#cash app Help center

[lets-steal-an-archive]

By Bernie Sanders | July 13, 2024

I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him on particular issues, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump — a demagogue and pathological liar. It’s time to learn a lesson from the progressive and centrist forces in France who, despite profound political differences, came together this week to soundly defeat right-wing extremism.

I strongly disagree with Mr. Biden on the question of U.S. support for Israel’s horrific war against the Palestinian people. The United States should not provide Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing extremist government with another nickel as it continues to create one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.

I strongly disagree with the president’s belief that the Affordable Care Act, as useful as it has been, will ever address America’s health care crisis. Our health care system is broken, dysfunctional and wildly expensive and needs to be replaced with a “Medicare for all” single-payer system. Health care is a human right.

And those are not my only disagreements with Mr. Biden.

But for over two weeks now, the corporate media has obsessively focused on the June presidential debate and the cognitive capabilities of a man who has, perhaps, the most difficult and stressful job in the world. The media has frantically searched for every living human being who no longer supports the president or any neurologist who wants to appear on TV. Unfortunately, too many Democrats have joined that circular firing squad.

Yes. I know: Mr. Biden is old, is prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Mr. Trump. But this I also know: A presidential election is not an entertainment contest. It does not begin or end with a 90-minute debate.

Enough! Mr. Biden may not be the ideal candidate, but he will be the candidate and should be the candidate. And with an effective campaign taht speaks to the needs of working families, he will not only defeat Mr. Trump but beat him badly. It’s time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking.

I understand that some Democrats get nervous about having to explain the president’s gaffes and misspeaking names. But unlike the Republicans, they do not have to explain away a candidate who now has 34 felony convictions and faces charges that could lead to dozens of additional convictions, who has been hit with a $5 million judgment after he was found liable in a sexual abuse case, who has been involved in more than 4,000 lawsuits, who has repeatedly gone bankrupt and who has told thousands of documented lies and falsehoods.

Supporters of Mr. Biden can speak proudly about a good and decent Democratic president with a record of real accomplishment. The Biden administration, as a result of the American Rescue Plan, helped rebuild the economy during the pandemic far faster than economists thought possible. At a time when people were terrified about the future, the president and those of us who supported him in Congress put Americans back to work, provided cash benefits to desperate parents and protected small businesses, hospitals, schools and child care centers.

After decades of talk about our crumbling roads, bridges and water systems, we put more money into rebuilding America’s infrastructure than ever before — which is projected to create millions of well-paying jobs. And we did not stop there. We made the largest-ever investment in climate action to save the planet. We canceled student debt for nearly five million financially strapped Americans. We cut prices for insulin and asthma inhalers, capped out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and got free vaccines to the American people. We battled to defend women’s rights in the face of moves by Trump-appointed jurists to roll back reproductive freedom and deny women the right to control their own bodies.

So, yes, Mr. Biden has a record to run on. A strong record. But he and his supporters should never suggest that what’s been accomplished is sufficient. To win the election, the president must do more than just defend his excellent record. He needs to propose and fight for a bold agenda that speaks to the needs of the vast majority of our people — the working families of this country, the people who have been left behind for far too long.

At a time when the billionaires have never had it so good and when the United States is experiencing virtually unprecedented income and wealth inequality, over 60 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, real weekly wages for the average worker have not risen in over 50 years, 25 percent of seniors live each year on $15,000 or less, we have a higher rate of childhood poverty than almost any other major country, and housing is becoming more and more unaffordable — among other crises.

This is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We can do better. We must do better. Joe Biden knows that. Donald Trump does not. Joe Biden wants to tax the rich so that we can fund the needs of working families, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor. Donald Trump wants to cut taxes for the billionaire class. Joe Biden wants to expand Social Security benefits. Donald Trump and his friends want to weaken Social Security. Joe Biden wants to make it easier for workers to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits. Donald Trump wants to let multinational corporations get away with exploiting workers and ripping off consumers. Joe Biden respects democracy. Donald Trump attacks it.

This election offers a stark choice on issue after issue. If Mr. Biden and his supporters focus on these issues — and refuse to be divided and distracted — the president will rally working families to his side in the industrial Midwest swing states and elsewhere and win the November election. And let me say this as emphatically as I can: For the sake of our kids and future generations, he must win.

Bernie Sanders is the senior senator from Vermont.

[daggers-drawn-returns]

Personal Emergency: Broke Up With Girlfriend, Need to Build New Camp to Continue Community Service

July 24th 2024

After five years of dating and community service my girlfriend and I are no longer seeing eye to eye. What that means is that I and my community service projects are going to need a new home.

Additionally, in the summer heat I have been overworking and undereating and not taking enough care of myself. If I don't start giving myself the same care I provide to others there will be no one to operate these services.

I need $150 to start building a new community center and also $50 to help me take care of my personal needs.

My health has been deeply suffering. This has been one of the most difficult times I have ever faced in my life, please help if you can.

Cash app: $ThistleDD

Paypal: Paypal.me/ThistleDD

Venmo: @ThistleDD

Everything you give either goes to restoring the community center project in a new place or helping me recover from malnutrition.

Thank you!

[wethotcrazy]

THE GOLDEN LOTUS

pairing: Ollie Bearman x Reader

word count: 864

university au!! i just wanted something cute and sweet and i think i really cooked with this one. also thinking of maybe making this into a series or having other uni au's for other drivers, what do you guys think???

Ollie Bearman wasn’t one for change. Predictability was his sanctuary, a warm cocoon that he didn’t much like leaving. His life ran on routine: lectures, workouts, and pasta dinners in his dorm room. But predictability took a nosedive the day he stumbled into the Golden Lotus.

It was a small Chinese restaurant tucked between a laundromat and a charity shop, a little worn but radiating charm. Ollie’s first visit was born of desperation—he’d forgotten to do a food shop, and the Golden Lotus was cheap, convenient, and smelled amazing. He didn’t even like Chinese food that much, but the portion sizes? Enormous. Enough to feed a starving uni student for two days, if he rationed it right.

The food, however, quickly became secondary.

The real reason Ollie found himself at the Golden Lotus every Tuesday and Thursday night was the girl behind the counter. YN.

She was a computer science major with a sharp wit and a smile that felt like a reward when Ollie managed to coax it out of her. YN worked the evening shift, her laptop often open beside the register as she chipped away at coursework between filling takeout orders. She lived in the apartment above the restaurant, earning a rent discount by working their… or so he overheard.

