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moana posted:Oh cool, hadn't thought about giving the credit away as gift cards. That would actually be an awesome idea, maybe I'll do little handmade gifts along with a gift card. And I will be needing to buy a new computer later this year, I didn't even think about that. Well, that'll probably take care of the $1200 Would you be interested in being the middle-"man" on some international transactions? For example, Amazon.com has great prices and selection on grow lights that aren't available on .ca, could I pay you to order the lights and ship them along to me? There's no reason AFAIK why that would be a problem with customs. I know that I'd stand to save like 50% of the value of the light so marking it up 25% not including shipping would still leave me with a pretty sweet deal. And there are tons of products like that.
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Jul 12, 2014 20:25
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Thanks for the ideas!
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moana posted:Given that I don't really buy things off Amazon... I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.
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Jul 12, 2014 23:30
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tuyop posted:Would you be interested in being the middle-"man" on some international transactions? Do it. Help tuyop grow BASIL.
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Jul 12, 2014 23:32
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I'm going back to Scotland in November for my master's graduation and a bit of a holiday. Looking at $1000 for the flight, $1000 for airbnb for ~20 nights, plus whatever else I'll spend on soccer tickets, a bit of travel, nights in the pub, etc. I'll be booking the airbnb once I get my next semi-monthly paycheque (~$1200 net), and then my flight later in the month. I've got ~$3600 coming in sometime in the next 3 weeks from a freelance web design project, and I've budgeted ~$600 in my YNAB "travel" category so far, but I'm just dreading seeing my "Spending Trends" chart break the $1000 mark. I've got a 6-month emergency fund, contribute 10% + 50% company match to my RRSP, 2k in index ETFs, and up to this point have been aggressively paying down student loans that are currently about 50% of my gross salary. My net worth is still in the red. I know it won't break the bank, and I'm super excited to go back to a country I love, especially for graduation, but it's still hard to convince myself it's ok to spend money I have. Experiences > things, right...? Grouco fucked around with this message at 00:35 on Jul 13, 2014 |
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Jul 13, 2014 00:33
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tuyop posted:For example, Amazon.com has great prices and selection on grow lights that aren't available on .ca, could I pay you to order the lights and ship them along to me? There's no reason AFAIK why that would be a problem with customs. Folly posted:I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. 
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Jul 13, 2014 01:10
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moana posted:When I lived in Canada I had to pay a customs tax on international shipments, do you not have to do that? Let me see if I still have any credit left after my computer purchase and I'll get back to you on that! It depends. I think it's usually handled on the seller' send somehow. But even with customs tax it's still probably going to be better.
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Jul 13, 2014 03:01
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CBSA lets a lot of stuff slide, especially if it's sent USPS. Grow lamps though, they probably will take notice.
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Jul 13, 2014 05:17
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moana posted:Oh cool, hadn't thought about giving the credit away as gift cards. That would actually be an awesome idea, maybe I'll do little handmade gifts along with a gift card. And I will be needing to buy a new computer later this year, I didn't even think about that. Well, that'll probably take care of the $1200 tuyop posted:Would you be interested in being the middle-"man" on some international transactions?
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Jul 13, 2014 19:16
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SiGmA_X posted:You closet pot-grower, you.
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Jul 13, 2014 19:35
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moana posted:When I lived in Canada I had to pay a customs tax on international shipments, do you not have to do that? Let me see if I still have any credit left after my computer purchase and I'll get back to you on that! Check out the PC building megathread SHSC if you are feeling frisky enough to build, there is an excellent OP and unless you're doing a whacky edge-case type build, it's pretty straight forward picking your parts.
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Jul 14, 2014 15:11
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Yeah, I was actually just skimming through that one. I built my own computer in college and am definitely thinking about doing it again, I've been getting free laptops from my work to use and just using those but now I'm quitting so I gotta get my own..
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Jul 14, 2014 16:50
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moana posted:Yeah, I was actually just skimming through that one. I built my own computer in college and am definitely thinking about doing it again, I've been getting free laptops from my work to use and just using those but now I'm quitting so I gotta get my own.. I'm planning on building one fairly soon as well. If you're not gaming you can save a good chunk of change since the haswell processors have integrated graphics that are completely acceptable. Assuming you're not playing 3D intensive games, you could get a really capable machine for ~$600-700 and put a nice chunk towards a really nice monitor/monitors etc.
