Financial problems.

[aschmidt]

I don't exactly know who to bring this up to, so I figured some of the older members here would have some input on this.

My dad's appraisal business is doing really poor right now because of how the market has been recently. Because of this, we're getting tight on money. It's to the point where he’s losing a steady $3k a month (taking into account what the family makes), which means there's 1-2 months before he can't keep up the payment on this house that we’re renting.

My dad didn't really have a chance to get a degree, due to having us earlier than expected, and he knows that's his fault, but it doesn't change the situation now. He has no real skills, and despite him being an intelligent man, he has no degree to back it up.

Furthermore, the appraisal industry is reaching a point where 10 years down the line the whole process might be done by computers, which would once again leave my dad out of a job. On top of that, since it's my dad's own business, he needs save for a retirement fund, which he hasn't been able to yet, and he's 45 now.

Now, my advice to him was to grit his teeth and get a part time job anywhere, while picking up college again and finishing off the few years he needs to get a bachelors degree. That way, he’d be able to get into a corp. like Boeing and at least get 15-20 years in and build some kind of retirement.

Now, I’m no expert when it comes to financial situations like this, and I’m assuming a lot of you have gone through your own hardships, so I’d really appreciate it if some of you could voice your opinion on this. Thanks guys.

[browntown]

I'm a big proponent of education, but if you're looking at losing your home, now may not be the time to take a part-time gig. A man with 20 years business experience has skills. Don't sell pop short so soon. Go down to the state employment office, where for free they can help him write a resume (functional in his case would probably be best vs standard chronological job list) They also should have job postings for companies.

If he's losing money and is incorporated, lay himself off and collect unemployment while using all the job seeking tools available.

Good gigs if he is in decent health are doing a UPS route / Coca-Cola route / frito lay route. Beer distributor even.

These guys make decent money, and work for large companies that typically have retirement plans and benefits. If it's a large enough company they may have tuition reimbursement so he can take night classes while working full time.

Above all -- be supportive. I've had two jobs in the ten years before the job I'm in now. I was laid off from both, and being unemployed can screw with your head.

[Julien]

First and foremost, that situation is not fun for you, your family and your father.
If there is any advice i can give your father is to use the network he has build up while working as an appraiser and try to seek opprotunities from there. Nothing is better for getting a job than someone who knows your father's capabilities. I don't *think* college is the best idea, but who knows? maybe an associates (2 year) degree in a trade like accounting?


fwiw
Julien

[atomic]

I am seeing harder times on alot of people here in Tennessee as well. I am in the title examination business and mainly do foreclosures for attorneys. I do not know the laws in your state regarding title examiners(some states like mine you can be independant others have to be done by lawyers) but since he is in the real estate field it might be feasible for him to get into this line of work out there and not skip a beat at all. The problem with such a overpriced real estate market is it will take longer to correct itself compared to other parts of the country.

I wish I had all the answers for you but I know this market is tough right now as my brother has his own mortgage company as well. And tells me daily how tough it is to get people with perfect credit bought on home loans right now. The best thing is the FED is now starting to lower rates and this should start correcting itself over the next 3-6 months and longer.

Just tell him to hang in there and hope everything goes well for you guys
The easiest thing to do is cut back on all things that are not needed and just get by with the bare essentials.

[Julien]

being unemployed can screw with your head.

oh god that is the truth

[aschmidt]

Thanks so much for the replies thus far guys. The house we're renting right now is actually rather nice and it's in one of the more expensive places to live in Orange County, so moving into a smaller house will help a lot I'm sure. The thing is, I'm going into the service (Navy) next year, and my dad would like to keep this house until I ship out, so he can buy a 3 bedroom instead of a 4 bedroom. I figured I'd add that if it helps makes the situation more clear. Thanks again for the replies!

[s0urce]

Really? Are you REALLY posting this on the internet? Daddy would be so proud.

What do you think you're doing? Are you going to take your e-advice straight to pops and let him know you went out on the internets to seek support for him?

My advice is this, let your Father figure out how to run (or ruin) his own life. He brought you into the world which in itself warrants him a tad bit of credit seeing as you're not in jail. (and you're on BMW forums).

Worst case senario: your dad listens to you. If your father takes any "breakthrough" advice of yours, take comfort in the fact that your father is a failure.

I hope you like strawberries.

:zzz:


With any hope, this thread deserves the flag. :down:

[325Projectz]

tell him to get a job at a morgue, people are always dying.

it's crazy how our economy can mess with everything. i'm scared for my job, our company has laid so many people off since the slow of the housing market.

i'm really thinking about jumping ship over into the health market, trying to get on with a hospital. especially because they are not as affected by the economy as real estate. but then i lose out on my seniority at my current company. funny how that works.

best of luck.

