Ask MetaFilter

Our daughter attends a small family (in-home) daycare here on the SF Bay peninsula, and we'd like to give the owner and her (one) staff a Christmas gift/bonus. We've been thinking about giving cash because, frankly, we just don't have the energy for a truly thoughtful gift with a 10-month-old. The daycare itself is a marvelous value at $1500/mo, and we are exceptionally happy with it. The question, though, is how much is appropriate? We don't want to be showy, but also have no reason to be stingy.
posted by TheNewWazoo at 8:42 PM - 5 answers

I am working on a project (a series of workshops) with two other people. We are using Google Docs for collaboration between the three of us. Also, email. Also, there are documents which I save on my own hard drive. Is there any way I can corral all this fragmentation in one place? [more inside]
posted by elf27 at 12:20 PM - 5 answers

I've been slowly trying to move from my current position (academic librarianship) to something with a better fit. I'm looking in a two very different directions - data science and counseling psychology. How do I figure out my path forward? [more inside]
posted by Sock Meets Body at 7:32 AM - 4 answers

I love a condo in Denver. My Realtor and mortgage broker both say it's not approved, so no way I can make an offer. The building has not received approval, because "the market is strong" and they won't deal with the process. At this price, the only mortgage I'll qualify for is FHA. Is this correct? Other people have said I can apply on my own, not disclosing my type of mortgage in the offer. So confused! Any advice is much appreciated.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 9:30 PM - 10 answers

I'd like to get better at financial recordkeeping and personal accounting. I have a creative practice that brings in income (but which I have no interest in monetizing), and which I often file a Schedule C to claim deductions for. If you're someone in a similar situation, I'd like to know how you handle personal accounting, what software you use, and anything else I should know. [more inside]
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:15 AM - 3 answers

Finished grad school, struggling to get job interviews. How do I figure out what I'm doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by Penguin48 at 8:23 AM - 23 answers

This question prompted by this post on the blue. Hiding salary information is bad for workers, especially bad for women and minorities, and good for employers. So I feel a lot of pressure to be more open about mine. Simultaneously, I find sharing the information terrifying and worry about the consequences to myself. I would appreciate hearing stories (the good and the ugly) about times you have shared your salary or other people have shared their salary with you, and any advice from HR/other about the safest ways to do this.
posted by Cozybee at 10:06 PM - 24 answers

I saw a great post a few years ago with a link to show a toxic workplace. I'm trying to find the link and wondered if anyone had it handy? I think the author was something like Izzy??? Thanks a lot [more inside]
posted by Flowerpower at 11:44 AM - 4 answers

So I create artistic teapots. 6 months ago I retired the business due to personal reasons. I just had a conversation with someone who might be interested in taking it over. What exactly am I selling and how do I figure it out? [more inside]
posted by Vaike at 11:38 AM - 4 answers

Last year at this time, my main client (70%+ of my income, eight-year history, well paying, reliable) asked to move to a 'day rate', on the basis that they would be giving me an additional week's work a month. I agreed a discount representing 10% off my previous hourly rate. The additional work has not manifested, client is still being wishy washy on hard dates and I am hundreds of pounds poorer for it. Can I somehow walk this discount back when we sign our new contract? Or should I chalk this one up to experience? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 10:05 AM - 7 answers

I'm getting set to take a position in Japan for a year or more. I have a recurring payment I make to a friend on a money transfer app - PayPal usually - which then charges my credit card. But now my paycheck will be going to a Japanese bank. So can I pay my US credit card with a Japanese bank? And if so, what specifics should I expect? (transfer fees etc)
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:11 PM - 4 answers

I've been doing some technical translation work for an automotive company, and was asked last week if I'd like to proofread/edit the Japanese employees' English translations as well; this would involve going through the original Japanese and verifying that their corresponding English translations are accurate. I am not sure how to price this sort of work. Based on my current translation rates for said company (see inside), what do you think would be a fair price that neither party would be dissatisfied with? [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 5:35 AM - 8 answers

Did you move to an EU country without a family or ancestral connection? I want to hear how you did it and what the experience was like, in as much detail as you're willing to share. [more inside]
posted by enn at 5:21 AM - 11 answers

When you donate to a charity at the check-out line at the grocery store or other shop, does the company get a tax deduction? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 4:39 PM - 5 answers

Have you taken a big pay cut to achieve work-life balance? I'm interested in hearing from people who chose to drop out of the rat-race for a less stressful job. [more inside]
posted by smokyjoe at 3:44 PM - 35 answers

I'm unhappy at my job and I've been looking for a new one for the past few months. My (9 month long) probationary period ends in January which means my notice period will go up from one week to three months. I've had a few interviews recently so I'm reasonably confident I can get another job, but I'm worried no one will hire me if I have to give that much notice. I'm wondering if I should quit my job at the end of my probation period.
posted by Chenko at 12:56 PM - 18 answers

Can it be done? Or should I just be planning my escape route? Some of the incidents I am thinking of are trivial—passing offensive comments from senior people—but some are not and have serious implications for my job prospects. (Things like the roles I get assigned to, how my work is valued relative to comparable work by white peers, my promotion prospects). Is there any way to address this meaningfully, without having a terribly confrontational and potentially damaging talk with senior management? [more inside]
posted by Aravis76 at 2:06 PM - 14 answers

I just demo’d a work in progress to professional colleagues. The objective was to get feedback and make changes as required. I got lots of feedback! The problem is I felt like I’d been beaten up afterward. I have 3 interrelated questions: How do I take it less personally? How do I focus on the constructive criticism? Can I broach the problem with a colleague? [more inside]
posted by LRAD_der at 1:02 PM - 25 answers

Our group--about 100 to 150 people--is having a holiday party next week in a restaurant, in a private back room. The big boss is suggesting we plan some kind of game(s) with "brain teaser" type questions. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 10:32 AM - 13 answers

I sometimes find myself in situations where I am supposed to wear both a mask and eye protection. However, when I put a mask on, my eye protection fogs up. Is there a solution to this age-old problem? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:49 AM - 26 answers