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Jul 14, 2014 19:17
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dreesemonkey posted:I'm planning on building one fairly soon as well. If you're not gaming you can save a good chunk of change since the haswell processors have integrated graphics that are completely acceptable. Assuming you're not playing 3D intensive games, you could get a really capable machine for ~$600-700 and put a nice chunk towards a really nice monitor/monitors etc. I bought a pink Asus laptop for my wife for $350 from woot, and it has been awesome. I'm surprised at how nice the screen is, and how fast it operates. Of course, this is mainly for schoolwork and skype, but there is no need to spend that much on a computer nowadays.
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Jul 14, 2014 19:23
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dreesemonkey posted:I'm planning on building one fairly soon as well. If you're not gaming you can save a good chunk of change since the haswell processors have integrated graphics that are completely acceptable. Assuming you're not playing 3D intensive games, you could get a really capable machine for ~$600-700 and put a nice chunk towards a really nice monitor/monitors etc. Speaking of wedding stuff, I have been spending more money! $20 for a veil $400 for the dress fitting and pressing (silk is fkin expensive to press out wrinkles! Keep in mind if you're buying online and having it shipped, future wedding people!) I hope to recoup some of the cost by reselling my dress afterward - it costs $5k new, so hopefully I don't spill barbecue sauce on it and can sell it to someone for a few hundred dollars. Not counting on it, though.
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Jul 14, 2014 19:51
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moana posted:Nocheez, which Asus did you get? This one: http://electronics.woot.com/offers/asus-15-6-dual-core-i3-laptop-7 I looked it up, and it was $330 + $5 for shipping.
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Jul 14, 2014 19:54
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Nocheez posted:I bought a pink Asus laptop for my wife for $350 from woot, and it has been awesome. I'm surprised at how nice the screen is, and how fast it operates. Of course, this is mainly for schoolwork and skype, but there is no need to spend that much on a computer nowadays.  The following is opinion and not meant to cause an argument. Moana, I'm not sure if you'd be writing on this PC as well or not, but hanging your livelihood on a $400 laptop is not something I'd recommend. I'd say if you don't need a laptop, just get a PC, preferably build one if you're able. You can pick quality parts that are less likely to fail, and if something does go wrong it will be much easier to replace. If you absolutely want a laptop, go with a lenovo thinkpad or something "business class". They're very well engineered and take a beating. I'm a "computer guy", though I thankfully graduated out of the helpdesk arena, but the number of people that still come to me asking about their laptops frightens me. Unless you're buying something premium, they're pretty much disposable. moana posted:Yeah, the most processing power I use is for Photoshop, so that sounds good. If you get yours picked out, could you message me the parts you ended up choosing? I'm probably not going to do mine until after all of the wedding stuff is done. Yea I'm a few months away myself but I'll keep you posted, how's the house situation coming along?
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Jul 14, 2014 20:29
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Great news!100 HOGS AGREE posted:So, update:
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Jul 14, 2014 22:08
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:Great news!
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Jul 15, 2014 00:14
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CONGRATS!! That is the best possible scenario!dreesemonkey posted:Moana, I'm not sure if you'd be writing on this PC as well or not, but hanging your livelihood on a $400 laptop is not something I'd recommend. quote:Yea I'm a few months away myself but I'll keep you posted, how's the house situation coming along?
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Jul 15, 2014 00:44
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There's a way to gently caress around in the bios on Lenovo think pads to flip FN and CTRL, that might help. In other news, job interview tomorrow!
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Jul 15, 2014 03:03
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FrozenVent posted:There's a way to gently caress around in the bios on Lenovo think pads to flip FN and CTRL, that might help. Yep. It's a really easy to get to option too.
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Jul 15, 2014 03:31
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moana posted:getting a cheapo laptop or tablet just for the "typing words in a coffeeshop" part of what I do. Not sure what program you use for writing, but consider a chromebook for the mobile part if it's compatible.
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Jul 15, 2014 13:27
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I spent 200 dollars on the cheapest chromebook on Amazon about a month ago and have been pretty impressed with it. Unfortunately, you have to use Google Docs but that doesn't really bother me and I have a PC at home for when I need those extra tools. The only annoyance is that you have to set up offline access before you leave the house or you won't be able to open your docs to work on them. Definitely a pain in the rear end if you just want to take it to a coffee shop and not log in to the wifi. Otherwise, they're super lightweight and the keyboard feels good. Some people claim they're cheaply made and prone to break, though, so I would take that into consideration if you're rough on your portable electronics. If you need access to photoshop for making book covers and things of that nature, I would avoid a chromebook. It's what I wanted because all I can do on it is light internet browsing and writing. I have a PC for everything else but find writing on it too distracting.
