#costs Debit Machine

[debitmachinecanada]

Visa, Mastercard plan to hike credit-card fees

Aug 30 (Reuters) – Global payments processors Visa (V.N) and Mastercard (MA.N) are planning to increase fees that many merchants pay when they accept customers’ credit cards, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. The fee increases are scheduled to start in October and April, according to the report, which cited people familiar with the matter and documents viewed by the WSJ. Many of the…

[nicestgirlonline]

Something Sweet

Pairing: Sugar Daddy! Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader

Warnings: 18+ smut ahead!!! Thigh riding, public stuff, dirty talk, sugar relationships, power dynamics, dom/sub undertones

Word Count: 4.9K

Summary : A chance run in with a handsome stranger turns out to be the opportunity of a lifetime

a/n: for @the-slumberparty September Bingo Challenge! No bingo for me this round, I got it in JUST UNDER THE WIRE! Takes me waaaaayyy to long to write lol. Thanks for reading, I’d love your feedback! Reblogs and comments are love <3

You placed the candy bar on the counter in front of the very bored cashier. You dug through your purse and pulled out your debit card and handed it over. A queue had started to form behind you as you tapped your hand in anticipation. 

“Declined.” The cashier said, holding out the card for you. Your stomach dropped. You were afraid this was going to happen. You were so sure that you had enough in your account for at least a candy bar. You had paid the overdraft fees from last month, so you should have been set. Your stomach gurgled a bit. You were so hungry. 

“Um, can you try it again?” You asked, hoping it was some sort of mistake, that the bank was just a little slow to catch up with your account. She let out a sigh and placed it in the machine again.  

You could feel the stares behind you. You looked back at the line; directly behind you was a tall man dressed in a suit, checking his watch. He looked like he must be very important. He had dark brown hair that was neatly styled and just a touch of a five o’clock shadow. It was incredibly handsome. His icy blue eyes flicked from his Rolex to you, making you quickly turn back to the cashier. 

“Declined. Again.” The cashier handed it back this time with a look insisting you take the card from her. Humiliated, your cheeks began to turn red. 

“Sorry.” You mumbled as you shoved your card back into your purse so you could clear the shop as quickly as possible. In your haste, you accidentally ran into Mr. BusinessMan. You collided with his body like a brick wall. “Sorry! I’m so sorry! Fuck I’m a mess.” You cried out as you ran past him this time. 

You ran directly out onto the street, the cool air filling your lungs. You dropped down onto the curb to spend a minute catching your breath. You could feel your heart still racing, your body going into fight or flight mode. 

Money, money, money. It all always came back to money. If you didn't have the money for a god damn candy, how were you going to make rent in less than two weeks? Tears threatened to escape your eyes and you squeezed them shut. 

Here you were, no food in your stomach and soon to be no roof over your head. You looked at your phone, a flip phone from 2013 that miraculously still worked. The last text you had gotten was from your mom “Fridge broken. Send more this month.” 

God fucking damn it. 

“Hey! I think you forgot this.” A deep voice called out behind you. You turned to see the business man from the shop! Confused, you grabbed your purse and checked to make sure you hadn’t left your keys or something. The man held the bar you had left at the counter. He held it out to you. You didn’t go to grab it, you just stared.

“Oh. Um, you didn’t have to…” You began but he squatted down next to you and placed the candy on your lap. 

“We all have bad days. Doesn’t cost me nothing to be nice. You look like you deserve something sweet.” He had a very kind smile on his face. It did cost him something though, it cost him more than what was currently in your bank account. “You ok?”

“I’m…I’m ok. I’m going to be ok. Thank you, really.” You could feel the tears spilling over and you started to wipe your face so he wouldn’t see.

“You must really like candy to be crying over it.” He lightly joked, which only made you want to cry more. You let out a little laugh that sounded more like a strangled gasp. It was so overwhelming, the simple act of charity.

“It’s just…really really nice of you.” You gasped, the tears finally flowing freely. “I don’t remember the last time anyone has ever given me something…I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, hey, hey, you’ve got nothing to apologize for.” He reached out and placed a hand on your shoulder to comfort you. “I’m James.”

You gave him your name, finally ceasing your tears. You took a deep breath, you couldn’t just fall apart in front of this kind stranger, he was probably running late to some sort of business meeting anyway.

“You have a way to get home?” he asked, he pulled out his phone and began to tap on it. You nodded your head. 

“Yes, yes I do. I have money left on a bus card, really thank you so much James.” He smiled at you when you said his name. He placed his phone back into his suit jacket. He took your hand and helped you up.  With your spiral into darkness slightly stalled, you took in your savior. He was so classically handsome. When you looked into his blue, blue eyes you felt like you were drowning in them. He tucked a piece of your hair behind your ear, your heart raced. 

“Get home safe, alright doll?” You nodded, clutching the candy bar to your chest. You took off down the street after giving a soft goodbye. The kindness of strangers had given you more hope than you had in a long time. 

You idly wondered about James as you ate on the bus. Your money problems were still lingering in the back of your mind but your thoughts were clear. 

You tore open the candy bar, taking a bite of the delicious treat. The chocolate melting on your tongue, the sugary sweetness coated your mouth. You got a rush from the sugar and let out a sigh. 

Maybe things were going to be ok, it was a sign that the universe was on your side. 

{}{}{}

You put on your waitress face and did your best to keep up the highest energy tonight. You were all bubbles and giggles throughout the shift. You would smile and laugh at every lame joke a customer would tell you.

Half way through your shift the place was packed. You should be grateful it was busy, you were getting good tips but hadn’t had a moment to breathe since you walked out onto the floor. You carefully balanced a tray of shots and an order of bacon-wrapped dates to drop off before you made it to the party that just sat down in your section. The hostess had put them back in the booth that was partially tucked away with velvet curtains. Big spenders for sure. You smoothed down your dress and tossed your hair over your shoulders as you made your way over. 

“Hiii how are we doing tonight Gentle--” You began your usually bubbly opener, voice high pitched and energetic but as you took in who was sitting in front of you, you stumbled. 

James. Your candy savior. The bodega hero. Him and three other men were waiting to be served. He was wearing a new suit, this one with no tie and a few buttons undone from his shirt. Damn he could really rock a suit, he filled this one out perfectly too. FUCK.  

“Ahem, excuse me gentlemen. So what can I start you off with?” You quickly recovered, grabbing your pad and pen and focusing your eyes on the paper. You prayed that with your heavy makeup and fluffed up hair that maybe he wouldn’t recognize you, or maybe just wouldn’t even remember. 

“Hey there sweetheart, hope my good looks didn’t startle you.” His charming grin grew as you bashfully waved your hand at him.

“Oh I'm used to handsome, it's just a little busy in here tonight. Are we just starting out the night? Maybe with some shots?” You offered with a grin of your own. He seemed pretty pleased with your flattery. James was silent as the other two ordered a round of shots, his gaze was fixed on you. You went to turn to put the order in but as you went James’s hand shot out and he grabbed your wrist. 

You froze and stayed.

“Hold on a minute Doll, you didn’t take my order yet.” His voice was low and easy. You lightly moved your hand out of his grasp to put pen to paper. You nodded to him hoping to get his order. “I want a whiskey. Neat. And bring the whole bottle out.”

“Whoa, we’re getting bottles tonight?”

“Sounds like you guys are going to have some fun!” You said quickly writing down the order with a flourish. This time you managed to escape to put the orders in. As you waited by the bar for the orders you felt your heart racing. It wasn’t just the adrenaline of the fast paced night. Seeing James again had put you completely off kilter. It was humiliating, the last time he saw you, you were crying in the street. He must find you so pathetic. If he even recognized you?

James and his party stayed practically til closing, ordering more and more. The bill they were racking up was so notable that Jeremy himself came out to thank them for their patronage. The other girls were all playfully jealous, it wasn’t you who could normally hook in the big spenders like that. 

“Sadly, it seems we’ve got to end it here. Little guy can’t hold his liquor.” James said motioning to the one you learned was named Sam.

“M’fine.” He slurred. The blonde man who was called Steve laughed and threw an arm around him as he swayed. The two made their way to the exit leaving you alone at the table with James. He smiled at you expectantly. You just wanted the night to be done with. 

“Whenever you’re ready!” you placed down the bill on the table. 

“Hold on Doll, I’m ready now.”  He pulled out a shiny black card from his wallet, and quickly scribbled down on the receipt. You took the card with a smile, ready to go charge it. You glanced down on the tip and your eyes nearly fell out of your head. 

He had given you a 100% tip.

“Problem?” He asked, innocently cocking his head to the side. You glanced at the bill again, rereading it as slowly as you could to try to make sure you weren’t mistaken.

“I think you might have mixed up the tip and the total-” 

“No mistake. I’m tipping for the fantastic service.” 

“I really don’t know how comfortable I am with that James. Is this because of this morning?” Your voice was pathetically small. 

“Oh so you do remember me?” He asked flatly. You looked up at him. His sudden tone made your stomach clench. 

“I mean…of course I do but that’s not very professional of me. I’m sorry-” You immediately tried to amend the situation. This was somehow your fault, you could tell. 

“You apologize a lot. You don’t have to be sorry for getting something you want.” James’s tone was no longer angry. 

“I don’t need pity.”

