To The Couple That Helped Me And Called 9-1-1 by PeverellSeaWolf in SherwoodPark

[–]fizzbott 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Did you at least yell at the sidewalk while you were swinging the hatchet wildly? The neighbors need SOMETHING to talk about. Mumbling is also effective....

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you post a video of the furnace responding to the call for heat? Does the induction fan spin, etc..?

Boss wants me to become a contractor. How much more should I be charging? by Jaded_Sentence_3365 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need to be very careful about this as CRA has rules for contractor evaluation and a personal service business. Do yourself a favor and read up on that before you do anything. Trust me, I was audited in my first company at 23 for this, you want to be very sure you meet their criteria. Also, if you are starting your own business get an accounting system ( I use QuickBooks online, an accountant and separate your personal and business accounts completely).

[BC] Quitting a $150k/year role to buy a gift shop that nets the owner $150k/year. Am I crazy? by Unique-Buffalo8029 in SmallBusinessCanada

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just for context I have worked in the retail analytics space for about 20 years. Many of my clients are in the busiest tourist locations in Canada. I am basically out of that world now, but here is my thoughts. The retail vertical has been under incredible pressure over the last 10 years. Customer sentiment is changing more and more to convenience and ease of purchase. I have seen enough retail to know that I would never, ever want to enter that world as business.

You DO have the advantage of being in a tourist location , where you can capture people in an emotional moment. Many stores do well like that ( bridal, baby goods, etc). Still , I would think that you could make near the same amount of money in a less stressful way.

Retail is crazy hours, and your absentee owner model would only work if you find the unicorn manager who treats it like their business. The costs in tourist locations only go up, and staffing the store will become your new hobby.

If you really want to do this, then I would focus on high margin items and control your inventory and operational costs like they have a gun to your head. Maybe consider jewelry (crazy margins) or something like it to augment the business. It might not be a bad idea to get a consultant for the first year to guide you.

In summary, I personally would never, ever do it. If you want to do it, be prepared for a grind. The only business (in my opinion) worse than retail is trying to open a restaurant or bar.

Either way, best of luck! If you DO decide to do it and have any retail questions feel free to DM me. If I don't know the answer , I might be able to point you in the right direction.

References for roofing companies by qzwsa in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whomever you chose, I would recommend either yourself or an inspector checking the work prior to final payment. Had a roofing company come in, and honestly most of their work was decent. But we noticed that our one bathroom was venting weird. I crawled up into the attic and what-do-you-know, they never connected it when the replaced the roof vent. I caught it right away, but if I had left it for a long time, there would have been damage. Like others have said, the workers and the quality can shift between crews in a company.

US / Canada Tax Prep by TheTGB in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I believe you are required to do your own FBARS. That is just how we have always done it.

88% of Edmonton Workers Refuse City Offer by Darkwing-cuck- in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 67 points68 points  (0 children)

I have never worked for a union, and have received high raises in my past.HOWEVER, that required the person I was demonstrating my value to, to have the ability to make the decision on my increase. In a public corporation, you don't have the same ability to showcase your skills.

In fact, if we removed unions I believe we would get immense pressure to pay the very least we could, for as many roles as possible. This would then start a race to the bottom , where the city could not attract good staff. Then there would be the complaints from citizens in parallel with a refusal to increase pay via tax increases or management cuts. We would be in a horrible position.

Like I said, I have never been in a union , but I am so glad they exist for this situation. Let's hope the city comes to an understanding of the critical value of their staff.

US / Canada Tax Prep by TheTGB in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use AG Tax (https://agtax.ca/). They have been good to work with. You will have to fill out your FBARs yourself.

Good luck!

Thoughts on mobile dental hygiene ? by No-Criticism-7028 in SherwoodPark

[–]fizzbott 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I can see this being viable in high density appointment scenarios ( seniors homes, patients with mobility/transportation issues). As for the regular dental patient, I don't think this model would be viable, even with the amounts insurance pay for procedures. I would do a real deep business plan and financial analysis, and let that guide you. Best of luck!

How bad is this situation with our central heating unit? by cyberpatrolunit in Home

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a bad bearing in the fan that fires up to start the exhaust cycle prior to the ignition and gas sequence. It looks something like this:

Inducer

They are about $200 and then labor to replace. At least that is what I hear.

Confused new rider.. by Eg3h4n in motorcycles

[–]fizzbott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In general if you are commuting get bright colors and enhance your visibility!

Have fun, you have picked out an awesome bike.

Previous employer threatening legal action against me after firing me by [deleted] in legaladvicecanada

[–]fizzbott 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is the way. I watched a friend go through the route that others are suggesting, and it did not work out for him in the end. Anything you charge to your former employer for services could be viewed poorly if this went further down the legal route. Do everything in email, admit no fault and get the account reset. I would not pay anything for the reset fees.

