The "What's on your mind?" thread

[Mike16]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Anyone who lives or works in a big city, like me, knows coffee shops are a dime a dozen. Seems to be one on every block, and they're not all franchises like Starbucks. But this is just coffee, right? It's made the same way it always has been from the beginning, or is it made differently these days? I just don't understand what the differences are between one coffee shop and the next.

Biggest difference is where the shop sources their coffee beans, how long they roast it for and of course their preferred method of brewing. But like you said they are a dime a dozen, most likely they'll all serve the same thing. Then again I only drink regular ground coffee brewed in a Mr Coffee auto-drip at home so I might not the right person to give opinions. I've noticed though what the average coffee shop/cafe customer orders isn't exactly coffee but foam and sugar, very few people will walk into a coffee shop for a "Black Coffee"

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by Mike16

Biggest difference is where the shop sources their coffee beans, how long they roast it for and of course their preferred method of brewing. But like you said they are a dime a dozen, most likely they'll all serve the same thing. Then again I only drink regular ground coffee brewed in a Mr Coffee auto-drip at home so I might not the right person to give opinions. I've noticed though what the average coffee shop/cafe customer orders isn't exactly coffee but foam and sugar, very few people will walk into a coffee shop for a "Black Coffee"

I am definitely not a big coffee drinker and never considered your comment about sourcing beans and roasting. That's pretty cool.

As for me, I just do a coffee, cream no sugar. Not a big fan of those foams or specialty coffees. And then you have those retards doing the tiktok challenges with like 200 ingredients in the coffees.

[RustinCohle]

All my life I thought the more money you made the bigger the tax refund you'd get. You know..because you're paying more in taxes throughout the year.

The older I get, and the more money I make, I realize that isn't true. Also the home energy tax credit is a sham. I paid $9,000 this past year for all new windows and it said "the max you can claim for this is $2,000." I'd love to know who gets new windows for their entire home for $2,000...

[ctujackbauer]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

All my life I thought the more money you made the bigger the tax refund you'd get. You know..because you're paying more in taxes throughout the year.

The older I get, and the more money I make, I realize that isn't true. Also the home energy tax credit is a sham. I paid $9,000 this past year for all new windows and it said "the max you can claim for this is $2,000." I'd love to know who gets new windows for their entire home for $2,000...

How is the home energy tax credit a sham when you can just google and learn the exact amount of the credits before upgrading your stuff?

Also, if you only installed new windows, I really hope you didn't claim $2,000 in tax credits for 2022 because the maximum tax credit is 10% of the cost, up to $500, but only $200 for just windows. You might want to consider amending your tax return or waiting out an IRS "fix it" letter.

https://www.energystar.gov/about/fed...it_information

Tax Credit Amount: 10% of the cost, up to $500, but windows are capped at $200.

[RustinCohle]

Originally Posted by ctujackbauer

How is the home energy tax credit a sham when you can just google and learn the exact amount of the credits before upgrading your stuff?

Also, if you only installed new windows, I really hope you didn't claim $2,000 in tax credits for 2022 because the maximum tax credit is 10% of the cost, up to $500, but only $200 for just windows. You might want to consider amending your tax return or waiting out an IRS "fix it" letter.

https://www.energystar.gov/about/fed...it_information

Tax Credit Amount: 10% of the cost, up to $500, but windows are capped at $200.

I entered $9,000. The tax software I use adjusted it to $2,000. I'll trust that software to figure it out for me.

It's just comical that someone somewhere in the government had the thought "yeah $200 seems good" knowing damn well a whole house of new windows costs (from the estimates I received) anywhere from $7,000 to $30,000.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

All my life I thought the more money you made the bigger the tax refund you'd get. You know..because you're paying more in taxes throughout the year.

Not sure how it works but my average annual Federal tax refund was in the neighborhood of $900-1,000 and it was that way for 10+ years. One year I remember getting back about $1,100. All of a sudden I started only getting less than $200. I have no idea how I went from a grand to less than 200

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

All my life I thought the more money you made the bigger the tax refund you'd get. You know..because you're paying more in taxes throughout the year.

The older I get, and the more money I make, I realize that isn't true.

My how I wish that were true.

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Not sure how it works but my average annual Federal tax refund was in the neighborhood of $900-1,000 and it was that way for 10+ years. One year I remember getting back about $1,100. All of a sudden I started only getting less than $200. I have no idea how I went from a grand to less than 200

Trump's TCJA changed a few things. Two notable changes are:

1. Withholdings changed so unless you modified it after the TCJA went into effect, that is one reason your refund has changed.

2. But the real doozy was deliberately giving the middle finger to NY by capping the SALT deduction at $10,000.

Take a look at those two items on your returns and you might be able to see why your refund went down.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

Trump's TCJA changed a few things. Two notable changes are:

1. Withholdings changed so unless you modified it after the TCJA went into effect, that is one reason your refund has changed.

