Unethical ways to save money

[GuitarStv]

I don't think it's a matter of 'zoning out'.  People are human, and we all make mistakes and suffer from poor judgement from time to time.  You might be the world's most attentive driver . . . and that will reduce the number of mistakes that you make, but it doesn't eliminate them.  Maybe you only make a mistake once in ten thousand times.  Don't let that admirable attentiveness and great track record give you a false sense of security that you then justify to erode the safety achieved by following the rules.

As a cyclist, do you literally follow every rule?

For me, my bike doesn't trigger some of the street light sensors. Should I wait a long and unknown period of time for the next car to come behind me to trigger the light sensor? Or should I ensure there is no traffic coming before safely breaking the law?

There's a secret to triggering traffic lights.  Look for the cuts in the road.  Usually you'll see three lines going the same direction as the road just before a light - left, right, and middle.  These are where they put in the sensors for picking up vehicles.  Cars have a ton of metal so trigger them by being near them.  Bikes don't, so you have to be precise.  Put both your front and back tires directly on these cuts (middle usually seems to work best for me) and they'll trigger the light sensor pretty reliably.  Since learning this, I haven't had a problem with lights not changing for me.

I do try to follow the law while cycling as a general rule.  I'm very good about signalling my lane changes, follow right of way rules, stop for traffic lights, stay off the sidewalk, make left turns from the left hand turn lane, ride two abreast with a group, take the lane when necessary but try to get out of the way of faster moving traffic whenever possible.  Thinking back to my commute in this morning which was pretty typical, I don't think that I broke a single traffic law.  But sure, there are a couple instances where I don't.  If I come to a stop sign in the middle of nowhere and can see in all directions around the sign that there's no traffic - I'll probably go through it.  If a police officer saw me and ticketed me for this, I'd pay the ticket as I did break the rule.

(I would also argue that there's a fundamental difference between breaking a rule on a 20 lb bike vs a 2000lb automobile - one is risking your own life, one is risking the lives of others.)

[merula]

Thank you, never thought if it that way. Maybe I’ll increase my network of escorts and make this a legitimate part time income. How on earth would I describe my part time income when I file taxes?

All Other Personal Services, code 812990. Open a solo 401k. However, I would confirm with your friend that she's reporting what she's paying you as a business expense. She could even send you a 1099-MISC to really keep it on the up-and-up.

The IRS doesn't care if the income comes from illegal activities AT ALL as long as they get paid. They have basically zero cooperation with other federal departments, and have a codified process for how people who aren't eligible to work in the US can report their earnings and pay their taxes. It's really amazing when you think about it; money talks, even for the Feds.

/taxnerdramblings

[Mrbeardedbigbucks]

Thank you, never thought if it that way. Maybe I’ll increase my network of escorts and make this a legitimate part time income. How on earth would I describe my part time income when I file taxes?

All Other Personal Services, code 812990. Open a solo 401k. However, I would confirm with your friend that she's reporting what she's paying you as a business expense. She could even send you a 1099-MISC to really keep it on the up-and-up.

The IRS doesn't care if the income comes from illegal activities AT ALL as long as they get paid. They have basically zero cooperation with other federal departments, and have a codified process for how people who aren't eligible to work in the US can report their earnings and pay their taxes. It's really amazing when you think about it; money talks, even for the Feds.

/taxnerdramblings

Perfect! I posted an unethical way to make money and now I'm getting help on taxes. haha, thanks!

[Boofinator]

(I would also argue that there's a fundamental difference between breaking a rule on a 20 lb bike vs a 2000lb automobile - one is risking your own life, one is risking the lives of others.)

Exactly. Laws are intended to protect the public. (To use an extreme example, suicide is generally not illegal.) In cases where it is clear that the public was at no time endangered (or otherwise impacted) by the failure to abide by a law, then law enforcement has the discretion of whether or not to enforce the law in that instance.

Probably the biggest law I break while cycling is stop signs. If there is an all-way stop sign where I can clearly see in all directions, I'll usually slow down but not stop completely if there aren't any other vehicles at the intersection. I am fairly unapologetic, because most of these stop signs were put in place to keep cars from speeding through residential neighborhoods, but an unintended consequence is that they make it a huge pain to ride on safer streets for bikes.

[EliteZags]

(I would also argue that there's a fundamental difference between breaking a rule on a 20 lb bike vs a 2000lb automobile - one is risking your own life, one is risking the lives of others.)

Exactly. Laws are intended to protect the public. (To use an extreme example, suicide is generally not illegal.) In cases where it is clear that the public was at no time endangered (or otherwise impacted) by the failure to abide by a law, then law enforcement has the discretion of whether or not to enforce the law in that instance.

Probably the biggest law I break while cycling is stop signs. If there is an all-way stop sign where I can clearly see in all directions, I'll usually slow down but not stop completely if there aren't any other vehicles at the intersection. I am fairly unapologetic, because most of these stop signs were put in place to keep cars from speeding through residential neighborhoods, but an unintended consequence is that they make it a huge pain to ride on safer streets for bikes.

