How to fix clash royale To make this a little easier for me, I will refer to Clash Royale as CR and Supercell as SC.
I will admit that SC has been pretty generous. Giving us an evolution for under 100 gems, a free tower troop, Lucky Drops, and other stuff. In order to fix the game, you need to add things, change things, and delete things. I could say get rid of dagger dutches. Ban Mega Knight. Make E-Giant Nine Elixir. But that would not fix the game. I would make it 250 gems to change your name. This is a small change, but it would go a long way. Next is the way you get elite wild cards. I think that it should be easier to get. Here are my ideas.

1. Let’s say you have 800/800 common cards and get 200 from a lucky drop. You have the choice of 1000/800 or 200 elite wild cards.
2. You have a trader where you can trade cards for elite wild cards.

The second option will only be available when you have a level 14 card. This is an idea that should have been added a while ago: trading trade tokens.
You should be able to trade tokens with clanmates. You give them a legendary trade token and get two rare trade tokens.
Balance changes
I'm not naming all the cards, so skip that.
Evolution
Buff
Evo skeletons before the nerf
Nerf
Royal giant That card makes me want to smash my phone, especially when someone plays it in the pocket. If you use an Android that’s 4 years old, you’re cooked. You need to have amazing reaction time or have a card that can retarget the royal giant. It’s worse than ElectroGiant. Honestly buff The HP remove the knockback, and so many players would return to the game.
Shop offers
Add six emotes to the daily shop.
Add this new feature where you can get an emote that’s not in the shop for 300 gems. This doesn’t include limited emotes or the goblin crying emote.
and get rid of the 10x value.
Challenges Make the challenge: retry 50 gems, not 100. If it’s 50 gems, more people are likely to buy it twice or at least once.
Give new players two wild shards.
Finally, MAKE IT SO YOU CAN TRADE EVOLUTION Shards.
With all of this, the game will hopefully become fixed or better.

Looking for advice/thoughts on setting up ClickUp to manage both work projects and "life admin." I'm using the Personal Workspace Layout and have no collaborators.
I know that it's helpful to start as simply as possible and add complexity as it becomes actually needed. The thing is, I'm importing a few projects already underway (plus a lot of small tasks of varying value), and want to avoid defaulting to my familiar old systems without assessing whether they're actually working for me, or are a good fit for ClickUp.
Assess my setup and give me feedback on where to go from here! I've included a ton of detail on my current setup below. If it's TL;DR, my more general question is: Tell me how you set up ClickUp to handle both work and life admin projects. How are you using categories, status, priorities, tags, and task types? I'm having trouble figuring out how to use them, especially since there seems to be a lot of potential overlap between them. Or, what advice do you have for migrating to ClickUp with a couple complex projects already underway, plus a lot of small tasks?
For context, here's how I have ClickUp set up right now. It's pretty simple but I'm still not clear whether it's the right approach (and FYI, I'm not wedded to it at all), plus there are still lots of components that don't neatly fit anywhere in my current setup:

• I have ClickUp divided into three spaces: Active Projects (multi-step projects with clear outcomes and/or deliverables), Areas of Focus (task lists divided up by a broader work or life "area"), plus a space I'm ignoring where archived projects and messy old things live..
  • Under Active Projects, I have folders for each class I'll be teaching (and because it's summer, right now they're split into prep work for upcoming classes, and wrap-up for the couple last to-do items left over from the spring).
  • Under Areas of Focus, I tend to keep lists of professional admin and personal life admin tasks that aren't part of a larger project (like paying bills or rent.

Next, there are a few different types of things I'm trying to plan and keep track of. As mentioned, I'm not really sure how I should be thinking about them through the framework of categories, status, priorities, tags, and task types.

• Active projects with a specific, concrete outcome. Mostly these projects are longer-term things, sometimes with several potential paths they could take depending on results of earlier tasks, but other times they're just 1-2wk projects that have lots of little steps I need to keep track of. Some real-life examples on my list right now:
  1. Work: Set up a class I'll be teaching in the fall. I need to do a bunch of prep work for this, some of which is pretty clear (set up course homepage and revise syllabus to include XYZ things; revise grade breakdown using these rules, & implement breakdown in Canvas), and other of which is fairly inchoate (e.g. review these five texts and decide which to teach; find an open-source subject-specific text; refine course structure as needed based on the texts I end up using). Then, there are semi-ongoing tasks that will come into play once I'm actually teaching the class (e.g. prep/review the thing I'll be teaching next week; set up assignments due next week so they're ready to go when the start date rolls around; grade assignments X, Y, Z; a weekly review of the syllabus & update deadlines as needed). Then wrap-up tasks that happen pretty routinely at the end of the semester, and one-off "respond to X's grade query email" type tasks. (Many of these things could be part of a template, but I don't need to cross that bridge yet.) How to organize the giant project of "put together, teach, and wrap up X class"? What's the relationship between the big project full of kinda sequential steps and the small "Answer X email" tasks that I mostly put into a project manager so I don't forget about them?
  2. Work: Various small professional development projects that in the past I've thought of as a series of sequential tasks, e.g. "Apply for X grant" (in this case, small individual artist grants for $1k-$20k, not big, collaboratively-written NSF grants). Under "Apply..." is a list of five different pieces I need to put together, one or two of which will need multiple rounds of refinement, while the rest will be relatively quick and easy. This type of project usually comes together in a couple weeks or less, and typically I'll have several active at once. (I usually have a dozen others on my radar at any given moment, but only decide to apply for 1-2 at any time. I keep up with these deadlines via a Google Sheet and a sticky note on my Mac desktop, and in the past only brought them into a project manager once I'd committed to a specific deadline-driven thing, or if I needed a reminder to check on one that has a deadline that varies annually.)
  3. Personal: Research summer travel possibilities, map out a timeline that fits scheduling constraints and mode of travel (one subtask that's a small project in and of itself: research buying a fiberglass camper shell for truck, & if that makes sense to do we'll drive, otherwise we'll fly or take the train). This is still in the research stage, so there aren't many actual tasks yet, but will be in a month or so.
  4. Avocational: Facilitate a large, slow-moving bylaws revision project for an organization I'm involved with. I'm at the beginning stages of this one, but have a pretty good idea of the different stages of this project and what the path to completion will look like. It'll be a big project once it gets off the ground, but for now it's just in the "assembling ideas" stage.
• Ongoing & one-off tasks with varying priority levels (e.g. things I need to do regularly vs. things I'd like to do regularly but don't necessarily get to).
  • Necessary Tasks like paying rent and bills, which are typically pretty straightforward and non-negotiable. Also things like updating the finances spreadsheet I share with my partner, which ideally happens weekly but which realistically I don't get around to more than once a month if that.
  • One-Off Tasks that start cropping up, especially once the semester is underway (e.g. "Answer X email"). Some of these are essential, others don't need to happen (but should for a smoother semester), and plenty are totally optional but worth doing if I have the time. When I'm bogged down, I don't want to think about those totally optional tasks at all, but when I'm feeling pretty unencumbered, they're worth tending to.
• Other things I can't figure out how to classify/organize:
  • Backburner tasks & projects, both work-related and life admin. (How to label and filter backburner tasks that I need to do "soon" vs. "eventually" vs. "maybe, someday, who even knows"?)
    • Some of these are important but not yet active (e.g. applying for that aforementioned grant, for instance, which I don't need to actively think about until next spring when the deadline approaches, though I do often start drafting/refining materials in advance, so it's nice to have a clear holding place for those).
    • Others are aspirational (for instance, "Organize the garage" is a backburner task that will turn into a full project once I start working on it & actually identifying specific subtasks, e.g. put specific thing on FB Marketplace, or buy a set of storage bins). I'd like to clearly delineate between this sort of thing; I don't need to see "Organize the garage" unless I'm doing a big review of the backburner items once a month or so and moving a handful into active projects/tasks.
  • Mosquito tasks: These tasks should happen "soon" or "eventually," but they're not urgent and if they end up never being completed at all, that's usually nbd. Realistically I might do them in the next couple weeks, but probably not in the next few days. These kinds of tasks are helpful to keep in ClickUp so they stay on my radar (and one benefit of that is that for a task like "Email so-and-so to ask X question," I'll often end up drafting half an initial email in a comment, then forgetting about it for a few weeks and coming back to find that email already half-drafted). Mosquito tasks include:
    • Reminders (to check on an important or not-so-important upcoming professional deadline that hasn't been posted yet, & to keep doing this until that concrete deadline appears, at which point it turns into an actual task; upcoming birthday reminders; to get a book back from someone who'd borrowed it, etc).
    • Personal CRM, my most frequent mosquito task. I've done fieldwork around the world and consider keeping in touch with friends/colleagues/informants from faraway as part of my professional responsibilities (but not urgent whatsoever), so I like to keep these things on my radar without letting them distract me from my active, necessary tasks & projects.
    • Ideas, possibilities, and other inchoate things that ended up in ClickUp when I migrated from Todoist, some of which are basically just notes-to-self, and other of which are smaller tasks/projects that I may someday pick back up, all of which I feel sentimental about and don't want to get rid of even though I'm not going to sort through them regularly. These pretty clearly fall under "backburner" and "maybe, someday, who even knows." (Should I break the "Not Started" status into "Backburner: eventually" and "Backburner: maybe, someday, who knows" to delineate these?) Feel free to ignore this category!
  • A Morning/Evening Routine that should reset every day, regardless of whether I've checked every item off from the previous day. (This is probably the only sort of task I want to reset like this, and honestly it's pretty low-priority.)

Give me advice on how to organize all these things, please! Or just tell me about your ClickUp setup for work and life admin projects! Or give me advice for migrating to ClickUp with a bunch of tasks and a couple complex projects already underway, rather than starting from complete scratch!

I've been playing Balatro this week and I love it! But it got me thinking about ways to make a multiplayer mode out of it. Want to see what people think of this proposal:
Rules

• Players select their decks (can decide to make them pick the same one for balancing purposes)
• Players both start with scores A and B (A for player 1 and B for player 2 with both values starting at 0)
• Score Gap (G) starts at a sufficiently large number
• Each round consists of players playing their hand one at a time until they run out of hands (exactly the same as a 1 player round)
• At the end of the round we check if both players scores are greater than the minimum condition
• minimum condition for player 1 = B - G E.g. for round one, the minimum condition could be B - 500 where G = 500. If player 2 scores 450 in round 1, A is granted to progress to round two as A is greater than 0 and the minimum condition is -50 (assuming A doesn't decrease). The condition is the same for player two but we use A - G instead
• if a player doesn't meet the minimum condition they lose, leaving the other player as the victor. If both pass, they progress to the next round
• At the end of the round both players have an opportunity to buy cards from the shop before progressing to the next round.
• Score Gap (G) reduces after each round until it hits 0. E.g. it could exponentially decrease from round 2. This has the effect of making it very unlikely for players to overwhelm each other at the start, but by the time G is small or 0, one player is almost guaranteed to win (e.g. the minimum condition will eventually become A or B)

Things to think about

• The logic of the shop can stay more or less the same, but may need to be tweaked for balancing
• I recommend having both players start with the same seed (but can experiment with different seeds)
• Need to decide whether to incorporate turn advantage E.g. does it matter who plays first. With standard Balatro cards it is assumed that there is no turn advantage. However, we could experiment with new special cards, jokers etc. that effect the other player. In this case, balancing needs to be carefully tweaked
• Another game mode can be added where the minimum condition is the exact same as a standard game (the blinds). First player to lose a blind loses. If both lose, the player with the higher score wins

So curious to see what you all think!

I've been playing for a little while now and I have some questions. Some of them I probably already know the answer to.

