#and the copy here was $1 with no extra tax

[televinita]

Me, a person who spent 90 minutes at a book sale yesterday frequently squatting down to look at the books still in boxes under the tables: weird, why are my thighs so achy and sore while walking today??

[glacierruler]

Since @cutebisexualmess wants to know :D

I'll copy all the worldbuilding I have so far in here, I'm currently creating a pantheon

(death, unreality)

I'm currently creating the pantheon that they're a part of, and figuring out the timeline of the world, so any questions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Sides sponsored by gods AU

Worldbuilding

Sides domains

Virgil, wind and animals of the sky

Roman, fire and destruction

Remus, water and fish

Patton, life and death

Janus, shadows and hidden truthes

Logan, tectonic plates/earth and 

Emile, nature and healing

Remy, Dreams and hallucinations

Sides Information

Virgil

Transmasc, Emile’s brother

5’2

Wind, domain over sky creatures as well can’t talk to them but does have raven wings and bat wings, can make strong breezes, and stop the med strong breeze.

Raven wings for flight, Bat wings for fight.

Slowly turn to stone when he disappoints/angers the god sponsoring him

Has to reearn favor to get unturned. In order to replace a stone feather, has to do something taxing for the god.

Very flighty god, while is there, not nearly as much as would be genuinely helpful

Roman

GNC Cis, he/him

Warmth, can make small to med sized things spontaneously combust, can control it to a degree and stop med sized fires. Fire can be comforting and warm but also wrathful and dangerous to anyone around.

Get’s 5 degrees colder every time he angers his god. Fire is nowhere near as hot, tends to feel a bit ill.

God is more active, but also temperamental. While they can discuss ideas together, generally what the god says goes.

Remus

Nonbinary, he/it, 6’0

Cold, gills, can hold up to a medium sized pool's worth of water. Can talk to sea animals 

Gills clog up, control over water lessens, stops understanding sea animals whenever he invokes his god’s anger

Pretty chill god, but also not really there, taught Remus the basics but that is about it.

Patton

GNC 5’7

Life & Death, Can put extra life into younger things, make them more happy/excited for life/live slightly longer (1-2 years max). Can suck the life out of things as well.

Can’t heal injuries but can make fatal injuries nonfatal

God is more involved, has certain rules and gives Patton tasks, but also gives him more powers.

If Patton were to use his powers to disrupt the balance without the approval of his god he would be killed by them

Can feel other’s pain, but only actively and only some. Doesn’t tell him what the pain is, just where it’s located.

Janus

GNC cis 5’4

Shadows and hidden truths

Can manipulate shadows, and see lies in the form of string

Can snip the string with a special pair of scissors and the lies become null. They either need to come up with a different (usually not nearly as strong) lie or tell the truth. They are seen as less trustworthy after this happens.

Can also hide the truth, or obscure part of it, as if it’s a shadow. Has limited control over others who know this truth, and can make them temporarily shut up.

His god is always watching from the shadows, mostly free reign but there are some rules in place.

Logan

Cis 6’3

Earth/tectonic plates

Can move and control the earth on a small scale (One town max).

Quicksand, small canyons, can help control volcanoes.

Needs a fire or lava deity’s sponsor to actually be useful in that area. Can’t do things on their own

Their god is very picky about how the earth moves. How it interacts. But is also curious as to new ways for the earth to interact. Is always asking Logan to try new things.

Remy

Cismale 5’10

Madness, dreams, the subconcious.

Hallucinates whenever he makes his god mad, voices in head, terrified of the headless non ghost coming after him.

His god presents him choices through doorways. Usually in his dreams. Barely ever actually talks to him and when they do they’re very vague.

Emile

Transfem, Virgils sister

5’2

Healing/nature, can speed up the natural healing processes of the body by up to making injuries heal 1 week faster. Can also control plant life. Can communicate with plants and animals.

Her god is caring and nurturing, but gives freedom in what she can do.

I'm currently creating the pantheon that they're a part of, and figuring out the timeline of the world, so any questions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[vanessaroades-author]

Let’s look at what happened from June 13th to July 13th. (ARCs, Preorders, Sales, Marketing!)

Note: I’m not talking about costs here and likely won’t ever. However, my author buddy JAL Solski has an awesome write-up on the costs, tax considerations, all sorts of numbers, of publishing their sapphic fantasy duology! I’m also very fond of Ros’s write-up on expectations and goals related to post-publication.

Before you start–some disclaimers on my experience

First, expect very little! These numbers will not impress you and honestly there’s a part of me that’s pretty embarrassed, like I'm advertising that I'm a big dummy who can't write. But all in the name of honesty & transparency!

Something I hear a lot from other new authors is, “Am I doing pretty good? Am I doing really badly? I don’t know.” Well, here’s another batch of numbers to consider!

Deep Roots is currently only available as an eBook & through Kindle Unlimited.

I’m not writing anything trendy. By a long shot. I can throw “queer fantasy” on it but that’s kinda the most I got. (When’s the last time you saw a runaway indie hit that didn’t have a ton of romance?)

I’m not popular on social media (260 IG followers with on average <10% engagement and <200 TikTok followers).

I have so many friends in my corner. Someone should stop you at the gate to the Indie Publishing Amusement Park of Hell and tell you, “Listen, if you want any hope of staying sane, make author friends.” Besides helping you navigate tech questions or giving second opinions on your cover, and, you know, understanding and empathizing with you, your friends will be the ones who comment on your posts, repost them, tell their friends, add you in their newsletter, read, and review. That can mean sales…but that also means having people lift you up and celebrate with you.

Advance Reader Copies

I began posting about ARC sign-ups April 4th, sent the first round of eBooks ~May 5th, and closed applications on June 2nd.

I didn’t use a service like Booksprout or Booksirens, just plain old BookFunnel and email (therefore my reach was entirely reliant on my social media efforts). I was most talkative about it on Instagram. I only posted like once or twice on Tumblr and TikTok, but they went really well for my standards.

Sign-Ups: 51

Reviews/Ratings:

By publication day I had 4 ratings/reviews on Goodreads, 1 on Amazon, and 1 on StoryGraph.

After 31 days I had 6 reviews and 10 ratings on Goodreads. 1 extra rating on StoryGraph; Amazon stayed the same.

Note: I was really lax with my ARC team about when reviews should be sent in. I was clear that I didn’t care if they were pre-publication (partly because well…I read ARCs a lot and I know I can’t always get to things on time, and partly because I didn’t decide a publication day until fairly late in the timeline).

However, from what I’ve seen for other authors, a pretty low return on ARC readers isn’t entirely uncommon? Kind of a kick in the confidence regardless.

Preorders

Total of 7. I don’t remember when I opened preorders, but I believe it was around the same time as the ARC application.

Marketing (sort of) from June 13th to July 13th

I ran a small (kinda last-minute) campaign for extra merch & an extra story for anyone who preordered or purchased during release week. I said that I would re-run this campaign for paperbacks.

These are my Tired Girl numbers:

Instagram: 5 posts specifically about DR. 2 non-DR related.

TikTok: 7 videos specifically about DR, most getting ~300 views, though one broke 1k. (Notably, I didn’t post about the release week extras on TikTok at all.). 2 non-DR related.

Tumblr: One post I would send spinning around the block every once in a while. Definitely lowest priority.

Release Week Sales

eBook: 3

KU: 15 pages read

Release Month Sales

eBook: 4

KU: 594 pages read

Future Plans

*Releases one giant sigh* I’M FREEEEEE

Once the book is written and done, cover made and words edited, there’s only one thing left in your control: marketing. Everything else is up to chance (honestly, marketing is up to chance a lot of the time, too).

But I pretty quickly decided to take it easy on social media. A wave of burn-out that had been chasing me since last summer finally caught up, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that when I saw like no return on investment for my posts or chatter, I was like, “Okay, I’m going to rest, instead of pushing this boulder up this hill, then. I deserve it.”

One plus of having paperbacks come out way after the eBooks? I get release day Part 2! (With fun new props for pics and videos!) I have a good list of video ideas & drafts, but I would always look at them and think, “Wouldn’t this be better to do when the paperbacks are around?” And soon, they will be!