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

[Car Jack]

There's a secret to triggering traffic lights.  Look for the cuts in the road.  Usually you'll see three lines going the same direction as the road just before a light - left, right, and middle.  These are where they put in the sensors for picking up vehicles.  Cars have a ton of metal so trigger them by being near them.  Bikes don't, so you have to be precise.  Put both your front and back tires directly on these cuts (middle usually seems to work best for me) and they'll trigger the light sensor pretty reliably.  Since learning this, I haven't had a problem with lights not changing for me.

That usually won't work.  I'd look down directly at the sensor, past my titanium bars and aluminum stem and through my aluminum frame with aluminum rims.

Heck....when I owned a Lotus, I used to kid that you couldn't stick a magnet to anything.  Chassis is bonded aluminum.  Body is composite.  Engine and transmission are largely aluminum.  Other cars like Aston Martin and even the Corvette are similar.  The engine crank and rods and transmission gears are going to be magnetic steel.

When I was in motorcycle training class, a section dealt with traffic light sensors.  Some won't turn for a motorcycle because of not enough steel.  The solutions were either to wait until there was absolutely no traffic, then go where you planned to or simply take a right (right on red is legal in my state) and then find a place to turn around if you going a different direction.

[dignam]

(I would also argue that there's a fundamental difference between breaking a rule on a 20 lb bike vs a 2000lb automobile - one is risking your own life, one is risking the lives of others.)

The poor EMS person still has to see your brains smeared on the roadway if you blow the stop sign at the wrong time though.  Can't unsee that.

I do bike to work sometimes too.  I'm less and less of a fan of it though; so many people more interested in their phones than getting to where they're going.

[DadJokes]

There's a secret to triggering traffic lights.  Look for the cuts in the road.  Usually you'll see three lines going the same direction as the road just before a light - left, right, and middle.  These are where they put in the sensors for picking up vehicles.  Cars have a ton of metal so trigger them by being near them.  Bikes don't, so you have to be precise.  Put both your front and back tires directly on these cuts (middle usually seems to work best for me) and they'll trigger the light sensor pretty reliably.  Since learning this, I haven't had a problem with lights not changing for me.

That usually won't work.  I'd look down directly at the sensor, past my titanium bars and aluminum stem and through my aluminum frame with aluminum rims.

Heck....when I owned a Lotus, I used to kid that you couldn't stick a magnet to anything.  Chassis is bonded aluminum.  Body is composite.  Engine and transmission are largely aluminum.  Other cars like Aston Martin and even the Corvette are similar.  The engine crank and rods and transmission gears are going to be magnetic steel.

When I was in motorcycle training class, a section dealt with traffic light sensors.  Some won't turn for a motorcycle because of not enough steel.  The solutions were either to wait until there was absolutely no traffic, then go where you planned to or simply take a right (right on red is legal in my state) and then find a place to turn around if you going a different direction.

Yeah, that claim must be region-specific, because I was never able to trip sensors with a (fairly large) motorcycle. Many states allow bikers and cyclists to go through the red light after waiting a certain amount of time. Here is my own state's law:

After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so.

[Boofinator]

(I would also argue that there's a fundamental difference between breaking a rule on a 20 lb bike vs a 2000lb automobile - one is risking your own life, one is risking the lives of others.)

Exactly. Laws are intended to protect the public. (To use an extreme example, suicide is generally not illegal.) In cases where it is clear that the public was at no time endangered (or otherwise impacted) by the failure to abide by a law, then law enforcement has the discretion of whether or not to enforce the law in that instance.

Probably the biggest law I break while cycling is stop signs. If there is an all-way stop sign where I can clearly see in all directions, I'll usually slow down but not stop completely if there aren't any other vehicles at the intersection. I am fairly unapologetic, because most of these stop signs were put in place to keep cars from speeding through residential neighborhoods, but an unintended consequence is that they make it a huge pain to ride on safer streets for bikes.

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

Have I just been (not literally) rickrolled? For those who don't want the pleasure of clicking, this Gram is essentially a homoerotic celebration of bicycle riders by nonriders.

ETA: If you mean the asshat videotaping, no. If you mean the guy riding his bike and not interfering with traffic, yes.

[lexde]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

[lexde]

So, unethical way to save money, also falls under 'complete asshat way to save money': ripping out the pages of the 'Top 100 Dividend Stocks' in the library's only copy of MoneySense magazine because you are too much of a cheap, shitty, asshat fuckwad to pay 10c each to copy them. OR BORROW the magazine FOR FREE and write them down at home on the back of discarded photocopies from the office like a proper badass would do.

Or just take photos of the pages with your smartphone

[GuitarStv]

There's a secret to triggering traffic lights.  Look for the cuts in the road.  Usually you'll see three lines going the same direction as the road just before a light - left, right, and middle.  These are where they put in the sensors for picking up vehicles.  Cars have a ton of metal so trigger them by being near them.  Bikes don't, so you have to be precise.  Put both your front and back tires directly on these cuts (middle usually seems to work best for me) and they'll trigger the light sensor pretty reliably.  Since learning this, I haven't had a problem with lights not changing for me.