At first, Ollie had been too shy to do much more than order his food, offer a polite smile, and retreat to his usual table. But YN had noticed him���how could she not? He was the only customer who regularly dined in. That was rare enough, but when someone started showing up twice a week like clockwork, well… she couldn’t help but be a little curious.

It had started innocently.

“You’re becoming a regular,” she’d said one night, sliding his order across the counter. Her tone was teasing but kind, and Ollie had stammered some excuse about the convenience. She’d laughed softly, and the sound stuck with him longer than it should have.

From that moment, their interactions had begun to stretch beyond the standard “Cash or card?” conversations. On slow nights, Ollie would linger, striking up tentative chats about coursework or whatever music was playing on the overhead speakers. He learned that YN hated group projects but loved building things—apps, websites, anything she could tinker with. She learned that Ollie was studying business but had a secret dream of running his own karting center someday, a nod to his childhood passion for motorsports.

It wasn’t long before they’d fallen into a quiet rhythm.

When YN wasn’t busy, she’d sit at a table with her laptop open, her brow furrowed as she debugged code or prepared for lectures. One evening, Ollie surprised her by setting his business textbook across from her.

“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked.

She blinked at him, caught off guard, then shrugged. “Sure, but I’m not sharing my Wi-Fi password.”

He grinned, and just like that, Ollie became a fixture of her workspace.

Mr. Zhou, however, was less enthused at first.

“That boy again?” he’d muttered one evening, poking his head out of the kitchen to see Ollie hunched over his notes. “Does he not have a home?”

“He’s harmless,” YN had assured him.

“Harmless or homeless?”

But Ollie grew on Mr. Zhou over time. The older man had caught him fixing a wobbly table one night, unprompted, and begrudgingly admitted the “straggler” wasn’t so bad.

By November, Ollie had started hanging around until closing. Not to pester YN—though he did enjoy the extra time with her—but because the restaurant had become a comfort to him, a little pocket of warmth in his otherwise hectic uni life. Sometimes, after locking up, YN would invite him upstairs to her flat. It was tiny, crammed with textbooks and a perpetually half-finished Lego sets, but Ollie loved it.

Their hangouts weren’t dates. Not officially, anyway. But Ollie couldn’t deny how much he looked forward to them. Whether they were watching a movie or playing video games, he felt at ease in her company.

The turning point came in mid-December, on a freezing morning when Ollie was walking to class with his flatmate, Kimi.

“So,” Kimi began, glancing at him with a sly smile, “how’s your girlfriend?”

“What?” Ollie nearly tripped over his own feet.

“You know, YN,” Kimi said, casually sipping his coffee. “You’re at that restaurant all the time. I just thought… you know?”

“She’s not my—” Ollie started, but the words died in his throat.

Because, truthfully, he didn’t hate the idea. In fact, the thought of YN as his girlfriend made his stomach flip in a way he hadn’t felt before.

That evening, as he sat at his usual table in the Golden Lotus, Ollie caught himself staring at YN while she worked. She was wiping down the counter, humming softly to herself, her hair falling loose from its tie. She glanced up and caught him looking.

“What?” she asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“Nothing,” Ollie said quickly, feeling his cheeks heat.

But in that moment, he realized he didn’t want to keep playing it safe. Maybe it was time to take a chance.

Just as soon as he worked up the courage.

[existslikepristin]

Little later than expected because I feel like shiiit. And, I know. "What's new?" But at the moment I mean physically. Regardless, here's ya dang story:

Tags: NSFW, S.M.U.T., genie, poor game design

(Story Index)

Figure the app out

“Well,” you say with a sigh, “I can’t read any ancient languages, so can you just help me out here?”

“Oh duh. Sorry about that, master. Old habits die hard, even if said habits are a few millennia old. We’re currently speaking… ah, yes! English! Easy peezy squeezy my buttcheeks. There you go.”

You look at your phone again. The mass of text bubbles all over the screen are now written in English. It’s still… a lot of nonsense.

“Just point me to the important parts?”

“Of course! Let’s just make you a little more comfortable.”

By the time she finishes the sentence, you’re in your room, sitting on the edge of your bed with Joy pressing her chest into your back. She reaches over your shoulders and speaks softly into your ear as she taps your phone.

“So here we have your Harem Hub, which is where you’ll be spending a decent amount of time swapping back and forth between screens. Where you’ll be spending most of your time…”

Joy touches an image of a tower with gold coins spilling out of it.

“… is here, in your Inventory—it’s called that because you own the people in your harem like they’re inanimate possessions—, where you can organize, sort, search, and summon the members of your harem as desired. As you can see, it’s currently empty, so let’s go back to the Harem Hub.”

While Joy pokes around with one hand, the other is softly rubbing your shoulder. It’s quite relaxing. Come to think of it, you are a little tired.

“Right in the center of the Harem Hub is the Summoning Portal, which summons anime girls to your Inventory, not into the real world, which is a different kind of summoning. Let’s give it a try now and see who you get!”

Before you can do anything yourself, Joy taps the portal and the app begins a series of over the top animations of overlapping summoning circles and colorful overlays. About fifteen seconds later, a naked anime girl with a pitch black hime haircut, nearly black eyes, and rather small breasts flashes on screen. She looks like pretty much every other anime character being drawn these days.

Joy gasps very dramatically, “Oh my gosh, master! You got Anecha on your first try! But she… she’s a Super Rare! You only had a zero point three percent chance of that happening! She’s from the mythical land of Sorgania, and she’s a hybrid of all three class archetypes, able to spec into any skill tree you want! She’s one of—if not the—most versatile girls you can get!”

“That’s cool,” you mutter, “Can we summon her and get fucking?”

“Oh master, you’re so funny. You can’t summon a character naked.”

