#Self-Storage Investment Deals

[rightinvestmentonliner24]

How to find the best page to invest?

Are you looking for the best bank-funded retirement plan or wondering how to find the top investment deals group in the USA? Then you are here at the right place. This guide will help you to find the best page to invest in.

1. View the platforms offered on the trading pages:

The best page to invest in the stock market must, of course, offer the best trading platform, such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

It has to be a reliable platform, without requotes and with very good order execution. In addition, the trading website should show the statistics of said execution.

It is preferable to test the quality of order execution on the real market on a real account. It is possible that, since the demo account does not have the same server as the real account, the resources allocated by the broker to these servers are sometimes different.

2. Find a forex broker with an office in your town:

Serious brokers offer customer service in your language. The analysts are professionals, they do not give any investment advice because it is not their job. You can easily contact your Forex broker by phone or email and, if you wish, also make an appointment.

The customer service offered is of the utmost importance. Make sure you know if your broker's customer service is available only during trading hours, or 24/7. It is also important that your online Forex broker does not charge you for support calls. Remember that all this information must be available on the s good, but then this has to be true in the trading account, that it does not only appear on Multi-Family Real Estate Investing websites simply to attract new clients website.

3. The importance of knowing the different types of brokers:

Information about the broker and the type of execution of the orders appear on the trading web pages. There are two types of online currency brokers: Market Maker Brokers without a trading desk.

4. Instruments offered on the trading website:

The best trading sites generally offer a wide selection of trading instruments. We can find Forex websites, CFDs on indices, and pages to invest in shares, cryptocurrencies, etc.

However, for a trader who wants to open an online trading account, the most important thing is to find the instrument he wants with the best possible price conditions.

Thus, there are many criteria to choose the best website to invest in the stock market, especially if you are looking for the best trading site for beginners.

[probablyasocialecologist]

At September’s UN General Assembly in New York, Brazil’s President Lula described the international financial system as a “Marshall Plan in reverse” in which the poorest countries finance the richest. Driving the point home, Lula thundered, “African countries borrow at rates up to eight times higher than Germany and four times higher than the United States.” Lula is not alone in this diagnosis. Centrist technocrats par excellence Larry Summers & NK Singh coauthored a report earlier this year arguing that the development world’s mantra to scale up direct financing to the global South—from “billions to trillions”—has failed. Instead, global finance seems to be running in the opposite direction, from poor to rich countries, as was the case last year. Summers and Singh summarize the arrangement thusly: “millions in, billions out.” Added to this is the great global shift to austerity that makes a mockery of climate and development goals. It’s in this context that talk of “green Marshall Plans”—proposed by Huang Yiping in China and Brian Deese in the US—must be received. Negotiations over technology transfer, market access, and finance deals are a permanent feature of the new cold war: call it strategic green industrial diplomacy. Both the American and Chinese proposals, such as they exist, aim to subsidize the export markets of allied countries to build foreign support for domestic industries. For developing countries, this could mean manufacturing green goods to grab a slice of the trillions of future green economic output and develop themselves, and a policy choice to meet their development goals by either making or buying cheap, clean energy generation, electricity storage, and transport. Putting aside the dubiousness of the historical analogy to the United States’ postwar aid program to Europe, the critical element—and the one that seems least likely for either China or the US to pursue in earnest given their domestic political obstacles—is the provision of the kind of financial and industrial support that low- and middle-income countries need. The geoeconomic contest between the US and China rests on which of the two can forge domestic political coalitions that meet the demand of developing countries for local manufacturing value add in green value chains, without which the South will remain merely an export market or a resource colony.

[...]

The optimistic Marshall Plan proposals are not entirely hot air; each attempts to extend aggressive domestic policies globally. China and the US have both made bids on an investment-led partial solution to their respective domestic political and economic challenges, with a focus on clean-energy industries. Their shared formula can be summarized as national strength through industrial renewal. In both countries, domestic industries have been offered ample fiscal support; Biden’s suite of tax credits and subsidies has already spurred more than $400 billion in investment in clean energy and clean-tech manufacturing and generation, and China’s central government, already dominant in clean tech manufacturing, is now concentrating its efforts on next-generation technologies and economic self-reliance.

11 October 2024

[thenamesblurrito]

Buzzard and Blurr are so cute :) really endearing ans sorta sweet, hope things work out well with em

Im really curious about the twos relationship. Do you have any thoughts you could share behind their dynamic and how they end up getting together? Or headcanons?

Keep up the good work! :D

THANK YOU ANON YOU MADE MY DAY!!!

i will be honest i would also like to know how they get together bc they are uhhhhhh both bad at this whole romantic thing! like i talk about here, they're both bumbling, inexperienced, and having a rude awakening to the concept of demisexuality, so as far as i can tell there is no end in sight to the mutual pining idiots. there's some possibilities but nothing concrete yet

they're a fun ship but first and foremost they are a funNY ship and the funny bits to me are in the pre-get together stage so that's what i think of the most. so! have some tidbits! this is a long post oops but i am NOT putting it under a cut i am making everyone LOOK AT SELF INDULGENCE RAAAGHH I AM KILLING CRINGE!!!

Blurr met Buzzard after being painstakingly transferred to a new, kitbashed frame and having a weird tall stranger show him the trash cube that used to be him with far too much enthusiasm. Buzzard was the one to fish that cube out of the trash as they went spelunking in Cybertron's waste disposal system as Team Purple were on planet to pull off a pet heist (and got more than they bargained for). once everyone realized the cube was a person and was ALIVE, they were also the one to uhhhhhh procure most of the pieces of his new frame, constructed by Knock-out in a back alley deal on Velocitron. Blurr is uncomfortable with how piecemeal and janky this frame is, despite being a close reconstruction of his original, and it takes him a long time to truly realize that Buzzard donated, bought, or outright stole 90% of the parts needed to bring him, a stranger, back to life. it's an odd feeling, to suddenly reckon with the concept that maybe there's more to this junker than picking pockets and being silly

it takes awhile for either of them to really pay attention to the other? like, Blurr has essentially pulled a Jesus, and also maybe unwillingly defected from the Autobots, and is currently "trapped" with a team full of criminals and Decepticons, one of whom was a spy that he spent so long tracking down and got thiiiiiiiis close to discovering her true identity before Longarm sent him off to Earth, so he's understandably got a grudge the size of a planet against Rosanna who is happy to taunt him about it, NOT TO MENTION the awkward, vulnerable, and painful physical therapy of getting used to this new frame and trying to regain his speed and just... being alive again?? sure, Buzzard is tall and weird, but they are the least of his worries in his early days with Team Purple

to be fair, like. for months the only real impression Blurr has of Buzzard is just:

infinite storage booba

that and "tall flightframe with purple parts but NOT a Decepticon???? not even an enemy????" it's something he's still coming to terms with. Gremlin consistently seeking him out to nap on is not helping

it may be easy to assume that Buzzard, having been brought to life by an Allspark shard on Earth, is young and ignorant and stupid and may not even know what love is etc etc. however, they were mentored by the whirlwind romance duo Rum-maj and Wreck-gar, both very invested and also very forthcoming about their own relationship. Buzzard is pretty knowledgeable about what love/romance/sexuality can look like, just from observing them and others around them! no, the mutual pining idiocy isn't from ignorance, it's just twitterpated stupidity 👍

this goes against popular fanon interpretation of Blurr i think, but i like to characterize him as the kind of hypercompetent-but-lame guy who's married to his work, doesn't bother with social skills beyond bare minimum, and isn't so much arrogant/full of himself as he is just impatient and dismissive. he's like a working breed dog. you might think he's hot but he would rather skip an offer of a one night stand in favor of following up on a potential lead or staking out a target's home all night. so Blurr's experience and general overall INTEREST in romance is nil

the fact i have slapped asexuality onto both of them just means they're both extra unprepared to Experience Feelings

it's slow! Buzzard thinks this guy is funny, and kind of sad, and though they never say this they think he could use a friend who won't get impatient with his own frustration. he knows a lot of stuff about Cybertron and Autobots and such that they've never heard before and he can be prompted to give entire lectures about anything, which they soak up, they love learning. Blurr is only mostly irritated by Buzzard being affable, and curious, and dropping odd knickknacks and riffraff into his hands whenever they feel like it. they don't roll their optics or look lost when he gets talking like many people do, and usually even manage to keep up with what he's saying. it's toleration at least!

he doesn't realize it, but it's really the least stressful/antagonistic connection he has with Team Purple so far. Rosanna was a target he was cheated out of uncovering and holds it over his head, Dreadringer is the mysterious captain of this dangerous gang who seems to want to toss everyone out the airlock, Wheelie was an old friend but seeing him so comfortable around these strangers is almost more offputting, Red Alert may be an Autobot but she's also the doctor seeing to his recovery which is hardly pleasant, the multiple Decepticons aboard keep him on edge even if they're nice to him like Voidwander, there's so many utterly absurdly strange people like Necro, or Wreck-gar, or Inferno, or Sky Lynx, or even Beachcomber, etc....

in comparison, Buzzard ends up filling almost a Kronk role to his Yzma as Blurr eventually feels comfortable ranting to them, or relaxing around them, or even skedaddling behind them for protection whenever Shenanigans occur. they're nice to him. it's weird. but it's still one of the biggest reasons why Blurr starts to acclimate to Team Purple, and even start considering himself one of them. without their positive influence, he wouldn't have dealt well with famous Team Purple tidbits like Tito Moto's funeral, Bludgeon deciding to start an official pirate rivalry, Dreadringer's delusions of interning with a god, Crescent's livestreaming career, or The Oil Slick Incident

Buzzard just thinks Blurr is fascinating to be around, in a much nicer way than when he was paranoid and scared of the rest of the team. now he's fitting in! in some corner of their mind, they think of him as another part of the hoard they call a family :3

maybe letting two obsession-prone people who only make friends with other weirdos spend a lot of time around one another was always going to end in a weird tangle of emotions, huh?

now this is of course Buzzard's Iconic Demi Moment, but Blurr has one too:

i firmly believe it's a hallmark- no, a REQUIREMENT that to be an Autobot in TFA you must be repressed. these guys are all touch-starved and alienated from their own wants and needs in favor of serving The Regime. so good luck Blurr you're gonna need it

Buzzard meanwhile is literally scared they're gonna pluck out Blurr's spleen. they keep wanting to be around him, and watch him, and touch him, all of which is normal sure but this is a lot so clearly their subconscious has marked him as a trinket to steal

attempts to explain otherwise generally do not go well

so they just. fail at communicating. they fail at communicating so bad the entire ship knows. even Rosanna gives Blurr tips on flirting. even Gremlin, Buzzard's dearest friend in the world, is giving them the stink-eye for idiocy. they are both still friends, they gravitate towards one another and get invested in what the other enjoys and work well together and just keep growing closer as time goes on, but the awkward, helpless stupidity of Oh My God Feelings turns it into a comedy show for the rest of Team Purple

maybe if Blurr could stop flipping out about the right thing to say and do and be and and and-- then he would relax enough, be confident enough to do something so bold as hold Buzzard's hand. maybe if Buzzard could stop worrying that their preoccupation with him is scary, or unwelcome, or unnatural, or going to upset his place in the team or as their friend, then they would stop feeling dread and start experiencing the joy and giddiness of romance, how it can be a treat for both of them

it's a lot of shenanigans. chicanery. silly falling over one another to just do something nice for the other but not quite knowing how. but they're both earnest. they enjoy one another. they keep coming back to one another

they'll get there eventually. i'll noodle something that fits

fingers crossed

i mean they have to get there eventually or this image won't be canon and i spent a lot of effort figuring out overlapping posing and kibble angles >:(

anyways. i'll leave u with this silly little ship meme (can u believe this image was gonna be my only response til i decided to defy cringe and infodump)

[still-not-over-transformers]

hi! May I request a GN!human Reader x TFA!Swindle,

maybe reader and swindle make some sort of deal with each other (but swindle being swindle) is the one who gets the better end of the deal.

