HA!
Published on September 24, 2007 By Ziggystyles In Life Journals
Well I havent posted anything since last week when I got my job offer. Figured I would wait until my physical came and went.

And so I sit here with my DOT medical card, meaning I passed.

Woke up this morning, went to a place for a drug test, then zipped across town for the DOT physical, which took about a half hour or so. Then ended up doing another drug test.

BP was my main concern and that was 120 / 84. No issues there. Im not diabetic as the last test proved so. Didn't check my cholesterol, but that has never been anywhere remotely of an issue.

I did well on all the tests, passed and was on my way to take and pass the permit test for my CDL. I was confused about something so I need to go back in tomorrow and take the rest of the testing.

So I talked to my boss, the guy that runs the account last week. I will be running a dedicated route five days a week to dealerships and auto parts stores in my neck of the woods and northern UT. Wake up...get the truck and swap trailers with someone who comes to drop my trailer off...then go west. Make various stops...transfer my remaining load to another truck waiting for me over there in UT, then I zip back home and call it a night. Rinse and repeat the next day.

As far as the physical demands of the job...I figure it will be more than normal for other drivers as I will be unloading the truck myself, instead of having the reciever do it. I will have a pallet jack and push and pull...etc the load off the truck via a lift gate. Thats no problem...the only issue is getting the thing moving. I should go down to the local truck stop and take a look at the truck and just take a looksie. Did that last week with Marcie, but felt like I was snooping a bit...even though all we did was just drive up and look at it.

I get paid a salary, by the week, not by the mile. Ive been trying to crunch the numbers in my head...because technically I don't get paid much per mile, something around 30 cents or so. However, I only work 40 hours a week compared to the 60-70hours that many truck drivers run. So I figure that in a sense, Im making more too...making the lower end of the average starting salary for inexperienced first year Over The Road drivers and working 20-30 hours less a week ontop of that.

So right now Im just waiting for my birth certificate to get here. I misplaced mine last week and for the life of me, can't find the danged thing. My Mom went to the courthouse over lunch and overnighted me another one....Overnight in Wyoming is 2 days....argh. Then I need to go and get my combination and air brake test taken too before Friday and sometime I will need to take the HazMat as well.

Im not sure where Im going to be taking the test for my CDL...I imagine it's going to have to be up here, but I don't know how they are going to work that out with a truck and all. Hmm. Time will tell.


Comments (Page 7)
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on Oct 01, 2007

To ease your mind, because it certainly seems like you all think I'm going to freak out and injure a child in my care, I have an appointment for a physical on the 15th. I don't have a doctor I call my own, but at least this one seems to have openings with some regularity. At any rate, we will be discussing a myriad of issues, including my current medications. And you're right, Gid, there is a lot of "stress" going on right now. But normal people can handle it, right? So what's wrong with me that I can't?

That's a good question for yourself, actually.  If you are coming home so stressed out that you have to scream and get over it, then you need to do some soul searching and figure out what you need to change in your life.  That is simply not normal, especially considering the job that you have, and the fact that you are not also raising a family.  For contrast, I am one of the VPs here, I have a family, animals that I care for and I volunteer at an animal sanctuary.  At no point am I so "stressed" that I have to go home and scream or anything else.  If school is *that* stressful, you are in the wrong profession.

on Oct 01, 2007
That's a good question for yourself, actually. If you are coming home so stressed out that you have to scream and get over it, then you need to do some soul searching and figure out what you need to change in your life. That is simply not normal, especially considering the job that you have, and the fact that you are not also raising a family. For contrast, I am one of the VPs here, I have a family, animals that I care for and I volunteer at an animal sanctuary. At no point am I so "stressed" that I have to go home and scream or anything else. If school is *that* stressful, you are in the wrong profession.