That usually won't work.  I'd look down directly at the sensor, past my titanium bars and aluminum stem and through my aluminum frame with aluminum rims.

Heck....when I owned a Lotus, I used to kid that you couldn't stick a magnet to anything.  Chassis is bonded aluminum.  Body is composite.  Engine and transmission are largely aluminum.  Other cars like Aston Martin and even the Corvette are similar.  The engine crank and rods and transmission gears are going to be magnetic steel.

When I was in motorcycle training class, a section dealt with traffic light sensors.  Some won't turn for a motorcycle because of not enough steel.  The solutions were either to wait until there was absolutely no traffic, then go where you planned to or simply take a right (right on red is legal in my state) and then find a place to turn around if you going a different direction.

Yeah, that claim must be region-specific, because I was never able to trip sensors with a (fairly large) motorcycle. Many states allow bikers and cyclists to go through the red light after waiting a certain amount of time. Here is my own state's law:

After coming to a complete stop, motorcyclists and bicyclists may proceed through a steady red light when it is safe to do so.

Hmm.  I feel like it might be region specific then too.  It's pretty reliable around here . . . even at traffic lights out in the middle of farmland.  It's not magnetic, because this works with aluminum frames and rims (not sure about carbon fiber - don't have that kinda money to burn).

[Mrbeardedbigbucks]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

Maybe the escort referral business is a common part time gig around here.

I do agree. I'd like to refer more people to her so she doesn't have to deal with any internet strangers at all but my list of possible clients is running dry. I could start to refer married men but I wouldn't feel comfortable about that. She said she would happily take women too but I don't know many single women who like women and would pay for an escort.

[lexde]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

Maybe the escort referral business is a common part time gig around here.

I do agree. I'd like to refer more people to her so she doesn't have to deal with any internet strangers at all but my list of possible clients is running dry. I could start to refer married men but I wouldn't feel comfortable about that. She said she would happily take women too but I don't know many single women who like women and would pay for an escort.

If she’s up for multiples, some couples like to hire escorts to play out threesome fantasies without any strings. May be worth talking to her (upping her hourly rate for two clients at once) and then seeing if any married couples are interested.

[Giro]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

[PMG]

Not a lawyer... but I submit receipts for FSA regularly. I have the debit card, but we have two and sometimes it’s hard to remember which one to use, and if I have the receipts I can make sure I’m using the one I want. 

Now, if you were submitting on receipt to two different accounts for two different reimbursements, that would be fraudulent, but submitting the receipt is just another way to access your money.  It’s more hassle than the card, but it’s legitimate.

[ChpBstrd]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

Nothing unethical about it. The 3% discount is the savings from MasterCard or Visa processing fees. It’s just like how some gas stations have a lower cash price.

[sherr]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

[ixtap]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

This. Not even slightly unethical.

[EliteZags]

but... if you wanted to make it less ethical you could suggest that since you're paying cash for them to bill $2500 for the procedure, then you pay the balance under the table in cash tax free

[GuitarStv]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

This. Not even slightly unethical.

I was under the impression that part of the deal of accepting major credit cards was that you weren't allowed to offer people discounts for cash.

[Mrbeardedbigbucks]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

Maybe the escort referral business is a common part time gig around here.

I do agree. I'd like to refer more people to her so she doesn't have to deal with any internet strangers at all but my list of possible clients is running dry. I could start to refer married men but I wouldn't feel comfortable about that. She said she would happily take women too but I don't know many single women who like women and would pay for an escort.

If she’s up for multiples, some couples like to hire escorts to play out threesome fantasies without any strings. May be worth talking to her (upping her hourly rate for two clients at once) and then seeing if any married couples are interested.

Thanks for the idea! I'll have to run that by her but I think she'd be up for it. Now I just have to think of a tactful way of bringing up my married friend's sex lives. I'll have them over for dinner and wait for an awkward moment of silence and then say... "So, you guys ever think about a three way?" Not sure how that will go over but worth a try for $100 bucks.

[PoutineLover]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

Maybe the escort referral business is a common part time gig around here.

I do agree. I'd like to refer more people to her so she doesn't have to deal with any internet strangers at all but my list of possible clients is running dry. I could start to refer married men but I wouldn't feel comfortable about that. She said she would happily take women too but I don't know many single women who like women and would pay for an escort.

If she’s up for multiples, some couples like to hire escorts to play out threesome fantasies without any strings. May be worth talking to her (upping her hourly rate for two clients at once) and then seeing if any married couples are interested.

Thanks for the idea! I'll have to run that by her but I think she'd be up for it. Now I just have to think of a tactful way of bringing up my married friend's sex lives. I'll have them over for dinner and wait for an awkward moment of silence and then say... "So, you guys ever think about a three way?" Not sure how that will go over but worth a try for $100 bucks.

