I feel like an out sider now!!!!!!

[Hairtrigger]

Dale

 You asked for advise, you got plenty!
 I guess I looked at it from a POV that you use a truck for your work, hard to haul stuff to a jobsite on a bicycle or small car.
Try to look at your situation from a different POV and keep your chin up.
Are you in a rural area? fall harvest season is coming up and there are plenty of farmers that can use a RESPONSIBLE operator. Long hours may be rewarded with cash!

[DalesCarpentry]

Thanks guy's for the advice. I will get through it one way or the other. Dale

[Illhunter]

Hope it works out for you and like you i don't have any handi's either but like reading about everyone's experiences with them makes me want one maybe down the road a bit. I have also had some rough times  and am just getting by right now to but just keep going it will all work out. 

[georgeld]

Yep, Fred has it about right, but, that's hard for most of us to do.

One of the many bs sayings I've come up with over the years fits this deal.

"Life is a Test, a Test of Your Tolerance, Stamina, and Endurance"

Hang in there Dale.

Hope no one takes offense at this. But, I was a long haul trucker for yrs. same thing applies to on the road construction.  IF you're not there to take care of the wife and kids needs, they'll sooner or later find someone that will be.

"The way you tell if you've been gone too long is when the kids start calling the other guy Daddy."
I've been there, and they were!!

Something to think about.

Wish you all the best,

George

[DalesCarpentry]

Wow!!!! That must really cut deep and hurt. Sorry Dale

[pills]

Sit down and make a list of assets and liabilities and dispose of any non essential items and turn them into cash.

Not all non essentials can be turned into cash. Some of them just need to be turned off. I am different than some but when I shook my bankers hand on my first car loan I made a commitment to pay. There were times when cigs and beer and fast food were out of the question but I gave my word to that man. To this day if I want something he will not tell me no. 

To add to what fred said. Make a list of how much you spend on

1. Television: Do you have satellite or cable. $$
2. Going out to eat: No one can eat out cheaper than cooking @ home. $$
3. Bad habits: Now would be the perfect motivation to kick smoking or drinking etc. $$
4. You are on the internet. Are you using dial up or high speed? $$
5. Examine your cell phone plans. Are there any features you could get rid of without breaking contract?
6. Home phone: Do you really need caller ID, Call waiting, Call waiting caller Id etc? $$
7. If the truck is def gone you are gonna need a ride. Do you have any friends that you can ride to work with? Even if you give them 20 a week that is less than 100 a month. That is probably cheaper than insurance on the 500 a month truck payment.
8. Take side jobs. There are always people who need small jobs done. You may not get everything you think you are worth but if you make 50 bucks when you would have just been @ home surfing the net that is more than you had.

[PartsMan]

If you have to get an older truck get an old Chevy.
I used a 82 Chevy to get the credit cards payed off.
Say what you will about the 13mpg but it cost me $800 total and only had liability.
I laughed every time I had to buy a part.
Never needed anything over $30 in 5 years also never had to order.

[the lone gunman]

Hi Dale,

I feel for you and will say a prayer for you and your family. I too am in the same boat, After making over $18.00 an hour at a walmart DC for 9 years, My back went out in jan of this year I was lucky in that I had Insurance to help with bills ,but not really what we where used to getting, and also we had no payments on anything, We very seldom buy anything new. always used, even things like a washer and dryer.We seldomm go out to eat, only on b/Days or speciial occasions. I hope you hang in there and things do change for you, seek help if you think you need it , dont be ashamed to ask for it. I want to give you an example of how Frugal I am.  I have a 1988 ford ranger 4/4 with 137,000 miles on it, runs good but the body was shot, I kept looking around in my daily travels and found a local guy who had just fixed up his same truck. Then the motor blew. He sold me 2 new doors, 2 new fenders, 2 bumpers a grill and new headlight buckets for $4oo.00 and he even put them on and patched my bed,, Shes like new again. And do you know what my front license plate says?   " Dont Laugh , Its paid for " Hang in there Dale  ( by the way, my name is Dale also )