|
Justifing working on the road, or self employment
We both have the SSI and SS retirement, which I can not spend another dime on anything. All of it goes to the house and bills.
My job seems to be costing me more and more, financially and physically. I think I may need to consider something I am not on the road so much..... I am on the road for hrs, travel time is included and .36 a mile. The last claim was 150 mile round trip, that is a long drive for my back. I could hardly stand/stoop to do the estimate. It works out to about $1 a mile, time wise and travel cost. But then I have to start deducting off so much and wonder where is the profit margin. Especially when dh drives me, we stop for a budget meal, I am gone from home for several hrs. The gas is $4,oo a gallon. On top of that, the budget busters happen; The 99 Camry has 130,000 and needs the timing and maintance done.. the new exhaust was almost $1,000. The newer car I bought, since April 10th, I have put on 10,000 miles, it needs tires @ $800 for a good all season with road hazard. When on the road, I stop at outlets, Walmart, pick up grocerys at veggie stands, If I am home, not exposed to the purchases or eating out. As much as I think getting off the road will be a cost saver, there is not much I can do with my disabilities. I did take some ideas from Bizi about marketing my business. Putting out contact information. I have my PI license and have been referred work from attorneys to serve processes, or subpeona's. I originally wanted to use the PI license to do more work as I did supervising court ordered visitations between kiddos and estranged parents. No recent referrals, only a few past clients with no money. I printed postcards and sent to local attorney's and have a website up. It seems word of mouth is the best referral right now. Maybe I should take a few days and follow up in person? This would be the best way to have an income. Actually, it would be best for me if the two boys worked this job, as I have been carrying their unmet financial needs....Oldest waiting on appeals from SSD, and the younger with disabilities works security on weekends. He wants to go to school pt for massage therapy. I have made suggestions and attempts, the company I work for does not care which of us does the work, I am a subcontractor....But older son has the grandson, and younger son is untrained to the detail oriented work I do. It would be so different if the claims were within 30 mile radius, not 50-100. |
Dear Di
i wish i could offer some concrete advice... i admire you for your ability to juggle all that you do and for your enterprising spirit. i could not imagine running my own business... terrified of such responsibility. i just want to express my vote of confidence in you ... you have a lot of experience, a good head on your shoulders. i just know you will figure this out. sending hopeful thoughts :circlelove: ~ waves ~ |
waves is right of course. you are wonderful and very resourceful. Being self employed has its ups and downs. For myself...I can't see doing it any other way. my job keeps me close to home I rarely put 50 miles on my car for the whole day. last week I drove the most miles I HAVE ever driven in one day. 146.:eek:The taxes allow us at least $.50 a mile so you can deduct the rest on your personal taxes if they are only paying you$.36 a mile.
I could only do this job because my hubby carries the benefits, health insurance etc. He is the primary bread winner. I work part time. I wish you much luck in what ever you decide to do or path you take, we will be here rooting for you every step of the way. ((((HUGS)))) bizi |
Thanks for being cheerleaders. I just need to whine a bit, and air the frustrations.
Today was another rough one. Called out after 4 hrs sleep for a tractor trailer accident 1 hour 20 minutes away. I got there and they forgot to cancel me from the company that subcontracted us. Then re-routed north the 62 miles I traveled down, plus an additional 65 further North. There were no roads in some areas, with mud paths from flooding. It was an interesting claim though. The person that reported his car stolen & in an accident, was actually the driver when I met with State Police. So now there is insurance fraud.... On the way home, I had to stop at the Coke Cola plant looking for a truck that pulled a wire down; it needed a height measured on it. So today was 300 miles and 9 hrs. Tomorrow back out, 130 miles round trip. Friday down to Phila 200 miles round trip. That is almost 800 miles by the end of the week. Including one home that had damage from Hurricaine Irene, now with new damage from TS Lee. On one hand, it will be a great paycheck for taking the younger kids to Disney in Oct. I had this planned from the Spring, so it is good to have a bit more $$$ to take along. I had a code for free dining which is going to be GREAT!!! DD will be 16 on the trip so I am excited. |
wow sweet 16, my niece turned 16 this year...driving is not far behind this age, at least for her ...drivers permit, practicing with my sister and her hubby.
that is a lot of driving!!!!! wow!!!! I hope you have a reliable car! stay safe on the roads di. ((((HUGS)))) bizi |
Oh wow, Di
yes wowwww. that is TONS of driving... i can see what you are talking about ... this is a lot of vehicle wear and tear ... just starting with the consideration that oil changes are "prescribed" every 1200 miles or every year whichever comes first, at 800 miles in ONE WEEK, you'd need an oil change every TWO WEEKS!!! yikes!!! who does THAT???
