Pineapple Pizza: Good or bad?

Pineapple Pizza: Good or bad?

Here’s my take on this fuss about this interesting topic. 

When you think of pizza, you think of any pizza topping which are equally great choice & which isn’t quite controversial or divisive. You think of Margherita for an example. 🍍

So when it comes to a pizza topping that divides everyone’s opinion = Pineapple pizza (known as Hawaiian pizza), there are big divisions on that pizza topping which includes a fruit. Pineapple. 

What’s a big deal? I don’t get why pineapple pizza topic is so divisive which shouldn’t had to be divisive. It is a matter of choice. Personal choice whether you like Pineapple pizza or not.

Why overreact about the pineapple pizza topic when you know very well it is not controversial topic or pizza topping? 

For me, I like Pineapple pizza. In my opinion, I do like it. It is delicious and tasty. When I tried it for first time, fruit on pizza is really an amazing topping which you can add a fruit not just vegetables like mushroom, vegetable & other toppings like pepperoni, ham, tuna, BBQ Chicken, meat feast, tandoori chicken, etc. 

Furthermore, who invented the Hawaiian pizza (Pineapple on Pizza) which is not actually Hawaiian? Sam Panopulous. It was invented in Canada. 

So please remember guys (pizza lovers & non pizza lovers), next time when you think of Hawaiian pizza as a pizza topping, just accept the fact it is a pizza topping & it is not a bad to include pineapple as an fruit on Pizza. Like I said, it is a personal choice. That’s up to you. You decide whether you eat it or not. After all, we all have different opinions on different type of Pizza toppings. For me, Pineapple pizza is good. 

So If you still think pineapple pizza is not good & that you tasted it before or not tasted then I don’t know how I would convince you. After all, I am not writing a blog post just to change your mind. I am telling you to accept the fact Pineapple on Pizza is a topping just like other Pizza flavours like Margherita.

So let’s all stop with triggered reactions & overreaction regarding Pineapple on Pizza. 🍍🍕

Enjoy yourself with pizza topping of your choosing as you wish. 🍕🙂😀

Click the link for YouTube clip if you want to know more about Hawaiian Pizza aka Pineapple pizza.

youtu.be 

My opinion on Cashless Society

Today’s blog post is going to be about the cashless society.

I have done enough blog posts covering finances from credit card to me having victimised of fraud and scam 5 times on my own experience & me briefly in bank overdraft which I was lucky that I didn’t even pay a fee (overdraft fee). mrlimitless95.blogspot.com mrlimitless95.blogspot.com mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

My opinion on the Cashless society. 

I strongly oppose the idea of it. 

Why? It is an ludicrous idea. 

Now why would everyone support the idea of the society without cash? Because they (who support the idea of Cashless society) reckon that nobody will steal money & that can prevent theft & robbery. Well unfortunately I don’t agree with that. Even if the world does eventually become cashless in the future (& only use card & online via payments & even cryptocurrency like Bitcoin), there will always be people finding ways to steal money. 

Even my friend who is an blogger support the idea of Cashless society which unfortunately on this one, I have to respectfully disagree on this. barneteye.blogspot.com 

Regarding cash, I don’t mind banknotes becoming paperless. Since 2016, the UK have polymer notes (£5 note in 2016, £10 note in 2017, £20 note in 2020 last year & soon, we’ll have £50 note at some point this year which will complete the process of going paperless). As for the card, it has been around since 1968. Banknotes have been around much longer than bank cards. Especially coins. Before that, we used to have gold, silver, copper and other metals as money as Barter was the oldest means of exchange. Even diamond. 

The point is that we humans have really come a long way from particular eras when we used sort of things as money before cash, coins and card. In the present time, it’s cash banknotes, card, online and contactless payments. From environmental speaking, I think it’s time that we the rest of the world go paperless (while maintaining the use of cash & not even consider the idea of the cashless society). Australia is the first country ever to issue polymer (plastic) banknotes and they fitter issued it in 1988. Since then, many countries including Canada & the UK have adopted the approach of the usage of polymer banknotes by replacing old banknotes that were paper. 

& yet we are all thinking about alternative to notes and coins = cashless society? Not everyone will support that. The most disadvantage for the cashless society will be elderly people. Particularly rural areas. Just read this from last year. google.co.uk ageuk.org.uk google.co.uk 

There is a real worry that cash notes could one day become the thing of the past, which that in my opinion, shouldn’t really be the case. 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we have been using debit card more than banknotes. Including the fact that we people use our smart phones as an method to make a payment when we buy some things. Although it is nothing wrong to use debit bank card (contactless or not), online & smart phone as a form of payment method, it shouldn’t really mean that we should in any way abandon the use of the banknotes (both paper and polymer). 

If you look up at London buses for example, it has totally been cash free since July 2014. bbc.co.uk Before anyone can enter the bus in London & add coins to make a fare payment for a ticket. Nowadays, it’s Oyster Card, prepaid card, bank card, credit card, concessionary card (like zip card for under 18s & freedom pass for disabled & 60+) and contactless payment card. You see how disadvantage can be for all of us if we ever agree to the idea of the cashless society. 

The bottom line is that in my point of view, nobody should ever support and agree to the idea of cashless society. Never!!! Even if that does happen eventually one day in the future. 

I am telling you guys as the person who have been victimised of scam and fraud 5 times, there aren’t good benefits (advantages) of the cashless society. Financial crime like fraud & scam (particularly online since we live in the digital age. Age of social media as we got the internet) will still happen even if any country, any place in the world or all countries become totally cashless societies. Cashless society can even cause an privacy & security issues (like identity theft, that’s when scammers, hackers  & fraudsters comes into a play). 

It can be dystopian and frightening prospect. No wonder the Covid 19 pandemic have made some businesses around the world to go completely cashless. I can understand why some businesses particularly in retail made a decision to go cashless. However in the long term, just because one business firm made a decision due to any reason including crime like shoplifting, doesn’t mean all business firms should follow suit. 

So that’s why I have made my point that I am very opposed to the idea of the cashless society. 

My message to Google & Adsense

Short blog announcement & update about Google Adsense.

