33 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Thank you. Those are freaking expensive and not available in canada, so I guess importing them it is. I bought dr scholls, but they are not helping much. The problem is I really like walking. Might try the cortisone.

You are welcome. I bought two pairs of the Powerstep insoles in October 2024 and had to import them as well. They are still in very good condition though nearly two years later, and I use them every day, so they definitely hold up over time. Yes, they are more expensive than the Scholl’s ones, but custom orthotics usually cost at least five times more than the Powerstep insoles, so it is all relative.

I noticed you can get them from Amazon Canada, although the price is much higher there:

https://www.amazon.ca/PowerStep-Pinnacle-Insoles-Podiatrist-Recommended/dp/B000KPIHQ4

Honestly though, I would have paid whatever it took for these if it meant being able to walk normally again. Before I got them, the pain had become so bad that I thought surgery was going to be my only option. Foot surgeery is the last thing you want. YOu wouldn't be able to put any weight on the foot for a few months. Bathing would be a nightmare too. But within a couple of weeks of using the Powerstep orthotics, I was nearly back to normal, and things kept improving over time.

I actually started first with a couple of pairs of the Scholl’s plantar fasciitis insoles too because they were much cheaper and were locally available, but they did absolutely nothing for me. Two weeks later I ordered the Powerstep ones, and they were a complete game changer.

The house slippers are really important too, like I mentioned earlier, at least for me. When you wake up in the morning, your plantar fascia is stiff from not moving all night. If the first few steps you take are on a hard floor, it can trigger pain for the rest of the day. Make sure you step straight into soft flip flops or cushioned slippers as soon as you get out of bed. That makes a huge difference too and you should at least notice a bit of pain relief from that after a few days.

7 minutes ago, BigLek said:

The house slippers are really important too, like I mentioned earlier, at least for me. When you wake up in the morning, your plantar fascia is stiff from not moving all night.

You are right. I actually have the most pain when I wake up and eventually it gets better, but not if i walk more than 10-15 minutes.

Also after sitting for 20-30 minutes and getting up the pain is also much worse.

Do you remember how you got it? Something that triggered this?

Edited May 22May 22 by Celsius

3 minutes ago, Celsius said:

You are right. I actually have the most pain when I wake up and eventually it gets better, but not if i walk more than 10-15 minutes.

Also after sitting for 20-30 minutes and getting up the pain is also much worse.

Do you remember how you got it? Something that triggered this?

Once you have the right orthotics, you will eventually be able to walk normally again without pain. First one mile, then two. It improves over time. I also think the orthotics help stretch the plantar fascia as you walk with the high arch support the orthotics provide and that help improve circulation and reduce stiffness.

One of the best things you can do right before standing up, either from bed or after sitting for a while, is to gently bend your toes back toward your shins hold the stretch for about 30 to 45 seconds before putting weight on your feet. Do it slowly at first to avoid triggering a muscle spasm until the tendons become more flexible. First use your calf muscles to pull your toes back, then use your fingers to pull your toes back a little farther and hold for another 30 seconds. When you stand up afterward, the pain is usually less because the plantar fascia has already been stretched. Try to do this a few times throughout the day whenever you remember. Over time it can improve flexibility and reduce pain too.

I do not think there was one specific event that caused it for me. Probably just age combined with years of wearing shoes without proper insole support. The plantar fascia gradually becomes stiffer and thinner as you get older, which means less natural cushioning. That is also why soft slippers on hard floors help so much. Once you remove the things that are constantly aggravating it, the healing process can actually happen fairly quickly.

I am so glad I figured out the right solution because I was dangerously close to getting surgery I didn't really need.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I like that idea as long as they don't move to Thailand, we have plenty of expats here and we don't need millions more.

that's similar to tourists complaining about other tourists ruining a place

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

that's similar to tourists complaining about other tourists ruining a place

Do you want a million farangs living in Pattaya?

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Do you want a million farangs living in Pattaya?

No, but usually people complain about a place being too touristy with them making up the tourists

30 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

No, but usually people complain about a place being too touristy with them making up the tourists

I avoid those places.

29 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I avoid those places.

The islands and beaches you go to are very touristy

14 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

Trump has been a disaster for most Americans. Don't let the booming stock market fool you.

Trump is trying his best, but he and the west have got the Wokes and now the Jellyfish generation to deal with......idiots. 😡

Edited May 23May 23 by SAFETY FIRST

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

The islands and beaches you go to are very touristy

I havent been to an island in 3 years. The mainland beaches I go to are quiet. Miles and miles of quiet beaches.

On 5/20/2026 at 11:53 PM, Celsius said:

Another coping thread.

We live quite well in Toronto on less than 50k per year..... and that's in canadian dollars.

Of course, no stupid expenses like

Healthcare

Dentists

Western food (not Thai slop) at ridiculously cheap prices

On this budget I would even go horing more than u saddos in Pattaya. The premium of fornicating while breathing clean air is worth it.

Of course, I wasn't one of those idiots who sold the property to live a dream in Thailand that is now slowly disappearing.

COPE MORE

Life is good

So you rely on the Public hospital health system rather than pay private health insurance?.

If it's anything like Australia"s Public health system you will be placed on a waiting list seeing Dr Raji Maji who arrived last week from Bangladesh

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I havent been to an island in 3 years. The mainland beaches I go to are quiet. Miles and miles of quiet beaches.

You are always on about islands, the most touristy places. If you want long quiet beaches, head to Rayong, empty, too long

17 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

The islands and beaches you go to are very touristy

It is not touristy when you find the right spot on the Island 😁

Islands have different communities and and also spaces from the crowds.

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is not touristy when you find the right spot on the Island 😁

Islands have different communities and and also spaces from the crowds.