As for blog posts, I want to continue being transparent with things like this. I will (hopefully) catch up on the numbers again near the end of August, as by then I’ll be making the decision to keep Deep Roots in KU for another three months or not.

Until then, lower your expectations! It’ll keep you sane out here. Thanks for reading and hanging out.

[animehouse-moe]

A Suruga-Ya International Buyer's Guide

As Japan catches up with the times, more and more businesses become aware of the potential in overseas business. Because of that, storefronts like Suruga-Ya end up appearing as options for fans of Japanese only merchandise or items.

I am one such fan of Japanese merch and items, so of course I put in an order (with free shipping on a promo!) in. I've since gotten that order and thought I'd provide a bit of a buyer's guide for people interesting. The buyer's guide will include:

How To Purchase From Them

What You Can Purchase

Sales and Coupons

Warnings and Forewords

Shipping and Packaging

My Shopping Experience

So, without further ado, I'll get to explaining!

How Do You Buy From Suruga-Ya?

Link To The Website Here

There's two ways, the "traditional", and the "new" (how I purchased this order). The traditional is purchasing through their JP/domestic website via a proxy, while the new is shopping via their global website.

Now, it might sound like a no brainer for international people to shop via the global site, but as I'll explain later on there's a few cases/reasons where using a proxy is the more reasonable, and even times cheaper option.

Finding Items

Well, it's no CDJapan, I'll say that. Suruga-Ya's global website is propped up by almost exclusively Machine Translation. That means that the translations for some items can be really weird, like Yuta Okkotsu becoming Yuta Otsubone. Similarly, Jujutsu Kaisen gets translated to Sorcery Fight, and the translation struggles with correctly translating names (specifically those that are hiragana/katakana)

Tips For Better Searches

Limit number of keywords (instead of Yuta Okkotuse, just Yuta)

Search for JP names and literal TLs (e.g Sorcery Fight instead of Jujutsu Kaisen) as well

Search using the JP website, find the desired item, copy the item ID and search on the global site using that (more info later)

What Can You Buy?

The answer to that question is, "pretty much everything under the sun". They carry everything so long as it's not illegal to import/export. Models, figures, tapestries, art books, manga, acrylics, keychains, the list just goes on and on. About the only thing that is very clearly absent is R18 Doujins (regular ones are still available).

One thing that's really nice is that they've created "storefronts" for popular brands/titles. Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, One Piece, and Sailor Moon are just a few of the examples present on the website. It can be really helpful when you're a fan of something specific like that considering how challenging searching for something can be.

Deals and Coupons

This is the big one, the make or break for pricing. Suruga-Ya will, more often than not, have a promotional campaign going on for the global site. In fact, in the last 2 months there's been 5 weekends of free shipping. It's a crazy deal, and about the only way that international people will order from them.

If you want to keep up with promotional material though, they only post it on the website as an announcement, or on their Facebook page.

Warnings and Forewords

Buying from anywhere online comes with a caveat, the price is high, the shipping is slow, so on and so forth. Suruga-Ya is no exception to that and features four aspects that potential buyers should be aware of before making a purchase.

1. Commission Fee

All purchases are subject to a commission fee of 500Yen. Not terrible by any means, but it's an extra couple of bucks on an order that you might not have been aware of initially. To put it in perspective, Buyee takes out a "service fee" every time you make a purchase through their proxy service. It's effectively standard practice for these international orders, and you could argue that it takes the place of "tax" when shopping with them.

2. No Protective Packaging/Package Filler

What you see is what you get. This was all that was in box 1 of my order. It does keep the items from moving around too much during shipping, but it still doesn't do anything to prevent damage or any harm coming to the items. It's especially an issue given that Suruga-Ya's boxes aren't super well fitted to the orders that fill them. I think when ordering cheap stuff like I did it's not a major concern, but for stuff like figures or other delicate items it's an issue. I'm hoping that they'll add a protective packaging option at checkout in the future for that reason.

3. Prices Differ Between Websites

Once more, this is a common practice, and this is why proxy services can be worth it. They're not massive differences, but it certainly begins to accrue as a "foreigner tax". Furthermore, item availability differs between the sites. That is, you can find some things on the JP site, but not the global one. I reached out to customer support regarding that, and they stated that they plan to bring all legally importable/exportable items over to the global site, it's just that it will take time.

4. Items Are Used

For people that have done proxy orders before, that's not any sort of surprise. But for some items it's worth taking note of, especially in terms of price. For example, say that instead of 2,250Yen this art book was more like 2,500Yen. Well, as it turns out, the retail price on Amazon Japan for the art book is a hair over 2,500Yen (2,530). In those cases, buyers may want to look at other options for the item in "new" condition elsewhere if they're wary of used items.

However, "used" in Japan is very different from "used" in somewhere like North America. Night and day, really. Later on I'll show what I got, and hopefully reaffirm buyers that "used" can basically mean "like new" with stuff like art books, and that they're absolutely worth purchasing.

Shipping

It's fast, damn fast at that. With free shipping that's great, but for people looking to save money when there's not an active campaign you might struggle as DHL and EMS are the only shipping options offered by Suruga-Ya. No surface or sea mail to save a good chunk of change, so definitely be aware of the cost of shipping when making an order without a promo to cover the cost somewhat.

Packaging

I got two packages (because I ended up making two orders, also please ignore the weird stretch Tumblr applied to the image), and these are my short form thoughts on it:

Boxes are not sturdy/solid and have caved and dented in a few spots

Items are secure, but not necessarily safe

Box sizes can be too large for some orders, allowing them to move around too much

No reinforcement to corners isn't great

Overall, you get what you pay for, and for free shipping it's not the worst. Certainly not what I'd want to be paying for when paying shipping though.

My Purchases

As per usual, I largely got art books and some JP manga I've been collecting. Though more important than that is the elephant in the room. All of these items are used, but for the vast majority you'd never know. A lot of them came in plastic bags that were sealed, rathe typical of JP items which is really nice. Great condition, no signs of wear, and proper storage, it's hard to really call these things "used" all that often. However, there are exceptions.

Used Items

I received two items that could be considered "used" in the typical sense. The first is some volumes of manga that had yellowed due to age or exposure to direct sunlight, and the other is a crease/bend in the corner of an art book. Neither are severe damages or deal breakers (for me) at their price, but they're things to take note of as not everything will be perfect. Another thing to note though is I have no way of knowing if the damage to the art book was there from the beginning or happened during transit due to lack of protection.

My Experience

Keeping it short, I'll summarize my thoughts on the order from start to finish.

Searching and filtering isn't as easy as it should be

Prices are really good, but lack of description (both in regards to content and condition) can deter potential buyers

Checkout process needs some work (can't get a shipping estimate until you provide a payment method)

Shipping is incredibly quick

Packaging is questionable and cause for concern with more delicate items

Customer service is nice, but accessing them is odd (only through apps like WhatsApp or Line)

Stickers placed directly on books is a massive no-no

Overall, I'd buy from them again with conditions.

Why/When To Buy

There's a few requirements to really make Suruga-Ya worth it. Deals, more specifically free shipping (usually), is a must to make the purchase worthwhile. You could probably get away with paying shipping and getting a good deal if they JP prices weren't cheaper than the global site, but they are. Because of that, the "extra cost" can add up quite quick if there's not a sale or something to offset it. Continuing on the topic of "extra cost", their ability between sites (currently) differs. Because of that, the quantity of items you can order differs as well, which can lead to "smaller" order sizes which can increase the relative cost due to shipping. And lastly, there's no order storage. If the product lists were consistent that wouldn't be an issue, but we're dealing with used items, these things come and go quite frequently. Really want an item but can't fill out a full order? Better hope that the item doesn't sell.