Hi everyone 

This is going to be a short blog post about Google Adsense & that why I have not heard anything  from them (Google) since I had set up my Adsense account & my linked my blog to Adsense. It is now a month already. Recently, I am beginning to start losing my patience because of the duration despite it said it would be done in two weeks. I set up my blog account on 23rd January 2021 (last month which is already more than 14 days/2 weeks = forth-night). I even wrote a blog post one day later on my blog. Feeling happy that I will soon put advertisement on my blog. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

If I don’t hear from Google by the end of the week (& this month since it is a 4th & final week of February) then I would have to stop having a interest of using advertisement on my blog with Google Adsense. That would mean I would have to find a different monetisation service to earn money while blogging. That is not acceptable. 

When person created his/her Google Adsense account & linked his/her to Google Adsense account since that Blogger is part of Google & so does YouTube, it is meant to be done quickly. Not taking ages. So that’s why I am not satisfied with the duration since it is over 2 weeks already. 

So this is my message to anyone who works at Google & Adsense & that he/her might be interested to read it. 

My message to Google & Adsense staff. 

Hi. I would like to know why it is taking so long? It’s already over two weeks I set up my Google Adsense account a month ago (23rd January 2021) & that I linked my blog to Adsense & yet, it is taking so long.

Please get in touch with me on this matter so I can have it resolved quickly as soon as possible & that I can finally place my adverts on my blog. Thank you.

Bank Overdraft: Financial danger and debt

Hi Everybody 

I am sure by now that you have read my recent blog post about my experience of being victimised of scam and fraud 5 times plus me being in overdraft debt. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

Before I get to talk about overdraft, I have a update that I want to tell you & it is a good news. 

Update

As of yesterday (Sunday 21st February 2021), my mother had added £354.19 on my bank account. So that means my bank balance is back to normal with small amount of £10. Just to avoid being in the position to pay overdraft fees (not being in a loophole because I don’t want to be charged with overdraft fees if I haven’t done anything to do so given I know banks have overdraft rates). So I am glad that I am out of overdraft debt. What a relief. 🙂

However i am not out of the woods yet. I still need to hear from my bank Barclays about their response to the letter that I posted. If I don’t like their response then I have to proceed with taking them & Fraudulent Travel Agency company (Travel Unravel who bothered me & my dad about something that wasn't part of flight ticket = weight limit given I paid on my dad's behalf for my dad's friend coming from Nigeria) to court. 

That’s all I can say about it.

Now today’s blog post about overdraft. 

Blog post 

What is overdraft? Overdraft means that it’s a deficit in a bank account caused by drawing more money than the account holds. 

So in other words, not only that bank overdraft is a debt. It is also an financial danger. 

Now I am lucky that I didn’t have to be in overdraft debt for long given i was in that situation shortly. It would be an nightmare if I didn’t do anything. 

Overdraft can damage your credit score. Yes, it can because it will be on your credit file for years unless if you are in overdraft debt & your bank account is overdrawn (no money in your bank account), it’s better to act now than rather letting it happen severely bad with yourself being charged with overdraft fees.

Overdraft has limits of how the person can borrow. Arranged or not.  

Being in overdraft is never a good feeling. It can affect your self esteem and mental health. I shed a tear in the evening (Friday 19th February) given I am not really a crying person.

There is always a help to get you out of a financial mess (even if you don’t spend too much money) & that there are a lots of things can put you in overdraft with your bank account being empty (zero. Minus). Things does happen out of the blue especially when it comes to finances.

My point is that you don’t have to be alone of experiencing an financial danger like overdraft because being in overdraft is financially dangerous. 

So I have just lay out my tips & shared my story of me in overdraft for you so that you won’t have to be in overdraft & that you don’t let it happen. 

Lastly, I hope that I won’t have to be in that situation ever again. 

Here are the sources that can help you if you are in very difficult position (overdraft). 

moneysavingexpert.com 

which.co.uk 

money.co.uk 

citizensadvice.org.uk 

google.co.uk 

CANZUK: Post Brexit Anglosphere

Two weeks ago, I published my blog post regarding the post Brexit future for the United Kingdom in the CPTPP & CANZUK. 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

So there is an proposed idea of the CANZUK Union/alliance with 4 countries. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom = CANZUK. 

Conservatives and Brexiteers support that proposed ludicrous idea with the UK having a Union with 3 fellow Anglosphere countries (Australia, New Zealand and Canada). 

Let me tell you something. 🇬🇧🇨🇦🇳🇿🇦🇺

Before the 2016 Brexit referendum, I recall signing the CANZUK petition on Change.Org (which I regret for signing it, it was my mistake) & I was tricked into signing for that petition given I didn’t had a knowledge about that proposed idea of CANZUK Union so I removed my signature off the petition on Change.Org website. 

Now why on Earth does Conservatives and Brexiteers support that the hypothetical idea as better alternative to the membership of the European Union? 

Well TLDR News have two videos regarding about that ludicrous idea (CANZUK). 

youtu.be 

youtu.be 

So why do I believe it’s a ludicrous? Here are my reasons. 

1. Geography and trade 

When it comes to geographic proximity and distance, the United Kingdom trade with the EU27 (whether Leavers like it or not, member or not member) because the UK’s largest trading partner is the European Union (trade volumes via imports and exports). The one that we had left the bloc last year (31st January 2020) & left the Single Market and the Customs Union by the end of last year 2020 (31st December 2020) when the 11 months of Brexit transition period was finished. The UK can sign many post Brexit trade deals with any country in the world but in the long run, it will not replace the EU as the UK’s largest trading partner. 

Canada trades with the United States of America (world’s largest economy & superpower) because it is a neighbouring country (neighbor if you prefer US spelling) by land border & Canada is in the trade agreement with the US and Mexico under USMCA (United States, Mexico and Canada agreement which is basically NAFTA 2.0 = North American Free Trade Agreement. Like the original one with different updated provisions). So America is Canada’s largest trading partner. 

And there is Australia and New Zealand. Both nations trade each other & they trade with China (world’s second largest economy) because China is a rising superpower politically and economically & that three countries (Australia, New Zealand and China) are in the Pacific region so that’s why China is Australia’s largest trading partner & New Zealand’s largest trading partner.

