Business, Economics, and Taxes: Eat Cereal for Dinner

[dxmnkd316]

The McD’s near my house had wages starting at $15/hr and up. The Home Depot listed at $16.50-19.50 starting, depending upon type of work. I think Walmart was starting at $12/hr and a complimentary bulletproof vest.

Garbage truck drivers start at $27 plus full benefits. Plus if you finish early, they pay you for your full shift.

 

[aparch]

I was floored by the difference in job offers i saw driving home last Christmas, specifically the comparison of job offers for gas station cashiers.

Around my far west Chicago suburb: "Starting pay of $15/hr!"
Driving through Green Bay, Wisconsin: "Up to $15/hr with experience."

Both were national brands owned locally (not the same brand or franchisee), but economically, both my suburb and Green Bay are similar for cost of living. Sure there's a steep drop of for COL outside Green Bay that I don't have here in Illinois, but it was still jarring to see.

 

[Jimjamesak]

UPS is $21 an hour, moving up to $23 in a few years, plus benefits.

 

[Swansong]

UPS is $21 an hour, moving up to $23 in a few years, plus benefits.

According to a friend who's been a sorter (among other roles) at UPS for like 25 years, this is correct. However, at least where he works, they've reduced the staffing number requirements, and are offering to send people home if they're "over staffed" (they aren't, they never are), and are softly suggesting/requiring that those who stay work OT. So my friend, who needs to pay his bills, stays and ends up working 2-4 hours OT every night. He's cleaning up, but management has made it abundantly clear that the OT - while not "required", is absolutely required.

So they reduce headcount and punish staff for their new raises. Payroll costs stay about the same (subtract those that went home, add the OT), and remind the employees who their masters truly are.



In my friend's case, he's been there so long he would take an enormous pay cut trying to leave.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Both were national brands owned locally (not the same brand or franchisee), but economically, both my suburb and Green Bay are similar for cost of living. Sure there's a steep drop of for COL outside Green Bay that I don't have here in Illinois, but it was still jarring to see.

Green Bay is also a pretty red area, so they wouldn't have any local laws dictating a higher minimum wage, nor as much pressure to pay that high. Remember, Republicans are the kind of people who invite their waiters to pray with them as a tip.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

I’m about 2-3 weeks from pulling my house from the market. The buyer pool is just not large right now for anything over 400. Pieces of crap are going for over asking price around 350.

I spent most of my money getting house ready to sell, now I can’t sell and I can’t really afford it, either. I dropped price by 40k last week and it really didn’t generate any viewings and I’m told what I’m experiencing is being felt by many. My realtor said I could drop price more and it may not matter because there’s still no buyers.

people are waiting for rates to come down but it’s likely prices go up as soon as that happens. You’re better off buying now, making high payments and then refinancing for free when rates are lowered

I hate everything right now. I’ve made decisions to try and put myself in a decent financial position and nothing is going to plan. This just highlights why I want out of home ownership

 

[Handyman]

Green Bay is also a pretty red area, so they wouldn't have any local laws dictating a higher minimum wage, nor as much pressure to pay that high. Remember, Republicans are the kind of people who invite their waiters to pray with them as a tip.

Not anymore

 

[Jimjamesak]

According to a friend who's been a sorter (among other roles) at UPS for like 25 years, this is correct. However, at least where he works, they've reduced the staffing number requirements, and are offering to send people home if they're "over staffed" (they aren't, they never are), and are softly suggesting/requiring that those who stay work OT. So my friend, who needs to pay his bills, stays and ends up working 2-4 hours OT every night. He's cleaning up, but management has made it abundantly clear that the OT - while not "required", is absolutely required.

So they reduce headcount and punish staff for their new raises. Payroll costs stay about the same (subtract those that went home, add the OT), and remind the employees who their masters truly are.



In my friend's case, he's been there so long he would take an enormous pay cut trying to leave.

Except they do that, then get hit with a massive pile of grievances for contract violations (especially if anyone in management even thinks about doing anything) and end up paying out a ton in compensation.

That’s been the next step from our union president: contract enforcement.

 

[Drew S.]

I’m about 2-3 weeks from pulling my house from the market. The buyer pool is just not large right now for anything over 400. Pieces of crap are going for over asking price around 350.