So, all in all, the conditions for buying from the Suruga-Ya global site are:

Deals/free shipping

Enough items to meet reasonable order size to save money (if no free shipping)

Pretty simple, but still important to remember

In The End

If you can field a sizeable order from the global website and there's a deal running, it's probably the best deal you'll find (but still check). If not though, look at buying through the JP site via proxy. There's less stress in maximizing the order, you can sit on the items in warehouse, and you can even combine with other sites. You just won't get free shipping. And I really do have to stress that that's the biggest selling point for buying from the global site. So keep your eyes out for those specials!

[dollarbin]

Dollar Bin #33: Grace Slick's

Welcome to the WRECKING BALL!

Something you just gotta kneel down and submit to whatever The Dollar Bin offers.

I was down on my hands and creaky knees in my favorite shop a week or two back when I hit a vinyl goldmine: seven records I did not already own and knew I'd listen to at least once. Seven records for a dollar each. Seven!

Well, a lot of what I bought ultimately sounded pretty mediocre so calling it a goldmine is a stretch. I'm guessing you need a lot of iron to forge a wrecking ball big enough for Grace Slick to mount and crash about on so let's say I hit an iron mine. Check Grace out on the album's backside.

I'm guessing OSHA did not approve this photo shoot. But saying I hit an iron mine still doesn't sound quite right... After all, I suspect a lot of what I bought sucks: Stephen Stills 2 was in the stack. So maybe it was more like a tin mine? Tin doesn't sound like a valuable metal and, sorry Grace Slick, but ridiculous as your record appears it may win up not even worth a buck.

Even so, did I waiver before laying down my 93 pre-tax cents for Grace Slick's Welcome to the Wrecking Ball, an album which I knew absolutely nothing about from an artist who, apart from her early penchant for chasing rabbits and someone to love, is largely a mystery to me? Definitely not. After all, what the hell else are you gonna buy for 93 cents and then take any interest in? 1/8th of a burrito?

And there's always the chance that a record which looks this wacky will have songs that are equally bonkers. And bonkers is good, yeah? Slick on the cover looks like she'd spent the day as an extra for a B grade zombie flick featuring a lot of smoke machines. And I love how Slick's name and the album's title were slapped on post production, perhaps by a real zombie. What's more, she's standing prominently on Steiner Avenue. And that has got to mean something. Right? Maybe? Please tell me this a big, well thought through concept record, every line and every sound and every image dedicated to one silly cause...

Including the gatefold image; what's Slick out to smash here? The patriarchy? Stephen Sills? Us? Man, I'm getting excited.

There are no Captain and Tennelle and their corpulent dog records framed on the walls of my home as ironic testaments to my wit; nor do I own any savvy Hanging With My Gnomies or Dogfather tees that proclaim my sardonic depths. But who the hell would have a record collection and not want to own this record based on its looks alone?

It's not strictly true to say that I don't know anything about Slick post Jefferson Airplane's debut record, the one which features the aforementioned two songs that everyone knows. I got a copy of Bark, their 71 record, out of the Dollar Bin the same day I picked this little number up and it sounds... unimpressive.

To begin with, that album's vinyl has more flexibility to it than the quinoa tortilla I tried to eat for lunch today; seriously, I could wrap up some beans and rice in my copy of Bark record and call it lunch (I guess I should add a fish head or two based on that record's cover).

Those quinoa tortillas, on the other hand, would be right at home on my turntable, and they might ultimately sound better than Welcome to the Wrecking Ball. (Fair reader, I'm still getting up the courage to finally drop the needle on this thing; I promise to do so before we're done.)

But Grace Slick deserves my respect and open mind, and I'm going to give it to her. After all, she helped me learn how to dance. For reasons that are now lost in the sands of time I went to an 80's elementary school in which the mothers and the cool kids decided that dance parties, complete with placing our mostly chaste hands on each other's hips for slow dances (one poor young lady had to dance every one of those with an insistent and utterly uncool me for three straight years; sorry Amy!), were meant to start in the 4th Grade.

Seriously! Starting at age 10 we'd gather together for birthday parties at the Badminton Club or in someone's backyard with the most intense of the cool kid's older brother as DJ (he'd do a steamy lip sink to Shout! mid-party; we'd all freak out with awe. That dude probably sells commercial real estate these days and actively fantasizes about building a time machine so he can go back and repeatedly relive the greatest moments in his life at those parties, during which he was a cheesy, corpuscled combination of Marty McFly, Ferrris Bueller and the Fonz to all us kids) and go two steps left and two steps right with a clap accompanying each motion to everything from Buffalo Soldier to, you got it, We Built This City on Rock and Roll, Slick's incredibly regrettable 85 anthem about the pressing need for more easily accessible rock clubs in everyone's hometown which routinely tops "Worst Song of All Time" lists.

Did we think We Built This City on Rock and Roll was the worst song of all time back in 4th grade? Heck no. Often, some of the 4 foot tall cool kids would mount party tables and dance on them during the track, belting out the lyrics in their smurf voices. We were a pack of 4th grade white kids and we were actively building a city on rock and roll in real time. And it was awesome. Honestly, I don't know if I've ever even heard the song as a grown up, and I'm not plastering it here. Play it in your own blog; I'm listening to it in my ten year old brain, and it's working some serious magic.

And so, Grace Slick deserves the benefit of the doubt! Let's drop the needle and see what her wrecking ball of a dollar bin record has in store for us.

Holy Freakin' and Sagging Space Balls. This record sounds like Joan Jett, only inexplicably worse; it sounds like Poison covering Motley Crew while on speed; it sounds like Tesla's, (we're talking about the band here, not the automobile; and why we're at it, are the members of Tesla sitting around right now even richer than Elon all because they copywrited their band's name?), follow up to their even-then-it made-me-apoplectic record Five Man Acoustical Jam entitled Listen to Us Destroy All Sense of Purpose Within You With Our Glam Rock Ninja Moves (okay they don't really have a record by that name; I made that up; but they do have a record entitled Bust A Nut, and I'd argue, without any basis of knowledge whatsoever, that that record sounds a lot like Welcome to the Wrecking Ball).

This song sounds like what they'd play in the concourse area before a Donald Trump rally: everyone's standing around bumping each other's fists behind their wrap around sunglasses indoors, no one has sleeves on their shirts, and everyone wishes they could get a pair of red, white and blue Trump brand solid gold sneakers for their very own; and of course they all know Jesus will soon descend once again, only this time he'll rock a polyester jumpsuit and go agro on everyone who doubts the Donald.

To be fair, there's nothing here to suggest that Slick was a Republican; I'm making unfair analogies. But there's also nothing here to suggest that Slick had any capacity for making music anyone would ever enjoy listening to. Come on, you decide: does a song like this give you any version of pleasure?

What's worse, I can't find anything on the record that's actually as good as the title track. Slick sings, or perhaps declaims is a better word for it, about how much she loathes music critics, then moves on to describe dominatrices with their hands on the whip who have the devil in their heart and so on; then she lays this on us:

Slick chases us around the stereo space while we flee in terror; listen to the guitar soloist prance, pose and persuade us to reconsider everything we hold sacred; and then, at the end of the song, listen to everyone go totally nuts. I hear screams, laser beams and drum drops; I hear the effects of a lot of coke. Or maybe Slick was just going all in a few years early, trying to come up with something that would get fourth graders to dance on tables. Because we absolutely would have done so to this song.

Someone, please, call Alice; tell her to bring the doormouse. I want my 93 cents back.

[slasheru]

Heyyyyy Slasher Nation! 🖤 First of all - HOLY CRAP THANK YOU!! Even though the Kickstarter didn't hit the goal, the fact that 98 of y'all (!!) got us a SIGNIFICANT part of the way there (almost $3,000!!) is MINDBLOWING!! <3333 I can't thank you enough 😭

So What Now / Wait you had a Plan B the whole time?!

