True. You know people have been isolated too long when they start
chit-chatting with the telephone spammers! <g>
Not there yet, thankfully.... <G> I have noticed, though, that
there have been fewer of the spammer calls.... apparently they
aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
<chuckle> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the
6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls.
I had a darker thought on them... perhaps they've fallen prey to thePlanning even more sinister spams!
virus, since they couldn't distance, and were packed into small
spaces.... probably the callers themselves are considered expendable...
and the bigwigs there are just laying low for the time being...
Cures for the coronavirus... threats of infecting you if you
don't send them money.... Helping you get your stimulus check if
you just send them.... (actually, I've heard that those really
are popping up now...)
And I had a strange thought on robbers: now with just about everyone wearing masks do the thieves have to have the faces exposed?
They'd do best if they were still masking their faces to avoid recognition... but they'd do well to make the mask not
particularly memorable... ;)
The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording
but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI,
...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn
Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to
customize it they just used the example?!
More likely it's one guy that spoofs the numbers to avoid beingThat's a possibility too -- probably a probability. Was scanning
tracked down by the authorities... even if one reports the number to
the watchdogs, it isn't really a valid number so they can't
anything to cut him off....
through an article indicating random 'correct' local numbers coming up
on Caller ID are due to the spammers buying pre-paid phone cards. Apparently somehow triggers a valid number to display. The whole getting-around-the-computers is interesting and baffling!
As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP...
they can give themself any number they wish....
Yes, good to be reminded it is normal to be confused, annoyed, overwhelmed, etc. It is not the normal we're used to. It was a sudden change. And if I may say so Americans are not used to being told what
to do: stay home! Wear a mask! Don't touch! IMO there are times for freedom and there are times to strictly follow the government rules. (There isn't much freedom in a box six feet underground.)
True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time
and for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were
used to will return again... :)
Yes on the withholdings and refunds. I do recall asking when started
and he said federal and state (IA) generally require, though could be
lessened or none at all. At the time it seemed better just to 'go
with the flow' and have the customary amount withheld. The short-term
policy is expiring in a couple of months and the new one will start --
have to go down and do the paperwork; thinking having the withholding
amount changed.
Having some withheld is probably good insurance... probably enoughYeahhh.... I'll have to do a bit of research but I think most of it
variant factors that it isn't a cut-and-dried type of thing, anyway...
has been done: tax person (with a large company) initially suggested no withholding and then thought around half a good idea based on
inheritance. At this point I don't see why my financial advisor would disagree when I activate 'Part 2' of my IRA -- plan on switching to
half but have an open mind for why it may not be in my best interests.
Your financial advisor might have better information about
inheritance laws.... the tax person might not really know
anything (or much) about how an inheritance would affect
things... I know when I asked a friend that works as a tax
advisor about some things dealing with my mother's stuff, he
didn't really know.... only the usual individual tax issues were
his balliwick...
probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me.
Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep
company!
I've recently been through all of this, settling my mother's estate...Right: they know, or at least are much better informed than I am. And dealing with Iowa may be one thing, dealing with Iowa and New
but rules can be different from state to state... Anything with you
as co-owner will just go directly to you and not go through probate
or be subject to tax... Beneficiary, it depends on what it is...
insurance payouts are not taxed, but income (like the IRA) probably
is... Just as well to go over it with your advisors... ;)
Hampshire (where my Mother lives) another. ...Good thing we got rid of the land in Slovakia and just have to deal with small stuff in Austria!
Indeed...! Dealing with international stuff is its own hassle...
My parents had an account in a UK bank that we had to go through
hoops to liquidate into the estate... ;)
True! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a
30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
mini-spot might be a local restaurant taken with a camera. The
stations also has a webpage where businesses can list they're open and
contact information. IIRC the webpage is free, not sure about the
price of the TV mini-ads but other information indicates they're either
very cheap or free as a PSA type of thing.
Haven't seen or heard of anything like that happening here, but thenAnd it would be probably difficult to do that sort of listing on
I don't watch TV, as you know... ;) Mostly we just keep our eyes open
to see what might be still open when we drive by places... and if we
particularly need something, take a chance that something might be
open... generally it has been.... apparently we only need necessities
as defined by the strictures... <G>
radio, probably even more so on public radio as the "we're" open announcements would sound like a commercial. Actually they _are_ commercials, just real short and frequently shot with a cell phone, but still commercials.