While I've taught before, I've got LOTS of new "stuff" this year. I have my own class this year, versus small groups going in and out like last year. And I mis-spoke (aren't I good at that? lol). I don't come home and "scream" persay. I might vent a little to my husband but then its over. I'm able to go in the next day and start anew. I have some challenges in my class this year, and I'm working with other teachers to help me get better at handling those behaviors (I have the class that the other teachers chuckle at and thank heavens they don't have). The best thing about being a teacher is LEARNING. It's neat that I can share with my students that I get to go to school and they get to go to school and we're all learning a bunch about each other and how to be the best people we can be.

We're only a month in. I'm learning where my students are and where I need to meet them, and what *I* need to do and learn to best help them succeed. We'll get there. I feel like I'm doing lots better this year prioritizing, organizing, and knowing what's important. I really struggled with that other years when I had my own classes. I don't bring NEARLY as much home with me--both emotionally and work-wise. Previous years I would bring probably four hours of work home with me. I bring probably one at the most this year. And I make sure I'm ready for the next day before I leave, and I make sure I leave as much of the day and it's happenings at school as I can.

You're a pro at what you do, K. You've been doing what you do for what, a decade? I think I'll be okay. I'm going to talk to the doctor, and keep on trying to strengthen the things I feel are weakenesses professionally and personally. If I had it all figured out all ready I don't know that life would be worth living. Hopefully in a decade I can be as with it as you are in your position.
on Oct 01, 2007
(and don't you DARE tell me that enlisted military members make a butt load of money, Ziggy.)

Why would I? My dad was in the navy, as well as Marcies dad and uncles. My step brother (former) is a captain in the army.


I fail to see how they with their 'family' of only two can't make it on Marcie's income alone.

Because, you fail to completly understand where our finances lie. Currently, with our trailer and apartment we have about 2,100 in housing expenses alone. Credit card and college loans and a line of credit add up another 600ish a month. Plus an MRI that medical didn't cover for Marcie. Bike and car payments, plus insurances for the car, bike, and trailer. Then after that, add any utilities. Then figure in gas, groceries...etc.

On the bright side (there is one) we have paid off a bit in various credit cards and debts over the past year, so we are actually at this point in time doing a lot better financially in terms of debt. The trailer is a big thing, but we listed it on Friday. As soon as that sells, that frees up another 1200 a month or so. Im going to go start training this week and three weeks after that is my first paycheck (training pay)...depending how good I am and how my trainer feels...I could start earning my salary pay the week after that. Then we should be OK because I will make the same as I would this year had I kept on teaching in my old district. Im working on getting some arrangements with some companies in order to help with the $$.
on Oct 01, 2007
I was going to write a long-winded response extolling the virtues of second hand and gently used 'stuff', but I've decided to write an article about it instead.


It's hard to find fat mad-cow woman clothes at rummage sales and thrift stores that I can wear to work. Whenever I go to Fargo I stop by the fat mad-cow woman only thrift store and check out what they have. I NEVER buy anything unless I can get it on sale and I know that it's something I can wear for seasons to come.

Kids clothes...I don't know why ANYONE would purchase those from a department store. I plan on hitting every garage sale and thrift store around for kids clothes. I had a blast this summer clothes hunting for my cousin's little one. They grow out of them so fast...what's the point of buying new?
on Oct 01, 2007

You're a pro at what you do, K. You've been doing what you do for what, a decade?

Not really.  I have only been in the position that I am in right now for about 4 years.  Prior to that, I was a Director, and prior to that, I was a manager, and prior to that, I was just an office person at a start up company and worked 60+ hours a week and only got paid $7.00 and hour for a 40 hr per week salary.  (don't do the math on the actual $ per hour- it's not pretty).  I've never felt stressed out unless I let something get under my skin that didn't need to.

Even when you are learning, you shouldn't really feel very stressed.  If you are working at the job that you should work at, you should look forward to the next day and not bring home stress.  I bring home work, but not stress.

You are the only one who really knows how you feel.  All I know is that stress is not healthy, and you should talk to somebody if you really do feel stressed a lot.  Stress will not help any of your life, and can actually hold you back at work if not controlled.  Only you can make the call on how much it effects your life, though.  I'm not saying this to criticize, it's meant as a sincere suggestion.

Bike and car payments, plus insurances for the car, bike, and trailer.

