Hourly vs Salary?

[MossRoad]

A man with a plan...

The Cadillac reminds me of our wedding day. My father-in-law had one pretty much the same as that and we drove it all day... 31 years ago!

 

[ultrarunner]

I do feel much older this last year... snapping the tendon in my middle finger didn't help.

Just wonder how that is going to go over with the physical for the new company as I still can't make a fist in my left hand.

For those that might not know... I was sent to pick up the food for a Doctor meeting at work... one of the aluminum casserole trays had a leak and leaked Chinese food onto the leather seat of my BMW... I took a towel and when I tried to clean between the seat cushion and the seat back I snapped my tendon... the BMW seats are on the firm side...

Went to the premier hand surgeon who just happens to be on our medical board and he took X-rays and splinted me to return to work saying I have to keep it splinter for 90 days... splint is off but finger is stiff and crooked... told it will take time...

 

[ultrarunner]

The Cadillac reminds me of our wedding day. My father-in-law had one pretty much the same as that and we drove it all day... 31 years ago!

My Boss from a job I had one summer between High School and College servicing typewriters for the county and school district owned it new... it has been to all 48 contiguous states... I had helped him a few times with minor repairs or sourcing parts.

Had not kept in touch for several years and then I get a call from his wife saying Doug wants me to have his car as he can no longer drive and can't bear to sell it... she said I was always there whenever he called... really nice guy and retired military with Washington State roots.

Anyway... I told him I was going to drive it to Olympia as I wanted to keep it inside... Doug told everyone that would listen from his hospital bed how I checked the fluids and drove straight through to Olympia and I had made that picture for him which he kept at the hospital... it had not been driven for about 18 months... now if I could keep the mold in check Olympia would be perfect.

All I can say is a lot of people have been very kind to me over the years...

67 Fleetwood Brougham...

 

[MossRoad]

My Boss from a job I had one summer between High School and College servicing typewriters for the county and school district owned it new... it has been to all 48 contiguous states... I had helped him a few times with minor repairs or sourcing parts.

Had not kept in touch for several years and then I get a call from his wife saying Doug wants me to have his car as he can no longer drive and can't bear to sell it... she said I was always there whenever he called... really nice guy and retired military with Washington State roots.

Anyway... I told him I was going to drive it to Olympia as I wanted to keep it inside... Doug told everyone that would listen from his hospital bed how I checked the fluids and drove straight through to Olympia and I had made that picture for him which he kept at the hospital... it had not been driven for about 18 months... now if I could keep the mold in check Olympia would be perfect.

All I can say is a lot of people have been very kind to me over the years...

67 Fleetwood Brougham...

I think my father in laws' was a 68.

On a similar note to you, about 30+ years ago I used to work as a line chief at a fixed base operation at our local airport. One day, a local guy with his own grass airstrip that did occasional business with us drives up in a 71 4 door Nova. I said I liked his car, as I was fond of Nova's of that era. He said "You want it?". I said "Sure, how much you want for it?" He said "Nothing, I want you to have it". I was stunned. I mean, really, all I've done for him over the years was gas up his plane and check the oil a few times. I pulled it in and out of the hanger in winter, because he couldn't use his grass strip when it was muddy or snowy. But really, nothing special. He said he knew I liked those cars, I'd always been nice to work with, he didn't need it anymore, so here you go!

I drove it for a few years. Some drunk hit it in front of our house and smashed in the right front fender hit and run. I had another Nova I was more into, and was thinking of getting rid of the 4 door anyway. Some guy drives up and asks if I want to sell the Nova and for how much? I said "You really want it?" He said "Yes." So I said "You can have it." He asked "How much?" I said "Nothing! I want you to have it." :laughing: I ended up charging him $1.00 and signed an affidavit so he wouldn't get charged a ton of sales tax. Felt good.

 

[ultrarunner]

Cool story...

Can't say I have given away more than one car and that was too my 14 year old nephew... he was crazy about the F150 I had so after getting the OK from his parents made it so.