They might think you're offering yourself.. potential for even more profit ;)

[dragoncar]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

This. Not even slightly unethical.

I was under the impression that part of the deal of accepting major credit cards was that you weren't allowed to offer people discounts for cash.

It’s the opposite in a way... not allowed to charge extra for CC.  There are exceptions though.  Cash discount has always been allowed

[GuitarStv]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

This. Not even slightly unethical.

I was under the impression that part of the deal of accepting major credit cards was that you weren't allowed to offer people discounts for cash.

It’s the opposite in a way... not allowed to charge extra for CC.  There are exceptions though.  Cash discount has always been allowed

If you lower the price of everything not paid for by credit card . . . is that not the same as charging extra for the credit card?

[dragoncar]

This is a timely thread for me because I am experiencing a moral dilemma with regard to a upcoming payment.  I am having lasik surgery next week on my eyes.  We planned it last year, so my husband set up his FSA at work.  I underfunded the FSA unfortunately for $2500.  The surgery is $3680 if I pay cash.  The office gives a 3% discount if you pay cash and do not use your FSA, a credit card or financing.  I asked the lady in the office if I could pay cash and submit my receipt to the FSA myself.  She said, "I think so".  I checked on the FSA website and it looks like a legit way to do it.  I called my FSA to make sure and the lady was having a tough time answering questions that were not in the script.  She said, "Submit your receipts for reimbursement through the website". 

Is this okay?  I know it isn't the intent of the discount, but it seems like a way to save the 3%.

I would say it is the intent of the discount. The point of the discount is that the Ophthalmologist doesn't have to deal with credit / debit card merchant fees or the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies or banks if you just pay cash.

If you pay cash and then take that administration burden upon yourself to reimburse yourself from the HSA then everyone is happy and everything is cool.

This. Not even slightly unethical.

I was under the impression that part of the deal of accepting major credit cards was that you weren't allowed to offer people discounts for cash.

It’s the opposite in a way... not allowed to charge extra for CC.  There are exceptions though.  Cash discount has always been allowed

If you lower the price of everything not paid for by credit card . . . is that not the same as charging extra for the credit card?

Mathematically yes. Psychologically no

[Mrbeardedbigbucks]

I know this is a thread for unethical ways to "save" money but some people might think this is an unethical way to make money. Not sure how people will take this but what the hell.

I'm sort of an "accidental pimp". At least that's what my wife calls me. I have a friend who is an escort. She posts regularly on various escort sites. She said she does it for the money and "adventure". She's quite intelligent and a bit of a free spirit. I'm not opposed to anyone willingly offering their services for money but I get concerned about the random strangers that seek her out over the internet. So one day we were out for drinks and I told her how I felt. She said "well, if you're so concerned then send me some referrals. I'm sure you know plenty of guys." I jokingly just said "Ok, I'll see what I can do" and we left it at that. Well anyway, fast forward just 2 weeks, I was talking to an old work colleague who said he went to one of those "asian massage" parlors, like the one Robert Kraft went to (we were actually at mutual friends house to watch a Patriots playoff game). I told him that some of those women probably have no choice or are not willing participants. He chose to act ignorant and said "well she seemed pretty happy and content with the tip I left". So I casually told this guy that I know a woman who is an escort (willingly). I told him I have no idea what she charges but she told me to send her referrals so that way she won't have to deal with as many creepy strangers from the internet. He said, "really?" I said, "yeah". So I gave him her number. Well, fast forward only 3 days and I get a text from my escort friend that said "hey, thanks for sending your friend, check your Venmo". Sure enough, there's $50 in my Venmo account and it says "referral fee". I told my wife and she said, "doesn't that make you a pimp, like an accidental pimp?" I said, "well, yeah, I guess I'm kind of pimped her out but I wasn't expecting any money". It doesn't stop there. About a month later, I saw a friend from college days walking out of a grocery store. We small talked for about 10 minutes near my car. He told me he got a divorce recently and it feels so good to be "free". I asked him if he's on dating sites or anything and he said "no, I'm just gonna have some fun for a while". I said "well, I kind of know someone that can help you with that if you're willing to pay" He said, "really? I said "yeah". Again, this time about a week later, I get another text from my escort friend that said "keep them cumming!$$" (I guess there was a pun intended there). Another deposit into my Venmo but this time it was $75. I assume my college buddy gave a bigger donation. So all of this was about 2 years ago. I won't continue to give you every scenario but since I started referring people to my escort friend, I've made about $600. My biggest deposit being $100. I didn't ask her how she determines how much she sends me and didn't want to know.  I told her I didn't feel right about taking the money but she insisted I keep it and suggested I donate it if I didn't want to keep it. I want to clear up one thing so you don't think I'm too much of a scumbag, I don't refer men that I know are married. I don't want to have a hand in potentially breaking up a marriage.

