We certainly are not all in this together. (see Red Green wisdom)
Airlines are really being hit, I get it. Nobody wants to ride in a tube with other (infected) people. And we shouldn't be travelling anyway.
But when an airline sends out dividends totaling 174 million pound sterling ($US 215 Million), something is wrong here.
People should get something from their investments, but to give out that much money, and then get (ask for) loan money to bail them out....Come on folks.... we need to pull in our purse strings, suck it up and maybe not order caviar for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Keep employees employed and maybe the stock holders should not expect a huge payout.
UK Labour MP David Lammy described the move as “greedy super capitalism at its worst”.
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
09 April 2020
12 August 2019
Historical Ruins in State Parks
Nothing new here. Parks and recreation always gets the short end of the stick when if comes to funding.
So now we may start a new line of research, that is studying neo-historical ruins in our parks. Check out some ruins in Robinson State Park in Massachusetts.
Want to rent this pavilion?
Or use this washroom?
Shame, huh?
So now we may start a new line of research, that is studying neo-historical ruins in our parks. Check out some ruins in Robinson State Park in Massachusetts.
Want to rent this pavilion?
Or use this washroom?
How about a drink of water?
Shame, huh?
17 September 2017
Travel and money
Back when I first traveled abroad it typically was not a big deal. After all, it was Canada. While the currency was different it was still dollars and dimes and pennies. Depending on the exchange rate at the time, it might be good for Americans or it might be good for Canadians.
Reaching across the big pond a couple of decades ago, I figured to use American Express Travelers Cheques. It meant for example that you had to find someone to cash it and if no one would do it, you had to go to the bank. You know about Bankers' hours. I guess they were protected, but it was certainly hard to cash sometimes.
Next came credit cards. The challenge here was whether or not the vendor's credit account was in the same network. Look at the back of the card to see what I mean. This is not the bank that issues the card, but the international network they communicate in. Think NYCE or STAR or Cirrus for examples.
Debit cards started being used in the States about 50 years ago but not widely used until the 90s. When my credit card did not work in Paris (the network issue) I broke out the ATM, slide into the machine and bought tickets for the elevator in the Eiffel Tower.
I found out later that I needed to know the PIN for the credit card, something I never used in the US.
Today, the US caught up with the rest of the world and added the chip in our plastic. A PIN is needed and it will probably work anywhere. The network issue should not be a problem, but I always call my credit card company before travelling and let them know what countries I may be visiting. I also let me debit card bank know, since it was a pain to have to call the bank from Iceland so I could use the ATM!
Lastly, I do try to have some cash on hand, maybe equivalent to $US 20 at least. In some places that doesn't buy much, but in others you can feed a family of four at a decent restaurant. Since plastic is basically used everywhere, cash is becoming less important. But I have yet to buy a cup of coffee with plastic (except my cell phone app from Starbucks).
Reaching across the big pond a couple of decades ago, I figured to use American Express Travelers Cheques. It meant for example that you had to find someone to cash it and if no one would do it, you had to go to the bank. You know about Bankers' hours. I guess they were protected, but it was certainly hard to cash sometimes.
Next came credit cards. The challenge here was whether or not the vendor's credit account was in the same network. Look at the back of the card to see what I mean. This is not the bank that issues the card, but the international network they communicate in. Think NYCE or STAR or Cirrus for examples.
Debit cards started being used in the States about 50 years ago but not widely used until the 90s. When my credit card did not work in Paris (the network issue) I broke out the ATM, slide into the machine and bought tickets for the elevator in the Eiffel Tower.
I found out later that I needed to know the PIN for the credit card, something I never used in the US.
Today, the US caught up with the rest of the world and added the chip in our plastic. A PIN is needed and it will probably work anywhere. The network issue should not be a problem, but I always call my credit card company before travelling and let them know what countries I may be visiting. I also let me debit card bank know, since it was a pain to have to call the bank from Iceland so I could use the ATM!