“But, the whole point is to have sex with her…”

“Well yeah, but when you’re not having sex with her, she’s going to be questing! We’ll get to that in a minute. First, check it out. She was just the rarest of your summons for this pull,” Joy wraps her legs around you, fully bear hugging you from behind while she yammers on, “You also got Heyri, Emi, Bonnie, and Magz. That will make for a pretty balanced party, though you can expect Anecha to handle basically everything on her own until you get to World 4, at least. Obviously though, we need to go back to tow—I mean the Harem Hub to purchase some basic equipment. No, not that shop. That’s the cash shop where you can get more summoning shards. Right here, at the Blacksmith. You’ll want to equip Anecha first to make the first few quests as easy as possible, and you’ve got all these coins ready to go, so… Oh, fantastic! Tim has lava katanas in stock, so we absolutely have to take advantage of that in the next two minutes. We better make sure some of your other girls can benefit from those stats though, so if we check the party status screen you can see their preferred stats are highlighted in gold. It looks like Emi prefers Gumption, so a lava katana is—”

Joy’s words fade into the ether and your eyes drift shut. She’s so warm, holding you like this…

“… and that’s why you always save up your electrum ingots. You don’t want to be willy-nilly turning those into…”

“… obviously, but don’t forget that any skill cooldown can be refreshed by…”

“… back from the arena! We should go congratulate her for defeating the sand kraken, because that will bump up the congratulatory meter. Sometimes you want to hold back though, since doing it too often will give diminishing returns…”

You’re woken up by the sound of squawking birds outside and sunlight blasting your eyes through the window. You’re on your back, legs hanging off the bed. Looking to the side, you see Joy, still naked and hunched over, tapping your phone. “I know it’s labeled as a PVP mode, but since the magic is actually built into you and not the app, that’s not actually a thing. The other players’ names and teams are just randomly generated but slightly optimized versions of your own builds so that you get an idea for what’s actually possible when you spend your gems properly.”

With a yawn, you sit up, make note of your own nudity, and flinch back as you nearly headbutt a new stranger standing at the foot of your bed. “What the fu—who are you?!”

It’s a woman, wearing a skimpy purple bikini with silver trim and blue ribbons hanging off of it. Her hair and fairly large eyes are dark, midnight black. Despite the fact that she’s holding what definitely appears to be a katana made out of lava, she looks a little bit nervous. “S-sorry, master. She,” she points at Joy, who is paying you no mind, ”um, she told me to stand here and wait after summoning me…”

You look her up and down. She’s… taller than you thought she’d be, and her face is a little rounder than it had looked in the image. That picture didn’t do her pouty lower lip or her flared out hip any amount of justice. “Anecha?”

“Sorry, master. It’s pronounced ‘AH-neck-ah,’ but… No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t correct you. Sorry.”

Options:

Um, it’s the morning now. You need to go to work already. You’re probably late.

Responsibilities can wait because they’re for losers. Get a blowjob from Anecha.

Take that sword from her and mess around (safely). It’s so awesome!

Joy called Anecha "the most versatile." Fuck her while you jerk off her futa cock all over Joy’s face.

[transfloridaresources]

[Photo ID: White background with a rainbow, watercolor circle centered on it. Text reads: 'Help feed Quinn Linn. He/They/It, white trans masc. $100-$500 ASAP while waiting on SNAP (which may be delayed for months). Cash App: $quinnthedreamer Venmo: @ Quinn-Linn. Please DM if you're local to Haines City & are able to assist more in person and/or know of reliable food banks etc. Transportation is an issue so any help is appreciated! Still needs support for Sept. 1, 2024! https://gofund.me/8ddd9092.' /End ID]

In Quinn's own words:

'A lot may already know my story but one of my needs is becoming increasingly evident as September draws nearer. Until I can get on SNAP (which will take a bit because of reasons I do not wish to disclose) and disability I am needing temporary assistance in getting food for myself. Honestly any amount helps but the more I have the more I can buy at once to get me through a week or two. My need for assistance could last at least as long as it takes for me to get snap which could take a month or two.'

Cash App: $quinnthedreamer Venmo: @ Quinn-Linn

Please also support / share their GFM, which has a Sept. 1, 2024 deadline:

https://gofund.me/8ddd9092 | Tumblr post

If you are trans in Florida and in need of assistance, visit our link in bio to send a crowdfunding application if you would like TFR to advertise on social media on your behalf.

[braveblackbutterfly]

BBB Butterfly is doing writing commissions

Hello Tumblr fam, friends and associates!

I am making my second attempt at writing commissions! Click the keep reading for all the details!

I'm making writing commissions for two reasons.

Reason #1: my uncle recently passed away and I'm learning as an adult how freaking expensive laying a person to rest is. He had life insurance, but it's not going to cover everything, especially the burial. And the remaining amount will be on my parents' shoulders since the rest of the family can't really help.

I just want to help my parents out in some ways, even if it's just using the money for everyday essentials in the house, like the bills or groceries.

Reason #2: I just finished my tutoring job for the school year. And I don't really plan to reapply for the next school year since it's a part time job and I need a full time budget to achieve my personal goals. Plus, I don't believe tutoring/teaching is for me. But even if I was to reapply, I will still be unemployed until the end of August. And the money I currently have isn't going to last forever.

My commissions are only fanfics this time, which I know will probably limit the amount of commissions I get. But I feel a little more comfortable writing fanfics at the moment than an original short story or poem.

The two fandoms I'm writing for are The Owl House and Steven Universe. I might add more fandoms to the list when I start writing more fics for different series.

What I'm willing to write: romance/romantic ships (happy ending or light angst) and non-romance fics (ex. a platonic or familial centered story)

Ratings: General Audiences to Teen (maybe Mature if it's an adult couple ship)

What I'm not comfortable writing: strong violence/death, explicit sex scenes (I will write suggestive and "fade to black" type of sex scenes but only for adult couple ships), no adult/minor ships

TOH ships I will not write: Luz/Hunter, Boscha/Willow, Amity/With a male character, Belos/With anybody

SU ships I will not write: Jasper/Lapis, Steven/Any of the gems

I may add other ships to the list depending on how (not) comfortable I feel about the idea of that particular ship.

Prices (may adjust at a later date):

1,000 words or less: $10

1,000 – 4,000: $15

4,000 + words: $20

$2 discount on my favorite ships (lumity, amillow, willuz, willumity, lapidot, connverse)

Payment source: Right now, PayPal, but I might use an alternative payment service like cash app or venmo later on.

It might take me some time to get started on these fics since there is a lot going on in my life right now. But I will get to them as soon as I can.

If you want to read my posted fics on AO3, here's the link:

Please send me a message if you are interested or have any questions! Again, please be patient with me since this is my second attempt.

[blogger360ncislarules]

Four seasons in and the ghosts at Woodstone Mansion are still finding new shenanigans to get themselves into.

