Dilemma...good place for thoughts

[pjay9]

Many of you know (or will know now) that I love to play with boats. If they want to pay me to do that then I am in...only if it is FUN!!!

I have been retired 10 years...my inbound funds are not an issue. Wait I'll get to the point...need the set up first!

I have been offered a job as an instructor at a Job Corps Center in Astoria OR. It will require living off of the economy. THe TC is falling apart, if you been reading my other posts, will not survive fulltime living...so I must look to other solutions. Been looking at rooms to let, not really available, infurnished apt...not willing to do moving in furniture and all that******(not young anymore). There is a sparse RV park about 1.5 miles from school, easy drive, cost effective fee.

So now here is the IDEA...hold on all you purist TCer's!!! I am thinking of buying a used MH...maybe a 34' Safari Serenghetti there are some in mid 90's that are in good shape up here asking less than 15K with good drive trians and amenities...it would be a living quarters that would cost less than rent and I would have something to sell later on with less loss of rent out the window.

So don't thrash me for thinking of this, just provide construtive comments. Ask questions! I will not be doing this right away...will use TC for a few weeks to get settled in and then make decisions, but got to plan...THX everyone.

[pjay9]

Just wanted to post an update: After long thoughful deliberation including some prayer plus a cost/benefit analysis...I decided that working full-time was not the thing to do. So I offered to be a fill-in, on-call, substitute type, 2-3 weeks at a time. This way I don't incur costs of anything like a trailer or MH...plus I am not away for months from my family, activities, shop, home and still be able to give back. Plus a deciding factor to me was...I don't need to work...why not let a person that needs to work have the job.

It was difficult, as I know those young people need the boost to get it right...after meeting the folks teaching there they are geting that boost and a dose of real life.

I sent the email letter this afternoon, didn't hear anything back. I do hope they invite me to come for the orientation and instructor training so I can be helpful in short term situations.

It has been a pleasnt afternoon after getting this decided..didn't realize how it was affecting my life and my DW...she stopped by just a minute ago and said 'sure glad you are staying.' So there you go...family picnic tommorrow, maybe that will make me change my mind (naw just joshing)!

I must thank everyone for their input and discussion. THANKS!!! I'll be able to get started sooner on the rebuild.

[Grit_dog]

Good job paying it back. I'm still paying for everything else but aspire to have the time to give back once I retire. Chasin the almighty dollar still for a while yet, kids are still little. Gotta bank what I can when I can.
I agree you can get awesome MHs for the money but that leaves needing a commuter vehicle toad as well as another vehicle in the fleet.
It can't be that hard to drop your camper and lower it down for extended stays. Seems like the easy choice and $0 proposition. 1 person don't need more room than a 11' TC anyway.
Every choice is a trade off with the TC having the most options I think, but a TT for your situation sounds ideal.

[JumboJet]

I hope at some point Good Sams upgrades the forum to add a "Likes" option.

Good work "Old Man". Having just turned 65 and never idle, I appreciate your involvement with those young 'uns!

[pjay9]

Now a note regarding the additional posts. You guys have got to stop waffleing on trailer or MH...makes me crazy (just kidding), but what is truthful is the worthwhile thoughts you have proposed with reasoning behind the thoughts.

Job update: Got a call today from the commander saying that the powers to be are not set on a schedule to bring the new instructors aboard...so it will not be the 8th or the 15th...gives me more time which is good. But I am anxious to find out if I want to do this by giving it a shot.

Another thing: I didn't mention in the previous post is how impressed I am with the work behavior of the young guys and ladies...stuck to it, on top of it, always chatting and giving each other a ration, work progressed, no one left out, helpful, supportive and got your back attitude. Of course, many of these fellows are divers, highly motivated to be in that profession, and do the spill stuff as it is part of their duties with Global. I found out that some of these fellows helped with the salvage of the Costa Concordia in Italy. How about that a Seattle company being hired to do a job 1/2 a world away. I am proud to be in their company. Time for another pill!

[pjay9]

Today I volunteered to go work an oil spill (diesel in the Ballard area of the ship canal in Seattle). Yes I got paid. I learned today much about the oil spill regiment and process...it is labor intensive and is a young man's game. I was not as fast as the 20 somethings but contributed much...I even saw an iussue that needed to be addressed with an additional containment boom, put it to the young guys around me and they all agreed I needed to bring to the attention of the site manager...expalined the situation...his response was "Make it so."...we did and got it under control, the young guys know I am a vessel Captain, and wondered what I was doing there...I told them I need to understand their jobs and so I could see how to support them as a vessel captain...I learned alot and they appreciated the 'OLD MAN'! It was a good day..I can't take enuf Aleeve tonight!

[JumboJet]

mkirsch wrote:
The thing about it is, the older Class A's are REAL dogs on the market. People who could afford what they ought to be worth don't want them because they're "old."

You can get a lot of RV for not a lot of money.

Trailers don't seem to last as long, so you'd be looking at something much newer in a class that seems to hold its value much better. In short, you end up with less trailer for the same money.

Bought an older motor home last year for a very good price. It had 15,000 original miles, 7 hours on the generator, and all appliances (except heater), carpet, and upholstery in perfect condition.