My friend also set me straight about sex workers in general. She said massage parlors can get "kind of shady" but most escorts are not desperate drug addicted women with daddy issues. Many of them that she knows, including herself, enjoy the line of work but admitted that it comes with risks but most guys are pretty cool about it and are also lonely.

So there you go. I guess I'm an accidental pimp.

(please don't ask me for her number. While you're probably a good person, you still fall into the category of "internet stranger", besides, if you're on this forum, it's not likely you're gonna pay for it unless you have a coupon or something)

Can't believe no one has commented on this post. Gave me my first big laugh of the day. And you're not really a pimp... pimps run girls. You're just referring business to an independant contractor.

Right?! I was wondering when someone would say something about this :-)

I agree though! Referrals not pimping, but still funny. Hey, as far as I’m concerned he’s helping her out — fewer shady customers means she stays safer!

Maybe the escort referral business is a common part time gig around here.

I do agree. I'd like to refer more people to her so she doesn't have to deal with any internet strangers at all but my list of possible clients is running dry. I could start to refer married men but I wouldn't feel comfortable about that. She said she would happily take women too but I don't know many single women who like women and would pay for an escort.

If she’s up for multiples, some couples like to hire escorts to play out threesome fantasies without any strings. May be worth talking to her (upping her hourly rate for two clients at once) and then seeing if any married couples are interested.

Thanks for the idea! I'll have to run that by her but I think she'd be up for it. Now I just have to think of a tactful way of bringing up my married friend's sex lives. I'll have them over for dinner and wait for an awkward moment of silence and then say... "So, you guys ever think about a three way?" Not sure how that will go over but worth a try for $100 bucks.

They might think you're offering yourself.. potential for even more profit ;)

So far I got tax help on how to report my escort referral income, ideas on how to generate new referrals and now a suggestion on going into business for myself. Thanks everyone! Maybe with my new business I'll offer a referral link to the FIRE community.

[GuitarStv]

If you have sex for free with the prostitute you're advertising for, is that a business related perk that must be reported?

[TomTX]

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

The car driver clearly started accelerating just before cutting the video at the second stop sign. It's obvious the car driver also blew that stop sign, and was pretty obviously driving with one hand while holding and manipulating a cell phone (notice the zoom). Plus the noted driving within 3 feet of a cyclist.

So, bike rider should have stopped? Sure.

Car driver is a far bigger asshole/lawbreaker/vigilante? Absolutely.

[dignam]

On the whole bike vs. car thing (yes I commute by both car and bike at times):

The reason people generally hate bicyclists can be summarized by an anecdote I will share.  Our city is generally viewed as one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the US.  There is a major path on my way to work that shares with a city street for a section.  Said street has a stop sign (2-way) where the cross street is busier and has right of way.  One day about a year ago as I was driving through there, there was quite a bit of traffic so we were going about 10-15 mph past the previously mentioned bike bath/city street.  As I'm crossing (with right of way), this lady sitting at the stop sign on her bike starts screaming at me for not letting her cross.  To make it worse, she had her kid with her, actively perpetuating the complete ignorance of traffic laws.  If she had been off of her bike, on the sidewalk in the cross walk, then I would have stopped for her.  She was sitting in the road as if she were a car so I didn't.  Get a freaking clue.  Had I not had somewhere to be, I would have stopped and discussed it with her.

Sadly, this week I saw an ambulance at the intersection as I was leaving work.  I can almost certainly guess what happened.

[GuitarStv]

There is a major path on my way to work that shares with a city street for a section.  Said street has a stop sign (2-way) where the cross street is busier and has right of way.  One day about a year ago as I was driving through there, there was quite a bit of traffic so we were going about 10-15 mph past the previously mentioned bike bath/city street.  As I'm crossing (with right of way), this lady sitting at the stop sign on her bike starts screaming at me for not letting her cross.  To make it worse, she had her kid with her, actively perpetuating the complete ignorance of traffic laws.  If she had been off of her bike, on the sidewalk in the cross walk, then I would have stopped for her.  She was sitting in the road as if she were a car so I didn't.  Get a freaking clue.  Had I not had somewhere to be, I would have stopped and discussed it with her.

Sadly, this week I saw an ambulance at the intersection as I was leaving work.  I can almost certainly guess what happened.

I'm not entirely sure I understand the scenario you're describing, but yes . . . it sounds like she was in the wrong in this case, and really had no reason to be upset.

Cycling on the street can be confusing (especially for people new at it), and honestly I find cycling infrastructure if often not intuitive and confusing to use.  It also changes significantly from city to city.  This makes it harder for both cyclists and drivers.  I'd really like to see some national bike infrastructure standards.