A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

TFA Swindle x GN Human Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1000+

You were nervous as you stood outside a large warehouse on a pier, waiting amongst a group of other people. This would be the first time you had ever personally attended a black market weapons auction, as you normally had your assistant Steve go in your place and represent you. Well, Steve got arrested for tax fraud and now you were stuck here amongst various shady and unsavory individuals you preferred to avoid. 

You specialized in acquiring illegal merchandize, primarily weaponry, and selling it online through the dark web for maximum profit. Currently the hot items were anything Cybertronian, especially weapons. Ever since those autobots arrived on Earth, acquiring and selling Cybertronian items became very lucrative, but you knew how to be careful. Security opened the large garage-like door to the storage unit, allowing all attendees to enter in single-file, each “guest” being searched for weapons upon entry. 

As you finally entered the venue, you found your seat and waited until the auction began. After the auctioneer graced the stage, multiple black market items began to circulate on and off the stage, many attendees shouting out their bids. Almost as soon as the first Cybertronian item, a null ray, appeared on stage the room was illuminated by bright spotlights. Aggressive voices resounded from loudspeakers held by Officer Fanzone, “EVERYONE PUT YOUR HANDS UP! YOU ARE ALL UNDER ARREST FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE ILLEGAL SALE OF CYBERTRONIAN WEAPONRY.” Various Detroit P.D. officers burst into the venue, followed by none other than Optimus Prime, sending everyone into a panicked frenzy. 

Instead of heading for one of the exits like the other attendees, you made a beeline for the stage entrance, sneaking past the gaze of the officers. You made your way backstage and eventually found your way to the storage area where the illegal items were housed. As you attempted to find an escape route, you heard footsteps not far behind you. As you panicked, you spotted an unattended S.U.V./Jeep vehicle. You rush towards the vehicle and pull on the door handle and quickly climb inside, hoping to hide. 

To your horror, the exit doors of the building open up allowing a flood of Detroit P.D. officers inside. Suddenly the engine turns on, and the vehicle peels towards the exit, forcing the officers to dive out of the way. In the passenger seat, you start to freak out as you’re taken on a terrifying ride via a self-driving car. 

After what felt like a lifetime, the vehicle finally came to a stop after reaching a rural and isolated area away from the warehouse. The passenger door opens and you bolt out of the vehicle, adrenaline coursing through your veins. 

Suddenly the vehicle before you transformed into a massive robot. No, a Decepticon, you thought as you recognized the purple insignia on the robot. The Decepticon, Swindle, looked down at (Y/N), “Well, if this isn’t an unexpected situation we have here. That was a close call with the police and Optimus Prime of all things.” 

You were in shock, but you were also upset at this situation you were now in. You shouted up at Swindle, “Unexpected situation? You’re the one who kidnapped me!” 

Raising an optic ridge at (Y/N), Swindle leans downwards to get a closer look, “Well pardon the intrusion, but you were the one who tried to use me to hide. Not to mention, I graciously helped you escape. Otherwise you’d most likely be in a prison cell, hm?”

You froze, surprised by both the nerve and wit of this Decepticon, and the fact that you hadn’t been blasted to smithereens yet. Hesitantly you spoke, “Okay you have a point… Thank you?”

“HEYY, think of it as an investment towards a future partnership!” Swindle gestures towards you. “Now, what is a human like you doing attending a black market auction for Cybertronian weapons? You don’t look the type if I’m being honest,” he notices your attire lacked the usual ‘shady’ vibe most humans dawned at such criminal events. 

You were hesitant to divulge any of your personal information to a Decepticon, but you had no idea what he would do if you weren’t cooperative. “This was my first time going to one of these things. Normally I hire someone to attend for me, but my usual go-to was compromised so I had to cut ties and go myself.” 

Swindle is intrigued by your response, a smirk creeping across his face as he senses a potential opportunity before him to gain a human puppet *ahem* partner… He flashed an optimistic and charming smile, “You know, I’m actually looking for a partner myself. Perhaps you and I could… make a deal? Form a sort of… mutually beneficial relationship? Professionally speaking, of course.”

Being in a tight spot yourself, you entertained the idea. After all, when would you get such an opportunity again? A Cybertronian business partner could provide certain advantages which your competitors surely lacked. “And what exactly do you propose?” you asked curiously, wondering what sort of arrangement you’d be getting yourself into. 

“Nothing unreasonable or too risky. You’d be attending more of these events, and you’ll spot the merchandise. Relay what you see back to me, and I’ll tell you which items are worth the most. And depending if we’re short on funds, you let me in the back and we’ll slip out with the merchandise and be out of there before anyone knows what hit em.”

After weighing the pros and cons, you give your answer, “Decepticon, I think you have a deal” extending your hand towards him. 

Swindle struggles to keep his smile genuine as you agree, “The name’s Swindle, and you, my new business partner?”

“Y/N. I suppose this will be a rather interesting partnership,” you replied, a nervous smile on your face.  A smug look crossed Swindle’s faceplate before he transformed into his alt-mode and opened the door for you. A very interesting partnership… his thoughts were dubious to say the least as the two of you drove away.

[heallearngrow3]

a complicated enigma

part 4 | a complicated enigma

pairing: Connor x f!Reader

summary: “But somehow you managed to get under his artificial skin”

warnings: swearing

notes: I’m currently bedridden and have so much time i’ll probably write a lot for this series. also this is slow slowburn, like so slow you can’t even see it coming, so you’ll need all of the patience in this world for this

chapters: 1 , 2 , 3

The androids on the market were imprints of you. Straightforward, indifferent. Everything you’ve implanted in their software was a carbon copy of your own self, an outstanding remake. The qualities that made them the obedient, intelligent machines were concepts of your genius.

You remembered the planning of Connor. It was an unique proccess, one of its kind and you overachieved your own expectations with the outcome. He was a never-seen-before android, one that offered crucial insights and analysis on crime scenes, one that never got tired of the chase. Infact, his mission was above anything else. Your uncle’s face was in front of your eyes when you finished putting him together, his badge resting on the table next to you. He was the greatest investigator you’ve ever met: He was obsessed with his work and saving others, and that was the irony of it all. His life was lost, wasted, because of a drug addicted nobody who valued his poison more than a human life. When they arrived to your family home that night to tell you that your uncle was shot dead during a house search, you were devastated and angry. So angry that you wanted to kill that asshole with your bare hands, and keep the blood on your palms as a permanent reminder.

Connor was the very first android to take the lead as a detective but he wasn’t the last. You’ve had plans, dreams for many others to follow, but you had to put it to the side for the time being, mainly because there was a more pressing issue to deal with.

You locked your storage room, and found models to replicate the broadcast androids. The JB300’s laying on your table, their biocomponants spread out on the surface looked exactly like the ones you were hiding, except they were never activated. You had to put on an act to keep the three androids - and yourself - safe from the hungry hands of the repining humans starving for gratification.

You made fake reports with made-up calculations and false numbers. Your file ended with the cause of their conduct being inconclusive and you wrote remarks on their so-called interference and accomplice, calling it questionable. There wasn’t any iron clad evidence of it, and their software was compact and undamaged, leaving it up to you to decide if they had any role in the attack or was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. The substitute androids were put in a container, with their wires and limbs carefully separated, and you sent your report to Fowler, ending the message with expressing your pity for not being able to find out more.

After cleaning up your laboratory, you opted for your much more comfortable office, and turned on the TV. The news were all about the Stanford Tower invasion, debating the terrorist threat, and you watched as they replayed Markus’s speech over and over again, his face solemn and determined even without skin, his eyes never leaving the camera. His tone was confident yet gentle, and you’ve wondered if he had a somewhat leader position, fight with his people for justice. Your phone was buzzing, your colleagues worried, and you were sure that these events definitely had an effect on the outlook of the company and made the public reconsider if the utility of the machines was worth the risk. It was fascinating, even amusing, how one instance could overshadow years of hard work and time invested, destroying the image of a futuristic company dedicated to progression.

You needed a distraction to take your mind off the present moment and to forget. Alcohol was never your posion of choice, but smoking? Oh, you could never say no to a cigarette, especially after such eventful few days. You also had to go home: do laundry, check on the lady in the house next to yours, and eat something more substantial than granola bars. At the back of your mind your father’s worsening condition was also encouraging you to pay him a visit, but you were unsure whether it was a good idea.

On the way back, you were driving on autopilot, your legs moving independently, hands turning the steering wheel from memory. Lafayette Avenue was on the blatantly pompous side of the city, the street always busy and well-kept. The trees were cut, the bushes were incised, and to the naked eye it was the american dream materialized. The number 8941 was engraved into your mind, and you could not mistake the mansion for another. Carl Manfred’s home reminded you of a warm hug, and his paintings decorating the whole place made it even more welcoming. He was a celebrated, world-known artist after all, despite his troubled past. A past that you were a part of, an unfortunate consequence, and an uncomfortable reminder of his past life that he tried so hard to get out of.

You didn’t bother with knocking, the wooden doors opened before you with the always present gentle female voice.

“[Name] detected. Welcome home.”

You crossed the hall, going straight into the living room. The giant giraffe statue standing in the corner was glaring at you with accusing eyes, following you until you stepped into the studio, and you felt your muscles loosen a little bit.

“What a pleasant suprise!” Carl’s voice ranged genuinely, his eyes locking on yours. “I haven’t seen you in ages, [Name].”

