#Makes their produce more expensive than most people can afford so we have to buy from Walmart

[rotzaprachim]

the thing about Hawai’i politics is that. You absolutely need to criticize the local government. But you also need to stand the economic and political politics of living in a place where the local government doesn’t have an iota of the power of the mega corporations like Hilton and Sheraton that run mega resorts here, nor the billionaires like mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, or Jeff bezos that run second homes here or have quasi-feudal estates or exert far far more power than the relatively progressive county and state governments

like. You have to clock what it is that a man worth over 100 billion dollars purchased 98% of an island. What that’s like. What power does a city councilman who represents that island in a council have over a man worth over 100 billion who both owns the land people live on AND the hotels they work at

[etraytin]

Emergency Preparedness On A Budget

Hey all, just a reminder that even though many of us are looking at a warmer-than-average winter this year, warm on average does not mean we won't see winter storms! In fact, warm winters can produce some really unusual weather patterns that are even more likely to produce severe storms. The best time to prepare for a winter storm, or any other natural disaster, is well before it happens, ie, right now.

"But wait," you might say, "the economy is stupid and everything is expensive! I'm afraid my survival bunker is just going to have to wait until my lottery numbers come up, which will take awhile because I also can't afford to play the lottery." First off, good job not playing the lottery, and second, preparing for a disaster does not have to be expensive. In fact, if you start early enough, disaster preparedness can be done a few dollars at a time without much of anything in the way of special supplies.

In order to not make a single post that is a billion lines long, I am dividing my advice into a few different posts and will link them together when I am done. The links will be right here:

Food and Water Preparedness

FIrst and most important: food and water. The motto of disaster preparedness is "The first 72 is on you." In a major disaster situation, if the situation has not resolved itself within three days, that's about the amount of time it takes for outside help to get itself organized and start arriving in a meaningful way to a disaster area. Objectively three days is a pretty short period of time, subjectively it is a small eternity if you are not prepared.

Preppers (people who do disaster preparedness as a hobby, to greater and lesser levels of unhingedness) spend a lot of time discussing the best types of food and water prep for long-term storage and/or end of the world scenarios. We are not going to do that. We want cheap, easy, effective preparations that we can ideally do while grocery shopping in a Walmart. The easiest, simplest and cheapest way to do your food prep is this: Buy one or two canned, jarred or tetrapacked (that waxed cardboard box pack) meal items every time you can afford it, then set them aside. Find a little space in a closet, a cupboard, a shelf, whatever, and just keep those foods there until you have three days worth for everyone in your household, including the pets.

"Fine," you might say as you look skeptically at the back of your cupboards, "but that doesn't seem very specific. There are a lot of canned goods out there!" And that is fair! The basic rule of thumb is "Buy something you will eat, ideally without heating it up if necessary, that doesn't require much prep or cleaning." For example, my family is two adults and one adolescent, none of us with major food allergens or aversions. If I were trying for a 72-hour food prep for us on the cheap with no cooking available I'd probably go with six cans of chunky soup, which I get for a dollar each on sale, three small jars of applesauce (smaller jars are better if you have no way to cool food), a box of saltine crackers, three cans of tuna, and a big box of granola bars if I could keep them out of reach of the kiddo long enough.

It's not fancy and it may not provide great long-term nutrition, but it's enough food to keep us alive for three days in a form that will hold in storage for 1-2 years without needing to rotate. Even on a very tight budget you can probably accumulate this much food in a pretty reasonable amount of time (and a lot of it is the sort of thing you might get from a food bank anyway!) For pet food, pack up three days worth of your pet's food, ideally in a glass jar but any sealed container will do, and add any cans of wet food they'd get as well.

Water is another big prepping topic that we're going to go easy-peasy on. You need, at minimum, a gallon of clean water per person per day, plus extra for cleaning and washing. Water is annoying to store and takes a lot of room, so for a quickie 3-day prep, minimizing water use is ideal. If you can scare up enough paper plates, cups and utensils to last you three days, you save ever having to wash dishes. If you can get hold of a pack of wet wipes, you reduce the amount of water for washing your body. If you can bring yourself to pee in the woods or at the very least let urine sit in the toilet unflushed, you save a HUGE amount of water on flushing.

For your water prep, you can use the bit-at-a-time strategy again. Every time you get groceries, try to bring home a gallon or two of purified drinking water. They should be very cheap, usually around 1.25 in my neck of the woods, and they last for awhile. If you have a few extra dollars, buy a flat of bottled water until you have at least three gallon containers and one 12-pack for each human member of your household Tuck them away somewhere out of direct sunlight, and rotate them regularly, taking out an old gallon and flat and replacing them with new every couple of months.

Once you have your basic setup, you can start thinking about getting fancier. There are ways to find things like camp stoves and water filters fairly cheaply, usually by hitting up garage sales or looking in the clearance sporting goods section when camping season is over, but that's basically gravy when compared to just having something to eat.

Next Time: Light, Heat and Medicine

[totally-sick-blogger]

Sustainability is rarely accessible

This post is dedicated to Audrey, hi king!

Like many people, I think sustainability and taking care of the environment is really important; however, something that I feel isn't talked about enough when discussing ways to be more sustainable is how it's often inaccessible to disabled people and low-income people.

A lot of "alternative products" aren't viable options for disabled people because of factors such as cost, how easy they are to acquire, or physical accessibility issues.

some examples include:

paper straws and wooden cutlery - I know that for me both of these products give me major sensory issues and as for wooden cutlery I'd also like to note that they're much more difficult to eat with which could cause problems for someone with poor dexterity or fine motor skills.

pre-packaged foods - a lot of disabled people rely on pre-packaged meals and snacks for all kinds of reasons such as sensory issues, having specific safe foods, fatigue, and physically being unable to prepare foods. etc. One example I see often is being told off for buying precut produce because why not "just cut it up themselves" when in reality, some people physically cannot cut it up themselves or don't have enough spoons to make that a priority; not to mention that frozen and pre-cut produce is often cheaper than fresh produce.

medical supplies - A lot the medical supplies that disabled people rely on every day are made up of single use plastics and most of the items aren't meant to be used more than once (though some products can be used for multiple days if cared for properly) that being said, disabled people tend to produce more plastic waste but it's not our faults so we shouldn't be getting flack for it!

Another element of environmental advocacy that a lot of people talk about is veganism; which is of course great thing to practice if that's what works for you but a lot of people (disabled or not) cannot be vegan for dietary reasons. This could be because of allergies, intolerances, restrictions, location, finances, etc. For example, I've got a soy allergy and I've got a friend with a severe nut allergy. This means that neither of us could be fully vegan because the majority of vegan products are made with soy and nuts. I also rely partially on tube feeds for nutrition and as far as I know, there aren't any vegan, soy-free formulas yet (and if there are they're probably absurdly expensive)

This brings me to my final point about cost. A lot of alternative options for vegan and sustainable products are significantly more expensive; making it much harder for people who are already struggling financially to afford those products. Not to mention people who live in food deserts (areas of a city that don't contain grocery stores) or rural areas. There are very low chances that either of those places is going to have specialty food stores or even have alternative options in the few stores that they do have!

In conclusion: stop blaming poor and disabled people for the awful state of our environment and start blaming billionaires and massive corporations!