So geography matters. All four nations are in different geographical locations: UK in Europe, Canada in North America & OZ & NZ in Oceania. It’s about how nations are close they are geographically. I said the same thing on my previous blog post about the UK becoming an Pacific to join a trade bloc of 11 countries in CPTPP. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

On top of it, all 3 countries have their own dollar (I do not mean US Dollar) as their own currencies (Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar) while the UK’s currency is Pound Sterling. 

So how would be that possible for the boats with shipping containers coming from the UK to either three countries: Australia, New Zealand or Canada if CANZUK alliance is ever formed? Those who support the initiative should seek answers before proposing the idea of it. 

Also even if CANZUK is formed, the 27 combined economies of the EU will still be larger than 4 combined economies of CANZUK. Competing with the EU27, China & the US economically in the world stage as an competitor & rival. Eurosceptics can dream on.

2. Freedom of movement, diversity and hypocrisy 

I really don’t understand the logic from Eurosceptics. They talked about ending the freedom of movement from the European Union countries (except Ireland) which is mainly from Mainland Europe & as of 1st January this year, EU freedom of movement to the UK had ended. Yet prior to the end of the transition period, they want freedom of movement from three fellow Commonwealth countries (Canada, OZ and NZ). 

If that is the case then what about other Commonwealth countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Guyana, Mauritius, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Saint Kitts & Trinidad and Tobago? What I see this CANZUK alliance proposal is nothing but the rebranding of the British Empire. Why 4 white majority countries (UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia) of Anglo-sphere & not non  white majority Commonwealth countries? Hypocrisy

Mainly, it has to do with economies & politics of members of the Commonwealth & that it wouldn’t be compatible with 4 combined economies of CANZUK countries. Despite there is multiculturalism in all 4 countries (which is good. Diversity is good), but to think about having CANZUK alliance with 4 Anglosphere countries & free movement between 4 nations & excluding non white majority Commonwealth countries from Africa, Asia & Caribbean, it just shows Brexiteers really wanted to relive the past & live in that era before the EU membership. 

We have to remember the fact the UK was financially broke after Second World War, lots of British colonies had gained independence & the end of the UK’s role as the superpower (leaving both the US and USSR as two world superpowers  in mid 50s) due to the Suez Crisis. 

Guys, it’s 21st Century. Not 20th century or 19th century: so the government better think carefully of how to make the UK to succeed & prosper now that it is outside of the EU & not had that mindset of wanting to go back to the past with Britain’s nostalgic past of WW2 & the empire & all that stuff. 

3. Language, sports & culture. 

We know 4 countries speak the same language (English) and share the same British Monarch as the Queen is head of state of the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. 

However there is an French speaking Canadian province. Quebec so if there is going to be CANZUK Union in the future, that might be problematic because of the language. 

And then there’s sports. UK sports is football (soccer), rugby, Tennis and cricket. Canada’s sports is hockey & American football. Australia’s sports is Cricket, Basketball, Rugby, Football & Tennis & New Zealand’s sport is Tennis, Cricket, Netball, Football and Rugby.

UK (particularly England), New Zealand and Australia participates in sports events like FIFA World Cup, the Ashes & Rugby World Cup. Football (soccer), Rugby & Cricket are not Canadian sports even it’s true Canada do take part but they aren’t successful as England, New Zealand or Australia. I am saying this because it is factually true.

My conclusion: CANZUK is no better alternative than the European Union 27. 

Yes,four countries do have history, and that 4 countries are members of the Five Eyes security & intelligence alliance with the United States: 

Unless if there is CANZUK Union in the distant future,I don’t see it happening & I do not want that to happen. It is a rubbish proposal that has been supported by pro Brexit politicians & Eurosceptic officials. Not in just one country (United Kingdom) but also in three fellow Anglosphere & Commonwealth countries (Australia, New Zealand and Canada). Talking about “Global Britain” given Britain never stopped being global when it was an member of the European Union.

I am glad that the political YouTuber talks sense about the unrealistic idea that Brexiteers & Conservatives are supporting. EU27 🇪🇺economy is bigger than UK, Canada, New Zealand & Australia. Post Brexit dreamworld - British empire 2 

youtu.be 

Financial problems: My experience of being victimised of scam & fraud

Last week I talked about credit card debt. 

mrlimitless95.blogspot.com 

Today I am going to talk about the topic regarding finances. Financial scam and fraud. 

Now I know different type of scams & fraud so based on my own experience, I am going to detail it one by one so that you can understand what I am coming from.

Also I was glad that I didn’t experienced any other transactions. 

One day before my trip to Paris, I received some alarming text from Barclays, saying recent activity that had happened strangely. Well when I checked on my account on Barclays Mobile App, there was no money (£421.15) being deducted from “Changi Recommends” (which I never heard of the organisation given it is an Singaporean travel agency company) & I am happy that I didn’t recognise the transaction as I texted “N” & that no money was taken away from my account. 

I have no idea why would someone from Singapore who works in travel agency were attempting to take away £421 off my account. At least it did not happen & I didn’t even want to bring stress & headache given that I was ready to go to Paris, France & that thingy was a scam.

Then late February last year. 

£699.99 scammers from HRG which they were unsuccessful. I received a text from my bank (Barclays) & I typed “N” for not recognised & no money was taken from my money (& I didn’t had that amount of money). I was lucky that those two unrecognised transactions didn’t occurred at all.

& now unlucky ones. 

Here it goes. 

1.Game and gun websites from Hong Kong/Netherlands and the United States of America. 

In late May 2019 I received a text from my bank Barclays about two unrecognised transactions (which I called them by phone). I went to the bank next day after talking to the staff on the phone to report fraud in order to block anymore transactions from G2A (Dutch/Hong Kong game site. I don’t know that website & I don’t buy anything for game) & Precision Reflex Inc (US gun website. American gun website? What the hell. The maniac figured out my old card details to buy guns. That fraudulent person really has problems especially his/her interest for a gun given I never buy any weapon & I will never do so) I don’t recognise the payments from G2A & Precision Reflex Inc.

