MGM Mirage fires over 400 middle managers

[suzecat]

Originally Posted by jetset

"Yes, it's going to be interesting to see what happens, because people can no longer escape the temptation to spend simply by staying at home (because of the internet)."

That's a very interesting observation imo, Dendrite. It's going to take more self-discipline for sure.

Or power shortages.

[jetset]

Originally Posted by suzecat

Or power shortages.

Damn - do you have these black-outs, too?

We're having a helluva problem which is impacting the national economy and causing a lot of anger against utility company execs with big paypackets and bonuses who don't appear to be doing their job too well.

It was chaos at first - you never knew when the power was suddenly going to go off and sales of UPS units and private generators soared. At least we now have a schedule so we know when the power is going to be switched off for a few hours.

Life in the 21st century....

Forgot to add another irritation - power surge when the juice comes back on - it can fry appliances!

[suzecat]

Originally Posted by jetset

Damn - do you have these black-outs, too?

We're having a helluva problem which is impacting the national economy and causing a lot of anger against utility company execs with big paypackets and bonuses who don't appear to be doing their job too well.

It was chaos at first - you never knew when the power was suddenly going to go off and sales of UPS units and private generators soared. At least we now have a schedule so we know when the power is going to be switched off for a few hours.

Life in the 21st century....

Forgot to add another irritation - power surge when the juice comes back on - it can fry appliances!

Our Governator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) cleaned up a huge power crisis in California and promises the rolling blackouts will not return. I feel your pain jetset...........why does the power always go out at the worst possible time????????

[Mousey]

From where I live, it's a 5 hour drive to an Indian casino. And a 6+ hour drive to any 'real' casinos. You're talking at least 2 tanks of gasoline for one trip. Where, once upon a time, that was no big deal, now it is. Not just because of the horrible rise in gas prices, but because of the rise in the prices of everything.

I received notices this week that my electric bill will be increasing beginning next month, my homeowners insurance is going up, and my phone co. is going up (they have a monopoly and are milking it for everything it's worth). And all that is on top of paying more for everything from groceries to hair cuts.

So... for the average player, what comes first? Groceries for a month or 2 tanks of gasoline to go on vacation/ gambling?

Needless to say, we won't be going on casinos trips 3 or 4 times this year. We went last Dec. It may be Dec. again before we go -- if at all this year.

[Slotster!]

Originally Posted by Mousey

Not just because of the horrible rise in gas prices,

Heh hee... You guys Stateside don't realise just how good you've got it!!!!

http://www.usa-vs-uk.com/petrol.html

[winbig]

Originally Posted by Slotster!

Heh hee... You guys Stateside don't realise just how good you've got it!!!!

http://www.usa-vs-uk.com/petrol.html

That page is 2 years old. Add at least $1 to the US listed price and that's our average now.

[Slotster!]

Originally Posted by winbig

That page is 2 years old. Add at least $1 to the US listed price and that's our average now.

Add the equivalent to the UK price too... We're still about three times as much as you guys! I remember the first time I visited the States about twelve years ago and visited a petrol station where you had to pre-pay for fuel. Doing a quick calculation in my head what it would cost me to fill my car at home - I gave the guy a $100 dollar bill and he said "are you paying for everyone!?"

[classymom]

Originally Posted by Mousey

From where I live, it's a 5 hour drive to an Indian casino. And a 6+ hour drive to any 'real' casinos. You're talking at least 2 tanks of gasoline for one trip. Where, once upon a time, that was no big deal, now it is. Not just because of the horrible rise in gas prices, but because of the rise in the prices of everything.

I received notices this week that my electric bill will be increasing beginning next month, my homeowners insurance is going up, and my phone co. is going up (they have a monopoly and are milking it for everything it's worth). And all that is on top of paying more for everything from groceries to hair cuts.

So... for the average player, what comes first? Groceries for a month or 2 tanks of gasoline to go on vacation/ gambling?

Needless to say, we won't be going on casinos trips 3 or 4 times this year. We went last Dec. It may be Dec. again before we go -- if at all this year.

Yes everything goes up but my pay check I was told @ my last review there would be no raises until the economy gets better - Aint that a load of crap.

[Mousey]

Originally Posted by Slotster!

Add the equivalent to the UK price too... We're still about three times as much as you guys! I remember the first time I visited the States about twelve years ago and visited a petrol station where you had to pre-pay for fuel. Doing a quick calculation in my head what it would cost me to fill my car at home - I gave the guy a $100 dollar bill and he said "are you paying for everyone!?"

Yah, but it's also legal for you guys to play online -- even have B&M casinos with online sites, right? And is it usual for Brits to drive over 6 or 7 hours just to get to the nearest casino?

[Mousey]

Originally Posted by classymom

Yes everything goes up but my pay check I was told @ my last review there would be no raises until the economy gets better - Aint that a load of crap.

Yep. Same here. I did manage to worm a little raise (very little) before the end of the year (I had an idea that the sh*t was going hit the economy fan soon). But where there used to be a little extra left at the end of the month, now there's nothing. And if things continue at this rate, it's only going to get worse. Heaven forbid that the car should need major repairs or the fridge need replacing. Expenses that, at one time, would not kill our checkbook would now cause some major problems.

And we depend(ed) on our little bit of interest earned on savings for extra 'fun' money every year. With rates so low, that's out the window, too.