Lastly, I do try to have some cash on hand, maybe equivalent to $US 20 at least. In some places that doesn't buy much, but in others you can feed a family of four at a decent restaurant. Since plastic is basically used everywhere, cash is becoming less important. But I have yet to buy a cup of coffee with plastic (except my cell phone app from Starbucks).
16 September 2017
Golf Revenue for Golf down in Blue States
A report in the New York Times notes the decline of revenue for many Trump Golf Clubs in the states that voted for Clinton in 2016. On the other hand, in the red states, where members can afford $25,000 initiation fees, the Trump clubs are doing well.
It goes to show that the name "Trump" may have an economic impact, at least in the States. Trump workers in Dubai however, would like to paid on time.
It goes to show that the name "Trump" may have an economic impact, at least in the States. Trump workers in Dubai however, would like to paid on time.
23 April 2015
China to accept US Credit Cards
China has announced that foreign companies like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express can bring their payment processing operation in that country starting 1 June 2015. Should be a boom for tourism!
24 November 2014
Money
I have been thinking about this post for a while. Since it is so large, I will probably split into several different blogs in order to give the topic the attention it deserves.
First is cash.
Now, I am by no means a major world traveler, but I have been travelling overseas for over 30 years and have some stories to tell. Bullets for this topic:
Get some local currency, if possible, before your trip. You can always get some cash at the airport, and from my experience, this can be as expensive as your local bank with fees and exchange rates. But do try to have some local currency in your pocket. Sometimes I have some money left over from a previous trip and can use that.
Know the current exchange rate. I round that figure so I can do some basic conversions in my head. For web access try http://www.xe.com/. And get an app for your phone. And understand the rate both to US Dollars (in my case) and from it. So right now, as I write this, $1 US is equal to 0.804 Euros, and one Euro is good for 1.242 US Dollar. It will likely be different next week.
If you are someplace that uses US dollars, remember the costs of things can be higher or lower than back home. So you might not be able to buy from the dollar menu from the local McDonald's.
And some places will take US dollars even if they have there own currency. Your change may be in the local currency, and in some places you can get dollars back. If you have a choice, think ahead on how much cash you may need and how easy or costly it might be to get more. I will write about getting cash and other spending issues at a later post.
At the end of the trip, if you have local currency, you can spend it as extra tips, donate to a local charity, spend it at the airport, and/or throw into you luggage for your next trip to that destination.
Finally, some places you might be counting the costs to make sure you have enough through your trip without breaking the bank. Other places, you may be living like royalty due to the lower cost of living. In either case, with some careful planning you can enjoy the trip and not worry too much about money.
First is cash.
Now, I am by no means a major world traveler, but I have been travelling overseas for over 30 years and have some stories to tell. Bullets for this topic:
Get some local currency, if possible, before your trip. You can always get some cash at the airport, and from my experience, this can be as expensive as your local bank with fees and exchange rates. But do try to have some local currency in your pocket. Sometimes I have some money left over from a previous trip and can use that.
Know the current exchange rate. I round that figure so I can do some basic conversions in my head. For web access try http://www.xe.com/. And get an app for your phone. And understand the rate both to US Dollars (in my case) and from it. So right now, as I write this, $1 US is equal to 0.804 Euros, and one Euro is good for 1.242 US Dollar. It will likely be different next week.
If you are someplace that uses US dollars, remember the costs of things can be higher or lower than back home. So you might not be able to buy from the dollar menu from the local McDonald's.
And some places will take US dollars even if they have there own currency. Your change may be in the local currency, and in some places you can get dollars back. If you have a choice, think ahead on how much cash you may need and how easy or costly it might be to get more. I will write about getting cash and other spending issues at a later post.
At the end of the trip, if you have local currency, you can spend it as extra tips, donate to a local charity, spend it at the airport, and/or throw into you luggage for your next trip to that destination.
Finally, some places you might be counting the costs to make sure you have enough through your trip without breaking the bank. Other places, you may be living like royalty due to the lower cost of living. In either case, with some careful planning you can enjoy the trip and not worry too much about money.
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