Rocket442Olds Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Alternative Medicine (in most all cases) is on that list for me. There are surely natural things that help, but a lot of it nowadays is a complete scam. People assume "natural" is healthy. Some of these essential oil pushers are pretty much in Pyramid schemes. Things like Goop, those Facebook-Smoothie powder companies, etc... The worst offenders to me, and the easiest to make fun of are the homeopathic medicines that are still sold right in drug stores next to actual medicine. Tim Minchkin has a good bit about it. “You know what they call alternative medicine that's been proven to work? - Medicine.” 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purbeast Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 14 minutes ago, Destino said: These things. Being into arcade games and pinball machines, I have actually looked into these a bit as far as how they work and stuff. There is basically a setting that the operator can control with these that will tell when to have the claw actually grip tight and when to make it loose so that it can't support any weight. It is basically a number like "every X number of turns hold tight" and the operator has complete control over it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Insurance of any sort 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 13 minutes ago, PleaseBlitz said: Did you try a physical therapist first? More than one. They had me stretching and it did nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 1 minute ago, Destino said: More than one. They had me stretching and it did nothing. That sucks. As someone who has dealt with 3 herniated discs for almost 20 years, I can imagine your frustration, so glad the back cracker worked out for you. If you have problems in the future, I'll PM you the info for my PT place, who are fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerPacker Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 16 minutes ago, PleaseBlitz said: The point of insurance is not to "win the bet" it's to create certainty. Right. So for things that are low probability to happen but high cost if it does, you get the insurance as a hedge hoping to never need it. For things that are certain to happen... insurance is just throwing your money away on a negative investment. Why would I pay a monthly fee for household appliance insurance so that I get to fight an insurance company to reimburse the cost of fixing/replacing an appliance that dies (which will happen), when I could take that same money and put it away in a low-risk investment and then pull it out to directly pay for repairs/replacement when things die? 14 minutes ago, purbeast said: Being into arcade games and pinball machines, I have actually looked into these a bit as far as how they work and stuff. There is basically a setting that the operator can control with these that will tell when to have the claw actually grip tight and when to make it loose so that it can't support any weight. It is basically a number like "every X number of turns hold tight" and the operator has complete control over it. Yeah, all these prize machines that masquerade as games of skill, but it's all a farce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradeTheBeal! Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) You know what isn’t a scam?!? Those fish tanks in the Reykjavik airport where you stick your foot in and all the little fish eat the fungus/scum off your nasty, swollen hooves. And it feels like heaven. Worth every penny! Edited January 12, 2023 by TradeTheBeal! 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 29 minutes ago, PokerPacker said: Right. So for things that are low probability to happen but high cost if it does, you get the insurance as a hedge hoping to never need it. For things that are certain to happen... insurance is just throwing your money away on a negative investment. Why would I pay a monthly fee for household appliance insurance so that I get to fight an insurance company to reimburse the cost of fixing/replacing an appliance that dies (which will happen), when I could take that same money and put it away in a low-risk investment and then pull it out to directly pay for repairs/replacement when things die? Oh, your talking about like, the coverage plans Best Buy desperately tries to sell. I agree that is a scam. I was thinking in terms of life or health insurance, in which case, yes, I have life insurance and I certainly hope I lose that bet, but I very much would not like my kids to be destitute if something happens so I will pay for it. Another scam is how healthcare doesn't have a ****ing menu of prices that you can see before you have things done. Hey, that test my doctor wants to run "just to be safe" sounds great when it doesn't have a price tag attached to it. My at-the-time 1-year old had to go to the ER because he was puking and got dehydrated, and they gave him an IV that turned out to be $8,000 (for a bag of fluids.....$8,000) that I had to pay the majority of because the ER wasn't on the right list. If they told me it was going to be $8,000 I'd have left, picked up some Pedialyte on the way home and just kept a close eye on him until he was better. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 37 minutes ago, TradeTheBeal! said: You know what isn’t a scam?!? Those fish tanks in the Reykjavik airport where you stick your foot in and all the little fish eat the fungus/scum off your nasty, swollen hooves. And it feels like heaven. Worth every penny! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 3 minutes ago, PleaseBlitz said: Oh, your talking about like, the coverage plans Best Buy desperately tries to sell. I agree that is a scam. I was thinking in terms of life or health insurance, in which case, yes, I have life insurance and I certainly hope I lose that bet, but I very much would not like my kids to be destitute if something happens so I will pay for it. Another scam is how healthcare doesn't have a ****ing menu of prices that you can see before you have things done. Hey, that test my doctor wants to run "just to be safe" sounds great when it doesn't have a price tag attached to it. My at-the-time 1-year old had to go to the ER because he was puking and got dehydrated, and they gave him an IV that turned out to be $8,000 (for a bag of fluids.....$8,000) that I had to pay the majority of because the ER wasn't on the right list. If they told me it was going to be $8,000 I'd have left, picked up some Pedialyte on the way home and just kept a close eye on him until he was better. Oh, yeah...I totally get this, and why I call my mom (RN) before I even THINK about a doctor visit. We were "lucky" when I went into the hospital for 3 weeks back in '19...we reached our deductible on my 1st day there, so the entire stay was damn near free. (I got some really crappy care, too...because the administrator knew there wasn't anything coming in, she would schedule my procedures for late in the day so I wouldn't get dinner but was charged for it.) She kept me NPO'd *no food* for 4 straight days when I was down to 70 lbs. ****in' ****. /rant 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 48 minutes ago, TradeTheBeal! said: You know what isn’t a scam?!? Those fish tanks in the Reykjavik airport where you stick your foot in and all the little fish eat the fungus/scum off your nasty, swollen hooves. And it feels like heaven. Worth every penny! We are never getting tacos again. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Insurance. You must have it, but when you need it their army of lawyers decide whether you can get what you paid for. and yo must have it because the cost of everything is so hyperinflated. What is the point of healthcare if you can't afford to live a life after you've been aided? Most institutions of "trust".. you can't trust. Even 'reputable' companies you must do business with,, banks, phone companies, medical industry, have unsavory billing practices designed to prey on those who can least afford it, and can least afford to fight them.. Ever been triple billed by a Dr, or a person who was attending while you had a procedure? This is SOP. You pay, they send you another bill, in red. Then another one.. you call, they say "oh I'm sorry" and then you get anothe one in two weeks. They know a solid % will pay and can't afford to fight them for it back if they figure it out. We live in a great idea run amok. ~Bang Edited January 12, 2023 by Bang 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 Anyway, add me to the insurance crowd. I’m not sure how they pick what they will and what they will not cover but I’m convinced they have a bunch of drunken dwarfs throwing darts at lists of things. Not to get too personal, but the NICU chopper that flew my son to UVA last year and probably saved his life was not deemed “critical” by the insurance company and not covered. How in the name of sweet holy **** was that not critical? The whole ****ing thing, all the doctor’s visits, everything, was all critical! But they just blindly say “wait, this wasn’t critical or life saving so we’re gonna slide you the bill.” Not coincidentally it’s the most expensive **** they could come up with. But here’s what I learned: if you keep putting up a fight, keep arguing your case, they’ll eventually relent. My wife was on the phone with her insurance for hours but at the end of it, two NICUs for almost a month and a helicopter ride we didn’t pay squat. That’s the thing that pissed me off, not only do they pick at random what you’re supposed to pay, but they’re just hoping you won’t put up a fight. They’re like the most cowardly bullies of all time. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadySkinsFan Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I'm pretty lucky with Medicare and a Plan F supplemental health insurance policy. Basically I have to make sure that every place accepts Medicare. Then my Plan F covers everything Medicare doesn't which includes the deductible and anything else. I got the most comprehensive policy I could get. They don't offer that one anymore after a certain birthday date. So I was lucky. I haven't paid anything out of pocket since I turned 65. The lipoma surgery I had was completely covered. I'm not giving it up for anything. Plus living near Austin means there's great healthcare around. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 6 minutes ago, Spaceman Spiff said: Anyway, add me to the insurance crowd. I’m not sure how they pick what they will and what they will not cover but I’m convinced they have a bunch of drunken dwarfs throwing darts at lists of things. Not to get too personal, but the NICU chopper that flew my son to UVA last year and probably saved his life was not deemed “critical” by the insurance company and not covered. How in the name of sweet holy **** was that not critical? Unbelievable the crap these companies try and pull. Sorry for all that and glad your son is okay. You'd think anyone with more than a couple of brain cells would be able to discern that anytime a helicopter is involved it = critical. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Totally, Spiff. I put up the fight over a specialist who was an absolute dick with the bedside manner of a full toilet that won't flush, and a completely wrong diagnosis. I won that, but it took many hours on the phone. So sorry you had to go through that with your son. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 4 minutes ago, skinsmarydu said: Totally, Spiff. I put up the fight over a specialist who was an absolute dick with the bedside manner of a full toilet that won't flush, and a completely wrong diagnosis. I won that, but it took many hours on the phone. So sorry you had to go through that with your son. It’s ok. It was worth it. I would encourage anyone to fight their ass off against the insurance companies for things like that and what you went through. The other thing they did that was ****ed up is that they tried to bill ME. My son is on my wife’s insurance since her company has better plans. But we both have the same provider. So while she’s on the phone with them, they’re sending bills to ME. My son isn’t even on my insurance, what the ****? They’re literally just throwing Hail Mary’s hoping that her and I don’t communicate with each other and that I’ll just blindly pay a bill. 10 minutes ago, Chump Bailey said: Unbelievable the crap these companies try and pull. Sorry for all that and glad your son is okay. You'd think anyone with more than a couple of brain cells would be able to discern that anytime a helicopter is involved it = critical. Yup, but like I said they’re just hoping you don’t put up a fight. Happy to report that Spifftavious just turned one and is breaking hearts at daycare. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hersh Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 3 hours ago, Spaceman Spiff said: Wish I could take credit for the question but I saw it on Twietnam: Figured this would be good Tailgate fodder. Gas Stoves being better for cooking!!! I feel like this entire thread was a set up just for that. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradeTheBeal! Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Spiff and Spifftavious getting free airfare in 2043 cause Momma stayed on hold for 4 hours and made it happen. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreatBuzz Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 2 hours ago, Destino said: The average price of a simple brake job is the blatant theft. Then do it yourself, Nancy. Scentsy or whatever the current MLM scheme is this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 8 minutes ago, TradeTheBeal! said: Spiff and Spifftavious getting free airfare in 2043 cause Momma stayed on hold for 4 hours and made it happen. I’m Jimmy Page in that photo, for the record. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 20 minutes ago, TheGreatBuzz said: Then do it yourself, Nancy. I do change my own brakes. My dad and I are basically the family’s service department. Why do you think I’m offended by the cost of switching out brake pads? It’s not all their prices that get me, just that one in particular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreatBuzz Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 7 minutes ago, Destino said: I do change my own brakes. My dad and I are basically the family’s service department. Why do you think I’m offended by the cost of switching out brake pads? It’s not all their prices that get me, just that one in particular. Oh. Well okay then. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 12th Commandment Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Christmas. The original religious meaning is fine. The crass consumerism and manipulatively guilt filled travesty it's become is not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Wiggles Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 The Republican Party 🥳 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now