[mayakern]

Why are the clothes you sell so expensive :( I totally understand you need to make a living and all but I don’t think I can drop $50 on one shirt

i totally understand!! and it’s a fair question. thanks to big retailers and, in recent years, fast fashion, most people have been intentionally distanced from the cost and labor that goes into making our clothing (and just about everything else we consume)

basically, when you are making something, the more you make of it, the less it costs to make a single unit of that thing. that may seem counter intuitive, but this is for a couple reasons: 1. the more you make of a single thing, the more streamlined the process becomes and the faster and more skilled workers become at a particular task 2. when you make a lot of something you can buy your materials in bulk, reducing the cost to manufacture a single item 3. when someone places a really really big order for something, they have a lot of bargaining power because if they like what they get, they are likely to return with another large order in the future, and if they put the factory under contract, that is steady, guaranteed work and reliable pay.

i typed this up for a different question recently but it applies here as well so i’ll just copy paste:

of course, if you sell a higher volume, you can not only negotiate a lower PPU (price per unit) based on volume of sales (a factory will make more money from your business if you buy 10,000 shirts for $10/piece than if you buy 1,000 shirts for $12/piece*) but you can also get away with a lower margin because you’re expecting to sell more units to customers. imagine selling 10,000 shirts for $25/ea instead of 1,000 for $35/ea. even with a profit margin of $15/ea instead of $23/ea, you would only need to sell about 1,534 shirts of your 10,000 to make the same net profit and you’d have almost another 8500 shirts you could keep selling.

*these are not real numbers just an example for easy math and to show how stupid manufacturing math is

it’s also much, much cheaper to buy pre-dyed or stock fabric than it is to custom print designs. most large retailers use fabric that has been bulk produced. each of our garments is custom printed because manufacturing bulk custom printed fabric usually STARTS at around 500 yards (way more than we could use for a single design) and a fabric printer starts around $15k and takes up a bunch of room and uses a lot of electricity.

i run a small business with my wife. we do our best to find ethical labor and to pay our employees well, which contribute significantly to our overhead costs. we’re never going to compete price-wise with fast fashion or walmart or even with target. we couldn’t even fathom functioning at 1/100th of their volume. it’s totally understandable that not everyone can afford this or will think it’s “worth” the cost and the things i make are not necessities. i won’t even be offended if people call me overpriced because i know that most people just don’t know what goes into this stuff.

anyway this was long but i hope you found it informative!

[dailyanarchistposts]

Whether aware of it or not, your boss is stealing from you every paycheck. Employers profit off of the “excess” wealth that you, as an employee, produce. There are two ways to get paid in America: make money off the work you do, or make money off the work that other people do. Employees generate wealth, employers collect it.

We live in a capitalist society. We all know that. Most people are okay with it, too. After all, the competition (state communism like the USSR) doesn’t have such a good reputation.

But what exactly does capitalism mean? Our good friend the dictionary says capitalism is “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.” This definition is a bit deceptive, but let’s run with it for now.

The word I care about in that definition is “profit.” Profit is the extra money at the top after all your expenses are paid out. You buy ten apples from the farmer for ten cents each and sell them in town for twenty cents each, leaving you with an extra dollar. Hurrah! You make enough of those dollars, and you can pay your rent and afford to eat. Both things you might need.

But you can only carry so many apples, and you can only sell them so fast. You could make more money if you hire other people to sell the apples for you. You pay them an hourly wage, or take a cut off of every apple they sell. Multiply this by enough people, and suddenly you’re quite wealthy. The people you hire only have enough to pay rent and eat, but you get to drive a hummer-limo and smoke Cuban cigars or whatever. Why? Because you stole from your employees. You aren’t working harder than them—in fact, you’re probably working less—and derive your income from the excess wealth generated by their labor.

And that is capitalism. When rich people steal from poor people through the legal process of wage labor. Capitalism is based on “capital.” Capital is wealth that can be used to generate more wealth. If capitalism was about getting rewarded for working, we’d be all about it. But it’s not. it’s about getting rewarded for other people working, it’s about letting money (and people) make your money for you.

If you, as a wage laborer, didn’t create more wealth for your boss than your hourly wage, you wouldn’t have a job. What we’re calling workplace theft is actually a bit of a misnomer. Workplace theft is the norm: your bosses are stealing from you every day. They’re living off your sweat. When you take money out of the register and put it into your pocket, that’s not workplace theft. That’s workplace justice.

[adj4mp]

Affordable Housing Bubble

I'm worried about the processes by which the government are going to try to meet their campaign promises, I've already seen a few occasions where the Labour party, Rayner and Starmer have come under fire for falling behind on their affordable housing goal for this parliament, the opposition have pressed it a few times and the media have mentioned it.

1000 new homes per day

At the time of writing, we're 50 days into the government, that's 50,000 additional homes they've promised and I'm betting construction hasn't started on these.

There will be plenty of opportunities for private firms to buy land and secure the ability to build on it, build some homes. But private firms have a vested interest in producing fewer bigger more expensive homes, fewer homes available means less supply and higher demand increasing the prices.

With so many new affordable homes the intent of the government may be to pop the housing market, make houses more affordable by driving down both the price of new houses as well as existing ones.

This, if not done carefully, is going to saddle a lot of people with negative equity on their mortgages which may have economic knock on effects.

So Private companies are either going to be less inclined to take on this challenge as it bumps their risk while reducing their return on investment. Meaning the government are going to have to turn the screws to make this happen through other methods.

So we turn our attention to local authority housing and social housing providers to do this.

There are still some local authorities with housing stock that may be able to incorporate this into their systems, but if the housing stock was previously sold off developing a whole system to go along with the modern responsibilities of a social landlord is not something they can attempt

Leaving Social Housing providers as those in the best position to shoulder the responsibility of delivering this promise. Social Landlords are very similar in some ways to charities, they're not-for-profit organisations on which a lot of people depend. Having them take a huge risk of building more and faster than ever before could cause them to collapse, fail to provide services to residents and need to be bailed out or brought out in some form or another.

Bailouts will cost Billions, the housing sector is huge, even a moderate provider with 2000 properties may be worth more than a hundred million pounds in just brick and mortar.

While Buyouts won't necessarily be feasible for other social landlords, if the sector is being pushed to the brink of collapse in order to provide the homes promised by the government unless there's a huge hidden rainy day fund they're holding back every provider will be in a similar situation. And so I'd be worried about the private sector buying up homes with considerable rent control in order to evict vulnerable residents to attempt to get higher rents.

I agree that we need more homes, but I want to see a plan that doesn't put risks on the people with the most to lose, those who're still paying off their only mortgage and could end up owing more than the value of their house to the bank. As well as those who have little choice about where they can live and as such have ended up as social housing residents.

[akwolfgrl]

Part 17 LFT

"This is where every pirate stocks up before heading to the Grandline," Nami said standing underneath the city's sign.

"I can't wait to go shopping! I bet they have all sorts of cool things perfect for experiments!" Ussop spoke excitedly. "Tabasco sauce," Usopp kept prattling on and Nami turned him out.

"I can start stocking up on food, I should start with the non-perishables first since you said we would be here a few days," Sanji said, patting his pocket in the shape of a notebook breaking the clean lines of his suit. “Tomorrow the fresh produce and meat.”

"I wonder if they have a swordsmith here?" Zoro pondered.

Nami couldn't resist the urge to tease him. Especially since she had given him enough money to buy Sanji something. The swords could wait for tomorrow.

