Stupid, Ridiculous Prices for Stuff

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yup ... I withdrew $360 USD at an ATM yesterday. My lovely credit union translated this to $489 CND with all fees in. Doesn't help the $CND has made like a lemming and plunged off the cliff, but the additional fees are just ridiculous. I have a CC that doesn't charge a currency conversion fee (most Canadian cards do), but it's still ridiculously expensive. Ah well, Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock is still stunning.

Other thing which is killing me is the cost of good craft beer. I can buy this bubbly water that claims to be beer for next to nothing. But buying something that actually has taste just kills my pocket book.



Hey folks, lets pass the virtual hat for our impoverished friend .

Using today's exchange rate, it looks like you paid a $10 fee for ATM plus extras. That probably is not out of line... I suspect chartered banks are higher.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by dana-tenacity

Anyway, how many USAians would cheerfully ride a bicycle if it were a direct trade off for healthcare and education?

For over 13 years, I rode a bike over ten thousand miles per year (by choice.. racing stuff), and still ride a bicycle 5000 miles per year to stay in shape and full time for transportation while in Italy. My dental bill was still $270.

Didn't seem to make much difference.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Hey folks, lets pass the virtual hat for our impoverished friend .

"Please Sir.... I want some more?"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sZrgxHvNNUc

[smj]

Originally Posted by dana-tenacity

Hi smj - I believe we are quite liberal about who we let in these days.

While in the shower I was musing on some of the posts in this thread and this question popped up: how many USAians (what is the correct collective noun - I know the Mexicans don't like calling you lot Americans??) Anyway, how many USAians would cheerfully ride a bicycle if it were a direct trade off for healthcare and education?

Most Americans back their car down the driveway to the street to collect the mail, a total round trip of 100+feet, so I find that question ridiculous! Maybe that's why our obesity rate is so high!😳


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[smj]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

For over 13 years, I rode a bike over ten thousand miles per year (by choice.. racing stuff), and still ride a bicycle 5000 miles per year to stay in shape and full time for transportation while in Italy. My dental bill was still $270.

Didn't seem to make much difference.

Did you price dental work in Italy?


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[avb3]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

For over 13 years, I rode a bike over ten thousand miles per year (by choice.. racing stuff), and still ride a bicycle 5000 miles per year to stay in shape and full time for transportation while in Italy. My dental bill was still $270.

Didn't seem to make much difference.

Funny, I wait till I get to Florida to get my teeth cleaned. Dentists there run an introductory $59 teeth cleaning and check up special including xrays. Of course they are trying to up sell you, and you have to sit through that, but I'm pretty good at saying no.

It certainly costs my a lot more up here in Canada, but never anywhere close to $270.

Many people I know go to the border towns of Arizona for dental care, and save significant $$ over Canada or the US. The reports I have heard is at least as modern if not more modern equipment, most of the dentists are US trained, and the service and cleanliness is outstanding. I will go there when I need major work. It's cheaper to fly there, and get the work done there than paying a dentist here.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by smj

Did you price dental work in Italy?


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No. But I'm guessing a cleaning or descaling as the English call it... Is less than $270.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by avb3

Funny, I wait till I get to Florida to get my teeth cleaned. Dentists there run an introductory $59 teeth cleaning and check up special including xrays. Of course they are trying to up sell you, and you have to sit through that, but I'm pretty good at saying no.

It certainly costs my a lot more up here in Canada, but never anywhere close to $270.

Many people I know go to the border towns of Arizona for dental care, and save significant $$ over Canada or the US. The reports I have heard is at least as modern if not more modern equipment, most of the dentists are US trained, and the service and cleanliness is outstanding. I will go there when I need major work. It's cheaper to fly there, and get the work done there than paying a dentist here.

I keep telling my wife Pammymac, we need to drop the expensive insurances, move onto the boat full time, pay cash and get the medical stuff done elsewhere.

She's slowly.... extremely slowly warming up to the idea. I just hope she catches on before we're eligible for Medicare... If it's still around at that time. Me thinks the government will probably means-test us out of it in a few years. 'Not counting on Social Security either.... They keep upping the age for us to collect full benefits. For me... It's only $800 per month anyway. Woopie! That'll go a long way in seven years... Maybe enough to pay for teeth cleaning.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by smj

Most Americans back their car down the driveway to the street to collect the mail, a total round trip of 100+feet, so I find that question ridiculous! Maybe that's why our obesity rate is so high!😳


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Nonsense!
They back it down to the mailbox on the way to MacDonalds drive thru...... that is why the obesity rate is high!

Im laughing because in Europe everyone walks or takes the bus..... in the States without a car its a nightmare.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yup ...

Other thing which is killing me is the cost of good craft beer. I can buy this bubbly water that claims to be beer for next to nothing. But buying something that actually has taste just kills my pocket book.

Don't know where you are planning to cruise but some places are quite nice and don't offer "craft" beer. You will be forced to save money and buy cheap beer. Your savings may be offset by how much beer it takes to stay hydrated in these places. Despite what the health nuts say, there is a lot of good clean water in cheap beer.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't find regular beer from other countries to suck as bad as mainstream american beer.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Guy

Don't know where you are planning to cruise but some places are quite nice and don't offer "craft" beer. You will be forced to save money and buy cheap beer. Your savings may be offset by how much beer it takes to stay hydrated in these places. Despite what the health nuts say, there is a lot of good clean water in cheap beer.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't find regular beer from other countries to suck as bad as mainstream american beer.

Generally speaking. Anything that is not Guinness usually sucks.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by weavis

Nonsense!
They back it down to the mailbox on the way to MacDonalds drive thru...... that is why the obesity rate is high!

Im laughing because in Europe everyone walks or takes the bus..... in the States without a car its a nightmare.

My friend insisted on stopping at McDonalds for an Egg McMuffin on our way up to Maine the other day. $3.95 each!. Another good example of a Stupid, ridiculous price for stuff.

He was buying... we were both hungry and very thirsty within a half hour.

[smj]

[QUOTE=Kenomac;1956448]I keep telling my wife Pammymac, we need to drop the expensive insurances, move onto the boat full time, pay cash and get the medical stuff done elsewhere.

She's slowly.... extremely slowly warming up to the idea. I just hope she catches on before we're eligible for Medicare... If it's still around at that time. Me thinks the government will probably means-test us out of it in a few years. 'Not counting on Social Security either.... They keep upping the age for us to collect full benefits. For me... It's only $800 per month anyway. Woopie! That'll go a long way in seven years... Maybe enough to pay for teeth cleaning.[/

Why the heck are you paying $35,000 in medical insurance? That's ridiculous. Makes me think you may be better of paying the higher taxes in Europe and receiving socialist medicine?


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[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

My friend insisted on stopping at McDonalds for an Egg McMuffin on our way up to Maine the other day. $3.95 each!. Another example of a Stupid, ridiculous price for stuff.

He was buying... we were both hungry and very thirsty within a half hour.

The Mcdonalds culture is very addictive and 'relatively' cheap in comparison price wise to other foods.
Nutritionally speaking, not so much.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by weavis

Generally speaking. Anything that is not Guinness usually sucks.

I'm drinking a Sam Adams "Pumpkin Batch" as I write this. Very tasty, maybe I'll fetch and warm up a Guinness for a chaser.