Jeffrey Chavez6 said:I take back what I said earlier. Now that I realize that N4000 is just some dual-core garbage—I honestly thought it was a variation of the quad-core N4200. That’s barely enough to get anything done, let alone have a smooth experience. You’re going to feel the lack of power even during the most basic tasks.
https://www.amazon.com/search.php?q=+X540MA-DM141%2C Try to stretch your budget to this one instead. The processor is actually decent for the price, and you get a larger SSD too.
Well, damn. I would if I could, but I already placed the order a little while ago.
But fine, at least you spoke up. I don't understand why people are so afraid to share an actual opinion; isn't that the whole point of a forum? Isn't that why we're even here?
I caught a glimpse of those laptops mentioned above, so I figured I’d go ahead and start a new thread.
Does anyone have recommendations for a budget-friendly laptop? I'm looking at something in the mid-range, maybe even lower $667, just for basic "home use" tasks.
I was checking out a Dell with a quad-core processor, but it was priced a bit too high for me on Amazon.
It doesn't need an OS pre-installed; Windows is fine if it comes as Free DOS.
(I also happened to see some Infinite systems while browsing—is that anything new? If I remember correctly, doesn't Unix struggle with running Microsoft software?)
Joseph Watson3 said:Different people just have different priorities. What looks like stinginess or unnecessary deprivation to one person might not look that way to someone else—maybe they simply don't care for those things, or they think the value just isn't there for the price tag.
It’s a bit like a five-year-old trying to understand the perspective of a candy store owner. That kid spends all day staring at rows of colorful sweets, only to trade them for little scraps of paper. In the kid's mind, any sane person would just lock the doors and eat the whole inventory themselves!
Sure, but that’s not my point.
I’ll concede that everyone has their own habits and priorities, but you can't claim it's "normal" to live on nothing but toast for three days straight when you have a solid Social Security check coming in. Or you can't say it's normal to crave the most colorful candy bar in the aisle and then refuse to buy it.
We aren't talking about deciding whether you want a Chevrolet or if you'd rather have a BMW. This is something else entirely.
Donna White50 said:Personally, money matters a lot to me. It’s not about trying to hustle anyone else—it’s more about the thrill of the grind, building something from scratch, and actually earning my way... Financial security is also huge for me. While everyone else seems to be drowning in credit card debt, I prefer having my life totally paid off—no strings attached. I love the process of working, investing, and creating things, and honestly, I love providing opportunities for others to work and earn a living they can actually live on. To me, building something with passion is one of the biggest challenges and the whole point of life. I’m pretty low-key about spending, too. I don't see the point in blowing cash on stupid, overpriced junk that isn't worth the price tag. I still drive an old beat-up car because it gets me from A to B just fine—people think that's weird, but I don't need a luxury ride to feel important—but I *do* pour my money into building our house, traveling with my wife, grabbing nice dinners, and enjoying life... My parents were builders, too, in their own way. But unlike me, they didn't really have any hobbies or ways to unwind outside of work. They never traveled, never really saw much of the world or gained different perspectives, and they weren't in a position to help me out when things got tough.
I often think about how people who build big things should probably spend a good chunk of it, too. Why? Well, because people who just spray money everywhere set a terrible example for their kids, who then grow up without any sense of value. And why would we blow everything we earn on flashy, meaningless stuff just to prove to people that we're "somebody"? On the flip side, being overly stingy and terrified that a single dollar might slip through your fingers is just as bad. Our time is our most precious resource, and it’s pretty foolish to deprive ourselves until the day we die just to save for... well, I don't even know what. One extreme is driven by ego, and the other by fear...
At the end of the day, how much I have is my business. Building things is what drives me; it’s my fuel. I get a genuine kick out of moving capital from one investment to the next, setting new goals, and looking back at what I’ve managed to pull off with just my two hands. As for what happens in 20 years? Maybe I'll sell everything and travel the globe, or maybe I'll leave it all to my kids... we'll see...
True, but as always, finding that balance is the difficult part. On one hand, you pinch every penny, only to find yourself agonizing over the cost of a trip after just a few days. $333And we all know how much easier it is to spend money than it is to earn it.
Let’s be honest: the title here is nonsense. We aren't talking about something normal, are we?
I won't drone on forever, so I'll try to make my point concisely, though I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.
I see it all around me—and maybe I’m guilty of it too—people who grew up with nothing and spent their entire lives grinding just to build something substantial. They sacrificed everything to get there. But then they hit this certain age where their children are well-off, their grandkids are comfortable... yet they haven't changed one bit. They still obsess over every single cent, treating a cheap bottle of Jack Daniel's like it's some grand luxury.🙂
And I’m not even talking about your average retiree. I’m talking about the people who actually built something through sweat and grit on construction sites or in tough trades.
Some might argue it’s just a generational thing, but I see plenty of examples of this happening right now.