"With what money Zoro?" She leaned into his space with a teasing grin on her face.

“Well I'm going to find the place where they kill people!” Luffy was off, Nami rolled her eyes not bothering to stop him.

“Sanjiiii-kunnnnn~ come with me clothes shopping then you can get stuff for the ship,” Nami moved towards Sanji linking their arms together sending a wink to Zoro. “Ooo then we can stop at a Cafe for lunch.”

“Of course Nami dear!” Sanji gushed, allowing himself to be dragged along with her whims.

Was she taking advantage of him? Yes she was, she felt no qualms about it one bit. She passed by an expensive bootique that she would have fun in tomorrow without Sanji. Today was about getting info from him, for Zoro who will owe her big time for this. She loved it when people owed her.

“Oo this looks like a good one,” Nami slipped inside what looked to have cute but affordable clothes for sale. “Go pick something out for yourself I'm feeling generous,” Nami just would add to Zoro’s ever growing debt. “All you ever were are those fancy suites.”

“Oh Nami-swan you're so sweet but I'm fine I have plenty of clothes,” Sanji protested.

“Aww but Sanji-kunnnn, it's more fun to shop together and I don't have any girlfriends to shop with,” Nami said with a pout.

“Of course anything for you sweet Nami-swan,” Sanji gushed before finally complying with what she asked.

“So Sanji-kun,” Nami spoke loud enough for him to hear while she looked through the clothes. “Tell me about yourself. I hardly know anything about you.”

“Oh? Well there's nothing much to say, I'd rather hear all about you Nami-swan!” Sanji turned the question back to her.

“Aww come on Sanji-kun! You already know about me, I mean you met my village and family,” How was she supposed to gather information if Sanji was so tight-lipped about everything?

“Hmm well I am a professionally trained chef, I spent most of my life on ships. I'm not sure what else is there to say,” Nami almost groaned in frustration. The ship thing was obvious by his sea legs, his sea legs were better than hers even.

Nami spotted Usopp walking past the window with a backpack strapped to his shoulders. It didn't look like he had bought much, only just bought one thing thus far. She rushed outside and grabbed him by his backpack.

“Nami! What's going on?” Ussop whined while she drug his skinny ass into the store. She shoved him down to the ground and crouched beside him.

“I need your help,” She hissed, keeping her voice down.

“With what?” He asked.

“Zoro asked for help in wooing Sanji, I offered very generously. I might add to do some reconstituting, and find out what Sanji likes. But the man is too tight-lipped,” Nami glared in Sanji's direction.

“How about we make a game? Everyone has to answer the question,” Usopp offers.

“Hmm that's not a bad idea,” Nami pondered, it might just work. “But you're helping.”

“What are you two doing on the floor?” Nami looked up to a concerned and confused Sanji looming over them.

“Nothing,” They both answered at the same time, Sanji was now looking at Usopp with supison. Nami stood up brushing the dirt off her clothes.

“Well shall we continue shopping?” Nami spoke looking at the few clothes in Sanji's arms. “Ah you actually found something. Let me see,” She took the clothes out of his arms and held them up. One was a sleek black turtleneck and gray slacks. While he would look good in them, they weren't exactly casual. “That's it?” She asked with her brow raised. “Didn't I say casual?”

“Well it's not a suit,” Sanji had the gall to talk back though his ears were tinting from slight discomfort.

“Whatever, fine! Just go try it on!” Nami sighed and shoved him into the changing room. “Ussop can start grabbing some shirts?”

“Sure,” He ran off towards the men's clothes. Taking this moment alone with Sanji, Nami offered up their little plan.

“So Sanji-kun, we’re going to play a little game. I'll ask the questions and everyone has to answer them. It would be better with alcohol but we can try again later… Sooo first question, what's your favorite food?” Nami asked moving closer to the curtain so she could hear him moving around in there.

“Spicy seafood pasta. Nami-swan, I adore you but… is this really necessary? I'm really not that interesting unlike you my sweet,” Sanji's voice was muffled as he changed.

“I ask the questions!” She scolded him.

“Yes Nami-swan I'm sorry,” he says, unable to deny his beloved lady friend!!!

“Now what's your favorite flower,” Nami demanded. Zoro could give him a bouquet of his favorite flowers.

“Ladies first,” Sanji responded, stepping out of the changing room, just as Ussop joined them an armful of shirts.

“You're buying that, I like sunflowers,” They were so bright and cheerful, almost unpredictable in where they will show up. One year before Arlong showed up, a bunch grew in front of their house.

“What are we talking about?” Ussop asked.

“Nami-swan asked about favorite flowers,” Sanji explained before returning to the dressing room before Nami caught his arm and shoved another shirt in his hands.

“I like daisies, they grow like crazy back home, they were my moms and Kaya’s favorite flowers. I used to pick them for her and put them by her bedside every day,” the sniper replied with a gentle fade in his eyes as if he was no longer there but lost in memories.

“Delphinium. And yes, I know as a chef I should pick something editable but I can’t help what’s my favorite,” Nami had never heard of that flower but well she wasn't a florist.

“Do you like to sing?” Ussop asked.

Nami glared at him, how was that supposed to help with Zoro getting Sanji on a date?

“Yeah, I do sing, I'm no musician but yeah I do sing. I mean I was raised by a pirate since I was ten and grew up on ships. During the stormy weather the Baratie would close and we would huddle up with whatever food we have and candles. We would drink, eat and sing until the storm passed. I know way too many old sea shanties, Patty and Carne know way too many love songs. They would get way too cozy with each other and as soon as the storm passed they would slip away from alone time.” That was the most Nami had heard him say about himself ever, Sanji came out of the changing room again this time in a pink see through shirt with large strawberries on it. “Umm did you mean to get this shirt for me?” She could see all the marks that Zoro had left on Sanji's skin.

“Yes, you are also getting that shirt!” Nami wasn't sure if she had enough information but she supposed that this would have to do.

[alifeasvivid]

ok I have a random question but do you have any thoughts on lab grown gems and does TOS Alfred have any thoughts on lab grown gems?

>.> I have lots of thoughts, yes. And they are far more nuanced than most of what I've seen on tumblr *cough*

My overall opinion is that lab created gems are awesome :D Lab created sapphires have been around since the early 1900's and the fact that we can create gemstones is a testament to just how awesome human spirit and ingenuity and curiosity really is. There are many stones like cubic zirconia which exist in the market only as lab created. Moissanite, an increasingly-popular alternative for diamond, is only lab created, it does not exist in nature--we made it, which is so fucking cool.

Lab created stones are almost always less expensive than mined, so they're a good option for people who want the look, but don't care about appreciating/maintaining value over time.

That's the hitch. Most lab created stones are not worth anything in terms of resale or appraisal and basically the whole jewerly industry is really conflicted about lab diamonds. When it comes to colored stones, there's usually a way to tell if it's lab or natural. The color is just a little too perfect, the stone is just a little too clear, that kind of thing. With lab diamonds, it's next to impossible and while that is very cool, it's easier than ever for people to be deceived about what they are buying. The jewelry (and watch) industry is very slow to adapt, a lot of emotional AND monetary value is placed on things being done "properly" or in the traditional way, but it IS adapting. It just takes time.

Personally, and I'll speak for Alfred also, I have no problem with lab created stones of any kind as long as they are properly disclosed and that people understand the pros and cons of natural vs lab created gems.