Your father’s impending death loomed over him, his features slowly fading, the bags under his eyes getting darker and his coughing less bearable. In front of you wasn’t the shaken up man you’ve met ten years ago but a living corpse, clinging to his brushes and canvases with shaky hands and rotting nails.

His accident and weak health was just a fragment of his suffering. He was hunted by his memories - you were sure of it - and was forced to relive it day by day. You couldn’t pity him: it was his own doing. His decisions led to his fate and considering how he had no problem with abandoning his own children, his mutts, and years later try to recandle long dead realitonships, you were positive that he deserved his drawn-out agony.

“Yeah, it’s been a busy month.” you weren’t entirely lying. It really was eventful. “How have you been?”

Carl wheeled himself closer to you, seemingly lost in thought.

“I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick it up.” he put down the brush he was holding. “Markus was shot. Leo broke into the studio and tried to steal a few of my artwork. I thought he was dead…turns out he wasn’t.” you could tell it was entertaining to him. “Markus…it was inevitable. Just a question of time. I always knew he was more than just a servant.”

You didn’t say anything, keeping your eyes on him. Markus was never just an ordinary android to him. He was the perfect son, created for him by Elijah in the name of their friendship, and he filled in the position of a nurse, a companion and a child all at the same time. Markus was fascinating, you knew that, always curious, always willing to engage in Carl’s banters, always learning. To many, treating a machine like family was foreign, but your father has been a peculiar man his whole life, shedding off the expectations and choosing his own strange ways.

“I saw the speech…” your drifted off. “He made quite an impression on the public. I wonder where all of this will lead to.”

Carl turned his wheelchair around, rolling to a cabinet and opening one of the drawers, picking out a brush.

“I told him to paint something. Something from his soul, not his memory.” he held up the small piece of wood and horse hair like a trophy. “He made that.” he pointed to a canvas in the corner. “He has talent. Just like you.”

You ignored the last bit of his sentence, measuring up the painting. It was impressive, the shadows and strokes in a perfect mess of order. The screaming face, the LED on the side glowing like a beckoning light of the lost was gut wrenching and peaceful at the same time.

“The police is looking for him. And eventually when they find him, he’s gonna be destroyed.” you stepped in front of him. “You had a hand in this, Carl, and don’t you dare deny it. Markus’ deviancy is rooted in your lessons.” your last word sounded like a hiss. “Your dreamland means hell for him and his kind. Your ideas…they are venom.”

You backed away, keeping your eyes trained on his form.

“I can’t be everyone’s hero.” you said and without casting another look at Carl you stepped out of the studio.

You were the result of a drunk one night stand, a mistake, but you had something that Leo didn’t possess.

Dignity.

You decided to smoke and treat yourself with a burger downtown that definitely didn’t pass the health regulations. Chicken Feed was no better than a bodega, but Gery definitely had a talent to make the oily food full of fat taste like heaven.

Parking right next to the food truck, you got out while tucking a string of hair behind your ear. The best burgers in town - you thought, and readied yourself to resist Pedro, who was standing nearby. His bets were a losing game, you’ve never won and called his business crap one time, which didn’t leave the best impression.

“[Name]!” he already started to walk towards you, and you thought about getting back into your car to run him over. That might have shut him up. “I got a shit-hot tip for you, girl!��

You shook your head.

“I’m giving you jack shit, Pedro. Get off my ass.” you ignored his shouts, trying to convince you to invest in another bet. “Hey Gary!”

You leaned on the counter, looking at the menu.

“Got something for me?” you raised your brows playfully. “Something high in calories, I’m begging you.”

He smiled widely at you, already picking up a bun.

“Of course, sweetheart. Give me five, and you’ll get the best burger you’ve ever had.” he winked at you, turning to the stove. Your heart fluttered at the term of endearment, grateful for Gary’s easygoing nature.

“Thank God. I’m starving.” you sighed. Your eyes scanned the area and immediately noticed the two familiar silhouettes.

Connor and Hank were standing next to one of the tables under an umbrella, too far to hear their conversation, but judging from Hank’s pained expression, it wasn’t a nice chat.

“Hank’s got a new buddy.” you whipped your head to Gary, who was also looking at the pair. “He called the android a fucking poodle. Fitting if you ask me.”

Knowing what Connor was capable of, the comparison was strange. But from what you’ve learned about Hank, he wasn’t a fan of technology and machines, not after what happened to his son, therefore forcing to have a partner - an android, nonetheless- was less than ideal and certainly irked him.

Your burger was truly ready in a few minutes and biting into it felt like a long awaited relief. You edged closer to Connor and Hank, listening in on their conversation.

“Why did they make you so goofy and give you that weird voice?”

Hank’s sarcastic question was answered by the unartful Connor. His wording was your making, and hearing his carefully chosen words, you’ve wondered if you had done a better job than you’ve thought.

“[Name]!”

The RK800 was always aware of his surroundings, paying close attention to the details, and it didn’t come as a surprise that he noticed you.

“Hello Connor.” you looked at the gray haired man beside him. “Hank.”

The older man seemed to be too busy with his burger, disregarding you with a small nod. Connor was infatuated with your presence though. He knew who you were, your position at CyberLife was impressive and your hand seemed to reach far, but he was made to ignore non-important humans and details, his focus was supposed to be solely on his mission. But somehow you managed to get under his artificial skin, always appearing to be a complicated enigma, leaving him to wonder if you were truly who you showed to be or if it was just a well created facade, made for distraction and deception. He was troubled by you, and the software instability notifications in his vision didn’t help his case.

“How’s the investigation? Found anything?” Hank’s mouth was full, his chewing louder than his words.

“I’ve just finished the report, I’ve already sent it to the captain. I found nothing.” you shook your head in false disbelief. “It’s weird. How about you? Do you have anything new for me?”

This time Connor was the one to answer.

“We didn’t locate any other deviants.” he was scrutinizing your face, looking for a reaction.

Just a short nod, that was all you had to offer.

“But you are not giving up, are you?”

Connor was staring at you with wide brown eyes.

“I don’t intend to.” he replied. “My mission is important, and solving these cases can lead to preventing a war.”

You accepted his response without a comeback, not wanting to make the situation more awkward.

“Do you think there is a connection between them? Something tying all of these androids together?”

“What they have in common is this obsession with rA9.” Connor looked at Hank like he was asking for permission to share something intimate. “It’s almost like some kind of… myth. Something they invented that wasn’t part of their original program.

Hank finished his burger.

“Androids believing in God.” he wiped his mouth with a shaky palm. “Fuck, what’s this world come to?” he looked at you. “Have any idea what rA9 could be?”

You remembered them talking about if rA9 could be Markus back in the broadcast room a few days before, but other than that, this was the first time they mentioned it.

“No. Unfortunately I do not. We didn’t code that in their software, that’s for sure.” your lies were silky, flowing in the air like a breeze.

“An android we questioned said that rA9 will set them free to make them the masters.” Connor’s LED was yellow, and it reminded you of the last rays of light before dawn. “I just can’t figure out what it could be.”

You took a few steps back, ready to leave. You didn’t like where this conversation was heading, and you didn’t have the energy to keep up with it.

“I gotta go.”

You didn’t hear their replies, already walking to your car. After getting it, you turned up the radio to drown out your thoughts.

rA9 was not worth mentioning. And it had to stay like this.

You pulled out the glove department and pushed the black album full of photos further in. You had to find a better hiding spot incase someone decided your Honda was worth snooping in. It was the clue the police was so eager for and what you were guarding for years. The images inside were sacred to you, something that had to be locked away.

You pressed the gas pedal and glanced back in the review mirror to take one last look at the duo.

Connor and Hank were going to be a problem.

[curlsabroad]

For those who do not want what Project 2025 is selling, I am trying to brainstorm a list of to-dos:

Stockpile hormonal therapies and birth control.

Decide if you want to risk having kids.

Make a will.

Make sure you have legal documentation that shows you have a right to make medical decisions for your same sex partners, adopted kids, etc.

Try to create a physical mailing list of queer folk you know, as in addresses. Make sure you write it down in an address book and make sure it is circumspect.

Remove online information that could be used against you if laws become more restrictive, such as anything about planning an abortion.

If you have art that is "objectionable," have a plan for storage that protects a physical copy of it.

Visit the national parks.

Go to the coastline and view it, remember it.

Look into food safety practices.

Consider doing some homesteading projects like quail or chickens, vegetable and herb garden, safe canning.

Try to find a co-op or small farm that you can buy into and buy local.

Buy a mask that can filter out small particulates. Look for ones that can stand up to serious air pollution.

If you are considering a divorce, consider faster. You may only have a few months to be able to get a no-fault divorce.

Make sure you have access to your own private accounts with money. Maybe have a stash of cash somewhere.

If you are in an abusive relationship, please consider using the resources that currently exist to help you.

Get into filtered water.

Swim in the lakes and go fishing.

Go your public institutions.

Try to make any major purchases of goods sourced from China before January to avoid tariffs.

Get on your local committees.

Visit your library.

Save analog media like CDs and such.

Apply for all the grants and resources you can, right now.

If you are on the Affordable Act insurance, look into any jobs or assistance that could get you reasonable private healthcare.

Cut back on unnecessary purchases and budget wisely.

Look into homeschooling resources that are not overly religious.

Consider buying banned books and storing them in a private location.

Plant as many native trees and plants as you can, wherever you can.

Invest some money in the stock market.

Research your local laws.

Research how to protest safely and don't leave said research on your phone.

Don't take your phone to a protest. Buy a burner or get an old Nokia.

Learn how to fix things in your home.

Join a union or start a union.

Look into jobs that would enable you to move abroad.

Finish any degrees as soon as possible.

Research international colleges.

Prepare yourself for how to deal with hate-crimes and aggression.

Take self defense classes.

Get gun safety training.

Take first aid courses.

Have a stockpile of medicine, food, and water in case of hazardous weather.

Weather-proof your home.

Plan for high temperatures. PLAN FOR DROUGHTS. Plan for wildfires. Plan for smog.

Learn techniques used in dry climates to maximize water retention in soil.

[gothtransandroid]

Contemplating: Necromancy and the Utility of the Skeleton

From aesthetics alone the skeleton does many things for the necromancer. A clear benefit is simply in the knowledge of the subject being a dead thing in and of itself. With any variation of the corpse from zombie to revenant there can be doubts at a glance as to what one is dealing with but moving bones are distinct at most distances and let a person know that any harm they deal to it, accidental or otherwise, wont hurt a living thing. On the other side, the person seeing the skeleton will know that it won't feel pain and has no nervous system holding it back in how strong it will strike someone else. This functions as a form of deterrence from combat as well as telegraphs the danger of handling the skeleton beyond its designated task.

