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In the past week, I have received email notifications for orders I didn't make at Dick's, Cabela's and Academy Sports. The billing address is my previous address, the shipping addresses are local to my previous address but unknown to me, and the card numbers used are not cards I own. What's going on here, am I at risk, and can I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by my log does not judge at 3:17 AM - 7 answers

I'm an artist with an arts blog, and one of the readers generously sent a sizable donation this year. Do I have to pay taxes on that? Do they? [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 12:24 PM - 9 answers

In the US we have a pretty serious lack of qualified plumbers, electricians, carpenters, machinists, auto technicians, etc. For many people who own homes and cars, safe and sustainable maintainance is price -prohibitive. I am curious if this is a problem in similarly developed countries, and if so what the causes are. Personal experience, professional reporting, marxist/labor econ analysis and scholarly economic analysis are welcome. [more inside]
posted by Summers at 8:56 AM - 28 answers

Options for family between health insurance coverage [more inside]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 6:51 AM - 6 answers

So....I'm 2 months into a job. And I just got presented with a performance improvement plan today - and I kinda think they have a point. Please help me navigate the next 30 days and keep this job. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:09 AM - 11 answers

I'm applying for a job with an environmentally friendly cleaning company. They say that no experience is required, but I do have a small amount of cleaning experience from other jobs that weren't primarily about cleaning. Here's what's tripping me up: they want my cover letter to describe a recent challenge or obstacle I've faced, and I can't think of any that make me look good in a workplace setting. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 10:26 AM - 7 answers

This weekend I was watching an old episode of Columbo. He had some car repairs done and when he went to pay the mechanic, couldn't find his checkbook. He asked if they had a Counter Check. They did and he used that to pay. [more inside]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 3:46 PM - 13 answers

I was laid off (amicably, due to lack of work) on Friday. If I file for unemployment on Monday April 1st, what will be my base year be? Will my filing count as an April filing, or will it count as March since the week begins March 31st? [more inside]
posted by socktopus at 10:44 AM - 2 answers

Hi there! Ask.metafilter has always helped reinvigorate my past job searches, especially during times of uncertainty and burnout. So I'm back to ask for help! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:46 AM - 5 answers

My doctor suspects I have long Covid. Please help me think through the pros and cons of disclosing this to my employer, a private company in California. What are my legal protections? Have you disclosed this to your employer with positive effects? Who should I be asking about disability support? [more inside]
posted by nixtamalization at 1:30 PM - 5 answers

I'm trying to get current with my finances and I'm wondering if I can do this on my own. Covid was weird and I let some things slide but I'm trying get it all figured out now. Specifically I need to file taxes for 2022 and I also have some old uncashed government checks that would be nice to cash if possible. See below for details. [more inside]
posted by 12%juicepulp at 1:56 PM - 5 answers

I am a full stack developer in my mid-50's who is going to need a new job soon, who intends to work at least another ten years before retirement, and who is fully aware of ageism in the hiring process. I have very specific question about my resume and am looking for your feedback. [more inside]
posted by Lokheed at 7:44 AM - 11 answers

You are not my financial advisor: I’m not knowledgable about these issues, but my nephew has a chance to provide for his future—and he’s even less knowledgable than I am—but outstanding student loans could be a problem. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 6:13 PM - 16 answers

I'm really struggling with creating presentations. I need to show AI use cases (basically product recommendation engine) and other places "generative AI" can be used. The key is to sell this internally so sales, which has no understanding of AI outside of ChatGPT, can sell this to their clients who absolutely need to invest in AI. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this in a limiting presentation environment like PowerPoint or PDF? Keep in mind it must demonstrate how AI works in one of those boring consulting type presentations. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 3:46 PM - 8 answers

I am considering cancelling my long standing identity protection service which used to cost $16/month and now costs $20/month. Wire Cutter says it's usually unnecessary for most people. Any advice or suggestions? More details below. [more inside]
posted by forthright at 2:59 PM - 5 answers

I have a question about the policy/logic of swim passes where I work. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 2:22 PM - 5 answers

What advice do you have for paying off and resolving a six year old credit card debt from Wells Fargo? Details inside. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 12:07 PM - 10 answers

I started a single-member LLC last year. The easiest (but probably stupidest) way for me to infuse it with cash was to send money from my personal PayPal to the business PayPal. PayPal has reported those transactions as income on a 1099-K. How do I indicate on my taxes that it wasn't profit from an outside source, but me moving my money around? I'm using H&R Block's online filing system. There doesn't seem to be a way to ask it for advice until you're ready to file. [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 11:06 AM - 4 answers

My husband's boss, "John," is retiring this week. The two of them have worked together for several years. [more inside]
posted by cartoonella at 1:37 PM - 40 answers

Age 50. Recently sold my home, netting about $140K. Have some questions about short- to mid-term savings, risk vs. reward, etc. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:45 AM - 5 answers