However, Alfred would have no use for lab created stones on a personal level; he wouldn't target them. They are very cool and make things more affordable, but on an industry level, they are just not worth much.

Cuz that's the real kicker. It's AWESOME that we have basically alchemical technology available to us and mining can truly be a terrible process both on an environment and a human level and that needs to change...

but natural stones will always be worth something more to us because there is nothing that compares to the majesty of Earth boiling and roiling and cracking and breaking and steaming and baking and beating and cooling and compressing and crushing its elements over hundreds and thousands and millions of years to produce and bring to the surface something functionally useless to most life but so beautiful that humans have been fascinated by them since the dawn of our species... and that we figured out how to pull them from the earth and create something else beautiful with them... there's really something deeply compelling there. Something fundamental to what makes us human, I think.

And Alfred is a romantic... so I think he'd agree.

[thetreetopinn]

And it's not just poultry and other meats

It's access to fruits and vegetables

It's access to medicine and medical devices

It's access to shelter and transport

The "invisible hand of the market" will always appear to favor the most cheaply produced, most unethically sourced products, goods, and services because that is what the poor can afford.

It is more expensive to be poor, and the rich know that, which is how they are able to siphon even more money out of the poor than they do the middle class.

To go back to the good old Terry Pratchett quote:

The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that’d still be keeping his feet dry in ten years’ time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

And to take it one step further, another quote from the same book:

The mansion was full of this big, solid furniture, bought by her ancestors. It never wore out . . . Lady Sybil Ramkin lived quite comfortably from day to day by spending, Vimes estimated, about half as much as he did.

You cannot HOPE and WISH the powers that be into treating the lower class better.

You have to FORCE them. They will fight it. They will scream and swear and throw their little tantrums, angry that they can't steal more money from the already destitute in order to make their already disgustingly bloated portfolios that much more bloated and disgusting.

They will throw everything they have in the way of progress. They will spend literally BILLIONS of dollars for the continued right to steal from the poor by giving them ever so slightly overpriced trash that will need to be replaced far sooner than it should need to be.

They will provide cheap, widely available food that will meet most of the public's nutritional needs, because so much of it is highly processed and engineered to meet the most basic of standards.

They will produce the cheapest meat you can buy with questionable ethics practices, using child labor, hide the injury reports of people in their packing plants, and then decry the idea of doing better saying "It will cost so much more if we do all of this!" when they have it in their power to NOT charge more... but that would eat into their profits.

Meanwhile, they also poison the air, the water, the soil, and our food, and they tell us we should be GRATEFUL that we have such a bounty to choose from.

The powerful and the wealthy make it impossible for the poor to support ethical practices, because they have captured the economies of scale and have erected severe barriers to entry so that anyone looking to up-end the system will have a terribly difficult time doing it. It is a self-reinforcing structure.

And the only way to make any headway against it is to organize.

As much as I want to support ethical farming practices I will be buying the cheapest bag of frozen chicken thighs as much as the next frugal/poor person which is why animal welfare needs to be legislated, not left up to the invisible hand of the free market or some bullshit. Invisible hand of the free market finds itself around a lot of throats.

[skinfosolutions]

Get the Best Deals on Used and Refurbished Apple Laptops in Delhi – SK Infosolutions

Are you searching for affordable Apple laptops in Delhi? Whether it's a MacBook Pro, a refurbished laptop, or a second-hand Apple laptop, SK Infosolutions is your go-to place. They offer high-quality used Apple laptops at great prices. Let’s explore why buying used or refurbished Apple laptops is a smart choice and why SK Infosolutions is the best place for it.

Why Buy Used MacBook Pro Laptops in Delhi?

Stocking up on a new MacBook Pro may be quite costly. But if you opt for a used one, you will still get all the extra features of premium car rental at a much lower rate. Here are the key reasons why you should consider Buy Used Macbook Pro Laptops in Delhi.

Cost-Effective: Refurbished MacBook Pros are far cheaper than new ones which would be a plus for students, business people or anyone looking for a cheap deal.

Same High Performance: Currently, Apple laptops are recognized to have good stability. Once used, MacBook pros can still perform at very high levels for many years back.

Upgraded Features: If you choose a used MacBook Pro, you always have a possibility to buy newer models with more features for less money.

Eco-Friendly Choice: The use of used laptops also makes a positive impact towards the world by minimizing on the electronic wastes.

I do always recommend buying used MacBook Pro Laptops, the good news is that you can find a lot of them in excellent used condition at SK Infosolutions. Some of the devices are tested by the professionals and all come with warrant that gives a customer confidence.

Why Choose SK Infosolutions for Buying Refurbished Laptops in Delhi?

About refurbished laptops for sale in Delhi, people now a days trust only one name that is SK Infosolutions. The laptops which are repaired and renovated from used by other people are known as refurbished laptops. Here’s why SK Infosolutions is a great place to Buy Refurbished Laptops in Delhi.

Certified Refurbishment: At SK Infosolutions the laptops undergo go through a series of testing and refurbishing to make them look and work like new.

Affordable Prices: The used laptops are more affordable than the new ones, so it is more reasonable to buy the laptop with extremely high specifications.

Warranty on Products: Every product that is resalable in SK Infosolutions has a warranty and this means that those laptops are as good as new.

Expert Advice: Their team more so offers professional advice when it comes to selection of laptops depending on the needs and costs involved.

At SK Infosolutions, we stock a variety of Apple MacBook Pro’s and many other makes and models of laptops which can be new, or refurbished for optimum performance depending on your business requirements.

Advantages of Buying Second Hand Apple Laptops in Delhi

Apple devices are normally expensive and very durable to produce the best quality ever. Apple laptops still remain valuable after the usage; it is proved by the fact that their price and quality do not decrease. If you're looking to Buy Second Hand Apple Laptops in Delhi here are some of the key advantages:

Premium Build Quality: Apple laptops are made of good material and they can actually last for sometime of use for even several years.

Great Value for Money: By buying Apple laptop second hand then you will be in a position to benefit from the Apple brand at a cheaper price as compared to if you were to buy a new one.

High Performance: They are fast, very accurate and ideal for use on Apple laptops in activities like cutting of videos, graphic designing among others.

Software Compatibility: macOS is optimal and it is still possible to load the most current operating system on much older Macs.

Eco-Friendly Purchase: Thirdly, consumption of second hand is environmentally beneficial as it actually protects the world from having to deal with electronic waste.

models such as MacBook Air, MacBook Pro among others are easily availed at Sk Infosolutions at cheaper rates than new ones.

Why Buy from SK Infosolutions?

Delhi based used and refurbished laptop sellers list one of the leading names as being SK Infosolutions. Here’s why you should consider them for your purchase:

Wide Range of Options: Second-hand and refurbished products available at SK Infosolutions: Apple Laptops: MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to go with and select the most suitable one.

High-Quality Laptops: Any used and refurbished laptops that are bought are also examined by technical persons so as to determine it’s functionality well.

Affordable Pricing: In terms of pricing, you can be assured that SK Infosolutions provide affordable rates to any of their products; be it a high-performance one or an affordable laptop.

Warranty Provided: For the record, any laptop that is second hand or refurbished will be warranted.

Expert Guidance: Their team will discuss a buyer’s budget and needs before arriving at the most suitable laptop to buy.

