Man Pays For Cross-Country Trip Using Bacon As Currency 176
An anonymous reader writes in with a story about the power of bacon."Travel can be expensive. One man is using a unique way to pay for a trip as a challenge. Pennsylvania comedian Josh Sankey is on a mission to make a cross-country road trip from New York to Los Angeles with no other currency but bacon. Sankey isn't carrying any cash or credit cards as he makes his cross-country trip. He is paying for everything from gas to lodging by using uncooked bacon as currency. He set off on his trip with 3,000 pounds of the popular meat and he seems to be getting good deals with it so far."
He's going international next. (Score:5, Funny)
He's going to try this in Israel.
Then Iran.
Now that would be comedy.
Re:He's going international next. (Score:5, Funny)
1.03 in Baccoin (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I have a friend named Chili who lives in Chilliwack
completely 100% true
sorry, I had to share
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
That's why it's called back bacon [wikipedia.org]. It's only called "Canadian bacon" in places other than Canada.
If it were me, I'd trade regular bacon : back bacon at a 2 : 1 ratio or more.
Taxable (Score:5, Interesting)
I hope he keeps good records. The services he trades for bacon are considered "barter income," and are taxable at fair market rates.
Not to him (Score:2)
I hope he keeps good records. The services he trades for bacon are considered "barter income," and are taxable at fair market rates.
You've got it the wrong way around. There are no tax implications to him. He just paid a fair price for goods and service. The providers of the goods and services, however, do need to keep track of the bacon received and report it (right along side all the traditional income) as barter income.
Re: (Score:2)
barter income
If it's served with pancakes does it become Batter Income?
Re: (Score:2)
I never sausage jokes in a Slashdot thread
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Iran, kind of tough. But Israel should be easy. Look at how narrow it is. And since bacon isn't a common item there, he can probably get a good deal from some Christian dude jonesing for some bacon. Might be some desperate Christians in Iran too.
Re:He's going international next. (Score:4, Informative)
Christians in Iran right now are definitely desperate, but for safety, not bacon.
Re: (Score:2)
Have they considered covering themselves in bacon?
Re:He's going international next. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:He's going international next. (Score:4, Funny)
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary bacon... mmm... bacon. Sorry, what was I saying?"
Israel has a lot of funny issues with pork (Score:3)
It was a very touchy subject when Israel was created and many considerd it a bad sign for a free state that pork is indeed banned (Israel was supposed to be secular according to some founders, freedom for all, not just Jews). But an exception was made to allow Christian to raise pigs. Historically they are in the north and the farming has grown very intense creating a burden on the environment and creating unsanitary conditions. But any attempt to bring in normal farming regulations that are common in the r
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
so it would go something like this then:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%932011_detention_of_American_hikers_by_Iran [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Hell, he would have a tough time in Deerborn, MI.
This just in... (Score:2)
...Josh Sankey refused passage across the Elkhart County border.
Oops.
Bacon! (Score:5, Funny)
'Cause bitcoin is so 2011.
Re:Bacon! (Score:5, Funny)
Bacoin?
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Wow, do they really think "con" in the name is a good idea? (no-one's going to pronounce it bacon, that's beyond stupid).
No I didn't click the links, they're spam, pages infected with malware, or info about bitcoins. Do not want.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Mining Bacon (Score:2)
We mine bacon here on Sugar Mountain Farm. It's all over the surface of our land. Each week we go out and herd some huge pieces back to our delivery truck and load them up. Did it last week and they are at the slaughter house now being changed from four legs to strips as we speak, er, write.
The great thing is ours are on pasture, no commercial grain or hog feed diet, and it produces delicious all natural pork and bacon. Pays the mortgage and beyond.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Sorry, I had to try.
Re: (Score:3)
I'm not sure which story is more funny, to be honest
mmm (Score:2)
Is this country great or what? (Score:5, Funny)
I mean seriously, he's going to travel 3000 miles with nothing but bacon. Sure it's corporate sponsored, but so what?
Go ahead and live the dream!
Bacon - is there anything it can't do?
So good it was banned by two religions.
Re: (Score:2)
So good it was banned by two religions.
When I was in India we used to go to TGIF on Fridays to have a hamburger topped with bacon bits to offend as many religions as we could. Beef for the Hindu, Bacon for the Muslims, and meet on Friday for the Christians (or is that only Catholic?)
Re:Is this country great or what? (Score:5, Insightful)
It's roughly a pound per gallon here.
When you trade 20lbs of bacon for a fill, that's when the price of fuel really hits home.
Re: (Score:2)
Barter Sales (Score:2)
Is anyone on his team keeping track of the sales taxes on $30,000 worth of bacon-sales?