Have driven it several thousand miles since we bought it and enjoyed the room it gave us for my daughter and grandson. All four of us had previously traveled several thousand miles in the TC (never again).

I figured with the price I paid for it, and my mechanical skills, I can afford to repair things that may need attention.

[mkirsch]

The thing about it is, the older Class A's are REAL dogs on the market. People who could afford what they ought to be worth don't want them because they're "old."

You can get a lot of RV for not a lot of money.

Trailers don't seem to last as long, so you'd be looking at something much newer in a class that seems to hold its value much better. In short, you end up with less trailer for the same money.

[sleepy]

JumboJet wrote:

pjay9 wrote:
Why do this? I surely don't need the $, it is something about being around boats and the folks then passing on my knowledge to young folks that are seeking a way out of their life issues. Doing good and giving back!

Thanks for considering even if you decide not to accept.

Breaking even is not a consideration when I decide to "give back".

Too many people with too many "what ifs"(Yawning) and nothing would ever be accomplished for the good of others.

Follow your heart.

:B :B :B

Looks like you got what you wanted PJay... pros and cons... maybe some skeptisism... and some new ideas.

I wouldn't have thought to use the forum for a sounding board. I'll bet you aren't yawning... you'll make good decisions as usual.

It would be interesting to hear what others have done to "give back,"

actual experiences.

Save a little time for travel... we haven't been able to finish this area of Tennessee during your last two trips... your parking spot will always be waiting in our driveway.

Chet

[kohldad]

Sounds like you have figured it out but I have another thing to consider.

How long would you have to work to pay off half of one of those trailers you looked at? Make that your minimum self commitment. That way if in a couple of months you don't like it, you can sell the trailer on the cheap without really losing money. The rest of your expanses would be just be considered camping expense.

[JumboJet]

pjay9 wrote:
Why do this? I surely don't need the $, it is something about being around boats and the folks then passing on my knowledge to young folks that are seeking a way out of their life issues. Doing good and giving back!

Thanks for considering even if you decide not to accept.

Breaking even is not a consideration when I decide to "give back".

Too many people with too many "what ifs"(Yawning) and nothing would ever be accomplished for the good of others.

Follow your heart.

[pjay9]

Going to go look at a trailer today near me just to see if it is something to keep considering. This one is 2005 Denali 26FB, just a few miles form me. Saw some other by owner from the 90's and two look really well maintained at 3900 to 5000...one has a load level system with it...can't be bad.

My report date is not established yet, but I am going to take the TC for the first few weeks, just to make sure if that is what I want to do!

THX agin folks.

[pjay9]

As I thougfht a WEALTH of suggestions has come thru. I had not really given the thought to TT or 5er. Yes truck is in great shape and would actually tow a huge 5er (not Needed) I am not taken by the 5er as that would require a hitch system, I don't need to mess with. I have a class V hitch already so TT would be good. Just need to install the electric break system. I think you have moved me in a new direction of thought. Way back when the Safari's were new and we were looking at RV'ing they were a good choice but at that time not affordable in mid 90's for us and didn't make sense. I suppose it doesn't at this time either, porbably was one of those romantic ideas of doing something you dreampt about...another drivr train, need a toad (already have), unit old issues and myslef too.

Now to address the other comments, which all have validity. Why do this? I surely don't need the $, it is something about being around boats and the folks then passing on my knowledge to young folks that are seeking a way out of their life issues. Doing good and giving back!

Is it going to cost me money to do this, no there is a net gain? The cost of apts and room and board type places is twice plus the rent at an RV park...if I own something then have something to show and can sell it...this is the time to buy, if I go thru with this. Job Corps is different than Peace Corps, funded differently. I haven't looked at house sitting in the area...it is not your typical summer get away place...this is a year round working town unlike some of the actualy OR coast towns. There is even a COSTCO plus the Bar Pilots and River Pilots plus MSRC ship and a fair sized fishing port with packers...huge marine supply store. Loads of new constrution going on. College and small businesses.

I will have to post an ad on CLIST about wantig to be a House sitter...good idea.

And then there is the other thing...I am RETIRED!

Many aspects to consider. I do thank everyone for their thoughts and opening my eyes.

Another thing I considered...the TC is still working and isn't leaking inside, maybe I should just use it for a few months to see if this is really what I want to do.

Thanks for a good thread eye-opener.

[sleepy]

How much would it cost to rent an furnished apartment or house?

Per month

per year

per 5 years


How do these numbers compare to the cost of a trailer or MH?

how about the taves, licence plates, registrations, etc

how will your wife get rid of the exstended stay RV if something happens to you... she'd take a loss or assume an ongoing debt debt

What if the peace corp isn't funded after 2016? You are stuck!

I personally think that the job is not worth taking at this stage of your life if it costs you any money to take it.

I assume that you will still keep your house and everything else.

Note to all... I actually know PJay and his wife.

I think that you are getting in over your head.... you may be supplementing your job out of your retirement funds.

Suggestion: Find someone in that area that is going south for the winter and offer to house-sit for them... your references would impress me... and others.

You pay their utilities and keep up the property.

Maybe rent their RV.

Just do not buy one.



You will no longer be retired... you will have just changed jobs.

Chet

[Jaxom]

Assuming the truck is in good shape, I'd go with something towable. A TT would have an easier hitch setup. You may already have what you need.