Key Points to Remember When Buying a Used or Refurbished Laptop

One preference that most people would like to see is that such used or refurbished laptops must have warranty. The laptops provided by this company have warranty support at SK Infosolutions.

Understand Your Requirements: Determine your need of the laptop: whether is it for professional use, academic use or for entertainment. This will enable you to arrive at the best model.

Inspect the Condition: When buying, you should also consider the physical appearance of the laptop this is the screen, keyboard and battery. As with other laptops, SK Infosolutions makes sure that all laptops they offer are inspected and checked meticulously.

Look for Upgrades: The used and the refurbished are usually cheaper and many come with added functionalities such as increased RAM or extra storage space, hence is cheaper and more efficient.

Ask for Expert Advice: To these customers, who are hesitant to decide which model to purchase, you can consult with the experts at SK Infosolutions. They will be able to advice you depending on your want and the amount of money you are willing to spend.

Conclusion

If you want to purchase Delhi old MacBook Pro laptops, purchase refurbished laptop in Delhi, or purchase Apple second hand laptops in Delhi then you are at the right place called SK Infosolutions. Being one of the leading companies with vast assortments of inexpensive but qualitative notebooks, they offer both rock- and roll-performing characteristics and reasonable prices along with the excellent customer service. Because of their professional team, all laptops undergo rigorous testing so that they only sell quality laptops that come with a warranty. We are now selling used and refurbished Apple laptops at very special offer prices at SK Infosolutions, so get in touch now!

[freyrenergyservice]

A Complete Guide to 3kW Solar Panel Price in India: Cost, Benefits, and More

Thinking about going solar but not knowing how to start? A 3kW Solar Power System might be for you, if you live in a small to medium-sized home. The paper will also go through the 3 kW solar panel price to the installation procedure and the solar panel types available.

What is a 3kW Solar Power System?

What really means the word 3kW when we talk about a 3kW Solar Power System? In its simplest form, a 3kW system comprises 10-12 solar panels and can produce 3000 watts of power for up to 12 hours. This is the perfect size for a 5 -10 kWh solar generation system. When you are thinking of the solar option a 3kW can be enough to power the lights, fans, TV and even a fridge.

What is the 3kW Solar Panel Price in India?

Enough with the introductions—what does a 3kW solar panel system cost, then? The 3kW solar panel price in India lies between INR 1,80,000 and INR 2,50,000, approximately. Keep in mind that this is an average 3kW solar panel price and it may change slightly due to your local solar providers. But consider that other aspects can also influence the cost besides the aforementioned.

Types of solar panels: The higher the efficiency, the more expensive a panel can be. Solar panel installation: 3kW solar panel price can vary depending on the region. Inverters and Batteries: By switching to the right inverter or adding a battery backup, you can add up costs to the initial price too.

If you utilize solar panels for your roof, you should make sure that the roof is acceptable and you have enough space and good orientation to the sun to get the most solar radiation on it.

Government Subsidies: How They Affect the 3kW Solar Panel Price

One of the main attractions of the installation of a 3kW solar panel in India is the availability of government subsidies. Through this, solar energy can be affordable to the people. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the body responsible for implementing the incentives for buying solar equipment. 3kW solar panel price can be cut by up to 40% from the original price with the help of these subsidies. Your specific state and the installer's bid will dictate how much of a discount you can actually get.

Types of Solar Panels for a 3kW System

As you use the 3kW Solar Power System, there are various types of the solar panels you will come across. Let's start with the most popular ones:

Monocrystalline Solar Panels: High efficiency, longer life, and a bit more expensive.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels: They are the cheapest and the best of the monocrystalline category.

Thin-Film Solar Panels: They are movable and more budget-friendly, but they have not gained the same popularity as traditional panels used for houses.

Per sunplate type, the 3kW solar panel price is changed, and therefore, it is so important to use proper calculation and thus, choose the best among cost and performance. You may also ask the dealers for such types of panels which are environmentally friendly. They can easily guide you to the right panels.

The Solar Panel Installation Process for a 3kW System

How hard is the process of solar panel installation? It is, in fact, a little bit simpler than what most people think. Here's the gist of it:

Site Assessment: Your skills will be multiplied in the form of a technician's visit to your home. She/he will do a physical inspection of the area to determine if the roof where the solar panels will be installed is in good shape.

System Design: You won't need solar power designers until they get a sense of your available space and energy needs.

Installation: This stage is all about the assembly of photovoltaic modules and connection of the system to the power supply.

Grid Connection: Right after the installation, the system is ready to be operated. Moreover, the system is connected to the grid for any renewable power exchange(Optional: After installation, the system is connected to the grid for any surplus energy exchange).

Most importantly, seek proficient and qualified solar team that will handle the solar panel fixing to keep the system running without any trouble.

Benefits of Installing a 3kW Solar Power System

Then, the main matter of discussion is the wager of the decision to install a 3kW Solar Power System or not:

When people install a 3kW solar panel system, they can experience a yearly saving of INR 3,000-4,500 per month. Such advantage will accumulate over the years of using the solar installation.

Government Subsidies: As I just said, you can get more than your money's worth by embracing the new financial aid features.

Environmental Impact: The conversion process releases fewer emissions, and you get to use the local resources in addition to that.  By shifting to solar, your production of CO2 gets reduced plus your dependence on traditional energy sources is decreased.

Are we the sole architects of our destiny or are we inevitable pawns in the chess game of environment? A solar panel is the only made-man structure that lasts more than 25 years and the buying of the same will be the best decision a person can make in regards to energy independence.

Conclusion

Investing in a 3kW solar panel system is a great way to reduce your electricity bills while contributing to a greener future. Thanks to government subsidies, the 3kW solar panel price is more affordable than ever, making it a smart and sustainable choice for homeowners across India.

[british-dsire]

Unveiling Unbeatable Deals and Discounts on British D'sire

Do you need to get your hands on the best products that are available in the market at slashed prices? Turn to British D’sire — the one-stop destination for luxury beauty, jewelry, accessories, and everyone’s favorite — lifestyle items. A wide range of elegant women's and men's dress materials, elegant gears, and sparkling jewelry, stylish accessories, and many other fashionable items you will get with us at unbelievably reduced prices.

A Shopper’s Paradise: Sturdy leather belts of various styles and additional accessories.

What really sets British D’sire apart is our wide stocks of leather belts. If you are in search of a formal cufflinks design to blend with your formal outfit or even an artistic design for your casual attire, then we have got you covered. Hermanson branded leather belts are made with the utmost care given to intricate design elements in both durability and looks. The best part? It is generally possible to buy these premium belts cheaper than their original retail price in stores meaning that luxury is attainable for everyone.

Women’s Clothing: On defeating this bug and style it meets savings:

At British D’sire we understand that fashion is the need of the hour and thus should not pinch a pocket. We are about creating the latest fashion for our ladies’ wardrobes and this is why we offer long and short dresses, tops, skirts, and more at a very affordable price. Based on our latest survey that targeted our customers, we discovered that 78% of them were able to save more money on their chosen fashion products, by taking into consideration our frequent discounts and sale offers. Blending fashion appeals to them because new arrivals are frequently added to their store so that you can enjoy purchasing the latest styles at reasonable prices.

Men’s Clothing: We are dealing with quality products at an affordable price range for everyone.