Thursday’s episode of CBS‘ Ghosts saw Alberta (Danielle Pinnock) help Sam (Rose McIver) prepare to audition for a local musical, overcoming her stage fright and fulfilling a decades-long dream of being front and center on stage. All the while, Trevor (Asher Grodman) and Sasappis (Román Zaragoza) are trying to make a move on one of the women in the theatre troupe, which doesn’t go so well considering, well, they’re dead.

But, Sas finds a glimmer of hope when he encounters the woman in Jay’s (Utkarsh Ambudkar) dream and convinces himself that he’s found a loophole. That is, until he starts talking about how much they have in common, and Trevor and Pete (Richie Moriarty) realize Sas isn’t dating a new woman after all. He’s really just dating Jay.

In the interview below, Grodman spoke with Deadline about Trevor’s involvement in Sas’ somewhat embarrassing revelation and reflected on Season 4 thus far, which has already included a big arc for Trevor, who learned in Episode 4 that despite his death, he still managed to become quite a bigwig in the finance world.

DEADLINE: What have you been enjoying most about the season so far?

ASHER GRODMAN: Patience was a lot of fun. Any time that we can kind of delve into the American history of it all is always fun. It was kind of fun to have a villain for a few weeks. “The Work Retreat” [Episode 4] was really exciting and fun to have those three storylines all merging and affecting each other, between the Trevor’s job, and Isaac and his newfound ‘do and, of course, the whole rumor thing. I just thought the episode came out really well. I thought Katie Locke O’Brien, who directed it, just hit it out of the park, and the writers did a great job. From just a selfish Trevor standpoint, it’s a lot of fun. He gets to go on quite a journey. Usually a lot of what we’re doing is the ensemble work, and trying to hit a joke and trying to make a scene pop. But it was fun to be able to track that huge arc that he has. It gets to go dark, and it gets to go gleeful, and it gets to be funny, and it’s just a really creative premise.

DEADLINE: What did you make of the reveal that Trevor is kind of a big deal in the finance world?

GRODMAN: Speaking from the Trevor point of view, there’s something kind of dream-like about it, where I feel like we all hope and dream that we leave some kind of impact behind, but because of the nature of our show, these ghosts are forever very, very small and insignificant, just trapped in this one place and have no effect on the world. For someone like Trevor, who is, I think, more so than any ghost, because he’s the most recently dead, been desperately trying to connect to the living world as much as possible, whether it’s the dating apps or reaching out to his brother or his parents … for someone in that position who’s living this fairly tiny existence in the afterlife, and who is so desperate to contact and to be part of the world he left behind, I think this was a really profound and exciting experience. It’s weird all the stuff that he probably would have prioritized in life is not the stuff that had an impact.

DEADLINE: I hope it remains a recurring joke that Trevor has a remote job, because I can only imagine the shenanigans to come from that.

GRODMAN: I hope so too. It’s such a fun idea. Lord knows, Sam and Jay could use some money. So it would be fun to have this ghost who’s walking around with a ton of cash. I think the show, fundamentally, has a lot of fun with trying to bridge boundaries [between] the living and the dead, and then different time periods and all that. So the idea that he is off in a corner using all his might to keep up his day job is a very funny concept. I’d love to keep exploring it.

DEADLINE: I love that he calls Sam and Jay “mom and dad.” I know he sweetened the deal with his bonus, but what do you think it means to him that the two of them are willing to go to such lengths for him?

GRODMAN: I love that mom and dad and the multiple crazy kids dynamic, because there is something about these ghosts that feels like they’re all children in their parents’ house who do not have the agency yet to live out in the real world, so they’re just causing mayhem. So I think that dynamic is an accurate reflection of what we’re playing with. I can see a world where someone would be like, “Maybe Sam needs some help .. .to have some boundaries,” but at the same time, I’m gonna get a touch deep here: I think we all have this loneliness that walks around with us, and the idea of — it’s almost like the imaginary friend thing, and the idea of having different personalities and sides of us that exists within us. I think Ghosts finds a sense of family through a sense of loneliness, if that makes any sense, because it is all these very disparate personalities. So the idea that they would just so fully commit to helping one of these ghosts out, I think there’s a level of of intimacy and family. It’s the thrill of what could happen. And poor Jay goes along with it. So, really, the big question is, what is Jay’s point of view in all of it? Because he’s got the least to gain. Well, he does have the money, but he doesn’t get to experience, the journey. I guess in this one, he kind of did, right? He got to walk a day in Trevor’s shoes.

DEADLINE: I agree with your point about the series being a physical representation of what it means to feel seen.

GRODMAN: It’s almost like a physical manifestation of your internal reality, where you would have these different personalities who kind of live inside of you, but then having them outside of you, and being able to see the world … It’s kind of like this fun, vivid playground. Obviously, it’s not all in Sam’s head, but I think there’s a found family thing to it that is really thrilling, and you would go to a lot of lengths to help them out.

DEADLINE: Speaking of Jay, what did you make of the plot line in this episode where Sas sort of develops a crush on him, via this woman in his dream?

GRODMAN: Well, I guess, picking up on the fact that we’re all very deeply connected to each other, this falls right into that world. It’s so fun. What was really fun about it is the almost like the middle school or the high school vibe to it, like him coming to his friends, like, “Here’s what I’m going through. I have this crush on this girl,” and then kind of helping him find that perspective. Roman does such an amazing job with the storyline … there are no boundaries anymore. So this is definitely a way that we’ve crossed, maybe one of the final walls that were up. All I can say for poor Jay.

DEADLINE: When Trevor finally points out that Sas has a crush on Jay, Pete says he’s a little jealous. But I don’t think Trevor actually ever says how he feels about that situation. Do you have thoughts?

GRODMAN: I think that Trevor is constantly seeking fun, and so for him, it’s such a thrill, just the novelty of what’s happening, having this deep, deep friendship-crush on Jay. I think it probably annoys Trevor a little bit, but the the idea that Sas had been turned around, and the unwittingly dating him, my God. What friend wouldn’t enjoy just a little bit the suffering of that?

DEADLINE: At first, he seems a little jealous that Sas might be getting to connect with this woman who they both had a crush on. Is the reality a bit vindicating for him?

GRODMAN: Very true, very true. I think there’s a fun dynamic with Sas where he’s obviously been around so much longer than Trevor, but there is a little brother quality to it. So I’m sure there was a little bit of a jealousy, like at the moment that he thought, “How did you pull that off?” But yeah, the reversal of that because Trevor would not be dating Jay. But walking into someone’s dream would certainly be Trevor’s alley.

DEADLINE: So, what can you tease about these next few upcoming episodes, especially the Christmas episode?