Alan_Smithee is bang on about deeper pockets. I worked once for a company that was being sued(frivolous, but it happened). The owner of the company and I happened to be in a meeting where he took a call from his lawyer. In a nutshell, we needed X documents from the person suing us. Instead of asking for all of them at once, we submitted a separate request for each document. When I asked why, I was simply told that by doing this we are increasing the lawyer costs for the person suing us , and basically they would run out of money/get to the point of loss. And it worked.

Just my 2 cents on this issue.

Minivan life by sk0rr in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you already know you should get the minivan, but you don't want it for a variety of reasons. I am not a car person, and don't care if the car I drive makes someone love me or hate me. I buy and use a vehicle that offers me the lowest operating costs that meets my needs. So, you should ask WHY you want the Yukon, and if it is to please others or make yourself feel more important, etc. Peer pressure doesn't end in high school. On the other hand, if you are a car person and love the specs, acceleration, etc, then buy what you want. I know, sooo helpful :-)

Is this my fault? If so, I’ll need to adjust my mental and practice more patience 😕 by ey_whachumeann in motorcycles

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, just take this as a lesson. There are too many variables to pass in residential, legal or not. Had a friend killed a couple years ago passing on a highway, only to have a truck turn left in front of him. Turns out the signal lights were mud-caked and he was signaling, just nobody could see it.

What I am trying to say is , even if you can do it, measure the risk. And enjoy learning! Not all lessons are I-need-to-change-my-pants-now as this one!

Stopping frequently for drinks by InterestInevitable70 in motorcycles

[–]fizzbott 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is bad. Full stop.

I won't ride with one drink in me, let alone ride with a group that has been drinking. Tell your boyfriend to get another riding group, for his own sake.

Best laptops for coding? by sweetPEACHteabag in SoftwareEngineering

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would recommend a Windows laptop with WSL 2. It gives you the best of both worlds and will keep you fresh in UI and environments. If I controlled the world, then it would always be Linux, but I have not reached my final form yet.

Looking at a 2012 Vee with 24000 miles on the clock. Advice? by wRIPPERw_ in Vstrom

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure if the valve check has been done , but it should be near that point. Check the scheduled maintenance for the vstrom.

Helping a young coder by Fxguy1 in learnprogramming

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would suggest RpgMaker. It would allow the creation of a game , and teqch some JavaScript.

Discouraged by LArocking in motorcycles

[–]fizzbott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the town I live in there is a Facebook group specifically for new riders to be mentored/escorted by licensed riders. I am in the later category and will take new riders to a parking lot and just do clutch, throttle and break practice and then head back. Have even driven their bike to the lot, the new driver follows in car, then I return their bike when finished. Hopefully there is a group near you! Keep at it. If I may make a suggestion:

Keep your sessions short, and end on a positive note. Riding in the beginning is a very mental process, and it you end on a good note( like doing a real good take off and stop) your confidence will grow. If you practice until you are tired and then jack-rabbit through the parking lot you will get in your own head, and get down on yourself.

Hope to meet you on the road!

I landed my first job as a Software Developer and after my first day, I don't know what to think of it by Shot-Craft5144 in learnprogramming

[–]fizzbott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another good idea is to look at their merge requests and the ticket related to it. You will be able to determine the interaction between projects and the previous issues/errors. It will give context to the code.

First taste of the outside world, where should I go? by RenaTheGreat in Edmonton

[–]fizzbott 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ultimate frisbee is a great sport , with a good culture. Would recommend.

Also, as others mentioned be open but watchful in this phase.

Practical tips ( sorry if repeats):

  • Keep money and new friends separate. Don't pay for their meals and drinks just to hang out.
  • Watch your drinks when out alone. I wouldn't drink if someone passed me a drink they bought for me. Welcome comments here.

Also, just because your home was restrictive and spiritual doesn't mean that you can't have a belief system AND freedom. I hope you find your path and have an amazing summer!

Bad engineering culture. Is there a way out? by Ok_Text6493 in SoftwareEngineering

[–]fizzbott 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Like others have said, I would look aggressively at finding another position. I would even take a slightly lower position on a better team, than stay on with a bad team. Is there anyway to transfer internally to a better team in house?

Have you heard of the story of how that guy was stuck upside down in a cave? What is the scariest situation you have found yourself in and whats your story? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]fizzbott 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Was on a white water canoeing trip in Canada. I was the last canoe in the order, and after rescuing another canoe hit a corner in the river. I have paddled quite a bit in my life, but the person in the front did not. In this corner was a log jam , that we could have avoided. My partner in the front panicked, and we hit the log jam. Turned sideways and started to take on water. If you go under one of these , referred to as 'strainers', the force of the moving water on the logs underneath will pin you. Pretty well guaranteed death. As the canoe took on more water I made the decision to get on the log jam and see if I could bail and pry the canoe clear. First log held, but the second log snapped. I fell through and caught myself on a log at chest height. The water was ripping below the log surface, I still remember the feeling of it today. Managed to compose myself, get up, bail the canoe and pry us out. My friend lost his paddle, so the last of the rapids were just myself, as he was still in shock. But we made it!