“It's not pity, Doll. You gave me a service and now I’m paying you what I think is fair. I know you probably aren’t used to people giving you what you’re worth. You probably don’t even know what your worth is, do you?” When his icy blue eyes met yours it was like you were really being seen for the first time. You loved it as much as you hated it. 

“I’m not…I’m not worth anything much. Here’s your card sir, have a good night.” 

You ran off, your face hot with humiliation. 

{}{}{}

You had hoped that would be the end of it. Even with the insane tip from James you were still on the outs with your money. Now that rent could be made there was the electricity, gas, and water. Then the money you would send back to your family, oh and food for yourself. You couldn’t forget that. You kept all ten shifts that you had managed to beg Jeremy for. The big night with James made him much more amenable to your requests. 

It was only for a split second but you saw him at the hostess table. With two different men at his side, there stood James for the second night in a row. You whipped your head around and scurried to the back. 

“Wanda, he’s here again. Again!” You squealed to your co-worker who was just preparing to start her shift. 

“Who, Mr. Moneybags? Well aren’t you lucky.” She said, giving you a playful glare. 

“I don’t want to deal with him again. Please take my table?” you pleaded. 

“Don’t need to ask me twice, I’ll be getting that nice tip tonight.”  She tossed her coppery hair over her shoulder and smoothed down her dress one final time before strutting out onto the floor. 

He wasn’t here for you, you told yourself. You were just being paranoid. Wanda was going to have all of them eating out of her hands by the end of the night, you told yourself as you started out towards your first table. You pushed it from your mind. 

But you couldn’t help but glance over to his table, and the glance was more than enough to see that James was not happy. Wanda and her incredible curves didn’t seem to distract him at all. You could see her laughing and chatting but James was a dark cloud.  

Fine, who cares, he was going to give Wanda a ludicrous tip because he was a generous tipper. He wasn’t pitying you, he wasn’t trying to give you charity, that's just who he is. You scamper towards the kitchen to put in your orders and hopefully hide out a while. 

Wanda came back towards the kitchen, placing her orders and grabbing the food that was ready. Her beautiful smile fading into a line when she made eye contact with you. 

“They were really really insistent that it has to be you tonight. Even just to go over and say hi. ” She said, her tone was dry. Nervous butterflies erupted in your stomach. You bit your lip. What could this possibly mean? 

{}{}{}

You were normally pretty steady in your heels, but the floor was suddenly uneven as you approached James’s table.

“Well hi there, gentlemen. I-I can take your drink orders tonight. Give Wanda a hand.” You babbled, trying not to flub over any words. 

James smirks at you victoriously. He doesn’t need to say anything, his eyes say it all. He had gotten his way.  

The party once again racked up a ridiculous tab.  Nothing was stopping him. The rest of the table had cleared out quickly, leaving just you and James. 

He opened his wallet and laid out the tip, bill by bill. He pushed the fat stack to you, not breaking eye contact once. 

It was multiple hundred dollar bills, but you were too stunned to count. The anxiety that had been building since you first caught a glimpse of James again finally came bursting out of you in a tidal wave. You tossed the cash back on to the table. 

“Please stop. I can’t…I can’t keep doing this, I don’t know what you expect from me.”  You gasped, allowing your facade to crack as you stared up at him with tears wetting your eyes. 

You weren’t scared. But you were confused. This sort of attention must have meant he wanted something from you and…you were fairly certain of what that was. 

“This is how this business works, you did something for me, and I paid for your services.”

“I -- I--” Your breath was caught in your throat as he leaned closer to you to tuck a lock of hair behind your ear. 

“Poor thing, you’ve never been treated well in your whole life, have you? I know why you’re so nervous. You’re not stupid, you're really smart. I don’t expect anything from you tonight.”

He took a breath and it was like he was stealing the air right from your lungs. “But. I would like to make an offer, if you’d be interested. I just want one hour of your time.” 

“I’m not a whore.” 

He caught your chin in his hand and made you look back at him, his eyes dark and humorless.

“What an ugly word. Nobody’s calling you that doll. Have dinner with me.” His thumb traced over the apple of your cheek.  

{}{}{}

One hour of your time. You kept thinking about it over and over again. It was just one hour. This ostentatiously wealthy man was paying you to have dinner with him. It’s not a crime. But it felt so dangerous. Sneaky and dirty. Part of it was terrifying but it was also…exciting. 

This restaurant was leaps and bounds above your place of work. It was all very classy. You tugged on your skirt just a bit, hoping you weren’t going to stick out. You were brought through the restaurant, up some stairs to a private party room. It was a huge table, with only two places set,  a glow with dozens of candle’s soft light. The walls were all windows, looking over the restaurant the other a breathtaking view of the city. 

James was waiting for you when you arrived. He looked you up and down appreciatively, his eyes lingering. He stood up like a gentleman when you got to the table. He pulled the chair out for you. 

“Oh um, thank you.” You said as he pushed you into your spot once you were seated. 

“No thanks necessary, Doll.” He placed the napkin from the plate on your lap before returning to the seat across from you. The waiter who brought you up took your drink orders before leaving you alone. 

The door clicked closed and suddenly there was a tense silence between you two. What was next? Were you supposed to say something? Or should you wait for him? 

“I trust the ride over was pleasant?”

“Yeah, um, no issues at all. I’ve never been here before, any recommendations?” Why were you so awkward? Should you be seductive? Should you be professional? Was this a business transaction or a date? Every time your eyes met his he looked hungry. For you. It made you flush. 

“You can get anything your heart desires. Pick out whatever has the most zeros next to the name.” He grinned. “The seabass is pretty good too.”

You wrinkled your nose a bit. “It's not too…fishy is it?” 

“Well it is fish.”

“But is it fishy fish?” James laughed at that. 

“It's a fishy fish. The steak is good too, but it's a steaky steak. So you know.” He joked. It made you laugh a bit too. It was like a spell was cast over you, the tension was released and your nerves vanished. The conversation flowed between the two of you easily.  

Your food came, he didn’t bring up anything. He had asked for an hour of your time, because he was going to propose something to you. You had friends who had “boyfriends” who weren’t really their boyfriends. Men who would pay for the fun that night, but they got paid back in other ways. 

You never had thought of yourself as that girl. But here you were. The anticipation made you nervous but you couldn’t deny the excitement.

He ordered dessert for the two of you, champagne and strawberries with cream and chocolate. 

You glanced at your phone, there was about ten minutes left of “your time” that he had purchased. 

“I hope I’m not so boring that you’re counting down the minutes.” James commented as you put your phone back in your purse. You shake your head.

“No I just…we have some things to discuss right? And an hour is what you asked for…”

“I am willing to pay overtime, if you’re still enjoying yourself. But if we’re down to the minute here, we should talk.” He folded his hands on the table. 

“I like you, I think that we can make something together. You seem like you need some help and call me old fashioned but I just can't resist a damsel in distress. I’m a busy man, with a lot of work and a full schedule, not really much time for dating. Not a fan of the apps either. What I am looking for is an arrangement. I want a companion and can keep you very well compensated for it.”

“So you’ve had…arrangements like this before.” You asked slowly. It didn’t make much sense to you. He was so unbelievably handsome. How could he have trouble finding anyone to be with?. He filled out his clothes so well, his strong square jaw made you want to swoon. How could it be you that he wanted? 

“Yes. Does that bother you?” 

“I-I’ve never done anything like this before.” You admitted. You cleared your throat. “What sort of things are you looking for from your…companion.” Your eyes were suddenly very focused on the bowl of strawberries in front of you. You hadn’t had a boyfriend before, but you’d been with men. Your idea of a sugar daddy was always a creepy old man, desperate for a young thing to fuck. But he didn’t seem desperate at all. The way he pinned you with his gaze was making you feel desperate for him. 

James reached out and placed his hand over yours.

“I am looking for everything. I want someone who’ll keep me company at home, someone I can buy gifts for, someone I can take out on dates.” He squeezed your hand, rubbing his thumb in circles over your wrist. “I’d like someone who’s going to stay the night too.”

Your stomach flipped. You knew what he meant. 

“Ah, like, sleepovers?” You giggled nervously. “I was never allowed to have those, as a kid. I always had to watch over my siblings.” 

“I didn’t have any either. Romanian immigrant parents. They didn’t really…get it?” James smiled, it was different from the grin that had been on his lips all night. It almost seemed shy.  “So maybe we should make up for lost time, hm?”

“But what would it be like? Being your…companion?” You were testing the waters. He was being a bit too vague for your liking. The word sugar baby had never been said but that’s what this was going to be wasn’t it? He wasn’t asking you to be his girlfriend. But he wanted you. And you wanted him. 

Should you get a contract? Or was that only something that happened in trashy romance novels?

He picked the bottle of champagne, his veins bulged in his strong grip. He easily flicked the cork off, popped the champagne with a loud bang that made you jolt. He smirked at your reaction. He poured himself a glass effortlessly then stood, walking to your side of the table. He was completely relaxed, in total control the whole time. 

He towered above you as he poured the bubbling liquor into the champagne flute in front of you. You could smell the rich musk of his cologne. He picked it up to offer it to you.

“If you agree to be mine, I would take you out to nice places like this, buy you whatever you like and then we would keep having fun all night.” His eyes sparkled. Your heart began to flutter, his eyes making you feel like you were the only person on earth. And you could get anything you wanted. 