2. But the real doozy was deliberately giving the middle finger to NY by capping the SALT deduction at $10,000.

Take a look at those two items on your returns and you might be able to see why your refund went down.

I had a feeling the Trumpster had something to do with it. My returns have been pitiful ever since he took office Is there anything I can change on future returns to get me back up to the old amounts? Besides having kids? I use H&R Block to do my taxes and they've always been simple returns. I don't want to burden my preparer with complications so maybe I should just leave it at that.

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I had a feeling the Trumpster had something to do with it. My returns have been pitiful ever since he took office Is there anything I can change on future returns to get me back up to the old amounts? Besides having kids? I use H&R Block to do my taxes and they've always been simple returns. I don't want to burden my preparer with complications so maybe I should just leave it at that.

The first thing I would ask is if your ~$1,000 refund was due to excess withholdings or did you receive tax credits.

Without knowing your personal financial situation, I would recommend you talk to your peeps at H&R Block. And then get a second opinion from another tax preparer.

[MazeRunner]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Anyone who lives or works in a big city, like me, knows coffee shops are a dime a dozen. Seems to be one on every block, and they're not all franchises like Starbucks. But this is just coffee, right? It's made the same way it always has been from the beginning, or is it made differently these days? I just don't understand what the differences are between one coffee shop and the next.

They usually have Frappuccino’s, teas, juicy drinks, baked goods, etc.

The local ones here have Redbull infused drinks with all those flavored syrups and they just make random drinks. They also sell cheap homemade T-shirts and those tiny wooden painted signs that say stuff like “live laugh love”.

[Member-222782]

I've been anticipating that new movie Plane ever since I watched the trailer but I can't bring myself to go to a theater. It's weird - I used to love going to the movies. Now it seems more like a chore

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I've been anticipating that new movie Plane ever since I watched the trailer but I can't bring myself to go to a theater. It's weird - I used to love going to the movies. Now it seems more like a chore

I haven't been motivated to go to the local cinema so far this year. Last film I saw was in the first half of December last year (a screening of The Bishop's Wife, the cast including Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven). My focus at the cinema is screenings of older films, with the occasional new film inbetween. Maybe it's partly because of the time of year (darker days and nights)? Although it's starting to get lighter a bit later in the day here now (you start to see a difference in February, then the clocks go forward an hour in March).

[civiclx]

Hmm, I had two Amazon packages waiting for me when I got home. Checked and they have my name on them. I placed an order a few days ago but it was for only one item and it was delivered. Not sure what these could be. Even if I had two other items in my cart and I didn't realize it, they would have gone to a different address. And, I didn't get any emails from Amazon saying that I had packages out for delivery or that they had been delivered.
Now that I think about it, my mom might have ordered me a couple things.

I shall find out!

Edit: Damn, they're not even for me. I forgot that I let a Hungarian online friend order a couple movies and have them sent to me.

[stvn1974]

Nachos are messy but oh so yummy.

[Samus Aran]

When did IGN turn into a clickbait site? They've been putting out a bunch of "How to watch this movie franchise in order" lists. Watch Harry Potter 1, then watch Harry Potter 2, then watch Harry Potter 3, then watch Harry Potter 4.....

Apparently the one for the Harry Potter series was mocked to the point where they pulled the comment section.

[Member-222782]

What's the difference between sheetrock and drywall? Been watching a lot of home building videos on yt and this has been bugging me. Also, someone told me that the reason why sheetrock/drywall isn't used in tropical Caribbean climates is because of the high humidity. Don't they make moisture-resistant drywall now?

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

What's the difference between sheetrock and drywall? Been watching a lot of home building videos on yt and this has been bugging me. Also, someone told me that the reason why sheetrock/drywall isn't used in tropical Caribbean climates is because of the high humidity. Don't they make moisture-resistant drywall now?

I see questions like these all the time and I never understand why people post them. A simple Google search answers your question in less time than it takes to type your question and submit it...and you don't have to wait for an answer.

I'm not directing this just to you but to everybody that does this. The internet allows you to find answers in seconds. Why don't people use it?

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I see questions like these all the time and I never understand why people post them. A simple Google search answers your question in less time than it takes to type your question and submit it...and you don't have to wait for an answer.

I'm not directing this just to you but to everybody that does this. The internet allows you to find answers in seconds. Why don't people use it?

The point of message forums is to engage in virtual conversation - at least that’s the way I see it. Sure, I can Google a question and get tons of clinical replies but I’m hoping for more direct real time input and for different points of view from everyday folks. You’ve come across as a bit antisocial so I don’t know if you’ll understand my reasoning but there you have it.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

The point of message forums is to engage in virtual conversation - at least that’s the way I see it. Sure, I can Google a question and get tons of clinical replies but I’m hoping for more direct real time input and for different points of view from everyday folks. You’ve come across as a bit antisocial so I don’t know if you’ll understand my reasoning but there you have it.

I'm not antisocial at all...just curious.