StainlessDeal

After reading some recent discussions here and elsewhere that pertain to the subject, I've concluded that we all don't share the same view of what wealth is. We don't even share a common idea of how to use the money we do get from our efforts. In an attempt to understand better what our perspectives are, I have a poll for your consideration. This can be an opportunity to exchange useful ideas and concepts, even philosophies, or it can be a more prosaic opportunity. Perhaps a chance to explain what we mean when we use terms like: Wealth, real money, or investment. just so that this isn't a tired old, "What would you do if you won the lottery...?" question, I'll set some easy parameters: The amount of money in hand is $100,000. I like this figure because it is a lot of money, but not riches, that is, it could easily run out in short order. The $100,000 comes after you settle your creditcard/medical/dental/gambling/whatever debt. We all know we'd like to be close to debt free, and at least have a manageable, low-risk mortgage. What do you do with the hundred grand you have in hand, to spend as you will? I'm leaving this public, but multiple choice. Please don't be shy, let's hear what we think we should do with our money.

I'm not going to be able to read this until tomorrow evening late (if then) so I won't be able to defend this position until after that. I have to admit that now that this poll is up, my own answer is pretty pedestrian. I'd fully fund the IRA and the 401k, mostly because the 401 is my wife's and we can get a solid contribution from the company match. That adds up to a strong raise each year. I know I wouldn't be able to resist some equipment spending. Update some software, a higher volume pump in a more solid rig jump right to mind after a string of failures by both. I think I'd refinance the house to make more money available to invest elsewhere. Interest rates and costs would have to make good sense though. It would be nice to have a mortgage payment like my father's, and have the spare bucks to use elsewhere. I'm also sure there would be some jewls and precious metals bought. Call it an investment in my happiness through spousal pleasing. lol I'm not sure I'm in the right mind to answer full yet... let me get back tomorrow with a more detailed answer. Any genius money guys want to do better, it won't be difficult.:) Let's hear somebody that knows this stuff a little better give a few ideas.:lgmoneyey On edit, I know I'm foolin' nobody: There would surely be a new, old bike in my near future. Think of the money saved on psychiatry and heart-medications alone!lol

Hey KJ, maybe this could be a new subcontractor for you? Wait a minute...No, don't do it, apparently "rates very". I wouldn't start anything until I knew, "Very what?";)

I've been gettin' the itch for one myself, Alan. I keep thinking an F-650 super crew would be a nice addition to the family, and could pull a boat, camper, even a train as easily as any new work trailer. Then I see a straight truck or something, and then that is uppermost in my mind!:rolleyes: Equipment fever is terrible, and there is no real cure. I'm pretty sure the super/super would increase my street value, though.

The following is my opinion, based on experience in the trucking industry. I've never checked the strictest factuality of the assumptions I've made, so bear with me as I explain what I think is true. I have no ego in this discussion, I may well be wrong. I believe heavy-duty torsion axles are the best solution to hauling serious weight, especially if they are also equipped with airbags. Take a look under any commercial semi-trailer, and you will find torsion/airbag suspensions. The biggest advantage for them is carrying capacity and overhead clearance, as well as ride quality and control. The more springs you add to a leaf stack, the taller it gets, increasing sway, while also raising the center of gravity. That is a recipe for a roll-over, and an uncomfortable, high-vibration, nearly out of control ride, except on level, smooth roads. For the work we do, the expense of axles equipped with torsion bars and airbags is probably a non-starter, not to mention the compressor required, and the air plumbing to keep up. A torsion bar is just a spring that has been stretched while loaded. In other words, if you think of a spring as a coiled metal bar, that is loaded with energy as it compresses; then you can visualize that compression is actually twisting the bar. Straighten the bar, and, presto! A torsion bar. The advantage of a torsion bar is that it can function as a positioning rod, and can be mounted more flush than coiled or stacked springs of the same rate. The resultant compact, low sway, easily wrench-adjustable suspension is found under the front-ends of thousands of hot-rods and pickups. If you are still reading this, I guess that means that for our trailers, the leaf-spring is still probably supreme, because we aren't as worried about losing overhead clearance, or ride quality, as we are worried about expense and easy maintenance/modification.

Don, first, Happy Anniversary to you and the bride! Next, Man are boxer pups cute or what? Congrats on the fine turns in your life man. It is good to reap what we sow, you know? I'm sure the Phelps house is just chockablock with wild puppy love today!

Everybody getting set for the next season? Have you all checked, serviced, and fueled the rig(s)? What are you anticipating. I'm going to bet on a dry, snowless season. Mainly because I've entered a partnership with a couple of other guys to tackle some commercial accounts, and because the my unit unexpectedly required new tires last week.:lgtear: Otherwise, the potential is mighty!:lgmoneyey How 'bout you?

I didn't even think there was a season down there. What's the limit? It's mostly catch and release here. We have a 3/4-ton size limit in place, but you see guys keeping half tons all the time, and even mini-trucks or jeeps here and there. BTW, how can you be 100% in agreement with Ken, and 100% ready all at once? Doesn't that violate the laws of Germany? Is it even safe to try to burn the candle at both ends like that?