You can also find our favorite men’s clothing range, the perfect mix of casual wear and formal wear. No matter whether you are looking for a nice suit for business occasions or simple and comfortable clothes for the weekend — in British D’sire there is something for everyone. Guaranteed customer satisfaction by providing quality school uniforms at a pocket-friendly price. Indeed, among the male customers, eight out 

Jewelry and Accessories: When asked, the explanation given for producing Art Deco styled Refrigerators when the fashion of the time was other chrome-free styles was that Normal Reconstruction was far more ‘elegant’ and cost little more than the Art Deco-styled Refrigerators at the time.

Accessory items are the primary focus of British D’sire: Jewelry and accessorizing mark this fashion line’s genius. Accessorize yourself for the festivals with our gorgeous range of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and a lot more, all of which are strictly created to make you look classy. Hence, discounts formed part of the frequent yet bigger deals where one could afford expensive jewelry at very low cost, at sometimes hematologic to almost fifty percent off the original cost. We have many preferred products, but our bracelets and accessories seem to be the most inspiring where 91% of customers endorse them for their quality and low price.

Why Shopping from British D’sire is a Great Idea

Wide Range of Products: They have belts and clothing, handbags, luggage, wallets, belts, briefs, hosiery, shoes, jewelry, hats, belts, bags, wallets, and all accessories for you.

Unbeatable Prices: We offer several offers and coupons so you don’t spend your money at places that give you little or no return.

Quality Assurance: We have high quality standards as far as the products are concerned and each item you come across is purchased through strict vetting processes.

Customer Satisfaction: Due to our customer-oriented strategy, the overall customer satisfaction rate has increased and currently stands at 85 percent of people who are coming back to repeat their purchases.

Loyalty Rewards: BD Coins is our loyalty program that enables you to earn points each time you shop, giving you back the equivalent of what you spent on your purchase.

Lastly, on top of all the above benefits, we have ensured that our website is easy to use and our customer service responsive to enable customers to have a facile and pleasant shopping experience at British D’sire. If you are looking to update your fashion wardrobe, Christmas present, or simply a personal treat to buy a quality item as well as save your hard-earned cash — visit British d’sire.

Be A Part Of The Team, Become A Member of British D’sire

The customers do not just value the materialistic aspects of the clothing; they are part of a community that encourages the buyers to be stylish, quality, and savvy. Come and be part of our growing family of satisfied customers and experience the reasons why you should shop here in British D’sire store.

Come to British D’sire store today https://www.britishdsire.com/ and you will never regret enjoying fabulous discounts and promotions for your desired products!

[rametarin]

Imagine you’re a man. It’s hip to hate on shoes, particularly big shoes, heavy duty shoes most of all, as shoes apparently are a source of pollution in this hypothetical. Shoes, they say, produce all kinds of harmful wastes. And they glowingly point out, men do all the polluting because men have bigger feet and have more jobs that require more support and protection.

So the EPA puts a massive tax on all shoes, and an even bigger tax specifically on men’s work boots. Oh lordy lordy, the cost of the pollution tax on men’s work boots, and it’s specifically the boots men prefer to use when working blue collar jobs and being self employed. By people that insist we should all wear paper sandals and ride segues or the bus everywhere, so we don’t “need” those great big brutish boots.

Well, now as a man you pay an exorbitant fee for boots. And even worse, the way the EPA has decided to charge you for your boots, you will be charged the most for the sensibly sized boots vs. bigger, screaming Texas clownshoe cowboy boots. You want more affordable boots? For some counterintuitive reason, the shoe companies are taxed less when they sell bigger, more gaudy, more garish boots to men. Effectively, as a man, you can buy a normal, economic, fittingly sized shoe for a ridiculous premium for NO OTHER REASON than because the taxes to manufacture and sell them drives them up in the store and raises the price for the end user (marketplace manipulation by the government)

Or, you can buy a veritable clown shoe for cheaper, for some reason. The EPA has determined a smaller shoe that’s lighter and uses less material is somehow more pollutive than a great big clownshoe of a workboot and doesn’t tax those ones quite so much, despite being a bigger source of pollution.

And suddenly men are forced to get the most out of the dollars, and their dollars hit a wall and die buying the sensible product. So, they opt for the slightly bigger clownshoe workboot instead, since they lose nothing for doing so and get more for their dollar they’re forced to give up anyway. Why not get the shoes with the bells and whistles if they cost the same as the simple small set?

And now fast forwards to 2023, where you have people that don’t really like shoes, and especially hate men’s workboots, mocking the choice like school bullies. Knowing full well it was anti-shoe culture policies arbitrarily imposed on shoemakers/sellers, to economically incentivize (read: bully) people to either buy bigger, ridiculous boots, buy the normal sized but lose more money than you should, or go barefoot. You’ll either be shamed and called ridiculous for your stupid giant boots and how much space they take up, or you’ll pay for your normal assed workboots like a premium luxury tax, so the government can take a bigger slice of the transaction and business pie.

Our big truck problem is a direct result of automotive manufacturers and dealers having to struggle with nonsensical regulations that counterintuitively punish truck owners for buying trucks and make them pay more to have them, or make them buy bigger trucks just to get more value out of the bigger expense.

In an era where we call being forced to buy your own tampons or hygiene products a, “pink tax,” it’s still heresy to call shit like making smaller, essential self-employment and utility vehicles more expensive than much larger trucks a, “blue tax.” Even more ironic because pink is typically associated with femininity, and modern society will be the first to tell you, men use tampons too. While blue collar is unisex, and a good truck with a nice big bed is synonymous with small business and professions.

We’ll see more sensible sized American trucks gain more popularity when electric trucks are more a thing, because electric trucks get around arbitrary and pointless EPA silhouette-to-gas-consumption taxes that punish small trucks for being small trucks. And then everybody will try to talk about, “changing attitudes among the youth,” just to shit on the strawman legacy they created imagining big truck america as some MAGA hat wearing, bigoted, coal rolling monster. When the reality is, big truck America was happily helped along by people that don’t like personal automotive transport anyway, and saw an opportunity to disincentivize their ownership while making more money off those that use them. They created this normal by meddling with how expensive it is to sell something and affect the market in such a slapshod, seemingly deliberately fucked up way. Then acted like it was totally just a matter of runaway American machismo.

[wyatt-06]

Top Pet Grooming Brands in India in 2023

Andis: Latest technologies, like ceramic edges, and has promoted inventiveness in pet grooming.Bio-groom: Variety of shampoos, conditioners, scents, finishers, and other products to keep your pet clean and fresh.Opawz: Specializes in the design and development of professional pet care and creative grooming products.

Grooming is about more than just having an adorable pet. You will also be addressing potentially unhealthy conditions by grooming your pet. It will also enable you to detect any underlying conditions or diseases at an early stage. As a result, you will be able to take your pet for treatment earlier and more efficiently.

The grooming process, however, turns out to be unpopular with many pets and their owners. If you find yourself in the same situation, you should think about taking your pet to a professional groomer. Your pet deserves the best grooming. If you have a young pet, make grooming an integral element of his or her learning process. This will benefit both you and your pet as he or she matures.

We've selected the best grooming items for in-home grooming and pet-care businesses to assist you in getting started:

Aeolus - Produce, provide, and market pet items to professionals in the pet industry, including groomers, trainers, and breeders.

