Just When Things Were Getting Better

chewie wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

They've organized the registry near me, so it's wicked smooth. There are long waits depending on what you're doing, but renewing a license, for instance, takes like 10 minutes now.

Wish it was like that here. I ended going in after all because I didn't want to spend my birthday at the DMV and ended up waiting two hours. Luckily next time my licence expires I can do it online. I did that last time so I had to go in perso this time. However, now my licence will reflect what I look like these days (no beard but I finally have my DL picture of me with long hair).

In Cali you can make an appointment and it takes very little time. You get to walk by all the saps standing in line(twice) that didn't do it!

You can do that here but I forgot that I needed to renew it and needed to get it done within days. I figured the appointments wouldn't be able to accomadate me for several days. I probably could have gotten away with it seeing as I almost never get pulled over (maybe once every 8 years if that) but with no job, money source, and debt makes me more cautious than I'd ever be otherwise.

In Maryland, you can renew DL online now. Its pretty easy.

exact33 wrote:

In Maryland, you can renew DL online now. Its pretty easy.

We can do that but only every other renewal. I renewed it online last time so I had to appear in person this time.

Maryland just wants the money - they dont really care about much else.

Troublezone wrote:

DB, have you ever been tested for Attention Deficit Disorder?

This has been brought to my attention by my mom and sister. I didn't want to accept this but I have been looking at it and I do exhibit the behavior of this disorder. The problem is getting tested without spending money (because I certainly don't have the money to do it). I found some places that say they offer free screening so I will try those out. I have been looking closely at my life and I realize that could very well be the cause of many of my problems:

-I misplace things a lot (documents, keys, wallet, MP3 players, etc.) and have to spend time searching for them.

-I will walk into a room many times to do something, get there and forget what it was.

-I forget a lot of things that I need to do or that need to get done

• I forgot that I need to get my licence renewed until a few days before

• I will set ice cream out to thaw and forget about it til it becomes soup

• I would have some leftover food I was going to eat for lunch at work and forget to take it with me

-I get easily impatient when having to wait for something.

-I get very frustrated when doing difficult tasks.

-I easily loose my temper.

-My mind tends to wonder a lot.

-All my stressors tend to occupy my mind causing me to make mistakes, have a hard time sleeping, or a hard time concntrating on things.

-I'm disorganized and I procratinate a lot.

-I fidget a lot, even when watching TV or right now typing on my computer I have a tendency to shake my legs a lot.

These things I have had problems with all my life and could easily be explained by ADD. Getting diagnosed with it can also help on my appeal for unemployment benefits.

DB, you just described me almost to a T. I was taken in when I was a lot younger & didn't get the ADD diagnosis. I had a 4.0 gpa all the way through school & college, the Doc told my parents that I was smart & just got bored easily. I have a degree in Accounting & work on cars for a living because I can't sit behind a desk all day without going crazy.

Those are all signs of ADD, sure, but like Hamer said, it could also just be the usual stuff. If you can get tested for free, go for it. If you have to pay, though, it's better to just assume you've got a lot on your mind. But, like you said, if being diagnosed will help you get unemployment, it might be worthwhile.

Update:

Too expensive to get diagnosed with ADD so I will continue with speculation. Also by the time I get an unemployment appeal hearing it will probably be too late to matter (takes up to 3 weeks after filing an appeal). I will either get an automotive job by the end of the week or I'll have to make a decision. I will either go to trucking school or I can get trained in tire manufacturing. Wingfoot Tires has offered me a entry level job. It pays $11 and hour and I would be working up to 10 hours a day (late afternoon to midnight), 5 days a week. I probably will go the second route because I just can't see myself driving a big rig.

I also sold my Mercury Grand Marquis for $2800 so that will give me a nice bit of cushion in my bankroll. My high price was $3500 and my low price was $3000. He wanted to pay $2500 but went up to $2800. Considering many others of the same vehicle are being sold for $3000 (and admittedly the body wasn't in the greatest condition-though not much you could see from a distance) I accepted the offer. I'm going to miss that gas guzzler, the most comfy vehicle I've ever been able to drive on a regular basis. But it was just a weight around my neck and I can really use the money I got from it.

Boy the people at Bankston Honda are so stupid. After everything, they still sent in my direct deposit! 27 business days after my firing and they still haven't stopped my direct deposit. I'm tempted to close out my account and keeping the money, but I don't want to give them anything to use against me so I won't touch a dime and let them take the money out once they realize their stupidity. I could use the money but after what happened last time the old adage rings true: Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me.

This may not be a mistake but a way for me to take the bait but I won't bite. If I take the money and close the account, it could be a way to hit me harder. I normally don't think the worst of people but Honda has a history of screwing me over:

-Making me pay for engine damage when the customer shares most of the blame for continuing to push his car after it lost oil pressure (and when they have insurance, they didn't want to use it because it reflects bad on their yearly bonus-according to a senior tech that had been there for about 15 years).

-Telling me I would be fired for not signing something without giving me time to think about it or picking a better time to let me know.