Eventually the two funds are added back to my account so that was sorted out & that lasts couple of weeks. 

2. Paris Taxi Scam. 

Now this one is an interesting one because I was conned into paying for a taxi fare that isn’t a proper taxi fare. Here’s a full detail about it.

When I was enjoying myself in Paris, France (which mostly were trouble free) in summer of 2019 & that I was there for three short days in late August, I arrived at Paris Gare Du Nord station via Eurostar train. When I was out of the station, the person came to me & said “do you want to go on ride?” I replied “yes”. Then next thing despite the journey from the station (Gare Du Nord) to the hotel (which I was staying for 3 days) was 8 minutes (not a long distance), he (the taxi driver who appeared to be “genuinely polite”) told me that the price was €75 (£70) & that he did conned me to pay for it. Not one but two amounts of the same amount €75 (£70 which made up the total amount of £140). It was on Sum Up card reader. 

At least when I returned home from France, I went to my bank (Barclays) straight away to report it as fraudulent & quickly, the money was refunded back to my account.

No wonder the taxi car I went on the ride didn’t had the taxi meter & the taxi sign. I would had gone for Kapten or Uber. In fact I was really going to book Uber for the ride before that person (rogue taxi driver) did approached to me.

When I informed the reception at the hotel that it had happened to me, one staff member told me that he “knows” some people who do operate in the dodgy business of fraud & scam & that he’ll do his own investigation in order to report rogue taxi driver to the French police.

The taxi fare from Gare Du Nord station to the hotel (which I was staying) should had been around €10 - €16 (£10 - £16). Instead it was too much expensive fare price. £70 (€75) for the journey which was less than 10 minutes from the station to the hotel, it was not a proper fare price. 

I could had took the picture of the car number plate of the rogue taxi driver who conned me to pay two exact same amounts of €75 (£70) & reported to the French police. Instead I decided not to because i didn’t want my 3 day holiday in Paris to be overshadowed by taxi scam. So that’s how my time in Paris was mostly trouble free, it was unfortunate that had happened especially after me being out of the station from the Eurostar train that took 2 hours from London St Pancras to Paris Gare Du Nord. I loved the journey by the way. Next time when I come to visit Paris or any big European cities that has many tourists visiting there like Barcelona or Rome, I have to be street wise before that sort of thing like taxi scam happens to me which I will have to do my best not to be in that situation again. 

3. HMRC tax scam 

This one is one of the saddest & very difficult thing to avoid. Tax scam (HMRC scam). That happened in late October 2019.

Although that didn’t fully affected me, it is that was so unfortunate that happened to my mum (& I tried my best of telling my mum not to proceed with the payment = HMRC tax scam as she was on the phone, it’s not an genuine person as i knew it’s a scammer, my efforts of telling my mum not to do so had failed & my own money £300 including £150 of my own. The rest was from my dad = same amount was deducted). While most of my mum’s own money had gone to that scammer with Indian accent. He (the HMRC Scammer who by the way goes by the name of “RC” & didn’t give his real name) even sounded aggressive on the phone to my mother, saying “oh my god, hurry up”. All of that had really happened out of the blue. Myself and my dad advised mum to go to the bank to report it as an fraudulent transaction which mum said it was not possible & that she won’t get her own money. She could had tried. I did as I went to my bank to report it. Although before Christmas 2019, I didn’t received a money fully with £300 amount, I received a half amount of £150. 

So yeah. Normally, Tax revenue like UK/British HMRC (Her Majesty Revenue and Customs) or Inland revenue if you like, I know for the fact that they (HM Revenue and Customs people. Real people who work there) never call or text anyone especially out of the blue in situations like that. When it comes to tax affairs, they write letters & yet there are lowlifes who claims to be from HMRC in order to take advantage of the person including most on the elderly, they are so cruel and idiotic imbeciles. Conning people by making a profit out of misery. It’s very terrible. gov.uk 

So I know HMRC would never do that on purpose. Those scammers have been trying to give the tax office a bad name by destroying the reputation which I know that won’t work & that they’ll never be successful. Those who conned people and making profits out of someone’s misery. 

That leads me to two recent fraudulent transactions as it had happened at the start of this year 2021. 

4. Clickbait advertisement scam 

He clicked the clickbait advertisement showing the health product that he was interested of wanting to buy something (Keto Pro) & he persuaded me to buy it for him. I told him “are you really sure about this cos I don’t want this to happen again like last time last year with lottery maximiser last year February?” He told me no worries (reassuring me that they won’t happen again). Then when I was ready to proceed with the order, something have came up (pop up advertisement = clickbait). Garcinia. Which have unfortunately ended up on my order which the carer of my disabled brother (my disabled brother who is non verbal & has challenging behaviour) didn’t wanted that item (Garcinia). That was when we were being tricked into ordering it. Even the cater himself have looked up that two items (Keto Pro and Garcinia) are health products for women.

I was not impressed at all. I even said to him before ordering that are you sure about it cos in my mind & my conscious (I knew something that is not right & the website link is not really genuine). 

Given I shouldn’t had to be in awful position like this.

As the result of it, I called my bank Barclays regarding about it. He told me that it was not possible to block two transactions (£4.95 for Keto Pro & £4.96 for Garcinia makes up £9.91 in total = $12.24). Instead he told me that there will be blocks (mechanism) that can identify & prevent any unrecognised and fraudulent transactions in the future (for some websites that aren’t genuine. Especially unless that If I approve or not which I already received notifications by Barclays app with any payment deducted to prevent fraud & all that & that if I do recognise or not). So my Bank was not able to block it except I emailed Keto Customer support to refund my money back to my account which they did.

I understand the carer’s experience that he have been victimised by scammers to order something he never wanted & that he was being tricked (deceived) into buying Garcinia but to persuade me to order something he wanted (health product. Geto Plus Product which is mostly for female) which we ended up paying for another item (which he never wanted & liked Garcinia one) that we never wanted. He should had been careful while seeing these type of advertisement because some advertisement can be misleading & that makes the person to click the link (clickbait). He could buy the item that he wanted on eBay or Amazon. 