You took the flute from him. You took a sip of the dry sparkling wine. It tasted expensive. 

“Do you want me to quit my job?” You said plainly. 

“Being CEO means I don't exactly have a 9-5 schedule and neither does a cocktail waitress. I don’t want to have to deal with scheduling around each other. Part of this is about you being available to me. You can take a leave of absence?” He was still standing, but had leaned against the table facing you. The CEO drop gave you a slight pause. You knew he was rich but…you were nervous to ask just how rich. Did it matter? You wondered to yourself. He was so handsome, you didn’t need specifics. You needed him.

“I don’t think that's an option for me.” You said trying not to roll your eyes. 

“Trying not to seem too pushy Doll, but…I want you to quit your job. I’ll be your job from now on. I can cover any of the expenses you’d need a job for. Being mine means spending late nights at my apartment, weekend trips to Europe, I don’t want you to worry about anything but me. If you agree, of course.”

He held out his hand to you. “Or is my time up?” 

You grabbed his hand. Your fingers interlocked. You nodded your head. James smiled and pulled you out of your seat. You quickly stood, eyes looking up into the icy blue pools that captivated you. His lips lightly pressed against yours. It was so soft and romantic, you surrendered to him easily. Your lips moved against him, assuring him, assuring yourself, you could do this. 

“You know why I got the strawberries right?” He asked as he pulled away motioning to the nearly forgotten dessert. 

“Yes…I’ve seen Pretty Woman. They bring out the sweetness of the champagne” You replied smartly. He laughed again. You made him laugh a lot, and every time you did your heart would race.

“I got them because I’m pretty sure you have a sweet tooth. And I thought it could be fun.” He scooped a dollop of cream onto a berry and brought it up to your lips. You obediently opened your mouth, taking a bite of the fruit. The bright, sharpness of the berry was contrasted by the fluffy sweetness of the cream. It was so decadent you needed a minute before you could take another bite. 

He pressed his hands against the small of your back and guided you slowly towards him.

He eased down onto the chair, planting his feet on the floor. 

He gripped your hips and pulled you to straddle his thigh. He guided you down and you followed his lead. You slowly lowered onto him.Your crotch rubbed against his thigh, you grabbed onto his shoulders to try and steady yourself. His fingers went to your dress and hiked it up to your waist.

You let out a gasp, your eyes quickly darting to the door. He grabbed your chin and pulled your focus back to him. 

“You don’t have to worry about anything tonight. You just have to be mine.”  He murmured, his breath fanning over your face. Your face was burning with embarrassment, you’d never been so intimate in public before.

He began to tap his heel making you bounce up and down. His hands went to your ass. The delicious friction made you bite down hard on your lip as your arousal started to mount. 

“James ahh--” You tried to ask but pleasure started to rocket up your core. Your eyes rolled back as he continued to rock you on his thighs. He shushed you, burying his face in your neck. His hands finally left your hips and grasped your breasts.  You moaned at the sensation. You wrapped your arms around his neck, arching your back bringing his face to your cleavage. 

Your hips moved of their own volition now, faster as the sweet ache between your legs grew. 

They glided over and over his thick thighs, building in speed as you chased after your high. Bouncing up and down, no longer concerned with anyone who might see. 

“What do you want?” he gasped. Suddenly stopping you mid thrust, his grip on your ass held you still. 

“Huh?” you whined, wiggling your hips a bit, but he held you firm. 

“Tell me sweetheart, how do I close this deal, what do you want?” James whispered in your ear, letting his breath tickle you. 

“I--” You took a moment. Your panties were soaked through, you could feel your slickness on his pants. You felt so wanton, but this was what you wanted. “I want my rent paid.”

“Done.” 

“And I want a new phone.” He just nodded as his lips connected with your neck. You moaned as he lightly bit down on your neck alternating between pain and sweet kisses. You suddenly felt powerful, more powerful than you ever had in your life. “I also have student loans and money for savings a-and my sister’s starting high school this year and she’s going to need a laptop, so--” 

His lips had finally worked your neck enough and collided with your lips. He kissed you so fiercely, so overwhelmingly hot that you completely lost your train of thought and surrendered to it. 

“Deal.” he panted as he pulled away from your lips, his forehead resting against yours. You started to ride his thigh again, desperate for a release as the coils inside you wind together tighter and tighter.

“Fuck Doll that’s right, use me, ride my thigh, you’re mine now. Show you how good it is to be mine.” James grunted as you chased your high.

Waves of pleasure came crashing over you. You writhed on his thigh, your panties sticking to the sides of your walls as you collapsed forward. Pressing your head to his shoulder, you could feel him chuckling.

You liked being his. You felt small in his lap as he smoothed down your dress. He wiped some of the sweat off your brows. 

You take another sip of the champagne. It wasn’t sweet, but you could get used to it.

[deadpresidents]

I'm always a fan of Caity Weaver's work, but this piece from the New York Times Magazine (these links are gift links from me past the NYT paywall to access the full article) about how the penny is not only a ridiculous zombie currency, but also a reflection of American dysfunction is one of the best articles I've read in a long time. It's really interesting, especially the parts about production, circulation, and the ultimate paralysis of throwing them in a coin jar for months or years before eventually taking them to a Coinstar machine.

Not only is the penny useless and more expensive to make than it is actually worth, but it's also relatively easy to eliminate. But it's not an imperative and eliminating it also wouldn't necessarily be something that the government or the citizens would actively profit from. And people don't like change -- and I don't mean "change" as in currency, but the act of doing something different or unusual from our accepted routines. So we just ignore them or discard them or hoard them needlessly, and the government keeps making billions of tons (literally) of them because they drop out of circulation. Nobody cares and nobody wants to have to do anything about it because America.

Here's a little excerpt of the piece from the New York Times Magazine, and again, just follow the links for a free gift pass behind the paywall for Caity's full article:

Americans accumulate pennies not because we desire them but because we are entitled to them. If we pay for something in cash with more than exact change, we expect to receive back the difference; if the difference ends in any number other than 0 or 5, we will receive at least one penny. We are entitled to pennies because they exist. But imagine a world where they didn't. Imagine a world where it was Canada. Many Americans will be surprised to learn that Canada eliminated its 1-cent coin more than a decade ago...Canada got rid of its penny in 2013 because it cost 1.6 cents to produce and had, like its American cousin, become essentially worthless. Here is the most important detail to understand: Canada eliminated only its physical coin, not the mathematical concept of 1 cent. Payment by credit card, debit card, mobile phone or check -- any kind of noncash transaction -- is calculated exactly as it was before the penny was abolished. If, after tax, a bill comes to, say, $20.11, a Canadian paying by credit card will be charged $20.11. A Canadian paying by cash can expect to pay $20.10. The final digit of Canadian cash transactions is rounded to the nearest nickel: 1 and 2, nearest to 0 nickels, round down to 0; 3 and 4 round up to a nickel -- 5; 6 and 7, also nearest to one nickel, round down -- 5 again; 8 and 9, nearest to 10 cents, round up. I admit that the thought I might be asked to pay, say $3.80 (cash) for something that, according to the laws of God and man, has been calculated to cost $3.79 (cash) is not only reflexively infuriating to me but a potential source of permanent confusion. The Canadian government mitigated one of those problems (no hope for the other) with an information campaign that included signs with simple charts dividing potential prices into two columns: "Round down" and "Round up." I asked Karl Littler from the Retail Council of Canada if there were still signs at cash registers explaining the rounding. "It's 10 years now, so even the most obtuse people have pretty much figured it out," he said, and laughed.

-- Caity Weaver: "America Must Free Itself from the Tyranny of the Penny", the New York Times Magazine

[karaloza]

Legend of Zelda Theme Park - Castle Town (UPDATED)

As guests move along the walkway at the back of the Welcome Plaza, the noncommittal park ambience is gradually overtaken by facades of old-fashioned half-timber houses, and then masonry castle walls. Finally they arrive at a grand archway with ornate double gates flung open to welcome visitors. Atop the archway sits a picturesque train station, and beyond it is a bustling medieval(-ish) market square of cobblestones, storefronts, gaming booths, and more. In the center is a large marble fountain bearing a sculpture of the Triforce, and on the far side of the square, opposite the entry point, is Hyrule Castle at the end of an avenue lined with trees and statuary. To the right of the castle from the point of view as you enter the area, a cathedral-like structure can be seen rising behind the rooftops. The area music loop consists of a collection of “main town,” shop, and minigame themes from across the franchise.

Castle Town, besides having plenty to do in its own right, serves as the “hub” area of the theme park, with walkways leading directly to three of the other areas (besides the Welcome Plaza) and indirect paths to the others via a ride.

Attractions

Spirit Train Grand Central Station: The Spirit Train is a handy and scenic way to get around the theme park, encircling the central portions on an elevated track, with several stops along the route. Some of the sights in Hyrule can only be seen from aboard the train!

Carnival Games: Most of the central portion of Market Square is occupied by game booths, evoking the numerous “mini-games” found in most LoZ titles. The games themselves are of fairly standard types, but the paraphernalia are all themed like items from the franchise—as just one example, instead of throwing a mere baseball at a target, you throw a “Cucco” (even if it is just a baseball with a chicken face and wings printed on it). Rather than paying cash to play, guests pay “rupees” from a debit card they can get from a vending machine, and the more you put on the card, the more bang for your buck you get—say, five dollars gets you 100 rupees, but twenty gets you 500, and higher amounts net further price breaks. The games themselves cost anywhere from 25 to 100 rupees per play. Prizes are the usual small plush toys and cheap trinkets you would expect, but you can bank wins on your “rupee wallet” card and redeem them for better things if you so choose.

