Credit card interest rates can't just hit 18% out of nowhere because federal law caps them at 15%. Look, if we're talking about high rates, sure, they exist—and honestly, it depends on what kind of card you're holding, since some are sitting down at 7.5%—but let's not go overboard with the exaggerations here.
As for oil—some people swear by it, insisting it’s a must, but I was listening to this specialist doctor recently who actually argued the exact opposite. He said skip the oil entirely because it heats up way too fast, which just ends up making the burn feel even more intense.
I honestly can't say for sure if it's "healthy" or anything like that... but it definitely helps ease the pain. I don't even remember where I first heard about it, to be honest... The trick is to take some cool water, stir in a bit of baking soda, and then just submerge the burned area in it. Once the water starts getting warm, you just repeat the whole process over again...
Now, the thing is, I’m always accidentally searing my own fingers on the stove, so I know how to handle it. But if it were someone else with a burn in a harder-to-reach spot, I have no idea how they'd even manage to dunk it in there.
So, we’re heading over to a private practice run by Dr. Rosenzweig—it’s a father-son operation, actually—just so our little guy can show off his new baby teeth to them. - They don't take standard Medicaid or anything through the state, but they apparently accept some kind of supplemental private insurance... honestly, I haven't even bothered to look up the details of what it covers.
zvonkotelefonko said:So, basically, if I'm using a standard, say, green Visa card, I’m going to end up bickering with my aunt over whether she'll let me pay in installments—am I right? And while we're at it, I might just lose out on that cash discount too. 😢
Look, installment plans depend entirely on the agreement they have with the card issuer, and you lose the discount because you aren't handing her cold, hard cash—as my kid would put it, "real paper money."
2cool4school said:The cash discount doesn't apply if you're using a card, whether it's a standard debit or a revolving credit line.
That’s spot on. That discount is strictly for cash or money orders.
2cool4school said:It’s only for cash or a Visa debit—you know, that card where the funds come straight out of your checking account.
The part about the cash is right, and honestly, some places will even give you a break if you use a check. A Visa debit isn't a credit card; it's a debit card. And look, the second they swipe that card through their terminal, you lose your right to that discount. Why? Because every single "swipe" costs the merchant a processing fee from the bank. If they give you a discount on top of that transaction fee, they're basically throwing money away! They're screwed! Sure, to us customers, it feels like we're using "cash" because the money leaves our account immediately, but at the register, the merchant is still getting hit with those fees. It's not the same thing!
2cool4school said:How many installments a shop will let you pay in really depends on the store; some offer up to 3 months, while others might go as far as 24.
It all boils down to whatever kind of contract they signed with the credit card processor.
Look, you have to understand there's a massive difference between a standard American Express and a revolving American Express.
When you're using a basic American Express, your bill hits based entirely on whatever your billing cycle says. If you actually want to pay for something in installments, you can't just swipe and walk away—you have to pull up the cashier at the store and explicitly ask them to set up a payment plan. It's such a hassle.
But when you're using a revolving card? You don't have to say a single word to anyone. You just hand over the card, the clerk swipes it, they get their money, and that's it. You just settle up with American Express later according to your agreed terms, plus whatever interest they tack on.
Personal take—I’d much rather go into a negative balance if things get desperate than touch a revolving line of credit. I’ve been burned by one before, and I am never touching it again. Sure, the convenience factor is fine; you pay elegantly with your card, maybe get a 5% cushion for a few days depending on how they settle the books, and then stretch the rest over two years via Visa. But let me tell you, the interest rates are absolutely predatory. It feels like you’re constantly bleeding money because those interest charges climb at lightning speed.
Honestly, I’d sooner just take out a standard personal loan. Or, if we’re talking smaller amounts, I’ll stick to using my American Express or Diners Club, since they actually offer a few installments without hitting you with insane interest.
Harold Brown3, just one question for you? I was actually seeing Dr. Bates personally over at Mount Sinai Medical Center. What on earth is he even doing working out there in Rib?
If you aren't acting as a spark for that specific woman in your life—if you aren't actually fueling her fire—then frankly, you have two choices: A. find someone else B. take a hard, honest look at yourself
So, I finally went in for my checkup (that included an > and ultrasound—cost me about $250) over at Mount Sinai Medical Center. I actually got seen by Dr. Bates himself. I have to say, those people were incredibly kind... My heart is perfectly healthy (thank God), but there’s a little something going on with my left atrium that causes it to skip a beat occasionally. He assured me it isn't anything dangerous; it's more just an annoying sensation than anything else. Honestly, he really calmed my nerves—you know how I get, my mind starts racing with all these "what if" scenarios... I can genuinely say I feel better now. He did suggest that I should probably wear a Holter monitor sometime just to be thorough (he said there's absolutely no rush, though)
I’m starting to spiral a little bit here. About two weeks ago, I started getting this intense pressure right over my heart, and then out of nowhere, my heart just starts pounding like crazy—like it’s trying to push something through and failing. I went in for an ECG this morning, but since I felt totally fine during the test, they picked up some weird, abnormal rhythm and all these technical abbreviations that make zero sense to me. My GP wouldn't even give me a straight answer; he just brushed me off and told me I need to see a cardiologist. This isn't the first time, either—four years ago, a stress test showed tachycardia (though my doctor says it's not an issue now), and back then, the specialist recommended I wear a Holter monitor if those symptoms ever came back. And the worst part? This feeling is happening to me every single day now. I looked into Mount Sinai Medical Center, and they offer an exam that includes an ECG and an echocardiogram, plus whatever medication might be needed, for about $100. It’s not like I’m itching to spend the money, but they actually have an opening tomorrow afternoon.