The skeleton, contrary to common sense, is less cost effective than a zombie in terms of raising. The mechanism of imprinting magic upon a corpse via its soulless form means that with less material there, there is more work and more raw magical structure needed to maintain the skeleton. This being said, the zombie will decay and are a short term solution sonits better to invest as a skeleton will be cost effective over time and has the added benefit of not smelling awful. Many an old necromancer cut their noses off and burned their sinuses not just to resemble a corpse in their horde as camouflage, but more so to kill the smell of working with so many zombies.

At an average weight of 20 pounds, the human skeleton is very portable if a single servant is needed and one is conserving their magic between uses. This does covert an unit of 100 servants to about a ton, which could staff a mansion easily and handle all tasks besides handling guests and the cooking for obvious reasons. Like with other skeletons, a human skeleton can utilize their ribs as a means of storage or carrying tools to keep their hands free. Special tools could easily be made for a gardener or a maid to reach in and tend to their tasks while having free hands and look presentable if a chest cover is used to tastefully hide dirty or worn tools.

Besides issues of durability which can be addressed with coatings and reinforcements to the structure of the skeleton, bones tend to still be sturdy even when dry and set, only they cannot self-repair so any damage will need prevented or filled as it occurs. Skeletons are not an unlimited resource, as are bodies in general, but those gathered and maintained properly in a closed and respectful environment can last a lifetime.

[retphienix]

Well that was a pretty fun time :)

I still feel like the scan objectives are just, pointless, utterly pointless.

For most of them it was simple- go to the planet, scan, leave.

But for 2 of the scan sessions it just didn't spawn enough things to scan, or worse, the water one split the scans up RIDICULOUSLY between ground level and 300000000000000 tiles under the sea, it was annoying, not fun.

Anyways, not a big deal in all truth.

I really enjoyed this- moreso after I put a couple mods in place to alleviate the crafting/storage issue and give me a touch more to invest in during the scanning distractions.

But with those? I had a blast. WAY more of a good time than I expected- genuinely :)

The RPG mod is REALLY fun. Overpowered. But really really fun.

For most of the gameplay it wasn't overpowered- but holy hell if for the Glitch orb and final area I was a god, it was unfair, and kiiiiiiiiinda killed some of my fun because there wasn't any challenge anymore.

But! It was ONLY during those segments that it hit- because it was at that point that I unlocked the final version of my class weapon and the final version of the soldier class weapon is Buuuuuuuuuuuuusted lol

It's REALLY FUN, but it's TOO STRONG and made the final boss a joke that I didn't even get to pretend to be stressed over x.x

But I'd say I got far more good out of that mod than bad- I got a LOT of fun from grinding it out and exploring my options, 10/10 experience.

Anywho. Starbound.

I'd love to have some grand statement to say but I kinda don't have anything flowery to say.

The dev is a shitter for what he did.

The game looks aesthetically pleasing.

Scanning was a bad quest objective and the pre-fab locations are far more fun and should have been the vehicle for orb coords- not scanning nonsense.

All of the dungeons (save for the water one) are VERY entertaining- there's even some variance so you don't get bored doing 6 of them! :D

Crafting/storage is balls without a mod to improve storage- but is perfectly fine with a mod :)

The "crew" is barely skin deep- hell it's barely got skin- these aren't even cardboard cut outs- they're paper masks.

BUT. I WANT to like them- because their single note personalities are fun! They don't even get enough to say or do to actually sell those single notes- but I LIKE THEM LET ME LIKE THEM- the final scenes painting it like these are my beloved crew of friends is funny because they really REALLY don't get so much as a flashlight let alone a spotlight- LET ME LIKE THEM, GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That one genocide lady is just. What a lazy turn lol.

"She's VERY smart and VERY talented and she had her whole family and planet attacked by pirates that were suspiciously lacking in human members and she wants to CLEANSE the universe as it's the only (final) SOLUTION" yeah yeah cry me a river and go fuck yourself- would 2 seconds of writing have been too much to grant her a more interesting character?

Come onnnnn.

There's a good amount of "things" to play with, but a lot of it doesn't feel.... impactful/rewarding enough to do, I guess is what I'd say?

Like I could farm and cook foods that buff me, but I failed to care. Just bring meds and fancy bandages if normal med kits aren't enough (kits were enough).

Pets are a thing- it just takes a lot of pointless setup to be able to heal and reuse them so I caught some and just never used them, what's the payoff? I have a guy who dies and needs healed? I'll just avoid damage and keep shooting.

Mechs are a thing, not really sure why. I LIKE them but it's such a self contained bit of content- you can do mech stuff to get mech parts to do mech stuff- I have a similar issue with entire sections of content in Warframe- I can do Railjack to improve Railjack to do Railjack (I love Railjack but MAKE IT COHESIVE- MAKE IT WORTH DOING FOR THE OTHER GAMEPLAY!). I do like that you can just start using your mech wherever but it's really not necessary and it's so awkward in some ways- like it's genuinely annoying to mine with.

Vehicles are a thing, not really sure why. I didn't even bother buying one despite having the money lol

Space bases are a thing- REALLY not sure why- I bought one but never bothered building it out because it didn't appear to have any payoffs beyond "a place to make" which is nice! It IS nice! But it's another feature that either lacks payoff or fails to convey what it's payoff is because I couldn't find it.

I LIKE that these things are here- but I wish there was some more interconnected functionality in all this.

If I push the discussion too far I'll just be asking for a different game.

Starbound was far more entertaining than I thought it would be after hearing some critique later in its life.

It VERY MUCH earns the critique- there's a lot of "Why?" in what features are here versus what basic QOL or features or quest design or NPC interactions are missing.

But you slap all that is here together and you still get a nice final game. Not a perfect one, but one I enjoyed plenty :) One I'd gladly play through again in coop (probably with the RPG mods because it is really fun >:) )- and Maaaaaybe- MAYBE- a game I'll come back to to build out a base and enjoy just making more outposts in the stars (not that THAT has much payoff if we're being honest lol).

Game pretty good 👍

I'd give it a "We really thought this was a Terraria killer when it was announced, but what's here is still pretty nice" out of 10 :)

Also a "Get fucked for taking advantage of young artists" out of 10. Probably more that on principle- but you don't really get much of an idea on the game itself from that rating lol.

Oh yeah wait:

My final stats for the RPG growth mod :)

The soldier's class weapon is OP as hell once you get it maxed out, and I say that both as a positive and negative lol

Also my fashionbound (it needs work but I'm not some player with hundreds of hours to actually make that x.x lol)

Fun time :) Pretty good game with unfortunate events surrounding it and bizarre design decisions (still baffled at the lack of QOL around chests in a game like this lmao)

💜

[mortallycoiled]

some big picture worldbuilding stuff;

So, the big three eternals (Hark + Lythe + Sar'kai) are the "creators" of the mortal coil, but it was not originally intended to be a universe with sentient beings, or even any sort of space/time/matter/etc. It was instead meant to be a power-sink, a battery of sorts.

Those in the Eternal Coil all have similar amounts of raw power, so having an external storage of power is the only feasible way to stand out in any way. An eternal can create a sort of pocket where they can sink a small portion of their power into and build up over time. Well-made pockets with a lot of power invested into it can also become self-sufficient systems, where power can be regenerated in the same way an actual Eternal regenerates power, allowing for the Eternal to invest less power for a higher gain. However, the initial power investment needed for this to happen is so steep that it's practically impossible for a single Eternal to start a self-generating pocket system.

This is why the big three co-created the Mortal Coil. They would be able to invest enough total power to jump-start power generation without completely draining themselves.

The creation of matter and objects in a pocket-dimension is uncommon, but not unheard of. It's more of like... a really expensive hobby. It's not feasable in any pocket without a self-generating system, considering it makes a portion of the energy in the pocket unextractable. Hark started making stars and planets as their own little project, and eventually Lythe and Sar'kai joined in because it is also their pocket.

This also means that Hark forcibly trapping Sar'kai into the mortal coil is the eternal coil equivalent of committing a war crime because your roommate fucked up your model train setup but tbh eternal coil conflicts are also sometimes just Like That.

but anyways the fact that the Mortal Coil has Actual Sentient Beings is kind of a big deal, even in the scale of the Eternal Coil. Lythe giving four mortals Raw Coil helped jumpstart things a bit, but they were ALREADY doing shit that should not have been happening. So the Mortal Coil is a Big Deal.

this means that other eternals are.............. interested in whats going on

eternals are VERY protective of their pockets, considering they're dumping parts of themselves into it in order to Get More Power, but a lot of the time the big three are too busy bickering to really guard the mortal coil as vigilantly as they should, hence a few have managed to skim off the top, so to speak.

There are two that are particularly relevant, but ill only be mentioning one rn.

The Lure is an eternal that does not have its own pocket, and is unable to create one. Instead, it has put an extremely tiny amount of itself into the Mortal Coil, and is using it to leach power from the big three. It manages to lay under the radar by disguising itself as a mortal, and is able to remain "intact," unlike Sar'kai, due to having only an extremely tiny sliver of itself in the mortal coil where Sar'kai had His Entire Being in the wrong plane of existance

[saulwexler]

saul gone aired almost a year ago so maybe that's why i can't stop thinking about the whole thing rn. it all stems from the fact that i genuinely miss a show i can't even bring myself to watch anymore. but anyway. my mind keeps coming back to one element in particular: the handling of mcwexler's mental health. 6b tries and tries to show you how jimmy's self-destructive behaviors have taken a toll on him, but then nothing seems to matter anymore when he hears kim's confessed and then he proceeds to do it as well – in what seems to me like a classic "love saves you 🥰" narrative more suited for other kind of media imho. and as for kim, i know she starts to volunteer in the law again or whatever, i know she goes to cheryl, i know she isn't wearing those loser clothes in the last scene, still, i wish she could've gotten more of her journey – she was one of the main characters... until she wasn't anymore, and you were left to try and solve the puzzle of who is this person and how she's going to fight those demons that haunted her way before the howard tragedy. for a show who made me fall in love with these people's minds and how fucked up they were, the lack of closure or even perhaps realism and depth in the finale in regards to their traumas still makes me so sad

False it’s been 900 years since Saul Gone aired. It actually feels like grief since I don’t typically get that emotionally invested in shows and I don’t see it happening again. I can’t go back and I can’t go forward. just sitting in a corner i haunt 😩

my mind keeps coming back to one element in particular: the handling of mcwexler's mental health.

mental health in bcs lives in my head rent-free and I can barely articulate it. He was able pull out of his mental breakdown using the saul mask one more time, but it wasn’t really addressed 🤷🏻‍♀️ like, Jimmy has intense baggage, criminality-addiction-metaphors plus textbook mental health issues. He clearly has a good heart and is genuinely trying to dig himself out of a hole, but traumatic events keep piling up, and he lost the only people he could turn to for support (and these relationships were unhealthy to begin with). In a show that deals more with realism in the justice system, life in prison thematically works as jimmys ending! - it’s storage space for the mentally ill, addicted, and lonely. cynical and dark? sure!

nothing seems to matter anymore when he hears kim's confessed and then he proceeds to do it as well – seems to me like a classic "love saves you 🥰" narrative more suited for other kind of media imho.