Link and Zelda Meet-and-Greet: What theme park would be complete without an opportunity to meet the star characters? The Hero Link and Princess Zelda can be found in dedicated meet-and-greet spaces on the ground floor of Hyrule Castle. Both characters have undergone many design changes over the course of the series, but by default they appear in something close to their classic, iconic looks. Link gets his green tunic and stocking cap, white leggings, and brown leather arm guards, with a bright but not glaring color palette and more fine detailing than most video game hardware can consistently render. Zelda’s look varies a lot more from game to game, but common features include a white underdress and pink or mauve pinafore-like outer layer with gold embroidery, as well as long blond hair and a distinctive tiara. The objective is to present the theme park itself as an installment in the franchise, with its own story (that you, the guest, create as you go) and details, and its own incarnations of the Hero and the Princess.

Hyrule Castle Gardens: Across from the meet-and-greet spaces, archways lead out into a peaceful courtyard space of flower beds, benches, fountains, and topiary sculptures of familiar creatures from the games, backed by a soft music loop of leitmotives for the game series’ many princesses, love interests, and other gentle, feminine characters. This attraction serves the vital function of relaxation, giving guests an opportunity to take a load off for a while in a tranquil setting.

Temple of Time Theatre: In the back corner of Castle Town, alongside one of the walkways leading to Death Mountain, is a sizable performance venue. The daytime program consists of 30- to 45-minute plays summarizng the plots of actual games, both for entertainment and so non-fans can get some idea of what the big deal is. “Here at the Temple of Time, we can see all across the history of Hyrule and beyond and tell you the legends as they actually happened!” While waiting for the show to begin, guests can enjoy a musical playlist alternating the Temple of Time theme with the score from various “telling a story/recapping a legend” cutscenes. In the evenings, some of the seating area is converted into a dance floor and the plays are traded for mini-concerts by local folk rock bands (and of course, each set includes a cover of at least one iconic LoZ score piece).

Shops

6. Pictobox Shop: If you got your picture taken by a park employee near the main entrance, you can swing by here later in the day to buy prints, perhaps in a nice souvenir frame, or installed in a commemorative keychain.

7. Curiosity Shop: The one in Clock Town may be an outlet for goods of shady provenance, but here, it sells a variety of interesting knickknacks and curios, all guaranteed to be above board.

8. Coro’s Lantern and Oil Shop: This cozy shop offers a selection of wax and LED candles, oil lamps and fuel, scented oil diffusers, and even a unique line of Legend of Zelda-inspired scented soy wax jar candles.

9. Enchanted Kingdom Treasures: Another knickknack shop, this one more targeted to fantasy fans. Some of the items here, from dragon figurines to sword-shaped letter openers, are LoZ-branded, while others are more generic.

10. S*T*A*R*S: Inspired by a minigame in Twilight Princess, this dimly lit tent sells a number of light-up souvenirs, laser-cut crystal sculptures with LED-illuminated stands, and similar tchotchkes.

11. Madame Couture’s: Hytopia’s #1 couturier has her own shop branch here, where guests can buy anything from a simple souvenir tee-shirt to a luxurious fantasy gown, and much, much more!

12. Happy Mask Shop: Named for the innocuous shop in Ocarina of Time that became the founding premise for an entire sequel game, this shop sells licensed masks, hats, and other costume pieces to enhance each guest’s heroic adventure.

13. Badge Market: A shop to buy and trade collectible enamel pins, based on the one of the same name in in Hyrule Warriors. Rather than the endless rows of character images one might expect, pin designs in this theme park focus on iconic emblems from the game franchise, such as the royal crest, symbols of the different peoples of Hyrule, medallions and shields, etc.

Eateries

14. Food Stalls: Interspersed among the game booths in the central portion of the square are booths selling the kind of quick bites you can find at carnivals and farmer’s markets.

15. Potion Hut: A juice and smoothie bar/service counter. Choose from among a wide array of bottled beverages—from common soda brands, water, juice, tea, etc. to unique blends labeled as “health potions,” “energy elixirs,” and other in-universe concepts—or have your own favorite mix made to order!

16. Stock Pot Inn: A buffet restaurant with a menu of hearty soups and stews and flavorful salads.

17. Royal Banquet Hall: An elegant table-service restaurant located on the upper level of Hyrule Castle. It’s pricey and requires a reservation, but it’s worth it for the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom-inspired menu served in a regally appointed dining room with spectacular window and balcony views of the park. The interior décor features tapestries, paintings, and stained-glass windows depicting iconic LoZ scenes rendered in genuine medieval and Renaissance art styles.

Miscellaneous

After dusk, the Triforce fountain in the center of the area puts on a little light show every 15 minutes.

Paths to the other themed areas in the park can be found in the side alleys encircling Market Square, but that’s not the only reason to explore them! They contain many secrets, some of which are related to the phone app-based minigames.

[smolavidreader]

Poem: Sprite

Stomach is upset. Food poisoning? Possibly.

Vending machine downstairs. I'll get sprite.

I hit sprite button. Sprite cost 3 dollars.

I grab three 1 dollar bills from wallet.

I insert first dollar. Machine registers 1 dollar.

I attempt to insert 2nd dollar. It refuses to take it.

I smooth out the dollar. No luck. I flip it around. No luck. I smooth it out more and flip it upside down. No luck. It refuses to take another dollar.

The red 1 dollar icon blinks at me, unchanging and unfeeling. Machine cares not for my efforts.

I give up and hit return change. Machine makes awful noise.

A single quarter lands in the change tray.

I check the change tray. I feel around and bend down and look. My observations reveal there is in fact only one quarter.

I'm down 75 cents and no sprite. I put the two dollars and quarter in my pocket.

I still want sprite. I pull out my debit card. I have a split second to think, this feels like a bad idea maybe I should use the credit card instead. I remember that I'd have to text my dad to explain.

I swipe my debit card on the machine. It says sorry could not read. I sigh. I just want sprite.

I swipe a second time. Super slow. I pretend I am a geriatric sloth.

The machine blinks. It loads. It loads. It loads. Finally the word authorizing appears. I'm allowed to make my selection.

I whack the button with prejudice. I just want a single can of sprite on account of the possible food poisoning.

The elevator dings behind me. No one steps out.

The machine makes the expected banging noises of a metal can falling, distracting me from the elevator.

The sprite arrives at the bottom. I grab it, feeling accomplished. It's a 16oz can.

Before I can celebrate, the machine immediately starts blinking and flashing the words, sold out. I think oh thank goodness I got the last sprite then.

The machine keeps flashing. The words Sorry. Mistake. Refunding. Sold out. Sold out. Mistake. Sold out. Sorry.

I have no clue what it's doing and I've overstayed my welcome. I hit the cancel button just in case and leave with my prize.

I walk up the stairs. I open my phone and attempt to check my bank account. A single statement. "There was a mistake on our end. Please retry."

I log out and log back in. I see the machine charged me 8 dollars. There is a quick moment of "fuck me did I just pay 8.75 for a single can of sprite"

New notification. Machine refunded me 8 dollars.

Payed 75 cents for 16 oz sprite can. (and ~15 mins)

The end. Feel vaguely haunted.

[cashcountingmachinebybankomat]

Billing machines have become an essential tool for businesses across various sectors, streamlining the invoicing process and enhancing operational efficiency. This article explores the features, benefits, and types of billing machines, as well as their significance in modern commerce.

What is a Billing Machine?

A billing machine is a device specifically designed to generate invoices and manage transactions efficiently. It automates the billing process, allowing businesses to issue receipts quickly and accurately. Available in various forms such as portable, handheld, and point-of-sale (POS) systems, these machines cater to the needs of small businesses and large enterprises alike.

Key Features of Billing Machines

User-Friendly Interface: Many modern billing machines come with intuitive touchscreen interfaces that simplify the transaction process, making it easy for staff to operate without extensive training.

Fast and Accurate Billing: These machines are designed to process transactions rapidly, significantly reducing customer wait times and enhancing service efficiency.

Customizable Invoices: Users can personalize invoice templates to reflect their branding, including logos and business details, which adds a professional touch to customer interactions.

Comprehensive Reporting: Billing machines often provide detailed sales reports, inventory tracking, and financial records, enabling businesses to monitor performance and make informed decisions.

Tax Compliance: Many billing machines are equipped with features that ensure compliance with tax regulations, making it easier to calculate applicable taxes like GST or VAT.

Multiple Payment Options: They support various payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets, providing convenience to customers.

Benefits of Using Billing Machines

Increased Efficiency: Automating the billing process reduces manual errors and speeds up transactions, leading to improved cash flow and customer satisfaction.

Enhanced Security: Billing machines help in maintaining secure records of transactions, reducing the risk of loss or theft associated with cash handling.

Improved Inventory Management: Many billing machines come with inventory management features that allow businesses to track stock levels and set up alerts for low inventory, ensuring timely restocking.

Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment in a billing machine may be higher, the long-term savings in time and labor can be substantial, making them a cost-effective solution for businesses.

Types of Billing Machines

POS Systems: These are comprehensive solutions that combine billing, inventory management, and sales tracking, ideal for retail environments and restaurants.

Portable Billing Machines: These compact devices are perfect for businesses that require mobility, such as food trucks or market vendors.

Handheld Billing Machines: Designed for ease of use, these machines are often used in smaller retail settings or for on-the-go transactions.

Touchscreen Billing Machines: Featuring advanced technology, these machines offer a modern interface and are designed for high-volume transaction environments.

Conclusion

Billing machines are vital for modern businesses, providing a range of features that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. By automating the billing process, these machines not only save time but also contribute to better financial management and operational transparency. As technology continues to evolve, the capabilities of billing machines will likely expand, further transforming the way businesses handle transactions. Whether for a small shop or a large retail chain, investing in a reliable billing machine can significantly improve business operations.

[scrivenger-grimgar]

A List of Ideas I Have But Am Unsure How To Execute or Where I Would Begin

ADHD/Memory Clothing!

clothing specially designed to keep things on or near you so you don't forget them, lose them, or leave them behind.

must be machine washable, and made in your preferred fabric to stop texture/sensory issues.

pants/shorts/skirts: a loop at the waist for a clip-tether that attaches to your wallet/phone case. pocket specifically for your phone. if you stand up without your phone, it will hit your leg when you walk away, so you remember to put it in the phone pocket.

shirt/jacket: two loops on each shoulder for clips on a specially made chest bag, easy to clip on and off. the bag has room for credit/debit cards, ID, inhaler/meds, and small fidgets/earbuds. in sight, in mind so you can't leave it behind!

Community Arts & Life Skills Centre!

a community-building specifically for people to come in and work on art of all kinds.

1) quiet rooms: minimal talking, please be quiet, don't just walk up and talk to people!

2) social rooms: talking allowed, people here are open to conversation, indoor voices, please! teaching and critiquing others is encouraged here! good for people looking for help and advice.

3) music rooms: minimal talking, music playing on a community playlist; add your own songs through submission and review. extended talks outside, please.

1, 2, & 3 are all for visual arts. painting, drawing, charcoal, sketching, digital arts, origami, calligraphy, etc. General materials (ie. paper, pencils, crayons, charcoal, erasers, brushes & watercolors) will be available, but bringing your own tools is encouraged!

fabrics room: sewing machines, black/white/red thread, needles in different sizes, practice scrap cloth, needlepoint/cross stitch frames, knitting, crochet, macrame, and braiding are done here!

foods room: for cooking, baking, and meal prep. Things made here are made in bulk, and given to patrons and employees as free breakfasts and lunches.

metals room: for metallurgy and jewelry making. donated scraps are melted down and used for practice materials, but the use of tools and torches is (if feasible) free.

woods room: wood carving, carpentry, and general handiness skills are practiced here. safety goggles are provided, as are masks. knives, drills, nails, practice woods, and screws are also provided.

take care of the workspace; not cleaning up will leave you with a fine, as will irreparably breaking more expensive tools (hammers, sewing machines, saws etc.). tool care is also taught in each of these spaces!

trouble at home? nowhere to stay tonight? feel free to sleep in the arts centre, at the cost of helping clean the place up at night. leftovers from the foods room are free to take as well, but please remember to sign in with your name and age at the front.

[radio-free-beth-sarim]

I'm currently sitting on the boardwalk in Ocean City, MD. My family has always taken vacations here, and coming here as an adult is basically just me doing all the things I used to do as a kid, but also the things I wanted to because I couldn't... I was a kid. For a long time I just couldn't afford a vacation. I was bound to my job at the cost of my health. And that led to me getting sick when I just wasn't taking care of myself. Being as sick as I was, I wasn't sure I would ever come back here. There was no guarantee I'd recover, and a good possibility I would be dead by now. So I see being here as a triumph on several fronts. I can now afford to take a vacation, and I am now healthy enough to make it here.

Often I would entertain the idea that I was actually dead, watching the world from the afterlife as it just moved on past me. I came back to a world just similar enough to be familiar but different enough to feel like I'm out of place. I felt like a space alien when I tried to swipe my debit card at the supermarket the first time and they told me to tap. And I was just like "that works?"

I told the cashier I was "gone for a while" and they gave me a strange look. I can only imagine they thought I was just out of prison. I tell people now that "I spent five years dead for tax purposes" and that usually gets either a laugh, or a stranger look than the implication I was in prison. A win for me either way.

But returning to places after the passage of such time is bittersweet no matter the circumstances, and being on the Ocean City boardwalk is a good feeling but one that carries a twinge of sadness.

Arcades have always been my happy place. From the Dundalk skateland that had a Darkstalkers machine and an MVS cabinet to Aladdin's Castle where I spent so much money playing DDR, I always felt so at home and comfortable in those spaces. So being back at the boardwalk for the first time in so long, I had to go to the arcades here. I walked along the boardwalk, and man, it's different but in all of the important ways nothing changed. The weird t-shirts. The Thrashers fries. They're selling deep fried oreos now which I am sure is delicious, but the things that would do to my intestinal tract make me cringe in horror.

I stopped at just about every arcade on the way. All of them left me disappointed that they weren't like what I remember. It's all ticket games, coin pushers, or claw machine variants. If they're actual video games they're reworked versions of old school games like frogger or space invaders, or mobile games. I don't mean to sound all boomer about this, like these kids just don't know, that's not what I am complaining about. I saw a lot of kids having a ton of fun, and it was so good to see. The laughter and joy was a delight, and being in such a place is a wonderful experience. Somewhere among those kids is someone building those core happy memories that will make them love the place like I did. Arcades are an important space where, as the great Charles Entertainment Cheese once said, a kid can be a kid. And going to an arcade makes me feel like a kid again.

But being there was also a stark reminder that I am no longer young. The arcades I remember are out of fashion. Those games are niche now. They don't make it to America often, let alone the Ocean City boardwalk. I made it to Sportland, one of the arcades I went to most frequently. I saw more of the same coin pushers and ticket machines. The place changed. Of course it had. Everything changes. But I mourned those days. In a way I was mourning my youth. I found a single neglected Tekken 3 machine and made my Person play me in a first to five. They 5-0'd me. That's how bad I am at Tekken, I got 5-0'd by someone that doesn't play fighting games. But it was fun, and they were a good sport. I also let a kid beat me in Mario Kart, so that was cool. The kid had to be like 10-12. He was happy, and that made me feel good. I won my Person a weird sonic plush, too. I had a good time! A great time! But as I walked out of Sportland with that bittersweet feeling in my chest, I looked over at Marty's Playland, THE arcade I used to spend most of my time at, and I couldn't bring myself to go in. I need it to be just the same as I remember, even though I know it isn't. I need there to be a place unchanged by time, exactly as I remember it, even if it exists only in my mind. And I know that's not reality anymore.

Maybe this is what W.B. Yeats meant when he wrote "There is no country for old men."

But I saw a kid in an Electric Wizard shirt so there is definitely hope for the future somewhere.

[classicquid]

How Frequently Can I Take Out Short Term Loans UK Direct Lender?

Although we hope that you won't have many emergencies, if you've ever gotten a short term loans from us, you might be able to do so again. You may be able to apply for up to £2,000 if you successfully repaid your first loan with us, but this is not a guarantee. If repeated borrowing is necessary, we will still run a credit check and use open banking to determine your current affordability. This is to make sure that nothing has changed since you last applied for a loan from us. Any short term loans UK direct lender you obtain from us are intended for sporadic use only; they are not intended to help you pay off existing debt. Our loans are not meant to be used on a long-term basis. Please get in touch with us if you have any inquiries concerning online emergency loans.

The most practical lending choice when you're strapped for cash and require extra funds to cover unexpected expenses between paydays is a short term loans UK direct lender. You are not required to give the lender any kind of documentation in order to secure the loan. Keep in mind that there are numerous lenders, and some of them perform credit checks to weed out any risky situations.

You must meet a few minimal standards in order to benefit financially from short term loans direct lenders. You have been a regular employee for more than three months and earn a minimum of £1000 per month as a permanent resident of the United Kingdom. In addition, the salary must be sent to an active checking account.

If you have adverse credit factors such as defaults, arrears, foreclosure, late payments, CCJs, IVAs, insolvency, etc., you may be eligible to receive money without having your credit history verified. However, in order to avoid further fees, you must repay the loan within a certain time period.

Classic Quid allow you to borrow between £100 and £2500 with a flexible repayment schedule of 2-4 weeks. There isn't any placing of collateral in place of the short term loans direct lenders. The list of financial uses for the money includes paying for tuition for your child's school, medical costs, electricity bills, food shop bills, and more.

No Use of a Debit Card for Short Term Cash Loans UK Direct Lenders

You can borrow everything from a £100 loan to a £2,500 loan with rapid loans and short term cash loans. While returning customers may be eligible for up to £2,500 and a maximum payback term of 12 months, new customers may only apply for a maximum of £1000 and choose flexible installments of up to 8 months.

With short term loans UK direct lender money, you may immediately take back control of your life by using them to rapidly pay for unforeseen obligations. We are here to provide the required funds to address these problems quickly when you don't have any available savings, whether you are dealing with a sudden boiler failure, urgent auto repairs, a broken washing machine, or any other unanticipated emergency.