and it ain't any better on the tires, breaks, suspension, timing belt omg... it goes on and on. do be cautious and get more-than-regular-tune ups, plus i'd recommend if anything seems awry and you take it in for a check/repair, to requesting a full service at that time also... and tell them how much you drive. many things they can see if they are "about to go" so you don't end up with a death-trap on the road. anyway i am glad you sounded so positive about the day, between the earnings and the fact you got an interesting case. (((hugs))) ~ waves ~ |
my dealership reccomends oil changes every 3,000 and some say they are good for up to 5,000 but I would never do that. you are right about all of the other upkeep maintenance for cars it gets very expensive. jeff and I drive older cars now, mine is a 2002 and his is a 2003 we bought them the same year and they are both hondas so they should last a long time...mine has developed an oil leak(slow) so they are replacing some gaskets when the parts come in. Hopefully that will fix the problem. I hate having car issues, I am so dependant on them, sometimes I don't trust them, the dealer like they reccomended that I change the spark plugs I only have 77,000 miles on the car and the reccomended time to change them is 100,000, so that is not for a couple more years the rate in which i drive, I told them no. the parts people said it wasn't time either.
anyway, stay safe on the roads. thinking of you today. bizi |
Quote:
i feel so embarrassed. :o i am glad you pointed it out though. and i wrote 1200 when i meant 12000 lol which is 4x as long. i wonder if that would have clued me in. dunno. i feel like my brain is starting to come unplugged. :o i do apologize to all and again thank you bizi for the correction. ~ waves ~ |
Wow, all I can say, is I drove almost 300 miles today.
And I wouldn't want to do that daily. I drive between 60 miles averaging, to 120 on a normal business day. But I travel averaging 2 to 3 days on a busy week. And my re-imbursement right now is .44 cents a mile. So its much better than yours. I also have a less miles a day. So I don't think I'd last in your job. Donna:grouphug: |
Today was a small break. I worked from home for the morning and the evening appointment rescheduled. The office called when I gave the PD report for the hit and run THRILLED I was able to get it without sending a request and payment to the Harrisburg barracks for approval which would have taken 2 weeks.
Now the property damaged owner has the information for the drivers insurance company. Then a girl I went out to after Irene's damage to her roof, had new water damage. The insurance carrier wanted to deny because of a failure to mitigate by putting up tarps. But, we showed how difficult it is to get a contractor for a claim in the hard hit area right now. She is going with a metal roof and spilt the difference. Told carrier, they never need to worry about a claim again this way. SHE was so happy.... It was nice to get out of the super sadness of flooding damage. The 2 hrs I drove up north yesterday I just kept passing by so much damage, homes gone or walls out. Really upsetting. Tomorrow I am leaving early for the claim in Phila with content damage from Hurricaim Irene. Waves and Bizi, I have a 1999 Camry with 130,000 on it needing work. I just sold the 2002 Kia with 77,000 miles on it to the dil when I got the newer car 2009 VW Passet. My sister was returning a lease so I got it for the payoff. It only had 5,500 miles on it in April, now it has 17,000 miles on it. The oil changes are computer reminders on the dash to schedule and part of the platinum plan covers 6 years of oil changes. We usually buy a gently used car, then drive it for 12 years 150,000 miles. But I really want to get the timing done on the Camry and put the mileage on that. The other thing I rarely talk about is anxiety on trips. I fear car accidents, things happening at home and I am so far away I panic. By the time I am in the home stretch I am in tears. too many hrs on the road is too much time to think and relieve....the heartache of loss. It does not help that so often on my travels, as again yesterday I either witness or happen upon accidents. The upcoming Disney trip, I must have mentioned we are driving the 1000 miles down. :eek: Better get to bed, saying a prayer that maybe an answere or sign happen for work. thanks all. di |
good nite di, hope sleep comes to you these days.
((((HUGS)))) bizi |
Quote:
That's waayy many miles of driving. Quote:
How many over nights do you do for the Disney trip? Do you stop in a hotel at least for one night? I'm glad you have Disney to look forward to. Which parks do you go to? M |
Dear Di
i was wondering how you managed to do what you do with your anxiety. you talk about it from time to time, and then others not so much. but i know it is an issue for you. i hope you get a "sign" too, so that you can do something you like and that is easier. have you ever thought of going full-blown web-based sales artistic photographer? From what i see, you have both the talent to meet generall artistic expectations, and the originality to stand out. ~ waves ~ |
Hugs to my Waves,
I do love the photography, lol, when I have something someone likes I end up giving it to them. I have sold a few, and looked into smug mug as a potential web based sale. They have the printing and taxes, then send you a check and documents for income tax. It does all the business end. We talked about it at the last Photography club meeting. I have to remember we meet again this week. See if anyone has set up a site with them yet. I am taking an ad out in the Legal register for the county for Process service and see if I can start getting more referrals. |
Dear Di
the smug mug thing sounds promising. i am not sure if the legal register refers to your current work or photography? good luck... i'd love to see you doing art full time. :circlelove: (((hugs))) ~ waves ~ |
thinking of you today di.
((((HUGS)))) bizi |
Good luck what ever you decide to do.
Donna:grouphug: |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
vBulletin Optimisation provided by
vB Optimise (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2025 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.