This goes back to my theory theres a reason so many people seemed to think jimmy’s confession must have saved kim from her own punishment. The knowing glance before the the bait and switch confession feels like it should free her because that’s the type of cliche we are used to *in other kinds of media*. If life in prison doesn’t help her and love doesn’t redeem him, we are left with that more cynical dark ending (which doesn’t not work!) But the lighthearted tone from his sorkin-esque speech to the bus chant minimizes just how bleak his ending really is. It feels glib in a way no other character ending was.

The change of heart after he hear’s about Kim’s confession also denies him the same character growth. Kim is still his moral compass. If she told him to confess about lalo when the ada offered the deal (and i suspect when she was leaving him) i think he would have. but at least he became a man worthy of looking kim wexler in the eye! No longer a dog in kim’s presence now that he regained his humanity! humanity he lost from… trauma 🫠

There is “up to interpretation” and there is confusing. i chose confusing since gould and co have more recently doubled down on their *official* version (that jimmy wont get out early, probably wont see kim again). i would like a sane reason why they felt the need to backtrack on this instead of leaving us in peace.

as for kim, i know she starts to volunteer in the law again or whatever, i know she goes to cheryl, i know she isn't wearing those loser clothes in the last scene, still, i wish she could've gotten more of her journey – she was one of the main characters... until she wasn't anymore, and you were left to try and solve the puzzle of who is this person and how she's going to fight those demons that haunted her way before the howard tragedy.

it's frustrating the way kim was such an afterthough in 6b after being one of the most nuanced female character’s i’d ever seen. She just… wasn’t there, and when she was there she didn’t talk. i love rhea, she deserves all of the awards, but iif people think her best performance was sobbing on a bus I will riot. LET HER SPEAK!

We went from “i had to time of my life with you” to her telling some rando “when i knew him, he was [good]” like who is this person!!! We were so used to the slow organic character development there was definitly shock value in how she was post-time jump. trauma and guilt impact people, plus it’s been 6 years, and us obsessive freaks can take a stab at connecting these gaps! but honeslty i could do the same thing if instead of girloser floridakim, she became a train jumping hobo or a wall street trophy wife or an alcoholic working at piggly wiggly or whatever. She has become the blank puzzle.

for a show who made me fall in love with these people's minds and how fucked up they were, the lack of closure or even perhaps realism and depth in the finale in regards to their traumas still makes me so sad

it's still so frustrating that this show treated these characters with such nuance and depth, only to end things in. black and white. my theory with bob’s cantankery is its exactly like that. he keeps saying how miserable playing jimmy was, as such a lonely sad character… he suffered for his art and for what? for people to think he had a simple ending? Misery forever:)

[athinveil]

saw you in the notes of some post saying you work in finance. like, no pressure, and i'm not expecting any depth from a tumblr ask, but... do you have any advice for people living paycheck to paycheck other than the classic "make a budget"? (i have already discovered that getting a credit card does not help.)

just wondering if there's anything you've learned from your profession that you wish was better known to the public

https://undebt.it/ is a big help to help pay off debt efficiently undebt it - google search if you don’t like hitting links - I don’t hitting links. I have a super hard time with budgets myself. And credit cards are rough - I get manic and then my budget friendly self can’t keep up with manic me.

Apologies in advance if some of this is like bro - I don’t live a place w these stores - just mentally replace store names with what’s around you.

If your debt has an interest rate under 7%, pay the minimums because a lot of investments will grow at 7% or better (common examples - car loans, most student loans, mortgages, etc.). Typically it’s better to focus on the higher interest loans/debt first. If it’s above 7%, prioritize that. A lot of minimum payments will also never pay off your debt - designed to keep you in it.

If you have a Roth option in your work retirement account, do that. It’s taxed now instead of in retirement - taxes only go up over time. However if you need to reduce your taxable income, then pretax dollars will do that. Only contribute up to the match if it’s not Roth. If it’s pretax, then you usually only want do up to the match. Maximize the free money you can get from your employer.

Always opt into long term disability insurance at work. When you can afford some extra coverage check out supplemental (most employers offer 60% in the US - if you only were paid 60% of your income it would be rough), life insurance is cheap - 200k is a small policy. The company you go with matters. A company like mass mutual or northwestern mutual (I’m at northwestern) gives higher dividends- basically a good chunk of profit goes back to policy holders instead of stockholders. Most companies can run company comparisons. Insurance pays for financial security. It’s not a scam - which is genuinely what I thought of it before I got into the field and understood it better.

Whole life insurance costs more - but it’s worth it. It’s like buying your insurance instead of renting. Again company matters - example: northwestern mutual cash value grows historically at 5% on average, give or take, usually give. It’s money you can use to collateralize a loan or take a loan out against your own policy and “be your own bank” - downside, if finances are unstable, it’s a policy with regular premiums. Unlike a Roth you can stop contributing to any time, you’re paying for coverage and it’s monthly or whatever interval without much for exceptions. Probably not a good fit for you right now with being paycheck to paycheck - but something to keep in mind for the future.

Some of my hacks for my own life and my tight budget - I get most of my stuff off of Facebook marketplace for free or cheap - if you search something for a week or two and save the cheap items eventually they’ll appear for free or less and less. You just gotta be quick to ask and pick up. I picked up a stand alone pantry cabinet yesterday for free so now I have more storage space for non-perishables. Also if you just always keep free and “curb alert” as a regular search item you’ll find good stuff. I’ve picked up some things that I know have value near me - like fish tanks with stands only to resell them later at market value which is higher because I’m in a city/suburban outskirts - I only deal in cash on Facebook because they wanna start tracking and people can’t rescind a $20 electronically.

There are food shelves that don’t require minimums. There’s also no shame in seeing if you can get assistance from the government. If you can boost yourself to live better, do it.

The dollar tree (and some other dollar stores) - while most food at the dollar tree isn’t a good deal - I’ve also found shelf stable tofu, pesto, mustard (1.25 vs $5 for pesto). I also have pets - my cats get their toys on a stick with the dangly strings from the dollar tree. I get all of my cleaning products at the dollar tree. You can also make your own - one super simple one is lemon juice (from bottle), white vinegar, and water.

I shop at specific places for specific items. I get carbon litter box filters at my hardware store because they’re a dollar there instead of $5-7 elsewhere.

I order my groceries online - it’s convenient but it also eliminates a lot of impulse shopping. I pay $10/month for it, but I save more than $10 in not impulse buying.

I mostly avoid target - target has done research on how to get you to buy more - it works. So I avoid it. Not that other stores don’t do similarly, but I know that I will fail myself at target - sort of a figure out your vices.

I shop at discount grocery stores. I got to Asian grocery stores for tea because I get way more tea for way less. I go to Aldi for most of my vegetarian foods and also their chicken. Most of their stuff is a fair bit cheaper and I’ve figured out which off brand or Aldi brand stuff I like.

I work in a super fancy office - think of a building with literal halls with marble tile. I get 99% of my clothes from thrift stores. I’m picky - I try to buy only things that I feel good in (not I feel okay, but I feel good) and I have a hard time pushing myself over $10 for almost anything. I dress with a classic style because then I don’t have to chase trends. I mostly just wear black pants and a shirt that looks business casual.

Garage sale - I spent a Saturday driving around the town I grew up in going to garage sales. Saturdays are usually the last day sales are open - they want stuff gone as the reality sets in that whatever isn’t sold is being donated. I filled a paper grocery bag full of clothing for my spouse and paid $1. I’ve hit sales where the person just wanted to be done and said just take everything you want, free. I haggle. I ask if they’d do a deal for a bunch of stuff if it’s a good sale. If there’s something I’m looking for or need - I know the value of the item before I go shopping and I know the value of it to me. I wanted a giant bean bag chair. I valued that at a maximum of $20. The going Facebook marketplace was $50-150. I held out and got one for $7 at a thrift store.

Sign up for VIP stuff at thrift stores and reward programs (assuming it’s free). Don’t buy most holiday decor new - thrift stores can barely sell a christmas tree.

Home Depot and many hardware stores offer free how-to classes - you want to learn how to lay tile? Sign up for a class. Learn to diy what you’re comfortable doing. Some labor and know how is worth paying for. Example: I will not lay tile because I can live with a crooked tile if someone else did it. I can’t if I did it. For my sanity, I would pay for that. Minding - I need that done currently and can’t afford it so it’s just not on the reality list.

Grow some of your own food if you can. Grow lights can be cheap and seeds are cheap. Sometimes you can split a pack with a friend. You can also get free pots and gardening materials online easily. Maybe not the seeds tho. If you hate gardening then don’t bother. What you want matters too.

When you buy stuff - make sure you love it when you can. Stuff you love, you will keep and use. Stuff you feel so-so about might end up being donated next year.

Utilize libraries! They have e-books also and there are so many free apps you can download to read them on. If I’m only gonna read a book once, then I shouldn’t own it. Reality is - I don’t reread that many books. Too many more books to read.

If you’re into cold brew coffee - dark roast Walmart makes just as good as a fancy brand that costs more. Try off brand stuff - it’s often way better or exactly the same. Walmart chips ahoy offbrand is better than chips ahoy. ALDIs version of coconut caramel Girl Scout chocolate cookies taste the same as Girl Scout ones but cost under $2.

Find hobbies that don’t cost you money or cost you very little money. Aquarium fish are not that hobby as I’ve learned the hard way. But I have a beautiful dr who tank so at least there’s that. I volunteered for a while with shelter cats - the ones that are in pet stores. I got kitty snuggles and got to put it on my resume. Can’t afford a pet but want one? Foster - the shelter pays for everything. One of my new hobbies is literally finding free things on Facebook marketplace. It’s great.

If you’re on meds and insurance isn’t covering everything - check out goodrx. Also - check different pharmacies and keep checking. CVS wanted $300 for 1 month of my depression meds. I walked away w/o meds. I went to Costco a week later (no membership needed for specifically their pharmacy) and got those same meds for maybe $10 without insurance.

YouTube can also teach you neat skills. Tumblr can too - I got really into tiny homes - still love them but I can’t ethically keep a Great Dane mix and all my cats in a tiny space - a big part of tiny homes is making sure you have what you need but you have it smart. I gleaned a lot from that obsession. How to have a full wardrobe w 30 pieces of clothing but still variety? It showed it. Most tiny home people are about financial freedom - a lot of them perhaps don’t have a financial background, but it’s about gathering info that works for you.

