Running Bear's September 2022 Coffee Shop

[Sirfoldalot]

KEN -- Am I seeing correct that you have 45 plus panels?
Are these the standard size?
I only have 19 panels - and have never had a bill other than $10.00 a month for the use of SEC's power lines - and have received about $100 a year refund for excess power produced.

DAVE PV - That's good - cut down that power use! LOL

I've noticed that we have pretty good coverage of high cirrus clouds this morning.
The forecast is for a high of 103 today!

 

[Espeefan]

I've been self-employed full-time since 1995. I've been audited twice. Each time they found a mistake. I disagreed; they called it a misunderstanding. All I had to do was to pay the correct amounts. No fees, no penalties. Good thing it was two different mistakes/misunderstandings.

I was audited by the state of Maryland once as well. Same thing. Pay what they say I owe, no penalties no fees.

Seems to me the IRS is only looking for criminals. I think it's more likely you would get attacked by bigfoot than be a victim of an IRS swindle.

Beware of people trying to frighten you. Don't worry about the taxman. Unless you took out loans on a lot of underreported, overvalued property.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

That’s been my experience as well. Unfortunately if you actually want to find out what’s what anymore you have to do considerable digging and your own research. We have no more news that isn’t market driven. Some folks years back thought it would be a great idea to get rid of the fairness doctrine which required networks to present both sides of an issue. This opened the floodgates on news stations pointed at specific audiences with limited regard for impartial reporting. Now we have a series of thriving manufactured outrage machines ginning up fear at both ends of the spectrum. It’s downright exhausting.

 

[bnsf971]

In general I found the state tax agencies were much more aggressive than the Feds.

Every year, my wife got a bill from the Kalifornistan Franchise Tax Board, demanding income taxes from what they estimated she earned. Every year, she was forced to send them copies of her W2 forms showing she only worked in North Carolina, and did not live in that state. When I got this year's demand for payment, I simply tossed it in the trash. Let them sue her.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

My panels are standard size. I noted that when I was comparing systems.
Some perform much better than others.
Mine also have inverters on each panel.

 

[logandsawman]

I am not afraid of the IRS even though they are intimidating. I pay my taxes but have been audited 3 years in a row. I was treasurer of a social do-Gooder club in the 80’s. The guy before me was embezzling. $60,000. + over 10 years. I found issues my 1st three months in and reported it. The State IRS was more concerned then Federal so they did quick audits on me and the Club the 3 years I stayed on as Treasurer. The Federal only one year in that time frame.

people IMO are over reacting to PayPal, EBay and others about the tax thing. If we are selling trains, does anyone really think the Federal IRS is coming after them. Nope unless you are a huge brick and mortar shop. The States though are who pushed through those changes. They want the share of sales going through PayPal, EBay, Venmo and others. But if you sell say $5000 on PayPal and your state sales tax is 5% why wouldn’t you pay the $250.

just my thought, YMMV

I had something called letter audits back in the early 80's. I was self employed at logging and made less than $10,000 per year. They were asking for 1 or 2 hundred $ and I just paid them as was much easier than hiring an accountant or fighting with them, took the easy way which I expect a lot of little people like me did. They raked in millions then a few years later they got raked over the coals for going after a bunch of insignificant people.

PayPal - taxes for my state were automatically deducted, as most vendors I deal with already pay the sales tax. They can't really estimate income tax because the basis is unknown to them. In most cases, the items are sold for less than they paid for them, so no gain or tax liability.

I always report all my income, if there are other misunderstandings I don't think they will fine unless grossly negligent, in my opinion.

 

[McLeod]

Late morning hello!

Spent two days shopping for a new vehicle. Actually, that should read I wasted two days. What I found out was you can pick up a new vehicle if you have very deep pockets and like black, silver, or a dark grey. 2023's arn't out yet; at least not here.
Now, we've decided we are just going to repair our paid-for truck back into 'like new' condition. It's a 2013 with 106,000 miles on it. She's going in for new tires this afternoon, and a mechanical work-over next week.

Here's a few left-over photos taken this past summer, that is quickly turning into autumn now.

I've been careful to select photos from my files that don't have poles growing out of the engines. Willie was making fun of me the last time.

Oh ya! I found this signage on the side of a truck-n-trailer. Thought of at least one person in here that might be interested in printing it out for their layout:

Have a great day, folks!

 

[logandsawman]

Late morning hello!

Spent two days shopping for a new vehicle. Actually, that should read I wasted two days. What I found out was you can pick up a new vehicle if you have very deep pockets and like black, silver, or a dark grey. 2023's arn't out yet; at least not here.
Now, we've decided we are just going to repair our paid-for truck back into 'like new' condition. It's a 2013 with 106,000 miles on it. She's going in for new tires this afternoon, and a mechanical work-over next week.

Here's a few left-over photos taken this past summer, that is quickly turning into autumn now.
View attachment 151039
View attachment 151040
View attachment 151041
I've been careful to select photos from my files that don't have poles growing out of the engines. Willie was making fun of me the last time.

Oh ya! I found this signage on the side of a truck-n-trailer. Thought of at least one person in here that might be interested in printing it out for their layout:
View attachment 151042

Have a great day, folks!

