Well your mother can always pay for your licence but if you don't like it you could always go to 11 meters or get one of those walkie talkie that the kids are using nowadays. Have some respect for your elders.
Must be an awfully cheap bottle. Up here in "606" land, that's barely the price of a double shot of really good stuff like George Stagg Jr. If you're into the really good stuff like 15 yr. old George Stagg, that's ONE SHOT!
As I understand it, the fee will apply only to a SUCCESSFUL modification to a license. There will be no fee assessed to an application that is unsuccessful and does not result in a modification to an existing license. A failed attempt to obtain a new callsign will not incur a fee. You will be charged the fee ONLY when you receive a new callsign.
I am happy it was reduced. I am unhappy the feds came up with this in the first place considering what LITTLE they do of their job.