Uh...Hello?...Is this thing on...hellooo? Well, now I'm :lgsad: because nobody is :lgkeyboar. Guess I'll :seeya:when we are all :lgcold:, I won't :banghead: and make myself :lgsick::rolleyes:. That was kinda fun.:D

I say let somebody else take the hit on the value for the first years. Buy a good used truck, spend the money to have it professionally checked, and buy diesel if you are going to do more than 20,000 miles a year. Also, depending on what interest rates are available to you, it might better suit you to finance the truck, and let the money work harder for you elsewhere. I always check ebay, and Used Trucks For Sale at Truck Paper: Freightliner, International Trucks, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Mack trucks, dump trucks, dump trailers, used trailers for sale. for a guage on the market. Don Phelps turned me on to another good source for used trucks, but I've apparently misplaced it. There is a great deal of good used iron out there in the price range you are talking about. BTW, if you are going to use this rig as your business truck, I'd definately consider going no lower than 3/4 ton capacity. There are a bunch of super-duty (more than 1-ton) Fords out there not far from 25 grand. They can be a little mile-y, but usually sound. Sometimes just googling the right search terms will turn up a decent fleet return sale or auction in your area. Good luck, let us know how your search goes!

lol! I thought maybe I had a problem on my hands...now I see I'm just a poor *******! Thanks!:)

I get a 403 error message from that link. Can I please get permission to see the flow chart?;)

Here is a link to Alive Day: The Film. It's a series of interviews with soldiers and marines wounded in Iraq. It will only be available online until tomoorrow, but for those without HBO, it is a chance to see the film. This is an opportunity to see and hear some of our veterans talking about their experiences. They deserve to be listened to. HBO: Alive Day: The Film I'm interested in your reactions. Especially those of the veterans here.

Dang you Jeff! Dang you straight to heck!!:lildevil:

Chris, I'm sure some equipment guru will correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't need non-detergent oil in your small-engine crankcase. I'm assuming that is what you are referring to. In the pump, you definately want a non-detergent oil, and should scrupulously change it. I've found the investment in synthetics has always paid off in all my engine applications, except one: Old engines, that you buy used. I use Mobil 1 in every motor I buy new, or rebuild. Motorcycles, PWers, pickups, tractors, big trucks, you name it. I even use it in my outboards. The peace of mind is worth it to me. I have a 94 Chevy Suburban with 201 thousand on the clock, and these are hard working, off-road miles, that has never had the heads off. Mobil 1 since it was new. (On Edit: I actually use Shell Rotella-T in my commercial tractors.)

Man! I can't believe I forgot about the new little 'un, Roxy! Sorry bout that.:lgtear: I bet she gets to ride inside!:lgwave:

Scott, is there room in the bed for a weimie or two?:)

What terms were you searching on when you found this!?;):lgbounces

Yeah, that's an issue I have to weigh pretty heavily every time. I don't like big, molly-coddling gov't, but I don't like rapacious corporations going unchecked either. I often go with the gun issue, because an armed society is a polite society, in my eyes. I don't like being pigeon-holed much, no matter what the topic is. I've often thought I should start an independent party. Either the Gimme a Break Party, or maybe the Contrarian Party.:lgangel: Excessive anything, in government, really puts me off. A little common sense goes a long way. My voting record would shock many here.

Man Scott! I am way behind the curve! My wife is one of 8 her folks each one of over 10. You have to love a family so blessed!:)

Good to hear college kids have still got some drive in them. Ron ********** and Scott Stone are both in the Phoenix metro, and can fill you in on plenty of useful area info. They are both highly respected professionals in the field. The rig you are talking about is workable, but maybe not the best for the area. I'd go with more GPM and lower pressure. You can work with that, but you'll do better with more flow, in less time. Maybe Ron or Scott are hiring, you could hardly study at a better tutor's knee. On another topic, please fill out a signature, you'll get more responses and it is required on TGS. People like to know who they are talking to. The search function here is full of discussions of starting out, read lots and lots; most of the best questions are answered somewhere in the archives. Good luck, and happy reading!

I'm what is often called a hardhat liberal: That usually means working-class, conservative democrat, but often includes progressive or centrist republicans. We are the swing voters that actually elect people. I've voted outside my party plenty of times, because I love my country before my party. If you hate the system, get more active, I've watched what can happen when people decide to get off the duff and be a part of something. People take the franchise for granted, vote thoughtfully. Also, if you are sure you are right about something, read the views of the other side, you will find that most issues aren't nearly as clean-cut as we might wish.

Kevin, this whole thread, including the posts you've been so strenuously objecting to, has been about EXACTLY THIS! The specific problem with lowballers, is that the prospective customer pool is contaminated with people that have their pricing expectations set by lowballer price-based ads. This is where they get their info on what maintenance expenditures should be! I can't write it in smaller or easier to understand words: Even if lowballers do good work, they should charge more, so they can pay themselves more, and so that the industry will be seen to be a profession in which people make a living. Common perception, set by lowballers and their ads is that we should work cheap, and that we are just working for beer-money, etc. This is perpetuated by hacks, and technically good service providers alike, that only compete on price.

I love dog rescuers! As far as training goes, my older dog is 12 and has received two hits his whole life. Both times were the faults of the hitter, and one of those got his dental plan activated soon after. Dogs only learn to distrust your hand when you hit them. Congratulations for using modern methodology in training, plenty of otherwise reasonable people absolutely don't understand the basics of training. The best things to remember are that: 1. The dog doesn't speak english. 2. The dog wants to please you. 3. Negative reinforcement means witholding praise. not punishing. 4. DO NOT reinforce behavior you do not wish to see repeated. 5. Losing your temper doesn't help. Dogs know their place if you make their place clear. Treat them as if they are a toddler (in mind) that you dearly love. They will do anythiing for you. Even that lousy *******, Adolph Hitler, had a dog that loved him. Your dog loves you.

I knew you were just heckling, my dander wasn't up, just love to talk dogs.:) And trust me on this, having a dog in the house that can sniff out a quail hiding a couple of hundred yards away isn't always so great! Especially if you like to do any eating, or handling of food! The inspection I get any time I so much as walk past another dog is almost enough to embarrass a fella! Heckle away man, we can take it!:lgwave: