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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Rob on March 23, 2020, 05:31 PM

Title: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on March 23, 2020, 05:31 PM
Since everything is basically come to a screeching halt... I figured we could commiserate here and see how everyone is.  We were buying a new condo and backed out of it last week just because nothing seems stable and I didn't want to dump our nest egg into real estate until I feel better about it.  I'm working from home, so far so good, but it's all weird.

Chicago is Shelter in Place, so we're only going out for exercise and groceries at the moment.

How are you doing?
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on March 23, 2020, 06:19 PM
I've been working from home as well in my home office/Star Wars Toy and prop museum.

The kids are on spring break, but Governor Putz ordered schools closed until near the end of April.

Not a roll of toilet paper to be found in town.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Scockery on March 23, 2020, 10:22 PM
Uh, had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on March 24, 2020, 12:14 AM
We aren’t in shelter in place yet but are prepping for it.  As part of the auto industry I’m considered an “essential worker”, and my gf is also for her profession, so they’ve been prepping us for that giving us papers to get us through checkpoints or pull overs or whatever. 

Our boy was booted from college a while back so he started online classes or whatever the profs are doing just today.  He played Xbox with his brother (who’s laid off in Cincy) all weekend haha.

Found out about my company keeping from us a confirmed infected person at a site in the district and one that may have implications for myself and where I am not to mention a myriad of customers and who knows what else because they didn’t want to say too much or anything.  🙄

There wasn’t a lot more going on...  I am in such close proximity to my parents that I’m a bit on edge.  Our company could mitigate things by cutting out some aspects they are simply refusing to cut out...  our older employees have already taken off on leaves of absence.  I’m less in the line of fire than the retail employees are but we are all together and the company basically wouldn’t make drastic changes unless forced to do so, so it’s frustrating.  They’ve also put out multiple “we are sending extra supplies” notices since early March and literally sent nothing extra to any site in our district lol.  Can’t make it up.  Execs need their bonuses though.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on March 24, 2020, 01:00 PM
Uh, had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?

You magnificent bastard!
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on March 24, 2020, 03:08 PM
Uh, had a slight weapons malfunction. But, uh, everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?


Uh, negative. We have a reactor leak here, now. Give us a minute to lock it down. Large leak; very dangerous!

Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on March 24, 2020, 05:20 PM
Hope you don’t need TP for that reactor leak.😬
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jeff on March 25, 2020, 12:32 PM
This social distancing experience has really opened my eyes to how some of those OCD people must live their lives.  Touch a doorknob?  Wash hands.  Check the mailbox? Wash hands.  About to eat? Wash hands.

My kids (off school since 3/6) are stir crazy.  They miss their friends.  They miss their sports.  They miss their normal routine.  Our school district has started testing long range 'distance' (aka "at home") learning and it's a huge drain on my time.  So stressful trying to make sure they are doing their at home school work while I try to do my job in  "work from home"  mode. 

I'm a full-time "work from home" employee.  I'm a full-time teacher making sure my four "at home" school students are staying on top of their work and not playing PS4.  I'm a full-time chef preparing three meals a day for six people.  I'm a full-time house-cleaning service doing dishes, laundry, wiping surfaces with lysol wipes, etc.  I'm a full-time worrier as I catch up on the latest cases/death #s worldwide.

But the worst part is, there's no end in sight.  There is a very, very good chance that schools don't reopen until next Fall and "at home" school is the new normal for my kids this Spring.  My wife and I are still trying to understand what that means.  Will we be allowed to go back to work at the office?  If so, who stays home with the kids to make sure they are doing their schoolwork and not goofing off all day?

I keep trying to focus on the positives.  I am lucky enough to still have a job.  One where I am able to work from home and be here for my kids.  I'm not one of the 150k+ who have had to file for unemployment this month in Minnesota. (150,000 and growing!)  Just trying to count our blessings to offset all the bad news out there right now.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on March 25, 2020, 03:10 PM
This social distancing experience has really opened my eyes to how some of those OCD people must live their lives.  Touch a doorknob?  Wash hands.  Check the mailbox? Wash hands.  About to eat? Wash hands.

My kids (off school since 3/6) are stir crazy.  They miss their friends.  They miss their sports.  They miss their normal routine.  Our school district has started testing long range 'distance' (aka "at home") learning and it's a huge drain on my time.  So stressful trying to make sure they are doing their at home school work while I try to do my job in  "work from home"  mode. 