Yeah, man, you thought I was just gonna leave you guys hanging? ;) We're gonna try this again with a WAY smaller goal on Crowdfundr! (I'll talk more about this below!) Short pitch is: $1,125 goal (which we nailed in 48 hours here), keeps SU running, launches September 7th, Crowfundr is being hella cool and sponsoring it for SPX Spotlight, follow along HERE! [https://crowdfundr.com/slasheruact2]

But ALSO, holy crap, you guys are AMAZING:

I can hardly call this thing a wash, though, because the amount of love, attention, and SOLD COPIES OF SLASHER U: ACT 1 have been ABSOLUTELY FUCKING WILD. I just wanted to shout out to:

More than 600 new Slasher U: Act 1 players downloaded the game since the Kickstarter launched

Slasher U: Act 1: Alpha Edition maintains a whopping 4.9 out of 5 Stars average rating on itch (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I sold enough copies of Slasher U: Act 1 to cover MORE THAN HALF MY RENT THIS MONTH!! If this Kickstarter stopped right here, you guys would've been able to cover 4 MORE months of rent & production time! Which is HOG WILD.

We got shoutouts from:

Beautiful Glitch, the team behind Monster Prom, Monster Camp, & Monster Roadtrip!! Beautiful Glitch are one of my most inspirational/aspirational heroes of game dev, and the Monster franchise was a HUGE inspiration for SU, so I can't BELIEVE this happened!!!! Thank you guys SO MUCH!!! <333

WWAC (Women Write About Comics), where journalist Alenka Figa wrote SO MUCH NICE STUFF about my storytelling I'm gonna fuckin cry!!

Corinne Halbert of ACID NUN - she and I are actually gonna do an Acid Nun x Slasher U collab where you'll be able to unlock an Acid Nun player skin!! Shhhh!!

The crew at Lewdgamer who wrote an awesome writeup of the KS campaign!

Indiepocalypse - we made it into Issue #42 and Alex had us on his podcast, which was SO MUCH FUN!! According to Alex, Slasher U had one of the highest audience participation/engagements he's seen on Indiepocalypse Radio, and it was MEGA FUN watching him parse some of your saucy Sawyer questions, LMFAO.

And here's some Slasher U & SUKS stats for you:

More than 2/3rds of you ended up dating either Sawyer or Tate. >:)

In total, 94 of you backed the game here on KS!!! YOU ALL KICK SERIOUS ASS

Almost 1,000 new copies of Slasher U: Act 1 (both Regular and Premium) were downloaded during the campaign!

During the campaign, at least 3 people personally thanked me for Slasher U completely changing their life by discovering something about themselves or making them feel seen and heard, which is going to make me FUCKING CRY and is the ENTIRE REASON WHY I MAKE THIS GAME IN THE FIRST PLACE. I love you all so, so so sosososoososososos much, Student Disembody. :'))))))

So this "Plan B", eh?

Some of you know I'm a cartoonist by trade (I drew for the official FNAF franchise and more!). This year, I ended up talking to some sponsors for this upcoming SPX (Small Press Expo), which is like SDCC for indie comics, including Crowdfundr - one thing led to another, and now I'm partnering up with Crowdfundr and SPX to bring you a WAY SMALLER but also WAY MORE PERSONAL campaign to keep the lights on here at SU, as part of Crowfundr's SPX Spotlight event! For the non-comics folks here, Crowdfundr is basically the indie comics Kickstarter - I've been buddies with this crowd (pun vageuly intended) for a while and I'm psyched to be doing this with people I've been meaning to collab with!!

The new goal will cover the absolute bare minimum of making SU - $1,125, which includes font licenses, the Mac port, and taxes. Then, any EXTRA will go to more production time on Slasher U! Basically, I'm swinging the campaign around so the minimum amount is the goal, and the goal-goal's the reach goal. The GOOD NEWS is we apparently smashed this $1k goal within 48 hours of THIS Kickstarter, so I'm VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ROUND 2 OVER HERE.

(You'll ALSO still be able to snag one of those custom player skins I'm drawing - there's gonna be only 5 slots this time!) Aaaaand you can click to follow when the Crowdfundr launches in a month, here:

P.S: estimating the first Early Access build with *just* Laila's Act 2 content, plus some core extras, in the next month or month and a half >:)))

xoxoxooxoxoxoxo, love you guys SO FUCKIN MUCH, and, as we like to say on campus:

STAY HORNY!! xxoxooxox Professor Plutonium

[oldguy56-world]

Pay it Forward

I have finished doing my income taxes and will be sending it off this week. (Yes I am old school and still fill out the forms in hard copy). To me this is a thankless, repetitive, unnecessary job we have to do every year with no rewards. What's that you say? You are getting back a refund and that is a reward? Think about the word you just used: refund. You are getting back money you should not have spent in the first place. The government sort of saying 'oops' we took your money and should not have, all the while keeping their fingers crossed you do it wrong and end up giving them even more.

Let's be clear here. | firmly believe we all have to pay taxes. This is how we get services like health care and other things I don't take advantage of, but I hear they are good nonetheless. Would it not be simpler if there was a flat percentage that everyone paid? We would not have to do this exercise every year. The only downside I can see is it would put a lot of people working for revenue Canada out of work but the savings for that alone could lower our taxes. To quote Spock 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.' (I was feeling philosophical here)

What's that you say? What about the extra income people make on the side that must be declared so those taxes can be collected? Do you honestly believe the money being earned this way is even being declared? That is why it is called under the table. They use it for booze so they can drink themselves under the table with joy because they didn't pay taxes.

This was a long preamble that has nothing to do with the point I want to get at. We do pay all these taxes but have no say in how the money is spent. Just in case this is my first blog you are reading I will explain that I have some ideas I would like to share on how that money should be spent. What I wrote above was something I had to get off of my chest because I was frustrated with my taxes. Here are some thoughts on how our hard earned tax dollars could be put to good use.

Friday could become pie day. Each month all seniors get a coupon in the mail for every upcoming Friday for the next month that can be redeemed anywhere for 1 free pie. Why? I like pie. This could even be broadened to include pizza because, well technically they are called pizza pies.

Build a wall at our southern border to keep those pesky Americans out.

Set up schools for kids starting at the age of three (we want them out of diapers) training them in hand to hand combat. Once they get to regular school they should still get one class a day in it until they are finished high school. This would make us the most feared country in the world because no one would expect our 'friendly' citizens to be able to kick their butts.

Set up secret facilities to perfect and build space craft so that when the Earth is ruined by the other idiot countries refusal to stop pollution, or they blow it up in warfare, we can be long gone living on a planet that has no snow.

Bring back Eaton's just don't let that family anywhere near it. We need a feel good story nationally.

If Petro-Canada is for Canadians and the revenues go to Canada remove the taxes built into the price at their stations. The increase in customers going there because it is the cheapest gas in town will more than cover the loss of tax revenues. You say this is unfair and illegal? Change the law.

Build water bottling plants across the country. We could own the world. Give them cool names like Alberta Gold (although it better not be yellow or people won't buy it) or claim it is pure from frozen icebergs (who can check). No one else could match our volume of production. If you've got it, flaunt it.

Give every adult one free lottery ticket a month. Might be something, might be nothing but the anticipation alone is entertaining and what is better than entertaining the masses. (void in the province of Quebec)

Pay to have 10,000,000 immigrants to come to our country to live. Think of all the extra spin off business opportunities, plus more taxes. What could go wrong here?

Overall, I believe there are a lot of missed opportunities for our tax dollars. There must be something better to spend it on than that art sculpture at the front of the University of Waterloo that looks like a giant turd.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Tax money is good if it is well spent. Our problem is that this rarely occurs.

[thegeneralsnotebook]

Adventures in Deckbuilding #230: Yona & Sandbar, Pony Pals (White Farm) [Core]

Yona & Sandbar, Pony Pals

The Dynamic Duo

It was indeed one of the first things that I thought about when I first saw this Mane: “Wait, is this actually a Farming Mane?” Since the +2 power boost that Yona & Sandbar can apply with their Boosted side can be given to a character and not just a Friend, it seemed to me that a White deck with enough Immediate Events and Hasty other-things could indeed make a run at farming with this Mane. And while I was told at the time that there weren’t enough good Immediate-speed things to run in White, I actually think that there are enough, especially now that Prize Wheel has given us the Hasty Overwhelming Aroma.