To find out if we can instantly pre-approve your short term loans UK, click Request Fund. At Classic Quid, we're dedicated to supporting people in need during trying times so that you may get through financial challenges without undue worry.https://classicquid.co.uk/

[doubleunion]

Join us! Double Union applications are now open!

Double Union is accepting new member applications. Read on for more information about our application process and our community space for nonbinary people and women. Please share this post with friends or community groups who might be interested too!

To apply: go to the membership info page and click on the pink “Apply to join” button.

What is Double Union all about?

We are a community workshop that centers women and nonbinary people who are trans, cis, intersex, queer, straight, and not-fitting-into-those-labels, no matter what you look like. You don't have to prove you belong here.  Today we have about 150 members and are planning to accept many more. Our space is located at 77 Falmouth St. in San Francisco, on a side street near 5th and Folsom in SOMA.

Double Union is a great spot for reading, coding, writing, making art/crafts, or for quiet coworking. The space is an ADA-compliant street-level room, about 775 square feet, with a mini-kitchen and a bathroom. There are couches, tables, and chairs that members frequently reconfigure to fit the needs of workshops and events.

We carefully try to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission by having mask and vaccination requirements, air purifiers, and a CO2 monitor to help us ensure good ventilation. See summary here.

DU members host a wide variety of events in our space (you can see photos and announcements of past events on Instagram). Some events we’ve hosted include: feminist book club, game nights, mending workshops, working on income taxes together, researching ballot items to prepare for voting, lockpicking workshops, and circuit hacking.

Members have joined our community for a variety of reasons. DU might be for you if you:

Have a small living space and are interested in having an alternative space to spread out while working on creative projects.

Are new to the area and are interested in finding a place to work on and talk about shared interests with new people.

Work remotely and are interested in an alternative to working at home or coffee shops.

Are job searching (including under/unemployed) and may be interested in collaborating with other people who are also job searching.

Just want to meet people or make stuff for any reason.

Equipment and materials

Besides events, members can visit the space at any time to use the shared tools and equipment. Inside the space, Double Union’s equipment includes:

sewing machines, serger, coverstitch machine, large ironing board

Glowforge laser cutter

black-and-white and color printers

adjustable-height sit-or-stand desks and adjustable office chairs

standard tools like: drills, files, saws

two 3D printers

Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter

Roland CNC machine

screen printing items (exposure unit, large paper cutter, screens, squeegees, drying rack)

library with a focus on books on: programming, design, how-to/DIY, feminism, zines

mini kitchen (sink, microwave, electric kettle, refrigerator and freezer)

big paper cutter, lots of paper, long stapler for zinemaking

We purchase additional equipment and tools according to member interest.

How much does it cost to be a member?

Double Union is a volunteer-run non-profit. Dues are sliding scale: $10 to $100 per month (you choose what to pay based on your financial situation, and you can change the amount whenever you need to). We also offer scholarships ($0 dues) for members who can't afford to pay. We use Stripe to automatically process credit/debit cards.

How to apply

Go to https://www.doubleunion.org/membership and click on the pink “Apply to join” button!

After clicking the button, the next page will ask a few questions about you and your interest in DU. We don’t make decisions based on accomplishments, interest in tech, or income level, but we’d like to know who we’d be sharing our space with.

As part of the application process, we would like applicants to have met at least one current DU member, so if you haven’t met some already (such as at past events), try to meet members (such as by attending an upcoming DU public event). We plan to respond to your application within six weeks or sooner.

Here are some upcoming events open to prospective members

Please feel free to come by if you’ve applied for membership or are interested in applying. The address, directions and other details are here: https://www.doubleunion.org/visit

Saturday February 4th, 11-2 pm - Mending time: bring your clothes and socks with holes or rips

Sunday February 5th, 1-4 pm - Have fun with stamps and markers: Make a card (or cards) for someone.

Saturday February 18th, 11-2 pm - Make your own fridge magnets using our laser cutter

There will be more upcoming events announced on this blog, our announcements mailing list,  Instagram, and Twitter!

Have questions?

Email the membership coordinators: join@doubleunion.org - we’re happy to help.

[addsofttech]

Effortless Ticket Purchases with Addsoft Automatic Ticket Vending Machines

An Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) is a self-service machine that allows customers to purchase tickets for various modes of transportation such as trains, buses, and subways. ATVMs are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and efficiency, reducing the need for long lines and manual ticket sales. 

ATVMs are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all customers. They usually have a touch screen interface with clear instructions, and customers can pay using cash, credit/debit cards, or mobile payments. The machine then dispenses the purchased ticket, which the customer can use to access their chosen mode of transportation.

ATVMs offer several advantages over traditional ticket sales methods. For one, they eliminate the need for ticket counters, which can reduce costs and increase efficiency. ATVMs also provide customers with greater flexibility and convenience, as they can purchase tickets at any time and avoid long lines during peak travel periods.

Another advantage of ATVMs is their ability to reduce fraud and ticket evasion. Since the machines are automated, they can verify the validity of tickets and prevent the use of counterfeit or expired tickets. This helps transport authorities ensure that customers are paying their fair share and that the system remains sustainable.

Overall, ATVMs are an innovative and efficient way to purchase tickets for public transportation. They offer customers greater convenience and flexibility while also helping transport authorities reduce costs and increase revenue. As such, it is likely that we will see more and more ATVMs in use in the future.

[blueweave8]

United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market Outlook, Share, Report 2023-2030

BlueWeave Consulting, a leading strategic consulting and market research firm, in its recent study, estimated United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market size at USD 4.4 billion in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, BlueWeave expects United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market size to expand at a CAGR of 11.20% reaching a value of USD 9.0 billion by 2030. Major growth factors for United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market include rapid digitalization and increasing usage of online payments, as well as the increased emphasis on data analysis and remote vending machine monitoring. Additionally, it is projected that the growing incorporation of cutting-edge technologies like sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) would propel the growth of United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market.

Sample Request @ https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/report/united-states-intelligent-vending-machine-market/report-sample

Opportunity - Increasing Preference for Contactless Payments

Intelligent vending machines are gaining significant popularity with the changing payment ecosystem and the rising prevalence of contactless payment in the United States. Traditional vending machines only accept coins and cash as payment options in return for an item. Cashless payments gained significant popularity, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Intelligent vending machines accept all types of payment options, including mobile wallets, net banking, debit and credit cards, as well as NFC, which proves to be convenient for consumers.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market

Intensifying geopolitical tensions may pose significant challenges for United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market. Rising geopolitical tensions may lead to higher manufacturing costs of intelligent vending machines due to the shortage of raw materials or components imported from other countries, particularly Russia and China. In addition, geopolitical conflicts also impact the trade relations of the United States with major energy producers, such as Russia and Middle Eastern countries. It may lead to increased operational expenses for vending operators, especially for those who need refrigeration or heating, due to fluctuations in energy prices in the country, limiting the growth of United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market.

Commercial Malls & Retail Stores Segment Leads the Market

The commercial malls & retail stores segment dominates United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market. Its market growth is aided by the large number of consumers who visit retail establishments and commercial malls to purchase necessities. Over the course of the projection period, the offices and educational institutions category is also anticipated to increase at a rapid pace. These areas install intelligent vending machines, especially for serving food and drinks, which contributes to its market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The major industry players of United States Intelligent Vending Machine Market include Sandenvendo America, Inc., Seaga Manufacturing Inc., Blue Sparq, Inc., Velocity Smart Technology, Trinity Axis Inc., Royal Vendors, Inc., Crane Merchandising Systems Inc., Aramark Corporation, Evoca, and Azkoyen. These companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches, to further enhance their market share.

Contact Us:

BlueWeave Consulting & Research Pvt Ltd

+1 866 658 6826 | +1 425 320 4776 | +44 1865 60 0662

info@blueweaveconsulting.com

[168p]

Choosing the Best Card Payment Machine UK A Complete Guide for Businesses

Choosing the best card payment machine UK for your business is crucial for ensuring smooth and secure transactions. With numerous options available in the UK, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. Whether you're a small startup or an established enterprise, the right payment machine can enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and improve cash flow. In this complete guide, we'll walk you through the factors to consider when choosing a card payment machine, such as transaction fees, hardware options, customer support, and security features. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision for your business.

Understanding Different Types of Card Payment Machine UK

Choosing the right card payment machine UK starts with understanding the different types available. There are countertop,portable,mobile and integrated solutions, each tailored to specific business needs. Countertop machines are best for fixed locations, while portable options allow businesses to take payments on the go. Mobile card readers are perfect for small businesses or those looking for cost-effective solutions. Integrated systems link to point-of-sale software, streamlining transactions and data management. By assessing your business environment, customer flow, and transaction volume, you can select the ideal card payment machine for your needs.

How to Compare Card Payment Machine UK?

When selecting a card payment machine UK provider in the UK, it's essential to compare various factors to make an informed choice. Consider transaction fees, setup costs, and monthly fees,as these can vary widely between providers. Look for providers with a reputation for excellent customer support, especially if your business relies heavily on card payments. Additionally, check the types of cards the provider accepts, such as debit, credit, and contactless payments. The best providers offer transparent pricing and adaptable solutions to fit the evolving needs of your business.