I could see it showing up as a list on the public radio/TV
stations webpage(s).... :) They could be considered "sponsors"
even, for a minor amount just to be on the list... ;)
... Murphy's Philosophy: smile -- tomorrow will be worse.May as well enjoy today!
Exactly... :)
... A day without BBS mail is a day with much more free time.
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 10-May-2020 09:25 <=-
I have noticed, though, that there have been fewer of the spammer
calls... apparently they aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
<chuckle> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the
6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls.
I had a darker thought on them... perhaps they've fallen prey to the
virus, since they couldn't distance, and were packed into small
spaces... probably the callers themselves are considered expendable...
and the bigwigs there are just laying low for the time being...
Planning even more sinister spams!
Cures for the coronavirus... threats of infecting you if you don't sendWouldn't surprise me! Here the spam telephone calls are in the down
them money.... Helping you get your stimulus check if you just send
them... (actually, I've heard that those really are popping up now...)
phase -- seemed even prior to the coronavirus there were constantly ringing periods and rather quiet periods.
Same for e-mails, though most are getting shuttled to the Junk Mail folders and category (Thunderbird will allow a small part of the
message to go through and question if it should be tagged as junk).
And I had a strange thought on robbers: now with just about everyone
wearing masks do the thieves have to have the faces exposed?
They'd do best if they were still masking their faces to avoidProbably better for them!
recognition... but they'd do well to make the mask not particularly
memorable... ;)
The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording
but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI,
...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn
Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to
customize it they just used the example?!
More likely it's one guy that spoofs the numbers to avoid being
tracked down by the authorities... even if one reports the number to
the watchdogs, it isn't really a valid number so they can't
anything to cut him off....
That's a possibility too -- probably a probability. Was scanning
through an article indicating random 'correct' local numbers coming up
on Caller ID are due to the spammers buying pre-paid phone cards.
Apparently somehow triggers a valid number to display. The whole
getting-around-the-computers is interesting and baffling!
As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... theyAh, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it more difficult to trace.
can give themself any number they wish....
Yes, good to be reminded it is normal to be confused, annoyed,
overwhelmed, etc. It is not the normal we're used to. It was a sudden
change. And if I may say so Americans are not used to being told what
to do: stay home! Wear a mask! Don't touch! IMO there are times for
freedom and there are times to strictly follow the government rules.
(There isn't much freedom in a box six feet underground.)
True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time andI'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the
for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will
return again... :)
like
- so to use restaurants as an example greater space between
tables, one-use menus, wrapped silverware and napkins. On the end is
the group who will crowd together and not worry about single use as
long as assumed cleaned for them (menu in a plastic protector and wiped down). Right now I'm more with the first group but reusing cleaned
items isn't out of the question.
Having some withheld is probably good insurance... probably enough
variant factors that it isn't a cut-and-dried type of thing, anyway...
Yeahhh.... I'll have to do a bit of research but I think most of it
has been done: tax person (with a large company) initially suggested no
withholding and then thought around half a good idea based on
inheritance. At this point I don't see why my financial advisor would
disagree when I activate 'Part 2' of my IRA -- plan on switching to
half but have an open mind for why it may not be in my best interests.
Your financial advisor might have better information about inheritanceRight; sort of ask both for their opinions in their specialized areas
laws.... the tax person might not really know anything (or much) about
how an inheritance would affect things... I know when I asked a friend
that works as a tax advisor about some things dealing with my mother's
stuff, he didn't really know.... only the usual individual tax issues
were his balliwick...
and then ask again as I learn more. My financial advisor will
probably have more clout on my decision; as you indicated the tax
person is more specializing in a area of the financial world.
probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me.
Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep
company!
I've recently been through all of this, settling my mother's estate...
but rules can be different from state to state... Anything with you
as co-owner will just go directly to you and not go through probate
or be subject to tax... Beneficiary, it depends on what it is...
insurance payouts are not taxed, but income (like the IRA) probably
is... Just as well to go over it with your advisors... ;)
Right: they know, or at least are much better informed than I am. And
dealing with Iowa may be one thing, dealing with Iowa and New
Hampshire (where my Mother lives) another. ...Good thing we got rid of
the land in Slovakia and just have to deal with small stuff in Austria!