So that’s how for 4th time in a row (first time in 15 months. October 2019) it happened to me again. Just like other three in 2019, two unrecognised transactions (Dutch/Hong Kong game website), Paris taxi scam & HMRC tax scam. Luckily last year 2020 (I didn’t experience any of problems like fraud & scams). 

So it was so unfortunate that sort of scam that happened to me again. This time with clickbait advertisement (which that tricked the carer into wanting a health product & persuaded me to order despite I knew that it was not genuine). I am glad few weeks ago that it was sorted out that money £9.91 ($12.24) as I did emailed customer support & my bank Barclays. 

So if you don’t know what clickbait means then here is an definition/meaning of the word. It is a text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content, with a defining characteristic of being deceptive, typically sensationalised or misleading.

That’s what clickbait means. 

And finally. 

5. Flight ticket scam from Travel Unravel & me in overdraft debt. 

Last month, I paid £522.23 on my dad’s behalf as he sent a money to my bank account to pay it for my dad’s friend who was coming from Nigeria & flow on Virgin Atlantic (although I won’t recommend anybody to travel during this difficult times because of the coronavirus pandemic). Then next day, I received unexpected and unpleasant phone call from travel agent (Robert with Indian accent) who later turned out to be completely fraudulent & scammer. Bothering me & my dad about weight limit. Weight limit? That wasn’t a part of flight ticket 🎫 Why someone from Travel Unravel would be harassing me & my dad about something that isn’t part of the ticket. When I first heard a voice recording from that guy about it, i passed on to my father to deal with it. As the result of it, flight ticket was cancelled & the guy & other person from Travel Unravel had bothered my dad & he (my dad) almost had a heart attack because of the fact they wanted to speak to me which I was the one who made a payment. Worse of all, refund process from Travel Unravel (& WorldPay which is merchant provider for that travel Unravel company is not very genuine) would take two weeks so my dad advised me to talk to my bank Barclays on the phone which I did so. After all, money was added back to my account (refunded) and the matter was sorted (which i originally thought) until it was not. 

This month I received a letter from my bank (Barclays) which was sent on 4th February & I received on 8th February. At first, I thought that was done (sorted) & not cared of the outcome (which now I regretted as I could done something with that letter & I really thought that was a small transaction for other fraudulent transaction for clickbait transaction which I really wanted to find that out & already decided to move on from it). & then weeks later as of yesterday (Thursday 18th February, my whole money £178 was out & my bank account balance have gone into zero. Empty). In other words, for the first time in my life, I am in debt. Overdraft debt (meaning me in debt to my own bank Barclays). I didn’t read anything about it on Barclays Mobile App until today & I reacted shockingly 😳😳 that it really happened to me. Never in my life that I have experienced of my account being overdrawn. It never happened to me before. Overdraft. It’s a horrible feeling. 

Me I have experienced some of financial problems (which includes scam) but never in the situation like this = overdraft. At the time of writing (on Friday 19th February 2019 my account is £-344.19). That means my bank believed the scammers from Travel Unravel company over me (meaning fraudulent transaction £522.23 was genuine despite it was not really genuine) & that is a mistake that Barclays (my bank) have done so (even if I didn’t do anything that prevent that from happening). So yeah, I am really really in deep s**t financially. Thankfully with the help of my dad & that I have evidence to prove the contrary as I wrote the letter & posted at my nearby post office which I have the receipt. I hope and pray that can be resolved asap (as soon as possible). I even contacted my bank few hours ago & I requested a chargeback. Staff member told me who understood my situation & said it was not possible for accept my request for chargeback (refund). I even told her (Barclays staff member) that I delivered my letter with my evidence that proves last month fraudulent transaction from Travel Unravel was not genuine that will soon be delivered to them (Barclays). 

So it’s very sad for me to be in this situation like this. Hopefully once that is sorted out, I’ll update you guys regarding about my situation. 

Anyways that is the whole 5 list of me being victimised of scam and fraud. 

Time to move on and end the US embargo on Cuba

Ahh Cuba 🇨🇺 One of my dream travel destination that I would love to visit when it is over (lockdown & the Covid pandemic). 

What I think about Cuba, it’s music, beaches, baseball, dance, classic American cars and yes, Cuban cigars, cocktails and rum. All positive vibes. 

However when it comes to politics concerning Cuba and relations with the United States, it’s so messy and complicated. 

Here’s a breakdown. 🇺🇸🇨🇺

Since late 1950s, the relationship between the United States and Cuba are not positive as they are foes & that they are not friends & allies. Because of the events in the Cold War era including the fact the United States had backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista being overthrown during the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro rose to power & the severance and the end of US - Cuba relations (that is when the US imposed an economic sanction = embargo on Cuba or the blockade & it has remained in place to this day) & two events (Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis) when JFK was then the US President. youtu.be youtu.be 

In the recent years notably in 2014, then US President Barack Obama made a speech about normalising & restoring the diplomatic relations with Cuba. The Cuban thaw. By then Raul Castro (Fidel’s brother) was the Cuban President. youtu.be 

That was the beginning that would had mean eventually the end of the US embargo on Cuba that have existed for over 60 years. With two years before the end of the Obama presidency, the US embassy in Havana was reopened (restoration of diplomatic relations), Cuba out of the US state sponsor of terrorism, normalising bilateral relations & expanding travel and trade as US travel restrictions on Cuba (that restricts American travelling to Cuba) was lifted. US airlines & cruise ships were going to destinations in Cuba and then Barack Obama visited Cuba in 2016. youtu.be youtu.be youtu.be youtu.be 

Then suddenly in June 2017, Donald Trump (then US President) rollbacked Obama Cuba policy, saying he was “cancelling the last administration’s one sided deal with Cuba”. youtu.be youtu.be 

So Trump dismantled Obama Cuba policy, Tightened the embargo on Cuba, restoring travel restrictions (not travelling freely), no Western Union offices, the implementation of the 1996 Helms Burton goes into effect in 2019, blamed Havana for “mysterious sonic attacks” that happened US diplomats in US embassy in Havana, Cuba & added Cuba back in the list of US state sponsor of terrorism.