Key Features to Look for in a Card Payment Machine UK

The right card payment machine UK will offer features that align with your business operations. Look for machines with fast processing times to minimize customer wait times, especially during peak hours. Security is paramount, so ensure the machine complies with the latest payment card industry (PCI) standards. Contactless payment capabilities are increasingly important as more customers prefer tap-and-go methods. Additionally, consider machines with multi-currency support if you serve international customers. Compatibility with your existing point-of-sale system can also streamline your operations and save you time during transactions.

The Cost of Card Payment Machine UK What You Need to Know

Understanding the costs associated with card payment machine UK is crucial to budgeting for your business. Prices vary depending on the type of machine and the features it offers. Entry-level mobile card readers might have no upfront costs but charge transaction fees. Conversely, countertop machines often require a one-time purchase or rental agreement. Don’t forget to factor in transaction fees, which can range from a flat rate to a percentage of each sale. Compare the overall cost structures of different providers to ensure you're getting the best value for your business.

Ensuring Secure Card Payment Machine UK for Your Customers

Security should be at the forefront of any decision regarding card payment machine UK. Look for machines that comply with the latest PCI DSS regulations to protect both your business and your customers. Encryption and tokenization technologies ensure that sensitive payment data is secure during transactions. Additionally, fraud prevention features such as AVS (Address Verification System) and 3D Secure provide extra layers of security. By prioritizing secure payment solutions, you can build customer trust and avoid costly chargebacks or data breaches.

The Importance of Customer Support When Choosing a Card Payment Machine UK Provider

Reliable customer support is crucial when selecting a payment provider for your business. Problems with card payment machines can arise at any time, and having a responsive support team can minimize downtime and customer frustration. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support via phone, email, or live chat. Additionally, review the provider's reputation for handling issues quickly and efficiently.Businesses that rely on card payment machine UK need assurance that assistance is available whenever technical difficulties arise, so prioritize providers with strong support infrastructures.

How to Future-Proof Your Card Payment Machine UK System?

As card payment machine UK technologies evolve,businesses must invest in solutions that can adapt to changing customer preferences and industry standards. Future-proofing your card payment system involves selecting a machine and provider that offer flexibility and scalability. Ensure the payment system supports emerging technologies, such as mobile wallet payments and biometric authentication. Additionally, consider machines that can handle the growing demand for contactless payments. Choosing a provider with a proven track record of updating systems in line with new regulations and innovations will help your business stay competitive in the long term.

Conclusion

Choosing the best card payment machine UK for your business in the UK is crucial for ensuring seamless transactions, security, and customer satisfaction. Consider factors like transaction fees, ease of use, compatibility with your business model, and customer support when making your decision. It's important to choose a machine that not only meets your business needs but also provides flexibility for future growth. With the right payment solution, you can enhance your customer experience, streamline operations, and build trust. Take the time to research and compare options, ensuring your choice aligns with your business goals for long-term success.

[camellasstory]

Exploring the Best Options for a Vending Machine for Sale

When it comes to investing in a business opportunity that combines convenience and profitability, vending machines are an excellent choice. Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, finding the perfect vending machine for sale can set the stage for a steady stream of passive income. This guide will walk you through the essentials of selecting, purchasing, and managing a vending machine to ensure your venture is successful.

The Growing Popularity of Vending Machines

Vending machines have become a staple in offices, schools, hospitals, and public spaces. These compact and efficient machines cater to modern consumer demands for quick and easy access to snacks, beverages, and other products.

Investing in a vending machine for sale is not just about providing convenience to customers but also tapping into a lucrative business model. With advancements in technology, vending machines now offer cashless payment options, healthier snack choices, and energy-efficient operations, making them more appealing than ever before.

Why Choose a Vending Machine Business?

Low Startup Costs

Compared to traditional retail stores, the cost of starting a vending machine business is relatively low. Purchasing a vending machine for sale eliminates the need for high rental or staffing expenses.

Scalable and Flexible

You can start with a single machine and gradually expand your fleet as your business grows. Vending machines allow you to operate at your own pace, making it a flexible option for part-time entrepreneurs.

Steady Cash Flow

Well-placed vending machines in high-traffic areas generate consistent revenue. With the right product mix and strategic placement, your investment can quickly pay off.

How to Find the Perfect Vending Machine for Sale

Finding the ideal vending machine for sale requires careful research and planning. Here are the key steps to follow:

Determine Your Target Market

Identify your target customers and the locations they frequent. Are you targeting office workers, students, or gym-goers? Understanding your audience will help you decide what products to stock.

Choose the Right Type of Vending Machine

There are various types of vending machines available:

Snack Machines: Perfect for chips, chocolates, and packaged snacks.

Beverage Machines: Dispense bottled water, soda, and energy drinks.

Combo Machines: Offer a mix of snacks and drinks for added convenience.

Specialty Machines: Provide unique items like PPE kits, beauty products, or fresh food.

Consider the specific needs of your location and audience when selecting the type of machine.

Evaluate Features and Specifications

Modern vending machines come equipped with advanced features, including:

Cashless payment options (credit/debit cards, mobile wallets)

Energy-efficient operations

Touchscreen displays for a better user experience

Remote monitoring to track sales and inventory

Choose a machine that aligns with your business goals and technological preferences.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Vending Machine

New vs. Used Machines

When searching for a vending machine for sale, you’ll encounter both new and used options. While new machines come with warranties and the latest features, used machines are more budget-friendly. However, ensure that used machines are in good working condition to avoid frequent maintenance costs.

Reliable Suppliers

Work with a reputable supplier or manufacturer to ensure the quality and durability of your vending machine. Look for customer reviews and testimonials to gauge their credibility.

Cost and Financing Options

Compare prices from different vendors and inquire about financing options if you’re on a tight budget. Some suppliers offer leasing arrangements or installment plans to make the purchase more affordable.

Customization and Branding

A branded vending machine can enhance your visibility and attract more customers. Check if the supplier offers customization options, such as logo placement and unique designs.

Setting Up Your Vending Machine Business

Secure Prime Locations

The success of your vending machine largely depends on its placement. Ideal locations include:

Office complexes

Schools and colleges

Hospitals

Transportation hubs (bus stations, airports, train stations)

Fitness centers and gyms

Scout for areas with high foot traffic and negotiate placement agreements with property owners.

Stock the Right Products

Analyze customer preferences and stock your vending machine with popular items. Healthy snacks, low-sugar beverages, and sustainable packaging are current trends that resonate with health-conscious consumers.

Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

Ensure your vending machine operates smoothly by performing regular maintenance. Refill products promptly and address technical issues to keep customers satisfied.

Maximizing Your Profits

Optimize Pricing

Set competitive prices while ensuring a healthy profit margin. Research local competitors and adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.

Track Performance

Use remote monitoring systems to track sales, identify best-selling products, and detect low inventory levels. This data will help you make informed decisions to boost profitability.

Expand Your Fleet

Once your first machine proves successful, consider scaling your business by adding more vending machines in strategic locations. Diversifying your offerings can also attract a broader audience.

The Future of Vending Machines

The vending industry is evolving rapidly, with trends like AI-powered inventory management, personalized recommendations, and eco-friendly machines gaining traction. Investing in a vending machine for sale today opens doors to innovative opportunities in the future.

Conclusion

Purchasing a vending machine for sale is a smart move for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking a low-maintenance, scalable business. By selecting the right machine, stocking appealing products, and placing it in a prime location, you can build a profitable vending machine empire.

Take the first step today by exploring the best vending machines available at Vending Raleigh, where you’ll find reliable options tailored to your business needs.

[karaloza]

Legend of Zelda Theme Park - Castle Town

Before I jump in, I want to issue a disclaimer of sorts. These maps are going to get more elaborate from here on out, but I gotta be honest--I have no experience with architecture, or construction, or cartography, or even model building (unless you count LEGO sets). These are not intended to be accurate schematics, more like an idea about what could be included in a Zelda theme park and how it might all fit together. I have no idea to what extent any of this would be physically feasible IRL; at the bare minimum I probably have the scaling wrong on a lot of things.

Cool? Cool.

As guests move along the walkway at the back of the Welcome Plaza, the noncommittal park ambience is gradually overtaken by facades of old-fashioned half-timber houses, and then masonry castle walls. Finally they arrive at a grand archway with ornate double gates flung open to welcome visitors. Atop the archway sits a picturesque train station, and beyond it is a bustling medieval(-ish) market square of cobblestones, storefronts, gaming booths, and more. In the center is a large marble fountain bearing a sculpture of the Triforce, and on the far side of the square, opposite the entry point, is Hyrule Castle at the end of an avenue lined with trees and statuary. To the right of the castle from the point of view as you enter the area, a cathedral-like structure can be seen rising behind the rooftops.

Castle Town, besides having plenty to do in its own right, serves as the "hub" area of the theme park, with walkways leading directly to three of the other areas (besides the Welcome Plaza) and indirect paths to the others via a ride.

Attractions

Spirit Train Grand Central Station: The Spirit Train is a handy and scenic way to get around the theme park, encircling the central portions on an elevated track, with several stops along the route. Some of the sights in Hyrule can only be seen from aboard the train!