In many respects, this deck is made up according to the same blueprint as a traditional Blue farming list, with the biggest flaws in the plan being that we don’t have access to Flash Magnus’s Shield, or any Friends that help with winning faceoffs. What we do have, though, is a wonderful Starting Problems for mono-White decks that don’t intend on having a Problem faceoff anytime soon. When every non-Friend card in our deck can give our Mane +2 Power, and the ones with White requirement also give them another +2, I would tend to think that our Immediate-speed Events and Resources should support Farming quite nicely.

Many of them are great faceoff tricks as well. Wrinkle in Time is an obvious one, as is Costume Change, such as it is. That one also has the benefit of getting something out of your discard pile, to the bottom of our deck, but we are capable of shuffling with Pony of Shadows. Wink! and Fit of Pique are notable mostly for their cheapness, as in “Why wouldn’t you play these for an extra benefit in a faceoff?”, especially in Wink!’s case where the opponent might have a faceoff trick they’ve been waiting to play. See High Alert for the same reason: “That’s +2, and I’m up by 1, would you like to play anything in response?”

Pony of Shadows here is, obviously, nowhere near as big of a deal as it is in a Blue farming list. Yet at the same time each of the Friends here has the ability to be quite impactful (and I’d appreciate not flipping them for Faceoffs anyway). Spoons is a natural all-around good choice, particularly useful once again in taxing many of the faceoff tricks that are commonly used against farming decks. Capper has been a card custom-built for White farm since his inception, which means he basically hasn’t seen any play, but it’s a fine card in its role. Stygian is admittedly less useful since many of our Resources are Unique, but copying Saddle Row is obviously amazing. And, if it has to be, there are benefits to copying a Unique Resource as the real version can go to the discard pile and be targeted by a Costume Change later.

Resource removal is certainly light, and made all the harder because we don’t have good cards to retire to fuel a Fashion Overload. For this we must turn back to the old standby of Winterzilla, used only in a pinch to deal with Resources that cannot be allowed to stick on the opposing side. Though, as any Farming list will tell you, when you have only a small number of Friends, the number of opposing Resources that are truly intolerable is actually not that high.

I don’t know if this deck is actually any good, and I expect that the next time that I roll this Mane I will return to the more standard Octavia-style aggression that Yonabar was essentially built for. Yet still, I want to try playing with this deck at least once for sure. There’s still a part of me convinced that this may be the right way to play this Mane, especially looking at this deck now, and so it needs to be proved wrong. Or right, in the best-case scenario.

I am about to embark on a weeklong vacation, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t build another deck and write another post. In fact I intend this to be a very productive vacation, as I have so many things on the go right now that need to be dealt with. And given how little enthusiasm I have for once again returning to Spike, Crystal Hero, I’ll be happy to be able to relax while slogging through the build.

[signzytech]

Why using e-Sign loan origination can be done quickly & securely?

It’s no secret that the mortgage industry is bogged down by paperwork for years. As a result, the loan origination process could be faster and more convenient, leading to lost opportunities and frustrated customers.

But what if there was a way to streamline the loan origination process and make it more efficient? Enter e-Sign loan origination. Aadhaar e-Sign API is an electronic signature solution that allows you to sign documents online quickly and securely.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why using eSign loan origination can be done quickly and securely. We’ll also discuss some benefits of using this technology in your business. So if you’re looking for a way to speed up your loan origination process, read on!

How does e-Sign work?

eSign allows you to electronically sign documents using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Upload the document to be signed, add your electronic signature, and send it off! There’s no need to print out or fax copies anymore — eSign makes signing documents quick and easy.

Is e-Sign legal?

Absolutely! eSignatures are legally binding in the United States under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN). This means eSignatures have the same legal weight as traditional signatures on paper documents.

How secure is e-Sign?

Very secure! All data exchanged during an eSignature transaction is encrypted using 2048-bit SSL encryption — the same level of security used by banks and financial institutions. Additionally, each document is assigned a unique tamper-proof seal that ensures its authenticity.

What types of documents can I sign with eSign?

You can sign virtually any document with e-Sign, from contracts and agreements to tax forms and applications.

Digital Evolution & Better Customer Experience

There are many benefits of using eContract eSignatures for loan origination, including the ability to do so quickly and securely. With eContract eSignatures, businesses can streamline the loan origination process by eliminating the need for paper documents and in-person signatures. This can save time and money while providing a better experience for customers.

In addition, eContract eSignatures are more secure than traditional signatures. They allow businesses to verify the identity of signers and ensure the non-alteration of documents. This can help to prevent fraud and protect businesses from legal liability.

Finally, using eContract eSignatures can help businesses to improve customer satisfaction. Customers can sign documents from anywhere at any time, making the process more convenient. In addition, eContract eSignatures provide a more professional look to documents, which can give customers confidence in your business. If you are considering taking out a loan, an e-Sign loan may be a good option. However, shop around and compare rates before signing any agreement.

How e-Sign Can Benefit Loan Origination

e-Sign with Aadhaar can help make loan origination more efficient and secure. Here are four ways it can do so:

1. Automate the loan application process

With e-Sign, you can automate the loan application process by setting up digital workflows. This can save time and reduce errors.

2. Create a paperless environment

eSignatures can help create a paperless environment for loan origination. This can save time and money while also reducing your environmental impact.

3. Increase security

eSignatures add an extra layer of protection to the loan origination process. They prevent fraud and ensure documents are not tampered.

4. Improve customer experience

eSignatures can improve the customer experience by making it easier for borrowers to apply for loans and track their progress online.

The Risks of Not Using e-Sign

There are several risks associated with not using eSignatures for loan origination:

1. Increased Costs: Not using eSignatures can increase the loan origination cost, as paper documents must be printed, signed, and scanned.

2. Security Risks: Printing and scanning documents can create security risks, as sensitive information could be lost or stolen.

3. Compliance Risks: Some jurisdictions require that certain documents be signed electronically to be valid. Not using eSignatures could put lenders at risk of non-compliance.

4. Fraud Risks: Not using eSignatures could also increase the risk of fraud, as borrowers could sign paper documents without verification.

How to Use e-Sign Safely and Securely

When you use e-Sign to sign a loan agreement, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the document electronically. This is a legally binding contract, so you must understand the terms before signing. Here are some tips to help you use e-Sign safely and securely:

Read the document thoroughly before signing. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, ask for clarification from the lender.

Only sign documents which have permission to sign. Don’t sign any document that you didn’t initiate or that you’re not comfortable with.

Keep your electronic signature safe. Treat it like you would your physical signature. Please don’t share it with anyone.

Use a secure connection when signing documents electronically. This helps to ensure that your signature can’t be intercepted or tampered with during transit.

Keep copies of all signed documents for your records. This way, you have a history in case of any issues.

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses — using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs that can be easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3–4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.

You can reach out to our team at reachout@signzy.com.

[travelittourandtravel]

10 Essential Travel Tips for First-Time Travelers

Traveling for the first time can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. To make your journey smooth and enjoyable, here are ten essential tips to keep in mind. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or an extended adventure, these suggestions will help you make the most of your experience.

1. Plan Ahead

Before embarking on your journey, take time to research your destination. Understand the local customs, language, and weather conditions. This preparation will help you feel more comfortable and confident upon arrival.

2. Choose the Right Travel Agency

Selecting the best travel agency in Dehradun, like Travel It, can make a significant difference in your travel experience. They can provide expert guidance, tailor your itinerary, and offer local insights that enhance your trip.

3. Pack Smart

Pack only what you need and choose versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. Don’t forget essentials like travel-sized toiletries, chargers, and a portable power bank. Remember to leave some space for souvenirs!

4. Keep Important Documents Safe

Always have digital and physical copies of your important documents — passport, visa, travel insurance, and itinerary. Store them in a secure place, and consider using a travel wallet or a money belt for extra security.

5. Stay Connected

Research local SIM card options or consider international roaming plans to stay connected with family and friends. This will help you navigate new places, share your experiences, and stay safe.

6. Be Open to New Experiences

Traveling is about exploration. Be open to trying new foods, meeting locals, and engaging in cultural activities. These experiences often become the most memorable parts of your trip.