• 1. Do all the clocks in Apalachia say 9:47? (I did find one that didn't.) [Where is this tab coming from, reddit?]
• 2a. Do you always start a session on Oct 23, 2105?
• 2b. Or does the date reset at at a certain time of the day real world time?
• 2c. Is everybody's date the same?
• 3a. Does your C.A.M.P. disappear when you log out? (I think I know this one.)
• 3b. If I hide my C.A.M.P. from the world map, can people still see it if they go to where it is? (I'm pretty sure I know this one. Yes.)
• 3c. If I'm in pacifist mode, can people still nuke my C.A.M.P.? (I'm hoping no.)
• 3d. Are there adjustable (up/down) spotlights for you C.A.M.P.?
• 3e. Do non-foundation floors in your C.A.M.P. need support? (I know this one. Just a single staircase will suffice.)
• 3f. I have the F.E.T.C.H. Collectron. If I get another one, can I use F.E.T.C.H. to collect things the other one collects? (This one seems obvious, but you never know.)
• 3g. If I name a weapon and put it in my vendor, will other players see the name I gave it?
• 3h. If your C.A.M.P. disappears while someone is on top of it, will that person fall to their death if it's a far enough drop? (Presumably, yes.)
• 4a. What time do the dailies reset?
• 4b. Or is it based on when you completed the task?
• 5. Is there ever a time when you get more S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points beyond level 50? (I'm pretty sure I know this one. No, you don't.)
• 6. Can you die from a disease? (So far, no.)
• 7. Can you recover from an addiction naturally? (So far, no.)
• 8a. How do you "nuke"?
• 8b. And what are the benefits?
• 9. If I automatically join an event simply by walking into its zone, can I hinder peoples' progress if I don't do anything?
• 10. Can you recover from diseases naturally? (I know this one. Yes, you can.)
• 11a. Can you get to Trusted with both Settlers and Raiders?
• 11b. Can you get to where either faction become hostile toward you?
• 11c. Are there other factions under "Reputation" besides those two?
• 12. Can you send friend requests to offline players? (I'm pretty sure I know this one.)
• 13. How long does it take for junk to respawn?
• 14. Is there a regular schedule for server shutdowns/restarts? (World of Warcraft is/was every Tuesday at 11:00PM MST (if I remember correctly) like clockwork. So far this just seems random.)
• 15. Is it cross-platform?
• 16. Are there other allies besides the ones you can get from the Atom Shop, Beckett, Sophia (the astronaut lady), and Raider Punk?
• 17. What happens if you fire a missile inside Whitespring Mall? (I know this one. Every robot in the complex becomes hostile and attacks you.)
• 18a. When do vendor's caps regenerate?
• 18b. Are all vendors linked? Meaning do they all share the same cap pool and "buy back" inventory? (I think this is a yes.)

Edit: Added question 3g.
Edit: Added questions 18a and 18b.
Edit: Added 3h.
Edit: Reddit is messing with the numbers... And the formatting (there's not supposed to be a tab after the first bullet-point).
(Reddit is being very weird... which I guess is actually normal.)

BitRefill is a great service that makes it easy for people to purchase gift cards and vouchers for a discount with their crypto.
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Character description: An assasin who mainly uses vats, blitz for taking down foes stealthily and ranged crits to toll the bell of death for any who see them.
So i have been wanting to do a survival run with this build for awhile, decided to do a more "standard" survival playthrough first to get to grips with the nit and gritty but that is over and now I am doing this, and I am curious how important if at all strength is.
My preliminary stat spread I was thinking of is (with the special book): S - 3 P - 1 E - 1 C - 3 I - 1 A - 9 L - 9 2 left over
However I am wondering if I don't have enough points into strength. My though process is mostly using blitz for stealth attacks with a stealth combat knife, maybe occasionally some use outside of that but not much, as outside of that I plan to use handguns mostly, and am not sure if the sneak attack damage will be worth it with poor strength, if that makes sense?
Another side note is perception, and if that is at all worth leveling up for the increased accuracy bonus, I don't think it is worthwhile, especially with how crits work, but I haven't done a vats build without perception before. Been awhile since I have done a vats build at all actually.
Armour: drip + ballistic weave
Weapons: deliverer until I can get an instigating 10mm, revolver for when I don't care about stealth, pickmans blade
Sidenote - charisma is low as I don't plan to do much settlement building this run, only thing I will be modding is armor for ballistic weave, guns and blades I will just buy and scavenge mods for. And don't need much caps either.
TLDR - should I put more points into strength and/or perception are they chill with where they are

What if there was a short squeeze potential, would a company benefit from buying the swaps? If there is a potential for a short squeeze, a short squeeze occurs when a heavily shorted stock’s price begins to rise, forcing short sellers to buy back shares to cover their positions, which further drives up the stock price. In this context, a company buying a swap related to its own stock could benefit under certain conditions:

1. Potential Gains from a Rising Stock Price: If the company buys a swap where it stands to benefit from an increase in its stock price (e.g., it receives cash flows based on the stock price’s performance), the short squeeze could lead to significant gains. The rising stock price would enhance the value of the swap. 2. Strategic Positioning: The company could use the swap to strategically position itself to benefit from the anticipated short squeeze. This could provide additional capital or financial gains that can be used for other strategic initiatives. 3. Market Perception: If the market perceives the company’s involvement in a swap as a vote of confidence in its stock’s future performance, this could further fuel positive sentiment and contribute to the squeeze. However, this would need to be managed carefully to avoid any negative connotations or regulatory concerns. 4. Risk Management: The company would need to ensure it has a robust risk management strategy in place. Short squeezes can be unpredictable, and the company would need to be prepared for potential volatility and market reactions. 

However, there are significant risks and considerations:

1. Regulatory and Legal Risks: Engaging in activities that could be seen as attempting to influence a short squeeze can attract regulatory scrutiny. The company must ensure that its actions comply with all relevant securities laws and regulations to avoid accusations of market manipulation. 2. Market Perception and Ethics: The company must consider how its actions will be perceived by investors, regulators, and the public. Even if legal, the ethical implications of potentially benefiting from a short squeeze should be carefully evaluated. 3. Financial Risks: Short squeezes can be volatile and unpredictable. If the anticipated squeeze does not materialize or if market conditions change, the company could face significant financial losses. 4. Disclosure Requirements: The company would need to be transparent in its financial reporting and disclosures. This includes how the swap is accounted for and any potential impacts on the company’s financial statements. 

In summary, while there is potential for a company to benefit from buying a swap in the context of a short squeeze, it must navigate the associated risks and regulatory considerations carefully. Consulting with legal, financial, and compliance advisors is essential to ensure that any such strategy is sound and compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

Ok retards listen up. Been seeing lots of degens writing small DD pieces of bullish or bearish shit. Y'all need to read this cos this is the whole fucking thing.
this is also basically my magnum fucking opus so upvote retards.
im also not some financial advisor or whatever just read this and make your own conclusions degenerates. Im not fucking liable lmao but i am balls deep @ .35 average now, its literally all I have on this earth.
TLDR: FFIE DD summarized, Margin wont affect longs the same way as shorts right now. Dont buy shares on margin though and get ready to supply collateral regardless. Short interest is up and some smart retards are on our side. Read the post to raise your IQ from 8 to 9 though. 🐻 🌈s mega fuk and even posting high level bear shit to scare us.
Compulsory 7 rockets so you autists dont start having a seizure or something:
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Basically been seeing posts about "blah blah margin this, short interest this, WS to clever blah". Going to split this post into distinct sections but im no english degree so dont expect any bear bloomberg level shit or something
FFIE is a fucking steal regardless of squeeze. Buy now or be left on a dying planet while we head to alpha fucking centauri.
So basically everyone here knows about FFIE the horsemen of the apocalypse coming to steal shorts lunch money. Some of our whales from the shut down roaring kitty board bought GME in 2021. Collectively we are fucking rich. As a unit, we are an eccommerce wizard, taking GME from a measly 1.3b market cap to over a $5 Billion company. Its now valued at $6.8 Billion, granted anything "meme" now gets money thrown at it like a stripper in a high flying strip club or some shit , so dont listen to me, so it may well be a bubble. Regardless the thing grew like bacteria doing binary fission on agar jelly 🚀🚀🚀🚀.
THEY SELL FUCKING PHYSICAL COPIES OF USED VIDEO GAMES. The market for that is like what? $1?. Electric Vehicles are going to the moon and is basically recession proof because of how clean and cheap is compared to other things for how much you get out of it. Any bears saying that FFIE cant compete with other EV are wrong. The 1,940.1 pound Formula E vehicle will be that hit 0 to 62 mph in 2.95 seconds and have a top speed of 150 mph already slapped heads in. They'll fucking do it again.
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
We regain compliance if we stay above 1$ we finished four consecutive days at 1 BILLION+ volume. This is the literal smell of money. Hold above 1$ it cant go tits up?
Now for some pussy boomer talk (aka fundametals or something).
Last november FFIE announced a cooperation agreement with Master Investment group and Siraj Holdings LLC. Establishing a sales entity in Dubai.
We are still trading at $1.13. The wedbush 1 year price target is $10.20. Over 10x.🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
I hear some chatter about the late 10q/10k filings that are late the reason for the delay primarily relates to staffing-related challenges in the Company’s Accounting group and deferred payments to third party audit consultants who have been assisting. The company is working to compile the information to be included in these reports, and I have no reason to think our boy Jonathan Maroko who is now the Interim Chief Financial Officer won't come through in a big way.
Dude has 17 years of investment and finance experience.
He's a rockstar.
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
WE got in this for the MOASS and the intrinsic value.
Now I know you autists are starting to develop short term dyslexia or something but keep reading. This could be the most important piece of shit you read in your life. How do you think I feel? My brains overheating just trying to write coherent sentences.
AVG earning estimate for 2023 is -47.97, for 2024 it is -15.39 which is a 67.91% YoY increase in earnings.
Maniacal. Thats all I need to say. The company is going to get to mars before papa musk and wont even break a sweat. When Earnings keep pushing every analyst who donwgraded them is gonna get ditched and upgrades will start to happen.
This is a steal. That implies some future higher price target right? Well here is my guess for a conservative price target based on the information above and also some more I probably forgot cos im a retard.
FFIE can reach a ATH market cap surpassing 5b. Here's where that gets interesting. THe minimum size to post on WSB is a 1.5b mkt cap. If this can reach that at 35$ a share, we can ride the meme wave easily surpassing 100$
I really dont understand the bear thesis. The only bear thesis ( short term this one) was that the stock would lose compliance and couldnt get over 1$ a share. We hit $3.80 from .04 in a week, the bear thesis is looking pretty WEAK.
Bears are betting against:
EV, one of the fastest growing sectors.
Remaining above a dollar when we have 1b+ volume for 4 consecutive days
Jonathan Maroko who has a stellar previous work history and 17 years of experience.
Reddit, twitter, stocktwits, and 4chan apes, now basically a collective whale.
I was in a discord with chinese and korean investors who are with us here and just as bullish They are showing up in force internationally.
We literally have mofos getting FFIE tattoos. You think they wont hold?
🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
All of Social media has now formed a shield wall against the bears
🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Some valid bear thesis left now (the only ones left) -- The planet gets hit by a comet destroying all life on earth.