Basically, I need to get a full cardiac workup done as soon as humanly possible (I mean everything, no cutting corners). The wait times at the public hospitals are just ridiculous right now. Even at the specialty heart center, they’re telling me I have to show up with a referral first just to get on the list, and then they won't even tell me how many weeks or months I'll be sitting there waiting. It's maddening.
Given how much time I'd waste stuck in those bureaucratic loops, I'm thinking about just paying out of pocket and heading to a private clinic instead. Prices seem to be roughly in the same ballpark across the board, and hopefully, I can actually see someone within a few days.
I really need some honest opinions and advice from anyone who has actually been through this at: 1. Mayo Clinic 2. Mount Sinai Medical Center 3. Cleveland Clinic
What has your experience been like? Has anyone actually dealt with them lately?
Noah Vaughn3 said:Kimberly Nguyen, look, I hear what you're saying, but it also "turns out" that if you're a doctor, you're expected to be poised, refined, and heaven forbid, you can't swear... but we aren't robots, we're people just like everyone else, and yeah, we curse and we act unrefined sometimes And here's another thing to consider—when I wrote that one thing... well, they were my words as a future physician. What, am I not allowed to feel frustrated? Am I not allowed to be angry? Am I just supposed to bottle everything up inside me? I'd be ready for an asylum at this rate. We need to blow off steam somewhere, and often it's the patients who push you to that edge, starting arguments until you just snap... because you're human... and this is my chance to finally let it all out, to throw it right back in his face, whether he deserves it or not It's a shame, but it happens
I honestly think you're overreacting now. When you work with people, YOU HAVE TO be both polite and composed... and yes, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO swear at people or scream at them... that should be considered standard behavior and part of your basic professionalism. Plenty of major corporations hire "mystery shoppers" to observe how their employees interact with clients. Personally, I think that’s perfectly fair because it’s the only way an employer gets a realistic view of how their staff actually behaves on the job. When you deal with the public (regardless of your profession), nobody gives you a pass to act however you please; you have to follow a code of conduct and maintain decency. Of course, there are certain people you'd love to just 🙂 but once you're done dealing with them, go into a breakroom or something and vent, scream, swear away... just don't do it right in front of them or toward them.
In front of a patient, there is no place to lose your cool (no matter how much they get under your skin), to swear, or whatever else. After your shift, go meet up with your friends to vent, or hit a boxing gym and take it out on the heavy bag.
By your logic, the lady at the local Target who has the nerve to insult your entire lineage because you tried on five pairs of jeans and didn't buy anything (since she's "frustrated") would be totally justified... I mean, >
I mean, all this bickering and bad-mouthing... it’s not going to get us anywhere. Honestly, I don't even know what we're supposed to achieve by fighting like this, but...
The bottom line is that our society needs way more tolerance toward one another. And let's be real, there's less and less of it every day. Just because someone holds a position of authority doesn't give them the right to treat the janitorial staff like garbage, yet that's exactly what happens all the time nowadays.
People working in healthcare—whether they're doctors or nurses—really need to realize they have, in my opinion, the most noble profession on the planet. They literally hold human lives in their hands. I say *human* because, at the end of the day, we are all made of flesh and blood. We are individuals with our own thoughts, our own fears... and fear is a nasty thing, especially when it involves your own life or the lives of those you love. Doctors need more than just medical expertise; they need to show actual human empathy toward their patients. Sure, there aren't many who do it that way, but they do exist.
And look, we patients? We come in all shapes and sizes. But it works both ways: just as patients develop different attitudes based on how doctors treat them, they’ll start treating you the same way. It's like that old saying goes: you reap what you sow.
I work with people too. Most of them are wonderful, kind, and respectful. Usually, they treat me exactly how I treat them (at least, that's the feedback I get). But there are always "those" people—the ones who seem to think I'm some lower life form they can talk down to or treat however they please. That’s a reflection of their own character, and frankly, I don't feel it's my job to raise them. I do my job, I say thank you, and I'm out. My conscience is clear, and I sleep like a baby at night. I can look anyone in the eye without a shred of guilt. If someone thinks I've messed up somewhere, believe me, I actually appreciate being told. There are things in your own life you just won't see, which is why you need people to point out your mistakes and oversights. You have to be a decent person and be able to tell yourself, "Okay, I can do better than that." You can't just turn your nose up and dismiss it as someone talking nonsense.
Benjamin Murphy2 said:It’s honestly disgraceful when people lash out at parents who rush their child to the ER in the middle of the night because they have a 104-degree fever. But you know what’s actually shameful? Parents dragging a kid in at 2 AM just because they’re "feeling nauseous." The kid hasn't even thrown up! Or those people who show up after being sick for four days claiming they "just couldn't take it anymore" overnight. Or worse, showing up at the urgent care clinic just because they want to avoid the morning rush! Urgent care is meant for emergencies—situations that are critical and can seriously deteriorate if you wait until tomorrow. It isn't a convenience store for people to visit whenever it suits them. Once people finally grasp that, maybe we'll see fewer arguments in waiting rooms.
Look, I’m sorry, but I’m not a medical professional here. If my kid wakes me up in the dead of night because they feel sick to their stomach—which implies something is genuinely wrong—I am not going to sit there and get angry at someone for driving them to the doctor. What do I know? I'm not a doctor. If the nausea won't stop, I don't want things to escalate into something much worse. And if, God forbid, something happens because I was too hesitant to seek help, then what? What then? Unfortunately, we tend to be most negligent when it comes to ourselves—it’s a common pattern in society. We push through fevers and other symptoms for days on end just because of work. I'm not about to sprint to the ER every single time I have a sore throat or a mild fever. If it lingers for a few days, sure, I'll call my primary care physician instead of hitting the emergency room, but if the pain becomes intense or unbearable, I'm heading straight to the ER.