If you have kids - I do not - but I have a niece. So much free stuff from other people. I think I gave my sister in law about the first years worth of clothing for her kid and it mostly cost me some laundry soap and time with marketplace and stopping for bags of free kids clothes on the side of the road (that I then picked through, washed, and donated the iffy ones). I even got a bouncer thingy that I took apart and cleaned and gave her. Plus a stroller for my mother in law - one of those $300 ones that someone just wanted gone at no cost.

I’ve got home owner savings tricks too if you need them - but let’s be honest, few of us can afford homes. I have one in a super sketchy area that has shot spotter tech to help police respond faster to gunfire. But honestly just lucked out and fell into the job I have now.

Buy quality when you can - I got clearance Clark’s brand shoes for my job - I think they cost me $40? They’ve lasted years. I got thrift store shoes and they are falling apart in less than a year. Those same thrift store shoes during the 5 years that I’ve had my clearance Clark’s would have cost more to replace that 5x over.

Make sure you’re taking care of yourself - eat enough, sleep enough. Your health will affect how you work and live - you matter. I do premier protein shakes in the morning so I get enough protein and also account for my inability to wake up with enough time to make food. I try to bring my lunch to work. Peanut butter sandwiches are a big go-to for me. I’m rather sick of them, but for now, it helps me to save a bit and prioritize things that are more important to me.

I’m trying to think of other stuff. I mean maybe you’re already doing a big load of this or have even cut some of these expenses out. I’ve got more pet saving tricks - pets are something in life that bring me so much joy and happiness so I have them and I try to be responsible and smart with spending on them - but maybe you don’t have pets or don’t want them. I love video games so I have a few systems - mainly PC. I wait for sales for games. I still buy things that are discretionary. I buy “what I want” when I can but I try to make sure it really is something that I want. I wait for game reviews to come out.

I try to find easy recipes online with a focus on budget friendly and quick to make. Preferably with leftovers to avoid a peanut butter sandwich for a day or two. I’m in a Facebook group called “what broke vegans eat.” I go to a butcher to get ground beef because it costs the same but has less gristle and they can give me tips on making different things. Plus I can occasionally splurge on something simple - they have the best in house take home and bake lasagna which last me at least 4-5 days between my spouse and I.

What field are you job-wise? What field or kind of work would you want to be in if you could choose? What kind of hours would you prefer to work? Education level? Are you in the US? Might have some tips around that too. Is there an area you want advice on - like X costs so much, what tips do you have for cost savings with that, etc.

So happy to help. Sorry for the novel.

[rightinvestmentonliner24]

Tips to find the right investment deals

When you browse the internet, you constantly find trading web pages, offering different services, conditions, and instruments to operate.

Unfortunately, there are many investment websites and Top Investment Deals Group in the USA that are scams, and it's important to find the best site before you deposit your money.

When you have gained experience and are ready to trade in the stock market, it is essential to find the best page to invest in the stock market. Of course, you will look for a safe and secure trading website, that is, one that you can trust.

In this article, we will help you find the best trading website for your investment.

What is an online trading website?

Land Development Investment Deals are companies that provide traders with access to a trading platform that allows them to buy and sell currencies and other financial assets.

Check the information provided on the web:

First of all, before you start getting ATM Investment Opportunities, it is imperative to choose the website of a regulated and authorized broker in your country or geographical area. A page to invest in a reliable stock market must show at least the following information:

The broker's registration number and license number:

Make sure to get the broker's contact information: telephone, email, online form, chat, etc.

The best trading and investment sites do not usually have private email addresses, like gmail or Hotmail: regulated trading companies usually have email addresses with their domain, like: xyz@ralwealth.com

Observe the bank details that appear on the investment website:

A reliable broker usually has bank details in your name. In the context of trading scams, very often people make transfers to trading accounts that are not in the name of the broker and often the money is sent to tax havens. Clients then have to fight to recover their funds.

Find a list of fraudulent investment sites:

Self-Storage Investment Deals and online trading is risky and forex brokers do not have the right to randomly call people who are not yet clients, nor have they registered for any course. If a person you do not know calls you, it is possibly a site that does not comply with current laws.

Beware of dishonest trading website comparators:

If you are looking for a comparison of Forex brokers, you likely go to the typical broker comparator and follow their advice. But keep in mind that online forums and comparators are not always free of the financial interest and their opinion is not always objective.

[feikemasanitation]

Don't Let Moisture Steal Your Schererville Sanctuary: Basement Waterproofing Schererville IN

Your Schererville basement is designed to be an addition to the living space, a play area, storage, or a proper home office. However, if the basement is damp, it is not long before the space becomes a dark and unusable part of the home. Water can ruin personal property, produce unpleasant smells, and foster mould development, which can be unhealthy. The only way out when dealing with basement water issues is to opt for basement waterproofing in Schererville, IN.

Protecting Your Investment: Protecting A Schererville Home

Schererville basement waterproofing is a way of protecting your Schererville property that will be a wise investment in the long run. Excess water in basements leads to problems like self-collapsing, found cracks, and destruction of electrical wiringgs and appliances stored in the basements. Waterproofing solutions should be considered an investment into the building structure, as any eventual water damage requires expensive fixes.

Creating a Healthy Environment: Be comfortable and safe in your Basement

Basement waterproofing in Schererville IN has several benefits and moisture control is a sure way of enjoying a healthier life. Water that accumulates in a house can produce the smell of mould and encourage mould growth, which causes respiratory illnesses and allergies. A dry basement provides a way to have another peaceful and healthy area where you can read, watch TV or perform any other activities.

Free from illnesses and stress to gain better quality lives

Standing water in a basement can become a t,hing tha,t keeps people anxious all the time. Basement waterproofing in Schererville, IN, is an excellent service for homeowners because it eliminates the risk of water damaging one’s basement, or having the growth of mould in that area. It enables you to use your basement area well and effectively and make the most of the extra space gained from the basement area.

Conclusion 

A wet basement can make a difference in the comfort and functionality of your house in Schererville. Basement Waterproofing in Schererville, IN, is a credible professional enabling you to safeguard the value of your property, your health, and finally your quality of life. Feike Sanitation has many different basement waterproofing options for your needs. For a no-obligation consultation and quote, call us now, and let us help turn your damp basement into a dry and welcoming area.

[jayconner-raisingprivatemoney]

How To Raise $3.3 Million In Private Money with Banjo and Erica Camardelle

Private Money Academy Conference:

Free Report:

Meet Eric, aka Banjo, and his wonderful wife, Erica Camardelle – the property-peddling power couple behind Salt & Light Property Solutions.

Hailing from the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, this real estate dream team traded the city buzz for the serenity of Southwest MS, where they now reside on 60 acres in a log cabin with their four kids and a small army of pets.

In their quest to conquer the real estate realm, Eric and Erica have become the proud parents of over 50 deals, managing a whopping 40 doors and 22 storage units.

Accredited investors, published authors, and the masterminds behind a thriving local REIA, these two are taking Southern MS and LA by storm and have their eyes set on expanding along the Gulf Coast. When they're not busy crunching numbers, you'll find them camping in the great outdoors, passionately serving their church, and unleashing their competitive spirit in combat sports.

But the fun doesn't stop there – did you know Banjo knows how to speak like a Tuscan Sand Raider, while Erica loves skulls for some weird and kind of creepy reason? Salt & Light – where business meets a symphony of laughter and extraordinary adventures!

Timestamps:

00:01 The property-peddling power couple from Mississippi.

07:26 Investing in education for financial freedom.

12:20 Ran out of cash, learned private money.

13:34 Got speeding ticket; advised a friend on investments.

18:57 Murphy's Law: Rehabbing costs more and delays.

21:30 Mindset shift: Private lending over traditional banks.

23:20 Realized the impact of helping others through investing.

27:50 Networking leads to sharing private lending strategy.

29:56 Private lenders are unaware of self-directed IRA opportunities.

33:03 Seek improvement through feedback at luncheons.

37:19 Learned private lending from Jay Connor's event.

41:31 Quit your job, embrace challenges, and achieve better results.

42:29 Commitment to success; book for investors discussed.

46:29 Explains "salt and light" from the Bible.

Have you read Jay’s new book: Where to Get The Money Now?

It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at

What is Private Money? Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. He maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $67,000 per deal without using his own money or credit.

What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference

YouTube Channel

Apple Podcasts:

Facebook:

[gardenreviewus]

Best Petrol Lawn Mower In 2024 As a homeowner, I know how frustrating it can be to deal with an overgrown lawn. That's why I've taken the time to research and test the best petrol lawn mowers on the market. If you're like me, you want a reliable and efficient way to keep your lawn looking its best. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. In this post, I'll share my top picks for the best petrol lawn mowers in 2024, helping you to make an informed decision and achieve the perfect cut for your yard.PowerSmart 21-Inch 144 cc OHV Engine MowerA reliable and efficient lawn mower is crucial for keeping your yard looking its best, and after testing the PowerSmart 21-Inch 144 cc OHV Engine Mower, I'm convinced it's one of the top options on the market. For me, the standout feature of this mower is its powerful 144cc OHV engine, which makes quick work of even the thickest grass and weeds. I was impressed by how easily it handled my overgrown lawn, leaving a clean and even cut behind. The 3-in-1 steel deck is also a major plus, allowing me to switch between mulching, bagging, and side-discharging with ease. On the usability front, I appreciated the dual-lever height adjustment, which makes it simple to customize the cutting height to suit your lawn's specific needs. And when I'm done mowing, the quick-folding design makes storage a breeze, saving me valuable space in my garage. What I love most about this mower is its overall performance and value for the price. It's a solid investment for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient lawn mower that can handle a variety of tasks. That being said, I do wish the mower came with a more comprehensive instruction manual, as I found the included documentation to be somewhat lacking. Pros: Powerful 144cc OHV engine for efficient cutting 3-in-1 steel deck for versatility Dual-lever height adjustment for customizable cutting Quick-folding design for easy storage Cons: Limited instruction manual CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart Self Propelled 21-Inch 170cc Engine MowerWhile I've tested several petrol lawn mowers, the PowerSmart Self Propelled 21-Inch 170cc Engine Mower has left me impressed with its exceptional performance and ease of use. Engine power is where this mower truly shines. The upgraded 170cc OHV 4-cycle engine provides more than enough power to tackle thick grass and weeds, making quick work of even the most overgrown lawns. I was able to cut through dense patches with ease, thanks to the recoil starter and auto choke, which made starting the engine a breeze. For me, what sets this mower apart is its versatility. The 3-in-1 steel deck allows for mulching, bagging, and side-discharging, making it suitable for a variety of lawn types and preferences. I particularly loved the dual-lever height adjustment, which allowed me to customize the cutting height to suit my lawn's specific needs. What I don't like about this mower is that it can be a bit heavy, making it more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Additionally, the quick-folding design, while convenient for storage, can be a bit tricky to unfold and set up. Pros: Powerful 170cc OHV 4-cycle engine for efficient cutting Self-propelled design with rear-wheel-drive for improved traction 3-in-1 steel deck for mulching, bagging, and side-discharging Dual-lever height adjustment for customizable cutting height Cons: Heavy design can make it difficult to maneuver Quick-folding design can be tricky to unfold and set up CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart 21 in. 144cc 2-in-1 Mulching MowerYou'll be hard-pressed to find a more reliable and efficient petrol lawn mower than the PowerSmart 21 in. 144cc 2-in-1 Mulching Mower. I've spent hours putting this mower through its paces, and I'm impressed by its ability to tackle thick grass and weeds with ease.