1. Now some analysis on the short squeeze and some technical data.

Ok everyone on here and their cat, dog, bedbugs and wifes boyfriend knows about the squeeze. FFIE is the most shorted stock of all time and space. The squeeze makes every autist salivate because its basically free money while cucking big money out of like what 1% of their fund.
Although I know all you cucks hate shares, and hate holding, if the squeeze doesnt happen selling is probably the most retarded thing anyone could do. Its literally buy high sell low and you fucking disgust me. STONK ONLY GOES UP.
This squeeze is so monumental that its been sucking sharks in like fresh blood. Ive been in since $.25 with my few shares. If I had more money Id be buying but im just an unemployed full time caretaker of my mother. Im merely a medium for this money made information.
The stats for this stock now short wise are, from fintel:
Short Interest % Float as of 5/18/2024 95.37 %.
Short shares on loan now (This breaks the bearish margin calls affect longs more thesis): 36.3 Million
Shares left to borrow: 9,100,000
Shares left to borrow if we all switch to cash accounts and turn off stock lending: 0
Need rockets 🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀:
Ok so now if Reddit now owns an estimated 6-8% of the stock and we all know to move over to cash accounts now to avoid margin calls, we should be minimizing longs getting margin called. If we go to CASH accounts, or turn off share lending the shorts will not be able to borrow our shares to use against us
These shorts are in a circle of hell we cant comprehend and makes satan scared.
🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Cost to borrow is also up, estimated short interest a cataclysmic amount.
🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Seen a lot of talk about Gamma hedging and delta.
Market makers can get squeezed for that gamma, too. The more options open that expire in the money the more shares they will be on the hook to hedge for to be able to provide that liquidity.
Now weve established the likelihood of longs getting margin called is far smaller than shorts, on to the options distributions
We had 89,000 options contracts ITM mid day friday. If we finished above $1.5 that would be 8.9 million shares of gamma pressure shorts went all out gave it everything, and WE STILL FINISHED ABOVE THE DOLLAR.
Next week we have even more people.
🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀
Now lets compare this possible squeeze with others.
Bear in mind this is the most shorted stock of all time, but differences in free float change the share price differently.
Kodak went from $2.16 to $33.2
Volkswagen went from ~200 euro to nearly 1000.
Overstock went from ~$21 to $123
Blue apron went from $2.31 to $18
Gamestop went from $3.00 to $485
Gme market cap was 1.3b before it squeezed and finished above 5b
4b puts us at 100$
This shit can happen. Hold on.
Conclusion: Buy shares with cash not margin. Hold shares forever unless the world explodes. hedges bad, Shorts fuk, 🐻 🌈 posting bearish shit are doing weeklies for the second time after they expired red on friday, FFIE to $3.80 without squeeze, FFIE is still a value play, Good luck have
fun.
UPDATE: Short selling is restricted until the 21st credit to u/valaentius for the information
We now own 90% of the float, not 6-8%

The "glorious son" Ninurta – the offspring of Enlil (the father of the gods); was said in Sumerian mythology to have defeated the so-called "Asag" demon ("Asakku" in Akkadian) who was himself a manifestation of Enmesharra (the sinister god of the underworld; a Sumerian equivalent of "Satan") and to have uttered these words upon its defeat:
"From today forward, do not say Asag: its name shall be Stone. Its name shall be zalag stone, its name shall be Stone. This, its entrails (meaning its 'foundations'), shall be the underworld (the lower parts). Its valour shall belong to the lord (Ninurta)." – lines 310-330.
The text then continues: "The lord applied his great wisdom to it. (Ninurta), the son of Enlil, set about it in a grand way. He made a pile of stones in the mountains. Like a floating cloud he stretched out his arms over it. With a great wall he barred the front of the Land. He installed a sluice on the horizon. The hero acted cleverly, he dammed in the cities together. He blocked the powerful waters by means of stones. Now the waters will never again go down from the mountains into the earth. That which was dispersed he gathered together. Where in the mountains scattered lakes had formed, he joined them all together and led them down to the Tigris. He poured carp-floods of water over the fields." – lines 347-359.
On top of it he erected his Hursag (a Sumerian term meaning "mound, mountain" and it was intended as a "holy place – place of worship" of the gods).
Ninurta then compared all of the soldiers from the entourage of the Asag-demon and who had followed the Asag-demon into battle – to precious stones (which is why he addressed the stones one by one in the text and the soldiers are literally called "stones" and given a purpose that’s comparable to those of precious stones utilized in handiwork – to which Ninurta will give a purpose because he’s the god of craftsmanship among other things). He called them each with the name of a stone because he considered them each a valuable piece on top of whom to construct his puzzle by amassing them all together – piling them up basically like bricks, one after the other; giving each of them a new purpose and redeeming them in the eyes of Ninurta (because the soldiers or "stones" had accompanied the "evil" Asag-demon thus doing "evil deeds"; but now Ninurta took them in as part of his own entourage instead – and he thus redeemed them in his eyes giving them a new purpose).
They all became precious allies of the god Ninurta – and all of them had their roles assigned like stones in a construction or like the materials in the building of artifacts; essentially each of them playing a role in his creation, the new creation that the god Ninurta had established in the mountains according to the text (when he reclaimed the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and rearranged "the mountains" i.e. "the underworld" in order to block the destructive waters that come from the underworld which is called "the mountains" – "Kur" in Sumerian).
And the lord Jesus looked at Peter and said: "And I tell you that you are a Stone, and on top of this Stone I will build my church (my holy place, my place of worship)" – Matthew 16:18.
"And the hero Ninurta acted cleverly, he dammed in the cities together. He blocked the powerful waters by means of stones. Now the waters will never again go down from the mountains into the earth. That which was dispersed he gathered together." The Hursag which Ninurta had built would not be overcome by the waters of Kur (the underworld) now that he’s fixed everything together.
"And all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18) – the Church which Jesus had built on top of the Stone; the one which he had built will not be overcome by the gates of Hades (the "gates of Hades" or "powers of Hell" being intended as the "destructive waters of the underworld" by Sumerian mythology).
Furthermore in the Greek equivalent of this myth we have that: the Oracle which the lord Apollo erected on top of the demon Python will not be overcome by the powers of the underworld. Python lies safely beneath it, playing his assigned role in giving oracles, but completely dormant and thus the powers of the "underworld" have been stopped from causing harm.
"He's using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day – a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home." – Ephesians 2:20-22.
The Apostles were sinners before being called by Jesus, just like the "stones" that accompanied the "evil demon" Asag into battle; which Ninurta redeemed and took to be his companions instead.
"You yourselves are like living stones." – 1 Peter 2:5.
And the god Ninurta was claimed to have called each of them (the soldiers of the Asag-demon) with the name of a stone. He reordered the stones in his creation; because each and every one of them was equal in the eyes of Ninurta, and he respected them all – forgiving the enemy (the stones who had served in the entourage of the Asag-demon) and making them all one of his own – building on top of them by giving them each a role. (He addressed them each and used each and every one of them like a stone telling them what to do: "U stone (emery) […] since cornelian is polished by you, you shall be called by its name. And now, according to the destiny fixed by Ninurta, henceforth when U stone touches it, there will be pierced cornelian." – "Cu stones […] Since you cannot escape from his great strength, the goldsmith shall puff and blow on you with his breath. You shall be shaped by him to form a matrix for his creations. People shall place the first fruits of the gods on you at the time of the new moon." – "Sajkal stone […] they shall say to you "Be off with you, hurry!", it shall be your name. And now, by the destiny fixed by Ninurta, henceforth you shall be called a bad lot in the Land. So be it. – "Esi (diorite) […] when a king who is establishing his renown for perpetuity has had its statues sculpted for all time, you shall be placed in the place of libations and it shall suit you well in my temple E-ninnu, the house full of grace." – lines 419-478). The enumeration of the stones continues and Ninurta gives them each a role.
The "place of worship" erected by this pagan god was not so much a "church" – but rather a point from which everyone would get access to water, food and healthcare (being a god of medicine and healing) whenever they needed it.
The same way Ninurta enumerates all the precious stones that are used in craftsmanship and he lists every single role that they have (being the god of handiwork himself) – he will then the same way rearrange the soldiers of the army of the Asag-demon giving them each a new purpose and a new role; so this is what the metaphor of the text is trying to convey. He used the people just like the stones he utilized in building artifacts and into constructing his Hursag (and just as the physical stones will now block the "destructive waters" of the underworld – the same way the "figurative" stones i.e. the soldiers who are called "stones" as a metaphor; will protect the world from "evil" instead).

Not sure if this is a silly question, but I viewed a house last week and the third "bedroom" was small.
The floorplan online is saying it is 2.11m x 1.95m. So I think the answer is maybe it could fit a single bed (tight squeeze!) at a push. Also depending how the door opens and radiator position etc.
I didn't measure myself so not sure if that measurement includes the skirting board or not, either way it seems like it may just fit, or may just not fit. My gut instinct is saying it would just house a small double bed and not much else.
I don't plan to use it for a bedroom anyway, and prefer to use it for a storage space/ desk for myself and my partner so not an issue right now but I'm wondering if buy this house, and ever come to sell it will it be a problem?
I.e. if it can't fit a bed in it, does the house suddenly become classed as a 2 bedroom house? It feels like a daft question, but I'm genuinely not sure.
Basically I'm wondering how strict the use of the word "bedroom" is, and also do you think I should go for a second viewing armed with a tape measure and dimensions of beds from argos or ikea?
Whilst I'm not planning to use it for that, it is a consideration about if we come to sell in the future, that might be a requirement of buyers where it must allow for a bed to fit in. consequently making it lower value etc.
I'm not worried for my use, but I do worry about it making it harder to sell down the line. What do you think?
cheers

The stock may open up or down on Monday, but I personally think this recent news is good for long-term shareholders. In my opinion, it increases the odds of a payout substantially higher than the current stock price, and decreases odds of bad outcomes where current minority shareholders get screwed.
I think the most important bit in the story is “A person familiar with Ms. Redstone’s thinking has said that a breakup of the company is not a deal breaker, depending on the terms, but that she prefers to keep Paramount intact.” Put more directly, Redstone is ok with selling the pieces of Paramount individually, and liquidating the company - if she makes enough $ doing it. Her prior insistence on keeping the company intact was one of the major barriers to selling the company for a good price - it meant that any sale had to be done to someone who was willing to buy the whole thing. This severely limited the pool of buyers and depressed the end price - both because there were fewer potential buyers, and because those buyers didn’t really want all of the pieces. A sale in which all of the pieces go to their individual highest bidder is likely to generate substantially more $ - recent sell-side analyst reports estimate sum-of-the-parts break-up values in the high $20s - high $30s/share (see e.g. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/shari-redstone-faces-tough-choice-140000059.html).
Before this change, there were 3 likely outcomes for Paramount:

• Skydance deal/scam. Total screw job for minority shareholders. Stock likely ends up below $10/share - potentially substantially below.
• No sale to anyone. Company slowly circles the drain with no CEO, no strategy, no ability to make strategic changes, etc. Also a crappy outcome for shareholders. Stock probably trades for $10 - $12 initially and likely lower as the icecube melts.
• Sony/Apollo cash buyout. $18 - $20/share kind of payout depending on exact deal terms.

Now, the likely set of outcomes skews much more positive:

• Skydance deal. Much less likely (for reasons explained below).
• No sale to anyone. Much less likely (there are many more potential bidders).
• Sony/Apollo cash buyout for e.g. $18 - $20/share. Less likely but still possible.
• Pieces auctioned to highest bidder & company liquidated. High $20s to > $30/share.

If Sony/Apollo is in serious negotiations with Paramount about potentially only buying the movie studio and IP, then Paramount’s board will ask their investment bankers to a) value what they think all of the other pieces are worth (if they haven’t already), and b) try to get real bids for all of those pieces. They need to do this to compare deals for part of the company vs deals for the whole company. However, I think valuing and especially getting bids for the pieces of the company very likely kills the Skydance deal (if it wasn’t already dead). The reason is linked to a very recent Delaware supreme court decision (Paramount is incorporated in Delaware). On April 4 2024, the court held in In re Match Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation that in order for business judgment review to apply in shareholder litigation involving controlling shareholder transactions where the controlling shareholder receives a non-ratable benefit (a benefit not shared equally with minority shareholders), the transaction must be conditioned on approval of BOTH an independent committee of the board of directors, and a majority vote of disinterested stockholders. This basically makes it very difficult for Redstone to defend against shareholder lawsuits arising from something like the Skydance deal (where she gets bought out at a higher price than other shareholders) unless the deal is approved by minority shareholders (a Skydance deal woln’t be). To defend against such lawsuits, Redstone would need to prove (among other things) that the price paid to minority shareholders was “entirely fair”. This is really hard to do if Paramount had offers for the pieces that would have allowed the company to liquidate and pay e.g. $25/share, but instead minority shareholders ended up with a stock trading for e.g. < $10/share after a Skydance deal. Even worse, a high documented breakup value dramatically increases Redstone’s potential $ liability in such shareholder lawsuits. This is because damages in such lawsuits are calculated from actual losses suffered from minority shareholders - aka whatever a judge determines Paramount Global is actually worth, minus whatever minority shareholders end up with. E.g. if a judge thinks Paramount Global B shares are worth $12/share, and the stock goes to $10/share after a Skydance deal, damages would be $2/share * 652mm non-Redstone shares. However, if the board’s i-bankers get bids for the pieces that value the company at e.g. $25/share, and the stock goes to $10/share after a Skydance deal, damages could be $15/share - aka enough to take every $ that Redstone made from the sale, plus any other personal net worth that she has. I don’t think there’s any way that she (or anyone sane) would accept this potential liability. To me, this suggests that the Skydance deal is very unlikely to happen in a situation where Paramount is shopping its various pieces.
What do other people think? Do you agree with the above logic or not?
Note: Everything expressed in this post is just my opinion. I am not a lawyer or a financial advisor. Nothing in this post should be taken as legal or financial advice.