Nice pics, Guy

At 106,000 the truck is barely broke in.

Dave

 

[Bruette]

Sherrel and others - I was reminded of some posts earlier in the week when the government of Kalifornia decided to outlaw the sale of gasoline vehicles by 2035. Then yesterday the utility authority told everyone not to charge their cars because the electric system was strained! There's just 400,000 EV's out there now, and 15,000,000 gasoline powered vehicles. What's going to happen when there's 16 million EV's???

 

[santafewillie]

Willie, on a related subject, our guv, if I heard him correctly this morning, ordered all ships docked in Ca ports to not use shore power and run their engines to use their own power!! I will be doing my part between 4pm -9pm and manually operating my turnouts............

That's the answer, burn some diesel and pollute as well as release additional carbon emissions.

 

[ctclibby]

Nice pics, Guy

At 106,000 the truck is barely broke in.

Dave

2013? Maybe, maybe not barely broke in. You are gonna find that all of that plastic stuff is starting to crack and that depends on temp swings. One day the driver door won't open, or the seat won't go either way. It gets worse. With Ford products, everything in the suspension is suspect between 100k and 150K. Did an 2008 Edge a couple of summers ago. Replaced everything suspension wise front and rear. Did not do the rack and pinion for steering. That was an 8 hour job, had to pull the engine to get'r all done. At least the Edge does not have a timing belt, but two chains so I was good to go there. Anything that is above 200K, plan on *lots* of stuff in need of repair or replacement. You really can not renew anything in todays world. Throw it away and get new/rebuilt. I could not get brake slave cylinder kits for the Edge, had to go with new; rotars too. Today's engines are a marvel of manufacturing with tolerances so close you might as well have a formula V race car that you need to physically warm up before you start the thing.

Hyundai's Santa Fe's 2005 timing belt just got replaced at the recommended 100K ( 108K in my case ). Put it all back together and low and behold the AWD was not working proper. Found that an encoder on the front axle had cracked which was nowhere near that belt replacement. Now pull the CV shaft and fix that.

Plastic, plastic everywhere. The newer the vehicle the more plastic it uses. I still can't believe that a $25K ( cheap ) car is a throw-away object. Kudo's to the folks that make them @ $120.00/Hr. In any event, I do think that you are better off just fixing the older stuff if you can do it yourself. Ya, you are kinda kicking the can down the road - but who cares?

 

[santafewillie]

I've never been audited, so I can't pass on any horror stories. Not much chance here in Texas anyway, since we don't have a state income tax. Saves citizens from the cost (in time and $$$) of being audited; and it's one less bureaucratic agency that we have to fund! They do make up for it with sales tax audits though, but I hear from small business owners that they can be pretty forgiving if you don't act like an a$$hole. Still have to pay, but usually no penalties. Garage sales and flea markets don't count. By agreement Amazon began collecting sales tax in 2012, long before many other states. They only collect the state sales tax, not any local taxes.

 

[logandsawman]

2013? Maybe, maybe not barely broke in. You are gonna find that all of that plastic stuff is starting to crack and that depends on temp swings. One day the driver door won't open, or the seat won't go either way. It gets worse. With Ford products, everything in the suspension is suspect between 100k and 150K. Did an 2008 Edge a couple of summers ago. Replaced everything suspension wise front and rear. Did not do the rack and pinion for steering. That was an 8 hour job, had to pull the engine to get'r all done. At least the Edge does not have a timing belt, but two chains so I was good to go there. Anything that is above 200K, plan on *lots* of stuff in need of repair or replacement. You really can not renew anything in todays world. Throw it away and get new/rebuilt. I could not get brake slave cylinder kits for the Edge, had to go with new; rotars too. Today's engines are a marvel of manufacturing with tolerances so close you might as well have a formula V race car that you need to physically warm up before you start the thing.

Hyundai's Santa Fe's 2005 timing belt just got replaced at the recommended 100K ( 108K in my case ). Put it all back together and low and behold the AWD was not working proper. Found that an encoder on the front axle had cracked which was nowhere near that belt replacement. Now pull the CV shaft and fix that.

Plastic, plastic everywhere. The newer the vehicle the more plastic it uses. I still can't believe that a $25K ( cheap ) car is a throw-away object. Kudo's to the folks that make them @ $120.00/Hr. In any event, I do think that you are better off just fixing the older stuff if you can do it yourself. Ya, you are kinda kicking the can down the road - but who cares?

To respectfully disagree...

Financial experts agree that the least expensive car to drive is the one you have. Of course, those with surplus money and a little pride do not have to be concerned with what is least expensive...

they just wouldn't be caught dead in a older car.

(this from the owner of a 1988 Chevy Suburban, original body with Minnesota rust, commutes to work with it 246 miles per week). The rest of the week I am driving our 2013 Sonic (showing no rust or broken plastic) (timing belt changed at 100 K according to Manuf. specs). A total of 630 miles per week.

One caveat - I do all maintenance and most repairs on the 'burby.

Dave

 

[ctclibby]

To respectfully disagree...