While what you described sounds like the mistake of the cyclist, I can't tell you how often I've seen drivers making similar mistakes.  (Having drivers yell/scream/honk when I signal, merge to the left turn lane, and then wait to make a left turn is a daily occurrence . . . as are vehicles passing with less than the legally required three ft of space.  Hell, yesterday I had a lady pull her SUV half into the oncoming traffic lane in order to pull up next to me and scream that I should be riding my bike in the maintained bike lane that was covered with more than a foot of snow and ice.)  My point is not to rag on drivers, but to indicate that everyone screws up some time.  While it can be really annoying to have someone rude to you when you're in the right, we've all got to get along well enough to share the road.  While it's common to find folks who don't, in my experience the majority of vehicles tend to do a pretty good job of behaving in a safe and respectful manner as do the majority of cyclists.

The problem is that you tend not to notice the ones who are quietly doing what they're supposed to in the background.  And every once in a while you end up being the idiot doing something stupid . . . so just try to stay calm.

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

The car driver clearly started accelerating just before cutting the video at the second stop sign. It's obvious the car driver also blew that stop sign, and was pretty obviously driving with one hand while holding and manipulating a cell phone (notice the zoom). Plus the noted driving within 3 feet of a cyclist.

So, bike rider should have stopped? Sure.

Car driver is a far bigger asshole/lawbreaker/vigilante? Absolutely.

I had missed this video earlier in the conversation.

Am I crazy, or was the cyclist actually being pretty reasonable from what we can see in that video?

At the first intersection there was a car waiting to go through.  The way was not clear, so the cyclist stopped.  At the second intersection the cyclist was clear to proceed (we know this because you can see that a vehicle in the oncoming lane was crossing through at the same time).  He has slowed prior to the intersection so that he was ready to stop if the car in the oncoming lane had been making a left turn, but didn't come to a full and complete because there was no need to.  Illegal?  Maybe (if he's in a state or country that doesn't follow Idaho stop laws).  Dangerous?  I don't see how.

If the cyclist had been barreling through the intersection then yeah . . . but I'm not sure exactly what the problem is with the displayed video.  As has been mentioned, the person filming the whole thing obviously isn't concerned about breaking the law . . . he's driving distracted playing with his cell phone, ends up driving way too close to the cyclist, and it looks like he's also running stop signs in order to keep up the haranguing.

Then there's the fact that he's stalking the poor cyclist.  Do me a favour.  The next time you're out driving around, pick any car at random and follow 'em.  I bet that within 20 minutes you'll see that car break a law - speeding, running a red light, rolling stop, driving distracted.  Then pull up within inches next to that car, matching speed, pull out your cell phone, and yell stuff out your window at them.  Let me know what kind of reaction you get . . . but I suspect it won't be as reasonable as the way the cyclist in the video handled things.

[Boofinator]

I don't want to belabor this topic too much, but the Idaho stop for cyclists is similar to going five mph over the speed limit for motorists. You get where you're going a little quicker, with the slightest bit decrease in safety, while almost certainly not causing any inconvenience for others (except for the douchebags of the world such as the video poster). The big difference being that bike rides are a minority, whereas car drivers are the majority, so the occasional jackass feels he can get away with shitty behavior.

[EliteZags]

but why do the seats have to be so narrow and sharp and ride into their butts so deeply (thus the term "butt darts")
there has to be a more comfortable way for a casual weekend ride not in the tour de france

[Boofinator]

but why do the seats have to be so narrow and sharp and ride into their butts so deeply (thus the term "butt darts")
there has to be a more comfortable way for a casual weekend ride not in the tour de france

Get whatever seat you want to ride your bike. Hell, set a trend and put a lazy boy on your seat tube. But when you consider that form follows function, and you consider the anatomy of a human combined with the kinematics of pedaling, most people can conclude why the shape of the seat is as it is without having to resort to sophomoric name calling.

[Boofinator]

It has been my observation in life that persons who like to denigrate an entire class of people tend to be insecure regarding the very thing they choose to focus on making fun of. So perhaps if everything didn't look to you as something to go into a butt, you wouldn't come to that conclusion quite so often. But ha, ha, I guess if you really think hard you can imagine them shoving their butt into the seat before each ride, ha ha.

[FrugalToque]

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

We had a lady out here in rural Dunrobin who appointed herself the bicycle police.
She tailgated a group of cyclists riding in two rows for several minutes, then yelled at them out the window "Single file, it's the law!"
Having been harassed for several minutes, one apparently yelled back, "Go fuck yourself."

Then she brought a phone with her and recorded them, clearly holding the phone over her own steering wheel, harassed them some more with tailgating.
When she posted the video on FB, some bicycle-haters chimed in, but others pointed out.

a) there is no law in Ottawa against double file riding.
b) she had passed them while going uphill on a solid line.
c) There's a fine of about $450 for handling your phone while driving.

She took the video down.

Toque.

[GuitarStv]

So you're this guy https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kw7WggnOe/?igshid=1601jm2t1w6a1

We had a lady out here in rural Dunrobin who appointed herself the bicycle police.
She tailgated a group of cyclists riding in two rows for several minutes, then yelled at them out the window "Single file, it's the law!"
Having been harassed for several minutes, one apparently yelled back, "Go fuck yourself."