Hope this doesn’t fall foul of the ‘don’t ask for lists’ rule - I have a potential list but would really welcome some feedback from those who actually know what they’re doing.
For a bit of context, 40k was a big childhood deal for me but I am depressingly old enough for that to have been back in the days of 2nd edition (yep, I know) when Thousand Sons was not even a distant dream and basically everyone played Ultramarines and a lot of a game involved breaking out cutouts for the range of weapons. Clearly, because that is how time works whether we want it to or not, a lot has happened since then both in terms of real life and in terms of the development of 40k but I am now at a point where for better or worse I am considering indulging in a bit of a nostalgia itch that’s been building for a while and getting back into it - at least in terms of buying and painting some models, as a bit of a treat to the childhood me who couldn’t really afford any decent models or paints back in the day.
The Thousand Sons have caught my eye, I can’t really say why although maybe it’s not unrelated to the fact that even younger me was also obsessed with ancient Egypt (I also obviously enjoy being the ‘bad guys’). As I say, I’m not necessarily looking to play too many games if any (no one wants a 40 year old turning up to such things, I would imagine, especially one who is indulging himself by buying whatever models he fancies within reason because he now can) and the chances are these models will just sit on display somewhere to make me smile (I may have to convince my wife on the display part, but I remain optimistic). But nonetheless I would like to imagine that it’s an army that could potentially make sense in a practical context.
What I have (very) roughly come up with so far is a list of:
Magnus Exalted sorcerer Tzangoor shaman Infernal master 20 rubric marines 5 occult terminators 20 tzangoors 20 cultists 6 tzangoor enlightened 2 chaos spawn 1 rhino 1 helbrute 1 vortex beast
My thinking is that the cultists, spawn, and tzangoors could be the ‘advance force’ at the front of the battle, causing a bit of damage hopefully but more than anything just keeping the opposition busy whilst the marines move up supported by the Helbrute and Vortex beast as essentially cover artillery. The terminators could jump in the rhino and basically problem solve where needed, e.g. dealing with any particularly stubborn enemies. Then Magnus and the others could cause psychic chaos whilst moving up the board behind the other lines (and being relatively protected).
Is this tactically sound? Would this even make sense or is it a completely random assortment (it almost certainly is, as it’s largely just a selection of models I liked the sound and look of and imagined the use of)? It does sound like A LOT of models for an army which from what I have read is often seen as being handicapped by the exact opposite, so am I missing something?
Since coming up with it I have thrown this list into New Recruit and seen that I have somehow actually underestimated the points cost so may have to trim a bit of if I am going to pretend it’s a hypothetical 2000 points army but it still feels like a decent starting point…to me at least. Anyone else got any thoughts? I’d love to find a few points to have some blue horrors in there too, but that’s for the next phase!

1. Amazon Store Rent
First, let's talk about the monthly rent for an Amazon store. Registering an Amazon store is free, but using a company registration instead of a personal one is recommended. This approach is safer and has a higher approval rate. After registering, you can choose between an Individual account and a Professional account.
Individual Account: This account has no monthly fee, but you'll pay Amazon $0.99 for each item you sell. It’s suitable for sellers who are just starting out and have lower sales volumes.
Professional Account: This account costs $39.99 per month, but you won’t pay a fee per sale. This option is more cost-effective if you sell more than 40 items per month.
Recommendation: If you’re just starting and your sales are low, opt for the Individual account. As your sales increase and you consistently sell more than 40 items per month, switch to the Professional account to save on per-item fees.

1. Product Selection Tools

Choosing the right products to sell is crucial for the success of your e-commerce business. Fortunately, there are several tools available to assist with this process, each offering unique features to help you make informed decisions.
Popular Paid Tools: JungleScout and Helium10
JungleScout: Priced at $49/month, JungleScout is widely recognized for its comprehensive suite of tools designed to help sellers identify profitable products, estimate sales, and analyze competition. Its features include:
Product Database: Allows you to filter products based on various criteria like price, sales, and competition.
Product Tracker: Helps track the performance of potential products over time.
Keyword Scout: Provides keyword research and optimization suggestions to enhance product listings.
Sales Analytics: Offers insights into sales trends and revenue estimates.
Helium10: At $79/month, Helium10 is another powerful tool that provides a wide range of functionalities for Amazon sellers. Key features include:
Black Box: A product research tool that allows you to find profitable niches.
Xray: A Chrome extension that gives you a quick overview of product performance metrics directly on Amazon.
Keyword Research: Tools like Cerebro and Magnet help you discover and optimize for high-ranking keywords.
Listing Optimization: Features like Scribbles and Index Checker ensure your product listings are optimized for maximum visibility.
Free Tool: 4SELLER
4SELLER: For those who are looking for a budget-friendly option, 4SELLER is a free tool that offers a robust set of features to aid in product selection and management. It includes:
Product Selection: Assists in identifying profitable products by analyzing market trends and competition.
Inventory Management: Helps track inventory levels, forecast demand, and manage stock efficiently to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
Supplier Finder: Aids in locating reliable suppliers, which is essential for maintaining product quality and consistency.
Why Product Selection Tools are Essential
Using product selection tools is vital because they provide data-driven insights that help you make informed decisions. These tools can save you time and reduce the risk of choosing products that may not sell well. They offer features that allow you to:
Identify Trends: By analyzing market data, these tools help you stay ahead of trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Evaluate Competition: Understanding your competition is crucial. These tools provide detailed analysis of competitors' products, pricing strategies, and sales performance.
Optimize Listings: Well-optimized product listings are more likely to attract buyers. These tools offer keyword research and listing optimization features that improve your product's visibility on e-commerce platforms.
Manage Inventory: Efficient inventory management ensures you have the right products available at the right time, which is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and maximizing sales.
Whether you opt for a paid tool like JungleScout or Helium10, or a free option like 4SELLER, leveraging these tools can significantly enhance your ability to select profitable products, manage inventory effectively, and optimize your listings for better performance.
3. Initial Stock Costs
Purchasing your first batch of products involves a significant initial investment, and the amount required can vary widely depending on the type of products you choose to sell. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to consider when estimating your initial stock costs:
Factors Influencing Initial Stock Costs
Product Type and Price: The nature of the products you choose to sell will greatly influence your initial costs. Higher-priced items tend to have less competition but require a larger upfront investment. Conversely, cheaper products are more budget-friendly but often come with higher competition.
Quantity: The number of units you decide to purchase initially is another major factor. A common recommendation for new sellers is to start with 200-500 units. This range allows you to test the market demand without overcommitting financially.
Calculating Initial Costs
To estimate your initial stock costs, you need to multiply the quantity of units by the purchase price per unit. Here’s a simplified formula:
Initial Stock Cost=Quantity×Purchase Price per UnitInitial Stock Cost=Quantity×Purchase Price per Unit
For instance, if you decide to buy 300 units of a product that costs $5 per unit, your initial stock cost would be:
300 units×$5/unit=$1,500300 units×$5/unit=$1,500
Typical Budget Ranges for New Sellers
Low Budget: If you’re starting with a tighter budget, you might opt for products with a lower purchase price. For example, if you choose items costing around $2 per unit and purchase 200 units, your initial cost would be $400.
Moderate Budget: A more common range for new sellers is between $1,000 and $3,000. This allows for a balance between purchasing a reasonable quantity of units and managing the risk of unsold inventory. For example, buying 400 units at $5 per unit would total $2,000.
Higher Budget: With a larger budget, you can consider higher-priced items that might have less competition. For instance, purchasing 300 units at $10 per unit would result in an initial cost of $3,000.
Why Initial Stock Costs are Important
Understanding and planning for initial stock costs is critical because it ensures you are adequately prepared for the financial outlay required to launch your business. Here are a few reasons why this is essential:
Market Testing: Buying an appropriate number of units allows you to test market demand without over-investing. This way, you can gauge the product's popularity and adjust future orders accordingly.
Cash Flow Management: Proper planning helps manage your cash flow effectively. Ensuring you have enough funds to cover initial stock costs, along with other expenses like marketing and shipping, is crucial for maintaining business operations.
Risk Mitigation: Starting with a moderate quantity of units helps minimize the risk of unsold inventory, which can tie up capital and lead to losses. It’s better to start small, analyze performance, and scale up gradually.
Carefully estimating and planning for your initial stock costs is a vital step in setting up your e-commerce business. By understanding the factors that influence these costs and budgeting accordingly, you can make informed decisions that set the foundation for a successful venture. Whether you have a limited budget or can invest more significantly, strategic planning will help you manage risks and maximize your chances of success.
4. UPC Codes
UPC stands for Universal Product Code, a standardized barcode used by retailers, including Amazon, to track products. Obtaining UPC codes is a critical step in setting up your products for sale. Here’s a detailed explanation of why you need them, where to get them, and the associated costs.
What are UPC Codes?
Definition: UPC codes are unique identifiers assigned to products. Each code consists of a series of black bars and a corresponding 12-digit number that can be scanned by barcode readers.
Purpose: These codes help retailers manage inventory, streamline the checkout process, and track sales. For e-commerce platforms like Amazon, UPC codes ensure each product is uniquely identifiable, reducing errors and simplifying logistics.
Where to Buy UPC Codes
Official Source: GS1: The Global Standards 1 (GS1) organization is the official provider of UPC codes. Purchasing from GS1 ensures the authenticity and uniqueness of your codes, which is crucial for compliance with Amazon’s policies.
Why GS1?: While there are third-party sellers offering UPC codes at lower prices, these codes might not always be unique or compliant with GS1 standards. Using GS1 guarantees that your UPCs are globally recognized and legitimate, preventing potential issues with listing products on Amazon.
Cost of UPC Codes
Initial Purchase: GS1 sells UPC codes in packs. A pack of 10 UPCs costs $250 initially. This upfront cost covers the registration and issuance of the codes.
Annual Renewal Fee: In addition to the initial purchase cost, there is a $50 annual renewal fee. This fee ensures your codes remain active and your registration with GS1 stays current.
Breakdown of Costs
Initial Cost: For a pack of 10 UPC codes, the initial cost is $250.
Annual Renewal: The $50 annual renewal fee applies every year to maintain your codes.
Example Calculation:
If you purchase a pack of 10 UPCs, your total cost for the first year would be:
$250 (initial cost)+$50 (annual renewal fee)=$300$250 (initial cost)+$50 (annual renewal fee)=$300
In subsequent years, you will only pay the $50 renewal fee to keep your UPCs active.
Why UPC Codes are Important
Inventory Management: UPC codes play a crucial role in inventory management, allowing you to track stock levels accurately. This helps prevent stockouts and overstock situations.
Product Identification: Each UPC code is unique to a specific product, ensuring that Amazon and other retailers can correctly identify and catalog your items. This reduces the risk of listing errors and mix-ups.
Compliance and Credibility: Using GS1-issued UPC codes ensures compliance with Amazon’s listing requirements. This adds credibility to your listings and prevents potential issues that might arise from using unauthorized codes.
Efficiency and Automation: UPC codes facilitate the automation of various processes, including checkout, shipping, and inventory updates. This enhances operational efficiency and reduces manual workload.
Investing in UPC codes from GS1 is an essential step for any e-commerce business aiming to sell on platforms like Amazon. The initial cost of $250 for a pack of 10 UPCs, along with the $50 annual renewal fee, ensures that your products are uniquely identifiable and compliant with global standards. This investment not only helps in effective inventory management but also enhances the credibility and efficiency of your business operations.
5. Shipping and Distribution Costs
Shipping and distribution costs are critical components of your overall budget when selling on Amazon. These costs encompass various fees and charges that ensure your products reach Amazon’s warehouses and, ultimately, your customers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to consider and how these costs can impact your business.
Components of Shipping and Distribution Costs
Shipping to Amazon’s Warehouse: This involves the costs of transporting your products from your supplier to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Factors influencing these costs include the size and weight of your products, the shipping method, and the distance between the supplier and the warehouse.
Packaging: Proper packaging is essential to protect your products during transit. This includes boxes, cushioning materials, and labeling.
Inspection Fees: To ensure quality and compliance with Amazon’s standards, you might need to pay for product inspections before they are shipped.
Import Duties and Taxes: If you are importing products from another country, customs duties and taxes will apply. These costs vary based on the product category and the country of origin.
Estimated Shipping Costs by Product Size
Small Items: For smaller products, shipping costs are generally lower. On average, you can expect to pay around $4 per unit for shipping.
Mid-sized Products: For larger or heavier items, shipping costs increase. These costs can range from $8 to $12 per unit, depending on the specific dimensions and weight of the products.
Amazon FBA Fees
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Fees: Once your products are in Amazon’s warehouse, the company handles storage, packaging, and shipping to customers. Amazon charges FBA fees for these services, which are based on the size and weight of the product.
Small and Light Items: FBA fees for smaller items typically range from $2.92 to $6.13 per unit.
Larger Items: For bigger or heavier products, FBA fees can be higher, reflecting the additional handling and shipping costs.
Breakdown of Costs
Shipping Costs to Amazon’s Warehouse:
Small items: $4 per unit
Mid-sized items: $8-$12 per unit
Amazon FBA Fees:
Small items: $2.92-$6.13 per unit
Larger items: Higher fees depending on size and weight
Example Calculation
If you are shipping 300 small items to Amazon’s warehouse, with each unit costing $4 to ship and an average FBA fee of $4.50, your total costs would be:
Shipping to Warehouse: 300 units×$4/unit=$1,200300 units×$4/unit=$1,200
FBA Fees: 300 units×$4.50/unit=$1,350300 units×$4.50/unit=$1,350
Total Shipping and Distribution Costs:
$1,200 (shipping)+$1,350 (FBA fees)=$2,550$1,200 (shipping)+$1,350 (FBA fees)=$2,550
Why Shipping and Distribution Costs are Important
Budget Planning: Understanding and accurately estimating these costs is crucial for budgeting and financial planning. Unexpected expenses can significantly impact your profitability.
Pricing Strategy: These costs need to be factored into your pricing strategy to ensure you maintain healthy profit margins. Underestimating shipping and distribution costs can erode your margins and affect your competitiveness.
Customer Satisfaction: Efficient shipping and distribution are key to timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Using Amazon FBA ensures reliable and fast shipping, which can enhance your seller ratings and lead to repeat business.
Operational Efficiency: Managing these costs effectively can streamline your operations and improve cash flow. By optimizing packaging, negotiating better shipping rates, and accurately forecasting demand, you can reduce expenses and improve efficiency.
Shipping and distribution costs are a significant part of your overall expenses when selling on Amazon. By carefully estimating these costs, including packaging, inspection fees, import duties, and Amazon FBA fees, you can better manage your budget and pricing strategy. Understanding these costs helps ensure smooth operations, enhances customer satisfaction, and supports your business's profitability and growth.
6. Inventory Storage Costs
Inventory storage costs are a critical consideration when using Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service. These fees are based on the size and quantity of your inventory stored in Amazon’s warehouses and vary throughout the year. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these costs and their implications for your business.
Amazon’s Storage Fees
Amazon charges monthly storage fees that depend on the size category of your products (standard-size or oversized) and the time of year. The fees are higher during the holiday season (October to December) due to increased demand for warehouse space.
Standard-Size Storage Fees
January to September: $0.83 per cubic foot
October to December: $2.40 per cubic foot
Oversized Storage Fees
January to September: $0.53 per cubic foot
October to December: $1.20 per cubic foot
Calculating Storage Costs
To estimate your storage costs, you need to know the cubic footage of your inventory. Here’s how you can calculate it:
Cubic Footage=Length×Width×HeightCubic Footage=Length×Width×Height
Once you have the cubic footage, multiply it by the applicable storage fee rate.
Example Calculation for Standard-Size Products
Let’s say you have 500 units of a product, each measuring 1 cubic foot. Your storage costs would be:
January to September: 500 cubic feet×$0.83/cubic foot=$415500 cubic feet×$0.83/cubic foot=$415
October to December: 500 cubic feet×$2.40/cubic foot=$1,200500 cubic feet×$2.40/cubic foot=$1,200
Example Calculation for Oversized Products
If you have 200 units of an oversized product, each measuring 3 cubic feet, your storage costs would be:
January to September: 600 cubic feet×$0.53/cubic foot=$318600 cubic feet×$0.53/cubic foot=$318
October to December: 600 cubic feet×$1.20/cubic foot=$720600 cubic feet×$1.20/cubic foot=$720
Why Inventory Storage Costs Matter
Budget Management: Accurately estimating storage costs is crucial for budgeting and financial planning. These costs can add up, especially during peak seasons, impacting your overall profitability.
Inventory Turnover: High storage costs can incentivize better inventory management practices, such as maintaining optimal stock levels and ensuring a higher inventory turnover rate. This helps in reducing long-term storage fees and minimizing the risk of overstocking.
Seasonal Planning: Knowing that storage fees increase during the holiday season can help you plan your inventory levels more effectively. You might choose to stock up on faster-moving items or reduce slower-moving inventory before the fees increase.
Cost Control: By understanding these fees, you can implement strategies to minimize them, such as reducing the size of your packaging, negotiating better storage terms, or using other fulfillment centers if necessary.
Strategies to Manage Storage Costs
Optimize Inventory Levels: Maintain a balance between having enough stock to meet demand and avoiding excess inventory that incurs high storage costs.
Seasonal Adjustments: Plan your inventory levels based on seasonal fluctuations in storage fees, ensuring you minimize costs during peak periods.
Efficient Packaging: Use packaging that minimizes space without compromising product safety. Smaller packaging reduces the cubic footage and, consequently, storage fees.
FBA Inventory Management: Use Amazon’s inventory management tools to monitor and adjust your stock levels based on sales data and forecasts.
Inventory storage costs are an important aspect of selling on Amazon using FBA. These costs, varying by product size and season, can significantly impact your business’s profitability. By accurately estimating these fees and implementing strategies to manage and reduce them, you can optimize your inventory management and control expenses effectively. Understanding and planning for these costs will help ensure a smoother and more profitable operation.

