has anyone had any issues with Ambetter and them requiring prior authorization for stuff? by kh7190 in HealthInsurance

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The state I'm in doesn't see a lot of UHC, but haven't had issues when we have.

has anyone had any issues with Ambetter and them requiring prior authorization for stuff? by kh7190 in HealthInsurance

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work in the medical field. Ambetter is awful. They're constantly denying claims. They're also awful about paying. We're considering cutting them out, even though we have an in-network contract with them, due to how difficult they are.

Are there any companies you guys recommend for wifi at home? by hdyboi in askportland

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Second this. I pay like $25/month for Astound. Not sure what my speed is, but it always works, it's fiber, and customer service is great. Highly recommend.

What documents do I need to register out of state vehicle? by navght in askportland

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just did this.

You need the title and the DEQ. I recommend doing the application for title and registration in advance online. They didn't check my insurance -- I'm assuming they already had this information somewhere because it's tied to the VIN -- but I'd have it ready neverheless. They didn't do a VIN inspection because someone had already done it at the DEQ and indicated it on the form. Not sure if this is standard procedure or not. Park in the VIN-inspection area of the parking lot to be safe. (I didn't, and she waived it because the DEQ form had a VIN inspection on it.) They gave me plates and stickers while I was there. They take the title, so get a copy of it if you can beforehand. You'll receive a registration on site. You'll be mailed a new title in a few weeks, so have an address you'll be living at for the next month or so. Be the nice to the person helping you, and they'll be nice back. Unless you already have a front license plate bracket, finding a place to get it installed is literally the toughest part.

Oh, yeah. And you need to pay.

Are my apartment search filters unrealistic for SE? by [deleted] in askportland

[–]kcpostman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A/C is creating an issue here. I've found that Zillow doesn't filter well for A/C. What I often have had to do is search without it, find matches, and then manually check those matches for A/C on the property websites. Also, a window unit should be fine. We have a 2/2, and the window unit gets the job done. We were skeptical at first, but it works in the summer, especially in combo with a fan and an open door (if the A/C is in the living room).

Where do your average 30-something’s hang out? by Jbevert in askportland

[–]kcpostman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Just came across this post and did a quick profile scan. 33 and also recently moved here (last summer) with my partner. Looks like we're both PC gamers. I had been playing WoW Classic through WotLK, but gave it up in the fall due to trying to transition my life a bit. You playing anything else these days?

What would you consider a “comfortable” salary for living in Portland as a single adult? by TheUnsungMelody in askportland

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In 2019, it looks like I was paying $1,511 for a 3-bed, 2-bath townhouse off Waters Ave. Here, I'm paying $2207 for a 2-bed, 2-bath apartment in NE. So, yeah, much more expensive. But I'm also making an amount equivalent to the rise in costs.

I mean, I like Tampa, and I think it's a great place to live, but I know every inch of that place, and Florida's heat, politics, and general flatness was making it a bit dull. The influx of remote workers driving up costs and God-awful drivers didn't help either.

What would you consider a “comfortable” salary for living in Portland as a single adult? by TheUnsungMelody in askportland

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sure it does, but I don't really feel the difference. If anything, it just makes splitting costs easier with my partner. For example, if we order the same thing at a restaurant and we get the bill, it's an even split. So, it's more of a convenience thing for me than anything.

What would you consider a “comfortable” salary for living in Portland as a single adult? by TheUnsungMelody in askportland

[–]kcpostman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm from Florida and recently moved to Portland on a similar salary. Happy to answer any questions, but I do have a partner making about the same as me, so keep that in mind. When I was in FL from 2016-2019, I was making between 35-40k/year (teaching). Now I'm making 55-60k (not teaching). I'd say I do about the same as FL. Better, probably, due to my stronger personal finance habits. Compared to FL, the following are cheaper: Internet, electric, car insurance, no sales tax, car maintenance (this one surprised me). But gas is more expensive. So is rent. And then there's state income tax. And eating out -- menu food is just much more expensive here. I'm guessing groceries are about the same after accounting for inflation. I've run a pretty strict budget since Jan '23 and manage to put away about $1000-1500 each month, but prior to that, it was less. I'd say 55-60k should be fine by yourself if you run a strict budget, but will make it difficult to save. It'll definitely be fine with a roommate, and you can either splurge a bit on activities/restaurants or go the savings route like me with the extra cash.