Re: (Score:2)
It will likely count as income too. The value of everything he receives in trade for the bacon is considered income by the IRS.
The IRS has been insisting that trading for value is income. Someone ( I forget who) took it to the extreme and started writing checks for two chickens and a pig to pay for his porch to be painted or something like that. They went after him/them for bank fraud and tried to storm his home creating a standoff situation that made brief national news. I forget the names but it was one o
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Sales Tax - Not (Score:2)
It's food so there is no sales tax in many places. Any places with a sales tax on food? Think of it this way, bacon is an essential basic food. Even vegans want and desperately need bacon. They consider bacon the gateway food back to temptation and meat eating. Two religions have banned bacon because it's sooo good. And it's good for you. What can be more essential than that?
There have been times when bacon was worth more than money, more than a billion German Marks at one point. 1923. Our chief economist B
Kevin Bacon! (Score:5, Funny)
Someone find him and get a statement.
Can you buy a dinner with Kevin Bacon with bacon?
Re: (Score:3)
Someone find him and get a statement.
Can you buy a dinner with Kevin Bacon with bacon?
I guess it depends on the Bacon degree of separation - the lower, the better chances.
Barter (Score:2)
Er, no - he traded bacon for goods and services. Bacon isn't legal tender and isn't currency. This story can logically be reduced to "Man trades!".
Re: (Score:2)
So in other words, he tendered his public/private debts.
And those who traded with him rendered his tender.
complication (Score:5, Funny)
I have a feeling that this will come to an abrupt end once he reaches bear country. The bears are really hungry where I live (in the southwest), which is kind of on the way to L.A.
If he's married... (Score:5, Funny)
Bacon BitCoin (Score:2)
Quite an achievement (Score:3)
I hear for an encore he's going to try the same thing in Saudi Arabia.
Don't barter for gas! (Score:2)
Just convert the car to biodiesel, and you'll have free fuel every time you cook breakfast.
Re: (Score:3)
Oscar Mayer publicity stunt (Score:2)
And a refrigerator I hope (Score:2)
Then again, maybe that's the plan. Without refrigeration, the first day with a ton of bacon is a hard sell. After that, they just pay you to go away.
Re: (Score:2)
Currency Symbol (Score:5, Interesting)
You want you 15 minutes with that? (Score:4, Insightful)
Bringing home the bacon (Score:2)
Steely Dan (Score:2)
He should use Fedeal Bacon Reserve Notes (Score:2)
It is difficult carrying all that bacon around. He should just use FBRN's since you can exchange them for real bacon at any grocery store. Those people that say the Federal Bacon Reserve is printing more FBRN's than they have bacon in Fort Pork are conspiracy theorists.
Hmmm ... (Score:4, Interesting)
Couple of questions:
1) WTF?
2) How is he transporting 3000 lbs of bacon?
3) What the hell does this have to do with Slashdot or technology?
4) Is this because Slashdot is being bought by Dice?
I, for one, welcome our new bacon overlords (Score:2)
We need to progressive reforms to save us from this Gilded Age of Bacon Barons!
How to solve problems in the Middle East (Score:2)
This plays right into my two theories on solving the problems in the Middle East. Everyone knows that bacon is awesome and makes you happy when you eat it. So, all we need to do is get the imams to declare that bacon is acceptable to eat. The second part is to get the Palestinians to open casinos. Worked pretty well for quite a few native American tribes.
Re:Slashdot's done. Put a fork in it (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:5, Insightful)
The four basic food groups are:
1) Amano Chocolate -- There is no other chocolate.
2) Cream -- Ice Cream, butter, etc.
3) Bacon -- Bacon makes everything better.
4) Foie Gras -- If you haven't tried it, you don't know what you are missing -- really.
All the other foods such as veggies are simply eye candy designed to make you feel good about yourself.
Garlic. Also, if beverages count, many varieties of alcohol.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
The king of all bacon (Score:5, Informative)
Wright brand Steak Cut Bacon [wrightbrand.com]. These incredible slabs of savory pork come six slices to the 20oz package, and are perfect for slow grilling. Bacon so thick that if you want, you can have it crispy on one side, and chewy on the other.
No, I don't work for the company.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Damn fine brand of bacon, however the last two packs I bought had some really off flavors, I'm thinking the quality has been steadily dropping as the pressures of mass-market distribution are compounding issues for them.
Re: (Score:3)
As a university student, I used to have a sign on my fridge in the shared house that read Chocolate, Alcohol and Mixers only, Please do not waste space with unnecessary items such as vegetables.