Then she brought a phone with her and recorded them, clearly holding the phone over her own steering wheel, harassed them some more with tailgating.
When she posted the video on FB, some bicycle-haters chimed in, but others pointed out.

a) there is no law in Ottawa against double file riding.
b) she had passed them while going uphill on a solid line.
c) There's a fine of about $450 for handling your phone while driving.

She took the video down.

Toque.

Riding two abreast is actually a benefit for motorists.  You legally have to leave three ft when passing a cyclist here.  That means that on the majority of roads it's illegal to stay in your lane while passing a cyclist.  If a group of cyclists rides single file, a law abiding motorist will have a much more difficult time passing because they'll have to leave their lane for twice as long.

[sui generis]

I certainly haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if this was posted before, but I saw a huge thread on this tactic on a mustachian facebook group and was horrified by both how unethical it is and how enthusiastically ALL OF THE POSTERS signed on to the idea. 

The idea is to stop buying greeting cards, but to instead go into a store and pick your favorite greeting card, take a picture and sent that to your intended recipient.  Of course, this is probably illegal, in that you are using copyrighted material without attribution, payment or authorization, but the lack of ethics is what bothered me the most.  I don't feel super sorry for the Hallmark corporation, but a lot of greeting cards (depending on the shop you are in) are made by individual artists and writers and these people are literally stealing their work.  No matter who you are stealing from, that's just what it is - stealing, even if it's not a material object, but only an idea or intellectual property.

Hey, I'm not a purchaser of greeting cards myself, and maybe these folks would be the same if not for their "awesome" idea to steal other people's work for their amusement.  The artists and writers are in the same place, financially, as they would have been since there is no case in which this person would have paid for the work.  That is, I hope, an obviously morally bankrupt argument.

To my own shame, I decided not to post on that thread calling everyone out for getting onboard with this super unethical idea, because there were like 36 or more comments already that were all so enthusiastic that I just decided I didn't want to spend the next week of my life dealing with angry trolls and back and forth arguments justifying stealing people's intellectual property.  So, bystander behavior on my part.  If I had gotten to the thread earlier I would have piped up, but I didn't.

[dragoncar]

I certainly haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if this was posted before, but I saw a huge thread on this tactic on a mustachian facebook group and was horrified by both how unethical it is and how enthusiastically ALL OF THE POSTERS signed on to the idea. 

The idea is to stop buying greeting cards, but to instead go into a store and pick your favorite greeting card, take a picture and sent that to your intended recipient.  Of course, this is probably illegal, in that you are using copyrighted material without attribution, payment or authorization, but the lack of ethics is what bothered me the most.  I don't feel super sorry for the Hallmark corporation, but a lot of greeting cards (depending on the shop you are in) are made by individual artists and writers and these people are literally stealing their work.  No matter who you are stealing from, that's just what it is - stealing, even if it's not a material object, but only an idea or intellectual property.

Hey, I'm not a purchaser of greeting cards myself, and maybe these folks would be the same if not for their "awesome" idea to steal other people's work for their amusement.  The artists and writers are in the same place, financially, as they would have been since there is no case in which this person would have paid for the work.  That is, I hope, an obviously morally bankrupt argument.

To my own shame, I decided not to post on that thread calling everyone out for getting onboard with this super unethical idea, because there were like 36 or more comments already that were all so enthusiastic that I just decided I didn't want to spend the next week of my life dealing with angry trolls and back and forth arguments justifying stealing people's intellectual property.  So, bystander behavior on my part.  If I had gotten to the thread earlier I would have piped up, but I didn't.

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

[Paul der Krake]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

[Davnasty]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

How else would I play movies from the library?

In any case, I've just consulted with the devil and he says my soul is just fine thank you.

[sui generis]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

Yeah, I'd be not only flummoxed by this "gift" but I'd also definitely be talking with all our mutual friends about why my "friend" gave it to me. 

[GuitarStv]

I certainly haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if this was posted before, but I saw a huge thread on this tactic on a mustachian facebook group and was horrified by both how unethical it is and how enthusiastically ALL OF THE POSTERS signed on to the idea. 

The idea is to stop buying greeting cards, but to instead go into a store and pick your favorite greeting card, take a picture and sent that to your intended recipient.  Of course, this is probably illegal, in that you are using copyrighted material without attribution, payment or authorization, but the lack of ethics is what bothered me the most.  I don't feel super sorry for the Hallmark corporation, but a lot of greeting cards (depending on the shop you are in) are made by individual artists and writers and these people are literally stealing their work.  No matter who you are stealing from, that's just what it is - stealing, even if it's not a material object, but only an idea or intellectual property.

Hey, I'm not a purchaser of greeting cards myself, and maybe these folks would be the same if not for their "awesome" idea to steal other people's work for their amusement.  The artists and writers are in the same place, financially, as they would have been since there is no case in which this person would have paid for the work.  That is, I hope, an obviously morally bankrupt argument.