-Putting money in my account making me think I had money (even sending me a pay stub), waiting for me to spend most of it, then yanking it back out causing an overdraft fee and emptying out my savings (looks like they are trying it again).

-Waiting til the very last minute to dispute my unemployment claim.

-I'm also not sure they were completly honest with unemployment about the details of my dissmissal. From what I know about reasons for denial under firing, I did not meet that criteria (isubordination, blatant dissregard for the rules, goofing off, excssive absenteeism, theft, and other malicious actions).

Quote :

I also sold my Mercury Grand Marquis for $2800 so that will give me a nice bit of cushion in my bankroll. My high price was $3500 and my low price was $3000. He wanted to pay $2500 but went up to $2800. Considering many others of the same vehicle are being sold for $3000 (and admittedly the body wasn't in the greatest condition-though not much you could see from a distance) I accepted the offer. I'm going to miss that gas guzzler, the most comfy vehicle I've ever been able to drive on a regular basis. But it was just a weight around my neck and I can really use the money I got from it.

Kinda reminds me of the price haggling on the show (Pawn Stars). But those guys will always offer you $100 for something that is worth $1500...

DallasBlack wrote:

Boy the people at Bankston Honda are so stupid. After everything, they still sent in my direct deposit! 27 business days after my firing and they still haven't stopped my direct deposit. I'm tempted to close out my account and keeping the money, but I don't want to give them anything to use against me so I won't touch a dime and let them take the money out once they realize their stupidity. I could use the money but after what happened last time the old adage rings true: Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me.

This may not be a mistake but a way for me to take the bait but I won't bite. If I take the money and close the account, it could be a way to hit me harder. I normally don't think the worst of people but Honda has a history of screwing me over:

-Making me pay for engine damage when the customer shares most of the blame for continuing to push his car after it lost oil pressure (and when they have insurance, they didn't want to use it because it reflects bad on their yearly bonus-according to a senior tech that had been there for about 15 years).

-Telling me I would be fired for not signing something without giving me time to think about it or picking a better time to let me know.

-Putting money in my account making me think I had money (even sending me a pay stub), waiting for me to spend most of it, then yanking it back out causing an overdraft fee and emptying out my savings (looks like they are trying it again).

-Waiting til the very last minute to dispute my unemployment claim.

-I'm also not sure they were completly honest with unemployment about the details of my dissmissal. From what I know about reasons for denial under firing, I did not meet that criteria (isubordination, blatant dissregard for the rules, goofing off, excssive absenteeism, theft, and other malicious actions).

It's a good thing you thought about the possibility that it might be a trick. It sounds like these guys really have it in for you.

I wasn't going to do anything but both my Mom and Dad, responsible adults in their 60s, suggested I do something. I am closing my account (both my Mom and Dad suggested I do this) but I won't spend the money in case they come calling. I've moved most of my money into a new checking account so I could close my accounts but I have to wait for pending transactions to clear out and for the new checking account to get the money (they say it will be ready and availiable Monday). I did take some precautions and if Bankston takes the money back before then there is money to cover the amount, so no harm no foul. If I close it before they take it back out I will not spend a dime of it in case they come looking for it. It could be that because they had over a month to stop payment that they might not have a leg to stand on (especially if they send me a paystub) as far as getting it back. Whether they get the money back or not, at least this teach them a lessson as far as trying to screw a former employer.

I needed to switch banks anyways, because Wells Fargo is changing the rules of my free checking. Being former military I will get a better checking account with USAA which allows you to use almost any ATM for free (they will reimburse you most ATM charges). Though there aren't many locations around here, they allow you to make check deposits using the internet and a scanner.

DallasBlack wrote:

I needed to switch banks anyways, because Wells Fargo is changing the rules of my free checking. Being former military I will get a better checking account with USAA which allows you to use almost any ATM for free (they will reimburse you most ATM charges). Though there aren't many locations around here, they allow you to make check deposits using the internet and a scanner.

USAA is the bomb. I use them for my insurance and credit card.

Witchfinder wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

I needed to switch banks anyways, because Wells Fargo is changing the rules of my free checking. Being former military I will get a better checking account with USAA which allows you to use almost any ATM for free (they will reimburse you most ATM charges). Though there aren't many locations around here, they allow you to make check deposits using the internet and a scanner.

USAA is the bomb. I use them for my insurance and credit card.

X 2!!!! Plus checking, savings, IRA, kids 529 college plan...... So yeah, I am a big fan!!!!!

I love their auto insurance. When I had both cars I was only spending about $53 a month. My sister works with State Farm and even with the best deal she could give me would cost about $60 a month for one car. Everytime I see an advertisement promising me savings on auto insurance, I can't help but laugh. To save me hundreds on insurance, they'd have to practically give it to me for free.

I think my scheme might fall flat. It is taking longer for the funds to transfer to my new bank account than I thought it might. Honda will probably find their mistake before it goes through especially if the transaction becomes a pending one. I should have just closed my acccount and kept the money in a safe until I could get it into an account. The thought of getting Honda back was exciting but it looks like I will be no better off than I was before and Bankston wins again. At least though it's over. That was the last paycheck and my account will be closed by mid-week. So at least I will have some closure.

