dualstow wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 2:13 pm
Speaking of finance, I bumped into Ochotona while researching debit cards online
...
Debit cards?
I have one. But I have never made a debit card transaction in my life and I will probably die that way.
Yes, debit cards. You’re like most reasonable people. I only used debit cards until I graduated to credit some decades ago, and I have never looked back until now. Now, I’m interested in using one in a store that charges 3% for using a credit card.
- I had to relearn everything about PIN vs PINless transactions.
- You can’t easily set maximums on daily transactions without calling the bank. (But some let you lock and unlock the card online).
- I do aready have a debit card linked to Apple Cash — this is just for splitting pizza with friends, so it’s very safe.
We’ll see how it goes. I don’t like the idea of even taking my debit cards out of the house except for ATM runs, but it’s possible that this surcharge for using credit will become a trend. Hope not.
It is only my mechanic who charges me 3% for using the credit card so I always need to remember to bring a check to pay him.
I've not yet told him that it is illegal in Massachusetts to charge such a fee!
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm
Anyone else taking care of aging/elderly parents?
Helloooo Smithers!
My wife is visiting her father in the hospital daily. He’s not merely a 藥煲*He’s got multiple issues and I’m sorry to say his days are probably numbered.
First gave them normal check because I wasnt expecting to need it, they told me nothing down on reddit. Ive only written a few paper checks in my 50 years so forgot to get check number. When it bounced they wanted cashiers check.
Citi custom cash is 5% back grocery. Still looking for more than 2% on tax and insurance. (w/citi doublecash)
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm
Anyone else taking care of aging/elderly parents?
My wife's parents are both 24/7 total care. They've been able to stay in their home with a live-in caregiver (actually a rotation of a few people). It's very expensive but fortunately they have savings to cover it for now. My wife has almost a full-time job coordinating their care, managing their household, etc. from afar (we are about 4 hours away). It's a difficult situation.
I lost both of my own parents in the last two years but fortunately neither of them needed long-term care. It's tough out there, and will probably just get worse as baby boomers age and there aren't enough people or facilities to take care of them.
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm
Anyone else taking care of aging/elderly parents?
My wife's parents are both 24/7 total care. They've been able to stay in their home with a live-in caregiver (actually a rotation of a few people). It's very expensive but fortunately they have savings to cover it for now. My wife has almost a full-time job coordinating their care, managing their household, etc. from afar (we are about 4 hours away). It's a difficult situation.
I lost both of my own parents in the last two years but fortunately neither of them needed long-term care. It's tough out there, and will probably just get worse as baby boomers age and there aren't enough people or facilities to take care of them.
Wow that's a hard situation for everyone. I fear you're right about this getting harder going forward. Maybe the future is one of Terminator-style robots taking care of old people. Will they look like Schwarzenegger?
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm
Anyone else taking care of aging/elderly parents?
My wife's parents are both 24/7 total care. They've been able to stay in their home with a live-in caregiver (actually a rotation of a few people). It's very expensive but fortunately they have savings to cover it for now. My wife has almost a full-time job coordinating their care, managing their household, etc. from afar (we are about 4 hours away). It's a difficult situation.
I lost both of my own parents in the last two years but fortunately neither of them needed long-term care. It's tough out there, and will probably just get worse as baby boomers age and there aren't enough people or facilities to take care of them.
Wow that's a hard situation for everyone. I fear you're right about this getting harder going forward. Maybe the future is one of Terminator-style robots taking care of old people. Will they look like Schwarzenegger?
What we're finding is that the caregiving field is dominated by immigrants. Elders are valued more highly in some cultures and perhaps that plays into it, but I suspect it's mostly good ol' supply and demand. However, I won't be surprised to see robots taking over certain aspects of elder care. It's probably something our generation will have to contend with. If the thought of getting into a driverless taxi seems sketchy, just wait!
flyingpylon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 1:03 pmWhat we're finding is that the caregiving field is dominated by immigrants. Elders are valued more highly in some cultures
Is it not more a case of family units, 'mother' staying at home to raise the kids and care for the elderly versus both parents working and paying fortunes in child/elderly care, often more than what 'mother' earns after taxes. With the associated higher costs/prices that having two earning wages involves, higher house price multiples etc. Some cultures dislike the idea of strangers caring for their children/elderly parents.