Personally, I can be pretty frugal, but I’m not so sure I could ever go to such extremes, even for my own flesh and blood.
Jack Young said:I'm pretty sure you can't add siblings to your plan, though you usually can add parents... but hey, maybe give us a few more details. Like, what kind of insurance did they have before? Are they currently unemployed?
I am not insuring anyone. I simply live in the same household, and apparently, I need to provide proof of kinship to show they aren't covered under my plan.
I have a quick question for those who are a bit more experienced with this process 🙂
Can someone please clarify this requirement for me?
"Proof of relationship for every family member not covered by the applicant's health insurance (photocopy of a marriage certificate or a photocopy of a birth certificate issued within the last 6 months)"
"-A photocopy of a birth certificate issued within the last 6 months (to be submitted by single retirees or individuals without a spouse)."
Let’s say I am the primary applicant and I need to include my parents, my brother, and my sister. What exactly is required here? Do I need to provide marriage certificates for my parents and then birth certificates for my siblings?
I’ve started the installation process, but I have a few lingering doubts about which version I should actually be using.
The original setup was Windows 7 Home, so that’s what I went ahead and downloaded.
Does anyone know what the actual difference is compared to the other versions? Is it even worth switching to something else, like Windows 7 Professional?
Is there a significant enough difference to justify the move?
This question is primarily aimed at those in the 25 to 30 age bracket.
Even though today’s generation is coming of age in a completely different landscape than previous ones, maybe we shouldn't overthink the planning process too much—after all, life has a way of flipping upside down before you even realize it, doesn't it?
Do you, specifically, have set goals for when you hit that 25-30 mark? Where do you see yourselves based on a five-year plan? I'm looking at this from the perspective of someone who finished college and is now navigating that phase where career, family, and trying to actually enjoy life all collide at once.
Have you sat down to crunch the numbers regarding income, saving for a home, or just general lifestyle costs—only to realize you can't travel as freely as someone with a significantly higher net worth?
We live in a world where everything is instantly accessible, and everyone seems to be chasing a lifestyle that is far more extravagant than what is realistically attainable.
And really, should a serious adult at 30 already have their entire life mapped out through 35, or is it simply a matter of playing the hand you were dealt?😛
rustywalker42 said:Every other day there's some story about these super-mega-hyper-genius young prodigies who "made it." I usually just tune them out—honestly, I’ve always felt the same way about this stuff—but this one actually made me want to start a thread. 😁
So, here's the deal: this woman speaks six languages, she's lived in every major cosmopolitan hub on the planet, she's got two master's degrees, and a PhD—all fully funded, mind you. Everyone just hands her stuff for free. The world's top designers and photographers are all begging to work with her; everything just lands in her lap without her even breaking a sweat. they just call her. On top of that, she sings in two massive Chinese pop bands and now, in her late 30s, she's performing with a symphony orchestra.
Oh, wait, forgot to mention: she's launching a luxury jewelry line because, you guessed it, they called her.
And again, totally slipped my mind: she's also designing a high-end furniture collection because, surprise, surprise, she was invited.
What I want to know is: what do you guys think of these stories? How much of this is actually real, and what's the point of them besides pure self-promotion and selling this illusion of success?
Or am I just some bitter loser who didn't "make it" and is now just here to spread envy on a forum? 😁
There are certainly plenty of brilliant, talented young people out there, but if my life has taught me anything, it's this:
1.) Behind the vast majority of these "prodigies" stands a set of parents or a support system that invested heavily in them.
2.) You can be incredibly talented and still end up as just an average freelancer; to reach the next level, you need someone to push you through the door.
That means politics, or someone connected to politics—not necessarily you directly, but usually some wealthy patron. It isn't a guarantee of success, but it gives you the opportunity, and if you're smart, you take advantage of it. 😉
I’ve run into a frustrating issue with night sweats, specifically centered around my head. To make matters worse, the odor is quite pungent; by the time I wake up, my pillow smells terrible.
My bedroom stays pretty chilly—there's decent airflow coming in, the radiator is barely turned on, and the temperature usually tops out at around 62 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.
Yet, despite the cold, I wake up with a pillow that is absolutely drenched and smelling of sweat.
To give some context, I do sweat when I'm being physically active or when it's hot outside—perhaps a bit more than the average person, especially from my head—but it isn't nearly as extreme as those drastic medical conditions you see described online.
The rest of my body doesn't seem to have this issue; at least, not to any significant degree. My underarms are fine and my undershirts don't smell... it's just my head.
I should also mention that I'm 24 and experiencing quite rapid hair loss, so I can't help but wonder if there might be some connection there.
dustytinker52 said:Don't worry, I haven't cast a vote in years.👍
And this whole Democratic Party thing? Honestly, it’s just pathetic... total gay alert.🐔
Why? Honestly, I think if you actually saw Kamala Harris up close, you’d be terrified. From a distance, she seems fine, sure. But that Democratic Party candidate? She’s the ultimate nightmare for any woman in America.😁
It’s true—he completely neglects his lower body, which makes the whole look a total disaster. But let’s be honest, the guy has undeniable charisma. If we’re going to get into the meat of the matter, even John F. Kennedy knew how to pick them.