 

[Oaktree]

I do feel much older this last year... snapping the tendon in my middle finger didn't help.
.......
Went to the premier hand surgeon who just happens to be on our medical board and he took X-rays and splinted me to return to work saying I have to keep it splinter for 90 days... splint is off but finger is stiff and crooked... told it will take time...

Had something similar happen to me maybe 15 years ago. Slipped & fell, bent my left ring finger trying to catch myself. Didn't really hurt or anything, but the finger just kind of dangled. Nothing broken. Went to an orthopedic clinic, they put the finger in some weird looking splint. Took about 3 months, but almost good as new. May have triggered a bit of arthritis...that finger tends to get stiff and sometimes achy in cold weather.

Health Insurance in from 50 up to age 65 can be more than some pay on a mortgage.

When Mom was attacked by a dog at age 62 she was uninsurable for 3 years until she became Medicare Eligible... lucky she was in good health and no other injuries but once Cobra ran out she was on her own... I guess this would be illegal today?

Medicare has made retirement viable for many... as the supplemental is a much smaller bite for better coverage.

I "retired" at 62, triggered in part by my employer going thru bankruptcy and selling off all assets. Went without insurance 'til I was eligible for Medicare. An Obamacare policy was waay more than I could afford ($600+/mo for a policy with high co-pays & deductibles)...it was just cheaper to self-insure and pay the penalty. Medicare doesn't seem to be that great either, but it's relatively inexpensive and "counts" so no more tax penalty. Didn't go for any of the supplemental insurance nor part D. Can't really compare to a mortgage since I haven't had one since 1989, but looking at house prices I can only imagine!

Health care costs are completely out of control. IMHO the whole system needs to be blown up and rebuilt from the ground up, though I don't expect that to happen in my lifetime. Way too many deep-pocketed interests (including the hospital industry) who are content with the status quo.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have to wonder where all the money spent on Health Care goes?

The reason I say this is it has not been going to raises or higher staffing.

Regulatory costs continue to rise very fast...

The old perfectly useful computer system had to be tossed as it did not meet HIPPA... the cost of pharmaceuticals and supplies have also risen steeply and many more regulatory agencies have their fingers in the pot.

Interesting times for sure.

 

[jlawso21]

Pretty much sums up the situation from all sides...

It's been a week since the deadline extension... mentioned to the person that will be my new boss who I had worked with for years in the past as project manager that I have not heard anything...

I was told it is because they don't know what to do with me but it is not for lack of discussion at all levels... it is because I currently cross just about all job classifications... even certified to do patient care.

I'm not alone but my guess is 95% have come on board... but I know two others that were highly recruited that also have issues... they too do not fit the mold.

One has super loyal surgeons who said to our Admin if we want their cases they need to hire this Surgical Tech... when she came onboard 9 years ago we picked up 5 surgeons... 2 of which have retired since.

I've come to peace with it because not working for the new entity is not the end of the world...

I also feel a little awkward in that I'm not the problem child or difficult employee but asking questions has made extra work for others...

The point about enforcement of rules is a good one... being on call 24 hours a day for 365 days each year and having that in writing without know how it will be implemented is a concern... what happens if I can't come in... or want spend time sailing on SF Bay where it could take hours to come in?

One other thought to leave you with; any organization, and I do mean any including the federal government, will make exceptions for pay, title, position, benefits etc., for people they believe have unique talents or the organization has a need for them. (The US government turned Werner VonBruan from a **** into a boys scout for the space program). The problem is the new company recognizing the need or getting to the right person who has the authority or responsibiity for running the place and the incentive to do something about it. Usually that is the new General Manager or the regional Vice President. If they say they can't do it for you it just means that person can't do it, because the new company can, if they want to.

 

[ultrarunner]

Interesting prospective and from a view I had not considered.

 

[MossRoad]

...

The old perfectly useful computer system had to be tossed as it did not meet HIPPA......

Well, see, there's the thing... while it was still perfectly useful, it wasn't very secure. HIPPA computer systems conformity... been there, done that... quit I.T. shortly after! :laughing:

Also did the credit card security thing... sheesh. What a pain that was.

I've tossed at least 5 generations of servers and desktops into the dumpsters over the last 25 years. It is such a waste.