And so the mods come to an end for a while. :(

[damronjr]

Yep, I THINK once the bags are done and I get all the other stuff I have laying around actually on the car or sold, the mods may have to stop for a while so I can start paying the bills I have been both racking up and avoiding by making minimum payments and getting nowhere on. I have SO many other things I want to do to it, but I really NEED to get the bills down. Sure, I know many of you would lecture me on the importance of paying my bills first, but I live by this, "I make money so I can spend it on the things I want, otherwise, WHY WORK!". Stupid or not, it makes sense to me. My Vibe has come a lot further than I could have ever dreamed in this time, but I need to start focusing on the bills since I am due to get out of the Navy come April 1st and will be unemployed unless I can find something between now and then. I am going to try to refinance the Vibe next February as I will have had it for 2 years at that point. At least then maybe I will be able to afford it since right now (thanks to the wife's brainiac purchase of a POS Mercedes while I was in FL in school that we had to get rid of!) my payments are $540/mo! I hope to get it down around $300 or so a month. Any vets out there (especially you electrical guys ET/AE/AT/FC/AECF) with any tips on getting a well paying job after the military, all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. That is probably what I am most worried about is that I don't know where I wil be once my time in the Navy is done, and I don't have the option of staying in or I probably would. My wife is working on her Masters, but even now with her Bachelors she is making quite a bit less than I am. If my pay is cut by as much as it likely will be, we will be paycheck to paycheck at best. With that said and thoughts being prodded, I may end up selling the Psychovibe/Aerogear body kit minus the roof caps, and I may end up selling all the Hotchkis stuff that comes off when the bags are done. If anyone out there is interested, let this be a(nother) feeler until final decisions are made. Also, I have asked before, but if any of you know anyone who would want parts for a 98-02 S-10, please let them/me know! I have been trying to get rid of this stuff, but I really don't want to go through Ebay. I have never sold on Ebay and don't really want to deal with shipping unless I am left without a choice. Here is the link to the stuff I have: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/pts/108767755.html Anyways, that's it from me!

[BlueCrush]

Awe, sad to see it come to an end for now.I have a couple things left to do and then I will be done modding in spring. There won't be really anything else I would want to do to it. A turbo won't be feasable for a long time. So I will be ending my mods with a dyno tune in spring.Good luck with selling your extra parts and the re-fi. At least you'll be able to have the S/C and the bags to play with.

[damronjr]

Thanks, Brian. I'm glad I've gotten to do what I have so far, and once I get a stable decent paying job and less bills, I will be jumping right back on the Mod Train! Don't think this Vibe is done, I'm far from it! Just got to get my S! together!

[mcgusto82]

look up the department of defense human resources site. ALL the federal jobs are listed, and some vets have preiority over some.

[IMakeVibes]

Great looking Vibe!!!You're a smart man by wanting to get the bills paid down. I agree with you on working hard and buying the things you want (its also never too early to start saving) but, if all you were doing was spending the $$$ you're making and not taking on debt, you wouldn't have all the bills . . . atleast not so many. As far as the job thing goes, not sure if you're planning to stay in the San Diego area or not. NUMMI is always hiring for skilled trades for their Maintenance department and they tend to favor people with military experience. The pay and benefits are decent as well. If that doesn't sound interesting, I'm sure there are many other companies looking for skilled electricians. I don't know because I've never been in the military, but I would think they would have some sort of career center or job placement center for people in your situation.Good luck with whatever you decide on. And if you (or anyone else) wants info. about working @ NUMMI, let me know. I don't have any 'hook ups', but I can tell you where to start looking.

[AKLGT]

get your resume done (if not you then have a resume place do it) and hit the career fairs. the ex got his "dream" job at Texas Instruments in R/D from one of those and still works there 5 yrs later, i'm sure making a (removed) load of money. he was only in the Navy for 2 yrs as a sonar tech, on the boat for 2 months before medical discharge pwk started. so he got the wonderful military training, the Navy boot, $9K for his troubles, and into a $50K/yr job (this was 5 yrs ago, so i'm sure it's much more now). start looking! get as many extra courses the military will pay for done, and if you've had enough time in so far, also see if your experience and courses you've taken is enough for a degree. good luck!

[Charlievibe]

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »look up the department of defense human resources site. ALL the federal jobs are listed, and some vets have preiority over some.I agree with mcgusto, take a look at the Federal job sites.You might also take a look at this site http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ . I applied for a civilian job with the Air Force a few years back and had the qualifications that they were wanting - we had the interview and everything. Unfortunately for me, I was in competition with a vet. When I was phoned about the decision, I was told that they gave the job to him because he had points (for being a vet) applied to his submission that put him over me in the end (even though I was more qualified at the time). So I would go for those kinds of jobs!!! Good luck!!!!

[mcgusto82]

ok, here's the site.https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/index.aspyou just have to register with them and voila. also post a resume on monster.com, careerbuilder.com.i would also take a resume writing course on navy college. don't pay for a resume to be done. even the guys there will tell you that.don't forget about TAP class neither. make sure you request it a good 4 months in advance.hey, don't wory too much about finding a job right away. that's when you start scaring yourself into staying in the navy. might be something you might regret if you really want out. you have to be decisive.hey, the motto around my old squadron. "unemployment son!!"

[damronjr]

Thanks for the link. I'll definitely check that out. Resume still needs to get done. Took TAP twice now. As for the scaring into staying in the Navy, that's why I'm here now after the 1st time! I waited too long and had no plan! Converted from PN to AT, advanced and got a bonus, and now I'm about done again for the second time! As for unemployment, not an option as I need a close income to what I'm making now! Unemployment just won't cut it!

[ramenboy...]

hey jason,you've got one sweet vibe. yeah rest on the mods a bit and just enjoy the ride...get those bills paid down. you're definitely on the right tracki wish i could help with the job search, but gus and hope and everyone else have got that tackledkeep us posted

[mcgusto82]

you can always collect unemployment from another state. as far as the military goes, massachussets is the highest paying. they max out at around 700$ a week. as long as you don't abuse it, and actually look for a job it's a great lending hand.

[Jaycie685]

Yeah definitely get your debt lowered or better yet, paid off! It can pile up quickly and really surprise you. I'll be in your shoes when I get out of the Navy next December. I'm actually doing pretty well right now banking in $3,000.00 a month (BAH really helps!) but once I get out it's going to be tough since I will be going back to school full time to finish my degree and getting a part time job. It's going to be hard going back to minimum wage after being used to getting a decent paycheck twice a month. My rating (PR) won't really help with landing a good paying job either. I'm probably be looking into Target or WalMart or even Home Depot since I want something close to both home and school.Good luck with moving back to Texas when you get out! The cost of living is a heck of a lot cheaper than southern CA! I'm probably going to consider moving there if I can't afford to live here.

[joholste]

i don't know if you looked at it or if it interests you or not, but blackwater, triple canopy are hiring... paying 200K a year for stateside work. and the us marshals are hiring as well for air marshalls and such.

[mcgusto82]

what is triple canopy. i might interested in 200k a yr.

[joholste]

blackwater and triple canopy i guess are classified as security teams.. they were both down in New Orleans as part of the FEMA package. making bank, and i mean seroius bank...one guy that i talked to was making 1k a day.here is a good website that links you to them, dynacorp and a lot of othershttp://www.privatemilitary.org/recruitment.html

[mcgusto82]

hmm.. sorry i don't take no bullets for you if you are not my kin. i guess that's why i can't be a cop.