Back to Work, Mister !!

The Job is the Same, But It's a Different Game For Us, As We Take On Our Newest Job in Laurinburg .....


     Perhaps our biggest reason for missing posts the last few days was this... After an extended break and waiting months to start job training  - which eventually fell apart - we got a call from a headhunter in St. Louis about a job.  Yes, we are returning to Service Advisorship, but it's in a slightly different industry - Farm Equipment.  Yes, we got a job with Southeast Fram Equipment in Laurinburg, NC.  Southeast owns six dealerships on the NC/SC border, of which Laurinburg is the flagship store....


    It is going to be a challenge in many ways, first and foremost of which is financial... It's an 1hr 15 minute drive each way, so based on the gas used and depreciation on the car from mileage, it makes more sense to stay in a motel for now.  So, there goes about $650 per month.  It'd be nice to get an apartment, but it would cost more than that when you include utilities - and a security deposit.  Add the current half of the mortgage, and our car payment, and we will not be clear much if any cash at first.  However, I get to renegotiate after 90 days, and the car will be paid off in the Spring.  In short, it's going to be a tight winter...



      But, there are definite advantages as well.  There is room for advancement, and I have some sweet benefits, like health insurance from Day One, a 100% match on my 401k to 6%, and a sizeable term life policy as well.  More importantly, farm equipment is a slower paced environment.  All my bosses are nice, and customers aren't nearly as high strung as in the car business.  They're not demanding, and understand that fixing equipment takes a little time.  Also, I get to learn the parts side of business as well, which I never had experienced, so I'll be strengthening my skills as well..


    Of course, challenge number one is learning the farming business.  They work totally different from cars, and there are dozens of types of machinery used - tractors, mowers, sprayers, and dozens of add-ons that go with it... There's a ton to learn, and it's going to take awhile.  But, overall it appears to be a good opportunity, although spending the week in Laurinburg pales compared to being at home.  The good part is I'll be done at 500pm each day - and bored - which should lead to plenty of available time to post.  We'll see...


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