I'm a full-time "work from home" employee.  I'm a full-time teacher making sure my four "at home" school students are staying on top of their work and not playing PS4.  I'm a full-time chef preparing three meals a day for six people.  I'm a full-time house-cleaning service doing dishes, laundry, wiping surfaces with lysol wipes, etc.  I'm a full-time worrier as I catch up on the latest cases/death #s worldwide.

But the worst part is, there's no end in sight.  There is a very, very good chance that schools don't reopen until next Fall and "at home" school is the new normal for my kids this Spring.  My wife and I are still trying to understand what that means.  Will we be allowed to go back to work at the office?  If so, who stays home with the kids to make sure they are doing their schoolwork and not goofing off all day?

I keep trying to focus on the positives.  I am lucky enough to still have a job.  One where I am able to work from home and be here for my kids.  I'm not one of the 150k+ who have had to file for unemployment this month in Minnesota. (150,000 and growing!)  Just trying to count our blessings to offset all the bad news out there right now.

Well said.  I'll add that we're fortunate enough to have 3 levels in the house where the family can spread out a bit.  My wife works in the main level, kids are mostly upstairs or in the basement, and I shift around depending on whether I need to get some space or be there helping them out.  The kids are technically on Spring Break and enjoying the time off school, but distance learning will kick in next week and its going to be a whole new ball game.  The kids have started keeping a journal of their experiences as this is definitely something they're going to want to look back on someday.

I'm also really thankful for work right now.  I'm a contractor and my role was initially supposed to end on 4/10, but super thankful for my client extending my role through end of July.  That's at least one less stress to worry about, especially given very few companies are even thinking about hiring.  I can't imagine all the people who suddenly have no income and no options.  A close friend of ours is a small business owner with several employees who can't work with the shut down.  I don't know how they're going to make it through this if businesses are closed down for months versus weeks. 

Whatever your situation, take a minute to appreciate all that you and your family have going for you in the midst of all this.  Chances are, it could be a lot worse for all of us.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on March 26, 2020, 12:02 PM
If this doesn't end soon my quarantine/work from home beard will qualify me to be a member of ZZ Top!

For someone who was in the USAF for 20 years, it's a bit of a new thing!
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on March 26, 2020, 04:36 PM
If this doesn't end soon my quarantine/work from home beard will qualify me to be a member of ZZ Top!

Roll call!  How many of us have started growing beards?  I'm a ways away from the ZZ Top club, but it's almost long enough to start hiding things in there...
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: P-Siddy on March 26, 2020, 04:52 PM
If this doesn't end soon my quarantine/work from home beard will qualify me to be a member of ZZ Top!

Roll call!  How many of us have started growing beards?  I'm a ways away from the ZZ Top club, but it's almost long enough to start hiding things in there...

Okay... maybe this is the way I can sneak in new Star Wars figures from now on?  ;D  Of course, it doesn't hide the bank statement.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on March 26, 2020, 05:55 PM
Hope you don’t need TP for that reactor leak.😬

I am sitting on a stockpile....

Oh wait, that doesn't sound good
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Diddly on March 26, 2020, 10:45 PM
If this doesn't end soon my quarantine/work from home beard will qualify me to be a member of ZZ Top!

Roll call!  How many of us have started growing beards?  I'm a ways away from the ZZ Top club, but it's almost long enough to start hiding things in there...

I needed a haircut before all this started so I already looked bad. Might as well grow a beard too. :P

As for me, I'm doing okay and I've been lucky so far. I moved at the end of February and am still getting settled in, but glad to have gotten that done before all this happened. Still employed for now and able to pay bills. But I know a TON of people who have been laid off, from service industry people to dentists, and it sucks. And it sucks knowing that this is going to go on from anywhere to 6 weeks to 18 months, and these friends of mine aren't going to be able to get new jobs until it ends. It's the weirdest and most uncertain the world has felt since September 11.