1. Platform Commission

When selling on Amazon, it’s essential to account for the platform commission, known as the referral fee. This fee is a percentage of each sale and varies by product category. Understanding these fees is crucial for pricing your products and calculating your profit margins.
Amazon’s Referral Fees
Amazon charges a referral fee on each sale made through its platform. The percentage varies depending on the product category. Here are some common examples:
Electronics: 8%
Beauty Products: 15%
Books: 15%
Clothing and Accessories: 17%
Home and Kitchen: 15%
How Referral Fees Are Calculated
The referral fee is calculated as a percentage of the total sales price, which includes the item price and any shipping or gift wrap charges.
Referral Fee=Sales Price×Referral Fee PercentageReferral Fee=Sales Price×Referral Fee Percentage
Example Calculations
Electronics: If you sell a gadget for $100, the referral fee would be: $100×8%=$8$100×8%=$8
Beauty Products: If you sell a skincare product for $50, the referral fee would be: $50×15%=$7.50$50×15%=$7.50
Why Platform Commission is Important
Pricing Strategy: Knowing the referral fee helps you set your product prices appropriately to ensure you cover costs and achieve desired profit margins.
Profit Margin Calculation: Understanding the commission allows you to accurately calculate your net profit after deducting all fees.
Category Selection: The commission rate can influence your decision on which product categories to focus on. Lower commission rates in certain categories might lead to higher profitability.
Competitive Pricing: Factoring in the referral fee ensures your prices remain competitive while still being profitable.
Impact on Different Product Categories
High-Commission Categories: Categories like beauty products and clothing with higher referral fees require careful pricing to maintain profitability. High fees can significantly impact margins, especially for low-cost items.
Low-Commission Categories: Categories like electronics with lower referral fees can offer better profit margins, but these categories might also have higher competition.
Strategies to Manage Referral Fees
Optimize Pricing: Adjust your pricing to ensure it covers all costs, including the referral fee, while remaining attractive to customers.
Product Selection: Consider the referral fee when selecting products to sell. Products in categories with lower fees might be more profitable.
Bundle Products: Creating product bundles can help increase the average sales price, potentially offsetting the impact of the referral fee.
Platform commission is a significant cost factor when selling on Amazon. By understanding the referral fee structure and calculating these fees accurately, you can make informed decisions about pricing, product selection, and profitability. Properly managing and accounting for these fees ensures your business remains competitive and financially sustainable on the Amazon platform.
8. Advertising Costs
Advertising is a crucial component of your e-commerce strategy, driving visibility and sales for your products on Amazon. Effective advertising can help you reach potential customers quickly, but it requires a financial investment. Here’s a detailed breakdown of advertising costs, strategies, and their impact on your business.
Types of Advertising
Amazon Advertising: The primary form of advertising on Amazon is Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads. These ads appear in search results and on product detail pages, allowing you to target specific keywords and audiences.
Sponsored Products: These ads promote individual product listings and appear in search results and product pages.
Sponsored Brands: These ads feature your brand logo, a custom headline, and multiple products.
Sponsored Display: These ads target audiences both on and off Amazon, helping to re-engage shoppers who have viewed your products.
Off-Amazon Advertising: To broaden your reach, you can also advertise on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These platforms allow for targeted advertising based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Budgeting for Advertising
A typical budget for new sellers on Amazon ranges from $700 to $1,000. This budget should cover various advertising strategies, including PPC campaigns and social media ads.
Cost Breakdown
Amazon PPC Ads:
Sponsored Products: These are the most common and can cost anywhere from $0.10 to $2.00 per click, depending on the competitiveness of your keywords.
Sponsored Brands: These ads generally cost more per click due to their higher visibility and brand promotion capabilities.
Sponsored Display: Costs vary but can be effective for retargeting potential customers.
Social Media Advertising:
Facebook Ads: Costs typically range from $0.50 to $2.00 per click, depending on targeting options and competition.
Instagram Ads: Similar to Facebook, Instagram ad costs range from $0.50 to $2.00 per click, with the advantage of visual storytelling through images and videos.
Example Budget Allocation
Let’s allocate a $1,000 advertising budget across different platforms:
Amazon PPC Ads: $600
Sponsored Products: $400
Sponsored Brands: $150
Sponsored Display: $50
Social Media Ads: $400
Facebook Ads: $200
Instagram Ads: $200
Why Advertising is Important
Increased Visibility: Advertising ensures your products appear in front of potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of sales.
Competitive Edge: With many sellers on Amazon, advertising helps you stand out and reach customers who might otherwise not find your products.
Sales Velocity: Effective advertising can boost your sales velocity, improving your product rankings and increasing organic visibility over time.
Strategies for Effective Advertising
Keyword Research: Use tools like Amazon’s Keyword Planner or third-party tools to identify high-performing keywords for your PPC campaigns.
A/B Testing: Continuously test different ad creatives, headlines, and targeting options to find the most effective combinations.
Monitor and Optimize: Regularly review your ad performance data to optimize your campaigns. Adjust bids, pause underperforming keywords, and allocate more budget to high-performing ads.
Leverage Social Media: Use Facebook and Instagram to build brand awareness and drive traffic to your Amazon listings. Engaging content, such as videos and customer testimonials, can enhance ad performance.
Advertising is a vital part of your e-commerce strategy on Amazon and beyond. Allocating a budget of $700 to $1,000 for advertising can significantly enhance your product visibility and drive sales. By utilizing Amazon PPC ads and leveraging social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you can reach a broader audience and increase your chances of success. Effective advertising requires continuous monitoring and optimization, but the investment can lead to substantial returns in terms of sales growth and brand recognition.
9. Returns and Refunds
Managing returns and refunds is an inevitable part of selling on Amazon. While they can impact your profitability, understanding the associated costs and implementing effective management strategies can help mitigate their effects. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the costs and considerations involved in handling returns and refunds.
Amazon Return Processing Fees
Amazon charges a return processing fee that varies depending on the product’s size and weight. This fee is applied when a customer returns a product, and it covers the cost of handling and processing the return.
Standard-Size Products: Fees for standard-size products are typically lower due to their smaller dimensions and weight.
Oversized Products: Fees for oversized products are higher because of the additional handling and storage space required.
Example Fee Structure
Standard-Size Product Return Fee: Approximately $2 to $5 per unit, depending on the specific dimensions and weight.
Oversized Product Return Fee: Approximately $5 to $20 per unit, depending on the specific dimensions and weight.
Additional Costs of Returns and Refunds
Restocking Fees: Amazon may charge a restocking fee for certain returned items. This fee is deducted from the refund amount and can range from 10% to 20% of the item’s price.
Return Shipping Costs: In some cases, you may be responsible for covering the cost of return shipping, especially if the return is due to a defect or error on your part.
Product Condition: Returned items that are not in resellable condition may need to be disposed of or liquidated, leading to additional losses.
Why Returns and Refunds Matter
Customer Satisfaction: Efficient handling of returns and refunds is crucial for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and positive reviews. Poor management can lead to negative feedback and damage your seller reputation.
Cost Management: Understanding and anticipating the costs associated with returns can help you better manage your budget and pricing strategy, ensuring you account for these potential expenses.
Inventory Control: Effective return management helps maintain accurate inventory levels and reduces the risk of overstocking or stockouts.
Strategies to Manage Returns and Refunds
Clear Product Descriptions: Provide detailed and accurate product descriptions to reduce the likelihood of returns due to customer dissatisfaction or misunderstandings.
Quality Control: Implement rigorous quality control measures to minimize defects and errors that could lead to returns.
Customer Service: Offer excellent customer service to address issues promptly and potentially resolve problems without necessitating a return.
Return Policies: Establish clear and fair return policies that balance customer satisfaction with protecting your business from excessive costs.
Example Calculation
Let’s consider you sell 100 units of a product, with an average return rate of 5%. Here’s how you can calculate the potential costs:
Product Price: $50 per unit
Return Rate: 5% (5 units)
Return Processing Fee: $3 per unit
Restocking Fee: 15% of the product price ($7.50 per unit)
Return Shipping Cost: $5 per unit
Total Return and Refund Costs:
Return Processing Fee=5 units×$3=$15Return Processing Fee=5 units×$3=$15 Restocking Fee=5 units×$7.50=$37.50Restocking Fee=5 units×$7.50=$37.50 Return Shipping Cost=5 units×$5=$25Return Shipping Cost=5 units×$5=$25
Total Costs:
$15+$37.50+$25=$77.50$15+$37.50+$25=$77.50
Handling returns and refunds is a necessary aspect of selling on Amazon, and the associated costs can add up quickly. By understanding the fees and implementing strategies to manage returns effectively, you can minimize their impact on your profitability. Clear product descriptions, stringent quality control, excellent customer service, and well-defined return policies can all contribute to reducing return rates and associated costs. Efficient return management not only helps maintain customer satisfaction but also supports better cost control and inventory management.