During the Trump presidency, Trump didn’t even bothered to make a deal with the Cuban government in order to be way different than the Obama Cuba policy, other than confronting & bullying Cuba with rounds of sanctions, making the US relations with Havana to go back to square one (back to when Cuba was not having a good relations with the US before Obama).

Now Joe Biden is the US President & during the election campaign last year, Biden said that he’ll restore Obama era policy regarding Cuba & not continue with Trump failed policy on Cuba. youtu.be youtu.be 

Now I think it is really time for the United States to finally get back & finish what Barack Obama started. The step to ease tensions with the Cuban govt & the roadmap to the gradual end of the embargo. Why? Because it’s time that the United States to let go of the past & move on. 

Yes, Cuba is an authoritarian country & doesn’t have a democracy, human rights and press freedom which are factually true. Something both countries (USA and Cuba) do have disagreements on that (which is normal) but to continue & support the embargo that hasn’t worked well both for Washington and Havana, it really serves no purpose. 

The world has moved on from the days of Cold War plus I think countries in UN are tired of having endless UN resolutions year after year, condemning blockade on Cuba. Both US allies (Like Canada, the UK, Spain, France, Germany & the European Union) and non US allies (like China and Russia who are allies to Cuba) have all in common. They wanted USA to stop the sanctions & the US blockade (embargo) & Cuba. America still refers Cuba as “the Castro Regime”. Well the Castros are not in power anymore. Fidel Castro is long gone. Raul Castro has been out of power since 2018 given the president of Cuba nowadays is the president that does not have a surname (last name) Castro. Miguel Díaz Canel (Current Cuban President).

My point is that It’s time the US move on from Cold War days & just lift the embargo. No more of imposing round of sanctions & tightening the embargo that affects the Cubans (ordinary Cubans) as well Cuban Americans (including those who resides in Miami, Florida as there are Predominantly Cuban Americans live in US state of Florida with the fact that Cuban exiles had left the country during the Cuban revolution). 

Barack Obama could had gone even further (like closing Gitmo Bay = Guantanamo Bay) & that he could be the one who had successfully ended the American embargo. With Trump won the 2016 presidential election, I knew there’s no way that Trump would carry on with Obama policy on Cuba. Now I hope Joe Biden can try to lift measures by restoring Obama administration policy on Cuba (given he was the Vice President) & not imposing any round of sanctions on Cuba & having a dialogue with the government of Cuba to resolve any differences including, press freedom, democracy, human rights and Cuba’s role of supporting the Venezuelan government under Nicolas Maduro. 

That cannot be any hinderance for the American government to start talking with the Cuban government in ways to have differences & robust dialogue. No dialogue between both nations (even if they aren’t friends) means continued isolation & the strain on the US - Cuba Relations & that can lasts for years. 

That’s where the diaspora of Cuban Americans are pro embargo & strongly against the Cuban govt. & there are many polls shows in the last couple of years, American people are overwhelmingly against the US embargo & so does the Cuban people so what is America waiting for? It’s simple. End the US embargo and move on. engagecuba.org 

On final note it’s interesting why Trump & GOP politicians including the likes of Marco Rubio & Ted Cruz  strongly disapprove Obama’s Cuba policy cos they want the embargo to remain which benefits nobody both in the US and Cuba. The embargo (Cubans calls it “blockade”) has in effect for 60 years. The same Donald Trump who violated the US embargo rules in of wanting to have golf resort & hotel there & Paul Manafort visited Cuba in January 2017.Yet rollbacked Obama’s Cuba policy. It was nothing but hypocrisy.  

So yeah, It’s time US stops playing Cold War politics on Cuba, end the embargo and reset the relations between the United States of America and Cuba. If that goes well then hopefully some day, Cuba could become an US ally & friend & gradually having a democracy & press freedom & the end of authoritarianism. 

The embargo will not do that. Change has to come within Cuba for the Cuban people & it will only their own decision not the US decision. Until then, it’s time for move on from the Cold War era for both countries (USA and Cuba). 

cfr.org 

Covid 19 cases are falling in the UK

Couple of weeks ago, it was very & tragically sad when the Covid 19 death toll reached 100,000. bbc.co.uk This explains the mismanagement of the government’s handling of the coronavirus situation in the UK.

Now we are seeing the Covid 19 deaths & cases of Covid 19 infections going down. Good news.

My friend & fellow blogger Roger Tichborne (The Barnet Eye blogger) talked about today in his blog about saving London’s economy once the lockdown is gradually lifted by next month in March (hopefully. I pray that is the case). barneteye.blogspot.com 

google.co.uk The Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks about wanting third national lockdown to “be the last”. Said by the same Prime Minister who does not genuinely have a track record of saying and making promises that he cannot keep & thinks that he have a crystal ball. “We can turn the tide in 12 weeks” = summer 2020. “It will be over by Christmas” = Christmas 2020 & believing that can be over finally by Easter 2021. Covid 19 is not going away anytime soon. 

There is no such thing as “Long flu” & yet Matt Hancock (Health Secretary) had reportedly said that by the end of the year, we should cope to live with Covid. google.co.uk Well I do not know how to put it into words. Given there are some people who had Covid, suffered a long time problem (Long Covid which affects the immune system) & Hancock rules out zero Covid strategy. The zero Covid strategy that was successfully in some countries including New Zealand. google.co.uk Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand) handled the Covid situation very well in NZ. I wish we have our own Ardern. 

And lastly, the ridiculous idea of the return of the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme? google.co.uk Suggested by Deliveroo. Hell no!!! 

So if the government really wants to make third lockdown to be “the last” then it’s simple, they got to stop mishandling the Covid situation. The more they mishandle, the more mess ups that comes around, the more that huge cases of Covid infections are rising & the more that we would be back in the same position as we are currently at this moment. More lockdown. 

I also hope once the lockdown is lifted gradually, we are not back to the ridiculous tiers system that was crap & not very effective to deal with Covid 19 cases locally & regional in the UK (particularly in England). google.co.uk

With very good that Covid 19 vaccination target have been reached, let’s hope the government & ourselves better not mess up again once lockdown is lifted in Spring. Winter is almost over. 