GRODMAN: So you know, there’s a double possession, right? That’s not news. I can tell you that there’s some performances in that double possession episode that are just off the charts, and I cannot wait for people to see see them. I’ll say that. Next week has a really sweet storyline that’s kind of this reflection on pets, which I really loved. What else? We meet Jay’s family at Christmas.

[Jay seeing ghosts] is gonna be a lot of fun, especially because he understands, like a sliver of us, and then the juxtaposition between his expectations and reality, I think they do a really good job with and it’s fun to play with, so I can tease that as well.

DEADLINE: Any more Trevor backstory?

There is some fun Trevor backstory in Episode 6. Trevor has this kind of unique thing where he often feels like the least likely guy to get sweetness from, if that makes any sense, which then makes him kind of, I guess, fun to get some sweetness from. So we’re going to get a little bit of that in Episode 6 … There’s so much that I want to tell you, but I can’t.

[sunnywalnut]

Do's and Don'ts of accepting commissions:

-DON'T disclose if you have recently made an account for a finance app in order to accept commissions (scammers will exploit this. They now know that you don't know how the app works and they do. Haha now you got scammed)

-DO look into their profile. How old is it? How many posts do they have? Followers? How many people are they following? What KIND of people are they following? Some scammers will create new accounts that LOOK old by following multiple people. But if you look into the actual accounts, they'll usually just be the basic ones you are offered when you first make an account. (Think. Celebrities. "Basic" Instagram models. Wannabe musicians. Etc etc) Also look to see if they've got any comments on their page. Some people might not post a lot, but usually they're not following 2000+ people at the same time.

-DON'T give out your personal information, like your email, where you live, your phone number, or birth name(unless legally obligated. Like if it's part of the payment app you're using) scammers will ask for your email SEPARATELY from the link you share to your payment app in order to send you spam and fake emails. ALWAYS send payment plans only. Especially if you already have a way to contact them.

-DON'T trust anyone who's willing to "walk you through" something. This is a business transaction. Not everyone is as good as you hope they are. Even if you don't know what's happening, pretend you do. Get somebody you trust IN REAL LIFE to take a look at what's going on. Ask them to help you instead. NEVER trust strangers to help you with money. Especially online.

-DO set boundaries. You're allowed to say "I'd rather keep things strictly professional" if they try to change the subject. Or repeat that you only accept one form of payment when they say they only have another. Even if they really are a good person and you know it in your heart. This is a BUSINESS transaction. You're not here to make friends or sugar coat things. You can be nice, but also be firm. People take advantage of those who have wobbly boundaries.

-DON'T accept grossly inflated prices. This one is tricky. I know it. You love money, I love money, and hey. Who WOULDN'T want a thick wad of cash from just one drawing, right? Except. That's. How they get ya. They promise you money. You lower your guard. You're extra super nice and sweet bc you want that sweet sweet cash. You think to yourself "oh they just want me to be paid what I'm worth" but NOPE. There's no debating. There's no "well can I tip you at least?" There's no "oh sweet your prices are lower than I expected" it's just "yep I got $300 and I'll send you the full payment right now" RED FLAG. especially if after you say you'll only accept HALF upfront. Also if they tell you their "budget" and keep INSISTING upon that specific number? Red flag. Move along. Scammers will sometimes have a set price. They don't want to go through the effort of changing it for every scam. So they'll insist on the same price regardless of what you change. Beware.

-DON'T fall for any email that claims that you cannot cancel, back out, or dispute something. Also if they claim to be ready to contact the "authorities" most apps will have a "help center" where you can ask questions. And also. They usually aren't the ones that contact the authorities. It's the person who wants their fuckin money. Unfinished transactions usually are void after a while.

-DON'T believe in the "honor system" if you get an email claiming to need somebody to send you x amount of money to "expand" your account and they WILLFULLY agree to pay it, you're dealing with a scammer. Especially if it's a big amount of money. Nobody is willing to throw $200 extra fuckin bucks away on an honor system. Not even Jeffery Bezos.

-DO be wary of people that over explain themselves and what to do when it is not in regards to the actual content they will be receiving. If they're "helping" you read an email, especially one that you haven't shown them, that's a red flag.

-DO be wary of people who do not ask the "right" questions. How long will it take, what are your prices, what styles do you do, can you do this vs that, do you do traditional or digital, etc etc. If they seem aloof and uninterested in ACTUALLY getting a specific piece done, they're not actually in it for the commission. I'm sorry.

-DO be wary of people that send references that do not match your content. I had someone send me a photo reference of two people. I've never posted any realism art EVER. And this was right after uploading a master blast of all my cartoony sketches over the span of 3 hours. And they told me I can "draw it in whatever style" when I told them I don't do hyper realism. Sus. Very sus. Don't trust anyone who doesn't care on what kind of style their piece is gonna be in. Everyone cares. Everyone SHOULD care.

-DON'T be afraid to cancel a commission. Even after you said you'd be able to do it, or that it might be possible, or anything else. Issue the refund(if needed) and tell them that while you're flattered that they came to you, you don't think you'd be the right fit for creating their certain piece. Yes this even goes for people you don't want to work with just because they're downright creepy. Protect your peace. And listen to your gut. It's usually right. I know mine was.

Stay safe out there y'all.

[daggers-drawn-returns]

Please Help a Homeless Trans Woman Raise $200 for a Trailer to Live In

September 21st 2024

Me at a friend's camp

I'm Thistle, a homeless trans woman living in a squatter community in the Sonora Desert of Southern California. I'm rebuilding a community center to help provide necessities to the people who live here.

During the summer I lost almost everything I own and don't have a place to live, electricity, or an income.

Someone is offering me a trailer to live in, but I need $200 to pay for it.

Please help me raise the money to have a place to live and operate my community center out of.

Cash app: $ThistleDD

Paypal: Paypal.me/ThistleDD

Venmo: @ThistleDD

Everything you donate counts. If you can't contribute money please reblog and share.

Thanks!

[transformersimagines]

Unforeseen Consequences 

This is the second part to "To Be Decided" I would recommend reading that first so this makes sense.

The only reason this was even written at all is because of the likes and reblogs that have me re-reading my fics and get me inspired. Thank you for enjoying my mediocre writing of my favorite genre and fandom.

“You keep eyeing the clock, got a lady meeting you tonight?” The bartender, James, comments. I chuckle before downing the rest of my drink. 