Hydra - Takes into account the skin concerns of pets, including sensitive skin, dry skin, hypoallergenic pets, antibacterial qualities, and other significant issues.

Andis - Use latest technologies like ceramic edge and have promoted inventiveness in pet grooming.

Bio-groom - Variety of shampoos, conditioners, scents, finishers, and other products to keep your pet clean and fresh.

Opawz - Specialises in the design and development of professional pet care and creative grooming products.

Factors while choosing a brand 

Quality: A trusted pet food supplier takes their time when deciding on the best packaging options. It must have moisture-resistance properties while also protecting pet products from temperature changes that could cause spoilage. Colorful graphics and premium packaging will also tempt pet owners to take products off the shelf, increasing sales.

Safety: A reputable pet food supplier should be able to summarize their quality control procedures and highlight the product's standards. To prevent cross-contamination, a standard-quality product isolates basic ingredients from cooked artifacts during the manufacturing process.

Purpose: According to research, the food we feed our pets has a considerable impact on their well-being and life span. The term "virtual reality" refers to the use of virtual reality in the creation of products such as video games, as well as the use of virtual reality in the creation of video games. The following is a list of things to do if you have a pet.

Because there is so much variety in the pet industry, deciding which products to buy can be difficult. This is why you need a pet food supplier who offers high-quality pet food that is tasty and can keep your pets happy and healthy.

Price:  Pet food manufacturers must find ways to make it more affordable for people as the cost of pet food continues to rise. We all know that consumers believe that if something is expensive, it must be of higher quality. Because of this cognitive bias, pet food companies and marketing departments are encouraged to create a variety of high-priced foods with "luxury flavorings" and charge higher prices

Unfortunately, you don't always get what you expect to be paid for. Price tags should not be used to persuade you; good-quality food does not have to be the most expensive in the store. Read the ingredients and decide for yourself whether the price is reasonable.

Ingredients: The best dog or cat food is only as good as the foods it incorporates. Unlike some dog and cat food brands, which source their ingredients from countries with low food standards, top-rated brands source theirs from dependable and trustworthy regional suppliers. Product labels provide little to no information about the quality of the ingredients. It is best to avoid foods and treats, grain-free or otherwise, from companies that do not share information about the quality of their ingredients or where they get them. Here are the list of some famous Brand In India by Professional

1. Aeolus     

Aeolus is a trusted brand in the pet products industry. They produce, supply, and distribute pet products to professionals in the pet industry, such as groomers, trainers, and breeders. They have bathtubs, salon accessories, pet dryers, and other products to meet all of your pet grooming needs. One of the best-selling products is the Aeolus Single Motor Dog Hair Dryer, which costs Rs. 12708.

Check out some reviews:

Tarun Bhattacharjee

"I recently purchased the Aeolus Cyclone Single Motor Pet Hair Grooming Dryer. It is very effective in drying my Golden Retriever pup, a very handy dryer, and light weight".  

2. Hydra           

The products are designed in their R&D labs and manufactured in Latin America's largest and most technological factory, using only the finest quality ingredients and packaging. Hydra shampoos are designed with sensitive skin, dry skin, hypoallergenic pets, antibacterial properties, skin hydration, and other important considerations in mind. Hydra’s most popular product is Professional Moisturizing Conditioner for Pets, which costs Rs. 1550 and is great for pet grooming business owners.

Check the Review

Vidya Nair

Appreciable!

"Hydra is mind-blowing; pet smells just like the heavens; contrary, the products are mild and natural at the same time. It worked well on most types of coats. Appreciable!"

3. Andis           

It is an honor to represent the Clippers with a 100-year history under the moniker "Andis. Andis has produced pet grooming products of industry-leading quality. They have been concentrating on people from all social strata, from professional dog groomers to those who groom dogs at home. They have extended their creativity and brilliance to a range of other pet grooming tools and canine-style accessories, including dog nail clippers, dog hair trimming shears, dog grooming brushes, combs, and so forth.

UltraEdge Detachable Blade is one of the highest-selling products from this brand. 

Their durable, sharp blades and guards, which have been improved with the newest technologies like ceramic edges, have promoted inventiveness in the art of dog grooming. Here, we encourage you to investigate their expertly crafted pet grooming items with us.

4. Bio-groom       

Bio-groom is a high-end grooming brand, and its slogan is "For the Love of Your Puppy and the Earth. This brand sells a variety of shampoos, conditioners, fragrances, finishers, and other products to keep your pet clean and fragrant. For more than 50 years, Bio-Groom has offered the best pet products available, created in the USA with the best materials and renowned for their effectiveness and kindness. Bio-Groom Super White Coat Brightening Dog Shampoo is one of the best-selling products and is great for professional pet groomers. Their high-end Indulged line of products is formulated with 100% pure Moroccan argan oil and unique natural conditioners to maintain your pet's luxurious coat.

Check the Review

Sachin Lahane

Worth buying this conditioner for your dogs

This is an amazing conditioner, as it removed the tangles from my dogs’ hair and also made it smooth.

5. Opawz         

Opawz has a 20-year legacy in the human cosmetics industry, with the last ten of those years spent concentrating on the design and development of innovative pet grooming and professional pet care products in Canada. "Listen to groomers and work with groomers!" is the campaign's slogan. They work tirelessly to create high-quality pet items and fashion for skilled dog groomers who value pet styling. Each and every Opawz product is carefully and specifically developed for animals. Check out how we truly demonstrate the Opawz permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary product range of highlights, colors, dyes, chalks, glitters, tattoo stencils, model dogs, and dog wigs here

Conclusion: 

To get the best outcome and prevent any form of injury, it is also essential to speak with your veterinarian before administering any unrelated products to your pet. Pet owners have a lot of faith in us as experts. All the above brands are owned by ABK, which is one of the most recognized companies in India and the preferred option for professional pet groomers. The best part is that since we are specifically designed for the pet grooming industry, you don't have to worry about quality or cost. At ABK Grooming, you can purchase high-end imported grooming supplies and equipment. With more than 3000 products from more than 30 worldwide companies, we guarantee that pet professionals and pet parents only receive the best, original grooming tools and supplies.

[sublimeobservationarcade]

Negative Gearing Needs To Have Limits

Of course, negative gearing needs to have limits imposed upon it, as does the capital gains tax offset. It has only been political expediency, which has maintained these inequitable economic policies for so long in Australia. Yes, there will be howls of protest coming from those benefitting directly and indirectly from these policies. The real estate sector will be up in arms and crying that the sky will fall down upon us all if these changes are made. The aspirational voter (those who see property investment as their pathway to riches) will be dead set against any changes to either negative gearing or the capital gains tax offset. Photo by Monstera Production on Pexels.com