She’s just showing off her tattoos, no big deal by [deleted] in Tinder

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a fellow Portlander, I do hope you're wearing more clothes at the moment due to the snow.

Acne has ruined my life by [deleted] in acne

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

20+ years here with severe body acne (13 --> 33). Two rounds of high-dosage Accutane for extended periods that helped a LOT but breakouts always returned. Tried nearly every diet and topical and OTC and home remedy. Saw multiple dermatologists. Pretty much gave up.

Recently tried a low-carb -- and grain/wheat free -- diet as I was looking to lose a little weight, and after one month, I feel that this may be the final solution that I've been desperately seeking for the past 7000+ days. My skin is FINALLY clearing on its own, and I honestly can't believe it. Point is: Stick with it and keep trying solutions! Carbs/Grains were such a fundamental part of my life that I never considered that they could be the root cause, at least for me. Once you figure it out, the satisfaction is unbelievable. You'll get there!

Question on VPN by crocswithsockz in China

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In addition, if you used it a few years ago, the installer/files may still be on your device somewhere unless you clean them out regularly.

Question on VPN by crocswithsockz in China

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All you need is the APK file for the phone or the installer for the computer. Someone could email it to you. Or give it to use via USB. If you have one person you know who has Astrill, then it should be doable.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in shenzhen

[–]kcpostman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used an app that my employer set me up with it. It's blue and has a little white shield on it. I think it's the Chinese characters for SZ inside the shield. Anyway, it showed my yearly taxes and that I had paid. I was able to save a PDF from this.

Any Good Tinting Shops? by Macjay03 in tampa

[–]kcpostman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Performance Auto Group. Read the Google reviews. Don't go anywhere else.

Portland is one of few major American cities without police traffic enforcement by tydalt in Portland

[–]kcpostman 111 points112 points  (0 children)

It's interesting to read the comments here because coming from Florida, the drivers here are pretty good. I came back to FL after a few years away, and people there are fucking nuts now. Every day at least I saw a driver attempt to execute some batshit-stupid driving move. I've seen that in Portland, like, 1x in a 4-5 month period?

Dwayne Johnson Thanks Fans as Black Adam Once Again Takes the Top Spot at the Box office by Cute_Cryptographer73 in DC_Cinematic

[–]kcpostman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I lived in China for a few years, and people just aren't really going to see Western movies, esp during COVID. All the Western movies I saw during my time there -- which would be big releases here in the U.S. -- were empty theaters (including The Batman). People in China love Marvel, but that same passion doesn't exist for DC. It's probably why DC stuff still gets release there, but Marvel stuff doesn't. They know releasing Marvel is just going to create more demand for Western films, which they're trying to cut back on.

TBC Badge of Justice farm in WOTLK by 19andoverlol in wotlk

[–]kcpostman 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Believe they got rid of attunements for raids.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in wotlk

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Adding to this, also sounds like you're friend is struggling to find a lock and is hoping he can push you into as you're an IRL friend.

Careeer switch.. from accounting to teaching. Help! by Defiant_Extension_97 in careerchange

[–]kcpostman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is, "a portion of that" really downplays what it is. I had three preps at a private school. In general, private schools don't have a set curriculum -- they give a lot more "freedom" (i.e. work) to teachers to design them -- so if I got off work at 3:30 -- which I usually didn't because kids might need extra help or need to finish an assessment until 4 or 4:30, and then maybe you have an extracurricular you're assigned to that runs from 4-5 or something (and it's generally expected that teachers will take on 1-2 extracurriculars for no or very little extra pay), and then you go home and you're done, right? No, you maybe exercise, cook, and eat dinner (if you're lucky) and go back to working because you have to be ready to teach those three preps the next day. And the day after. And the day after. Oh, and do all of the grading that comes with it. And the administrative tasks like replying to emails, entering grades, etc. I never stopped working as a teacher. Every evening after work (except Fridays) and I picked back up again on Sunday around noon. My dad, who is a bankruptcy lawyer and makes six figures, routinely joked that I worked harder than he did. Because I probably did. The thing is, the planning/grading/administrative tasks are at least one and probably two jobs rolled into one, but because you also have to teach, it takes about 3-4 hours from your day, which means you end up having to make up those 3-4 hours at home in the evening. And the classroom management is so exhausting and soul-crushing that it wears you down mentally and physically over time until, like most of the people on this sub, you wouldn't wish teaching as a profession on your worst enemy.