“I wish, but it's all business tonight,” I pull my wallet out and tuck some cash under my now empty glass, “Keep the change.”

“Have a good night Sir.” James waves as I walk away. It should be a good night. It's been almost 10 hours since I poisoned the target. No one has ever lasted more than 4 days before they come running back for a cure. 

The cold, night air was a welcome contrast to the stuffy heat of the bar. The one drink did help with my nerves though, this client wasn't exactly the easiest.

I scan the streets and notice the red & white Porsche parked in an alleyway across the way. The client must have seen me since the headlights flashed on and off before the car reversed into the dark alley.

“Guess we are still doing the car thing,” I comment, checking for traffic before jogging across the street to the alley. This is the second time I've met the client face-to-face, kind of. He's never gotten out of his car. It didn't really matter anyway, this guy's money was good, and that's what was important. 

“This betta’ be good.” The client states flatly. God, he always sounded annoyed or pissed off whenever we spoke, even over the phone. I eye the windshield, trying to get a better view of him. Always imagined him as a big, tough boxer, probably retired. But, as always I can't even see a silhouette through the windshield, he must get pulled over a shit ton for that tint. 

“Your target finally showed themselves yesterday, after nearly 3 months of hiding. Thought you would want to know?” I lean against the alley wall, eyeing the sidewalk and street for any passer-byers. Wouldn’t want anyone to overhear our conversation.

“Ya’ have ‘em?” He sounded less annoyed. Good.

“Not right now, but soon. They ran away in a teal and black Lambo, but not before I tagged them. I’ve got their live location streaming to this device,” I wave my phone in front of me, the tracking app open and actively pinging their location.

“Useless.” The client's lights flash on, the engine revving. Damn, this guy's brights are intense!

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! I got them with my inhalant. They won't last long in hiding under its effects. I’m the only one with a cure. You’ll have the target in less than a week, I guarantee it. Everything is under control.” I explain, pushing off the wall to stand up straighter. I needed to command more respect with this guy and leaning against a wall in a dirty alleyway wasn’t cutting it.

“Ya’ had one chance, and now ya’ve made things harda’ for me.”

Fuck. This guy sounds beyond pissed. “Hold on-” 

“Enough.” The car lights turned off, leaving me struggling to focus with the sudden darkness. The sound of grinding metal. Glowing red eyes. What was going on? Something cold grabs my center and my feet are no longer on the ground.

“You failed and I’m done dealin’ with a lower life form.” 

~

“I expected at least you two to understand why I have such strict restrictions in place with Y/N more than anybot else!” Megatron scolds.

“How were we supposed to know Optimus would get a human involved?! Did you expect that?” Sunstreak cuts into the rant, arms firmly crossed. 

I was sitting on the med-bay counter, Knockout towering over me while Megatron was berating the twins across the way. Knockout was able to cure me of whatever it was that guy made me breathe in. I wasn’t shaking and coughing anymore, but my chest and throat hurt like a bitch. I rub my chest as if it could smooth the pain.

“Anything change Y/N?” Knockout asks, noticing my movement.

I look up at him and shake my head, before turning back to look at the twins. I couldn't speak, it hurt so bad and made me sound like I’ve been smoking since birth. 

“That is exactly why we have the restrictions. There is no telling what Optimus Prime will-” An alert sounded from the med-bay computer that cut Megatron off.

“Megatron. I’m picking up an aircraft fast approaching from the southwest. Confirmed Autobot signature, though I can’t pinpoint who exactly.” Starscream reports. Megatron gives the twins one final side-eye before turning his full attention to the screen. 

“Just one signature?” Megatron questions, turning his attention to the computer's controls. Knockout moves out of Megatron's way, leaving me with an unobstructed view as the screen changes to an overview map, the Nemesis in the center with another dot quickly approaching. The tension in the room rises and falls as the dot zips right over and past the Nemesis. 

“Starscream?” 

“It appears they dropped something, let me see if I can get visuals,” Starscream reports. Before anyone could say anything the screen changed to a live view of the outside, not far from the Nemesis, an area I was familiar with.

Suddenly everyone was moving at the same time. Megatron scrambled with the computer controls and Knockout moved forward to stand in between the screen and me, but it was too late.

The man that had attacked me yesterday… his body was broken and twisted into a pile on the ground. So much red... were those bones sticking out? My stomach drops and the air leaves my lungs. Above his body there was a hologram that was displaying a short message:

“See you soon, Y/N”

[yulikitten]

Hey all, I'm gonna be streaming a Nintendo Wii classic that doesn't get as much attention as it should, tonight at 9:00 PM EST! Also, I am so sorry for not being as active as I should be. A lot of life things happened, including a breakup, dealing with that emotionally and now getting together with someone else. It's been... A looooooong month so far. I've also taken on two projects that I need to work on.

1, I am working on a PNG model that is going in the more... Furry direction that I am planning on using as an emote for sections of my second project.

2, I am currently streaming and recording footage for Trauma Center Second Opinion, as well as taking notes and writing a script for a video essay.

So... All in all, shit has been VERY busy over the last few weeks. And I do mean VERY busy. Like... Whoa... Anywho... I have a lot of stuff to work on and if you'd like to help sustain me, I will post my Cash app because my PayPal has my dead name and I'd rather not have people see that...

Thanks for reading this post. I'll try to be more active here and on YouTube. I'll post preview clips of my essay later this month and next month so I can give you all a taste of what I am working on. This is a HUGE undertaking, and depending on how it all plays out, I will immediately work on a video of the second Wii Trauma Center game. I'm sorry for not posting here a lot, but I promise to be far more active in the coming months.

Also, I am streaming tonight at 9:00 PM EST

[transfloridaresources]

A collection of posts that still need help. A lot of people need rent paid by Sept 1, so please donate and/or share as much as possible! None of these is anywhere near their goal yet. All GFM links can be found in the link in bio.