Not to get political, but since $1200 doesn't go far here, I'm planning on donating my "relief check" to some sort of local charity, if I even get one. Not sure if anyone else has considered that
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Chris M on March 27, 2020, 09:23 AM
Little late here, but Dallas, and most of the surrounding area is now in shelter in place.  I've been transforming my classes from teaching face to face for almost 20 years to going 100% virtual.  I've got all advanced placement kids, so that is an added bonus to the difficulties.  But my wife is also a teacher for dyslexia so it's especially trying on her because she offers a therapy that is better served face to face.  My daughter is brilliant, so online learning is pretty easy and she's very well disciplined so it's been a blessing for us.  However, when USA Gymnastics halted the season, she was crushed.  She had two big meets left and was rocketing through the season, probably going to level up for next year and open some doors for her.  So we'll see how that plays out.

What's getting me at the moment is not being able to get into the gym and lift.  I can do body weight work at home, but that's just not the same.  My 11 year old workout buddy loves it though.  The three of us go and run/bike 3-4 afternoons a week, so it's not all bad.  I normally work all morning, from 7 or 8 until 2ish, workout, and then go to the garage and work on some commission model projects for clients for a few hours.  We bought a new house a couple of months before this all started, so we've enjoyed being home in the home.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on March 27, 2020, 05:30 PM
Hope you don’t need TP for that reactor leak.😬

I am sitting on a stockpile....

Oh wait, that doesn't sound good

Rereading your reactor leak comment is now kinda with a different context to it. 🤔 If ya did need something I can always look for it and ship it if I find it so don’t hesitate to ask.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on March 27, 2020, 06:58 PM
Hope you don’t need TP for that reactor leak.😬

I am sitting on a stockpile....

Oh wait, that doesn't sound good

Rereading your reactor leak comment is now kinda with a different context to it. 🤔 If ya did need something I can always look for it and ship it if I find it so don’t hesitate to ask.

Thanks man.  I really appreciate it!  I'm good.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on March 28, 2020, 11:37 PM
👍
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on March 31, 2020, 03:35 PM
My wife just got a vague email from the museum she works for that has us thinking she's getting furloughed.  Waiting on the follow up contact from her direct report.    :-\
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on April 3, 2020, 01:03 PM
Oh hey, since I posted that, the good news is that she's not furloughed.  Plugging along with jobs intact, so far...
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 3, 2020, 01:22 PM
Glad to hear, Rob.

I worry about a lot of the small businesses not just in our local area that we frequent, but all across the country.  I am concerned about the farmers who are entering planting season and don't have the help they need because everyone is being forced to stay at home.  We are setting ourselves up for more problems than this virus down the road.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on April 3, 2020, 05:06 PM
Locally the farms seem to be operating as usual since they’re essential.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on April 13, 2020, 02:13 PM
Got hit with a 27% temporary pay cut this morning.  The company says they have a plan and think that with this reduction they can weather the storm without any layoffs - which is my preference anyway.

It stings, but since we didn't buy that condo this month, we can get by.  The pay reduction is similar to the increased amount I was going to be spending on the new place. 

This next check will be my last full one until things get back to normal, my goal now is still just to stay employed and hopefully not dip into our downpayment money.   
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: EdSolo on April 14, 2020, 06:42 AM
Got hit with a 27% temporary pay cut this morning.  The company says they have a plan and think that with this reduction they can weather the storm without any layoffs - which is my preference anyway.

It stings, but since we didn't buy that condo this month, we can get by.  The pay reduction is similar to the increased amount I was going to be spending on the new place. 

This next check will be my last full one until things get back to normal, my goal now is still just to stay employed and hopefully not dip into our downpayment money.   

I feel your pain.  My company has done something similar for all of Q2 with a "we will re-evaluate in June to see if it needs to continue".  At this point, I am toying with a mortgage refinance with a cash out to build up some emergency funds.  I just want to make to the end of May at this point when hopefully things might look better.  I'm just glad my internet connection has been stable over the past four weeks.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on April 14, 2020, 04:09 PM
I think everyone’s experiences with this situation run the gamut.  During the first couple of weeks of the stay at home orders I was forced by circumstances into doing just that, despite the fact that my industry is regarded as essential by the Federal government.  But working in midtown Manhattan is the next best thing to living in a Petrie dish, and the risk of exposure was way higher than average.  This led to me taking more time off than I would have planned. 

