Recent posts

#1
Cars for sale/wanted / Re: 1964 Austin Mini Countryma...
Last post by Brit_in_TX - June 09, 2026, 10:57:24 AM
Thanks Bruce.  I was confused by your BaT screen name!

#2
The Lounge / Re: The Good habit / healthy l...
Last post by Dan Moffet - June 09, 2026, 09:54:39 AM
Ode to your colorectal surgeon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2gABYTmXos
#3
The Lounge / Re: The Good habit / healthy l...
Last post by Dan Moffet - June 09, 2026, 09:18:09 AM
Having never heard of Cologuard, I looked it up. Is it really $600  per kit? Boy it sure looks complicated.

Here in Ontario we get a much simpler FIT test. It comes in an envelope in the mail per a doctor's order (no charge). It comes with a sample stick, a small vial that preserves the sample and a postage prepaid return envelope, with a 14 day return. The only other equipment needed is some toilet paper for your poop to land on. No potty, no potty holder, no resealable bag, no big box, no courier to call.

Here's a link: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/colorectal/screening

In any case, a good habit. We do it once a year. Since the province covers cancer care, they are intent on catching colorectal cancer early.
#4
The Lounge / Re: The Good habit / healthy l...
Last post by MPlayle - June 09, 2026, 08:03:38 AM
Just wait until you have a family history of colon related cancer.  Then it has to be a scope procedure and every three years.   :sad:
#5
The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership
Last post by 94touring - June 09, 2026, 07:23:18 AM
At least they got the 10% part right. Fedex hit me with 20%.  No breakdown on my bill.
#6
The Lounge / Re: The Good habit / healthy l...
Last post by cstudep - June 08, 2026, 09:17:16 PM
Shitty job indeed, I did one a few months back when I did all the other tests....over 50 and all that and I wasn't doing a scope. All was well, at least all but my dignity, for having to shit in a box and then haul it the local UPS drop lol.
#7
The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership
Last post by BruceK - June 08, 2026, 04:03:53 PM
Quote from: BruceK on June 05, 2026, 09:42:26 AMI am placed an order with MiniSpares a couple of days ago that is to be shipped with DHL. I will let you know about the customs situation I encounter once I learn more.   

Okay, I have now heard from DHL who want to be paid before delivery and they at least broke down their customs/tariffs calculation at a high level. They calculated 10% of the total MiniSpares invoice price which seems to be correct. And they added a $17.50 brokerage service charge which I'm not too thrilled about. 

But at least they provided some explanation of the charges, which is a good thing. 
#8
Cars for sale/wanted / Re: 1964 Austin Mini Countryma...
Last post by BruceK - June 08, 2026, 02:51:13 PM
Quote from: Brit_in_TX on June 04, 2026, 01:38:26 PMSo this will be appearing on BaT soon.  So if any of you on here follow that, I would appreciate some positive support.   

I just left a comment. Good luck with the auction.

Hope to see you at some local car shows Craig.
#9
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by Jims5543 - June 08, 2026, 02:37:09 PM
"This is the smartest financial decision you have made in years" - My wife when talking about this today.

She is right, I need to stick with the plan, we have a 5 year restructure on the Commercial Loan, then in another 5 years there is a balloon payment.

The rent I am paying on the building to the LLC I formed to take ownership is over double the mortgage payment.  The goal was to pay down the mortgage at the restructure, then pay off the building at the balloon. Then decide what to do with the building after that. I will be 70 and I will not be working full time anymore. I could either keep it as a rental property or cash out of it.

That said, I was debt free before this, having this loan bothers me, I was supposed to be winding down a little when I turned 60, I was going to start working 4 days a week and taking every Friday off, that was killed when I purchased the building.

I am not sure what I want to do right now, If this cat offered me 2X what I paid for the building it was be very tempting to sell now and skip the 5-10 year wait. I guess lets see what he has in mind, it is easy to say no.
#10
The Lounge / Re: Evolve or die
Last post by Jims5543 - June 08, 2026, 12:13:37 PM
I just received a phone call from a local pizza chain that has been blowing up in popularity. They have 4 locations and are adding more, they also blew up on SM nationally have have had people come to this area from all over the county to interview their pizza girl who has gone viral.


They want to know if I want to sell the building I just purchased in December.

After my first 1 week vacation in 3 years a few weeks ago and the subsequent nightmare of trying to catch back up to everyone, not having a day off in 3 weeks after. I have been questioning what I am doing lately. I am probably financially OK to retire right now. This past week has been rough for me and today has been the worst, I did not sleep all weekend due to stress from this business.


Some good friends of ours (the same ones we were on vacation with) purchased a $4 Million building last year.  They just got offered 9 Million to sell it to a burger chain. They are seriously considering selling the building and moving their 3 businesses to another location.

I am in the same boat, if I can double my money on this building now (that was my 5-10 year plan) I might go for it. I doubt they will go for it, it cannot hurt to try.  If they do, I will downsize this company to 1 crew and 1 drafter and lose a few problematic clients to just stay busy but not slammed like I am now.