I spent most of my money getting house ready to sell, now I can’t sell and I can’t really afford it, either. I dropped price by 40k last week and it really didn’t generate any viewings and I’m told what I’m experiencing is being felt by many. My realtor said I could drop price more and it may not matter because there’s still no buyers.

people are waiting for rates to come down but it’s likely prices go up as soon as that happens. You’re better off buying now, making high payments and then refinancing for free when rates are lowered

I hate everything right now. I’ve made decisions to try and put myself in a decent financial position and nothing is going to plan. This just highlights why I want out of home ownership

Are there not as many cash buyers out there? I think the majority of sales around here now are cash so the rates impact the supply more than the demand.

 

[psych]

Cash buyers pay more than people who finance up where you live, Drew? Because I’d think most cash buyers are offering well below market value on houses…

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Honestly I’d take a lower cash offer just to get rid of it.

I’m not sure how common it is to pay cash in twin cities for homes in the 500-600+ range

 

[St. Clown]

The economics of a university growing too big for its britches.

https://www.kare11.com/article/news...tions/89-3e3b3135-58bb-49c7-8cbb-37155c85e571

Amongst the 40 majors being considered to be cut is mine, economics.

The one that catches my eye the most is physics major and minor being considered for removal. How much can it cost to have a major and/or minor offered when a physics department would still be needed to fill out a chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, etc. program?

 

[Handyman]

I was surprised econ was part of it when I heard about it the other day. Cuts were going to come and be very hard but I wonder what SCSU is thinking...I think that school is at risk of becoming obsolete.

(Inteach in the State System)

 

[St. Clown]

I was surprised econ was part of it when I heard about it the other day. Cuts were going to come and be very hard but I wonder what SCSU is thinking...I think that school is at risk of becoming obsolete.

(Inteach in the State System)

If you look at how the school has been pricing itself, I wouldn’t doubt it. My freshman year, the “freshman year package” was about $5,500, which was tuition + room&board. Now they list tuition at $350/credit hour; room and board aren’t shown. My bet is that same package I had would exceed $23k now.

The school made its mark as a cheap place to get your college education. Not no more it ain’t.

 

[Handyman]

If you look at how the school has been pricing itself, I wouldn’t doubt it. My freshman year, the “freshman year package” was about $5,500, which was tuition + room&board. Now they list tuition at $350/credit hour; room and board aren’t shown. My bet is that same package I had would exceed $23k now.

The school made its mark as a cheap place to get your college education. Not no more it ain’t.

That is too bad...

 

[Handyman]

https://www.threads.net/@cnbc/post/C6uUiGPS9EN/?xmt=AQGzSC4iEPuZrM4LVXvl50wU-brquUzZdu8V68byF4HPpg

The bundle is back.
Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery are planning to offer their streaming services — Disney+, Hulu and Max — in a bundle mirroring the traditional cable TV package, the companies said Wednesday.

The latest iteration of the bundle will be offered on both the ad-supported and commercial-free tiers. https://cnb.cx/3wsoEm6

I'm sure it will be reasonably priced too

 

[MissThundercat]

Target will be "dialing back" on Pride merchandise this year.

Cowards.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/10/business/target-pride-merchandise-june-2024/index.html

 

[Handyman]

Its not the first time they have done that. They did the same thing when they were supporting LGBTQ+ Marriage but couldn't take the backlash. It didn't help that they got outted (no pun intended) as giving money to a lot of Republicans who don't support Gay Marriage...

Target sucks and I almost never shop there. I worked there for a year that was enough to get me to never go back.

 

[MissThundercat]

Its not the first time they have done that. They did the same thing when they were supporting LGBTQ+ Marriage but couldn't take the backlash. It didn't help that they got outted (no pun intended) as giving money to a lot of Republicans who don't support Gay Marriage...

Target sucks and I almost never shop there. I worked there for a year that was enough to get me to never go back.

Good reminder that instead of giving money to corporations who slap rainbows on everything during Pride Month, just give your money directly to the LGBTQ people in your life.

 

[dxmnkd316]

The flip side of that was the fact that underpaid store clerks were having to deal with chuds, who were sometimes violent, all month long.

I'm not going to defend target too much, but there are other considerations here that need to be taken on balance.