In the meantime my coworkers were in the middle of the outbreak.  And our engineers worked tirelessly to find a way for people to do their jobs safely.  That meant finding a way to make it feasible for us to work remotely and communicate in a productive way, because we’re a 24/7 communications operation.  None of us thought that it was feasible, but our technology team made it happen.  Pretty much everyone wound up getting several thousand dollars worth of equipment to get their own home workstations up and running.  I wound up catching up about a week or so into the process, and I’ve been working from home ever since.  I consider myself very fortunate that I can keep doing my job and the company has had our backs.  And I think the fact that it’s a major corporation helps. 

The separation from close family has been the most difficult part.  Especially the ones who are older or live alone.  But I also know that some of them are the most vulnerable, and keeping away is actually an act of protecting them.  I can only imagine how people are coping that have been laid off.  I’m hoping to do my part between the public service aspect of my job and donating blood for people to use for antibody treatments.  I feel like I have to, since at least one of my coworkers has died, and so did the doc that tested me. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Darby on April 14, 2020, 04:44 PM
Sorry to hear everyone's struggles. Hopefully, things improve as quickly as they can.

My pay has been reduced as well, but thankfully I'm still working regularly. Knock on wood that continues.

Stay safe.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Muftak on April 14, 2020, 05:03 PM
Why not?

I work in an industry deemed "essential," so my job was not affected (yet.)

Ohio was pretty early to adopt the "Stay at Home" protocols, and my sons' last day of school was March 13th. The struggle we found ourselves in was the complete withdrawal of all the supports and therapies for my younger son, who is diagnosed with severe autism. In addition to the 30 hours of school a week, he is supposed to receive 24 hours of home aide service, and a few hours of home therapy as well. All of that disappeared overnight and his mother and I were left with no support in caring for him. Even our normal coping mechanisms--A trip to the zoo! Hanging out at the mall! Go visit Grandma!--were unavailable. And, as he is nonverbal, he could not understand what was happening, just that his routine and all the things he likes to do were gone.

After the first ten days of home restriction he was a complete wreck and in severe danger of needing to be hospitalized. I talked to his doctor and my company and decided to take a leave of absence at work just to be home for his support. I should be able to do this for a month or so before being financially forced back to work. It seems we will have in-home aid back by then, and I have seen signs he is adjusting ever so slowly to this new reality. His older brother, on the other hand, is adjusting well to online schooling and video calls with his school friends to stay connected. And lots of Fortnite!

My big fear now is, should one or all of us fall victim to the virus itself, there is going to be no way possible to care for my youngest, and then hospitalization (and quarantine?) loom large for him again...and I haven't been able to get a straight answer anywhere as to what that reality might even look like. It's a scary prospect.

Stay safe everybody!
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 14, 2020, 06:23 PM
We're chugging along here.  As part of the Military/Industrial complex, we're essential personnel, but since I mainly work in the restricted area od a military base, they have most of us working from home with entry to the restricted area even more restricted to protect the most vital weapon system...the operations crews.

I can do a lot of my job from home, but it's still a challenge.  I really hate doing meetings over Skype.  I've always liked being in the room with everyone.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on April 14, 2020, 07:14 PM
Things are largely still the same for me.  Corporate sends “we care” memos, makes employees take tests about washing their hands and things, but none of the promised sanitation items have trickled down.  My personal area, we bought for ourselves largely.  We just got a single pack of disposable masks...  half the employees are afraid to use them even.

Topping it off as essential as we are, it seems the auto industry is largely being **** upon by the public.  Can’t take frustration out on the grocery workers?  Stop by for some unnecessary **** like car wax and yell at our poor employees!  I can’t believe some of what I’ve seen at the store level.  Glad I’m largely able to work away from that though I’ve been trying to help more with those folks because they need it.  Half the workforce is staying home voluntarily because they’re PT and many are older and at risk from health issues...  but work is there and I’ve just adjusted what my role is ultimately.

My gf is still working too and has seniority but I can see them cutting back before long if things were to get worse.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on April 17, 2020, 09:47 PM
Oh, the corporate emails!  We were getting some of those on an almost daily basis.  Thankfully upper management has realized that they need to focus on doing their own jobs, making sure employees can work from home and work to keep things afloat rather than give the daily "rah-rah" update.  And if they DID want to communicate with us in a meaningful fashion?  Let employees know some concrete things:  about sick time (if you get sick), working with the company's medical plan providers on COVID coverage, making work from home possible, safety precautions, etc.