For God's sake, you sound just like those people who claim they'll vote for someone simply because they find them sexy. Is that really where we are now?
The only thing I can say for sure is that if you were in a different political climate, you'd probably be voting for the Democratic Party and John F. Kennedy.
This isn't strictly a political question, nor is it necessarily about policy, but I think most people here know exactly who I’m talking about, so we can actually have a real conversation.
Basically, this individual—much like his predecessors at the top of both the party and the Cabinet—hasn't been particularly functional, hardworking, or capable of delivering actual results.
But let's be honest: Tom Price has always been the most negatively perceived politician out there.
Is it possible that a major reason for this is simply his appearance and his overall personality? It seems like he’s always preferred staying in the shadows, and that clearly suits him better.
When you step up as a party leader, you're expected to smile, to be visually engaging, and to speak clearly and interestingly rather than just mumbling through a speech.
This man simply didn't possess those qualities, and in my opinion, that's a massive factor in why he's so unpopular.
P.S.: Seriously, I am being quite earnest here; I'm genuinely curious to hear what you all think.
Paul Thompson3 said:So, this is exactly what the OP is getting at. Are we saying if someone is a teenager, their opinion doesn't matter? That they need to be "taken down a notch" because of their age—as if that actually changes anything? It feels like a systematic way to crush any attempt at building a healthier, happier society. Most adults just end up being losers who folded to a system designed to favor the worst among us. The kid called the emperor naked because, honestly, a teenager hasn't been spiritually broken by the world yet—they still see things for what they really are. 😉 And your response would be, "Quiet, kid, you don't know anything." Teenagers still have that raw, childhood honesty left—they spot something, and their brains actually work.
That’s why being a teenager was such a grueling era for most of us—it's that specific window where the world starts trying to break you, and everything good left in us fights back against it.
I am not (perhaps unfortunately😁) a teenager, nor am I naive enough to pretend we are on the same wavelength. See my response below.
John Baker said:You can't walk into every single interaction with your whole soul laid bare, and frankly, you shouldn't. Sure, there are deep, genuine connections worth having. But it’s only logical that when you have to deal with people forced upon you by your job or your neighborhood—people you didn't choose—you just go through the motions.
I don't have any desire to build deep bonds with everyone I meet. My goal is to be polite and professional when I interact with them, but I don't believe in sharing everything with every person I cross paths with...
That is all well and good, and I agree it isn't necessary, but that brings me back to my original point.
This whole concept of "going through the motions"—take having a massive list of people on Facebook, for instance. We chat with them, like their posts, or interact out of some vague sense of utility or necessity, even if we barely know them. There is absolutely zero emotional weight behind it.
To put it bluntly, I won't overexplain myself here.😁
Simply put, we are becoming people with multiple faces. We are one person with our families, another version of ourselves with close friends, and a completely different third person with everyone else.
And when you engage in conversation? If you aren't incredibly green—or if you haven't been worn down by life—you will say plenty of things without actually saying anything at all.
It's all surface-level: "How's work?" "Oh, it's fine, keeping busy." That's it. You're never going to actually relax and talk about how the job really feels or what your actual impressions are.
I’ve spent plenty of time posting and reading threads here that touch on the breakdown of trust, betrayal, and pure emptiness...
What fascinates me more and more every single day—even if I realize people have to play by these shallow rules just to survive—is how effortlessly people toss words and sentences around. There is this terrifying ease with which people respond without a shred of empathy.
Let me break it down for you in two points:
1.) So many people—and let's be honest, maybe all of us—talk about others with such reckless abandon, yet they lack the self-awareness to talk about themselves.
2.) There is a profound hollowness in modern communication. Everything has become a performance of nodding and smiling. People offer responses without having any clue what you’re actually saying, what you’re talking about, or how you even feel. They just want to say *something* back, even if they haven't given a single thought to the substance.
Does this entire culture teach us to stop fighting an uphill battle? Does it tell the small minority who actually care to just give up and become soulless shells ourselves, perhaps limiting our humanity strictly to our immediate families?
darkowl72 said:It shouldn't take more than an hour, maybe two at most, though I doubt it'll even take that long. If your drive is nearly full or incredibly fragmented, it might drag on a bit, but we're talking minor delays... Anyway, you can technically stop it, but if you do, you'll be stuck waiting for the system to clean everything up and finish its business. Don't get impatient; even if it feels slow, don't force a shutdown...
So, which service are we talking about?
tried running a defrag...
I keep getting this, and after trying it a few times, I honestly don't see any actual progress being made.