Indeed...! Dealing with international stuff is its own hassle... MyI'm thinking my inheritance from my Aunt won't be too bad as it is a
parents had an account in a UK bank that we had to go through hoops to
liquidate into the estate... ;)
set dollar (well, Euro) amount. My Mother is the one to deal with the property distributions, though I'll be involved indirectly. Semi-
decided the items will be bought out by the relatives other there and
just transfer money.
True! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a
30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
mini-spot might be a local restaurant taken with a camera. The
stations also has a webpage where businesses can list they're open and
contact information. IIRC the webpage is free, not sure about the
price of the TV mini-ads but other information indicates they're either
very cheap or free as a PSA type of thing.
Haven't seen or heard of anything like that happening here, but then
I don't watch TV, as you know... ;) Mostly we just keep our eyes open
to see what might be still open when we drive by places... and if we
particularly need something, take a chance that something might be
open... generally it has been.... apparently we only need necessities
as defined by the strictures... <G>
And it would be probably difficult to do that sort of listing on
radio, probably even more so on public radio as the "we're" open
announcements would sound like a commercial. Actually they _are_
commercials, just real short and frequently shot with a cell phone, but
still commercials.
I could see it showing up as a list on the public radio/TV stationsThe radio is doing something similar to TV except abbreviated:
webpage(s).... :) They could be considered "sponsors" even, for a
minor amount just to be on the list... ;)
announcer reads a list of six or so restuarants and businesses and then refers to the station's website for more and details.
... Murphy's Philosophy: smile -- tomorrow will be worse.
May as well enjoy today!
Exactly... :)Though tomorrow might be better so allow for that too!
I have noticed, though, that there have been fewer of the spammer
calls... apparently they aren't considered essential businesses... <G>
<chuckle> They couldn't arrange their boiler rooms to comply with the
6' rule! But yes, have noticed a lot less spam calls.
I had a darker thought on them... perhaps they've fallen prey to the
virus, since they couldn't distance, and were packed into small
spaces... probably the callers themselves are considered expendable...
and the bigwigs there are just laying low for the time being...
Planning even more sinister spams!
Cures for the coronavirus... threats of infecting you if you don't sendWouldn't surprise me! Here the spam telephone calls are in the down
them money.... Helping you get your stimulus check if you just send
them... (actually, I've heard that those really are popping up now...)
phase -- seemed even prior to the coronavirus there were constantly ringing periods and rather quiet periods.
True... last few days the spam/scam calls have all been the
credit card variants.... or hangups....
Same for e-mails, though most are getting shuttled to the Junk Mail folders and category (Thunderbird will allow a small part of the
message to go through and question if it should be tagged as junk).
I very rarely get spam emails... apparently they don't make it
through my ISP....
The one in particular we've been getting is the same male recording
but from scattered telephone numbers: Dubuque, IA, Lansing, MI,
...GA, WI. Probably several more. Maybe they bought the same Earn
Money Quick package and instead of re-recording the message to
customize it they just used the example?!
More likely it's one guy that spoofs the numbers to avoid being
tracked down by the authorities... even if one reports the number to
the watchdogs, it isn't really a valid number so they can't
anything to cut him off....
That's a possibility too -- probably a probability. Was scanning
through an article indicating random 'correct' local numbers coming up
on Caller ID are due to the spammers buying pre-paid phone cards.
Apparently somehow triggers a valid number to display. The whole
getting-around-the-computers is interesting and baffling!
As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... theyAh, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it more difficult to trace.
can give themself any number they wish....
Precisely... also to make it seem as though your neighbor is
calling... :)
Yes, good to be reminded it is normal to be confused, annoyed,
overwhelmed, etc. It is not the normal we're used to. It was a sudden
change. And if I may say so Americans are not used to being told what
to do: stay home! Wear a mask! Don't touch! IMO there are times for
freedom and there are times to strictly follow the government rules.
(There isn't much freedom in a box six feet underground.)
True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time andI'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the
for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will
return again... :)
like
There's always been some degree of that among some people... it's
just been more of a minority thing....
- so to use restaurants as an example greater space between
tables, one-use menus, wrapped silverware and napkins. On the end is
the group who will crowd together and not worry about single use as
long as assumed cleaned for them (menu in a plastic protector and wiped down). Right now I'm more with the first group but reusing cleaned
items isn't out of the question.