We just a notification that the public schools will be closed until at least the middle of May.  And with that having been announced, we're not sure if the schools are even going to open up at all before the end of the school year.

The atmosphere around town is kind of eerie.  There are barely any places open outside of grocery stores, home improvement stores and gas stations.  People are going to restaurants to get take out in droves.  And I think that's just to try to get out of the house or attempt to feel halfway normal.

I've been really fortunate with my work situation.  But I'm getting increasingly concerned for the people who can't make rent or pay bills because their employers had to lay them off. 

Something that I think I've been increasingly aware of is the people who work in the grocery store.  I see them in a very different light now.  They're our lifeline to basic necessities.  And the announcements in the stores have been really positive and reflect an incredibly resilient outlook.  And when I finally got out of the house following my quarantine and went to the grocery store I heard that old disco song "I will survive" on the in-store PA.  And it was oddly relevant, because I made it.  And I hope a lot more people will, too. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on April 18, 2020, 06:20 PM
I’m not doing my actual job nearly as much so I’m more out helping the retail people than anything.  I kinda want to be the guy who tells people without masks to pound salt on Monday. 🤔
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Dave on April 21, 2020, 09:34 AM
We just got a 20% pay cut / furlough rolled out to us.  Better than losing my job.  Hopefully the economy picks back up before things get really ugly.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 21, 2020, 09:36 AM
Where are you at Dave?  We're getting ready to go back to normal here on Colorado.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Dave on April 21, 2020, 10:47 AM
Where are you at Dave?  We're getting ready to go back to normal here on Colorado.

Minnesota.  The state is on lockdown and doing well in managing hospitalizations.

My business is global and in healthcare IT.  Good and bad.  Hospitals "need" my product, but hospitals are hemorrhaging money with all their margin generating service lines idled (cardiovascular, orthopedic, etc.).  They've deferred as much spending as possible since their margins have cratered.  If the government bails out the hospitals or allows them to start doing margin generating services again I think things will bounce back reasonably quick.  Until then we're in crisis mode trying to maintain as much cash as possible to get the business to the other side.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on April 22, 2020, 11:41 AM
That stinks Dave.  Hopefully things get back on track in the next month or two.  I'm a contractor and they luckily extended my role from 4/10 to 7/31.  There's a decent chance it gets extended again or they convert me to an FTE, but also feels like I'm constantly in a review status where I have to prove my value.  Not a terrible concept to keep your people motivated, but I could do without the stress of uncertainty. 

My wife started a new role a week or two prior to quarantine.  Its a land management role and has some good ties to her real estate experience.  She had a week of orientation, a week working from home, then two weeks of paid time off for everyone.  Now she's furloughed without pay, but they are keeping the benefits active, which is pretty nice. 

Curious to know - has anyone received stimulus checks yet?  I thought we would qualify given married income and two kids, but I haven't seen anything about it beyond what I've read online or heard on the news.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 22, 2020, 06:19 PM
You get $1,200 for each adult, and then an additional $500 for each child.  There are deductions if you make over a certain amount.  We received roughly $2,950 after the deductions for me, my wife and two kids.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on April 22, 2020, 10:42 PM
I got one, but it was about $350. Honestly, with the pay cut I’ll take it, but I kind of feel like it was a waste to send me that... and for a lot of people, you can’t gauge current needs based on old taxes.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on April 22, 2020, 11:36 PM
I received the full $1200...  not sure why but I got mine before the news had even picked up they were depositing.  Saw it processing a day or two prior if I recall.  I filed taxes fairly early I think so maybe that was part of it.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on April 23, 2020, 10:45 AM
Did you guys have to apply or was it just deposited in your account?  Pretty sure we would qualify for the $2400 and $500 per kid.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Dave on April 23, 2020, 10:53 AM
Did you guys have to apply or was it just deposited in your account?  Pretty sure we would qualify for the $2400 and $500 per kid.

I think if you've given your bank information to the IRS for direct deposit from prior filings it goes straight in.  If you're like me and do file by mail without direct deposit, you'll need to go to the government's website (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus)) and ask for it to be mailed to you.

I personally went to the web site and it gave me an error message (Payment Status Not Available). 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on April 23, 2020, 06:05 PM
Did you guys have to apply or was it just deposited in your account?  Pretty sure we would qualify for the $2400 and $500 per kid.