7. Stay Hydrated and Healthy

Traveling can be taxing on your body. Drink plenty of water, especially if you’re flying, and try to maintain a balanced diet. Don’t forget to pack any medications you may need, as well as a small first-aid kit.

Read Blog here : https://medium.com/@travelit.saarasia/10-essential-travel-tips-for-first-time-travelers-800758b1d012

Click Here : Best Tour and Travel Agency in Dehradun

[saicpaservices]

IRS Advises Summer Tax Review to Prevent Next Year’s Surprises

As the summer comes to a close, the IRS is encouraging taxpayers to take a proactive step and conduct an end-of-summer tax review. This simple yet effective measure can help align your tax withholding or payments with what you actually owe, thereby reducing the risk of surprises when tax season arrives.

The Importance of Tax Planning

Tax planning is not just a year-end activity; it’s an ongoing process that can have significant benefits for your financial health. By taking the time to review your tax situation now, you can:

Avoid Penalties: By adjusting your withholding or making estimated payments, you can avoid penalties for underpayment, which often catch taxpayers off guard.

Improve Financial Planning: Aligning your tax payments with your actual tax liability can help you manage your finances better and reduce stress during tax season.

Key Points to Consider

The U.S. tax system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning that taxes are paid as income is earned throughout the year. This is typically done through paycheck withholding or by making estimated tax payments. However, many taxpayers either receive refunds or face unexpected tax bills due to a lack of proper tax planning. Here are some common scenarios that require extra attention:

Gig Economy Workers: Those earning income from gig work or side hustles often don’t have taxes withheld from their earnings, leading to potential underpayment issues.

Self-Employed Individuals: Like gig workers, self-employed individuals are responsible for paying their own taxes throughout the year.

Multiple Job Holders: Those with more than one job need to ensure that their total income is properly accounted for in their tax planning.

Life Changes: Significant life events like marriage, the birth of a child, or a job change can impact your tax situation.

Tools and Resources

The IRS offers a helpful tool called the Tax Withholding Estimator on its website. This tool allows you to estimate the correct amount of federal income tax you should be paying throughout the year. To use it, you’ll need your current pay stubs and a copy of last year’s tax return.

IRS Statistics

Recent IRS data reveals that two-thirds of taxpayers received a refund in 2024, with the average refund being just under $2,900. However, a notable number of taxpayers also faced estimated tax penalties due to underpayment. These penalties can often be avoided with a simple mid-year checkup.

Action Steps to Take Now

To avoid any unpleasant surprises next tax season, consider taking the following steps:

Review Your Pay Stubs: Check your current withholding amounts to ensure they align with your expected tax liability.

Use the Tax Withholding Estimator: This tool can help you determine if you need to make adjustments to your withholding or estimated payments.

Make Necessary Adjustments: If the estimator suggests changes, update your withholding or make additional estimated tax payments to stay on track.

Contact SAI CPA Services for Guidance

At SAI CPA Services, we bring the latest IRS updates to your attention and provide expert guidance to help you navigate the complexities of tax planning. By taking these proactive steps now, you can ensure a smoother, stress-free tax season ahead.

For more information and personalized tax planning services, please contact us at:

Office Locations:

1 Auer Ct. East Brunswick, NJ 08816, Ph: (908) 888-8900

5 Villa Farms Cir. Monroe Twp, NJ 08831, Ph: (908) 380-6876

Website: www.saicpaservices.com Email: support@saicpaservices.com

[southgatetravels]

Renting a Car at Trivandrum Airport: A Comprehensive Guide

Arriving at Trivandrum International Airport marks the beginning of your adventure in Kerala’s vibrant capital. Whether you're here for business or leisure, renting a car at the airport offers the freedom and flexibility to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. This guide provides everything you need to know about Rent a Car in Trivandrum Airport, from the top rental companies to tips for a smooth rental experience.

Benefits of Renting a Car at Trivandrum Airport

Convenience:

Renting a car directly at the airport saves you the hassle of arranging transportation to your hotel or other destinations.

Flexibility:

With your own vehicle, you can explore Trivandrum and nearby attractions without being dependent on public transport schedules.

Comfort:

Enjoy the comfort and privacy of driving a car tailored to your preferences, especially after a long flight.

Cost-Effective:

For longer stays or extensive travel plans, renting a car can be more economical than using taxis or ride-sharing services.

Top Car Rental Companies at Trivandrum Airport

1. Zoomcar

Overview: Zoomcar is a leading self-drive car rental service in India, offering a wide range of vehicles to suit different needs and budgets.

Fleet Highlights:

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai i20

Mahindra XUV500

Services:

Hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly rental plans

24/7 roadside assistance

Easy booking via mobile app or website

Why Choose Zoomcar? Zoomcar’s extensive fleet and flexible rental options make it a convenient choice for travelers looking for reliable self-drive rentals at Trivandrum Airport.

2. Myles

Overview: Myles offers a variety of self-drive cars at competitive prices, catering to both short-term and long-term rental needs.

Fleet Highlights:

Honda Amaze

Ford Ecosport

Toyota Innova Crysta

Services:

Self-drive rentals

Long-term rental options

Doorstep delivery and pickup

Why Choose Myles? Myles is known for its transparent pricing and quality service, making it an excellent option for those looking for a hassle-free car rental experience.

3. IndusGo

Overview: IndusGo is a popular choice for self-drive car rentals in Kerala, offering affordable rates and a hassle-free rental experience.

Fleet Highlights:

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Fortuner

Services:

Flexible rental durations

Doorstep delivery and pickup

Clean and well-maintained vehicles

Why Choose IndusGo? IndusGo’s affordability and convenience make it a great choice for travelers looking for budget-friendly self-drive car rentals at Trivandrum Airport.

4. Avis India

Overview: Avis India is known for its premium car rental services, offering a wide selection of high-end vehicles and professional service.

Fleet Highlights:

BMW 5 Series

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Audi Q3

Services:

Self-drive and chauffeur-driven rentals

Airport transfers

Corporate rental programs

Why Choose Avis India? Avis India’s commitment to luxury and excellence makes it a perfect choice for those who want to travel in style and comfort.

Tips for Renting a Car at Trivandrum Airport

Book in Advance:

Secure the best rates and ensure availability by booking your car rental in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Compare Prices:

Use comparison websites or apps to check prices across different rental services and find the best deal.

Check for Hidden Fees:

Understand the pricing structure and check for any hidden fees such as insurance, taxes, or additional driver fees.

Inspect the Vehicle:

Before driving off, inspect the car for any existing damages and ensure they are documented to avoid disputes later.

Understand the Fuel Policy:

Some companies require you to return the car with a full tank, while others provide a full-to-full policy. Make sure you know the policy to avoid extra charges.

Have the Necessary Documents:

Carry your driving license, ID proof, and a copy of the rental agreement. International travelers might need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Popular Destinations to Explore from Trivandrum

Kovalam Beach:

Just 15 km from the airport, Kovalam Beach is famous for its scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple:

Located in the heart of the city, this historic temple is a must-visit for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance.

Varkala Cliff:

About 50 km from Trivandrum, Varkala is known for its unique cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea and serene beaches.

Ponmudi Hill Station:

A picturesque hill station located around 60 km from the city, perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

Final Thoughts

Renting a car at Trivandrum Airport provides a seamless and enjoyable way to explore the beautiful city of Trivandrum and its surrounding attractions. Whether you’re here for a short visit or an extended stay, the convenience, flexibility, and comfort of having your own vehicle can greatly enhance your travel experience. Choose from the top rental services, follow the tips for a smooth rental process, and set off on an unforgettable journey through Kerala’s capital.

[taxnetfinancial-blog]

Get Ahead with Ease: Navigating Tax Season with Tax Refund Loans

Tax season can be a stressful time for many people, especially those who are eagerly anticipating their tax refund. Whether you need the money to pay off bills, make a large purchase, or simply to have some extra cash on hand, waiting for your tax refund to arrive can feel like an eternity. Fortunately, tax refund loans offer a solution to help you get ahead with ease during tax season.

What are Tax Refund Loans?

