u/gamescan

PSA: If you need a LOW COST plan for calls/SMS and/or a US number while overseas, you want the Red Pocket $30/year plan via the RP eBay store.

There have been a rash of posts lately all asking the similar questions and the answer is always the same.

Red Pocket has a $30/year plan with unlimited calls, unlimited texts, and 200MB of data per month available for purchase on its eBay store.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136840233242

  • If you need cheap SMS verification: BUY THIS PLAN.
  • If you need to park a number on a "real" US carrier: BUY THIS PLAN.
  • If you are overseas and need a US number that works on WiFi calling for calls and SMS: BUY THIS PLAN.
  • If you want a dedicated "home" phone (or a line for a POTS adapter): BUY THIS PLAN.
  • If you have a basic phone and don't need data: BUY THIS PLAN.
  • If you have a kid and don't want them to have data but want them to have calls: BUY THIS PLAN
  • You're not going to find anything reputable for cheaper.

Basically, if you just care about calls and text messages, this is the plan to get.

reddit.com
u/gamescan — 15 hours ago
▲ 5 r/TotalWirelessOfficial+1 crossposts

Current website is broken for both payment summaries and deleting old devices

It seems there are multiple website display errors when it comes to billing.

u/BourbonGamer already noted that he was being "billed" for multiple lines he didn't have when he logged in. When I log in to view an account that was just renewed last week (I have the SMS saying that autopay was successful) the website tells me that payment is still due with a due date of last week.

Additionally, the inactive device bug is still present.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TotalWirelessOfficial/comments/1t6nvuo/currently_unable_to_remove_oldinactive_devices/

Not only that, inactive devices have reappeared on an account that they were previously deleted from.

u/verizon-jg any chance you can update the sub with an ETA on the bug fixes?

While those of us who have been with Total for awhile are aware of the...issues...that crop up on the website, new users are likely not. Seems like a fairly large oversight to have billing display issues on the same day the new plans launch.

reddit.com
u/gamescan — 15 hours ago

Total price increases are official / Disney+ now requires $60/month plan.

No more signing up for BYOD and getting Disney+ included with an unlimited plan for only $30/month.

If you have that deal, you'll probably want to hang onto it.

verizon.com
u/gamescan — 6 days ago

San Francisco allows a rent-controlled tenant to claim a "principal place of residence" in multiple homes, while a property owner can only claim a primary residence in a single home.

From https://www.sf.gov/information--tenant-occupancy-petitions:

>A tenant can occupy two or more reasonably proximate rental units in the same building as his or her principal place of residence.

Given that we are in a housing crisis, shouldn't this be changed to limit both types of residents to claiming a single home as a principal residence?

What's the public purpose behind encouraging renters to hold multiple units for private use, but discouraging owners from holding multiple units for private use?

reddit.com
u/gamescan — 7 days ago

tl;dr - More inspectors, employees have to use Clipper cards, more outreach on free/subsidized programs.

From SFMTA:

>What is it?

>Fares for Our Future is a renewed initiative to improve fare compliance on Muni as part of SFMTA's commitment to making sure everyone pays their fair share. We consistently hear from the public that many people are frustrated when they see other people not paying for their rides.

>Designed in part to address that feedback, Fares for Our Future includes a comprehensive package of 100-day and 6 month + actions. We care about the future of Muni and know you do as well.

>What are we doing to improve fare compliance on Muni?

>Enhancing Fare Inspection: We are going to hire more Transit Fare Inspectors. Our goal is compliance, not penalty, but if there is no proof of payment, people could pay a $134 fine. Paying your fares is a critical part of how we provide excellent Muni service.

>Modernized Payment Options & Data Collection: San Francisco is a world-class city that needs a world-class transit system. In the coming months we will transition some of our existing, invisible payment forms to tapping.

>For example, we are going to give Clipper cards to the 6,000 SFMTA staff who currently show their employee badges as proof of payment. This not only helps show more people visibly tapping a form of payment to ride Muni, but this will also help us better understand the data of our ridership and revenue streams.

>Stronger Community Outreach and Engagement: There are many ways to pay for your Muni fare, including programs for seniors, youth under 19 years old, and low-income riders. We're going to ramp up our outreach and education efforts to ensure that communities can easily access our free and reduced fare options, for those who may be cost burdened by paying a full Muni fare.

reddit.com
u/gamescan — 9 days ago

Saw this article on SF Gate and it mentions that one reason people consider seller financing is because regular interest rates are so high. But it cites a second reason as minimizing taxes for the seller.

I had always assumed that seller financing meant the sale was treated as a regular sale, just with the seller keeping a lien (like a bank would) until the mortgage is paid off.

But these paragraphs seem to indicate that seller financing isn't treated as an actual sale for tax purposes until the final balloon payment. That doesn't seem right, but it does have me curious.

Anyone who can shed light on this?

FTA:

>This type of deal may especially appeal to sellers who don’t want to take an immediate tax hit, so Zarraonandia always makes sure to tell his clients about it. “It’s similar to getting rent, but you’re just able to sell it to somebody else and create your own terms,” Zarraonandia said.

>That said, Jones said she wishes more people knew about the option because, when both parties know what they’re getting into, it can be mutually beneficial. “Once you know your finances and you have a really good tax reason, it makes so much sense to me,” she said.

>Another client of hers knew his estate taxes would be too high if he sold, so he decided to finance several units he owned in Cole Valley to doctors and nurses who worked at UC San Francisco’s nearby Parnassus campus. She said he felt confident that type of buyer could be trusted, and his instinct was correct. He never had any defaults or late payments, according to Jones.

u/gamescan — 10 days ago
▲ 15 r/bayarea

Yes, technically reposting myself, but since at least some folks have been able to use/spend/withdraw money from their cards since the last post I figured I'd make one last ping since the cards expire tonight.

If your card is frozen/can't be used, you need to CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE and have them unfreeze it. This is fairly easy to do.

1.800.240.0223

https://www.mctrpayment.com/ (official site to verify CS number).

ALL UNSPENT FUNDS GO BACK TO THE STATE AT THE END OF THE DAY TODAY.

If you don't have anything to spend your $$$ buy an Amazon Gift Card or something. Don't let your $$$ go to waste.

u/gamescan — 15 days ago

FTA:

>Drivers who were speeding at 10 mph or more over the limit dropped by almost 80% at camera locations compared to the time before the traffic safety program began, according to data shared by the mayor’s office and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

>“Of drivers who receive a citation, 65% did not receive a second one, suggesting significant behavior change among drivers,” Lurie’s office said. “The data shows that 82% of drivers receive two or fewer notices.”

u/gamescan — 16 days ago