1. Miscellaneous Expenses

In addition to the primary costs associated with setting up and running your Amazon business, there are several miscellaneous expenses that can significantly impact your budget. These costs, while often overlooked, are crucial for creating a professional and efficient operation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these potential expenses and their importance.
Graphic Design for Product Listings
Importance: High-quality graphics and well-designed product listings are essential for attracting customers and conveying professionalism. Poorly designed listings can deter potential buyers.
Costs: Hiring a freelance graphic designer can cost between $50 and $200 per listing, depending on the complexity and the designer's experience.
Services: Graphic design services might include creating product images, infographics, and enhanced brand content (EBC) that highlights your product's features and benefits.
Professional Photography
Importance: Professional photos can make a significant difference in how your product is perceived. High-quality images help build trust with customers and increase conversion rates.
Costs: Professional product photography can range from $100 to $500 per product, depending on the number of images and the photographer’s expertise.
Services: This may include standard product shots, lifestyle images showing the product in use, and detailed close-ups of key features.
Virtual Assistant (VA) Services
Importance: Hiring a virtual assistant can help manage various tasks, such as customer service, inventory management, and order processing. This can free up your time to focus on strategic growth.
Costs: VAs typically charge between $10 and $30 per hour, depending on their skill level and the tasks they perform.
Services: Tasks handled by VAs can include responding to customer inquiries, updating product listings, managing social media accounts, and handling administrative duties.
Other Potential Miscellaneous Expenses
Subscription Services: Tools and software subscriptions for keyword research, inventory management, and sales analytics can cost anywhere from $20 to $200 per month.
Legal and Accounting Services: Professional advice for legal and tax matters is crucial. This can include incorporating your business, trademark registration, and tax preparation, costing several hundred dollars annually.
Packaging Design: Custom packaging design can enhance your brand image and customer experience. Costs can range from $100 to $500, depending on the complexity of the design.
Marketing and Promotional Materials: Additional marketing efforts, such as email campaigns, social media ads, and promotional giveaways, can also add to your expenses.
Example Budget Allocation
Let’s break down a potential budget for these miscellaneous expenses:
Graphic Design: $150 per listing for 5 listings = $750
Professional Photography: $300 per product for 3 products = $900
Virtual Assistant: $20 per hour for 10 hours per month = $200 per month
Subscription Services: $100 per month
Legal and Accounting Services: $500 annually
Packaging Design: $300
Marketing and Promotional Materials: $200 per month
Annual Costs:
Graphic Design=$750Graphic Design=$750 Professional Photography=$900Professional Photography=$900 Virtual Assistant=$200×12=$2,400Virtual Assistant=$200×12=$2,400 Subscription Services=$100×12=$1,200Subscription Services=$100×12=$1,200 Legal and Accounting Services=$500Legal and Accounting Services=$500 Packaging Design=$300Packaging Design=$300 Marketing and Promotional Materials=$200×12=$2,400Marketing and Promotional Materials=$200×12=$2,400
Total Annual Miscellaneous Expenses:
$750+$900+$2,400+$1,200+$500+$300+$2,400=$8,450$750+$900+$2,400+$1,200+$500+$300+$2,400=$8,450
Why Miscellaneous Expenses Matter
Professionalism and Trust: Investing in professional services like graphic design and photography enhances your product listings and builds trust with potential customers.
Efficiency and Focus: Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to delegate time-consuming tasks, enabling you to focus on growing your business.
Operational Smoothness: Subscriptions to essential tools and professional legal and accounting services ensure your business operates smoothly and compliantly.
Brand Building: Custom packaging and marketing materials contribute to a strong brand identity, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
Miscellaneous expenses, while sometimes overlooked, play a vital role in the success of your Amazon business. By budgeting for high-quality graphic design, professional photography, virtual assistant services, and other essential tools and services, you can create a professional and efficient operation. These investments not only enhance your product listings and customer experience but also free up your time to focus on strategic growth, ultimately contributing to your business's long-term success.
Summary
Setting up and running an Amazon business involves various costs that need careful consideration to ensure profitability and efficiency. Here’s a summary of the key cost components:
Product Selection Tools: Essential for choosing profitable products, with popular tools like JungleScout ($49/month) and Helium10 ($79/month). Free alternatives like 4SELLER also provide valuable features for product selection and inventory management.
Initial Stock Costs: Depending on the product type and quantity, initial stock costs can range from $1,000 to $3,000. Starting with 200-500 units is recommended to test the market without overcommitting financially.
UPC Codes: Necessary for product tracking, these should be purchased from GS1. A pack of 10 UPC codes costs $250 initially, plus a $50 annual renewal fee.
Shipping and Distribution Costs: Includes fees for shipping products to Amazon’s warehouse and Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees, which range from $2.92 to $6.13 per unit. Shipping small items might cost around $4 per unit, while mid-sized products could cost $8-$12 per unit.
Inventory Storage Costs: Monthly fees for storing products in Amazon’s warehouse vary by size and season. Standard-size storage costs $0.83 per cubic foot from January to September and $2.40 per cubic foot from October to December. Oversized storage costs $0.53 per cubic foot and $1.20 per cubic foot during these periods, respectively.
Platform Commission: Amazon takes a commission on each sale, typically between 8% and 15%, depending on the product category. For instance, electronics have a referral fee of 8%, while beauty products have a fee of 15%.
Advertising Costs: To drive visibility and sales, set aside $700-$1,000 for advertising. This includes Amazon PPC ads and potentially social media ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Returns and Refunds: Handling returns incurs costs, including Amazon’s return processing fee, restocking fees, and return shipping costs. These fees vary based on product size and weight.
Miscellaneous Expenses: Other costs include graphic design for product listings ($50-$200 per listing), professional photography ($100-$500 per product), and virtual assistant services ($10-$30 per hour). Additional expenses may include subscription services, legal and accounting services, packaging design, and marketing materials.
In total, you'll need at least $5,000 to start an Amazon FBA business today. Plus, you'll need to spend a lot of time managing your store and optimizing your product listings. This includes continuously monitoring your sales performance, tweaking your advertising strategies, and keeping an eye on competitors to stay ahead in the market.
By understanding and planning for these costs, you can effectively manage your Amazon business, ensuring it remains profitable and efficient while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

I don't know that I need a full-fledged immigration lawyer at this point. But, I'd love to move out of the US and want to question someone who can speak from a place of authority on what my emigration options are. e.g., Can I move to Canada if I buy land e.g., where could I move in northern Europe with an employer to sponsor me Anyone know of someone?

So, I have the dubious honor of having owned both the Luba 2 5000 and the Husqvarna 450X EPOS at the same time for the same yard. I also have the Husqvarna 315X wired version as well. But in this post I want to provide a comprehensive comparison between the Husq 450X EPOS and the Luba 2 5000. There are already tons of vendor marketing materials, YouTubers with their reviews, etc. My goal is to provide a real comprehensive review, with no fanboyism, no hidden agenda, just as a homeowner who wants something that works reliably and that lasts.
In this post my goal is also to provide new information that I was not able to find anywhere when I was comparing these two prior to purchase, if you have any questions that you want answered that I did not cover here just let me know.
MY YARD
My yard is a pretty simple Florida rectangular acre with about 5 big oak trees and plenty more overhanging my yard from my neighbors' yards. I have about 1/2 acre in the back and about 0.30 acres in the front. I use the Husq 315X to mow the front and decided to buy a wireless version to mow the back. I also have a thin strip outside of the front fence that I mow on occasion after opening the gates and fences.
LUBA2 5000 vs HUSQ 450X EPOS
Below I have arranged my findings by categories, with the most surprising being first.