You find isolated spots away from people but you're still a tourist so adding to tourism

13 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You find isolated spots away from people but you're still a tourist so adding to tourism

Off course,

And I start to like the both sides of Rayong now, easy access to Island, short distance to Bangkok, and maybe a much better option than Pranburi and south, still the Chinese activity there, is growing, and pushing the prices up.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Trump is trying his best, but he and the west have got the Wokes and now the Jellyfish generation to deal with......idiots. 😡

I don't fall into either categories. What do you do classify yourself as? The know-it-all gang?

15 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

What do you do classify yourself as? The know-it-all gang?

Apparently I'm far right.

Anti woke, anti left, anti snowflake and anti the Jellyfish generation.

Off topic troll posts removed.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

So you rely on the Public hospital health system rather than pay private health insurance?.

If it's anything like Australia"s Public health system you will be placed on a waiting list seeing Dr Raji Maji who arrived last week from Bangladesh

Bet chatting with Raji Maji really made that mopping floor break unforgettable, you absolute menace. I am also sure you have first hand experience with a turd Australian healthcare, but here in a very civilized TORONTO the private labs and facilities are fully paid by the government. You will not get into operating room faster if you have private insurance which only covers extras like meds, massages, physio etc....

Here's a link for ya

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html

On 5/20/2026 at 11:48 PM, Harry Tuchas said:

Is quality of life worse in developed countries than in SE Asia?

Absolutely, who in their right mind would want to live in the West today.

All the stupid decision making, it's all screwed up.

47 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Absolutely, who in their right mind would want to live in the West today.

All the stupid decision making, it's all screwed up.

I prefer making my own decisions. I don't need some bumbling bureaucrat doing it for me.

28 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

I prefer making my own decisions. I don't need some bumbling bureaucrat doing it for me.

Oh, you are one of those sovereign citizen people.

Edited May 23May 23 by SAFETY FIRST

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

Bet chatting with Raji Maji really made that mopping floor break unforgettable, you absolute menace. I am also sure you have first hand experience with a turd Australian healthcare, but here in a very civilized TORONTO the private labs and facilities are fully paid by the government. You will not get into operating room faster if you have private insurance which only covers extras like meds, massages, physio etc....

Here's a link for ya

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html

Oh don't be prejudice against immigration to Canada

The former PM of Canada loved the diversity the multi culturalism, the ethnicity and the beautiful cultures

As a Canadian citizen you should be supporting this and changing that flag you have !!;

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Oh, you are one of those sovereign citizen people.

Call it whatever. I am what I am. Your talent for attaching labels to people is phenomenal, even matching that of your favorite idiot, Donald Trump.

Edited May 23May 23 by Hawaiian

3 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

, SAFETY FIRST said:

Oh, you are one of those sovereign citizen people.

Call it whatever. I am what I am. Your talent for attaching labels to people is phenomenal, matching that of your favorite idiot, Donald Trump

I reckon if we conducted a poll, the sovereign citizen would win the idiot award.

4 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I reckon if we conducted a poll, the sovereign citizen would win the idiot award.

I did not claim to be a sovereign citizen, but feel free to conduct one.

Edited May 23May 23 by Hawaiian

On 5/21/2026 at 7:47 PM, TedG said:

You should share your data to back up this statement.

I don't know if this was meant to be a tongue in cheek comment, but @spidermike007 is entirely correct.

Over the decades, changes have generally shifted the CPI from a static cost of goods to a cost of living index, which critics argue understates real-world inflation. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The primary statistical methods driving these discrepancies include:

1. Substitution (Chained CPI)

If the price of a specific good (like steak) rises, the methodology assumes consumers will "substitute" it for a cheaper alternative (like hamburger). Because the index shifts weight to the cheaper item, the reported inflation rate drops, even though the consumer's standard of living has effectively declined. [1, 2]

2. Hedonic Quality Adjustments

When the price of an item increases (e.g., a new car or appliance), the BLS often reduces the recorded price increase by assuming the new model is of "higher quality" or has better features than the previous version. While it accounts for technological progress, it mathematically suppresses the sticker-shock inflation consumers actually pay. [1, 2]

3. Owner’s Equivalent Rent (OER)

Rather than measuring direct housing prices or mortgage payments, the CPI measures housing inflation using OER—the theoretical amount a homeowner would pay to rent their own home. Because OER tends to track differently than actual home prices or mortgage interest rates, housing inflation is often smoothed out and significantly understated during real estate booms. [1, 2, 3, 4]

4. Weighting Revisions & Basket Updates

The BLS periodically changes the mix of items (the "basket") it tracks. As technology changes or certain services become more expensive, the basket is re-weighted. While this makes the index more modern, critics point out it resets the baseline, masking the long-term compounding effects of inflation on essential items. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

5. Imputations

If an item or service is unavailable for purchase or its price cannot be collected, statisticians use "imputation". This means they estimate the price change of that missing good by assuming it changed at the same rate as similar items, rather than capturing a tangible real-world price. [1, 2]

6. Core vs. Headline Inflation

The BLS and central banks heavily focus on "Core CPI," which strips out volatile food and energy costs. While this is useful for looking at underlying, long-term economic trends, everyday consumers still feel the impact of food and gas prices, leading to a disconnect between the official index and personal inflation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Many critics argue these methodological changes are politically motivated, as governments and entitlement programs (like Social Security) use CPI to adjust payouts. By utilizing a methodology that reports lower inflation rates, governments can reduce the size of these payouts and report stronger economic data. [1, 2, 3]

You can review the BLS’s official methodology in the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Handbook of Methods. For an alternative view that relies on historical methods, you can review Shadow Government Statistics, an independent site that tracks U.S. inflation using older 1980s and 1990s parameters. [1, 2]