Even with the current situation, Taste of Japan is still using
the same regular menus, plastic encased... disposable napkins and chopsticks same as always... The only other place we've been, Nam
Vang, is also using their same menus (theirs are
plastic-coated)... Most restaurants we go to are pretty
meticulous about cleanliness anyway, just on general principles
(and health code standards)... ;) For a while, restaurants will
be forced to operated at reduced capacity to allow for more
distancing, but I don't expect that to stay the case forever...
and a lot of places don't [ack the tables in anyway.... :)
Your financial advisor might have better information about inheritanceRight; sort of ask both for their opinions in their specialized areas
laws.... the tax person might not really know anything (or much) about
how an inheritance would affect things... I know when I asked a friend
that works as a tax advisor about some things dealing with my mother's
stuff, he didn't really know.... only the usual individual tax issues
were his balliwick...
and then ask again as I learn more. My financial advisor will
probably have more clout on my decision; as you indicated the tax
person is more specializing in a area of the financial world.
Yup, best to capitalize on their strengths....
probably do as distributions rather than lump sum as better for me.
Get to play '20 Questions'with the financial advisor and the tax prep
company!
I've recently been through all of this, settling my mother's estate...
but rules can be different from state to state... Anything with you
as co-owner will just go directly to you and not go through probate
or be subject to tax... Beneficiary, it depends on what it is...
insurance payouts are not taxed, but income (like the IRA) probably
is... Just as well to go over it with your advisors... ;)
Right: they know, or at least are much better informed than I am. And
dealing with Iowa may be one thing, dealing with Iowa and New
Hampshire (where my Mother lives) another. ...Good thing we got rid of
the land in Slovakia and just have to deal with small stuff in Austria!
Indeed...! Dealing with international stuff is its own hassle... MyI'm thinking my inheritance from my Aunt won't be too bad as it is a
parents had an account in a UK bank that we had to go through hoops to
liquidate into the estate... ;)
set dollar (well, Euro) amount. My Mother is the one to deal with the property distributions, though I'll be involved indirectly. Semi-
decided the items will be bought out by the relatives other there and
just transfer money.
Money is probably easiest to transfer... :) But some items might
have family significance... :) You'll just be the recipient of
those, though, and your aunt's executor will be the one with the
headaches (if any) of distributing the items or turning into
money... :)
<snip>True! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a
30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
I suppose it could actually be considered a public service, to
let the public know what is available now, and as things open
up... :) I've been hearing regular advertisers tailoring their
ads to let people know to what extent they are able to be open
(take-out, curbside retail, etc) and similar in the sponsor
spiels on public radio... ;)
... Murphy's Philosophy: smile -- tomorrow will be worse.
May as well enjoy today!
Exactly... :)Though tomorrow might be better so allow for that too!
That's only when you are looking forward to it being worse... <G>
Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 19-May-2020 11:10 <=-
Cures for the coronavirus... threats of infecting you if you don't send
them money.... Helping you get your stimulus check if you just send
them... (actually, I've heard that those really are popping up now...)
Wouldn't surprise me! Here the spam telephone calls are in the down
phase -- seemed even prior to the coronavirus there were constantly
ringing periods and rather quiet periods.
True... last few days the spam/scam calls have all been the creditPretty much the same here.
card variants.... or hangups....
The problem currently is we have to monitor the calls as we're
expecting a call from the person overseeing the hail damage project
here and with COVID-19 they're primarily working from home using
their cell phones. And if they've moved around some their cell
number could be from anywhere.
We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back.
Same for e-mails, though most are getting shuttled to the Junk Mail
folders and category (Thunderbird will allow a small part of the
message to go through and question if it should be tagged as junk).
I very rarely get spam emails... apparently they don't make itMy spam e-mail reception from my "Q" account (the former Qwest phone company, now owned by CenturyLink) goes from tons then slowly
through my ISP....
decreased to almost nothing and nothing. It'll then stay at the acceptable dribble level for months, then suddenly shoot up and repeat
the cycle. Almost like they put in a new filter which has to be
trained.
That's a possibility too -- probably a probability. Was scanning
through an article indicating random 'correct' local numbers coming up
on Caller ID are due to the spammers buying pre-paid phone cards.
Apparently somehow triggers a valid number to display. The whole
getting-around-the-computers is interesting and baffling!
As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... they
can give themself any number they wish....