Tax refund loans, also known as refund anticipation loans (RALs), are short-term loans that are based on your expected tax refund. These loans allow you to borrow against your refund, giving you access to the money you need before the IRS processes your tax return and issues your refund.

How Tax Refund Loans Work

When you apply for a tax refund loan, the lender will typically review your tax return to determine the amount of your expected refund. They will then offer you a loan based on a portion of that amount, usually ranging from $500 to $3,500.

Once you are approved for the loan, the funds will be deposited directly into your bank account, often within 24 hours. When the IRS processes your tax return and issues your refund, the loan amount plus any fees and interest will be automatically deducted from your refund, and the remaining balance will be sent to you.

Advantages of Tax Refund Loans

There are several advantages to using tax refund loans to navigate tax season:

1. Fast access to funds: With a tax refund loan, you can get access to your money in as little as 24 hours, rather than waiting weeks or even months for your refund to arrive from the IRS.

2. No credit check required: Many tax refund loan lenders do not require a credit check, making these loans accessible to people with all types of credit histories.

3. Convenient application process: You can often apply for a tax refund loan online or through a tax preparation service, making the process quick and easy.

4. Use the money for anything: Once you receive your loan funds, you can use the money for any purpose, whether it's paying off debt, making a large purchase, or simply having some extra cash on hand.

Choosing the Right Tax Refund Loan Lender

If you're considering a tax refund loan, it's important to choose the right lender to ensure a smooth and stress-free borrowing experience. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating potential lenders:

Reputation and Reviews

Before applying for a tax refund loan, take the time to research the lender's reputation and read reviews from past customers. Look for a lender with a history of satisfied borrowers and positive feedback.

Fees and Interest Rates

Tax refund loans often come with fees and interest charges, which can vary widely between lenders. Make sure to carefully review the loan terms and conditions to understand the total cost of borrowing, including any origination fees, processing fees, or prepayment penalties.

Loan Amounts and Qualification Requirements

Different lenders may offer different loan amounts and have different qualification requirements. Look for a lender that offers the loan amount you need and has qualification requirements that you can meet.

Customer Service and Support

Finally, consider the level of customer service and support offered by the lender. Look for a lender with responsive and helpful customer service representatives who can answer your questions and help you navigate the loan process.

Applying for a Tax Refund Loan

Once you've chosen a lender, the process of applying for a tax refund loan is typically quick and straightforward. Here's what you can expect:

Gathering Required Documents

To apply for a tax refund loan, you'll typically need to provide some basic personal and financial information, as well as a copy of your tax return. Make sure to have these documents on hand before starting the application process.

Submitting Your Application

Most tax refund loan lenders allow you to apply online, either through their website or through a tax preparation software. Simply follow the prompts to enter your information and submit your application.

Receiving Your Loan Funds

If your application is approved, you'll typically receive your loan funds within 24 to 48 hours via direct deposit into your bank account. Once you have the funds, you can use them for any purpose you choose.

Repaying Your Loan

When your tax refund arrives, the loan amount plus any fees and interest will be automatically deducted from your refund. The remaining balance will then be sent to you via direct deposit or paper check.

 Maximizing Your Tax Refund with Loans and Planning

In addition to using tax refund loans to get ahead during tax season, there are other strategies you can use to maximize your refund and make the most of your money:

 Adjusting Your Withholdings

If you consistently receive large tax refunds each year, it may be a sign that you're having too much withheld from your paychecks. By adjusting your withholdings, you can increase your take-home pay throughout the year and reduce the size of your refund.

Using Your Refund Wisely

When you do receive your tax refund, it's important to use the money wisely. Consider using your refund to pay off high-interest debt, build an emergency fund, or invest in your future.

Planning for Next Year's Taxes

Finally, take the time to plan ahead for next year's taxes. Keep accurate records of your income and expenses throughout the year, and consider working with a tax professional to identify deductions and credits that can help reduce your tax liability.

Conclusion

Tax season can be a stressful and overwhelming time, but tax refund loans offer a way to get ahead with ease. By providing fast access to funds, no credit check requirements, and a convenient application process, tax refund loans can help you navigate tax season with confidence.

When considering a tax refund loan, be sure to choose a reputable lender with competitive fees and interest rates, and take the time to carefully review the loan terms and conditions. And remember, tax refund loans are just one tool in your financial toolbox - by combining them with other strategies like adjusting your withholdings, using your refund wisely, and planning ahead for next year's taxes, you can maximize your refund and achieve your financial goals.

So this tax season, don't let the stress of waiting for your refund get you down. Consider a tax refund loan to get ahead with ease, and take control of your finances today!

[betweenishish]

I was a tax monkey for two years and I can confirm all of the above, with a couple of notes. -PDF? What's a PDF? I'll send you a fax so large it'll take two paper restocks to complete. The information is incomplete and I will not pick up your thrice daily phone calls. Two weeks later I'll demand a return fax of the paperwork I faxed you even though I presumably own the originals and the faxfax is illegible. Oh and I'm not going to pay my bill because I'm mad that you couldn't fudge the numbers so I can get out of paying taxes on a $1 million land sale in Oregon, and the IRS also wanted the taxes I didn't pay the last two years either. I will be a dirty nasty dick to you every time we speak. -I'm going to itemize even though I have six? seven? unclear. kids and the standard deduction would be far better considering I am basically broke. Here is a year's worth of receipts I scraped from the sticky floor of my van, stuffed into a large Victoria's Secret bag. Oh, and I almost forgot, here are my completely blank charity slips from Goodwill.

-I own a towtruck business and it's tax time. I'm going to extend until the gubmint makes me finally file. In those extra months I will not gather up any of the necessary info for you. Oh, and these guys I've hired are bugging you constantly for updates because they need their 1099s for their own taxes, and I'll talk about the other guys I hired illegally while you're in the room because why not.

-Accounting is a group effort. These numbers won't balance and I'm going out of my mind. Two of them somewhere are transposed. You take this sheaf and tell me if you can spot the error.

-While attempting to scan old files into a digital archive so the physical files can be shredded, argue with bookkeeper over the sanity of keeping records for a business which was closed, sold, demolished, then turned into tract housing, and all original parties have died.

-While typing out carbon copies for your customers' 1099s on an actual typewriter, you make a typo. After carefully starting a fresh sheet and delicately hunting and pecking, boss wanders in and gets upset that the typeset he chose is too big for the company name box and has truncated 'associates' to 'ass'.

-I want to go 'married, filing separately'. No, we're happily married; I just don't want to be taxed for his assets. Who cares if it's against state law?? Just lie and tell them we're separated. What do you mean we'd pay less tax filing jointly?

-You need to talk to the IRS, so you call and hold times are long so you request a callback that never comes. After delaying for a day, you NEED to talk to the IRS, so you decide to hold even though estimated wait times are three hours. After seven hours, you longingly wish for the sixties when it would have been okay to keep whiskey in the bottom drawer.

i'm taking an accounting class and i gotta ask: how do you do this. what does any of this mean. what's a number

welcome to X-Treme Sudoku

[thegadlingguides]

ROME

I don't think people in modern times understand what the Roman empire was. There's been a lot of classical revival fanboying, idolizing and vilification of the emperors and generals of the time, and admiration of the architecture they left all over the landscape of Europe, but… Literally most of Western history is just, 'what we did after the Roman Empire fell-', and bragging about who lost least, culturally copied them best, and who rebuilt what technology first. There are several large elephants in that room.

The first is, technology isn't equivalent across cultures. The Romans made advances in concrete and building tech that have only been unraveled in the past twenty years, let alone the past two hundred. Did they have Gatling guns or iPhones? No, they did not. Did they have factories, in the early 18th century sense? Yes, they actually did.

The second elephant is, the Roman citizens were no more noble or wise than other people, they were just sitting on a bigger information pile. There were genocides. There was cultural erasure of conquered provinces, complete with the proliferation of Roman-sounding names. There was entrenched sexism, with long habit and the behavior of certain gods to justify it. There was a massive brothel industry, staffed by far too high a proportion of slaves. I could go on, here.

