my camera fund is gone!

[back alley]

i had the day off today but i still got up at my usual 6 a.m.

there were errands to run before my appointment with the muffler shop.
the post office was first and then the bank and finally off for a big bag of dog food, eukanuba is the preferred chow.

i arrived early at 'mufflercenter' and they guided me in.
the car was on the hoist when gene waved me over.
i knew this was not good.
seems my gas tank had a leak and they really didn't want to use the torch.

off the hoist now and heading to my garage, where i have been going for over 20 years. it's a family business and not only do they know what they're doing but they do it well and honestly.

and now i'm at home, took a bus.
i need a new gas tank. and parts are coming in from california and pennsylvania.

the little mx-3 should be road worthy by wednesday.
and i still need a new muffler!

joe

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That is the WORST Kind of GAS.

 

[ChrisN]

Bummer! Sorry to hear that Joe. Motor cars are almost as bad as kids when it comes to unplanned drains on the finances.

 

[rover]

I have the wife's tuition coming up. That is going to take the wind out of my sails a bit.

 

[phototone]

I have the wife's tuition coming up. That is going to take the wind out of my sails a bit.

Yep, me too on the wifes tuition. We can only hope that when she gets her degree she can get a job and earn enough money for me to live in a style I could become accustom to.

 

[phototone]

and now i'm at home, took a bus.
i need a new gas tank. and parts are coming in from california and pennsylvania.

the little mx-3 should be road worthy by wednesday.
and i still need a new muffler!

joe

Well the solution to this problem is to have more than one "cheap" but "running" cars, so one can sit if you can't afford the repair at any given moment. Yep, go out and jump start the old sled, air up the tires and your good to go for a while.

Same thing with cameras. Have backups, spares, and extra's.

 

[captainslack]

I feel your pain, Joe. We just had to buy a new car ourselves and I'm really starting to feel the pinch. Looks like I may have to get a second job. 🙁

 

[back alley]

I feel your pain, Joe. We just had to buy a new car ourselves and I'm really starting to feel the pinch. Looks like I may have to get a second job. 🙁

that totally sucks!
i have had to work 2 jobs occasionally in the past and it was draining. and not really much fun.

joe

 

[parks5920]

10 year anniversary next month. That'll do me in till next year.

And just incase my wife has snuck onto the RFF and is reading this, "It's worth every penny!".

 

[peter_n]

Both my kids are at college. I hope those of you that live in the US who have kids are saving now. You would not believe how expensive it is. When my youngest went off to college two years ago, I researched how much it would cost to send her to Oxford University in England - it was 23% of the cost of her university here. 🙁

 

[GeneW]

Ouch, Joe! That hurts!

Gene

 

[Kin Lau]

Hmmm, same kind of day here. Got a boost last night to get home, tried starting again this morning, and no go. Go out the voltmeter, and battery has _almost_ enough juice, it's only about 1.5 years old. It's likely the alternator. Oh well.

When they finally get around to passing a "scooter law", I think I'll get one.

 

[st3ph3nm]

Can I say "me too!"?

Just about to move, my car's dropped an inlet valve seat (which means the head's got to come off), and so no film scanner for me for a good six months, at least. I'm not even *thinking* about Canon P's that might be for sale!

Cheers,

Steve
(hope it's not too bad, Joe)

 

[back alley]

the one good thing is that i have used the same garage for 20 years and i can make a few payments instead of a lump sum all at once.
i guess there ARE some benefits to being an old fart, long term relationship with my mechanic being one.

joe

 

[Biggles]

...and finally off for a big bag of dog food, eukanuba is the preferred chow....

If you're reduced to eating dog food, you might, I say might wish to consider selling off one of the Ps.

 

[back alley]

it's very healthy and good for my teeth also!

😉joe

 

[Biggles]

"Who? Joe? Oh, Joe! Yeah... That's him over there, the one with the glossy coat."

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Joe, in these moments a sense of humor really comes in handy. Good that you have enough to spare! 🙂

 

[Flinor]

Hey Joe, I can really sympathize. All those cameras that I sold for my R-D1 fund will go for a new roof. We had an especially bad monsoon this year and for a place that supposedly sees no rain we got buckets.

Let's see, new roof, R-D1, new roof, R-D1... What's that you said, Honey? New roof, new roof, new roof...

I guess I'd better take another look in the cabinet and see what else can I sell.

 

[tedwhite]

Back-ups are good. Though my number one driver is an '03 Passat, my backup car is a 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic station wagon. I use it to go to Mexico (if the federales want it, they can have it) and to haul sheet rock, plywood, whatever needs to be hauled, including six people for birding tours. Paid $600 for it last year at an estate sale.

If the Passat takes a tumble and the Chevy won't start, I've two ancient motorcycles on standby. '92 Yamaha XT 225 and a 1975 Hodaka. Both start right up and I make sure I ride them once a week.

So the idea of a junker backup, at least in my case, and perhaps in yours also, has turned out to be a good idea. No car payments. Hardly anything for insurance or tags. Reduces free-floating anxiety, induces restful sleep. Most importantly, helps one save to handle recurrent GAS attacks.

Ted