So I hope and pray that we wouldn’t return to more & more of lockdowns whether is regional, locally or national. Wearing a face mask & following social distancing guidelines are the things that we must keep on doing all of these until the pandemic is over. So let’s not lose hope everybody. 

Is the UK becoming Pacific?

Last week I wrote a blog post about the post Brexit future now that the UK is outside the European Union. mrlimitless95.blogspot.com regarding CPTPP and CANZUK. 

Today’s blog I want to talk more about CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership). 

As detailed in my previous blog, there are 11 countries in CPTPP.

There are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. These 11 countries are Pacific Rim countries. Seriously, why the UK government would want to be part of CPTPP knowingly that we are not in the pacific geographically? They (the govt) have not done their research well & that they should go back to the drawing board & really reconsider before going ahead with it. Well unfortunately the government have already done. Applied formally to be part of the trade bloc (CPTPP) as of 1st February 2021. 

What is so special for the UK to be part of the trade bloc given we are in Europe geographically & not in the Asia Pacific region? 

The government have been wanting to join CPTPP since 2018 (three years). Under Theresa May premiership, they (the govt) had expressed an interest of wanting to join that trade bloc of 11 Pacific rim countries. Now under the premiership of Boris Johnson, they just applied to join the bloc. gov.uk google.co.uk google.co.uk 

Realistically, how is the United Kingdom really going to gain while we are in The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership? 

Well if that is the case, we might as well have palm trees (which I know we don’t have) like an Pacific country.🌴 CPTPP? That makes completely zero senses given we are not in the Asia Pacific region geographically. 

When it comes to trade & geography, most countries would trade its neighbours, rather than trade with any country that is far away (not that country cannot do trade deal with any nation if they insist). Sadly, the government (the UK govt) have really lack proper understanding of why the country is not an Pacific country despite it is no longer member of the EU and yet, wanting to join trade blocs like CPTPP that is mostly for countries who are in different continents/regions & geographically part of it. It would be like non European countries like the United States, Canada, Australia or Israel joining the European Union (despite not being in Europe geographically & that is just hypothetical example. Not actual thing). 

Furthermore, the United States was in CPTPP (which was originally TPP) until Donald Trump pulled America out of it 4 years ago in 2017. Now the United States wants to rejoin CPTPP as Joe Biden is the new US President.  

My point is that you have any countries in the Asia Pacific like China, South Korea & USA but not the UK. Why? Because it is not an Pacific country & it shouldn’t be anyway become an Pacific country. Even if we are joining CPTPP as if we are not in Europe geographically. 

Geography matters & that is why the government have lack an common knowledge & an common sense about this. The UK can have many trade deals with any country as they like now that is not in the EU Single Market and the Customs Union. However alternate to the EU membership is no better & why? The government claims that post Brexit, the country can prosper in the world as “Global Britain”. As if Britain had stopped global whilst an member of the European Union. Nothing but lies & myths. Believed by the Brexiteers who really has no logic at all. 

Finally, all I can say about the UK being in CPTPP is that it may be good for economic reasons, it really doesn’t change the fact that we are not in Asia Pacific region & if we were the Pacific country, then it wouldn’t be a problem. So that’s why we are joining the CPTPP for no good reasons economically & it is really ludicrous to be in the trade bloc of 11 nations when we are not geographically in the Pacific. That is all I can say about this topic. 

youtu.be Watch TLDR news video about the UK joining CPTPP. 

Post Brexit trade deal with Uncle Sam

Post Brexit trade deal with Uncle Sam. UK - US trade deal. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

For more than 3 years since 2017, we have been hearing a lot about the concerns about having the controversial and dangerous imports from the United States. 

GM crops, beef hormones and yes, chlorinated chicken. 

Why wasn’t it been mentioned when the UK held the 2016 Brexit referendum? Despite Leavers would had deemed it “project fear”, if there was mentioned (beef injected hormones and chorine washed chicken from the US) then we (the UK) wouldn’t been in this situation. 

google.co.uk

No wonder the 68% of exports to the European Union is down due to the lies and selfishness of the Brexiteers including those from Vote Leave campaign (Michael Gove, Priti Patel and yes, Boris Johnson). 

Also before that, there were big concerns about the proposed US - EU trade deal (TTIP) which was never been agreed regarding provisions like privatisation & the power for corporations to sue governments. So why the UK are being so desperate for trade deal with the world’s largest economy and the world’s superpower the United States of America? 

From 13 colonies (13 US states) under the British rule to independence & from past events including WW2, when people say “special relationship, it’s the US and the UK. Given the relations between the UK and the US (relationship between both nations) are strong and that they are strong allies, partners and friends. Common history & the common language (English). Up until Brexit, I am sure you remember when US President Barack Obama came to the UK in 2016 & said about Brexit given he was against it. He said that the UK will be “back of the queue”. Guess what? He was right. amp.theguardian.com

google.co.uk Foolishly, Boris Johnson racially said that he (Obama) is “part Kenyan with the ancestral dislike with the British Empire”. 

Even Donald Trump (pro Brexit & the protectionist US President) wanted to do trade deal with the UK and as of last month, no US trade deal have been agreed. The New Administration under Joe Biden doesn’t really want to sign any trade deals at the moment which includes the potential UK - US trade deal post Brexit. ft.com Especially Joe Biden is no fan of Brexit & that he has Irish roots (as he was VP under Obama) & the recent threat for the UK to violate international law (part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement & the Good Friday agreement) which the government had already dropped their plans to do so.

Now since I am very satisfied that Donald Trump lose the election to Joe Biden & that he (Trump) is not in the White House anymore, as for the potential UK - US trade deal post Brexit, the concerns about having banned controversial US imports like beef injected hormones and chlorinated chicken to the UK will not go away.

The UK govt keep saying that they won’t lower our standards in the name of allowing banned US imports (chlorinated chicken and beef hormones) to the UK supermarkets. Even if there is a deal (US - UK trade deal), no UK supermarkets (Tesco, Waitrose, Co-op, Mark & Spencer, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and Aldi) would ever want to sell controversial beef injected hormones & chlorinated chicken in their own stores from America. It’s a recipe for disaster. 