Ah, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it
more difficult to trace.
Precisely... also to make it seem as though your neighbor isRight, which tend to make one a hare more off-guard while one racks
calling... :)
their brain on who the voice belongs to.
Yes, good to be reminded it is normal to be confused, annoyed,
overwhelmed, etc. It is not the normal we're used to. It was a sudden
change. And if I may say so Americans are not used to being told what
to do: stay home! Wear a mask! Don't touch! IMO there are times for
freedom and there are times to strictly follow the government rules.
(There isn't much freedom in a box six feet underground.)
True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time and
for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will
return again... :)
I'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the
near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore
requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the
like
There's always been some degree of that among some people... it's justYes; plus everyone is more aware of the, for example, social
been more of a minority thing....
distancing detail. Thinking the accidental bumping into a stranger
while walking down a sidewalk. Before: "watch where you're going!".
Now: "you trying to kill me?!". ...Before, go to a restaurant and waterspots on the silverware was sort of a lightly raised eyebrow and
wipe with the napkin. Now... ??
- so to use restaurants as an example greater space between
tables, one-use menus, wrapped silverware and napkins. On the end is
the group who will crowd together and not worry about single use as
long as assumed cleaned for them (menu in a plastic protector and wiped
down). Right now I'm more with the first group but reusing cleaned
items isn't out of the question.
Even with the current situation, Taste of Japan is still using theYes, plastic-wrapped menus have been around for ages, though I've seen some which shouldn't have been! Now, a tiny rip and it will be
same regular menus, plastic encased... disposable napkins and
chopsticks same as always... The only other place we've been, Nam
Vang, is also using their same menus (theirs are plastic-coated)...
Most restaurants we go to are pretty meticulous about cleanliness
anyway, just on general principles (and health code standards)... ;)
For a while, restaurants will be forced to operated at reduced
capacity to allow for more distancing, but I don't expect that to
stay the case forever... and a lot of places don't lack the tables
anyway.... :)
disposed of. Cleanliness will be under a microscope; always was
supposed to be clean but sometimes things slipped by. As for capacity, right now the need to keep separation because of the 6' rule -
eventually will be relaxed, though I wonder if the customers will like being so close to the next party again? I'm thinking there will be a preference for separation but now for privacy: not overhearing the next table or booth, and I certainly wouldn't miss the kid on next booth jumping up and down!
Just as well to go over it with your advisors... ;)
Right: they know, or at least are much better informed than I am. And
dealing with Iowa may be one thing, dealing with Iowa and New
Hampshire (where my Mother lives) another. ...Good thing we got rid of
the land in Slovakia and just have to deal with small stuff in Austria!
Indeed...! Dealing with international stuff is its own hassle... My
parents had an account in a UK bank that we had to go through hoops to
liquidate into the estate... ;)
I'm thinking my inheritance from my Aunt won't be too bad as it is a
set dollar (well, Euro) amount. My Mother is the one to deal with the
property distributions, though I'll be involved indirectly. Semi-
decided the items will be bought out by the relatives other there and
just transfer money.
Money is probably easiest to transfer... :) But some items might havePossibly. European (or at least Austrian and Slovakian) lawyers seem
family significance... :) You'll just be the recipient of those,
though, and your aunt's executor will be the one with the headaches
(if any) of distributing the items or turning into money... :)
to be a lot more laid back than American. When the land was
transferred to the Slovakian part of the family my Mother (and
Father's) lawyer drew up some multi-page contract, signed, and
notarized. Gets over there, those lawyers said all that was needed was
a paper saying she (my Mother) agreed to giving the land. Essentially
a paragraph, maybe two.
<snip>True! The local TV stations are putting up ads for what is open and
how to contact. The station I usually watch for news has maybe a
30-second spot with mini-ads of random lengths: some are cell phone
videos of a bakery "we're open" and a quick contact info; other
I suppose it could actually be considered a public service, to letYes, might be considered as in the Public Service Announcement arena,
the public know what is available now, and as things open up... :)
I've been hearing regular advertisers tailoring their ads to let
people know to what extent they are able to be open (take-out,
curbside retail, etc) and similar in the sponsor spiels on public
radio... ;)
and a bit of a trickle-down effect: I see/hear Matilda's Millet
Muffins is open for curbside, hey: I wonder if Barbara's Bran Bagels is open still too?!
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