The third elephant is the effect of major plagues on the keeping of records. Granted, competing religions and politics love to destroy information too, but imagine the effect on aggregate knowledge and the maintenance of libraries of losing 1/5 to 3/5 of your population within a single generation. Especially when those WITH that knowledge became unpopular, for having pissed off the gods, been powerless to stop the plague's spread, used the death toll to reap some extra inheritance taxes just when the people needed a break, etc. The plague of Justinian (541–549), and later the Black Death (1346-1353) were truly devastating. Three percent of your population dies? That's a bad winter. It makes people sad, but it's not going to make major changes to a civilization. Thirty to sixty percent of your population dies? That's an actual Plague, and if you lose that many scholars, farmers, and craftsmen at once, you may genuinely lose some centuries of history and a tech level or two.

The fourth elephant is that technology, in the sense of both technical skill and civic/philosophical ideas, is not an unbroken upwards curve the way western education teaches in school. It's a far more nuanced thing, with multiple graphs for healthcare, architecture, weapons, communication speed, education,etc. Even when considered as a graph of technology in the 'progress!' sense, there are occasional dips, flats and peaks. 'But that's all in the past, we've never had technology this advanced before-' Do you know how to build a laptop computer? A landline telephone? An internal combustion engine? A printing press? A washing machine? Even a bicycle? Do you really? This is why technology's not an unbroken upwards curve. It's like a beach-ball, you have to keep bopping it up into the air by teaching others and writing things down, or it's going to fall. Again.

What was Rome, really? Rome was an idea, a dream. A huge social machine that unified, communicated ideas, built, protected, and ground people between it's gears without a backwards glance. And dammit for a good long while it worked. I hated some parts of it, even at the time… but I have to admit it was far better than many of the systems that followed it.

Judge a civilization by it's toilets, and by whether it allows immigrants to become equal citizens.

[sillovn]

Adventures of Zwan: Wizard Mimicry

Many weapon arts might as well be 'spells cast with a weapon' - so why not make a build entirely out of them? The Adventures of Slinger Zwan, a full dex 'caster',

Ive wanted make a "wizard mimic" - a build that combines several 'spell-like' weapon-arts to create the feel and playstyle of a wizard. This is not Flame Strike spam; we need to be long ranged and lightly armoured.

You see, its not just about weapon art spam - its about making a wizard the most ass backward way.

1. Overview

Pros

Simple - weapon arts cover for ranged and area, weapon attacks for closeup fights.

Works from the start, no need to cheese later areas

Main damage is physical, no need to care for element resistant enemies

Easy respec for PvP

Cons

Requires alot of weapon swap and grip changing

Made for insane people

Squishy

Heres the stats and gear, indepth discussion below.

Yup, 6 weapons (not necessary or even ideal - but Ive never had a chance to use all weapon slots and this character justifies it *kinda*)

Dual-wield Straight Swords (main-hand Stormblade, off-hand Hoarfrost Stomp/Vacuum Slice)

The main setup; Stormblade is your basic damage 'spell' - good balance of speed, damage and stagger. Dual Sword gives sustained damage for enemies that get close.

Hoarfrost for groups/frostbite status - I have it on off-hand as these are situational uses; we don't need it on fast swap. Vacuum Slice gives better damage/range but appears late-game only and has no utility.

I used Lordsworn for fashion/easy to find 2 copies. The others are just rarer or suffer the "dex-tax" (more on that later). But really, any infusable straight sword works here.

Main Hand 2 - Cleanrot Sword/Urumi + Thunderbolt/Beast Roar

Beastroar has very strong stagger, able to push away small enemies. Thunderbolt is fast lightning damage.

Cleanrot Sword for fast poke or pursuit. Urumi for ranged damage without fp, also the strongest dex scaling for wep-art damage. Your choice.

Main Hand 3 - Gransax/Zamor Sword/Guardian Swordspear + Phantom Slash/Any Spear + Ice Spear (Optional)

The 'flashy' slot, the idea is to mimic big, impactful spells. This is optional and where the only 'heavy weapon' goes.

Gransax is a great opener from very long range (ie. Loretta bow-like). Zamor is the weapon version of its sorcery namesake, also the only major hyperarmour attack we have.

Swordspear+P.Slash if you need a long dash. Ice Spear is the earliest available option, also safely applies status effect from range.

Off-hand 2 - Any Dagger + Chilling Mist (Optional)

When you need to frostbite quickly.

Off-hand 3 - Any Dagger + Golden Vow (Optional)

Buff stick, use it and put away.

Armour

Tanith Mask for +1 dex, all else is fashion.

2. Optimizing for Sanity

Here, I am using 6 weapons and 29 mind; because I am deranged and like to PVE in style.

You can easily cut this down to 3 weapons (dual swords + flex option) saving endurance. Not using Gransax saves points in str. Mind can be easily cut to 16.

The build really only has 2 stat requirements: 60 vig + 60 dex, all else is to taste. So what to do with the extra points?

Endurance for heavier armour or lightroll

Push for 80 dex

This leaner, cleaner style is essentially a pvp respec. Becoming a rather standard 'dex shell' with extra mind investment.

3. Leveling

Start as a Vagabond, grab any straight sword and buy Storm Blade from Bernahl. Early levels are Vig and Mind; this build is fp intense from the start.

Kill the Limgrave Knight for Golden Vow (but its not worth using early). You can farm Godrick Soldiers for a second straight sword.

Liurnia unlocks Hoarfrost, Chlling Mist, Ice Spear, Urumi and Carian Filigree Creast. Gurranq gives Beast Roar at 4 deathroot. Grab any spear and throw Ice Spear on it. Hoarfrost/Mist goes on anything, you can use the unique frost axe. The build is mechanically complete at this point.

Lategame unlocks the 'flashy' options - Gransax, Zamor, Phantom Slash and Vacuum Slice. Alex shard gives the biggest damage boost and is our only 'mandatory' talisman.

4. Technical Discussion

Damage Stat (or why dex?)

Went with Dex due to good variety of ranged wep-arts and low-weight weapons. Int, Arc and Fth are also doable, but thats a different build entirely.

Besides keen+lightning, Dex also dips into quality and cold. It is the stat that bridges the most element affinities, hence best variety. Many of the quality wep-arts also do more damage on keen infusion at meta levels.

This also adds a wind/weather theme - something not well represented in the main spell roster.

Why that weapon selection?

Since 1 weapon = 1 weapon art, we are limited to 6 "spells" without swapping. Weapons also have weight, so each "spell" comes with an endurance tax.

Using an off-hand wep-art, requires 2-handing it (ie. takes more time). Therefore off-hand options should be situational, main-hand the "bread and butter".

Weapon arts that shoot a projectile (really, anything not a weapon swing) ignores your weapon's damage. Trying to optimize these 'bullet' arts is very complicated - so heres a detailed video explanation

All this means that we want many light-weight weapons, raw ar is not as important as good scaling. Which leads to...

The Secret 'Dex Tax'

There is a hidden mechanic where weapons with an innate str/dex bias get worse wep-art scaling than no-bias weapon - assuming both are infused to heavy/keen.

In short, within a weapon type - the version with better natural dex is worse for us. This is why we dont use Warhawk Talon as our main sword. Though as usual, exceptions exist (eg. Urumi, Swordspear)

Consumables?

An unexpected upside to this build is consumable item. Dex + ranged playstyle makes good use of Throwing Knives. Physical weapons mean buff items are an option - though our playstyle almost never uses them.

Other Weapons

Why not Highand Axe+Beast Roar? - forgot that combo existed, but is pretty solid.

More Wind Ashes?

The other wind/storm ashes mainly care about your weapon's damage? They're also much more melee centric.

5. Closing Thoughts

My main issue was how similar in function alot of ranged weapon arts are. Stormblade, Beast Roar and Thunderbolt all fill the niche of fast ranged projectile - and they were by far the strongest tools in our kit. This meant the ranged playstyle was quite 1-note; sure you can run in and attack - but thats not the focus of this build.

On a side note, I find that weapon arts are better ranged attacks than *many* spells - but thats another rant entirely.