AAAAAUUUUUUGGGHH Might have to postpone the honeymoon now

[Spook50]

The other night some punk kid vandalized my truck (1988 Toyota Land Cruiser, not cheap to get parts for, or fix if/when something breaks), causing $3k worth of damage, and I had to dip into the honeymoon fund to get it fixed. So far that was everything I had saved up for the trip too. Needless to say I'm still furious over it. I'm not changing any dates just yet, in the hopes that the base (it happened in the parking lot of one of the base dorms) will cover the cost of repairs, but just the thought of having to push the trip back again has me more than a little angry.

Just wanted to vent my frustration.

 

[All American]

Oh no, that is terrible! Such senseless acts make me crazy. I hope everything works out in your favor.

 

[abby]

So sorry, but don't give up on your dream.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Dont give up- you still have almost 2 years (according to your ticker). Think of some creative ways to make money- anything you could sell on ebay? If you dont have things to sell, you could maybe pick some things up at garage sales. I know a couple people that do that. Could you pick up a part time job around your military schedule? The stores are hiring for the holidays, should be able to get a few hours a week. Or maybe pizza delivery? Any stores on base that might hire you? Let friends and family know what you are saving for- ask for small cash donations rather then Christmas and birthday gifts.

Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[hlbtimes2]

I thought of another one- start a savings account away from your regular account. I use ING.com I am horrible at saving money. So, I started having them take out $10 every Monday. I dont really miss $10 a week. They have a few rules about taking money out of the account, so it takes a few days to get the money. It makes it just hard enough for me to get to, that I dont spend it. I'll be using it for Christmas. I'm making a few cents interest on it each month.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

oh man Im so sorry ...but Linda is right....you still have 2 years and who knows what will happen then...keep the chin up

 

[lntsmom]

you could pad your account..."donating" blood. You could say you poured your blood, sweat, and tears into saving for the honeymoon. I'm only half joking...if you're young and healthy you can make around $150 a month donating platelettes. In 23 months you'd have enough....unless you want to stay concierge level or somesuch!

 

[stampinshauna]

I hope it all works out for you!

 

[my3kids]

If a kid damaged your car, why are you paying and not the kid, his parents, or his parent's insurance?

 

[GailT]

I was thinking why isnt the insurance paying it? Do you know who did it?

 

[Spook50]

If a kid damaged your car, why are you paying and not the kid, his parents, or his parent's insurance?

Because he/she wasn't caught doing it. There were fingerprints all over my truck, but due to budget cuts, the base cops haven't had a forensics lab for about 7 years. What really burns me is that the county sheriff, who does have a forensics lab, can't take prints from my truck, ID the kid, then give it to the base cops. Some jurisdiction garbage. I say if it helps an investigation, anyone should be allowed to help. You can bet that if I knew who did it, mommy and daddy would be writing me a $3000 check. Nothing motivates discipline like paying for damage your kid caused. The insurance isn't paying it because it my policy got messed up while I was deployed, and when I got back and restarted everything, the kid I talked to didn't put comprehensive back on it. So I was more than a little mad about that too when I found out.

I still haven't heard a definate answer as to whether or not the base will cover the repair cost, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will. Then all I'm out is the time it takes for my truck to get fixed. Hopefully the shop has a loaner car that I'll be able to use.

 

[woody73]

The punk did this on the base!?! That's pretty daring -- don't you guys have guns?

 

[ter-moo]

If the worst happens, and you don't get the money back, I think you can still do a wonderful Disneyland honeymoon for half of that $3000. If I remember right, you were going to stay 10 days--cut that in half and stay five. Five is plenty to do everything and still have time to relax and enjoy yourselves. If you keep at it, you can usually get a better deal than the publicized prices at the Grand CA Hotel. You have to call and call and keep asking for a "better rate." Once I got a Southern CA rate, and I don't even live there. The CM gave it to me because "she'd mentioned it" and then thought it would be only fair to just give it to me. Really, the fact that you're planning this trip so sweetly and determinedly is the part your wife will appreciate more than anything else about it.

And then you can be thankful that you HAD the money saved up already to fix your car.