To my own shame, I decided not to post on that thread calling everyone out for getting onboard with this super unethical idea, because there were like 36 or more comments already that were all so enthusiastic that I just decided I didn't want to spend the next week of my life dealing with angry trolls and back and forth arguments justifying stealing people's intellectual property.  So, bystander behavior on my part.  If I had gotten to the thread earlier I would have piped up, but I didn't.

I suspect that your concern here will never catch on.

The purpose of buying a card is not to give the message of the card (which is usually worthless pablum and half-assed clip art).  It's to conspicuously demonstrate that you have spent a small sum of money to honor the receiver in some way.  The card itself is utterly worthless and will be thrown out by the receiver soon after getting it.

[Giro]

I certainly haven't read this whole thread, so apologies if this was posted before, but I saw a huge thread on this tactic on a mustachian facebook group and was horrified by both how unethical it is and how enthusiastically ALL OF THE POSTERS signed on to the idea. 

The idea is to stop buying greeting cards, but to instead go into a store and pick your favorite greeting card, take a picture and sent that to your intended recipient.  Of course, this is probably illegal, in that you are using copyrighted material without attribution, payment or authorization, but the lack of ethics is what bothered me the most.  I don't feel super sorry for the Hallmark corporation, but a lot of greeting cards (depending on the shop you are in) are made by individual artists and writers and these people are literally stealing their work.  No matter who you are stealing from, that's just what it is - stealing, even if it's not a material object, but only an idea or intellectual property.

Hey, I'm not a purchaser of greeting cards myself, and maybe these folks would be the same if not for their "awesome" idea to steal other people's work for their amusement.  The artists and writers are in the same place, financially, as they would have been since there is no case in which this person would have paid for the work.  That is, I hope, an obviously morally bankrupt argument.

To my own shame, I decided not to post on that thread calling everyone out for getting onboard with this super unethical idea, because there were like 36 or more comments already that were all so enthusiastic that I just decided I didn't want to spend the next week of my life dealing with angry trolls and back and forth arguments justifying stealing people's intellectual property.  So, bystander behavior on my part.  If I had gotten to the thread earlier I would have piped up, but I didn't.

I suspect that your concern here will never catch on.

The purpose of buying a card is not to give the message of the card (which is usually worthless pablum and half-assed clip art).  It's to conspicuously demonstrate that you have spent a small sum of money to honor the receiver in some way.  The card itself is utterly worthless and will be thrown out by the receiver soon after getting it.

Agree.  I stopped giving greeting cards altogether and just give a gift card with the little envelope they come in.  At least it's not $4 straight to the trash.  I'd rather put the $4 towards something they can use or enjoy.  The exception is when my teenage daughter has a birthday party to attend.  I buy the cheap box of 10 birthday cards so they are ready to go for a birthday.  I've also basically stopped buying things as gifts.  Cash or gift cards only. 

[Gronnie]

but... if you wanted to make it less ethical you could suggest that since you're paying cash for them to bill $2500 for the procedure, then you pay the balance under the table in cash tax free

This doesn't even make sense. The tax free part is income tax free, you still paid income tax on that money unless you got the cash dealing drugs or something.

[dragoncar]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

Yeah, I'd be not only flummoxed by this "gift" but I'd also definitely be talking with all our mutual friends about why my "friend" gave it to me.

You guys are kind of missing the point.  It’s not about the movie, it’s about showing people how much I really care.

[Davnasty]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

Yeah, I'd be not only flummoxed by this "gift" but I'd also definitely be talking with all our mutual friends about why my "friend" gave it to me.

You guys are kind of missing the point.  It’s not about the movie, it’s about showing people how much I really care.

Gifts that you make yourself are so much more thoughtful. Buying a DVD just doesn't have that personal touch.

[EliteZags]

on that topic, I hope to convert all my DVDs to laserdisc very soon but I'm having a little trouble finding information about how to accomplish this. Obviously I'm not the first person to have this idea so hopefully you can point me in the right direction.

[sui generis]

I save a lot of money on gifts by downloading bootleg movies, burning them to DVD, and giving them as birthday gifts! 

That's not copyright infringement if they use them as coasters, since only wretched souls still have DVD players in 2020.

Yeah, I'd be not only flummoxed by this "gift" but I'd also definitely be talking with all our mutual friends about why my "friend" gave it to me.

You guys are kind of missing the point.  It’s not about the movie, it’s about showing people how much I really care.

I'm not sure if I'm missing possible sarcasm here, but yeah, if someone burned a CD for me, it shows how much they don't care to me! Not only that burning the CD takes almost no effort (unlike if, for instance, your kid paints a rock for you) but also dragging me into their unethical acts? Super inconsiderate. I don't want to be complicit in that BS. But yeah, maybe you were joking!

[dragoncar]

on that topic, I hope to convert all my DVDs to laserdisc very soon but I'm having a little trouble finding information about how to accomplish this. Obviously I'm not the first person to have this idea so hopefully you can point me in the right direction.

Don’t even bother.  Laserdisc will be obsolete soon, just go right to Betamax to future proof your collection