What's on your mind today?

[Velma]

....He wanted to do an MRI, but I can't afford it right now.

Which really says everything you need to know about healthcare in America. 

In more ways than you think...the MRI was only to rule out the infinitesimal possibility of a extremely rare benign tumor that can cause tinnitus. So not only is the MRI not affordable, it is yet another case of practicing too much medicine in this lawsuit happy culture. I was leaning towards not having the MRI even before I found out how much it was going to cost.

[Icarus]

Do see another ENT Velma.  The one you describe sounds like a an extraordinary practitioner of defensive medicine.

[Velma]

The doctor gave me some print outs with information and some sites to visit to learn more, along with a couple of sites that provide sound therapy. If none of that helps, I may look for another ENT.

[Arturo]

I started my new job today as an Uber driver. I was terrified but I made at least $50.

[Tank]

I started my new job today as an Uber driver. I was terrified but I made at least $50.

Interesting. Is that $50 before or after costs?

[Arturo]

I started my new job today as an Uber driver. I was terrified but I made at least $50.

Interesting. Is that $50 before or after costs?

Before, but it takes like $20 to fill my car up and I can drive all day on it.

Just checked my fares earlier, totalled $40 so I made about $80 today for three fares and 5 hours driving

[OldGit]

I hope it goes well for you!

[Asmodean]

I started my new job today as an Uber driver. I was terrified but I made at least $50.

Interesting. Is that $50 before or after costs?

Before, but it takes like $20 to fill my car up and I can drive all day on it.

Just checked my fares earlier, totalled $40 so I made about $80 today for three fares and 5 hours driving

Is that acceptable at your location? Because here, 80USD may often fall short of even buying me a five hour long smelly bus ride.

[Pasta Chick]

Average compensation per mile should be around 50¢. If you factor that in most of these companies are paying $3-4/hr.

[Asmodean]

As in, three to four USD per hour? Is that even legal? Even in the US?


...Oh! You mean after the 1/2USD a mile thing..? What's included in that?

[Buddy]

As in, three to four USD per hour? Is that even legal? Even in the US?


...Oh! You mean after the 1/2USD a mile thing..? What's included in that?

Haha I make 2.13 usd and hour officially. Of course I usually make the rest up with tips but still, some days it sucks.

[Asmodean]

Daym... 

I'm not a highly paid type of person, but even I manage to net about 30 before benefits. Yes, there are probably price differences between here and there, but still... Two bucks thirteen?! That wouldn't even buy me a lighter with which to light up my smoke. 

[Pasta Chick]

As in, three to four USD per hour? Is that even legal? Even in the US?


...Oh! You mean after the 1/2USD a mile thing..? What's included in that?

50¢ per mile should be covering auto maintenance. Gas, oil changes, etc. It would likely be somewhat lower for a taxi service because time is not in play - the driving itself is your job as opposed to an office position requiring an extra 50 mile a day commute for whatever reason.

Companies are generally not required to do this, so it can simply come out of your regular pay.

Companies that allo tipping also don't have to pay minimum wage, although most of the taxi services do not allow this yet. I keep hearing one advertise tipping allowed but I don't know their base rate.

[Buddy]

Daym... 

I'm not a highly paid type of person, but even I manage to net about 30 before benefits. Yes, there are probably price differences between here and there, but still... Two bucks thirteen?! That wouldn't even buy me a lighter with which to light up my smoke. 

Well, waitressing isn't supposed to be a highly paid job but it is worth it sometimes. Even if the official pay is crap on a really good night I can net 120 USD in tips over an 9 hour shift.

[Asmodean]

At least that's something! One can hope the tipping culture at your location is better than what it is here. Many people I know consider "keep the change" on a 195NOK bill paid with a 200NOK note to be a generous gesture, you see...