• RTK / Wireless Performance (Winner - Luba) - This was without a doubt the biggest surprise for me. I thought I had a simple yard after setting up the Luba. I put the RTK antenna in the attic, set up the base station, mapped out the yard and was done. The Husq EPOS on the other hand performed 10x worse than the Luba. Same house, same attic, but the EPOS system would not lock onto the satellites. After an hour of fiddling, I moved the RTK antenna out of the attic and mounted it on a pole in my yard. The performance is still terrible, while mapping out my back yard even within 50' of the RTK station, the signal only shows 73%, and I spent hours having to drive the Husq 450X to the middle of the yard to get a signal then rushing back to the last waypoint to try to finish mapping. It took about 4hrs to map 0.5 acres. That was just the beginning of my problems though. It now likes to sit for up to an hour in one spot for some reason even though the app says it has a good EPOS signal. No idea if this is a hardware problem or a software problem but hopefully it can be fixed via software update. If this keeps up, I may have to set more no go areas and mow those areas with my lawn mower.....not a good thing.
• RTK App Feeback (Winner Luba) - The Luba 2 is great about showing you all of the satellite information; co-viewing, RTK satellites, and Luba 2 satellites. The 450X is the opposite, all you get to see is if EPOS is working or not with no way to troubleshoot it except to keep driving the mower around until it is fixed.
• Hardware Build Quality (Winner Luba) - The Luba 2 feels much sturdier and better built than the 450X. Also, the Luba 2 includes an RTK mounting pole whereas the 450X does not. The 450X EPOS is an older design and it does not appear that Husqvarna updated anything other than add an RTK module to their existing product line while doubling the price.
• App Useability (Winner - 450X) - The Husq mower app while not perfect is much better than the Lubas. Mapping is more intuitive; I like the way they used waypoints which is more accurate and more familiar than driving the mower from place to place without clearly defining points. The mowing pattern selection is much more intuitive as well and adding a mowing angle to a work area is perfectly done by simply dragging two dots until the line overlay matches the look you want. I do like Luba's way of showing the amount of work remaining/completed via shaded areas vs the eyesore redlines that Husqvarna uses. As previously mentioned though, the biggest shortcoming is that you can't do any satellite troubleshooting in the Husq app. With the Husq app you can also pause mapping and pick back up where you left off, you can save multiple mowing profiles (i.e. winter vs summer), and you can pause any mowing task, go do something else, then restart the mowing task instead of fiddling with percentages like in the Luba 2's app.
• Lawn Damage - (Winner - 450X) - The Husq 450X EPOS hands down causes less lawn damage than the Luba. No more crop circles, no damage in front of the charging station, it is a real joy to watch it turn on a dime with no endless grinding itself into the dirt. The Luba 2 got stuck all the time at the ends of rows, bases of trees, etc. as it tried to turn around in the soft dirt. It also killed untold numbers of seedlings which I will probably need to overseed.
• Mowing Speed - (Winner - 450X) - The Luba 2 has multiple mowing speeds that you can pick but if you are like me, you have no idea what is too fast or what is slower than necessary. The Husq has no mowing speed options but if you watch it, it automatically slows down on thicker patches of grass and speeds up on recently mowed patches. This not only gets the yard done faster while extending the battery life, it also makes the setup simpler.
• Mowing Height - (Winner - 450X) - The Luba 2 lets you set the height and so does the 450X, the nice thing about the Luba is that it gives you the exact height in inches (or cm) vs the 450X where you have to do you own math to figure out what 1 or 2 or 3 mean in inches or cm. The reason why the 450X still wins for me though is because it is much faster at adjusting the height when it needs to. The Luba 2 bogged down a lot and ground itself into the ground when the blade was too low for the terrain. The 450X seems to adjust its blades in real time and never seems to stop and get stuck on bumps even with the blade set at 1".
• Connectivity - (Winner 450X) - The Husq 450X EPOS includes 10yrs of LTE data and also includes Bluetooth connectivity. The Luba 2 relies on wireless and Bluetooth and if you want LTE you have to buy your own SIM and data plan. Many times the Luba 2 would grind itself into the ground then just turn off. I would then need to go hunt for it in the yard, turn it on, connect via Bluetooth, move it out of the hole it had dug, then wait for it to get a satellite fix before I could get it to do anything. The 450X with LTE is always accessible until the battery dies. With the improvements in connectivity, the anti-theft features are also much better.
• Audible Beeps (Winner 450X) - This was a big problem for me with the Luba 2. It beeps all the time (when its adjusting the cutting height, returning to the charging station, searching for a satellite signal, starting a mowing job, on the charging station, leaving the charging station, etc, etc.). The charging station is right outside of my bedroom window so I had to start running it in the daytime just to keep from being woken up. The 450X EPOS does not do any of that, it shows everything via the app and the status LED on the top, no endless beeps.
• Perimeter Mowing Logic (Winner 450X) - I never understood why the Luba 2 put so much emphasis on perimeter laps, to me it's just the first row to be mowed, apparently the 450X EOPS thinks so too and treats it as such. The perimeter was being badly chewed up by the Luba 2 since it is the least level areas of my yard, the 450X EPOS just mows it without fuss and no digging in and getting stuck at the base of my fences.
• Battery Replacement (Winner 450X) - the 450X EPOS battery can be replaced in about 10min and they are readily available from a dealer, eBay, and others. The Luba 2's battery replacement story is still very murky to me.
• Blade Performance (Winner 450X EPOS) - The Husq automowers spin both clockwise and counterclockwise after every recharge, this means that you do not have to flip the razors over every xx number of hours. The Luba 2 does not have this feature.

OVERALL WINNER (TIE)
Right now both the Luba 2 and the Husq 450X EPOS have a fatal flaw; the Luba 2 badly chews up my yard, and the 450X EPOS can't seem to find its RTK/Satellite Signals. At this point in time I do not know if the Luba's or 450X EPOS's problems are just software or a fundamental hardware problem. Mammotion is addressing their hardware design with the release of the Yuka, I can only hope the RTK problem with the 450X EPOS can be fixed via a firmware update.
I know the 450X EPOS won a lot of categories for me, but if it sits around in my yard all day searching for a signal then none of the rest of its features matter. RTK is so important to the fundamental operation of a wireless RTK robot that it supersedes all else in my book.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Luba 2 - I would recommend the Luba 2 if any of the below are true:

• Hilly yard - obviously the Luba 2 is the better of the two with its AWD
• Mature grass/hard ground - if you have a mature yard with hard clay or dirt that can handle the Luba 2's grinding donut turns then I would recommend the Luba 2
• Cost - If cost is your only concern then obviously the Luba 2 is a no brainer
• Trees / Obstructions - If your yard has even a few big trees or big obstructions, at least for now, the Luba 2 will far outperform the 450X EPOS when it comes to RTK performance

450X EPOS - I would recommend the Husq 450X EPOS if ALL of the below are true:

• You have a perfectly wide open yard with no trees or other obstructions
• You have a yard with new turf or soft dirt/sand
• Your yard is relatively flat

Wired Solutions - My front yard Husq 315X wire guided mower is great, problem free, and still uses a wire. I used a trenching machine, bought heavy duty 14 gauge wire, and buried it around 8" deep. In my opinion, if you can deal with installing the wire, not being able to change things later, and risk the wire breaks, wired is still the most reliable way to go. I think wireless mowers are very close to being mature, but something needs to come along to reduce the problems with satellite reception, RTK placement, and blockage from buildings and trees. We don't all have that perfect wide open yard with no trees or buildings.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Insights on Chatbots & AI, where we embark on a journey into the transformative realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots. These technologies are not just reshaping customer service; they're redefining how businesses interact with their customers, offering unprecedented levels of personalization, efficiency, and engagement.

The Rise of Chatbots in Digital Strategy

Chatbots have undergone a remarkable evolution since their inception. What started as simple, script-based programs have now blossomed into sophisticated conversational agents powered by advanced AI capabilities, including machine learning and natural language processing (NLP).
This technological leap has empowered chatbots to understand and respond to human language with remarkable nuance, enabling them to engage in contextual, dynamic interactions that can anticipate and cater to individual customer needs.
As chatbots continue to advance, their strategic importance in the digital landscape is becoming increasingly evident. Businesses that embrace these AI-driven solutions are positioning themselves at the forefront of customer experience innovation, gaining a competitive edge through enhanced engagement, personalization, and operational efficiency.

Transforming Customer Service with AI

In the realm of customer service, AI and chatbots are ushering in a paradigm shift. Gone are the days of frustrating wait times and generic, one-size-fits-all responses. AI-powered chatbots have redefined what it means to provide exceptional support by offering 24/7 availability, instant responses, and tailored solutions based on each customer's unique preferences and interaction history.
Imagine a world where customers can receive personalized recommendations, resolve issues, and access vital information seamlessly, without the constraints of traditional support channels. This is the reality that AI chatbots are bringing to life, revolutionizing the customer service experience and setting new standards for responsiveness, convenience, and satisfaction.
But the benefits of AI in customer service extend beyond the customer-facing aspect. By automating routine tasks and queries, chatbots alleviate the workload on human support teams, allowing them to focus their efforts on more complex issues that require human expertise and empathy. This synergy between AI and human agents creates a cohesive, efficient support ecosystem that delivers the best of both worlds – the speed and scalability of automation combined with the nuanced problem-solving capabilities of human professionals.

AI and Chatbots in Sales and Marketing

The impact of AI and chatbots extends far beyond customer service, permeating into the realms of sales and marketing. In these domains, chatbots serve as powerful tools for engaging customers, guiding them through the sales funnel, and ultimately driving conversions.
From the initial touchpoint, chatbots can capture leads, gather pertinent information, and seamlessly hand off qualified prospects to sales teams. Throughout the sales process, they can provide personalized product recommendations, answer inquiries, and even facilitate transactions – all through natural, conversational interfaces that enhance the overall buying experience.
On the marketing front, AI plays a pivotal role in delivering data-driven insights and personalized campaigns. By analyzing customer interactions, preferences, and behavioral data, AI algorithms can uncover valuable patterns and trends, enabling businesses to craft targeted marketing strategies that resonate with their audiences on a deeper level.
Moreover, chatbots themselves can serve as effective marketing channels, engaging customers through interactive content, quizzes, and personalized offers, all while gathering valuable data to refine and optimize future campaigns continually.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

While the potential of AI and chatbots is undeniable, their implementation is not without challenges. Data privacy and security remain paramount concerns, as businesses must ensure that customer information is handled with the utmost care and compliance with relevant regulations.
Additionally, the dynamic nature of AI and NLP technologies necessitates continuous learning and adaptation. As customer preferences and language patterns evolve, chatbots must be regularly updated and fine-tuned to maintain their effectiveness and relevance.
However, these challenges should not be viewed as obstacles but rather as opportunities for innovation and growth. By addressing data privacy concerns head-on and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, businesses can position themselves as industry leaders, setting new standards for ethical AI adoption and customer-centric experiences.

Spotlight on Conferbot: Elevating Chatbots to New Heights

In the ever-expanding landscape of chatbot platforms, Conferbot has emerged as a standout solution, democratizing access to advanced AI and chatbot technologies for businesses of all sizes. With its no-code approach, Conferbot empowers organizations to create and manage sophisticated, AI-powered chatbots without the need for extensive technical expertise or resources.
At the core of Conferbot's offering is an intuitive, drag-and-drop visual builder that simplifies the process of designing and deploying chatbots. This user-friendly interface, coupled with robust natural language processing capabilities, enables businesses to create conversational experiences that feel natural, engaging, and tailored to their unique needs.
But Conferbot is more than just a chatbot builder; it's a comprehensive platform that seamlessly integrates with existing business systems and processes. From CRMs and marketing automation tools to e-commerce platforms and analytics dashboards, Conferbot's extensive integration capabilities ensure that chatbots become seamless extensions of an organization's digital ecosystem, streamlining operations and fostering cohesion across various touchpoints.
As businesses continue to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, solutions like Conferbot become invaluable assets, empowering organizations to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional customer experiences powered by the latest advancements in AI and conversational technologies.

Conclusion

As we stand on the precipice of a new era in business-customer interactions, the importance of AI and chatbots cannot be overstated. These transformative technologies are not fleeting trends but foundational elements of a future where digital engagement is personalized, efficient, and omnipresent.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, staying informed and adaptable is key to unlocking the full potential of AI and chatbots. By embracing these technologies and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of customer experience excellence, delivering unparalleled value and cementing their competitive advantage.
As we conclude this inaugural edition of Insights on Chatbots & AI, I invite you to explore the possibilities that platforms like Conferbot offer. Whether you're seeking to enhance your customer service, automate sales processes, or simply explore the potential of AI in your business, Conferbot provides a powerful starting point for your journey.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of chatbots and AI. In future editions, we'll delve deeper into industry-specific use cases, best practices, and emerging trends, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of this transformative technological revolution.
Together, we'll unlock the future of customer engagement and redefine what it means to deliver exceptional experiences in the digital age.
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Insights on Chatbots & AI, where we embark on a journey into the transformative realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots. These technologies are not just reshaping customer service; they're redefining how businesses interact with their customers, offering unprecedented levels of personalization, efficiency, and engagement.