My dad has given me toward the end of this month to find employment and as I stated in my Iomega thread it's down to truck driver or commercial tire tech and I don't know which will be the lesser of two evils. Both have their pros and cons:

Truck Driving

Pros:

• Get to see the country
• Plenty of free time (only allowed about 8 hours of driving a day)
• Cover from the heat, cold, and rain
• Good pay
• Good benefits
• More freedom (after training is over)
• Get to keep hair long and grow beards
• Get to listen to music a lot

Cons:

• Have to fight traffic
• Have to give my cat away
• Be away from home for up to a month at a time
• Only a few days spent at home a month
• Have to learn how to safely drive a large monster of a vehicle
• Have to fight bad weather conditions
• Not enough time to enjoy the money I earn
• No room for a social life
• Away from family for long periods of time
• Lot of money spent on food
• If I don’t watch it I could get fat on the road (or fatter)

Commercial Tire Tech

Pros:

• Get to be close to home and sleep in my own bed every night
• Great pay
• Great benefits
• I can keep my cat
• Keep busy through hard work
• Get to keep hair long and grow beards
• Don’t have to deal with traffic
• Don’t have to drive a monster vehicle
• Can end up losing weight and get in better shape

Cons:

• No room for a social life
• Spend most of my free time working
• Some days on call (being woke up in the middle of the night to replace a tire)
• May not be able to listen to music at work
• Lots of money spent on gas (30 minutes between home and work)
• Have to work in all weather conditions
• Not much time to enjoy the money I earn
• Very little time off

No matter which route I go I won’t be able to have any semblance of a life outside of work but with the tire job I will be too tired and worn out to care. As a truck driver I have lots of time for my mind to wonder which contributes to lonliness and depression. I only have a week or two to decide which to do. I need to seriously think about this cause as a truck driver I’m obligated to work for that company for a year and as a tire tech I feel obligated for a year and finding a job while working 70-80 hours a week is next to impossible. If NTB had just hired me I wouldn’t be forced to choose between a rock and a hard place. I don’t want to be married to a job, I just want a regular 8-10 hour one.

But as my dad said, "It's not about what you want to do, it's about what you need to do."

I would agree with your dad - find a job and see how things shake out. Its hard sometimes to do pro/con until you actually are working.

btw - did the honda place take your check back?

No I closed the account before they could do that. I had to take a $5 penalty on my USAA checking account for closing my Wells Fargo account before the funds could be tranfered but I couldn't wait any longer and chance those bastards taking their money back. If they want the money back, they can report me to a collection agency. I already have over $20K in debt for my schooling. What's another couple thousand (if they did report to a collection agency, they will probably request the rest of the money for the engine-I should have never signed that stupid agreement).

The Tire Tech job seems like the slightly better choice imo... You said the money is great and you can still keep your cat and see your family. The Truck job seems cool in a way but after a while it might wear on you with all the time alone and delivery deadlines... Plus the traffic headaches and possible weight gain from sitting around for hours eating truck stop food.

Troublezone wrote:

The Tire Tech job seems like the slightly better choice imo... You said the money is great and you can still keep your cat and see your family. The Truck job seems cool in a way but after a while it might wear on you with all the time alone and delivery deadlines... Plus the traffic headaches and possible weight gain from sitting around for hours eating truck stop food.

This - go take the job and pay off your school debt - you can start looking for a new job in a year, this way you get some experience and will be able to show a more stable job history on your resume.

thejokeriv wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

The Tire Tech job seems like the slightly better choice imo... You said the money is great and you can still keep your cat and see your family. The Truck job seems cool in a way but after a while it might wear on you with all the time alone and delivery deadlines... Plus the traffic headaches and possible weight gain from sitting around for hours eating truck stop food.

This - go take the job and pay off your school debt - you can start looking for a new job in a year, this way you get some experience and will be able to show a more stable job history on your resume.

Yeah, that is a good idea right there.

DallasBlack wrote:

But as my dad said, "It's not about what you want to do, it's about what you need to do."

your father reminds me of mine. wise words.

mc666 wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

But as my dad said, "It's not about what you want to do, it's about what you need to do."

your father reminds me of mine. wise words.

Isn't that just how life is in general?

Yeah, my dad has great wisdom (and like me, he had to learn things the hard way-that's how at 65 he's still working and has no retirement plans anytime soon). Unfortuantly, despite what he's told me about budgeting, saving, and staying out of credit card debt I still ended up where I am.

I think I have decided to take the tire tech job. Mainly because the money is almost twice what I will get for the first half year of trucking. Even if I do have some weeks without a day off, that equates to overtime pay and the 'on call' part of the job is on a rotating basis. Also, it would be easier to find a job when I'm not on the road for so long. The job will be long, hard, and under harsh conditions but it builds character and will only benefit me in the long run.