I also held the theory that an Irish Coffee was the perfect food containing all the major food groups: Chocolate, Caffeine, Sugars, Fats (Cream), Alcohol.
Re: (Score:2)
I also held the theory that an Irish Coffee was the perfect food containing all the major food groups: Chocolate, Caffeine, Sugars, Fats (Cream), Alcohol.
aw, crap - now you got me trying to remember which author said that.
*wont get any work done this morning*
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:5, Informative)
"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat." — Alex Levine.
You're welcome
Re: (Score:2)
TBH I didn't know it was a quote
Re: (Score:3)
Yes it was who we thought it was. There were no repetitions.
Re: (Score:2)
The four basic food groups are:
1) Amano Chocolate -- There is no other chocolate.
Amano isn't bad for something made in the US - but you should head over to Italy and give Amedei chocolate a go before making a call as large as that.
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:5, Funny)
4) Turd sandwich - If you haven't tried it, you don't know what you are missing -- really.
Knowledge is overrated.
Re: (Score:2)
No they aren't. The 4 food groups are, in no particular order:
1) Sugar - chocolate would fall in this category, as well as other candy and lots of other junk food.
2) Salt - most notably, chips and cheesy poofs would fall into this.
3) Grease - pizza, bacon, etc.
4) Caffeine - soda, coffee, and Tea-Earl Gray-hot.
Re: (Score:2)
1.Beans
2.Bacon
3.Whiskey
4.Lard
Stupid Disney cartoons steering me wrong again...
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:4, Interesting)
Don't believe the propaganda from the PETA folks. Yes, the ducks/geese are fed through tubes but after they've done it once or twice so they know what is going on, they come running every time the farmer is there to feed them. One of the top advocates of Hudson Valley Foie Gras is a politician who believed the PETA crap and went to tour the farm expecting to see all sorts of abuse. Once he arrived he saw what was going on and realized that PETA had lied to him and has fought for and defended Hudson Valley Foie Gras ever since.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Or once he arrived he saw the big check they had cut him.
No, I'm not saying PETA is right - I'm just saying that for every time PETA has lied to me, so has a corrupt politician.
Frankly, I'll eat tasty critters even if I know they have suffered. I think the adrenaline in their systems when they are painfully slaughtered makes them tastier.
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:5, Informative)
No, I'm not saying PETA is right - I'm just saying that for every time PETA has lied to me, so has a corrupt politician.
PETA is a terrorist organisation, members of whom have made credible death threats to close friends of mine because PETA disagreed with the morality of the animal research that my friends where doing.
I do hold PETA activists in far lower esteem than I do your average corrupt politician, because the majority of them are dangerous lunatics.
Re: (Score:2)
No, I'm not saying PETA is right - I'm just saying that for every time PETA has lied to me, so has a corrupt politician.
PETA is a terrorist organisation, members of whom have made credible death threats to close friends of mine because PETA disagreed with the morality of the animal research that my friends where doing.
I do hold PETA activists in far lower esteem than I do your average corrupt politician, because the majority of them are dangerous lunatics.
Unlike politicians that start wars?
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, because at least we gave the politicians the power to do so on our behalf. Vote them out if you don't like the wars
No one collectively gave PETA the right to be violent, and you can't vote them out.
Re: (Score:2)
Eh, that's not really PETA's style. That's more ALF and ELF. Not saying that the ALF members don't donate to PETA, but they don't get the same kind of organizational support from PETA that they do from federally-acknowledged terrorist organizations.
Re: (Score:2)
I do hold PETA activists in far lower esteem than I do your average corrupt politician, because the majority of them are dangerous lunatics.
That doesn't seem like much of an area of distinction: The PETA activists will make death threats and occasionally blow up a research lab for really stupid reasons, possibly killing a few innocent people in the process. Your average corrupt politician, on the other hand, will advocate and vote for or order the invading and/or bombing of countries on demonstrably false pretenses, killing hundreds of thousands of people. And some politicians are just as loony as PETA is - for instance, in the US many politici
Apple products (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
There are farmers out there that can make Foie Gras without force feeding the animals. I can't find the article right now, but I remember hearing it on NPR a year or so back.
Re:Bacon -- One of the Basic Food Groups (Score:5, Funny)
Would you like a side of bacon with that moral outrage?
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Haven't you seen the price of bacon lately? (Score:4, Funny)
I didn't RTFA, but if they give him all 3000 lbs at once it could be much more challenging.
Re: (Score:2)
"Sankey, of New Castle, kicked off his trip in New York on Sept. 9. He has until Sept. 23 to make it to Los Angeles as he barters the bacon that he's towing in a trailer."
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)