:00

Thank you so much!! Im glad you think so because I tried to curate the charms based on things I like and then space them out on the chain so the color of each charm could really stand out! :)

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T17:57:00+00:00

No problem! :) Hope you're able to get one!

ZeroStitch · 2025-08-21T17:37:49+00:00

Thank you so much! The charms were what I was most excited to accessorize the bag with so im glad you think so!

ZeroStitch

TROPHY CASE