I know you are defensive about this, but I'm going to ask anyway: How much does the bike actually cost you per month, and can you really justify keeping it?  If you add up the payment + insurance + interest on other debts that the money could be paying off instead, what does that end up to be, and can it really be justified?

As an example, let's assume that the bike costs $300 per month and has a $20 per month insurance on it.  Say it cost $15,000 to start and you owe 50% (these are all just numbers, yours will vary).  If you sold the bike for $11,000, you would pay off the remaining $7500 and have $3500 to pay off other debt with.  On top of that, you would also have the $320 per month to pay on debt, plus save the extra interest on the loan(s) that were paid down.

Part of being fiscally responsible is separating needs and wants.  When money gets tight, you have to really be able to justify any unnecessary expenses.  what made sense and was "OK" at one point in your life may be the one thing that stresses your financial stability later on.  You really need to analyze ever expense and be able to justify it with a real need.  If you can't justify it with a real need, then you should have the extra cash to be able to afford it as a want.  If neither are true, then you should not have the expense if you can possibly get out of it.

The trailer is a big thing, but we listed it on Friday. As soon as that sells, that frees up another 1200 a month or so.

How does a Trailer cost that much???  My House payment+ escrowed property tax barely costs more than that a month, and I can guarantee that it is much more substantial than a trailer.  

on Oct 01, 2007
You are the only one who really knows how you feel. All I know is that stress is not healthy, and you should talk to somebody if you really do feel stressed a lot. Stress will not help any of your life, and can actually hold you back at work if not controlled. Only you can make the call on how much it effects your life, though. I'm not saying this to criticize, it's meant as a sincere suggestion.


No...I understand what you mean. What else do you think I might be good at? I can't imagine not working with people in some way, and I love working with kids. I've got lots of office experience, but sitting at a desk all day drives me about batty. I'm working on my master's degree for elementary literacy...and it really interests me... I wish I had about four lifetimes, because there's lots of things I'd love to do, but would I be any good at any of them, and could I justify the expense of the education? Blech. Just...blech.
on Oct 01, 2007
As an example, let's assume that the bike costs $300 per month and has a $20 per month insurance on it. Say it cost $15,000 to start and you owe 50% (these are all just numbers, yours will vary). If you sold the bike for $11,000, you would pay off the remaining $7500 and have $3500 to pay off other debt with. On top of that, you would also have the $320 per month to pay on debt, plus save the extra interest on the loan(s) that were paid down.


Right now Im paying about 400 a month for the payment and then 15 towards insurance...a snafu I need to correct come payday. They don't have me under the correct coverage for what I want / need.
If I tried to sell the bike now, I wouldn't break even.

Part of being fiscally responsible is separating needs and wants. When money gets tight, you have to really be able to justify any unnecessary expenses. what made sense and was "OK" at one point in your life may be the one thing that stresses your financial stability later on. You really need to analyze ever expense and be able to justify it with a real need. If you can't justify it with a real need, then you should have the extra cash to be able to afford it as a want. If neither are true, then you should not have the expense if you can possibly get out of it.

I understand this point here rather well. I have been unemployed for about four months, start training next week. During this time, we budgeted and I was able to pay the bike payments on time (actually early to reduce interest). Turns out last month I was pleasently surprised to find out I was a month ahead on my payments. So starting this month is the first time that I can't make the payment. Its not that Im trying to justify (and maybe I am here) it, but this temporary situation in my employment shouldnt cause me to start selling things off when a job will relieve the issue. As soon as I start getting regular pay, I will be back in the saddle again, able to make payments on the bike and other things with no issue. Now, if my unemployment ended differently like a normal job and my income stopped altogether, I would have sold the bike, or if I felt I was going to be unemployed for a long time. But due to my contract with the district I worked for...I spread out my pay for the summer and was able to keep up the payments. I never felt that I wouldn't get a job soon.

How does a Trailer cost that much??? My House payment+ escrowed property tax barely costs more than that a month, and I can guarantee that it is much more substantial than a trailer.