Financial experts agree that the least expensive car to drive is the one you have. Of course, those with surplus money and a little pride do not have to be concerned with what is least expensive...

they just wouldn't be caught dead in a older car.

(this from the owner of a 1988 Chevy Suburban, original body with Minnesota rust, commutes to work with it 246 miles per week). The rest of the week I am driving our 2013 Sonic (showing no rust or broken plastic) (timing belt changed at 100 K according to Manuf. specs). A total of 630 miles per week.

One caveat - I do all maintenance and most repairs on the 'burby.

Dave

Dave, maybe I did not word that just right. I am saying the same thing - better off fix'n old than buying new. I guess that i am old enough not to care what the car looks like ( body and paint has to be good though ) as long as it gets ya down the road. If ya remember, this is from an '86 Blazer owner.

 

[Patrick]

2013? Maybe, maybe not barely broke in. You are gonna find that all of that plastic stuff is starting to crack and that depends on temp swings. One day the driver door won't open, or the seat won't go either way. It gets worse. With Ford products, everything in the suspension is suspect between 100k and 150K. Did an 2008 Edge a couple of summers ago. Replaced everything suspension wise front and rear. Did not do the rack and pinion for steering. That was an 8 hour job, had to pull the engine to get'r all done. At least the Edge does not have a timing belt, but two chains so I was good to go there. Anything that is above 200K, plan on *lots* of stuff in need of repair or replacement. You really can not renew anything in todays world. Throw it away and get new/rebuilt. I could not get brake slave cylinder kits for the Edge, had to go with new; rotars too. Today's engines are a marvel of manufacturing with tolerances so close you might as well have a formula V race car that you need to physically warm up before you start the thing.

Hyundai's Santa Fe's 2005 timing belt just got replaced at the recommended 100K ( 108K in my case ). Put it all back together and low and behold the AWD was not working proper. Found that an encoder on the front axle had cracked which was nowhere near that belt replacement. Now pull the CV shaft and fix that.

Plastic, plastic everywhere. The newer the vehicle the more plastic it uses. I still can't believe that a $25K ( cheap ) car is a throw-away object. Kudo's to the folks that make them @ $120.00/Hr. In any event, I do think that you are better off just fixing the older stuff if you can do it yourself. Ya, you are kinda kicking the can down the road - but who cares?

You got the rubber and plastics degrading part right. My 2012 mileage Colorado has the rubber parts on the cowl cover nearly gone, but at 10 years, my '09 had the same issue. Just rolled 40,000 miles on that rig this past week. Yes, I've put 32,000 miles on the rig in nearly 20 months, but I bought it for that.

Guy: is it 106,000 miles or Kilometers? Either way that is a fairly low mileage rig, roughly 10K miles per year. You get much rust from salt on the roads? That would be your biggest vehicle killer.

 

[logandsawman]

Dave, maybe I did not word that just right. I am saying the same thing - better off fix'n old than buying new. I guess that i am old enough not to care what the car looks like ( body and paint has to be good though ) as long as it gets ya down the road. If ya remember, this is from an '86 Blazer owner.

Sorry, Todd

I know you have a beauty with the '86.

Dave

 

[troyphoto]

That's the answer, burn some diesel and pollute as well as release additional carbon emissions.

Evidently, CA is facing one of those Grid-stressing events due to heat.

The gov is in a damned either-way scenario. Let the ships pollute more to not draw energy from an overtaxed grid during a wide high heat wave.

From what I've read, it's a temporary measure to ease up on the power grid when SoCal will be running their AC a lot. Or camping out in Sherrel's train room since he's got solar.

 

[logandsawman]

You got the rubber and plastics degrading part right. My 2012 mileage Colorado has the rubber parts on the cowl cover nearly gone, but at 10 years, my '09 had the same issue. Just rolled 40,000 miles on that rig this past week. Yes, I've put 32,000 miles on the rig in nearly 20 months, but I bought it for that.

Guy: is it 106,000 miles or Kilometers? Either way that is a fairly low mileage rig, roughly 10K miles per year. You get much rust from salt on the roads? That would be your biggest vehicle killer.

Granted, the sun and salt can be killers. Our suburban was kept in the pole barn the whole time my Dad owned it, I have had it 4 years and it is usually parked in the shade.

The 2013 has been parked in the garage about 75% of the time.

Dave

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I got a 10 YO Honda CRV with 75K and a 2004 Ranger P/U with 225K.

Both are purring like a contented cat .. some terrible bumpy roads (can't understand how we can put a man on the moon, but can't pour a smooth piece of concrete?)
No salt to contend with and mostly hot weather - no freezing!

Wish I had not wrecked my 98 Dakota - I had just about rebuilt and painted it when, BAM, I rear ended someone!

 

[JeffH]

I enjoy doing maintenance on my vehicles. Disc brake rotors & pads are very simple to do yourself. Even fixing a bad wheel bearing these days is simple... On most modern cars, you replace the whole hub. Other than fluids, modern cars need brakes fixed more often than anything else.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I forgot where i was going with that!

My mother insisted that my dad buy a new car one time because the tires were 5 years old! He did!