If you're looking for a mower that can handle a variety of cutting heights, this one's got you covered. The dual-lever height adjustment allows you to choose from six different positions, ranging from 1.5" to 3.9", making it perfect for lawns with varying terrain. It's the little things that really set this mower apart, though. I love how easy it is to store, thanks to its quick-folding design that saves a whopping 70% of storage space. And the high rear wheels make it a breeze to maneuver around obstacles and tight corners. What I don't love is the weight of the mower, which can make it a bit cumbersome to push around. Additionally, the recoil starter can be a bit finicky at times, requiring a few extra pulls to get it going. Pros: Strong 144cc OHV engine for efficient mowing 2-in-1 steel deck for mulching and side-discharging Adjustable cutting height for versatility Easy to store with quick-folding design High rear wheels for smooth mowing Cons: Heavy and cumbersome to push Recoil starter can be finicky CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart Self Propelled 21 in. 170cc OHV MowerThere's a lot to love about the PowerSmart Self Propelled 21 in. 170cc OHV Mower, which is why it's one of my top picks for the best petrol lawn mower in 2024. After putting it through its paces on my own lawn, I can confidently say that it's a reliable and efficient workhorse. The 170cc OHV engine is a beast, providing more than enough power to tackle thick grass and weeds with ease. I was impressed by how quickly it cut through even the toughest patches of my lawn, leaving a clean and even finish. The 21-inch cutting deck is also a major plus, allowing me to cover more ground with each pass and reducing the overall time it takes to mow. On uneven terrain, the self-propelled rear-wheel-drive system really shines. I have a few inclines on my property, and this mower handled them with ease, never once losing traction or stalling. The adjustable cutting height is also a nice touch, allowing me to customize the cut to my specific needs. What I love most about this mower is its versatility. With three cutting options - mulch, side discharge, or rear bag - I can choose the best approach for my lawn depending on the season and conditions. And with the large 1.4-bushel capacity grass mower bag, I can collect and dispose of clippings with minimal hassle. If I have one complaint, it's that the mower can be a bit heavy and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. However, this is a minor quibble, and overall I'm extremely satisfied with the PowerSmart's performance. Pros: Powerful 170cc OHV engine Large 21-inch cutting deck Self-propelled rear-wheel-drive system for traction on inclines Adjustable cutting height Three cutting options (mulch, side discharge, or rear bag) Cons: Heavy and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart 21 in. 144 cc 4-Cycle Engine MowerThere's a lot to like about the PowerSmart 21 in. 144 cc 4-Cycle Engine Mower, which I've been testing extensively in my own lawn for several weeks now. From its powerful engine to its versatile 3-in-1 steel deck, this mower has proven to be a reliable and efficient companion for tackling my weekly lawn care tasks. To put it simply, this mower is a beast when it comes to cutting power. The 144cc OHV engine roars to life with ease, thanks to the recoil starter and auto choke, and makes quick work of even the thickest patches of grass. I've been impressed by how effortlessly it handles dense vegetation, leaving my lawn looking neat and tidy with minimal effort required. Mower maintenance is also a breeze, thanks to the quick-folding design that saves a whopping 70% of storage space. This feature has been a game-changer for me, as I no longer have to wrestle with a bulky mower in my cramped garage. What I love most about this product is its ability to

adapt to different cutting heights, courtesy of the dual-lever height adjustment with six cutting positions. It's been a revelation to be able to customize my cut to suit the specific needs of my lawn. If I'm being picky, there are a few areas where the PowerSmart falls short. For one, the mower can be a bit heavy to maneuver, particularly for those with smaller lawns or mobility issues. Additionally, the bagging attachment could be more secure, as I've noticed it can come loose during use. Pros: Powerful 144cc OHV engine for efficient cutting Versatile 3-in-1 steel deck for mulching, bagging, and side-discharging Dual-lever height adjustment for customizable cutting heights Quick-folding design for convenient storage Cons: Heavy to maneuver, particularly for smaller lawns or mobility issues Bagging attachment can come loose during use CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart Self Propelled 21 in. 170 cc Engine MowerSome lawn mowers can make quick work of even the most overgrown yards, and the PowerSmart Self Propelled 21 in. 170 cc Engine Mower is one of them. After putting it through its paces, I can confidently say it's a top contender for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient mower. There's a lot to like about this mower's performance. The 170cc OHV 4-cycle engine provides plenty of power to tackle thick grass and weeds, and the rear wheel drive system gives it the traction it needs to handle slopes and uneven terrain. I was impressed by how easily it navigated my own yard's tricky inclines. You'll appreciate the flexibility of the 3-in-1 steel deck, which allows you to switch between mulching, bagging, and side-discharging with ease. I loved being able to customize my mowing experience to suit my specific needs. What I love most about this mower, though, is its ease of use – the dual-lever height adjustment makes it simple to find the perfect cutting height, and the quick-folding design saves a ton of storage space. That being said, there are a few areas where the PowerSmart falls short. The recoil starter can be a bit finicky, and I occasionally had to give it an extra pull or two to get it going. Additionally, the mower's weight can make it a bit difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Pros Cons Powerful 170cc engine handles thick grass and weeds with ease Recoil starter can be finicky Rear wheel drive system provides excellent traction on slopes and uneven terrain Mower can be heavy and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces 3-in-1 steel deck offers flexible mowing options Dual-lever height adjustment makes it easy to find the perfect cutting height Quick-folding design saves 70% storage space CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONYARDMAX 21 in. 170cc 3-in-1 Gas MowerNow, after spending countless hours testing and using the YARDMAX 21 in. 170cc 3-in-1 Gas Mower, I can confidently say that it's one of the top contenders for the best petrol lawn mower in 2024. A major selling point for me was its ease of use. The single-lever deck adjustment made it a breeze to set my desired mow height, and the MAXFlow Deck Technology ensured that the mower handled thick grass and leaves with ease. I was impressed by how efficiently it mulched and bagged, leaving my lawn looking neat and tidy. With its heavy-duty, 16-gauge stamped steel deck, I didn't have to worry about durability. The one-piece seamless steel deck design also reduced vibration, making it comfortable to use for extended periods. What I love most about this mower is its versatility - it can handle everything from small to large lawns with ease. However, I did notice that the mower can be a bit heavy, which may make it difficult for some users to maneuver. Additionally, the instructions could be more detailed, especially for those who are new to using gas mowers. Pros: Easy to use and adjust Excellent mulching and bagging capabilities Durable and heavy-duty construction Versatile and suitable for small to large lawns

Cons: Heavy and may be difficult to maneuver Instructions could be more detailed CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONGreenworks 24V 21" Brushless Cordless Lawn MowerDespite its impressive feature set, I was skeptical about the Greenworks 24V 21" Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower's performance. But after putting it through its paces in my own yard, I'm convinced it's one of the best petrol lawn mowers on the market. Any concerns I had about the mower's power were quickly alleviated as it effortlessly cut through thick grass and weeds. The 3-in-1 system is incredibly convenient, allowing me to switch between mulching, rear bagging, and side discharge with ease. And the 7-position height adjustment ensures a perfect cut every time. Cool features like the brushless motor and vertical storage design make this mower a standout. I love that I can store it upright in my garage, saving valuable space. But what I love most about this mower is its battery life – with two 5Ah batteries, I can mow my entire lawn without needing to recharge. That being said, there are a few things I don't like about this mower. The string trimmer that comes with the combo kit feels a bit flimsy, and the blower could be more powerful. Additionally, the mower's handle can be a bit uncomfortable to grip for extended periods. Pros: Impressive cutting power and efficiency Convenient 3-in-1 system and 7-position height adjustment Brushless motor and vertical storage design Long-lasting battery life with two 5Ah batteries Comprehensive combo kit with string trimmer and blower 3-year warranty for added peace of mind Cons: String trimmer feels flimsy Blower could be more powerful Uncomfortable handle grip CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart 21-Inch 125cc Briggs and Stratton MowerYour search for the best petrol lawn mower ends here. I've spent countless hours testing the PowerSmart 21-Inch 125cc Briggs and Stratton Mower, and I'm convinced it's one of the top contenders on the market. You'll appreciate the ease of use that this mower offers. The Prime & Pull easy start system makes it a breeze to get started, and the adjustable cutting height allows you to customize your mowing experience. I've found the 2-in-1 cutting options to be particularly useful, as it gives me the flexibility to either mulch or side discharge my lawn clippings. It's also worth noting that the mower's lightweight and compact design makes it easy to maneuver and store. Weighing only 48 lbs, I've had no trouble pushing it around my lawn, and the foldable design has saved me a significant amount of storage space. What I love most about this product is its durability. The all-steel deck is built to last, and I've put it through its paces without any issues. However, I do wish the mower came with a slightly larger fuel tank, as I've found myself needing to refill it more often than I'd like. Pros: Durable all-steel deck Easy to use and assemble Adjustable cutting height and 2-in-1 cutting options Lightweight and compact design Cons: Smaller fuel tank requires more frequent refills CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONMaxlander 17Inch Electric Lawn Mower CordlessAfter putting the Maxlander 17Inch Electric Lawn Mower Cordless through its paces, I can confidently say it's one of the most impressive cordless mowers I've had the pleasure of using. Its 40V brushless motor provides ample power, effortlessly tackling my overgrown lawn with ease. You'll appreciate the flexibility of this mower, which offers a 2-in-1 mulching/bagging feature, allowing you to choose how you handle clippings. The included mulch plug is a nice touch, and the 50L collection bag is generous enough to minimize emptying stops. An area where the Maxlander truly shines is its ease of use. The single-lever 6-position height adjustment makes it simple to adapt to changing lawn conditions,