The Rise of Chatbots in Digital Strategy

Chatbots have undergone a remarkable evolution since their inception. What started as simple, script-based programs have now blossomed into sophisticated conversational agents powered by advanced AI capabilities, including machine learning and natural language processing (NLP).

So, I have the dubious honor of having owned both the Luba 2 5000 and the Husqvarna 450X EPOS at the same time for the same yard. I also have the Husqvarna 315X wired version as well. But in this post I want to provide a comprehensive comparison between the Husq 450X EPOS and the Luba 2 5000. There are already tons of vendor marketing materials, YouTubers with their reviews, etc. My goal is to provide a real comprehensive review, with no fanboyism, no hidden agenda, just as a homeowner who wants something that works reliably and that lasts.
In this post my goal is also to provide new information that I was not able to find anywhere when I was comparing these two prior to purchase, if you have any questions that you want answered that I did not cover here just let me know.
MY YARD
My yard is a pretty simple Florida rectangular acre with about 5 big oak trees and plenty more overhanging my yard from my neighbors' yards. I have about 1/2 acre in the back and about 0.30 acres in the front. I use the Husq 315X to mow the front and decided to buy a wireless version to mow the back. I also have a thin strip outside of the front fence that I mow on occasion after opening the gates and fences.
LUBA2 5000 vs HUSQ 450X EPOS
Below I have arranged my findings by categories, with the most surprising being first.

• RTK / Wireless Performance (Winner - Luba) - This was without a doubt the biggest surprise for me. I thought I had a simple yard after setting up the Luba. I put the RTK antenna in the attic, set up the base station, mapped out the yard and was done. The Husq EPOS on the other hand performed 10x worse than the Luba. Same house, same attic, but the EPOS system would not lock onto the satellites. After an hour of fiddling, I moved the RTK antenna out of the attic and mounted it on a pole in my yard. The performance is still terrible, while mapping out my back yard even within 50' of the RTK station, the signal only shows 73%, and I spent hours having to drive the Husq 450X to the middle of the yard to get a signal then rushing back to the last waypoint to try to finish mapping. It took about 4hrs to map 0.5 acres. That was just the beginning of my problems though. It now likes to sit for up to an hour in one spot for some reason even though the app says it has a good EPOS signal. No idea if this is a hardware problem or a software problem but hopefully it can be fixed via software update. If this keeps up, I may have to set more no go areas and mow those areas with my lawn mower.....not a good thing.
• RTK App Feeback (Winner Luba) - The Luba 2 is great about showing you all of the satellite information; co-viewing, RTK satellites, and Luba 2 satellites. The 450X is the opposite, all you get to see is if EPOS is working or not with no way to troubleshoot it except to keep driving the mower around until it is fixed.
• Hardware Build Quality (Winner Luba) - The Luba 2 feels much sturdier and better built than the 450X. Also, the Luba 2 includes an RTK mounting pole whereas the 450X does not. The 450X EPOS is an older design and it does not appear that Husqvarna updated anything other than add an RTK module to their existing product line while doubling the price.
• App Useability (Winner - 450X) - The Husq mower app while not perfect is much better than the Lubas. Mapping is more intuitive; I like the way they used waypoints which is more accurate and more familiar than driving the mower from place to place without clearly defining points. The mowing pattern selection is much more intuitive as well and adding a mowing angle to a work area is perfectly done by simply dragging two dots until the line overlay matches the look you want. I do like Luba's way of showing the amount of work remaining/completed via shaded areas vs the eyesore redlines that Husqvarna uses. As previously mentioned though, the biggest shortcoming is that you can't do any satellite troubleshooting in the Husq app. With the Husq app you can also pause mapping and pick back up where you left off, you can save multiple mowing profiles (i.e. winter vs summer), and you can pause any mowing task, go do something else, then restart the mowing task instead of fiddling with percentages like in the Luba 2's app.
• Lawn Damage - (Winner - 450X) - The Husq 450X EPOS hands down causes less lawn damage than the Luba. No more crop circles, no damage in front of the charging station, it is a real joy to watch it turn on a dime with no endless grinding itself into the dirt. The Luba 2 got stuck all the time at the ends of rows, bases of trees, etc. as it tried to turn around in the soft dirt. It also killed untold numbers of seedlings which I will probably need to overseed.
• Mowing Speed - (Winner - 450X) - The Luba 2 has multiple mowing speeds that you can pick but if you are like me, you have no idea what is too fast or what is slower than necessary. The Husq has no mowing speed options but if you watch it, it automatically slows down on thicker patches of grass and speeds up on recently mowed patches. This not only gets the yard done faster while extending the battery life, it also makes the setup simpler.
• Mowing Height - (Winner - 450X) - The Luba 2 lets you set the height and so does the 450X, the nice thing about the Luba is that it gives you the exact height in inches (or cm) vs the 450X where you have to do you own math to figure out what 1 or 2 or 3 mean in inches or cm. The reason why the 450X still wins for me though is because it is much faster at adjusting the height when it needs to. The Luba 2 bogged down a lot and ground itself into the ground when the blade was too low for the terrain. The 450X seems to adjust its blades in real time and never seems to stop and get stuck on bumps even with the blade set at 1".
• Connectivity - (Winner 450X) - The Husq 450X EPOS includes 10yrs of LTE data and also includes Bluetooth connectivity. The Luba 2 relies on wireless and Bluetooth and if you want LTE you have to buy your own SIM and data plan. Many times the Luba 2 would grind itself into the ground then just turn off. I would then need to go hunt for it in the yard, turn it on, connect via Bluetooth, move it out of the hole it had dug, then wait for it to get a satellite fix before I could get it to do anything. The 450X with LTE is always accessible until the battery dies. With the improvements in connectivity, the anti-theft features are also much better.
• Audible Beeps (Winner 450X) - This was a big problem for me with the Luba 2. It beeps all the time (when its adjusting the cutting height, returning to the charging station, searching for a satellite signal, starting a mowing job, on the charging station, leaving the charging station, etc, etc.). The charging station is right outside of my bedroom window so I had to start running it in the daytime just to keep from being woken up. The 450X EPOS does not do any of that, it shows everything via the app and the status LED on the top, no endless beeps.
• Perimeter Mowing Logic (Winner 450X) - I never understood why the Luba 2 put so much emphasis on perimeter laps, to me it's just the first row to be mowed, apparently the 450X EOPS thinks so too and treats it as such. The perimeter was being badly chewed up by the Luba 2 since it is the least level areas of my yard, the 450X EPOS just mows it without fuss and no digging in and getting stuck at the base of my fences.
• Battery Replacement (Winner 450X) - the 450X EPOS battery can be replaced in about 10min and they are readily available from a dealer, eBay, and others. The Luba 2's battery replacement story is still very murky to me.
• Blade Performance (Winner 450X EPOS) - The Husq automowers spin both clockwise and counterclockwise after every recharge, this means that you do not have to flip the razors over every xx number of hours. The Luba 2 does not have this feature.

OVERALL WINNER (TIE)
Right now both the Luba 2 and the Husq 450X EPOS have a fatal flaw; the Luba 2 badly chews up my yard, and the 450X EPOS can't seem to find its RTK/Satellite Signals. At this point in time I do not know if the Luba's or 450X EPOS's problems are just software or a fundamental hardware problem. Mammotion is addressing their hardware design with the release of the Yuka, I can only hope the RTK problem with the 450X EPOS can be fixed via a firmware update.
I know the 450X EPOS won a lot of categories for me, but if it sits around in my yard all day searching for a signal then none of the rest of its features matter. RTK is so important to the fundamental operation of a wireless RTK robot that it supersedes all else in my book.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Luba 2 - I would recommend the Luba 2 if any of the below are true:

• Hilly yard - obviously the Luba 2 is the better of the two with its AWD
• Mature grass/hard ground - if you have a mature yard with hard clay or dirt that can handle the Luba 2's grinding donut turns then I would recommend the Luba 2
• Cost - If cost is your only concern then obviously the Luba 2 is a no brainer
• Trees / Obstructions - If your yard has even a few big trees or big obstructions, at least for now, the Luba 2 will far outperform the 450X EPOS when it comes to RTK performance

450X EPOS - I would recommend the Husq 450X EPOS if ALL of the below are true:

• You have a perfectly wide open yard with no trees or other obstructions
• You have a yard with new turf or soft dirt/sand
• Your yard is relatively flat

Wired Solutions - My front yard Husq 315X wire guided mower is great, problem free, and still uses a wire. I used a trenching machine, bought heavy duty 14 gauge wire, and buried it around 8" deep. In my opinion, if you can deal with installing the wire, not being able to change things later, and risk the wire breaks, wired is still the most reliable way to go. I think wireless mowers are very close to being mature, but something needs to come along to reduce the problems with satellite reception, RTK placement, and blockage from buildings and trees. We don't all have that perfect wide open yard with no trees or buildings.

Hi fellow ADHDers,
I somehow got my ass out of bed to bring myself to do the things I am supposed to do this weekend. The motivation hasn't really kicked in yet (still waiting for it), but I ended up making a menu/ checklist that I feel may be useful for me when I am in a frozen state like this. Wanted to share it, in case someone else finds it helpful. If there are other strategies you use, please let me know!
This is to be used in situations where I know I need to do something but I just don't know how to get my brain to do it.
Task paralysis menu/ checklist

• Task pairing: Can I find another task that requires less cognitive effort (like walking, cleaning, watching a TV show that I have watched a 10000 times before so I don't really need to pay attention to it)? Can I start doing that task, along with the task I am dreading to do (cuz it requires more mental effort).
• Material pairing: Is there anything materialistic I like that I ALREADY have? The tricky part here is, that my brain is going to want to buy something new at this point. Like a new notebook, new pens, etc. So, the already have part is important, otherwise I'm going to spend two hours + money to buy "more stuff I think I need to start my task". For me personally, I like to write on pen and paper. So I will sit down with my favorite pen and notebook, and that will bring me into the "zone" when I've to read a paper, make a presentation, etc. Again, my primary "task" becomes using "my favorite pen and paper" and I can use the dreaded task in order to complete my primary task. Having dedicated materials for dedicated types of tasks can also help.
• Change of location: Is there a location that my brain likes? I personally like coffee shops but it can also be a spot in your home that you like more than other spots. It can also be your bed (or any other place you feel comfortable)! The goal is to get your brain to bring its guards down and make it feel safer, if you're stuck in a frozen state like me. Going to the coffee shop also exposes me to other people and a more stimulating environment, and caffeine also helps. I am also forced to sit in one place.
• Brain dump: If the mental paralysis is too much to even fathom starting a new task, it is usually because I have a ton of tasks in my mind that need to be done. First, I do a brain dump. Just dump every goddamn thought on my head, from the biggest to smallest ones. Once I have them all in front of me, I can hopefully start prioritizing them or at least see if I am interested in doing one more than others. Sometimes, tasks get meshed in my head along with feelings, so this activity helps me to separate tasks (things I can control) from emotions/ feelings and things I generally have no control over (e.g. shame about not having done that thing two weeks ago).
• Mental isolation effect: If it feels like me versus the world right now, can I bring myself to just me, and cut the rest of the world out, just for sometime? I can make myself feel shitty enough on my own, I don't need a high school acquaintance on instagram (who seems to be living the life) to make me feel worse. Just disconnect. The world is not out to get us, and the world is not moving ahead without us. We are okay. Meditation has helped me to mentally isolate (but hasn't helped so much with the inaction and feeling "frozen"). I guess this also goes back to making our brains feel safe first, before we ask them to do things for us.

I am no expert, but I made a list for myself, so I am sharing it here. :)
ADHD sucks.