Carnival Games: Most of the central portion of Market Square is occupied by game booths, evoking the numerous “mini-games” found in most LoZ titles. The games themselves are of fairly standard types, but the paraphernalia are all themed like items from the franchise—as just one example, instead of throwing a mere baseball at a target, you throw a “Cucco” (even if it is just a baseball with a chicken face and wings printed on it). Rather than paying cash to play, guests pay “rupees” from a debit card they can get from a vending machine, and the more you put on the card, the more bang for your buck you get—say, five dollars gets you 100 rupees, but twenty gets you 500, and higher amounts net further price breaks. The games themselves cost anywhere from 25 to 100 rupees per play. Prizes are the usual small plush toys and cheap trinkets you would expect, but you can bank wins on your “rupee wallet” card and redeem them for better things if you so choose.

Link and Zelda Meet-and-Greet: What theme park would be complete without an opportunity to meet the star characters? The Hero Link and Princess Zelda can be found in dedicated meet-and-greet spaces on the ground floor of Hyrule Castle. Both characters have undergone many design changes over the course of the series, but by default they appear in something close to their classic, iconic looks. Link gets his green tunic and stocking cap, white leggings, and brown leather arm guards, with a bright but not glaring color palette and more fine detailing than most video game hardware can consistently render. Zelda’s look varies a lot more from game to game, but common features include a white underdress and pink or mauve pinafore-like outer layer with gold embroidery, as well as long blond hair and a distinctive tiara. The objective is to present the theme park itself as an installment in the franchise, with its own story (that you, the guest, create as you go) and details, and its own incarnations of the Hero and the Princess.

Hyrule Castle Gardens: Across from the meet-and-greet spaces, archways lead out into a peaceful courtyard space of flower beds, benches, fountains, and topiary sculptures of familiar creatures from the games. This attraction serves the vital function of relaxation, giving guests an opportunity to take a load off for a while in a tranquil setting.

Temple of Time Theatre: In the back corner of Castle Town, alongside one of the walkways leading to Death Mountain, is a sizable performance venue. The daytime program consists of 30- to 45-minute plays recapping the plots of actual games, both for entertainment and so non-fans can get some idea of what the big deal is. “Here at the Temple of Time, we can see all across the history of Hyrule and beyond and tell you the legends as they actually happened!” In the evenings, some of the seating area is converted into a dance floor and the plays are traded for mini-concerts by local folk rock bands (and of course, each set includes a cover of at least one iconic LoZ score piece).

Shops

6. Pictobox Shop: If you got your picture taken by a park employee near the main entrance, you can swing by here later in the day to buy prints, perhaps in a nice souvenir frame, or installed in a commemorative keychain.

7. Curiosity Shop: The one in Clock Town may be an outlet for goods of shady provenance, but here, it sells a variety of interesting knickknacks and curios, all guaranteed to be above board.

8. Coro's Lantern and Oil Shop: This cozy shop offers a selection of wax and LED candles, oil lamps and fuel, scented oil diffusers, and even a unique line of Legend of Zelda-inspired scented soy wax jar candles.

9. Enchanted Kingdom Treasures: Another knickknack shop, this one more targeted to fantasy fans. Some of the items here, from dragon figurines to sword-shaped letter openers, are LoZ-branded, while others are more generic.

10. S*T*A*R*S: Inspired by a minigame in Twilight Princess, this dimly lit tent sells a number of light-up souvenirs, laser-cut crystal sculptures with LED-illuminated stands, and similar tchotchkes.

11. Madame Couture's: Hytopia's #1 couturier has her own shop branch here, where guests can buy anything from a simple souvenir tee-shirt to a luxurious fantasy gown, and much, much more!

12. Happy Mask Shop: Named for the innocuous shop in Ocarina of Time that became the founding premise for an entire sequel game, this shop sells licensed masks, hats, and other costume pieces to enhance each guest's heroic adventure.

13. Badge Market: A shop to buy and trade collectible pins, based on the one of the same name in in Hyrule Warriors. Rather than the endless rows of character images one might expect, pin designs in this theme park focus on iconic emblems from the game franchise, such as the royal crest, symbols of the different peoples of Hyrule, medallions and shields, etc.

Eateries

14. Food Stalls: Interspersed among the game booths in the central portion of the square are booths selling the kind of quick bites you can find at carnivals and farmer's markets.

15. Potion Hut: A juice and smoothie bar/service counter. Choose from among a wide array of bottled beverages—from common soda brands, water, juice, tea, etc. to unique blends labeled as “health potions,” “energy elixirs,” and other in-universe concepts—or have your own favorite mix made to order!

16. Stock Pot Inn: A buffet restaurant with a menu of hearty soups and stews and flavorful salads.

17. Royal Banquet Hall: An elegant table-service restaurant located on the upper level of Hyrule Castle. It's pricey and requires a reservation, but it's worth it for the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom-inspired menu served in a regally appointed dining room with spectacular window and balcony views of the park. The interior décor features tapestries, paintings, and stained-glass windows depicting iconic LoZ scenes rendered in genuine medieval and Renaissance art styles.

Miscellaneous

After dusk, the Triforce fountain in the center of the area puts on a little light show every 15 minutes.

Paths to the other themed areas in the park can be found in the side alleys encircling Market Square, but that's not the only reason to explore them! They contain many secrets, some of which are related to the phone app-based minigames.

[himanshisaini]

Top Tips for Safe Glass Bangles Online Shopping

In today’s digital world, glass bangles online shopping offers an unparalleled level of convenience. With just a few clicks, you can explore an endless variety of designs, sizes, and colors from the comfort of your home. However, buying delicate items like glass bangles online comes with its own set of challenges, such as the risk of receiving damaged goods, misleading product descriptions, or even counterfeit products.

To help you make the most of your glass bangles online shopping experience, here are some top tips to ensure a safe and satisfying purchase.

1. Choose Trusted Online Stores

The first and most important step when engaging in glass bangles online shopping is to choose a reputable store. Look for well-established e-commerce platforms with positive customer reviews and a proven track record of delivering quality products. Sites like Amazon, Flipkart, and other established jewelry stores often provide secure shopping experiences, along with reliable customer service.

Make sure the website you’re shopping on offers clear contact information, secure payment options, and a history of customer satisfaction. Trusted online stores will offer transparency about their products and services, making it easier to trust them with your purchase.

2. Read Product Descriptions Carefully

Before making a purchase, always read the product description thoroughly. Pay attention to key details such as the material, size, design, and color of the glass bangles. Since glass is fragile, knowing the construction and design details can help you assess whether the item will meet your expectations. For example, you might want to check if the bangles are handmade or machine-made, as this can affect both quality and price.

Also, check the dimensions of the bangles. Sizes can vary from one seller to another, and it’s essential to ensure that the bangles will fit comfortably. Some online stores offer a size guide to help you make the right choice.

3. Check Customer Reviews and Ratings

One of the biggest advantages of glass bangles online shopping is the ability to read customer reviews. Look for feedback from customers who have purchased the same product. This will give you insights into the quality, durability, and authenticity of the glass bangles.

Customer reviews can also help you spot any common issues, such as faulty packaging or inaccurate product descriptions. Positive reviews often indicate that the seller delivers what they promise, while negative reviews can signal potential problems. Always go for sellers with high ratings and positive feedback to ensure you get the best product.

4. Secure Payment Methods

When purchasing glass bangles online, security is paramount. Always ensure that the website offers secure payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, or trusted third-party payment gateways. Avoid websites that ask for sensitive information through unsecured channels.

Most reputable sites use encryption to protect your financial details, so always check for a secure “https://” URL before entering any personal or payment information. If you feel uncertain about a website’s security, consider looking for an alternative with more secure payment options.

5. Look for Detailed Return and Refund Policies

Even the best online stores can sometimes make mistakes, and your glass bangles might not arrive as expected. That’s why it’s essential to check the return and refund policies before making a purchase. A reliable seller will offer a transparent return policy that allows you to exchange or return items in case they don’t match the product description, are damaged, or simply don’t meet your expectations.

Ensure that the store provides clear guidelines on how to return items and whether they cover shipping costs. A hassle-free return policy is a strong indication of a seller’s trustworthiness.

6. Pay Attention to Shipping and Packaging

When purchasing delicate items like glass bangles, proper packaging is crucial. Make sure the online store you choose ensures secure packaging to prevent damage during transit. Sellers with good reputations will often use bubble wrap or other protective materials to cushion the glass bangles.

Also, check the shipping options provided by the seller. Opt for insured shipping if possible, especially if you’re purchasing high-value or fragile items. Timely delivery and the ability to track your order are additional factors to consider for a smooth glass bangles online shopping experience.

7. Avoid Unrealistic Prices

If the price of a set of glass bangles seems too good to be true, it probably is. While discounts and sales are common, overly cheap prices can sometimes indicate low-quality or counterfeit products. Do some research to understand the typical price range for the type of bangles you’re buying and compare options from various sellers.

If a seller offers glass bangles online shopping at a significantly lower price than others, it might be worth investigating the product further to ensure it’s genuine. Additionally, check whether the seller offers warranties or guarantees for their products.

Conclusion

Glass bangles online shopping can be a fun and easy way to add beautiful, delicate accessories to your collection. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience. Always choose reputable stores, check product descriptions carefully, read customer reviews, and ensure secure payment and return options. Taking these precautions will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your online shopping experience is smooth, secure, and satisfying.