On top of it, the UK - US trade deal shouldn’t cover any ludicrous provisions like selling off the NHS to US corporations, ditching European standards by adopting American standards which it wouldn’t be good for post Brexit UK food standards such as both of them (as I mentioned. Beef hormones and chlorinated chicken). They are banned entirely in Europe so the ban on any banned US imports should stay that way even the UK is outside the European Union. 

So yeah, that is all I can say about the UK wanting to strike a trade deal with Uncle Sam. Despite Uncle Sam himself has priorities including dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the US. 

Really, it shouldn’t had been that way. The UK seeking trade deals for every country to have it given the EU27 has many trade deals which the UK was part of. 

Now just like Obama said almost 5 years ago that the UK would be “back of the queue” with trade deal with the US & the UK is really in the back of the queue. Even Trump really wanted to strike a trade deal with the UK which it didn’t really happened successfully & Biden has other things to do so he ain’t got that for wanting trade deals with any country including the United Kingdom at this moment. 

So therefore, there wouldn’t be UK - US trade deal anytime soon. & when it does happen eventually, I hope chlorinated chicken and beef hormones aren’t part of the deal. If does then it would be disastrous deal for the UK & nobody would want to get sick of buying and eating something that would completely be dangerously bad for everybody’s health. google.co.uk  

I hope this should not become the case, should the UK - US trade deal occur. Only time will tell. For now, there are no rush for UK -US trade deal at the moment as the Covid pandemic needs to totally be eradicated first & then maybe, negotiations for the UK - US trade deal. 

After all, the UK and the US are close allies. 

 

 

Credit Card: Are they tricky?

Credit cards: Are they tricky? 

I am not really an expert anything regarding money and finances. 

So in today’s blog post about finances I am going to talk about credit card & debt & why are credit cards so tricky? 

Here’s what I know about credit cards. 💳

It’s not like ordinary bank card (debit card), it’s a card which has a credit limit & interest (interest rate) given it does put some people into debt, having financial problems (being unable to pay off transaction of payment). With or without credit score. It’s one of those things that you pay the minimum payment of the minimum amount & finishing the credit balance & all that stuff. All to avoid late payment fee charge by paying a credit card bill on time.

So the question is are credit card being tricky? The answer is yes. 

I know the differences between debit card and credit card. 

Debit card is for spending & it doesn’t have credit limit. Yet many people see credit card as if they have extra money to spend money on things without actual understanding what credit card are really for. 

On my personal experience although I have not really experienced any financial problems regarding credit card debt (except unfortunately I now have a credit card despite for last couple of years I never wanted to sign up to having one in the first place with the likes of credit card companies like Capital One, Barclaycard & others & that they have sending me a lots of letter to persuade me to sign up having one which I know which was all for marketing and advertising purposes) except two years when I experienced enough problems in 2019 when scammers took my money of my bank account 3 times & recently two times & that I don’t want any of unnecessary problems financially which does include the potential problem with credit card. Credit card debt. I have better things to do instead of being caught up in all of that. Some point in the future (one day), I will make my own decision to finally not having a credit card at all even if does impact my credit score (which I find ways to overcome it). 

Anyways 

My point is that credit card is not debit card. This is something that some people have failed to understand by believing the myth that you can spend many things as you like with credit card despite it is not “spending” card like bank card (debit card) & then all the sudden, the person (he/she) is in debt. That can prove my point that credit card are tricky and it can be gateway to debt especially if you are not careful financially. 

If you want to spend something (purchase anything online and offline to buy) then use a debit card. Not credit card. Credit card is for borrowing and loans.

So that’s why I am more of debit card person that you can make a payment without credit limit (without having to be in debt unless if person rent or own a place & regularly pay bills & mortgages). I am very sceptical on some things like credit card given debit card is better & that there are things that I do wish to avoid getting in debt & any of financial burden. 

That is why so many people would have unnecessary problems financially whether is a loan (any loan like payday loan) or indeed credit card cos credit card doesn\"t give any person a free money to spend whether the person wants to spend money on. It\"s just of that method that traps person financially by being in unnecessary situation (not able to pay off a debt).

Bankruptcy, overdraft (when the account goes to zero. Zero amount of money & that the person have to pay overdraft fees) and debt are the financial problems that brings stress that can affect any person’s mental health and self esteem. Given credit card is not by force. In other words, it is not compulsory. 

There are people in the world who has credit score without the need of credit card. google.co.uk There are other ways to boost up & build your credit score (credit rating) without having the need to have credit card & credit card alone is not the only option to boost up credit rating. thebalance.com uswitch.com experian.com Just because they are some people don’t have credit card, doesn’t really mean they are not good with handling money financially. 

When it comes to checking on & improving credit score, it is really about managing your finances well. Paying bills on time and repaying money that you borrowed (like loan money). 

All what I am saying just to help you understand (unless you do understand well) what I am coming from is that you don’t have to have credit card to boost up your credit score & if you do (although it is up to you entirely despite I won’t recommend credit card) is that you keep up the credit card bill payment & that you use it responsibly & correctly (unless you change your mind in the future or so) so that you won’t have to be in debt by default. After all, it’s your own decision. 

Credit score is about lenders looking up your score (rating) based on credit report so that lenders like credit card companies, companies, creditors & banks, etc can either accept you or not & that how they can lend you money by trusting you financially as an borrower to keep up payments with the chance of being accepted.

Credit card (yes, obviously which I mentioned enough already).

Loans. 

Mortgages

Car financing 

Gas and electricity monthly payments (utility bills)  

Moblie phone contracts 

Insurance monthly payments 

Property rentals (basically, paying for rent). 

Even subscription payments like Netflix and Spotify. 

Even they do prefer someone with credit card who has credit score which that shouldn’t really be the case at all.

So guys as I am wrapping up my blog post about credit card, I am saying for final time just to help you understand is that credit card is not “spending” card like credit card & that could be the gateway to debt & financial problem especially that can impact your credit rating. That I can say about this as I conclude that credit card are tricky.