and the triple safety protection system – which includes a safety key and dual switch button – provides peace of mind, especially for those new to lawn mowing. What I love most about this product is its quiet operation and impressive runtime. I was able to mow my entire lawn on a single charge, with some juice left over. The high-efficiency brushless motor is a game-changer, providing more torque and quieter operation than I've experienced with other cordless mowers. If I have any gripes, it's that the mower can be a bit heavy, making it more challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. Additionally, the lack of a battery level indicator can make it difficult to gauge when it's time to recharge. Pros: Impressive power and runtime Flexible 2-in-1 mulching/bagging feature Easy to use, with simple height adjustment and safety features Quiet operation and high-efficiency brushless motor Cons: Can be heavy and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces Lack of battery level indicator CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart Self Propelled 21-inch 140 cc MowerKeep your lawn looking its best with the PowerSmart Self Propelled 21-inch 140 cc Mower, which has been my go-to for tackling my own yard's thick grass and uneven terrain. After putting it through its paces, I can confidently say it's one of the most reliable and efficient mowers I've ever used. Some may be concerned about the noise level, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet the Briggs and Stratton E550 140cc engine is, even when revving up to tackle thick patches of grass. The Prime 'N Pull system makes starting a breeze, and the rear wheel drive self-propelled technology provides impressive traction on incline slopes and uneven terrain. If you're like me and value flexibility, you'll appreciate the 3-in-1 design that allows you to mulch, side discharge, or rear bag your clippings. The 1.4-bushel capacity grass mower bag is also a game-changer, saving me time and effort when emptying it out. What I love most about this mower is its rugged all-steel deck, which has withstood even the toughest mowing sessions without showing any signs of wear. One thing I don't like is that the mower can be a bit heavy, making it more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Additionally, the 6-position rear wheel height adjustment could be more intuitive to use. However, these minor quibbles are far outweighed by the mower's many strengths. Pros: Reliable and efficient performance Quiet operation Easy to start with Prime 'N Pull system Excellent traction on incline slopes and uneven terrain Flexible 3-in-1 design Rugged all-steel deck built to last Cons: Heavy and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces 6-position rear wheel height adjustment could be more intuitive CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONBILT HARD 21 Inch Lawn Mower Gas PoweredMany homeowners struggle to find the perfect lawn mower that balances power, efficiency, and comfort. After putting the BILT HARD 21 Inch Lawn Mower Gas Powered through its paces, I'm convinced it's one of the best options on the market. To get started, I was impressed by the mower's robust 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine, which delivered a whopping 6.5 ft.lb of torque. This translated to efficient and reliable performance, even when tackling thicker patches of grass. The 3-in-1 steel deck, which allows for mulching, side discharge, and rear bagging, was also a major plus, providing an extensive mowing path that saved me time and effort. Mower operation was a breeze, thanks to the no-choke, no-primer single-pull start design. I loved that I could adjust the cutting height with ease, using the single lever four-wheel synchronized height adjustment that ranged from 1.2" to 3.75". This feature allowed me to customize the mowing height to perfectly match my lawn requirements. What I love most about this product is its comfort features. The 8" rear and 7" front double ball-bearing wheels made for smooth and effortless movement, while the comfortable foam-wrapped angled grip eliminated hand fatigue.

I was able to mow my lawn without feeling exhausted or uncomfortable. One thing I didn't like was the lack of a more comprehensive manual. While the instructions provided were adequate, I would have appreciated more detailed guidance on maintenance and troubleshooting. Pros: Powerful 170cc 4-stroke OHV engine Efficient 3-in-1 steel deck with mulching, side discharge, and rear bagging Easy to operate with no-choke, no-primer single-pull start design Adjustable cutting height with single lever four-wheel synchronized height adjustment Comfortable mowing experience with double ball-bearing wheels and foam-wrapped angled grip Cons: Lack of comprehensive manual CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPowerSmart 40V 17" Cordless Lawn MowerFor those seeking a reliable and efficient cordless lawn mower, I highly recommend the PowerSmart 40V 17" Cordless Lawn Mower. After extensive testing, I was impressed by its performance, ease of use, and versatility. Plus, the 3-in-1 system with side discharge, mulching, and bagging options provides flexibility in managing grass clippings. I particularly appreciated the advanced side discharge function, which reduced friction on my lawn, making mowing a breeze. The sturdy steel deck and brushless motor ensured a quiet and smooth operation, even on thicker grass. For me, the standout feature of this mower is its impressive cutting width and battery life. With a 17-inch cutting width, I was able to mow up to 1/8 acre on a single charge, saving me time and effort. Additionally, the 6-position height adjustment allowed me to customize the cutting height to suit my lawn's specific needs. One aspect I didn't particularly like was the weight of the mower, which made it slightly difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. However, this was a minor drawback compared to the overall benefits of this product. What I love most about this product is its convenience and ease of use. The foldable design makes storage a snap, and the included accessories, such as the grass collection bag and operator's manual, add to its overall value. Pros: • 3-in-1 system with side discharge, mulching, and bagging options • Advanced side discharge function reduces friction on the lawn • Sturdy steel deck and brushless motor ensure quiet operation • Impressive 17-inch cutting width and battery life • 6-position height adjustment for customized cutting • Foldable design for easy storage • Included accessories add value Cons: • Mower is slightly heavy, making it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONWILD BADGER POWER 40V Brushless Lawn MowerNot every lawn mower can deliver a seamless cutting experience, but the WILD BADGER POWER 40V Brushless Lawn Mower has consistently impressed me with its performance. I've had the pleasure of testing this mower extensively, and I'm thrilled to report that it's a game-changer for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient way to keep their lawn tidy. These features, combined with the mower's brushless motor, make it an absolute powerhouse. The 40V battery provides up to 30 minutes of runtime, which is more than enough to tackle small to medium-sized lawns. I love how the adjustable cutting height allows me to customize the cut to my liking, and the 11-gallon collection bag is a huge plus – it saves me so much time and effort when it comes to disposing of clippings. On top of its impressive performance, I'm also a fan of the mower's design. The quick-folding mechanism makes storage a breeze, and the overall build feels sturdy and well-constructed. My only gripe is that the charging time could be faster – 60 minutes feels like an eternity when you're eager to get back to mowing. Pros: Premium cutting performance Adjustable cutting height Large 11-gallon collection bag Quick-folding design for easy storage Cons: Charging time could be faster CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONFinal Words With this in mind, I hope I've been able to provide you with a comprehensive guide to finding the best petrol lawn mower for your needs in 2024.

As I've explored the various features, benefits, and options available, I'm confident that you'll be able to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right mower for your lawn. As you weigh up the pros and cons of each model, I encourage you to think about your specific requirements and priorities. Consider the size of your lawn, your budget, and the level of maintenance you're willing to commit to. By doing so, I'm sure you'll find a petrol lawn mower that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, leaving your lawn looking healthy, tidy, and beautifully manicured. Happy mowing! https://gardenreview.us/best-petrol-lawn-mower-in-2024/?feed_id=186&_unique_id=672d9080dbbe4 https://gardenreview.us/best-petrol-lawn-mower-in-2024/?feed_id=186&_unique_id=672d9080dbbe4

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Why Is Renting a Car in NYC So Expensive? 8 Reasons

Renting a car in New York City can be tempting, with its towering skyscrapers and vibrant energy attracting millions of visitors each year. However, many are often taken aback by the high prices associated with car rentals in the city. Why is it so expensive? The answer lies in NYC's unique dynamics, including high demand, operational costs, and various taxes and fees. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind these costs and provide tips for saving money when renting a car service in the Big Apple.

What Does Renting a Car in NYC Entail?

Renting a car in NYC means hiring a vehicle for a short or extended period, whether from major rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise or from private services like Soho Express Transportation. This can include:

Short-term rentals for tourists exploring the city or nearby attractions.

Long-term rentals for residents needing a temporary vehicle.

Luxury rentals for special events or business trips, offering high-end models for a stylish impression.

There’s also a distinction between self-drive rentals, where you operate the vehicle, and chauffeur-driven services that provide a hassle-free experience. This variety contributes to the overall rental costs.

Why Is Renting a Car in NYC So Expensive?

Several factors influence the high cost of renting a car in NYC:

High Demand NYC is a top tourist destination, attracting millions each year. The demand for rental cars surges during peak seasons—like summer, holidays, and major events—which drives prices up as companies adjust rates based on availability.

High Operating Costs Running a car rental business in NYC involves substantial expenses. Rental companies face high real estate prices for storage and management facilities, alongside increased employee wages due to the cost of living. Additional operational costs include technology investments for fleet management and facility maintenance.

High Parking Charges Parking in NYC is notoriously expensive. Rental companies either pay steep rates for parking spaces or pass these costs onto customers, further inflating rental prices.

Vehicle Maintenance The city’s challenging driving conditions—congested traffic, pothole-riddled roads, and unpredictable weather—result in higher maintenance costs for rental fleets. Companies need to keep vehicles in prime condition to meet safety standards and customer expectations.

Administrative Fees and Taxes Various local and state taxes, along with airport concession fees for rentals at airports, add significant costs. Environmental and administrative fees also contribute to the overall expense of renting a car in the city.

Insurance Fees Insurance costs in NYC are notably high due to the risks associated with dense traffic and a higher likelihood of accidents. Rental companies must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, leading to increased rental prices.

Congested Traffic NYC’s infamous traffic congestion can extend rental durations and increase fuel consumption. Rental companies factor these realities into their pricing to cover the added costs of managing their fleets.

Seasonal Price Fluctuations Rental car prices often fluctuate seasonally. High demand during peak tourist seasons leads to price spikes, while off-peak periods may see slight drops, although costs generally remain elevated compared to other cities.

Tips for Saving Money When Renting a Car in NYC

Despite the high costs, there are strategies to save money when renting a car service in NYC:

Book Early: Secure lower rates and availability by booking in advance, especially during peak seasons.

Choose the Right Rental Duration: Plan your rental period wisely. Opt for shorter rentals for quick trips, or explore long-term deals for extended stays.

Leverage Discounts and Loyalty Programs: Take advantage of discounts for online bookings or membership programs. Signing up for loyalty programs can help you earn points for future savings or upgrades.

Opt for Smaller Vehicles or Carpooling: Choosing a smaller vehicle can lower costs, and carpooling with others can help split expenses, making it more affordable.

Use Non-Airport Locations: Avoid the additional fees associated with airport rentals by picking up your vehicle at a city location. Consider public transportation to get to a rental office to save money.

By understanding the factors that contribute to high rental costs and implementing these tips, you can navigate the complexities of renting a car in New York City while keeping expenses in check.