I file my taxes electronically, and my refund comes as a direct deposit.  The CARES money came in that way about a week ago.  The number you get as an individual is based on your gross adjusted income, with payments gradually diminishing once your gross adjusted income goes over $75k up to $98k.  If you have kids you’re eligible for $500 per child. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on April 23, 2020, 09:32 PM
Mine just showed up Justin, nothing needed done.  I file electronically every year so they just DD it.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Phrubruh on April 28, 2020, 09:08 AM
I haven't seen hide nor hair of mine.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on April 28, 2020, 02:34 PM
Sending in my 2019 taxes today - hopefully that gets the ball rolling.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Phrubruh on April 30, 2020, 07:16 PM
I sent mine in in February and still haven't gotten anything. I plan on throwing everyone out of office regardless of party that I can.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Diddly on May 1, 2020, 03:44 PM
I got my Trump 1200 a few weeks ago. I think the Tuesday after Easter? It was direct deposited into my account. Haven't filed for 2019 taxes yet, and my bank is a regional credit union.

I was going to donate it somewhere until I read that we have to pay it back on next year's taxes, so I'm just going to have it sit in savings, so I can at least make a small fraction of interest off of it.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on May 1, 2020, 05:22 PM
I was going to donate it somewhere until I read that we have to pay it back on next year's taxes,

I'm pretty sure that's not true. 

Edit:  Not true.

Do I have to pay back my $1,200 stimulus check? Don’t fall for these 5 myths about the stimulus payments (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/do-i-have-to-pay-back-my-1200-stimulus-check-dont-fall-for-these-five-myths-about-the-stimulus-payments-2020-04-18)

Quote
Do I have to pay the stimulus money back?
No. Full stop.

The “economic impact payment” you receive depends on how much money you make, according to either your 2018 tax return or your 2019 tax return. The 2019 return is the one that everyone has until July 15 to submit.

Individuals with adjusted gross incomes below $75,000 will get $1,200 and married couples with adjusted gross incomes below $150,000 will get $2,400. Additionally, the government will pay $500 for every qualifying child under age 17. The stimulus payments decrease $5 dollars for every $100 dollars above the $75,000/$150,000 line and ends entirely for individuals making more than $99,000 and couples making over $198,000.

When the IRS determines your payment amount, it looks at the adjusted gross income listed on the 2019 tax return. If that’s not on file, the IRS looks at what’s on the 2018 return.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Diddly on May 1, 2020, 06:08 PM
Interesting. Either way, probably better for it to be sitting in savings.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: JediJman on May 1, 2020, 06:20 PM
Savings!?  But isn't the intent of a "stimulus check" to boost the economy?   ???
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on May 1, 2020, 08:53 PM
Mine I’m mulling over what to use it on still so yeah, haha...  I’m sure if I were out of work I’d be thinking of it differently.  Right now it’s just a bonus.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on May 2, 2020, 03:46 PM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Morgbug on May 3, 2020, 03:30 AM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

And failing miserably.   :-*
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on May 3, 2020, 05:06 PM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

And failing miserably.   :-*

I couldn’t let our Federal government feel lonely about their failure in responding to the virus.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Morgbug on May 3, 2020, 10:48 PM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

And failing miserably.   :-*

I couldn’t let our Federal government feel lonely about their failure in responding to the virus.

If it's any consolation ours reacted almost identically, except slower. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on May 4, 2020, 10:17 AM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

I got it too.  And that’s 100% what it was. 

(https://i.imgur.com/qMGlBl3.jpg)
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Nicklab on May 4, 2020, 01:32 PM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

And failing miserably.   :-*

I couldn’t let our Federal government feel lonely about their failure in responding to the virus.

If it's any consolation ours reacted almost identically, except slower. 

I got the impression that the Canadian government at least had a better handle on the economic impact, and made better provisions for the public in terms of guaranteed income during the shutdown.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: McMetal on May 4, 2020, 11:49 PM
They made sure everyone got enough pemmican to get them through, that’s for sure.  :D
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Morgbug on May 5, 2020, 03:42 PM
I got a form letter from the IRS about the payment earlier this week.  And not to get overtly political, but it REALLY came across like a Trump campaign message with the whole "White House" letterhead and the oversized Trump signature in sharpie.