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Jul 15, 2014 17:28
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Grumpwagon posted:Not sure what program you use for writing, but consider a chromebook for the mobile part if it's compatible.
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Jul 15, 2014 19:29
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moana posted:Yeah, the most processing power I use is for Photoshop, so that sounds good. If you get yours picked out, could you message me the parts you ended up choosing? I'm probably not going to do mine until after all of the wedding stuff is done. Nocheez, which Asus did you get? No idea if it's any good, but it sure looks nifty!
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Jul 16, 2014 01:26
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I've been living paycheck to paycheck (sort of) for about a month now and it sucks. edit: Basically I'm in a situation where I have to check and make sure I have enough money in my checking account to pay the bills. Most of my savings is invested and I don't want to touch that unless I have to. I also had to use most of my cash emergency fund as a down payment on my new house. The good news is the old house should close in a week so things will go back to normal soon, actually better than normal. Sephiroth_IRA fucked around with this message at 18:46 on Jul 21, 2014 |
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Jul 21, 2014 18:39
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My friends asked me to house and pet sit for them for a week while they're doing fun things. They left me $100! Score. It works out nicely because I'm also moving this week. So at least I can come back to a clean place at night while my apartment is a mess of boxes and whatnot.
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Jul 21, 2014 23:28
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A week?! We charge 40/day/pet and 20/addtl. And if it's out of the way from home, it goes up.
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Jul 22, 2014 00:52
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They're my friends, I would have done it for free!
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Jul 22, 2014 02:52
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Look, this is BFC. We don't have friends, we have revenue streams.
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Jul 22, 2014 02:53
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Yes, have you considered the opportunity cost of this pet/house sitting gig? You're literally losing thousands of dollars 
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Jul 22, 2014 10:14
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spinst posted:My friends asked me to house and pet sit for them for a week while they're doing fun things. Sucker.
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Jul 22, 2014 14:28
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I bet you helped them move their poo poo for free too you colossal rube
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Jul 22, 2014 15:51
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mobby_6kl posted:Yes, have you considered the opportunity cost of this pet/house sitting gig? You're literally losing thousands of dollars If he spends 12 hours a day there for 7 days, that's 84 hours. If you value your free time at $50 an hour, that's $4200! Invest that and compound that at a conservative 7% return and you get $22,795.22 after 25 years! Clearly, these people are not your friends.
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Jul 22, 2014 15:55
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Nail Rat posted:If he spends 12 hours a day there for 7 days, that's 84 hours. If you value your free time at $50 an hour, that's $4200! Invest that and compound that at a conservative 7% return and you get $22,795.22 after 25 years! I help my closest friends move for free. They do the same for me (I'm also a gimp with a fractured vertebra and herniation). We also don't own a ton of poo poo yet... Anyone else, F that! Cash, rear end or grass, ain't nothin in life fo free.
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Jul 22, 2014 20:27
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 I lost 80 dollars in cash the other day. I really need to get into the better habit of putting my money in my wallet instead of my pocket. On the other hand, I got nearly ten hours of overtime so my next check will sort of make up for the dumb mistake.
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Jul 22, 2014 20:32
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Transmogrifier posted:
I am the only person I know who regularly takes walks for a break at work. One day while walking I found a twenty dollar bill. I didn't see anyone else around, but I kept an eye open for someone looking for missing money. A few minutes later, I found another twenty. I still never saw anyone around, walking or driving. I took my wife out for dinner that night. Thanks, careless person, for dropping your money and not even going back for it!
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Jul 22, 2014 20:54
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Transmogrifier posted:
On the other hand you will maybe find this cash when doing laundry sometime in the future, long after you have forgotten about it.
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Jul 22, 2014 23:17
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nickutz posted:On the other hand you will maybe find this cash when doing laundry sometime in the future, long after you have forgotten about it. Having missed out on the ability to invest this money, he'll still have lost value
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Jul 22, 2014 23:24
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Nail Rat posted:Having missed out on the ability to invest this money, he'll still have lost value Additionally, several weeks of inflation will reduce the buying power of the dollars.
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Jul 22, 2014 23:41
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