The trailer after taxes cost us about 72k. While we had good credit at the time, we didn't have much of a downpayment and hence our interest is higher. Our monthly payment was 850 plus 175 Lot rent up until last month when the lot rent went up to 225, and then our insurance lapsed so they signed us up for their own coverage which bumped up our payments to 925 and 225. From various people I have heard, the lot rent will continue to go up quite a bit in the future.
on Oct 02, 2007
OMG. OMG. OMG.

A trailer costs SEVENTY-TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS?!?!?!?!

on Oct 02, 2007
Hey...it's a high-quality POS that when the wind blows like it frequently does here, the toilet water sloshes about and you feel like you're going to be tossed out of bed. lol
on Oct 02, 2007
Well, the crappiest single family homes here go for half a mil, but it still blows me away that things can cost so much.

I think we are going to live in a tent when we retire. By then they should probably cost around 40 grand.
on Oct 02, 2007
I am just flabergasted that a trailer could cost so much. I mean, I know the quality and options available now make them really nice...but 72k? I am stunned.

I guess I live under a rock. I had no idea.
on Oct 02, 2007
Haha, and I have to add that *I* buy new baby and kids clothes. I love nice second hand stores, but we buy plenty of stuff new.

Someone has to, haha, or the second hand stores won't have anything to sell!
on Oct 02, 2007
It is okay to buy new clothes, sure, and kids clothes can be found cheap, but when you are scraping it is probably better to try other options.
on Oct 02, 2007
Hey, we buy new when we can afford it. Why? Because it's fun!

I belive firmly children should be taught the value of thrift, but they should also be taught that nice things come because of hard work and dedication.
on Oct 02, 2007

What else do you think I might be good at? I can't imagine not working with people in some way, and I love working with kids. I've got lots of office experience, but sitting at a desk all day drives me about batty. I'm working on my master's degree for elementary literacy

Hmmm...have you ever thought about working in a children's library?  My local library (I live in a very small, rural community) has a huge literacy section for kids.  There are two librarians who are in charge of it.  They stock the newest books, help kids find appropriate books.  But, more importantly, they come up with creative reading programs and a summer literacy program that ends with a party for the kids.  They also have fundraisers for their programs and work with the community.  They have special needs groups, and groups for different ages. 

Or, what about working with preschool aged Children, or working at a Parents as Teachers type group (it's a pre-preschool program that helps parents learn how to constructively play with their kids in a teaching manner, and also helps them deal with individual problems). 

Even if these things don't exist where you live,it doesn't mean you can't pursue them somewhere, or even try and start them in your community.

Its not that Im trying to justify (and maybe I am here) it, but this temporary situation in my employment shouldnt cause me to start selling things off when a job will relieve the issue.

Considering that you live in a rental, and neither of you have been at your jobs for long (or have even started one), you should not consider it temporary until you have both been employed at the same jobs for at least 12 months.  It's your justifications for excessive spending that will be your financial doom.  You talk like everything is fine, then you state that you let your insurance lapse and the lender now charges you more for insurance.  You also bought a trailer that you couldn't really afford since you didn't have a decent down payment.  You really need to take a hard look at your justifications and ask yourself if this is how you want to live long term.  Is the part time use of a motorcycle worth the long term costs?  Really think about it.  Don't justify, look at the real costs of your lifestyle purchases.

The trailer after taxes cost us about 72k

That's insane.  My first house, which wasn't that long ago, was $110,000 including the land.  It was a modular cape cod and was 1,200 sq ft.  We had looked at trailers at the time (we didn't want much of a payment), and they were in the $50,000 range or less, even with the drywall option.  I can't even imagine how you would spend that much on a trailer, especially considering how fast they depreciate.

If you don't want to lose your butt on the trailer, I would suggest finding a piece of land that you can buy on land contract and plopping the trailer on it, put in a well and septic (or hook up to city if available) and either live in it or sell it with the land.  Even if you spent $40,000 on the land, with a 25 year land contract at %, you would be paying $283 per month is land payment (which will appreciate, and is sell-able).

 

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