Unaffordable House Prices & Negative Gearing

“As I will explain in more detail later, three main things pushed up demand for housing after 2000: a sharp lift in immigration that increased the number of people needing a place to live; capital gains tax breaks and negative gearing, which represent a $96 billion per year subsidy for buying houses; and federal first home buyer grants, which represent a $1.5 billion direct addition to house prices each year.” - (https://www.quarterlyessay.com.au/essay/2023/11/the-great-divide/extract) Alan Kohler, in his recent essay on why property prices in Australia are now so unaffordable for many ordinary Australians, summed the situation up pretty well. He puts the changes to the capital gains tax by John Howard back in the 1990’s as the main economic cause for the shift in the value of the average Aussie home from 6 times annual income to around 12 times. Kohler cites the fact that his parents and he himself purchased their family homes at the lower rate and that his kids are now faced with around double that rate in the 21C.   Nothing will change in this regard unless we do something about the economic polices causing it, he concludes. Negative Gearing & Capital Gains Tax Subsidies Think about that figure of $96 billion going missing from the Australian tax revenue on a yearly basis. That money is going into the pockets of wealthy Australians at the expense of those that can least afford it. It is time that we honestly add up all these tax breaks and subsidies that we are providing to some of us and to big corporations. Australia has historically bent over backwards in return for international investment. This has morphed into economic policies which are exceedingly pro-investment. The fact that some sections of society and big business are taking undue advantage of these economic settings has produced a widening divide between the haves and have nots. This gulf is greater than it has ever been in our history as a nation. It is time to reassess these overly generous inducements for investment and to grow up as a country. Mature nations have a greater sense of their own worth. Our politicians have to stop being small men and women when it comes to negotiating resource extraction deals with multinationals. Self esteem does not come naturally for nations and individuals. The daughters and sons of a once convict dumping ground and isolated land at the bottom of the world map may need to work on their sense of self worth and that of their nation. Photo by David Peterson on Pexels.com Our Politicians Are Landlords Money makes many folk feel more secure and amassing lots of it can provide a modicum of greater self-worth, according to some. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why some people are motivated to keep on making more and more money. There are Australians who own hundreds of residential properties and use negative gearing as a key factor in this extreme wealth creation. Most of our politicians own multiple dwellings and earn incomes from rent as landlords. It is said that Peter Dutton is worth some $300 million from property investment and a string of child care centres. The Leader of the Opposition is dead set against any changes to negative gearing or capital gains tax. He is the champion of the aspirational vote in this country. Private wealth vs the public good is the age old battle within most modern economies. Private Wealth vs Public Good The acquisition of private wealth when it comes at the expense of the public good or the common wealth produces unfair and inequitable societies. Australia has to ask itself which road it is going to go down in 2024 and beyond. The Coalition, who had 10 years in federal power, took the country further down the ‘user pays’ neoliberal economic model of governing. The Stage 3 tax cuts were part of a regressive flattening of the tax rates which reward the wealthy at the expense of the working poor. Wealth in Australia is going to the rich at a rapid rate via the concentration of market share in too few corporate hands. The ACCC and the governments behind it have failed to preserve competition and overseen multiple mergers at the expense of consumer power. Big business has had the tacit and overt support of government in its bid to form behemoths in duopolies and oligopolies. Corporations have too much money and legal fire power to be concerned with toothless tigers like ASIC and the ACCC. Australians are too tame and apathetic to do much about what their leaders get up to in boardrooms. I cannot imagine the French in Paris putting up with what we meekly go along with. Stage 3 Tax Cut Amendments Fairer The Albanese federal government amended the stage 3 tax cuts to halve the largesse being afforded the wealthier and share the spoils with poorer working Australians. This managed to wedge the normally virulent Dutton and his LNP party with too many Aussies happy to get a lick of the ice cream. Now, the Greens have arced up and are calling that negative gearing needs to have limits. Perhaps, this may result in something being done about the inequitable economic policies which have seen property prices become unaffordable for many younger Australians. There is a severe rental crisis happening here, also, with a shortage of rental stocks pushing up prices. There will be a stoush over this, with the industry claiming that negative gearing is essential for investors to build more rental houses and flats. Obviously, the state governments have to pull their fingers out and build much more social housing as a matter of some urgency. Australians have a choice, which comes down to the kind of nation they want to live in. Do they want to live in a fairer and more equitable country or is squirrelling away a s***load of private wealth more important? Will this be a dog eat dog society or can they see the value of looking out for their neighbours in a community? I suppose political leadership may be important in which way we go too. https://youtu.be/xiA3Lku-3v0?si=7C5gyI6HdLhHtxQm “The Greens have demanded limits on tax discounts for property investors in exchange for their support for the government's "help-to-buy" housing scheme, which will be debated in parliament this week. The federal government will likely need the support of the Greens to legislate a program that will allow some first-home buyers to pay just a 2 per cent deposit for a home. Under the scheme, the government will cover up to 40 per cent of a home's cost and become a co-owner of the home, with homebuyers able to purchase that stake back at a later date. But the Greens say with income limits and property price caps affecting which buyers and properties are eligible, that scheme will help only 0.2 per cent of eligible buyers each year — and would only further push up house prices.” - (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-12/greens-demand-negative-gearing-help-to-buy-negotiations/103453342) Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of Money Matters: Navigating Credit, Debt, and Financial Freedom.  ©MidasWord Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com Read the full article

[slenderfirebolt]

Since im up too late i may as well make a too-long post about my thoughts on meat consumption in its present form. So, while im not completely against eating animals on an ethical level (animals eat eachother in nature, we evolved from animals that ate animals, pretty normal stuff) most of my issues come from our means of meat production and the insane amount of food waste, which while especially bad in the US, i imagine definetly exists everywhere else. the main reason why i was fine with eating meat before is because it feels so wasteful to *not* get the benefits after everything the animal went through. i imagine myself from the perspective of the animal; i am born to be a product, i am fed and watered only so that my flesh may be harvested for consumption by a being beyond my understanding. i may live without ever seeing the sun or feeling the wind... that fucking sucks, obviously evil. So when i consider that the life of so many animals, i feel terrible thinking about how after that, so much of the meat is wasted, left to rot and be thrown away. while it would still be an ethical dillemna even if we *did* consume 100% of the meat produced by factory farms, the fact that we basically make animal grinders to mass-produce living, feeling things and then *chuck most of it in the trash* is utterly unacceptable to me. Factory farming is likely to continue forever, even though we have many alternitaves to meat, plenty of people still eat meat *because* it is from an animal, so that demand will always exist. worse than that, a sudden decrease in demand would lead to *further* food waste, and some meat alternitaves are too expensive for everyone to afford. also, theres a cultural aspect as well, many cultures are very meat-centric or have the raising of animals for meat as a core practice, what right would anyone have to decide that a tradition or practice should end? so if i have so many reasons why its ok to eat meat, why am i deciding to cut back now? it seems like, at least from my perspective, my reasoning is fairly ethically sound. well firstly, its expensive if its anything other than chicken and im a college student, and given the fact ill probably need a *doctorate* and at minimum a master's in my field, any savings is good. Holy fucking shit i hate having to use my teeth to scrape bones free of their meat, also eating tendons is annoying. overally, eating tofu and beans tends to provide me more enjoyment (an important part of good food) than eating most meats. they are more consistent, can have plenty a variety of flavors, and while certainly far from *cheap* depending on brand, the cost/enjoyment/calorie balance, at least for me, is better than meats. easier to cook alternitaves. wont poison you if you cook em wrong. also since its so consistent its fairly predictable, and you dont have to navigate all the bones. to be completely honest, im unsure if ill end up totally ommitting meat products from my diet, since i dont want to waste food thats given to me, and i still want to enjoy the foods i do eat that involve meat, but i think from now on im not going to buy meat as part of groceries, and instead consume the alternitaves. i have already been on track to do this for months, the chicken that inspired this is the first 'meaty' thing i have eaten in ages. If anyone has any particular favorite vegetarian dishes, especially on the cheaper end, lemme know, since im more than open to try them out.