And failing miserably.   :-*

I couldn’t let our Federal government feel lonely about their failure in responding to the virus.

If it's any consolation ours reacted almost identically, except slower. 

I got the impression that the Canadian government at least had a better handle on the economic impact, and made better provisions for the public in terms of guaranteed income during the shutdown.

I was referring to the response to shutting stuff down/quarantine/etc.  We were slower in shutting down international travel and implementing quarantine strategies.  That's not to say the U.S. did well, I'm not implying that. 

I think it is fair to say the economic stuff may have been handled better in many respects, if not all.  But it depends and I think a lot of people are in for a surprise next year.  Our money ($2000/month for a maximum of four months) is good if you qualify but it's also taxable at your marginal tax rate.  So even at low rates, 25% of that is going back to the government next year.  Certainly that's still better than the one time payment the U.S. seems to get, though as I understand it everyone gets it.  I'm getting diddly, though given I'm considered essential it's not unfair. 

We're also going to see a lot of abuse and already are as we are coming out of quarantine (Manitoba had one of the lowest infectivity/mortality rates of anywhere).  Lots of people that don't clear $2000 don't want to go back to work so they are leaving their employers stranded.  Of course they don't recognize they only need to clear whatever the amount is less the taxes that will ultimately be applied next year. 

Then there's the economic impact going forward regarding the federal deficit.  This isn't a government that was remotely frugal in good times.  It liked to fling money about then and it's doing so more now.  The latter is reasonable, it's what should be done in extreme circumstances.  But five years of consistent deficit funding?  Push it down the road, push it down the road.  What if interest rates go up?  Whoops. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Rob on May 5, 2020, 04:11 PM
Certainly that's still better than the one time payment the U.S. seems to get, though as I understand it everyone gets it.  I'm getting diddly, though given I'm considered essential it's not unfair. 

Not everyone gets it, there's a scale.  There are different tiers for married couples, and bonuses for each kid you have, but for individuals it goes about like this:  If your taxable income was under $75k last year, you get the full $1,200.  If your taxable income was over over $100,000 you don't get anything.  Everything in between drops you $5 for every $100 you made over $75k.  Mine was a couple hundred dollars, and while I suppose I'll take it, I'm doing just fine all things considered and feel that it was a waste to send anything to someone like me.  Likewise, there are people who have lost their job who don't qualify and currently would need it more than me. I don't know of a 'better' way to do it, but I feel like lots of money's going to dumb places.

That said, my company did secure a loan through the first stimulus package, and it's probably a huge part of the reason why we haven't had to lay anyone off.  At a minimum, it's part of why our temporary pay cuts weren't drastically larger.  For that I'm really grateful.  The "loan" becomes a grant if you get all the way through this without layoffs, so they have an incentive to keep it this way.

Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Morgbug on May 5, 2020, 04:42 PM
Thanks for the clarification Rob. 
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Jesse James on May 6, 2020, 02:28 AM
I converted mine to Pemmican so we can trade.

Yeah not everyone gets...  some folks got totally screwed since they struggled in the first place and were kind of forgotten.  In Diane’s instance her youngest son came home from college when it shut down, and even tho he was a dependent on her taxes he worked a bit every year and yet she didn’t get $ for him (the $500) and since he was claimed he didn’t get $1200 for himself...  that was one major screw job for working families with kids in college, who the child is now home eating and costing like an adult instead of being at school he paid for. He got some $ back from the school but it’s small and of course it’s $ owed back from what he borrowed...  He didn’t gripe, but yeah it kinda sucked for him since he has expenses too and the school didn’t refund much.  They got theirs I guess.. 🤷‍♂️

Fortunately he’ll have work with the township before too long but he lost what income he did have working at the school and he lost out on stimulus money, and his mother got no help due to his age.  Basically we are covering some of his expenses he’d covered himself till his job kicks in.
Title: Re: How's everyone doing?!
Post by: Dave on May 8, 2020, 04:21 PM
Government web site got updated and allowed me to apply for a stimulus check finally, which is a small victory as my job got eliminated the other day as my company also cut most contractors and instituted a 20% furlough for those left.  Add me to the list of  3+ million temporarily on the dole.

Silver lining is I've got a bunch of extra time to work on getting my collection organized.  :P