[aschmidt]

Really? Are you REALLY posting this on the internet? Daddy would be so proud.

What do you think you're doing? Are you going to take your e-advice straight to pops and let him know you went out on the internets to seek support for him?

My advice is this, let your Father figure out how to run (or ruin) his own life. He brought you into the world which in itself warrants him a tad bit of credit seeing as you're not in jail. (and you're on BMW forums).

Worst case senario: your dad listens to you. If your father takes any "breakthrough" advice of yours, take comfort in the fact that your father is a failure.

I hope you like strawberries.

:zzz:


With any hope, this thread deserves the flag. :down:

How much more of a dick can you be? I just wanted to see if there was some advice I could bring to the table to help out (through you guys). Anyway, thanks again guys for the input. I really appreciate it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Adam, your Dad is in almost exactly the same position I am in, only he has more stability than me due to his having been is business longer...I still struggle every month to cover the bills.

We (your Dad and I) are almost exactly the same age, have only one really solid skill and a shrinking market.

I wish I could offer some advice, but sales seems to still be the logical choice for most guys in our situation.

My best to your family. The best you can give him is your support, which is what I see you doing here.

And let me say this, sOurce, you are a fucking asshole. Eat a poor working mans dick, and do not talk with your mouth full.

Luke

[delatlanta1281]

Your dad seems like a smart guy. College doesn't matter in the grand scheme. Hard work, a willingness to learn, intelligence, experience. Those are great traits that companies look for. It seems like your dad has those and will be fine if he needs to get a job. In sales at the corporate level five years experience is as good if not better than a degree. Look at this as a change, not a setback. Things workout in the end. I have seen entire sales forces get laid off, the people that chose severance instead of a move are doing fine in other fields or the same field in other companies.

[Jscotty]

If I were in his situation I would be walking the streets and knocking on doors in search of business. That's how people do well regardless of how good or bad the market is doing. I happen to be in property management and I can say first hand that I am more likely to deal with people who come looking for business vs. someone who sends me a post card or some other form of paper or junk mail advertisement. People who get ahead in business during slumps in the market are the same people who are willing to do what most others are not. I would suggest that he goes out and meets 20 new realtors daily. Out of those 20 figure out who is worth doing business with and which ones would be a waste of his time. Then he can start rebuilding a list of clients.

One thing to be learned in all of this is that you always have to stay one step ahead of the industry. If you are "flowing" with the industry and you think that your situation will last indefinately, you are already in trouble. Certainly 7 to 8 months ago your Dad really thought that he was on a gravy train that would never end.

[blunttech]

How much more of a dick can you be? I just wanted to see if there was some advice I could bring to the table to help out (through you guys). Anyway, thanks again guys for the input. I really appreciate it.

pay no attention to source. he has proven to be one of the biggest douchenozzles on this forum. if i were in your situation id have your dad get out of that house and get into a modest home or even an apartment for now. then id do my best to get an early enlistment into the navy so you are out of the picture. then, being as youll be in the navy and have your housing and all other needs taken care of i would send every penny you make less basic needs money back home to dad to help out. if you do this and your dad takes the advice of others and picks up a decent job things should work out. when i was in the marines many years ago i sent all my loot back home to my parents, not to help them as they were fine but to have them keep it for me until i was out. i had a shitload of dough when i got home. you can live very cheaply and still get by in the service. not only that, everything you do comes back to you 10x over so later in life either your dad or someone else will do the same for you if needed

[s0urce]

if i were in your situation id have your dad get out of that house and get into a modest home or even an apartment for now.

You guys amaze me.

What kind of father takes orders from their kids?

Shouldn't you be beating your kids blunt? Or do you beat your kid, and then leave the house when they tell you to?

[Charlie]

pay no attention to source. he has proven to be one of the biggest douchenozzles on this forum. if i were in your situation id have your dad get out of that house and get into a modest home or even an apartment for now. then id do my best to get an early enlistment into the navy so you are out of the picture. then, being as youll be in the navy and have your housing and all other needs taken care of i would send every penny you make less basic needs money back home to dad to help out. if you do this and your dad takes the advice of others and picks up a decent job things should work out. when i was in the marines many years ago i sent all my loot back home to my parents, not to help them as they were fine but to have them keep it for me until i was out. i had a shitload of dough when i got home. you can live very cheaply and still get by in the service. not only that, everything you do comes back to you 10x over so later in life either your dad or someone else will do the same for you if needed

Navy or Jail. Either one is a good choice. Both have the perks of free sex.

-Charlie