Slide 1: [Photo ID: White background with pink and peach watercolors mixed together in the middle of the image. Text reads: 'Help pay rent & utilities for a Black, disabled trans person. $699+ by Sept. 1, 2024. $45 for food ASAP would be appreciated too! Cash App: $notriverphoenix Venmo: @ notriverphoenix.' /End ID] Slide 2: [Photo ID: Rainbow cloud background. Text reads: 'Help Angel J. Jules pay rent. Black, neurodivergent non-binary transfem. Any pronouns. $900 by Sept. 1, 2024. Cash App: $AngelJamieJules Venmo: @ AngelJamieJules PayPay: angeljamiejules@gmail.com.' /End ID] Slide 3: [Photo ID: White and beige colored living room with text above the image reading: 'Seeking any space to rent! Must be trans and queer friendly. Clearwater area. Budget is $900/mo + small dog. Please DM with any offers.' /End ID] Slide 4: [Photo ID: White background with a rainbow, watercolor circle centered on it. Text reads: 'Help feed Quinn Linn. He/They/It, white trans masc. $100-$500 ASAP while waiting on SNAP (which may be delayed for months). Cash App: $quinnthedreamer Venmo: @ Quinn-Linn. Please DM if you're local to Haines City & are able to assist more in person and/or know of reliable food banks etc. Transportation is an issue so any help is appreciated! Still needs support for Sept. 1, 2024! https://gofund.me/8ddd9092.' /End ID] Slide 5: [Photo ID: Pastel rainbow gradient background with a photo in the center. The photo has a squiggly border outlined in silver glitter with sparkle illustrations. Luan's self description for his photo is: 'I am Latin Trans Man from Panamá of 24 years old. With dark brown eyes and hair. My skin tone is white to light brown.' Text around the image reads 'Luan (Latín, he/him). Needs $215 for lab work. Paypal.me/LuanWeber.' /End ID]

Slide 6: [Photo ID: Dark pink to light pink gradient background. Text reads: 'Urgent Support Needed. Trans Empowerment Initiative, an organization in Kenya, needs support for essential resources (food, shelter, etc.) to continue the work they do. Please share / donate to their GFM: https://gofund.me/3e7a717e. transempowerment.com.' A heart decorated in trans flag colors and outlined in white is below the text. /End ID] Slide 7: [Photo ID: A photo of a Black nonbinary transmasc person looking at the viewer in natural lighting. GoFundMe title underneath the image reads 'Cielo's Top Surgery, $610 raised of $5,000 goal. 24 donations.' /End ID] Slide 8: [Photo ID: A mirror selfie of Leo wearing a black suit and holding a small trans flag. GoFundMe title text underneath reads 'Let's Top Surgery. $45 raised of $12,000 goal. 5 donations.' /End ID] Slide 9: [Photo ID: GoFundMe page with a photo of a black and red bike. Title reads: 'Securing Transportation for a Disabled Student.' $25 raised of $550 goal from 2 donations.' /End ID]

[kiranapassionategamer]

Get Started with the Indian Ludo Earning App

Ludo, a traditional board game with ancient roots, has evolved into a digital phenomenon across India. Today, not only can you relive the nostalgic charm of Ludo through your smartphone, but you can also earn real money while doing so. Indian Ludo earning apps have surged in popularity, combining the classic gameplay of Ludo with the thrilling opportunity to win cash prizes. The appeal lies not just in the entertainment value, but also in the financial incentives that these apps offer.

How to Get Started

Getting started with an Indian Ludo earning app is straightforward. First, choose a reputable app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Look for apps with high ratings and positive reviews to ensure credibility. Download and install the app by following the on-screen instructions. Once installed, you'll typically need to register an account, which might require verification through an email or mobile number. After setting up your account, you can begin playing Ludo and potentially earning money.

Understanding the App's Features

Most Ludo earning apps come equipped with various game modes, including classic, quick, and master versions. Each mode offers unique challenges and rules, catering to different player preferences. To navigate the app, use the main menu to access different games and features. You can join competitions or practice to sharpen your skills.

Tips for Success

To excel in Ludo and enhance your chances of winning, consider the following strategies:

Control the Center: Occupy the center of the board to give yourself more options and block opponents.

Spread Your Tokens: Don’t just race one token to the finish; spread out your tokens to increase your flexibility.

Plan Your Moves: Anticipate your opponents’ moves and plan accordingly to block them or escape threats.

Use Safe Spots: Keep your tokens in safe spots as much as possible to avoid being captured.

Be Patient: Sometimes, the best strategy is to wait for the right roll.

Prioritize Tokens: Focus on moving the tokens that are closest to your starting point to the finish line first.

Take Calculated Risks: When the opportunity arises, take risks to capture opponent tokens, but be mindful of potential vulnerabilities.

Understand Dice Patterns: While dice rolls are random, understanding probability can help in making more informed decisions.

Learn from Defeats: Every loss provides insight into your strategy; use it to refine your approach.

Practice Regularly: Frequent gameplay will improve your familiarity with the rules and nuances of the game.

Managing Your Finances

Responsible financial management is crucial when playing games for money. Set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it. Always use secure payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, such as credit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers. Be aware of the transaction fees and withdrawal limits. It's important to understand the terms and conditions of your earnings and cashouts to avoid any surprises.

Community and Social Interaction

Indian Ludo earning apps often feature robust community elements. You can connect with other Ludo players, exchange tips, and participate in tournaments. Utilizing these social features not only enhances the fun but can also provide strategic advantages. Engaging with the community can lead to learning new tactics and forming alliances that can be beneficial in team modes.

Responsible Gaming Practices

It’s essential to engage in responsible gaming. Set time and money limits to ensure that the game remains a source of enjoyment rather than stress. Most apps offer tools to help you track your spending and gaming time. Additionally, be aware of the safety features within the app to protect your privacy and data.

Starting with an Indian Ludo earning app opens up a world of fun and financial opportunity. By following the steps outlined, you can embark on an enjoyable and potentially profitable Ludo journey. Dive into the vibrant world of Ludo, practice your strategy, manage your finances wisely, and most importantly, play responsibly. The excitement and rewards of playing Ludo for real money await.

[aquasoftware]

𝙎𝙖𝙠𝙤𝙞’𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨. (𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤 + 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨…!)

𓇼 DON’T be afraid to mutual me, I love making new moots!Send me asks or chat in my inbox idm.

𓇼 I will take requests & commissions, please don’t rush though, I’m not ai and won’t be able to generate fics in 3 seconds.

𓇼 I don’t have time to block every minor on this app, but do not interact with my nsfw pieces, this is a 17/18+ centered blog. This is also discourse free blog, I’m just here to be horny don’t try and battle me/drag drama in my inbox.

𓇼 Do not translate fics w/o premission, do not steal my fics either. Being inspired is okay though!

𓇼 I appreciate reblogs, likes, and comments, also tips would help me out! :) my cash app is $myst1Andclouds.

𓇼 Do not request or commission me to write:

Mahito (yuck), Incest/stepcest, aged up smut, scat/piss kinks, foot fetishes, pedophilia, rape fantasies/cnc, heavy age gaps, gunplay, race play, slave kinks, master kinks, teacher x student, non-con drugging/recording, necro, and babytrapping. + This may change, but generally anything that makes me uncomfy

𓇼 Fandoms I will write for are mainly : jjk, one piece, aot, + more just ask me !

𓇼 Kinks and others that are 100% a yes :

Mild dc, sacrilege, degradation/praise, daddy/mommy kinks, breeding, spit, blood kink, biting, spanking, au's + canon verse, toxic themes, fem/gn! Reader, milf! Reader, food play, pegging, period sex, lactation, consensual aphrodisiacs, threesomes/gangbangs, consensual somno, etc just ask !

[flamingpen18]

Just About To Give Up

It's been 15 months since we lost our home. During that time, I have put in a multitude of applications to various low-income housing developments and a slew of public housing sites in 6 different states.

I applied for Delaware Public Housing Authority almost 2 years ago. I have not heard a thing since other than three sites that contacted me to make sure I was still interested in housing. Each of those three sites was out of state.

I have contacted the Salvation Army, Welfare, Social Services, Delaware 2-1-1, Hope Center, Hope House, Lutheran Ministries, Catholic Social Services, Neighborhood House, Children & Families First, First State Community Action Center, etc. The list is long.

Welfare put us up in a cheap motel (roaches included) for a month. This fell under the Covid benefits. Unfortunately, those benefits ended which left us where we started, living in the van.

The other places all gave me relatively the same answer. They don't help with finding housing for people or they cannot financially help. The Salvation Army did say that they would help pay back rent but that doesn't do us any good since we would need to have an apartment to rent to get back on the rent. They also said that they may help with security deposits if we found a place.

We reached out to every homeless shelter in the area and were told the same things by each of them. Since I am physically disabled, they cannot allow me to go into their shelters. They do not have the zoning for that and I am an insurance risk. I even told my family to go stay in the shelter and that I would stay in the van. They refused.

During all of this, I have been paying for 2 storage units that contain all of our belongings including furniture, clothing, appliance, and everything from our house. The two units are very expensive and I am on a fixed income due to my disability.

Now, due to the fact that the storage facility changed owners, the rent is higher, and I cannot afford it. We are now behind and are in danger of losing what we have left.

But that's not the worst of it. Our van is breaking down. The power steering is going. Brakes, motor mount, shocks/struts, water pump, etc. The list continues to grow. Dave was a mechanic for years and could do the work as long as someone helps him. It's cheaper than putting the van in the shop. The problem is that we just don't have the money to buy the parts needed.

Our daughter's 16th birthday is in just 16 days, and we have no money to do anything special for her. This is a big milestone for her. She is in driver's ed and will be going for her license soon. I cannot even celebrate her special day and spoil her. This makes me feel like a failure. I sent her to stay with a family so she wouldn't have to deal with being homeless, but she is still affected by it.

We keep getting hit while we are down, and I don't know how much more we can take. I have a Go Fund Me set up to help mitigate costs but it takes so long for the money to go through. I also have Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal which are quicker.

Please donate and share. Our backs are against the wall. The van is barely hanging on and we desperately need it.

[ausetkmt]

The Verge: Pushy checkout screens are helping ‘tipflation’

Tipping is an age-old American debate. How much do you pay and when? Is it a choice or an obligation? Generally, tech has at least made it easier over the years. Smartphones made it a breeze for friends to whip out a calculator to figure out tip and split the bill. And now, checkout screens everywhere, from in-person stores to delivery apps, have added buttons designed to make it easier for you to tip.

That’s convenient, until it’s not. According to a new Pew Research Center report, tipping culture in America has seen a shift in recent years. Seventy-two percent of Americans say tipping is expected in more places than five years ago. Not all of that is tech-related, but it’s hard to deny the role checkout screens have in tipflation. Even the Pew Research report notes the practice of tipping “is undergoing significant structural and technological changes,” including “the expansion of digital payment platforms and devices that encourage tipping.”

On days I go to the office, I occasionally treat myself to a latte at a local coffee shop. It’s all good, until I’m paying. A part of me dies at the fact a small latte is now around $9 in Manhattan. The anxiety seeps in when, after I’ve tapped my card against the terminal, it asks me how much I want to tip — 20 percent, 25 percent, and a higher number that I’ve blocked from my memory. There’s an option to not tip or to enter a custom tip, but those are smaller, and pressing those buttons fills me with anxiety that I’m a bad person.

Most recently, a finance bro behind me sighed because I was taking too long to figure out the custom tip interface. I ended up pressing the 25 percent button in a social anxiety-induced panic. Or $11.25. At that price, I regretted the latte, and in my head, I heard Suze Orman’s specter haranguing me for having my millennial treat.

Self-service kiosks occasionally ask me if I want to tip, too. The audacity to even ask is staggering. And even if most people pick “no tip” in that scenario, muscle memory and social programming may mean someone accidentally does tip.

How much of these tip prompts actually goes to the people you intended to tip?

Screens make all this easy partly because it cuts out the math. You just press a button that automatically adds on a percentage or, sometimes, a dollar amount. It’s all built into the regular flow of checking out, and you don’t have to rummage through your wallet to add to the tip jar. The thinking — whether it’s about how much you can afford or how it affects your total — is meant to go out the window. It’s similar to online or in-app shopping — just press the button and move on.

It’s common knowledge that service workers generally prefer direct tips — either handed to them or sent via Venmo. But where does that fit now that cashless payment options and checkout tip prompts are more commonplace? It’s very easy for a business to add these checkout screens to their systems and to set the lowest “easy” option at a price that may be higher than you want to give. They also often make it harder for you to choose an alternative to the preset options.On these screens, the “no tip” or custom options are either smaller or lower down on the menu. And while no one is forcing you to do anything, there’s a gentle persuasion happening that doesn’t always feel right. With DoorDash, if you don’t pre-tip, you now get a warning that your food may be delayed. That makes sense if you view tipping to be an obligation rather than a choice — but for those who view tipping as a reward for good service, it can feel like extortion, too.

Wherever possible, I still try to tip in cash. At my local ice cream shop, it warmed my heart this past summer to stick my dollar in a jar labeled “Help me fund my study abroad to Italy.” It felt a lot better than a digital prompt.